cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Alcohol-use disorders

Summary Alcohol dependence and alcohol abuse or harmful use cause substantial morbidity and mortality. Alcohol-use disorders are associated with depressive episodes, severe anxiety, insomnia, suicide, and abuse of other drugs. Continued heavy alcohol use also shortens the onset of heart disease, stroke, cancers, and liver cirrhosis, by affecting the cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, and immune systems. Heavy drinking can also cause mild anterograde amnesias, temporary cognitive deficits, sleep problems, and peripheral neuropathy; cause gastrointestinal problems; decrease bone density and production of blood cells; and cause fetal alcohol syndrome. Alcohol-use disorders complicate assessment and treatment of other medical and psychiatric problems. Standard criteria for alcohol dependence—the more severe disorder—can be used to reliably identify people for whom drinking causes major physiological consequences and persistent impairment of quality of life and ability to function. Clinicians should routinely screen for alcohol disorders, using clinical interviews, questionnaires, blood tests, or a combination of these methods. Causes include environmental factors and specific genes that affect the risk of alcohol-use disorders, including genes for enzymes that metabolise alcohol, such as alcohol dehydrogenase and aldehyde dehydrogenase; those associated with disinhibition; and those that confer a low sensitivity to alcohol. Treatment can include motivational interviewing to help people to evaluate their situations, brief interventions to facilitate more healthy behaviours, detoxification to address withdrawal symptoms, cognitive-behavioural therapies to avoid relapses, and judicious use of drugs to diminish cravings or discourage relapses.
Validation of a multiplex immunoassay for serum angiogenic factors as biomarkers for aggressive prostate cancer.

Background Assays used for discovery of biomarkers should be robust and high-throughput, capable of analyzing a sufficiently large number of samples over a sufficiently long period of time with good precision.
Orientation dependence of interface-trap transformation

Immediately after radiation or hot-electron damage, an interface-trap peak above midgap ( approximately E/sub v/+0.75 eV) invariably appears in MOS capacitors. This peak (designated peak-1), along with its background, continuously changes with time after damage. Three different regimes have been identified: (1) latent generation, (2) interface-trap transformation, and (3) room-temperature annealing. In the present work, the orientation dependence of the interface-trap transformation process is discussed. For samples made on [100] substrates, peak-1 gradually converts into a second peak below midgap, resulting in a double-peak interface-trap distribution. For samples made on [111] substrates, the most salient feature is the gradual shift of the energy position of peak-1 toward the valence band, and eventually a single peak residing below midgap is observed. No discernible double-peak distribution has been found in [111] samples. Results on [110] samples are qualitatively similar to those on [111] samples, whereas [311] samples are similar to [100] samples. The [111] results are interpreted in terms of the atomic relaxation of the dangling-bond defect at the [111]Si/SiO/sub 2/ interface. >
Design problems in automated warehousing

What are the common problems that arise in designing an automated warehouse? What solution and analysis techniques are appropriate for addressing these problems? The objective of this paper is to help provide answers to these two questions. In doing so, emphasis will be placed on describing the design problems. The problems will be classified as physical configuration design problems and operations strategy design problems. The problems will be described generically and then in detail in the context of miniload automated storage and retrieval system (ASRS) design The miniload ASRS was selected primarily because the problems faced in designing a miniload ASRS are common to most automated warehousing design efforts.
Navigating test access in systems

Hierarchical navigation modes should allow for: (1) a simple busing structure capable of dynamically routing an 1149.1 test bus within any system hierarchy, (2) a protocol, transparent to 1149.1, capable of directing the routing process and confirming the connection made, (3) a method of transmitting 1149.1 test patterns through a routed connection without having to reformat or translate the patterns, and (4) a method of executing data transfer operations through a routed connection transparent to 1149. 1. It is important to note that only one of the three test access methods can provide these hierarchical navigation features, Hierarchical ASP (HASP)C41.
A cut above: discovery of an alternative excision repair pathway in bacteria.

Among the most highly conserved biochemical pathways in free living organisms are those involved in DNA repair (1). The ubiquitous pathway of nucleotide excision repair (NER) is responsible for the removal of environmentally induced DNA damage, such as the DNA lesions resulting from sunlight exposure or chemical carcinogens. Mutations or deficiencies in specific NER genes can lead to premature aging and cancer in humans (2, 3). The study of DNA repair in the bacterium Escherichia coli has helped us to understand the corresponding repair pathways in humans (4). NER can be viewed in four basic steps: (i) damage recognition and lesion verification; (ii) incision; (iii) excision; (iv) repair synthesis and ligation, as proposed nearly four decades ago. Damage recognition and verification are achieved by a protein machine that utilizes several components to sense a distortion in the double-helical duplex DNA. In E. coli the UvrA and UvrB proteins carry out these functions. If a putative lesion is identified by UvrA, the repair complex enlists the strand-opening activity of UvrB that helps to verify that the distortion is, in fact, due to a damaged nucleotide. It is believed that the beta-hairpin domain of UvrB is inserted into the DNA helix both to verify the damaged nucleotide and to establish which strand has been damaged (5–9). In both bacterial and eukaryotic species, strand opening and processing of the damage serves to further change the conformation of the DNA to help recruit nucleases to the lesion site to produce two endonucleolytic incisions in the phosphodiester backbone of the damaged strand, one on each side of the altered nucleotide(s). In E. coli, Bacillus caldotenax (9), and presumably in all other free living bacterial species, UvrB recruits the UvrC protein, which contains two functional endonuclease domains. The N-terminal part of this …
Effective Hydraulic Parameters in Horizontally and Vertically Heterogeneous Soils for Steady-State Land-Atmosphere Interaction

