cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Dissociating striatal and hippocampal function developmentally with a stimulus-response compatibility task

The current study examined the development of cognitive and neural systems involved in overriding a learned action in favor of a new one using a stimulus-response compatibility task and functional magnetic resonance imaging. Eight right-handed adults (mean age, 22-30 years), and eight children (7-11 years) were scanned while they performed a task. Both children and adults were less accurate for incompatible stimulus-response mappings than compatible ones; the children's performance was significantly worse. The comparison of the incompatible and compatible conditions showed large volumes of activity in the ventral prefrontal cortex, ventral caudate nucleus, thalamus, and hippocampus. Striatal activity correlated with the percentage of errors in overriding the old stimulus-response association. The hippocampal activity correlated with the reaction time to make a response to a new stimulus-response mapping that required the reversal of a prior association between a stimulus and a response location. Developmental differences were observed in the volume of striatal/pallidal and hippocampal/parahippocampal activity in that these regions were larger and extended more ventrally in children relative to adults. These results suggest that with maturation and learning, projections to and from these regions may become more refined and focal. Moreover, these findings are consistent with the role of ventral frontostriatal circuitry in overriding habitual and well learned actions and hippocampal systems in learning and reversing associations between a given stimulus and spatial location.
A new algorithm to characterise the degree of concaveness of a molecular surface relevant in ion mobility spectrometry

A new algorithm to describe the convex or concave nature of the surface of a given molecular structure was developed and incorporated into the projected superposition approximation (PSA). The new method searches for a reference structure characterised by a minimal surface area fully enclosing the molecule. The ratio of the molecular surface area to the surface area of this reference structure was found to be a good descriptor of the molecular concaveness required for the accurate calculation of theoretical cross sections using PSA. These computations are an essential step in the interpretation of ion mobility data in terms of ion molecular structure.
Nonparametric estimates of the nuisance parameter in the lad tests

The L1-norm method in linear regression model has attracted considerable attention in recent years. Some L1-norm based techniques for testing linear hypothesis have been proposed and investigated. A nuisance parameter involved in those test statistics needs to be estimated effectively, although several promising estimates have been proposed in the literature. We propose several nonparametric estimates in this paper and prove the strong consistency. Our methods are based on the density estimation method developed by Rosenblatt (1956), Parzen (1962) and others and the conditional density estimation developed by Zhao and Liu (1985) and Liu (1986).
A cuticle collagen encoded by the lon-3 gene may be a target of TGF-β signaling in determining Caenorhabditis elegans body shape

The signaling pathway initiated by the TGF-beta family member DBL-1 in Caenorhabditis elegans controls body shape in a dose-dependent manner. Loss-of-function (lf) mutations in the dbl-1 gene cause a short, small body (Sma phenotype), whereas overexpression of dbl-1 causes a long body (Lon phenotype). To understand the cellular mechanisms underlying these phenotypes, we have isolated suppressors of the Sma phenotype resulting from a dbl-1(lf) mutation. Two of these suppressors are mutations in the lon-3 gene, of which four additional alleles are known. We show that lon-3 encodes a collagen that is a component of the C. elegans cuticle. Genetic and reporter-gene expression analyses suggest that lon-3 is involved in determination of body shape and is post-transcriptionally regulated by the dbl-1 pathway. These results support the possibility that TGF-beta signaling controls C. elegans body shape by regulating cuticle composition.
The Incumbent Spending Puzzle

Objective This article seeks to explain the puzzle of why incumbents spend so much on campaigns despite most research finding that their spending has almost no effect on voters. Methods The article uses ordinary least squares, instrumental variables, and fixed-effects regression to estimate the impact of incumbent spending on election outcomes. The estimation includes an interaction term between incumbent and challenger spending to allow the effect of incumbent spending to depend on the level of challenger spending. Results The estimation provides strong evidence that spending by the incumbent has a larger positive impact on votes received the more money the challenger spends. Conclusion Campaign spending by incumbents is most valuable in the races where the incumbent faces a serious challenge. Raising large sums of money to be used in close races is thus a rational choice by incumbents.
The beta cell transcription factors and development of the pancreas.

The pancreatic β cell is the major source of circulating insulin in adult mammals. In the multistep process of insulin synthesis it is initiation of transcription that restricts insulin synthesis to the β cell since all subsequent steps can be performed by other cell types. Many of the transcription factors that bind to the insulin promoter and activate insulin gene transcription have been isolated. Some of these factors are restricted in their expression pattern, but so far no truly β cell-specific transcriptional activator has been found. Since different transcription factors synergize to activate insulin gene transcription, cell-specific transcription of insulin is probably realized through the interactions of a unique set of regulatory proteins in the β cell. The same transcription factors that regulate insulin gene transcription in the adult β cell are involved in determining cell differentiation during pancreatic development. The endocrine and exocrine pancreas form from the gut endoderm as a dorsal and a ventral bud which later fuse to build a single organ. The homeodomain protein PDX-1, an insulin gene transcription factor, is uniformly expressed in the early pancreatic bud, and null mutation of PDX-1 in mice results in a failure of the pancreatic bud to grow and differentiate. Other transcription factors, such as the helix-loop-helix protein Beta-2 and the homeodomain protein Nkx 6.1, show a restricted pattern of expression during embryogenesis and in the mature islet. Those proteins may serve a dual role for the organism: during embryogenesis they may determine islet cell differentiation and in the adult they may ensure tissue-specific expression of the islet cell hormones. A better understanding of the factors involved in insulin gene transcription and islet cell differentiation will ultimately provide the basis for novel therapy of diabetes.
Resistance and Aerobic Exercise Among Adults With Diabetes in the U.S.

