cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Diffusion-Limited Biochemical Signal-Relay Channel

Biochemical signal-transduction networks are the biological information-processing systems by which individual cells, from neurons to amoebae, perceive and respond to their chemical environments. We introduce a simplified model of a single biochemical relay and analyse its capacity as a communications channel. A diffusible ligand is released by a sending cell and received by binding to a transmembrane receptor protein on a receiving cell. This receptor-ligand interaction creates a nonlinear communications channel with non-Gaussian noise. We model this channel numerically and study its response to input signals of different frequencies in order to estimate its channel capacity. Stochastic effects introduced in both the diffusion process and the receptor-ligand interaction give the channel low-pass characteristics. We estimate the channel capacity using a water-filling formula adapted from the additive white-noise Gaussian channel.
Development of a digital acquisition system for partial discharge measurement and analyses

A typical set of partial discharges (PD) occurring in insulation systems can be characterized by a three dimensional plot of their phase ‘ϕ’ on the power line cycle, apparent charge magnitude ‘q’ and the number of pulses ‘n’. A digital acquisition system is being developed which can measure ‘ϕ’ and ‘q’ values of ‘n’ PD's occurring on a given power line voltage and then plot n(ϕ, q). The system is developed using the data acquisition card NI- 5112, which is a 2-channel high speed digitizer (100 MS/s) with the acquisition and analyses programs written in LabVIEW 8.2. The system is being tested using artificially generated PD pulses which have variable ‘ϕ’ and ‘q’ magnitudes and their performance benchmarked by comparing the resulting plots with the plots obtained by processing the same data on existing PD analyses system called TECHIMP- PD check.
Recursion theoretic aspects of the dual ramsey theorem

Ramsey's Theorem deals with colorings of the k-element subsets of a fixed infinite set. The Dual Ramsey Theorem deals with colorings of the k-element partitions of a fixed infinite set. We review the statement of the Dual Ramsey Theorem and of its generalization to A-partitions. Here A is a finite alphabet. We discuss the problem of optimal recursion-theoretic bounds for the Dual Ramsey Theorem. We point out applications of the Dual Ramsey Theorem to initial segment constructions in degree theory. We state a result of Brackin concerning partitions which have no coarsenings of higher Turing degree. In an appendix we summarize the known results (and present two new results) concerning "nearly recursive" (i.e. bi-immune free) Turing degrees.
Scleroderma dermal microvascular endothelial cells exhibit defective response to pro-angiogenic chemokines

Objectives Angiogenesis plays a critical role in SSc (scleroderma). The aim of this study was to examine the expression of growth-regulated protein-γ (Gro-γ/CXCL3), granulocyte chemotactic protein 2 (GCP-2/CXCL6) and their receptor CXCR2 in endothelial cells (ECs) isolated from SSc skin and determine whether these cells mount an angiogenic response towards pro-angiogenic chemokines. The downstream signalling pathways as well as the pro-angiogenic transcription factor inhibitor of DNA-binding protein 1 (Id-1) were also examined. Methods Skin biopsies were obtained from patients with dcSSc. ECs were isolated via magnetic positive selection. Angiogenesis was measured by EC chemotaxis assay. Results Gro-γ/CXCL3 and GCP-2/CXCL6 were minimally expressed in both skin types but elevated in SSc serum. Pro-angiogenic chemokine mRNA was greater in SSc ECs than in normal ECs. SSc ECs did not migrate to vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), Gro-γ/CXCL3, GCP-2/CXCL6 or CXCL16. The signalling pathways stimulated by these chemokines were also dysregulated. Id-1 mRNA in SSc ECs was lower compared with normal ECs, and overexpression of Id-1 in SSc ECs increased their ability to migrate towards VEGF and CXCL16. Conclusion Our results show that SSc ECs are unable to respond to pro-angiogenic chemokines despite their increased expression in serum and ECs. This might be due to the differences in the signalling pathways activated by these chemokines in normal vs SSc ECs. In addition, the lower expression of Id-1 also decreases the angiogenic response. The inability of pro-angiogenic chemokines to promote EC migration provides an additional mechanism for the impaired angiogenesis that characterizes SSc.
Betty Collis: A significant contributor to the field of educational technology