In this study, the authors investigate effective soil hydraulic parameter averaging schemes for steady-state flow in heterogeneous shallow subsurfaces useful to land–atmosphere interaction modeling. “Effective” soil hydraulic parameters of the heterogeneous shallow subsurface are obtained by conceptualizing the soil as an equivalent homogeneous medium. It requires that the effective homogeneous soil discharges the same mean surface moisture flux (evaporation or infiltration) as the heterogeneous media. Using the simple Gardner unsaturated hydraulic conductivity function, the authors derive the effective value for the saturated hydraulic conductivity Ks or the shape factor under various hydrologic scenarios and input hydraulic parameter statistics. Assuming one-dimensional vertical moisture movement in the shallow unsaturated soils, both scenarios of horizontal (across the surface landscape) and vertical (across the soil profile) heterogeneities are investigated. The effects of hydraulic parameter statistics, surface boundary conditions, domain scales, and fractal dimensions in case of nested soil hydraulic property structure are addressed. Results show that the effective parameters are dictated more by the heterogeneity for the evaporation scenario and mainly by Ks variability for the infiltration scenario. Also, heterogeneity orientation (horizontal or vertical) of soil hydraulic parameters impacts the effective parameters. In general, an increase in both the fractal dimension and the domain scale enhances the heterogeneous effects of the parameter fields on the effective parameters. The impact of the domain scale on the effective hydraulic parameters is more significant as the fractal dimension increases.
Hot Working Alkali Halides for Laser Window Applications

Alkali halide crystals exhibit two properties which make them outstanding candidates for use as optical components in infrared laser systems; low optical absorption and opposing effects of temperature on the indices of refraction and thermal expansion(1,2). Both properties tend to minimize beam distortion during the transmission of high power through a window or lens. Alkali halide single crystals are, however, too weak to withstand the service stresses expected of these components. Permanent plastic deformation of the window material due to thermal or mechanical stresses would be intolerable since both the shape of the deformed window and the stress induced birefringence would distort the beam. There is a need, then, to strengthen alkali halide single crystals without deteriorating their optical properties.
Calcium Isotopes as Tracers of Biogeochemical Processes

The prevalence of calcium as a major cation in surface and oceanic environments, the necessity of calcium in the functioning of living cells and bone growth, and the large spread in mass between calcium isotopes all suggest that calcium isotope biogeochemistry can be an important avenue of insight into past and present biogeochemical cycling processes. In the following chapter, we review the main areas of research where Ca isotope studies have been pursued and detail recent research results in biogeochemical applications. In marine environments, biogenic fractionation of Ca isotopes during biomineralization produces predictable offsets in some organisms, which facilitate the reconstruction of seawater δ44/40Ca over geologic timescales. In terrestrial studies, observed Ca isotope fractionation between soil and various components of vegetation enables the construction of a local Ca budget and provides a partial explanation for the scale of Ca isotopic variability within a single watershed. The research reviewed in this chapter provides a foundation for future investigations into the macro- and microscopic processes and biochemical pathways dictating the distribution of this essential nutrient using stable Ca isotope ratios.
The Full Monty: Moving Beyond The Hybrid Cloud

High-end media projects require geographically diverse talent as well as powerful hardware and software. Fluctuating workloads, unpredictable budgets, and globalized production teams have prompted many companies to adopt hybrid workflows where parts of the production pipeline, such as long-term storage and processing, are moved to the cloud. Many cloud providers have on-demand, pay-as-you-go services that map to hybrid production models and variable workloads, but this solves only part of the problem. Many media companies still buy expensive hardware to handle parts of the pipeline on-premises. This includes synchronizing large media files, using high-performance storage, and providing employee workstations. This paper addresses these barriers to fully embracing the cloud by presenting an end-to-end media production pipeline built entirely in the cloud. Learn how to combine the latest advances in application streaming, high-performance storage, clustered media processing, and high-speed file delivery to form a complete pipeline in the cloud that lowers costs and meets the needs of today's professional media projects.
Electronic and Optical Properties of Orientational Superlattices in GaInP Alloys