Diabetes affects muscle and bone health and is characterized by osteoporosis and reduced bone quality (1). Resistance training improves insulin sensitivity, HbA1c, lipid profile, blood pressure, bone development, physical performance, and quality of life (2,3), and serves as a promising intervention for diabetes management. Indeed, the American Diabetes Association (ADA) has published specific guidelines on resistance exercise for adults with diabetes that exceed those for the general public (4). To ascertain adherence to guidelines for resistance training and aerobic exercise, we examined the proportion of diabetic Americans who meet these guidelines. We used the 2011 administration of the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). In this large, anonymous telephone survey, respondents reported, during the past month, 1 ) the frequency and duration of the two leisure-time aerobic activities …
Electronic structure and excitonic-enhanced superconducting mechanism in YBa2Cu

On the basis of the calculated electronic structure, an excitonic-enhanced superconducting mechanism is used to explain the high ${T}_{c}$ superconductivity in ${\mathrm{YBa}}_{2}$${\mathrm{Cu}}_{3}$${\mathrm{O}}_{7\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}\mathrm{\ensuremath{\delta}}}$ system.
2-Opt Heuristic for the Disassembly Line Balancing Problem

Disassembly activities are an important part of product recovery operations. The disassembly line is the best choice for automated disassembly of returned products. However, finding the optimal balance for a disassembly line is computationally intensive with exhaustive search quickly becoming prohibitively large. In this paper, a greedy algorithm is presented for obtaining optimal or near-optimal solutions to the disassembly line-balancing problem. The greedy algorithm is a first-fit decreasing algorithm further enhanced to preserve precedence relationships. The algorithm seeks to minimize the number of workstations while addressing hazardous and high demand components. A two optimal algorithm is then developed to balance the part removal sequence and attempt to further reduce the total number of workstations. Examples are considered to illustrate the methodology. The conclusions drawn from the study include the consistent generation of optimal or near-optimal solutions, the ability to preserve precedence, the speed of the algorithms and their practicality due to the ease of implementation.
Reducing costs and saving energy in the tandem rolling of hot metal strip by the use of an advanced control method

A complex industrial process that is especially sensitive to production costs and energy consumption is the tandem rolling of hot metal strip. In our recent work we have determined that a method for control of this process, based on the state-dependent Riccati equation technique, is quite effective in improving the quality and yield of the final product. Upon further investigation, including additional simulations, it has been determined that such an improvement has led to the potential for significant reduction of production costs and the savings of energy due to the improvement of the quality and yield. This paper provides an overview of our new method for control of the tandem hot metal rolling process, the results of our additional simulations, and shows how it has resulted in a reduction in costs and a significant savings in energy. It is expected that the potential exists for similar cost reduction and energy savings in other large industrial processes by using this new method.
Core Dynamics in Vortex Pairs and Rings

The roll-up of an initially flat planar and axisymmetric vortex sheet is computed numerically, using the inviscid vortex blob method. The sheets roll up into a vortex pair and a vortex ring respectively. This paper documents the onset of chaotic particle motion near the vortex core. The observed behaviour is generic for perturbed Hamiltonian dynamical systems. In the present case, the perturbation arises from self-sustained oscillations, similar to the oscillations in Kida’s solutions for an elliptic vortex patch evolving in a strain field. Furthermore, the paper shows that such oscillations are also present in a viscous flow. This suggests that the core dynamics observed in the vortex sheet flow will also arise in a real viscous flow.
A Framework for Public Health in the United States

As in other countries, public heath in the United States continues to evolve to ensure healthy families and communities as well as individuals. Great achievements in the control of infectious and chronic disease and injuries will need to be sustained while we face new challenges, including providing universal access to high quality healthcare as well as addressing the underlying behavioral risk factors and the social, physical and environmental determinants of health. Meeting these challenges will require strengthening the governmental and non-governmental public health systems and working closely with other sectors.
Cellular transformation by a FERM domain mutant of the Nf2 tumor suppressor gene

Mutations in the Nf2 tumor suppressor gene lead to tumor formation in humans and mice and cellular overproliferation phenotypes in Drosophila. The Nf2 encoded protein, merlin, shares close sequence similarity in its amino terminus to members of the band 4.1 family of membrane-cytoskeletal linkers. Similarities between merlin and this family suggest a role for merlin in regulating cytoskeletal function. However, the mechanism of the tumor suppressing activity of merlin is not yet understood. Mutational analysis of Nf2 in flies has led to the identification of a dominant-negative allele, which harbors mutations in the amino terminus of the protein. Here, we report that expression of a murine analog of this amino-terminal mutant of Nf2 leads to complete transformation of NIH3T3 fibroblasts in culture. Cells that express this Nf2 mutant allele display disruptions of the actin cytoskeleton, lack of contact inhibition of growth, and anchorage-independent growth. Finally, fibroblasts that express this mutant Nf2 allele form tumors when injected into nude mice.
Unequal amino acid incorporation into rabbit serum albumin synthesized in vivo.