Throughout her career, Professor Betty Collis has developed transformational theoretical and practical applications of technology especially appropriate for and useful in a wide range of educational settings. She has long been a pragmatic theorist who focuses on what will work, especially with respect to whether people will actually employ a particular technological innovation for teaching and learning in both academic and corporate contexts. As a teacher, by drawing on her students' creativity and prior knowledge, she not only has designed innovative courses but she also has empowered and engaged students in ways that enhance their learning experience. As a scholar, she is a prolific author of hundreds of publications and a widely acclaimed speaker at professional conferences. Today, after retiring from academia, she is a well-known consultant who helps educational organizations and corporations to optimize their strategies, improve their learning, and facilitate change.
Microsecond Molecular Dynamics Simulations of Influenza Neuraminidase Suggest a Mechanism for the Increased Virulence of Stalk-Deletion Mutants

Deletions in the stalk of the influenza neuraminidase (NA) surface protein are associated with increased virulence, but the mechanisms responsible for this enhanced virulence are unclear. Here we use microsecond molecular dynamics simulations to explore the effect of stalk deletion on enzymatic activity, contrasting NA proteins from the A/swine/Shandong/N1/2009 strain both with and without a stalk deletion. By modeling and simulating neuraminidase apo glycoproteins embedded in complex-mixture lipid bilayers, we show that the geometry and dynamics of the neuraminidase enzymatic pocket may differ depending on stalk length, with possible repercussions on the binding of the endogenous sialylated-oligosaccharide receptors. We also use these simulations to predict previously unrecognized druggable "hotspots" on the neuraminidase surface that may prove useful for future efforts aimed at structure-based drug design.
Rationality in Game Theory and Paradoxes of Rationality

In game theory and economics,rationality is embodied in rational choices according to principle of maximizing expected utility and principle of domination.The forms of the two principles are neutral to egoism and altruism,individualism and collectivism.However,paradoxes of irrationality of rational choice can be found in interaction context.An analysis of Newcomb problem shows that the concept of rationality is contradictory in game theory as well as in economics.
The Two-Layer Bénard Problem

In this chapter, we will develop a theory of fluid motions arising out of instabilities of heat conduction without motion in two superposed layers of fluid heated from below. For short, we call this a two-layer Benard problem. Beautiful photographs of the hexagonal cells which develop on a single layer of fluid are exhibited in the frontispiece of the stability book of Chandrasekhar [1961]. However, these cells are generally regarded as arising from surface tension gradients rather than from the instability of conduction, so that the traditional name “Benard problem” is misinformed.
Cognitive psychology: Overview

Author(s): Kihlstrom, JF; Park, L | Abstract: Cognitive psychology seeks to understand how we acquire knowledge about ourselves and the world, how this knowledge is represented in the mind and brain, and how we use knowledge to guide behavior. Major topics in cognitive psychology include sensation and perception, attention, memory, categorization, learning, language and communication, and thinking, reasoning, judgment, and decision-making. Cognitive development is discussed from both an ontogenetic and phylogenetic point of view. Cognitive neuroscience explores the neural substrates of cognitive processes. The cognitive point of view has been extended to personality, social, and clinical psychology, as well as to sociology, anthropology, and other social-science disciplines.
Mariner IV revisited, or the Tale of the Ancient Mariner

Mariner 4 guidance and control system performance from mission nominal end to final termination time
Traveling-wave metal-insulator-metal diodes for infrared rectennas

We demonstrate for the first time optical energy conversion using a rectenna incorporating a traveling-wave diode. Optical rectennas use micron sized antennas coupled to high speed diodes to convert an optical wave to DC power. Metal-insulator-metal (MIM) diodes are suitable for high speed operation because of their femtosecond-fast electron tunneling rectification mechanism. However, in a lumped-element rectenna configuration, these devices cannot operate above several terahertz due to their high capacitance. We demonstrate a 10.6 μιιι (28 THz) MIIM (Ni-NiO-Nb 2 O 5 -Cr) optical rectenna that incorporates a traveling-wave diode (TWD) geometry to overcome lumped-element diode capacitance limitations.
Spiritually Oriented Psychotherapy for Trauma and Meaning Making Among Ethnically Diverse Individuals in the United States