We demonstrate the formation, and the electronic and optical properties of a novel type of semiconductor superlattice in spontaneously ordered GaInP alloys. The most frequently observed ordered structure in MOCVD grown GaInP has CuPt symmetry where the ordering directions occur in the two [111]b} directions, corresponding to two distinct ordered variants. A new type of superlattice, termed an orientational superlattice, emerges as the ordered domains are stacked in a sequence whereby the ordering direction switches alternatively from the [$$⩈erline 1 $$11] direction in one domain to the [1$$⩈erline 1 $$1] direction in the next domain. The novelty of this type of superlattice lies in that there is neither a band-gap nor an effective mass discontinuity along the superlattice axis. When the GalnP epilayer is grown on an exact (001) or [111]A tilt GaAs substrate, the two ordered variants are equally favorable. Thus, ordered domain twins appear in ordered GaInP epilayers. We present a comparitive study between the single-variant ordered structure and the double-variant ordered superlattice structure, using TEM and time-resolved differential absorption. We show that for a same order parameter, the band-gap of an orientational superlattice is higher than that of a single-variant ordered structure, and the in-plane optical anisotropy between the [$$⩈erline 1 $$10] and [110] directions is greatly enhanced due to the superlattice effect. The experimental results are explained in terms of the band structure of the orientational superlattice.
Effect of serotonin upon liver cells of young rats.

SummaryIn young rats weighing less than 115g a single subcutaneous injection of 40 mg/kg or more of serotonin creatinine sulphate resulted in increased formation of hepatic parenchymal cells as demonstrated by autoradiographic technics employing tritiated thymidine. With histologic methods, livers showed an increase in mitotic figures. Slight cytologic changes in hepatic cells were observed, but in no instance was frank cellular necrosis found, even with extremely large doses of serotonin. The mechanism by which serotonin affects hepatic cell formation is not known, although toxic or ischemic effects are considered to be the most probable explanation.
MEASURING CASEMIX, SEVERITY, AND COMPLEXITY IN GERIATRIC PATIENTS UNDERGOING REHABILITATION

Geriatric rehabilitation is intended to maintain or restore function, maximize life satisfaction, enhance psychologic well-being, and maintain the social status of older persons. For clinical services to operate efficiently and equitably, payment must be based on rules that are clinically sound and thus reinforce the objectives of the services provided. This article presents a theoretical basis for casemix measurement in medical rehabilitation, contrasts structure of the functional independence measure-function-related groups (FIM-FRGs) intended for casemix measurement to the diagnosis-related groups (DRGs) and resource utilization groups (RUG) III systems designed for acute and long-term care settings, focuses on special issues of relevance to the rehabilitation of older persons, and provides four challenges in an effort to stimulate discussion.
Evaluation of a projection-domain lung nodule insertion technique in thoracic CT

Task-based assessment of computed tomography (CT) image quality requires a large number of cases with ground truth. Inserting lesions into existing cases to simulate positive cases is a promising alternative approach. The aim of this study was to evaluate a recently-developed raw-data based lesion insertion technique in thoracic CT. Lung lesions were segmented from patient CT images, forward projected, and reinserted into the same patient CT projection data. In total, 32 nodules of various attenuations were segmented from 21 CT cases. Two experienced radiologists and 2 residents blinded to the process independently evaluated these inserted nodules in two sub-studies. First, the 32 inserted and the 32 original nodules were presented in a randomized order and each received a rating score from 1 to 10 (1=absolutely artificial to 10=absolutely realistic). Second, the inserted and the corresponding original lesions were presented side-by-side to each reader, who identified the inserted lesion and provided a confidence score (1=no confidence to 5=completely certain). For the randomized evaluation, discrimination of real versus artificial nodules was poor with areas under the receiver operative characteristic curves being 0.69 (95% CI: 0.58-0.78), 0.57 (95% CI: 0.46-0.68), and 0.62 (95% CI: 0.54-0.69) for the 2 radiologists, 2 residents, and all 4 readers, respectively. For the side-by-side evaluation, although all 4 readers correctly identified inserted lesions in 103/128 pairs, the confidence score was moderate (2.6). Our projection-domain based lung nodule insertion technique provides a robust method to artificially generate clinical cases that prove to be difficult to differentiate from real cases.
Cultural Values Based on Confucianism and Symbolic Purchase Behavior: Conceptual Refinement, Measures, Model and Marketing Strategic Suggestions

The aim of this article is to present the development and validation of a scale, taping the values of Confucianism. Cosmetics purchase has been chosen as validity criterion. A causal model was built. The scale offers good criterion validity. Confucianism predicts symbolic purchase behavior.
Enduring immigrant ties: Supporting families left behind:

This article provides a profile of the financial responsibilities of Mexican and Central American immigrants to their families back home. We outline the patterns of US immigrant remittances to Latin America, describe the toll on both immigrants and their families, and review research evidence on the provision and impact of immigrant support. We find that immigrant remittances are the sole source of household income for large proportions of families back home and are typically used to meet basic needs. The multiple responsibilities faced by immigrants, however, come with substantial hardship. Implications for social work services with immigrants are discussed.
Rates of oxidation of the methionine and S-adenosylmethionine methyl carbons in isolated rat hepatocytes.