SummaryThe mechanism of albumin biosynthesis in rabbit liver was investigated in vivo by observing the pattern of lysine incorporation in albumin isolated from a rabbit injected with DL-1-C14 lysine via a mesenteric vein. Peptides were obtained by chromatographing tryptic hydrolysates of the albumin. Radioactivity measurements were made on lysine chromatographically isolated from individual acid-hydrolyzed peptides and quantitative lysine determinations were made with the automatic amino acid analyzer. The results indicated nonuniform labeling of the lysine residues in serum albumin which persisted for as long as 4 hours after isotope injection. It is postulated that the unequal labeling and its long duration were demonstrable because of the “pulse” nature of the introduction of the isotope to the synthesizing system.
The Progress of Histomoniasis (Blackhead) in Turkeys as Related to the Size of the Infective Dose

Abstract WHEN one examines turkeys that have died of histomoniasis it is impossible with the data at hand to make a meaningful estimate of the number of organisms that initiated the infection, or even to determine its approximate duration. Certainly these two factors, as well as the age of the bird, and quite possibly other factors as well, have an influence on the severity of the symptoms, which we know to vary considerably among turkeys dying of histomoniasis. By knowing the effects of different sized doses of organisms on birds of comparable age, it may be possible to determine from the symptoms observed the relative number of histomonads involved, and the approximate age of the infection, for cases of natural origin. Being able to fix the time of the infection may help locate the source, while an estimate of the number of organisms involved might indicate the degree of contamination that …
Modeling constellations of trauma exposure in the National Child Traumatic Stress Network Core Data Set.

This article describes the features and utility of the Trauma History Profile (THP) component of the National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN) Core Data Set (CDS). The THP, which is derived from the Trauma History section of the University of California PTSD Reaction Index for DSM–IV ,i s a comprehensive tool to assist providers in identifying and characterizing a broad spectrum of 20 types of trauma experienced by children and adolescents. Additional questions assess the age during which each trauma type occurred and capture salient details about each experience. The THP allows for modeling of constellations of trauma history in ways conducive to risk stratification and triage, case conceptualization, treatment planning, and research. This article provides a conceptual background for the companion papers that are included in this special section. Selected illustrative findings from the NCTSN CDS (N 14,088) are presented, including frequencies and mean duration of exposure to specific trauma types; distributions of age of onset by trauma type; frequencies of specific trauma exposure details relating to domestic violence; and a principal component analysis of clusters of co-occurring trauma types during childhood and adolescence. The article concludes with a discussion of implications of the THP for research and practice.
Book Review: Facial Topography: Clinical Anatomy of the Face

Joel E. Pessa, Rod J. Rohrich Facial Topography: Clinical Anatomy of the Face. St Louis, MO: Quality Medical Publishing, 2012. ISBN-13: 978-1576263440 ![][1] Joel Pessa is a surgical anatomist who has published many detailed studies of human anatomy, particularly of the face. I believe that the book he has coauthored with Rod Rohrich, Facial Topography: Clinical Anatomy of the Face —which I will review in detail here—will take its proper place aside other classic studies of human microcirculation in the trunk and extremities, namely those of Manchot,1 Salmon,2,3 and Taylor and Plamer.4 The basic premise of the book, and what makes it stand out from other texts in the field, is that subunits of the face are partitioned by fascial planes. The presumed purpose of these planes is to protect the embedded vascular and nervous structures from shear forces. The fascial protection of vessels and nerves coursing through movable tissue was previously noted by both Manchot1 and Salmon.2,3 … [1]: /embed/graphic-1.gif
Oxidative damages caused by methyl ethyl ketone peroxide in liver of male rats

Objective To investigate the oxidative damages of methyl ethyl ketone peroxide(MEKP) on liver tissue of male rats.Methods A total of 50 healthy male SD rats were randomly divided into five groups(10 in each group), which were exposed to50, 500 and 1 000 mg/m3 aerosol of MEKP, and 2, 2, 4-trimethyl-1, 3-pentanediol isobutyrate(solvent control group), and one bland control group respectively, via whole body inhalation for 6 h per day, 5 d per week,13 weeks, then the histological change of the liver was examined and the contents of glutathione(GSH), malondialdehyde(MDA), the activities of antioxidants enzymes superoxide dismutase(SOD) in rat liver were assayed, respectively. Results The histopathological changes of rat livers were observed in 500 and 1000 mg/m3 groups, such as nucleus condensation and fatty degeneration in the periportal zone of the hepatic lobule, mild edema of the liver cells, and lymphocyte infiltration. The MDA level was significantly higher and the level of GSH, the activity of SOD were significantly decreased with the increase of exposure doses, the difference between 500, 1000mg/m3 group and control group was statistically significant(P 0.05). Conclusion MEKP can cause oxidative damage and histopathological structure change in the liver of rats.
How can patient education help attain the objectives for the nation