There is limited psychological research on trauma and meaning making among specific racial ethnic minority populations in the United States. As important identifying aspects of religious, cultural, racial, and ethnic diversity continue to develop in the American representative landscape, it is crucial that we as a society improve our psychological services for those with diverse religious and cultural backgrounds. This chapter delineates the effectiveness of spiritually oriented psychotherapy for trauma and meaning making among racially and ethnically diverse individuals. A case example is presented to illustrate the role spirituality plays in treatment and recovery from trauma. Relevant research findings that provide evidence of the relationship between trauma and spirituality are explored. Psychotherapy process guidelines for implementing spiritual treatment approaches are discussed. Incorporating these applications of spiritual approaches with religious and spiritual racial ethnic minority groups in the United States within the cultural context and in the meaning-making and healing process is addressed. Several recommendations for research and training in this domain are discussed.
Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor Discontinuation in Chronic Myeloid Leukemia: Single US Center Experience

Imatinib (IM) can be safely discontinued in patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) with sustained complete molecular remission. Previous publications from France and Australia have shown that overall 40% maintain MMR or MR5 for up to 5 years after IM is stopped. We report single US center experience with tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) discontinuation. Between 06/2010 and 7/2015, 22 patients with CML in chronic (CP, n=19), accelerated (AP, n=2) and lymphoid blast phase (LBP, n=1) discontinued IM (n=17), dasatinib (DAS, n=3) or bosutinib (BOS, n=2), and were monitored by qPCR for BCR-ABL1 monthly for the first 3 months, quarterly for the following 2 years and then bi-annually. TKI was restarted in case of confirmed loss of MMR on a repeat qPCR. Reason for TKI discontinuation was predominantly driven by patients' request and TKI intolerance. Median age was 66 (range, 21-84). The 3 who discontinued DAS had IM-resistant (loss of CCyR; n=1), IM-intolerant CP (n=1), or received DAS as first-line agent (n=1). BOS was discontinued for IM-intolerant CP (n=1), or while in CR2 in a patient with LBP that transformed from IM resistant CP and relapsed following chemotherapy (HCVAD). Median duration of TKI therapy pre-discontinuation for the entire cohort was 89 months (range, 26-106). Three patients are not evaluable due to short follow-up (TKI stopped between 5/2015 and 7/2015). With a median follow-up of 40 months (range, 8-60), 7 (41%, 6 CP and 1 AP), all previously on IM lost MMR a median of 3 months (range, 3-24) after TKI was stopped and restarted IM. Loss of CHR occurred 13 months after loss of MMR in 1 patient who elected not to restart IM at the time MMR was lost, due to complications from cardiac transplant rejection. All 7 achieved MMR following restart of IM. Median duration of TKI therapy pre-discontinuation for these 7 patients was 60 months (range, 48-98). 12 patients (59%, 10 CP, 1 AP, 1 LBP) remain off TKI and have not lost MMR, 8 with continuously undetectable BCR-ABL1; and 4 had 1-2 transient detectable BCR-ABL1 at MR4 levels. Median duration of TKI therapy pre-discontinuation for these 12 patients was 87 months (range, 26-106). Loss of MMR-free survival is depicted in the Figure. We conclude that, similar to previous reports, TKI can be safely discontinued in patients with CML without reappearance of BCR-ABL1 in 50-60%. Download : Download high-res image (67KB) Download : Download full-size image Figure 1 . Disclosures Jillella: Seattle Genetics, Inc.: Research Funding. Kota: Leukemia Lymphoma Society: Research Funding; Pfizer: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees.
Epidemiology of Physical Activity and Exercise Training in the United States