The methyl group of methionine (Met) is metabolized via activation to S-adenosylmethionine (AdoMet) and subsequent transmethylation and also by a transamination-decarboxylation route. To estimate the contribution of pathways independent of AdoMet formation in the oxidation of physiological levels of Met to CO2, the oxidation rates of L-[methyl-14C]Met and L-[methyl-14C] AdoMet were compared in hepatocyte suspensions. Hepatocytes took up AdoMet from the medium and oxidized its methyl group to CO2 at a rate of 280 +/- 22 nmol/g wet cells per hour, which was constant at extracellular concentrations between 0.1 and 1.0 mM AdoMet and Met. Hepatocytes took up L-[methyl-14C]Met and reached an intracellular specific activity within 10 min that was less than 10% of the specific activity in the medium at 0.1 mM Met and 20-30% at 1.0 mM Met. In contrast, L-[methyl-14C]AdoMet formed from L-[methyl-14C]Met reached a specific activity that was 40-50% (0.1 mM Met) and 50-60% (1.0 mM Met) of the specific activity of Met in the medium. These results suggest that AdoMet is formed from a mixture of extracellular and intracellular Met. If the specific activity of AdoMet represents the pool from which Met is oxidized, then the oxidation rates of Met methyl were 1200 and 1859 nmol/(g.h) at 0.1 and 1.0 mM Met, respectively. Thus, oxidation of Met via AdoMet formation accounts for only 12% (at 1 mM Met) to 21% (at 0.1 mM Met) of the total in rat hepatocytes.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Das periodische System und das Atombild des Chemikers

Schon vor dem Aufkommen der Atomtheorie wuste man, das die Atome naturliche Gruppen oder Familien bilden, und bald nach der Aufstellung der Daltonschen Theorie begann man sich fur die Beziehungen zwischen den Eigenschaften ahnlicher Atome und ihren Atomgewichten zu interessieren. Um dieselbe Zeit, als Prout seine Hypothese aufstellte [78], die einen so starken Anstos zur genauen Bestimmung von Atomgewichten gab, fand Dobereiner [26], das bei einer Anzahl „Triaden“ verwandter Elemente das Atomgewicht eines Elements der Triade annahernd das Mittel aus den Atomgewichten der beiden anderen war. Wir wissen zwar heute, das viele Elemente, die er untersuchte, Isotopengemische sind, die von Dobereiner festgestellte Beziehung gilt jedoch auch noch nach der heutigen Atomgewichtstabelle und ist noch nicht erklart worden.
Sex Differences in Survival From Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest in the Era of Regionalized Systems and Advanced Post-Resuscitation Care.

Background The purpose of this study was to evaluate sex differences in out‐of‐hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) characteristics, interventions, and outcomes. Methods and Results This is a retrospective analysis from a regionalized cardiac arrest system. Data on patients treated for OHCA are reported to a single registry, from which all adult patients were identified from 2011 through 2014. Characteristics, treatment, and outcomes were evaluated with stratification by sex. The adjusted odds ratio (OR) for survival with good neurological outcome (cerebral performance category 1 or 2) was calculated for women compared to men. There were 5174 out‐of‐hospital cardiac arrests (OHCAs; 3080 males and 2094 females). Women were older, median 71 (interquartile range [IQR], 59–82) versus 66 years (IQR, 55–78). Despite similar frequency of witnessed arrest, women were less likely to present with a shockable rhythm (22% vs 35%; risk difference [RD], 13%; 95% CI, 11–15), have ST‐segment elevation myocardial infarction (23% vs 32%; RD, 13%; 95% CI, 7–11), or receive coronary angiography (11% vs 25%; RD, 14%; 95% CI, 12–16), percutaneous coronary intervention (5% vs 14%; RD, 9%; 95% CI, 7–11), or targeted temperature management (33% vs 40%; RD, 7%; 95% CI, 4–10). Women had decreased survival to discharge (33% vs 40%; RD, 7%; 95% CI, 4–10) and a lower proportion of good neurological outcome (16% vs 24%; RD, 8%; 95% CI, 6–10). In multivariable modeling, female sex was not associated with decreased survival with good neurological outcome (OR, 0.9; 95% CI, 0.8–1.1). Conclusions Sex‐related differences in OHCA characteristics and treatment are predictors of survival outcome disparities. With adjustment for these factors, sex was not associated with survival or neurological outcome after OHCA.
Value-based assessment of robotic pancreas and liver surgery