The publication of Healthy People and Promoting Health/Preventing Disease represents a milestone in the development of a national health promotion policy. The growth of patient education programs, one component of clinical preventive medicine, suggests an avenue for achievement of these health promotion objectives. I report the findings of surveys of patient education activities and programs, which found that a substantial number of patient education efforts address the Objectives for the Nation. I then discuss the results of an analysis of the Objectives for the Nation that found that 15.7% of the 370 measures pertain, either implicitly or explicitly, to patient education. I conclude by making suggestions for strengthening the links between patient education and health promotion policy.
Patient Decision Aids for Prenatal Genetic Testing: Probability, Embodiment, and Problematic Integration

Patient decision aids (PDAs) are documents that attempt to support patient participation in biomedical decision making by discussing information and options. Scholars have called for further elaboration and application of communication theory relating to the construction and uses of PDAs. This article analyzes gateway documents, a genre of PDAs that includes texts from noncommercial websites returned during an initial inquiry for decision-making information. Problematic integration theory informs and extends a meaning of balance in a sample of four PDAs for prenatal genetic testing. The study addresses several communication opportunities, including discussions of benefits, disadvantages, providers' scientific knowledge, and patients' embodied knowledge. The PDA authors' emphases on statistical risk without more inclusive considerations of embodied knowledge highlight a conclusion that the documents in the sample are imbalanced. This research serves to introduce a theoretical communication context for analysis of PDAs that may assist scholars in further contributions to the interdisciplinary field of biomedical communication.
A Note on Haemerythrin

1. The effect of change of temperature on the dissociation curve of oxyhaemerythrin is shown. The heat of combination between haemerythrin and oxygen has been calculated to be 10,350 calories per gramme molecule of oxygen. 2. It has been shown that oxyhaemerythrin is only stable over a small range of p H. The pigment appears to be most stable at p H 8.0 and 9.0. Variation of hydrogen-ion concentration between p H 6.0 and p H 10.0 appears to have little effect on the dissociation curve of oxyhaemerythrin. 3. Oxyhaemerythrin can be converted to a yellow "methaemerythrin" by the action of oxidising agents. The change occurs spontaneously at slightly acid hydrogen-ion concentrations. 4. Attempts to show the presence of haem in the haemerythrin molecule have been unsuccessful. 5. The nature of the purple colour produced by the action of concentrated H2SO4 on a solution of oxyhaemerythrin is discussed. 6. Photographs of the absorption spectra of oxyhaemerythrin, methaemerythrin and the H2SO4 product of oxyhaemerythrin are shown.
Two-particle distributions in e + e − jets

We apply the "jet calculus" of Konishi, Ukawa, and Veneziano (KUV) to the two-particle spectra of ${e}^{+}{e}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ jets. This computation uses single-particle fragmentation functions and the KUV analysis of leading logarithms to predict the multiparticle spectra entirely from the single-particle data. The effects of charm and heavier flavors are discussed and a simple prescription for inverting the necessary double moments is given. The double-differential cross section $\frac{d\ensuremath{\sigma}}{d{x}_{1}d{x}_{2}}$ is displayed for various combinations of mesons and the antiproton.
DMS role in ENSO cycle in the tropics

We examined the multi-year mean and variability of dimethyl sulfide (DMS) and its relationship to sulfate aerosols, as well as cloud microphysical and radiative properties. We conducted a 150-year simulation using pre-industrial conditions produced by the Community Earth System Model embedded with a dynamic DMS module. The model simulated the mean spatial distribution of DMS emissions and burden, as well as sulfur budgets associated with DMS, SO2, H2SO4, and sulfate that were generally similar to available observations and inventories for a variety of regions. Changes in simulated sea-to-air DMS emissions and associated atmospheric abundance, along with associated aerosols and cloud and radiative properties, were consistently dominated by the El Nino-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) cycle in the tropical Pacific region. Simulated DMS, aerosols, and clouds showed a weak positive feedback on sea surface temperature. This feedback suggests a link among DMS, aerosols, clouds, and climate on interannual timescales. The variability of DMS emissions associated with ENSO was primarily caused by a higher variation in wind speed during La Nina events. The simulation results also suggest that variations in DMS emissions increase the frequency of La Nina events but do not alter the ENSO variability in terms of the standard deviation of Nino 3 SST anomalies.
Methods for Recovery of Campylobacter jejuni from Foods.