The purpose of this review was to provide an overview of the descriptive epidemiology of physical activity (PA) and exercise training in the United States. Overall, there is a low prevalence of meeting the current PA guidelines in all age, sex and race/ethnic groups. Among adults the prevalence of meeting the aerobic component of the guidelines is approximately 51%, whereas the prevalence of meeting both the aerobic and muscle-strengthening guidelines is approximately 23%. Approximately 27% of high school students meet the aerobic component of the pediatric guidelines (60 minutes of daily moderate-to-vigorous activity), and the proportion of youth meeting the guidelines decreases with advancing age. Further research is required to promote physically active lifestyles across the age spectrum in order to achieve optimal health benefits for the overall population.
Convergence of the Born and inverse Born series for electromagnetic scattering

We consider the Born and Inverse Born series that arise in the theory of electromagnetic scattering and related inverse problems. We establish sufficient conditions for convergence of both series.
When All You Have Is a Hammer: The Need for Tools to Define and Apply Patient-Centered Outcomes in Hemodialysis

Nephrologists commonly provide high-quality, life-saving, and appropriate care to complex patients. Tools of the trade include specialized knowledge in the pathophysiology of kidney diseases and related metabolic disturbances; experience with how, when, and where to provide RRT; and pharmacologic
Narrowing the Gap between Theoretical and Practical Capacities in Li‐Ion Layered Oxide Cathode Materials

Although layered lithium oxides have become the cathode of choice for state-of-the-art Li-ion batteries, substantial gaps remain between the practical and theoretical energy densities. With the aim of supporting efforts to close this gap, this work reviews the fundamental operating mechanisms and challenges of Li intercalation in layered oxides, contrasts how these challenges play out differently for different materials (with emphasis on Ni–Co–Al (NCA) and Ni–Mn–Co (NMC) alloys), and summarizes the extensive corpus of modifications and extensions to the layered lithium oxides. Particular emphasis is given to the fundamental mechanisms behind the operation and degradation of layered intercalation electrode materials as well as novel modifications and extensions, including Na-ion and cation-disordered materials.
Financing Integration of Urban Water Systems: From Service Provision to Resource Management:

Cities seeking to reform water management practices that degrade sustainability are challenged by limited resources, financial needs of legacy infrastructures, institutional barriers, and rigid reg...
A navigation and positining system for unmanned underwater vehicles based on a mechanical antenna

An underwater positioning system is introduced based on extremely low frequency electromagnetic waves for Unmanned Underwater Vehicles, UUV's. This system takes advantage of few transmitters (minimum 3) with mechanical antennas as reference points (equivalent to the satellites in the GPS system) and a multi-dimensional vector magnetometer on the UUV as the receiver. The received signal form each transmitter consists of three orthogonal complex components, which will be used to estimate the relative location of the UUV in respect to the reference points.
Russia: Reform after the Great Recession

Russia has weathered the global crisis better than initially feared, in part due to its large stimulus package, and is now likely to witness a robust but relatively jobless recovery. But the crisis has emphasized the country’s long-standing needs to modernize its public sector, strengthen its financial sector, improve its investment climate, and advance diversification.
Degradation behavior of Lithium-Ion capacitors during calendar aging

Lithium-Ion Capacitors (LICs) are a new technology of hybrid supercapacitors that aims to deliver relatively high energy and high power. Therefore, they are known for their constitution inspired from lithium-ion batteries and conventional supercapacitors. Due to their hybrid structure, they have a unique behavior during aging. This paper concerns the effects of high temperatures (60°C and 70°C) and two states of charge (fully charged and fully discharged) on the acceleration of aging of LICs. Fully charged and fully discharged cells were mounted at high temperatures and the evolution of their properties was monitored during 12 months. Electrochemical Impedance spectroscopy was the tool for regularly measuring their capacity. Results showed that fully discharged LICs encounter huge deterioration of performance. For example, at 60°C, a capacity decrease of 45 % was found. On another hand, fully charged cells lost around 12 % of their initial capacity Therefore, the state of charge that should be avoided when leaving LICs at rest is introduced for the first time in a paper. Moreover, based on the comparison of capacity decrease of fully discharged cells at different temperatures, the parameters of Arrhenius equation were analyzed. A physicochemical interpretation of the results was made according to the established results.
HYDROXYLATED METABOLITES OF TRICYCLIC ANTIDEPRESSANTS: INHIBITION OF AMINE UPTAKE AND OTHER PRE-CLINICAL STUDIES