Current healthcare economic evaluations are based only on the perspective of a single stakeholder to the healthcare delivery process. A true value-based decision incorporates all of the outcomes that could be impacted by a single episode of surgical care. We define the value proposition for robotic surgery using a stakeholder model incorporating the interests of all groups participating in the provision of healthcare services: patients, surgeons, hospitals and payers. One of the developing and expanding fields that could benefit the most from a complete value-based analysis is robotic hepatopancreaticobiliary (HPB) surgery. While initial robot purchasing costs are high, the benefits over laparoscopic surgery are considerable. Performing a literature search we found a total of 18 economic evaluations for robotic HPB surgery. We found a lack of evaluations that were carried out from a perspective that incorporates all of the impacts of a single episode of surgical care and that included a comprehensive hospital cost assessment. For distal pancreatectomies, the two most thorough examinations came to conflicting results regarding total cost savings compared to laparoscopic approaches. The most thorough pancreaticoduodenectomy evaluation found non-significant savings for total hospital costs. Robotic hepatectomies showed no cost savings over laparoscopic and only modest savings over open techniques. Lastly, robotic cholecystectomies were found to be more expensive than the gold-standard laparoscopic approach. Existing cost accounting data associated with robotic HPB surgery is incomplete and unlikely to reflect the state of this field in the future. Current data combines the learning curves for new surgical procedures being undertaken by HPB surgeons with costs derived from a market dominated by a single supplier of robotic instruments. As a result, the value proposition for stakeholders in this process cannot be defined. In order to solve this problem, future studies must incorporate (I) quality of life, survival, and return to independent function alongside data such as (II) intent-to-treat analysis of minimally-invasive surgery accounting for conversions to open, (III) surgeon and institution experience and operative time as surrogates for the learning curve; and (IV) amortization and maintenance costs as well as direct costs of disposables and instruments.
Unmasking the Catalytic Activity of a Platinum Complex with a Lewis Acidic, Non-innocent Antimony Ligand

With the view of developing self-activating electrophilic catalysts, we are now investigating complexes with a Lewis acidic moiety in the immediate vicinity of the transition metal center. Toward this end, we have synthesized a platinum complex in which the metal is connected to a Lewis acidic bis(triflato)stiboranyl ligand. This complex, ((o-(Ph2P)C6H4)2SbOTf2)PtCl (2), which was obtained by treatment of ((o-(Ph2P)C6H4)2SbCl2)PtCl (1) with 2 equiv of AgOTf, is surprisingly air stable. Yet, it promptly reacts with cyclohexylisocyanide to afford the dicationic chlorostibine complex [((o-(Ph2P)C6H4)2SbCl)PtCNCy]2+ ([3]2+) as a bis-triflate salt. Formation of [3]2+ occurs through abstraction of the platinum-bound chloride ligand by the adjacent Lewis acidic antimony center. This halide migration reaction leads to activation of the platinum center. In turn, 2 behaves as a self-activating catalyst in reactions involving alkynes and readily mediates both enyne cyclization and intramolecular hydroarylation react...
Inkjet-/3D-/4D-printed autonomous wearable RF modules for biomonitoring, positioning and sensing applications

In this paper, numerous inkjet-/3D-/4D-printed wearable flexible antennas, RF electronics, modules and sensors fabricated on paper and other polymer (e.g. LCP) substrates are introduced as a system-level solution for ultra-low-cost mass production of autonomous Biomonitoring, Positioning and Sensing applications. This paper briefly discusses the state-of-the-art area of fully-integrated wearable wireless sensor modules on paper or flexible LCP and show the first ever 4D sensor module integration on paper, as well as numerous 3D and 4D multilayer paper-based and LCP-based RF/microwave, flexible and wearable structures, that could potentially set the foundation for the truly convergent wireless sensor ad-hoc “on-body networks of the future with enhanced cognitive intelligence and “rugged” packaging. Also, some challenges concerning the power sources of “nearperpetual” wearable RF modules, including flexible miniaturized batteries as well as power-scavenging approaches involving electromagnetic and solar energy forms are discuessed. The final step of the paper will involve examples from mmW wearable (e.g. biomonitoring) antennas and RF modules, as well as the first examples of the integration of inkjet-printed nanotechnology-based (e.g.CNT) sensors on paper and organic substrates for Internet of Things (IoT) applications. It has to be noted that the paper will review and present challenges for inkjetprinted organic active and nonlinear devices as well as future directions in the area of environmentally-friendly “green”) wearable RF electronics and “smart-skin conformal sensors.
From Online Disagreement to Offline Action: How Diverse Motivations for Using Social Media Can Increase Political Information Sharing and Catalyze Offline Political Participation:

Amid growing concerns over the contentious tenor of online political discourse, scholars have begun to recognize that the social contexts and affordances provided by social media may present indire...
Neural Scene De-rendering

We study the problem of holistic scene understanding. We would like to obtain a compact, expressive, and interpretable representation of scenes that encodes information such as the number of objects and their categories, poses, positions, etc. Such a representation would allow us to reason about and even reconstruct or manipulate elements of the scene. Previous works have used encoder-decoder based neural architectures to learn image representations, however, representations obtained in this way are typically uninterpretable, or only explain a single object in the scene. In this work, we propose a new approach to learn an interpretable distributed representation of scenes. Our approach employs a deterministic rendering function as the decoder, mapping a naturally structured and disentangled scene description, which we named scene XML, to an image. By doing so, the encoder is forced to perform the inverse of the rendering operation (a.k.a. de-rendering) to transform an input image to the structured scene XML that the decoder used to produce the image. We use a object proposal based encoder that is trained by minimizing both the supervised prediction and the unsupervised reconstruction errors. Experiments demonstrate that our approach works well on scene de-rendering with two different graphics engines, and our learned representation can be easily adapted for a wide range of applications like image editing, inpainting, visual analogy-making, and image captioning.
Microbubbles Loaded with Nickel Nanoparticles: A Perspective for Carbon Sequestration