The triangular relationship between Campylobacter jejuni , foods and disease in humans has been well-documented. Many studies have revealed that C. jejuni causes at least as many cases of human gastroenteritis as does Salmonella sp. Foods are an important vehicle in human infection, and raw milk is most frequently implicated. Other animal products also serve as potential sources of infection. C. jejuni has been found on the carcasses of poultry and other domestic animals throughout the world. The organism is microaerophilic and various methods for establishing appropriate growth conditions, such as the Fortner principle, atmosphere replacement and adding of supplements to encourage growth of C. jejuni , are available. Methods developed for use in clinical laboratories lack the necessary sensitivity and selectivity, and therefore have limited use in detecting small numbers of C. jejuni in foods. In one enrichment method for detecting C. jejuni in foods, washings are filtered and centrifuged, the sediment is suspended in the enrichment broth and the suspension is incubated under a constant gas flow at reduced oxygen levels. Following incubation enrichment broth is filtered and plated onto selective media. In another recently developed method, food samples are directly added to an enrichment broth with antibiotics and incubated under a microaerobic atmosphere before selective plating. Butzler's, Skirrow's and Campy-BAP selective media use several antibiotics to which C. jejuni is resistant. The plates are supplemented with horse or sheep blood, depending upon the specific formulation. The optimum temperature for growth of C. jejuni , about 42°C, may also be used for selection. It is now possible to recover 0.1 to 1 cell of C. jejuni per 10 to 25 g of food sample from among 106 to 109 indigenous bacteria. After a characteristic colony is isolated, the key criteria for presumptive identification of C. jejuni by phase-contrast microscopy are darting, corkscrew motion and a comma to spiral shape.
Currents and convection cause enhanced gas exchange in the ice-water boundary layer

The presence of sea ice acts as a physical barrier for air–sea exchange. On the other hand it creates additional turbulence due to current shear and convection during ice formation. We present results from a laboratory study that demonstrate how shear and convection in the ice–ocean boundary layer can lead to significant gas exchange. In the absence of wind, water currents beneath the ice of 0.23 m s −1 produced a gas transfer velocity ( k ) of 2.8 m d −1 , equivalent to k produced by a wind speed of 7 m s −1 over the open ocean. Convection caused by air–sea heat exchange also increased k of as much as 131 % compared to k produced by current shear alone. When wind and currents were combined, k increased, up to 7.6 m d −1 , greater than k produced by wind or currents alone, but gas exchange forcing by wind produced mixed results in these experiments. As an aggregate, these experiments indicate that using a wind speed parametrisation to estimate k in the sea ice zone may underestimate k by ca. 50 % for wind speeds <8 m s −1 . Keywords: sea ice, air–sea gas exchange, high latitudes, CO 2 , ice-ocean boundary layer (Published: 16 December 2016) Citation: Tellus B 2016, 68, 32803, http://dx.doi.org/10.3402/tellusb.v68.32803
Clinical Trials in Pediatric Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease.

Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) is the most common hereditary kidney disease and is associated with concerning long-term implications for kidney function and cardiovascular health. Early intervention is needed in order to mitigate these long-term complications. Herein we review important findings from recent clinical trials in ADPKD and their relevance to affected children and young adults and consider future directions for intervention. Recent clinical trials support aggressive control of blood pressure with blockade of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system as well as potential benefit of pravastatin therapy in children and young adults with ADPKD. There are several other candidate therapies, some of which have shown benefit in adult ADPKD, which require further investigation in affected children.
Staged reconstruction of diaphyseal fractures with segmental defects: Surgical and patient-reported outcomes.

Abstract Introduction Two-stage limb reconstruction is an option for patients with critical size segmental bone defects following acute trauma or non-union. Reconstruction is technically demanding and associated with a high complication rate. Current protocols for limb reconstruction have well-documented challenges, and no study has reported on patient outcomes using a validated questionnaire. In this study, we aimed to examine the clinical and patient-centered outcomes following our surgical protocol for two-stage limb reconstruction following critical size segmental defects. Patients and methods A single surgeon performed reconstruction of long bone defects using antibiotic impregnated cement spacers and intramedullary cancellous bone autograft. A retrospective chart review was performed. Three reviewers independently measured time to union based on radiographs. The Lower Extremity Functional Scale (LEFS) survey was administered to patients after most recent follow-up. Results Ten limbs representing nine patients were included. All patients sustained a lower extremity injury, and one patient had bilateral lower extremity injuries. Average clinical follow-up was 18.3 months (range 7–33) from final surgical intervention, and follow-up to questionnaire administration was 28 months (range 24–37). The mean time between stages was 3.1 months. Average time to unrestricted weight-bearing was 7.9 months from Stage 1 (range 3.4–15.9) and 4.5 months from Stage 2 (range 1.1–11.6). Average time to full union was 16.7 months from Stage 1 (range 6.4–28.6) and 13.5 months from Stage 2 (range 1.8–27). Eight patients (nine limbs) participated in the LEFS survey, the average score was 53.1 (range 30–67), equating to 66% of full functionality (range 38%–84%). Complications included 5 infections, 3 non-unions, and one amputation. There was a moderate positive correlation between infection at any time point and non-union (R = 0.65, p = 0.03). Discussion and conclusions Outcomes in this small patient cohort were good despite risks of complication. There is an association between infection and non-union. Further studies addressing clinical and functional outcomes will help to guide expectations for future surgeons and patients.
The Use of Simulators in Human Factors Studies Within the Nuclear Industry

As novel nuclear power plant control rooms and hybrid control room upgrades are proposed in the nuclear industry, there is an increasing need for quality simulator data on operator performance in the nuclear industry, both to understand and to document current performance and to prepare for novel plant control rooms and hybrid control room upgrades. This chapter explores simulator types and the research questions appropriate for control room simulators. It contrasts the roles for training and research simulators and suggests key ways in which these simulators can contribute to human factors research in the nuclear industry.
The MELD-Plus: A generalizable prediction risk score in cirrhosis.