ABSTRACT Hydroxylated metabolites of tricyclic antidepressants are potent inhibitors of synaptosomal amine uptake. They show an antidepressant activity profile in animals and achieve significant steady-state concentrations in the central nervous system. Concentrations of these hydroxylated metabolites need to be accounted for in man.
Adventitious hydrocarbons and the graphite-water interface

Abstract This paper reports the adsorption of airborne and waterborne hydrocarbon contaminants on graphite and their impact on the graphite-water interfacial properties. Exposing a freshly exfoliated highly oriented pyrolytic graphite (HOPG) surface to ambient air and 1-octadecene vapor (ca. 1 ppm) caused a ca. 30% and 70% decrease in its double layer capacitance, respectively. Similarly, a 38% decrease of capacitance was observed within 1500 min after a freshly cleaved HOPG was immersed in 1 M NaCl solution; liquid phase ellipsometry data showed that a contamination layer of ca. 0.6–2 nm was formed on the HOPG surface within the same time frame. The capacitance of a contaminated sample can be partially and temporarily restored by applying a high or low potential (−1.222 V or 0.778 V vs. Ag/AgCl). Herein we report that hydrocarbon contamination on graphite is significant in both water and air.
The Size and Composition of the European Third Sector

In this chapter, we proceed to the estimation of the size, scale and scope of the third sector in Europe. The European third sector is an enormous economic force, outdistancing most major industries in the scale of its workforce. Taken together, as of 2014, which are the latest data available, the European third sector engages an estimated 28.3 million full-time equivalent (FTE) workers (paid and volunteer) in the 28 EU countries and Norway. The European third sector thus accounts for nearly 13 percent of the European workforce. This is a significant contribution because any industry that accounts for 5 percent of the employment of a country is considered to be a major industry. A second striking characteristic of the European TSE is its engagement of volunteers in addition to paid employees. In fact, over 15 million FTE workers in the civil society sector in Europe are volunteers, which is 55 percent of the workforce.
6.13 – Pain Overview

Pain has been categorized as to location (e.g., superficial, deep), duration (acute, chronic), and by type (e.g., inflammatory, neuropathic), all of which are typically associated with activation of nociceptors, the peripheral receptors that respond to noxious intensities of stimulation and sensitize in the presence of tissue insult. Although pain is a complex sensory experience, and not just a sensation, we focus here on the nociceptor and the ion channels and receptors imbedded in nociceptor neuron membranes as targets for analgesic or antihyperalgesic drug development.
Towards a Language for Graph-Based Model Transformation Design Patterns

In model-driven engineering, most problems are solved using model transformation. However, the development of a model transformation for a specific problem is still a hard task. The main reason for that is the lack of a development process where transformations must be designed before implemented. As in object-oriented design, we believe that “good design” of model transformation can benefit tremendously from model transformation design patterns. Hence, in this paper, we present DelTa, a language for expressing design patterns for model transformations. DelTa is more abstract than and independent from any existing model transformation language, yet it is expressive enough to define design patterns as guidelines transformation developers can follow. To validate the language, we have redefined four known model transformation design patterns in DelTa and demonstrated how such abstract transformation guidelines can be implemented in five different model transformation languages.
Pressure of an Ideal Gas

Having considered the average energy of an ideal gas, we now turn to the calculation of another simple mechanical property, namely the pressure P: the force per unit area that a gas exerts on the walls of its container. This Lecture presents three physically distinct calculations of P.The first calculation uses a direct approach based on Gibbs’s ensemble method. In a second calculation, P is obtained by a thermodynamic derivative from a free energy. Finally, P will be found using a kinetic argument, based on counting collisions of gas molecules with container walls over a period of time. All three approaches give the ideal gas law P V=Nk B T (6.1) in the appropriate limits.
Thriving with Down syndrome: A qualitative multiple case study