This work reports a microfluidic study investigating the feasibility of accelerating gaseous carbon dioxide (CO2) dissolution into a continuous aqueous phase with the use of metallic nickel (Ni) nanoparticles (NPs) under conditions specific to carbon sequestration in saline aquifers. The dissolution of CO2 bubbles at different pH levels and salinities was studied to understand the effects that the intrinsic characteristics of brine in real reservoir conditions would have on CO2 solubility. Results showed that an increased shrinkage of CO2 bubbles occurred with higher basicity, while an increased expansion of CO2 bubbles was observed with a proportional increase in salinity. To achieve acceleration of CO2 dissolution in acidic brine containing high salinity content, the catalytic effect of Ni NPs was investigated by monitoring change in CO2 bubble size at various Ni NPs concentrations. The optimal concentration for the Ni NPs suspension was determined to be 30 mg L–1; increasing the concentration up to 30 ...
Flexural, Compressive Arch, and Catenary Mechanisms in Pseudostatic Progressive Collapse Analysis

AbstractProgressive collapse has drawn significant attention from researchers because of its potential to inflict severe damage and casualty. Much research has focused on simulation techniques for ...
Intravenous Immunoglobulin Therapy in Refractory Autoimmune Dysautonomias: A Retrospective Analysis of 38 Patients

Background Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) has recognized efficacy in autoimmune peripheral nerve disorders, but there has been limited study of the use of IVIG in autoimmune dysautonomias. Study question To determine the efficacy and safety of IVIG in patients with disabling, refractory autoimmune dysautonomias, including patients with postural tachycardia syndrome and gastrointestinal dysmotility. Study design Patients with one or more autonomic disorder(s) and persistent serological evidence for autoimmunity who were unable to work or attend school despite usual treatments for dysautonomia were treated with IVIG for at least 3 months at a dose of at least 1 gm/kg monthly. Measures and outcomes Outcome measures included the composite autonomic symptom scale 31 survey and a functional ability score. Results There were 38 patients, 84% female and mean age of 28.4 years. Of patients, 83.5% improved on IVIG as defined by at least 20% improvement in the composite autonomic symptom scale 31 and/or functional ability score. The mean pretreatment functional ability score was 21% (mostly bedridden), which improved to a mean of 74% (nearing able to return to work/school) for responsive patients after at least 1 year of IVIG. The mean time to the first sign of response was 5.3 weeks. There were no serious adverse events. The Mayo autoimmune dysautonomia panel antibodies and traditional Sjogren antibodies were present in only 13% and 8% of patients, respectively, but antiphospholipid antibodies and novel Sjogren antibodies were present in 76% and 42% of patients, respectively. Conclusions There is increasing evidence that IVIG is safe and effective in a subset of patients with autonomic disorders and evidence for autoimmunity. A 4-month IVIG trial should be considered in severely affected patients who are refractory to lifestyle and pharmacological therapies. Antiphospholipid antibodies and novel Sjogren antibodies are often present in these patients and correlate with a high response rate to IVIG.
User Skill Assessment Using Informative Interfaces for Personalized Robot-Assisted Training

Robot Assisted Training (RAT) systems have been successfully deployed to provide assistance during a training task, promoting an efficient interaction with the user. Personalization can improve the efficiency of the interaction and thus enhance the effects of the training session. Personalization can be achieved through user skill assessment in order to choose an appropriate robot behavior that matches user abilities and needs. Graphical User Interfaces have been used to enable human supervisors to control robots and guide the interaction in RAT-based systems. This work focuses on how such interfaces can be used to enable human supervisor users (e.g., therapists) to assess user skills during a robot-based cognitive task. In this study, we investigate how different visualization features affect decision making and efficiency, towards the design of an intelligent and informative interface.
Gaining Maximum Benefit from Franchise Agreements, Management Contracts, and Leases

Excerpt] As the owner of a hospitality property, you can be your own manager, as discussed in Chapter 17. But that chapter also outlined common ownership structures that are intended to maximize the value of your investment by involving various partners. I view these structures as a web of relationships that create and enhance value to all stakeholders. Hotel and restaurant investors have long recognized that separating the real estate from the brand and from management of a hotel can create value. In fact, today it is difficult to find publicly listed firms that do all three. Firms like Host Hotels and Resorts (NYSE: HST) or Hospitality Properties Trust (NYSE: HPT) are hotel owners that contract with other companies, such as Marriott International (NYSE: MAR) and Accor (PA: AC), which provide brand and management services.1 In the discussion in Chapter 17, you read about ownership structures that included management contracts, leases, and franchise agreements. In this chapter, I discuss how these contracts provide you with a set of ownership, brand, and management services to help you achieve your investment and ownership objectives. As a start, let's build on the outline of structures in Chapter 17. The examples I give here provide a context for this discussion of contracts and leases.
Spinal Dynorphin and Neuropathic Pain