Background and aims Accurate assessment of the risk of mortality following a cirrhosis-related admission can enable health-care providers to identify high-risk patients and modify treatment plans to decrease the risk of mortality. Methods We developed a post-discharge mortality prediction model for patients with a cirrhosis-related admission using a population of 314,292 patients who received care either at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) or Brigham and Women’s Hospital (BWH) between 1992 and 2010. We extracted 68 variables from the electronic medical records (EMRs), including demographics, laboratory values, diagnosis codes, and medications. We then used a regularized logistic regression to select the most informative variables and created a risk score that comprises the selected variables. To evaluate the potential for generalizability of our score, we applied it on all cirrhosis-related admissions between 2010 and 2015 at an independent EMR data source of more than 18 million patients, pooled from different health-care systems with EMRs. We calculated the areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves (AUROCs) to assess prediction performance. Results We identified 4,781 cirrhosis-related admissions at MGH/BWH hospitals, of which 778 resulted in death within 90 days of discharge. Nine variables were the most effective predictors for 90-day mortality, and these included all MELD-Na’s components, as well as albumin, total cholesterol, white blood cell count, age, and length of stay. Applying our nine-variable risk score (denoted as “MELD-Plus”) resulted in an improvement over MELD and MELD-Na scores in several prediction models. On the MGH/BWH 90-day model, MELD-Plus improved the performance of MELD-Na by 11.4% (0.78 [95% CI, 0.75–0.81] versus 0.70 [95% CI, 0.66–0.73]). In the MGH/BWH approximate 1-year model, MELD-Plus improved the performance of MELD-Na by 8.3% (0.78 [95% CI, 0.76–0.79] versus 0.72 [95% CI, 0.71–0.73]). Performance improvement was similar when the novel MELD-Plus risk score was applied to an independent database; when considering 24,042 cirrhosis-related admissions, MELD-Plus improved the performance of MELD-Na by 16.9% (0.69 [95% CI, 0.69–0.70] versus 0.59 [95% CI, 0.58–0.60]). Conclusions We developed a new risk score, MELD-Plus that accurately stratifies the short-term mortality of patients with established cirrhosis, following a hospital admission. Our findings demonstrate that using a small set of easily accessible structured variables can help identify novel predictors of outcomes in cirrhosis patients and improve the performance of widely used traditional risk scores.
Contemporary American Theory

The theoretical controversy in the area of meaning seems to epitomize a regrettable tendency in American psychological experimentation. It is the tendency, growing out of a non-inductive research orientation, for experimenters to become too enamored of their hypotheses and methodological strategies, with the result that the experimenters sometimes become more concerned with demonstrating the appropriateness of their models than with coping with the problems being investigated.1 It also frequently leads to hassles over rarefied and overgeneralized theory which loses sight of its concrete roots in the specific experiment, or over interpretations of concrete instances at the expense of larger issues and at the risk of ignoring significant phenomena. An example of the latter is suggested by an argument put forward by Bousfield (1961) in a discussion of the difference between a mediating and a mediated response. Using as a hypothetical example a situation in which, through a series of conditioning processes involving a painful stimulus and the word “bad,” the word “evil” comes to elicit the word “bad” as a response, Bousfield asserted that “bad” is a mediating response while the negative feeling of pain is a mediated response.
Economic, Statistical, and Economic-Statistical Design of Attribute Charts

We present a FORTRAN program that can be used to determine the economic, statistical, or economic-statistical design of a fraction defective or defects per unit chart. In the economic design approach, the general Lorenzen-Vance cost function is minimize..
Effects of glucose on nitrogen balance during high nitrogen intake in malnourished patients.