Background Down syndrome (DS) is the most common genetic cause of intellectual disability. Prior research has primarily focused on associated medical problems and skill deficits. This study takes a novel positive psychology approach by examining critical individual characteristics and environmental factors that facilitate exceptional quality of life for people with DS. Method A qualitative multiple case study design was used to document the lives of four adults thriving with DS. Thriving was defined as high subjective well-being coupled with continued personal development. Results Descriptive contexts were provided for each case along with four overarching themes: a supportive social ecology, high expectations for independence, advocacy, and strengths facilitating happiness. A new conceptual framework for understanding thriving with DS was proposed. Conclusions These findings provide insight as to what is possible for people with DS, including ideas for future research and practice to promote thriving in the DS population.
SpiroConfidence: Determining the Validity of Smartphone Based Spirometry Using Machine Learning

Prior work has shown that smartphone spirometry can effectively measure lung function using the phone’s built-in microphone and could one day play a critical role in making spirometry more usable, accessible, and cost-effective. Although traditional spirometry is performed with the guidance of a medical expert, smartphone spirometry lacks the ability to provide the patient feedback or guarantee the quality of a patient’s spirometry efforts. Smartphone spirometry is particularly susceptible to poorly performed efforts because any sounds in the environment (e.g., a person’s voice) or mistakes in the effort (e.g., coughs or short breaths) can invalidate the results. We introduce two approaches to analyze and estimate the quality of smartphone spirometry efforts. A gradient boosting model achieves 98.2% precision and 86.6% recall identifying invalid efforts when given expert tuned audio features, while a Gated-Convolutional Recurrent Neural Network achieves 98.3% precision and 88.0% recall and automatically develops patterns from a Mel-spectrogram, a more general audio feature.
Correction to: Philosophy in the age of science: J. Beale and I. J. Kidd, Eds.: Wittgenstein and scientism. Routledge, 2017, 232pp, $140 HB

In “Philosophy in the age of science,” a review of J. Beale’s and I. J. Kidd’s edited volume, Wittgenstein and scientism, by Mariam Thalos, Chon Tejedor was mistakenly referred to as he, rather than she.
Abstract WMP109: Transitional Care Matrix to Improve the Coordination of Stroke Care Between Inpatient and Outpatient Care Settings

Background and Purpose: Transitions of care, specifically between inpatient and outpatient care settings can be a point of vulnerability in the care of stroke patients. As patients transfer from in...
CICERO BELTS ARATUS: THE BILINGUAL ACROSTIC AT ARATEA 317–20

That Cicero as a young didactic poet embraced the traditions of Hellenistic hexameter poetry is well recognized. Those traditions encompass various forms of wordplay, one of which is the acrostic. Cicero's engagement with this tradition, in the form of an unusual Greek-Latin acrostic at Aratea 317–20, prompts inquiry regarding both the use of the acrostic technique as textual commentary and Cicero's lifelong concerns regarding translation.
Review: In adults without CVD, aspirin reduces CV events and increases major bleeding compared with no aspirin.

Source Citation Zheng SL, Roddick AJ. Association of aspirin use for primary prevention with cardiovascular events and bleeding events: a systematic review and meta-analysis. JAMA. 2019;321:277-87....
Meningitis and Meningoencephalitis

Fungal meningitis and meningoencephalitis are unusual diagnoses that are associated with significant neurological morbidity and mortality. Due to difficulty in making this diagnosis, recognition of this entity can be delayed. Common causative of fungal meningitis include Candida spp., Cryptococcus spp., Aspergillus spp., Coccidioides immitis, Histoplasma capsulatum, Blastomyces dermatitidis, and Mucorales. Awareness of the common fungal infections of the central nervous system (CNS) and their treatment are important for any clinician treating infections of the CNS.
Underuse of Clinical Decision Rules and d-Dimer in Suspected Pulmonary Embolism: A Nationwide Survey of the Veterans Administration Healthcare System.