The endogenous neuropeptides dynorphins are proteolytic products of prodynorphin which are characterized by their high affinity for opioid receptors. Dynorphin A is widely distributed in the CNS and in the spinal cord is found predominantly in neurons of laminae I/II and V. Intrathecal dynorphin A displays predominantly non-opioid activities which can be reversed by NMDA antagonists as well as by bradykinin B2 receptor antagonists. The levels of spinal dynorphin expression can be easily perturbed; elevated levels of dynorphin A in the spinal cord are essential for the expression of chronic pain. Descending modulatory pain pathways from the rostral ventromedial medulla contribute to dynorphin up-regulation and the maintenance of neuropathic pain. Recovery from neuropathic pain may depend not only on recovery from the peripheral injury but also on reversing the injury-induced adaptive changes to the central nervous system such as dynorphin up-regulation.
Cyber-power testbed for distributed monitoring and control

The power grid Is becoming Increasingly complex with multi-domain and multi-physics interaction given enhanced automation, increasing DERs, active distribution system and push for resiliency. The centralized control for such a complex system will be slow, non-scalable and prone to failures. The local controllers for such system will be non-optimal, hard coded and not fault-tolerant. The preferred control architecture for such system will be distributed architecture as it is relatively fast, scalable and robust. The distributed architecture supports the power grid monitoring and control for enhanced resiliency and reliability, but need to be tested and validated before field implementation. This paper presents a cyber-power testbed architecture to validate distributed applications in the power grid. Distributed Remedial Action Scheme (DRAS) algorithm is validated using the testbed as an example distributed control testcase. DRAS has been implemented using a distributed computing platform called Resilient Information Architecture Platform for Smart Grid (RIAPS). Developed cyber-power testbed utilizes Real Time Digital Simulator, Phasor Measurement Units and CISCO FOG routers with RIAPS platform. The testbed is validated through online simulations of IEEE 14-bus test system with distributed control under various cyber failures for satisfactory response.
Dynamic Decision Modeling in Medicine: A Critique of Existing Formalisms

Dynamic decision models are frameworks for modeling and solving decision problems that take into explicit account the effects of time. These formalisms are based on structural and semantical extensions of conventional decision models, e.g., decision trees and influence diagrams, with the mathematical definitions of finite-state semi-Markov processes. This paper identifies the common theoretical basis of existing dynamic decision modeling formalisms, and compares and contrasts their applicability and efficiency. It also argues that a subclass of such dynamic decision problems can be formulated and solved more effectively with non-graphical techniques. Some insights gained from this exercise on automating the dynamic decision making process are summarized.
The Changing Face of Synthetic Cannabinoids in Texas

This article describes the characteristics of individuals who used synthetic cannabinoids and the changes in the user population over time. Data sources include treatment admissions with a primary problem with synthetic cannabinoids reported to the Texas treatment dataset, synthetic cannabinoid exposures reported to the Texas Poison Center Network, and items identified in the National Forensic Laboratory Information System in 2009-2016. Statistically significant trends were identified for race/ethnicity, gender, age, education level, employment status, homelessness, criminal justice problems, use of other substances, lag time between first use and time to treatment, exposure site, chronicity, reason for exposure, and the most common types of cannabinoids. Comparisons were made between the years and the variables in the datasets. Findings suggest that the characteristics of synthetic cannabinoid users and the varieties of these drugs in Texas have changed over time. Data to link individual cases with the changing results of toxicological analysis are needed, as well as targeted prevention and treatment efforts for an aging population who may be at risk of homelessness and also have co-morbid substance use and psychiatric problems.
Increased Health Care Utilization and Costs during Allogeneic Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation for Acute Leukemia and Myelodysplastic Syndromes in Adolescents and Young Adults Compared with Children: A Multicenter Study.

Abstract Allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) is a curative option for patients with acute leukemia and myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) but is associated with significant cost. Compared with children (age
Electron-capture decays of 100Tc and 116In and nuclear structure relevant for 2β decays

Both l00Mo and 116Cd are double-β-decay candidates, whose intermediate (virtual) state is a nucleus with Jπ = 1+ in the ground state. Consequently, in these cases one can measure the ‘single-β-decay’ matrix elements in addition to the 2ν-decay rate and test models in a more stringent way. We have measured the electron-capture decays of 100Tc and 116In which show that: a) the ‘ground state dominance hypothesis’ works very well; b) deformation plays a role which cannot be neglected in QRPA calculations. QRPA predictions work better in the spherical A = 116 system than in the ‘transition’ A = 100 system.
TET Enzymes and 5hmC in Adaptive and Innate Immune Systems

DNA methylation is an abundant and stable epigenetic modification that allows inheritance of information from parental to daughter cells. At active genomic regions, DNA methylation can be reversed by TET (Ten-eleven translocation) enzymes, which are responsible for fine-tuning methylation patterns. TET enzymes oxidize the methyl group of 5-methylcytosine (5mC) to yield 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (5hmC) and other oxidized methylcytosines, facilitating both passive and active demethylation. Increasing evidence has demonstrated the essential functions of TET enzymes in regulating gene expression, promoting cell differentiation, and suppressing tumor formation. In this review, we will focus on recent discoveries of the functions of TET enzymes in the development and function of lymphoid and myeloid cells. How TET activity can be modulated by metabolites, including vitamin C and 2-hydroxyglutarate, and its potential application in shaping the course of immune response will be discussed.
Minority patient preferences, barriers, and facilitators for shared decision-making with health care providers in the USA: A systematic review.