1. The effects of increasing glucose intake on nitrogen balance, energy expenditure and fuel utilization were measured in 12 malnourished adult patients receiving parenteral nutrition with constant, very high nitrogen intake (500 mg of N/kg), high (105 kJ/kg) or low (30 kJ/kg) glucose intake and constant fat intake (7 kJ/kg). Each patient received each diet for 8-day periods in random order. 2. Energy balance and nitrogen balance were determined daily. Blood samples, taken at admission, during 5% (w/v) dextrose (D-glucose) infusion and at the end of days 7 and 8 of each diet, were analysed for urea, glucose, lactate, triacylglycerols, fatty acids, glycerol, 3-hydroxybutyrate, insulin and glucagon. 3. The effect of increasing glucose intake was to increase nitrogen balance by 0.60 ± 0.25 (sem) mg/kJ. At zero energy balance, nitrogen balance was 48 mg day −1 kg −1 . This confirms findings of previous studies: that the effects of glucose on nitrogen balance are greater at high than at low nitrogen intakes, and that, in malnourished patients, unlike in normal adults, markedly positive nitrogen balance can be achieved at zero or negative energy balances. 4. Changes in nitrogen balance were due almost entirely to changes in urea excretion. 5. The high nitrogen intake markedly increased plasma insulin and glucagon concentrations and reduced glycerol, fatty acid and 3-hydroxybutyrate concentrations, independent of any glucose effect. Glucagon concentrations were significantly decreased by added glucose intake, an effect not previously seen at low nitrogen intakes. At this high nitrogen intake, the effects of added glucose appear to be mediated by both insulin and glucagon. 6. Unlike the effects at low nitrogen intakes, added glucose caused no increase in energy expenditure (thermogenesis) or creatinine excretion, and almost no increase in glycogen stores.
School-based nutrition and garden programs and parental dietary changes in low-income settings: a review

Income is a direct indicator of dietary health and access to food. Proper nutrition is a critical component to achieving good health. However, many children and their families do not consume the re...
Mobile Health (mHealth) Use or Non-Use by Residents of West Virginia.

OBJECTIVE To compare mobile health (mHealth) usage by residents of West Virginia with national estimates. METHODS Pew Research Center data from its Internet and American Life Project were accessed for secondary data analysis. These data, available to the public, are a probability sample of Internet use in the United States, differences in use based on selected variables (eg, education, household income), and how usage affects the lives of Americans. Using SAS software, diagnostics were performed on the data, revealing that the variables of interest were prepared and represented without any need for information. Data were used as is, with categorical and continuous characteristics and stipulations being provided in accompanying documents from the Pew Research Center. RESULTS The national sample consisted of 509 men and 557 women with an average age of 51.02 years (standard deviation 17.04). The 30 West Virginia residents included 19 women and 11 men (mean for age 48.10, standard deviation 15.30). When controlling for socioeconomic and demographics factors, the odds of a West Virginia resident using an mHealth device were 82% less than the rest of the country, a statistically significant association. Women in West Virginia were 52% more likely to access mHealth information than men, and an increase in age corresponded with increased mHealth usage. CONCLUSIONS The lack of mHealth use by residents in West Virginia represents an opportunity for clinicians and scientists. The high rates of preventable diseases in the region could be more effectively managed with greater use of these technologies.
Design and Performance Analysis for a Binary-Driven QAM Transmitter

This paper presents the design analysis and performance simulation of binary-driven 16-QAM and 64-QAM optical transmitters that employ quadrature phase shift keying modulators in tandem. The design establishes the correct coupling ratios required for a proper constellation with equally spaced symbols. The analysis investigates the effect of coupling ratio errors as well as phase errors on bit-error-rate (BER) performance and constellation diagrams. The simulation results at 50 Gbaud with additive white Gaussian noise demonstrate high quality symbol constellation and BER performance that is identical to theoretical expectation. The 16-QAM transmitter achieved a BER better than 10 −4 and a power penalty of about 2 dB for coupling ratio errors less than 10% or phase errors within ±7°. For 64-QAM, BER better than 10−4 and about 1 dB power penalty were obtained for coupling errors less than 3% or phase errors within ±2.7°.
All-Polymer Solar Cells: Recent Progress, Challenges, and Prospects.

For over two decades bulk-heterojunction polymer solar cell (BHJ-PSC) research was dominated by donor:acceptor BHJ blends based on polymer donors and fullerene molecular acceptors. This situation has changed recently, with non-fullerene PSCs developing very rapidly. The power conversion efficiencies of non-fullerene PSCs have now reached over 15 %, which is far above the most efficient fullerene-based PSCs. Among the various non-fullerene PSCs, all-polymer solar cells (APSCs) based on polymer donor-polymer acceptor BHJs have attracted growing attention, due to the following attractions: 1) large and tunable light absorption of the polymer donor/polymer acceptor pair; 2) robustness of the BHJ film morphology; 3) compatibility with large scale/large area manufacturing; 4) long-term stability of the cell to external environmental and mechanical stresses. This Minireview highlights the opportunities offered by APSCs, selected polymer families suitable for these devices with optimization to enhance the performance further, and discusses the challenges facing APSC development for commercial applications.
Complications related to totally implantable venous access devices in children and adults following lung transplantation.