Abstract Objectives This systematic review of contemporary literature sought to better understand racial and ethnic minority patients’ shared decision-making (SDM) preferences, challenges and facilitators. Methods Data sources were PubMed, CINAHL, Embase, Google Scholar, PsycINFO, Sociological Abstracts, and Web of Science databases for publications between 2011 and 2016. Publications were included if they studied SDM during the clinical encounter for minority adults in clinical care in the United States. We conducted a narrative, descriptive synthesis of each study. Results From over 5000 publications identified through the search strategy, 18 met eligibility criteria following an abstract and full text (n = 685) review in Covidence. Studies focused on SDM in developing treatment plans (n = 10), and were conducted in primary care (n = 6) or hospital/health system settings (n = 6). Patients’ decision preferences ranged from physician-driven altogether or initially, to patient-driven style. A comprehensive list of SDM facilitators and barriers was developed. Conclusion Despite strong policy and research SDM support to increase patient communication and a growing published literature, results suggest lack of representation of minority populations in contemporary literature. Practice implications Provider training may be needed to facilitate patient-provider transition from a passive toward a more active SDM engagement over time while confidence, trust and rapport is established.
The Campaign to Restrict the Right to Respond to Terrorist Attacks in Self-Defense Under Article 51 of the U.N. Charter and What the United States Can Do About It

Article 51 of the United Nations Charter preserves the right of nations to use military force in self-defense. This broad language would appear to allow nations to use military force in self-defense in response to "armed attacks" by terrorists. But a significant problem has developed over the past twenty years. In a series of resolutions and judicial decisions, organs of the United Nations have attempted to read into Article 51 four very significant and dangerous limitations on the use of military force in self-defense. These limitations find no support in the language of Article 51, they do not accord with general principles of self-defense, and they are inimical to efforts to end terrorism. The United States needs to oppose limitations on the right of self-defense preserved by Article 51, not only for its own safety but also to further the most fundamental goals of the United Nations. Unfortunately, the United States has only a few tools at its disposal for preserving its legal right to act in self-defense. The United States can use its veto power to prevent the Security Council from condemning countries that properly use force in self-defense. It can also use opportunities afforded by the U.N. Charter to express its interpretation of Article 51, thus establishing helpful precedent for future disputes.
Host Reactions to Infection

The reaction of a host to infectious stimuli can differ and manifest in various ways. This includes common host reactions such as acute purulent inflammation, granulomatous inflammation, viral inclusions, reactive atypia, and necrosis. Less common host reactions may also occur such as those encountered in immunocompromised hosts and atypical responses to microorganisms like inflammatory pseudotumor formation, xanthogranulomatous inflammation, malakoplakia, emperipolesis, ciliocytophthoria, and crystal formation. Awareness and recognition of these reactions and their cytomorphologic features can help identify potential infectious agents.
Inter-user and intra-user variation of two tonometers in horses

BACKGROUND It is currently unknown which of the two devices most commonly used in equine ophthalmology for intraocular pressure (IOP) estimation demonstrates the lowest inter-user and intra-user variation. OBJECTIVES To assess the inter-user and intra-user variation of two tonometers in sedated and unsedated horses. STUDY DESIGN Randomised masked cross-over trial. METHODS Four examiners used the rebound (ICare® TonoVet) and applanation (TonoPen® ) tonometers to measure the intraocular pressure (IOP) in triplicate in 10 normal horses before and after sedation with xylazine. For inter-user variation, coefficient of variation (CV) values were calculated from the mean of each examiner for each condition combination. For intra-user variation, CV values were calculated from the individual measurements of each examiner for each condition combination. CV values were also assessed in relation to other variables using ANOVA. RESULTS The rebound tonometer was found to have lower inter-user (15.4% vs 21.7%, P = .01) and intra-user (9.1% vs 16.1%, P < .0001) variation in unsedated horses and lower intra-user (8.4% vs 14.7%, P < .0001) variation in sedated horses than the applanation tonometer. Both instruments had similar inter-user variation in sedated horses. For the rebound tonometer, sedation did not affect inter-user or intra-user variation, but for the applanation tonometer inter-user variation was lowest while horses were sedated (16.0% vs 21.7%, P = .03). No other variable assessed was found to have an effect on IOP. MAIN LIMITATIONS No animals with ocular disease were included in this study. CONCLUSIONS The rebound tonometer may be the preferred instrument to minimise intra-user and inter-user variation for IOP measurement in unsedated horses. The rebound tonometer is also likely to be the preferred instrument to minimise intra-user variation in sedated horses. If the applanation tonometer is used to perform IOP measurement in horses, it is recommended that this is performed while horses are sedated to minimise inter-user variation for this instrument.