INTRODUCTION Totally implantable venous access devices (TIVADs) are the preferred devices for patients with advanced lung disease who require long-term venous access. The primary purpose of this study was to describe the natural history of TIVADs left in place at the time of transplant. METHODS This multicenter retrospective cohort study evaluated pediatric and adult lung transplant recipients from 5/5/2005 to 12/31/17 with pretransplant TIVAD. Incident rates (IR) for infectious and mechanical complications were calculated. Poisson regression models were used to identify TIVAD characteristics associated with complications. RESULTS Of 1253 transplant recipients, 82 (6.5%) had pretransplant TIVAD. Five (6.1%) TIVADs were removed at transplantation. Fifty-five (67.1%) TIVADs were eventually removed, most commonly because they were no longer required (50.9%) or because of infection (25.5%). Overall incident rates (IR) of infectious or mechanical complications were 0.33 and 0.14, respectively. The IR of infection was highest within one year of transplant, particularly during the index hospitalization (IR = 1.67). Youngest tertile (<22 years) had the lowest incident rate ratio of TIVAD infections (IRR = 0.22). CONCLUSION Although TIVAD complication rates in lung transplant recipients are similar to non-transplant and other immunocompromised patients, TIVAD removal at transplant or within the first post-transplant year may minimize the risk of TIVAD infections.
Assessment of dynamic bioaccessibility of curcumin encapsulated in milled starch particle stabilized Pickering emulsions using TNO's gastrointestinal model

Pickering emulsions stabilized by milled starch particles have been developed as a novel food-grade formulation to enhance the bioaccessibility of poorly soluble bioactive compounds (i.e., curcumin) by controlling the digestion of lipids in the human gastrointestinal (GI) tract. The dynamic bioaccessibilities of curcumin with and without encapsulation in the Pickering emulsion were evaluated using the dynamic TNO's gastrointestinal (TIM-1) model. For comparison, their digestion profiles were also studied using the in vitro pH-stat lipolysis model. With the combination of two in vitro models, the effect of the milled starch particle stabilized Pickering emulsions on the bioaccessibility of curcumin was fully revealed. There are large differences between the bioaccessibility values of curcumin samples obtained by these two models. Simulated small intestinal lipolysis in the pH-stat model revealed that the bioaccessibility of curcumin encapsulated in the Pickering emulsion was 27.6%, which was larger than 22.1% for free curcumin suspended in the bulk oil phase. The bioaccessibility of curcumin was 50.7% in the emulsion system and 7.8% in the bulk oil when using the TIM-1 model, which simulated the digestion conditions of the entire human GI tract. The digestion mechanism of the milled starch particle stabilized Pickering emulsions in the upper GI tract was well elucidated by the TIM-1 model. The gradual release and improved dissolution profile of the milled starch particle stabilized Pickering emulsions highlighted their potential as delivery systems for lipophilic bioactive compounds.
Simulation Analysis of Railway Co-phase Power Supply System based on Inequilateral Scott Connection Transformer

Scott connection transformer can be used as traction transformer, which is an important part of electrified railway traction power supply system. The application of Scott connection transformer can solve current unbalance problem of three phase power source and realize bilateral power supply of the contact network. Scott transformer and back-to-back converter can be joined together to form the railway co-phase power supply system, which will not only provide the traction load with all needed active power, but also compensate negative sequence components, harmonics and reactive power. This provides a new idea for the development of traction power supply. A simulation with Matlab/Simulink is performed to validate the feasibility of this proposed control strategy.
Assessment and control of exposures to polymeric methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (pMDI) in spray polyurethane foam applicators

Abstract In this work we characterize personal inhalation and dermal exposures to diphenyl methane diisocyanate (MDI) and other species in polymeric MDI (pMDI) formulations during spray polyurethane foam (SPF) insulation at 14 sites in New England. We further assess the adequacy of current workplace practices and exposure controls via comparative urinary biomonitoring of the corresponding methylene diphenyl diamine (MDA) pre- and post-shift. MDI and pMDI are potent dermal and respiratory sensitizers and asthmagens, strong irritants of the skin, eyes, and the respiratory tract, and may cause skin burns. This study is the first comprehensive report to-date on the work practices, inhalation and dermal exposures to isocyanates and effectiveness of existing controls during SPF applications. Breathing zone exposures to 4,4′ MDI (n = 31; 24 sprayers, 7 helpers) ranged from 0.9 to 123.0 μg/m3 and had a geometric mean (GM) of 13.8 μg/m3 and geometric standard deviation (GSD) of 4.8. Stationary near field area samples (n = 15) were higher than personal exposures: GM, 40.9 (GSD, 3.9) μg/m3, range 1.4–240.8 μg/m3. Sixteen percent of personal air samples and 35% of area samples exceeded the National Institute for Occupational Health and Safety's (NIOSH) full shift recommended exposure limit (REL) of 50 μg/m3, assuming zero exposure for the unsampled time. 4,4′ MDI load on the glove dosimeters had a GM of 11.4 (GSD 2.9) μg/glove pair/min, suggesting high potential for dermal exposures. Urinary MDA had a GM of 0.7 (GSD, 3.0) μmol MDA/mol creatinine (range, nd-14.5 μmol MDA/mol creatinine). Twenty-five % of urine samples exceeded the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) biological monitoring guidance value (BMGV) of 1 μmol MDA/mol creatinine. We further report on field observations regarding current exposure controls, discuss implications of these findings and opportunities for improving work practices to prevent isocyanate exposures during SPF insulation.