Abstract Purpose The diagnosis of pulmonary embolism (PE) remains a challenge. CT pulmonary angiography (CTPA) for suspected PE has become the primary imaging modality, but concerns regarding overutilization, overdiagnosis, radiation, and costs have led to algorithms that combine a clinical decision rule (CDR) and highly sensitive d -dimer to identify patients in whom PE can be safely excluded without further studies. This has been identified as a top five Choosing Wisely recommendation in pulmonary medicine, but adherence is modest at best and actual utilization is unknown. Therefore, a survey was conducted to determine the prevalence of this approach in the Veterans Administration (VA) healthcare system. Methods A web-based questionnaire survey ( SurveyGizmo.com ) was developed and validated to query the utilization of CDR ± d -dimer in suspected PE. Key stakeholders identified from national VA mailing lists of radiology, pulmonary, and emergency medicine chiefs were sent an email describing the survey and provided a link for response. This study was reviewed and approved by our local institutional review board and accessing the link represented consent for participation. No personally identifiable data were collected and a drawing for a gift card was provided as an incentive. Results There were a total of 159 responses, with 120 fully completed surveys for analysis. The majority of respondents were chiefs (63%) with 11+ years of experience (80%), from hospitals with house staff (86%) and an emergency department (97%). Respondents were from emergency medicine (31%), pulmonary (27%), radiology (26%), and other departments (9%). The overwhelming majority of respondents (85%) did not require results of a CDR ± d- dimer before ordering a CTPA. Only 6.7% required a CDR + d- dimer, with others requiring either only a CDR (5.8%) or d- dimer (2.5%). The most common CDR was the Wells score, with only one using the Pulmonary Embolism Rule-Out Criteria. Nine of 18 (50%) regional Veterans Integrated Service Networks reported at least one site requiring a CDR before CTPA. An average of 9.6 CTPAs were estimated to be performed per week. Sorted by CDR and d- dimer use, 8 (CDR + d- dimer), 6.9 (CDR only), 8 ( d- dimer only), 10.1 (no requirements) CTPA studies were performed weekly. The average CTPA yield for PE was estimated at 11.9% (CDR + d- dimer), 8% (CDR only), 2.5% ( d- dimer only), and 7.6% (no requirements). Conclusions The vast majority of hospitals within the VA system do not use a CDR ± d- dimer in the evaluation of patients with suspected PE. Utilization of a CDR and d- dimer may decrease CTPA utilization and increase yield, but this assessment is limited by the scope of the survey. Clinical Implications CDR-guided strategies are recommended in the evaluation of suspected PE. Adherence within the VA healthcare system is very low. Further investigation is warranted to better characterize and improve the adherence to CDR-guided strategies and CTPA utilization.
Exploring the Size Limitations of Wurtzite III-V Film Growth.

Metastable crystal phases of abundant semiconductors such as III–Vs, Si, or Ge comprise enormous potential to address current limitations in green light-emitting electrical diodes (LEDs) and group ...
Profiling Clinical Research Activity at an Academic Medical Center by Using Institutional Databases: Content Analysis.

Background: It is important to monitor the scope of clinical research of all types, to involve participants of all ages and subgroups in studies that are appropriate to their condition, and to ensure equal access and broad validity of the findings. Objective: We conducted a review of clinical research performed at New York University with the following objectives: (1) to determine the utility of institutional administrative data to characterize clinical research activity; (2) to assess the inclusion of special populations; and (3) to determine if the type, initiation, and completion of the study differed by age. Methods: Data for all studies that were institutional review board–approved between January 1, 2014, and November 2, 2016, were obtained from the research navigator system, which was launched in November 2013. One module provided details about the study protocol, and another module provided the characteristics of individual participants. Research studies were classified as observational or interventional. Descriptive statistics were used to assess the characteristics of clinical studies across the lifespan, by type, and over time. Results: A total of 22%-24% of studies included children (minimum age 65 years) but only 5%-12% focused exclusively on geriatrics. Approximately 85% of the studies included both male and female participants. Of the remaining studies, those open only to girls or women were approximately 3 times as common as those confined to boys or men. A total of 56%-58% of projects focused on nonvulnerable patients. Among the special populations studied, children (12%-15%) were the most common. Noninterventional trial types included research on human data sets (24%), observational research (22%), survey research (16%), and biospecimen research (8%). The percentage of projects designed to test an intervention in a vulnerable population increased from 17% in 2014 to 21% in 2015. Conclusions: Pediatric participants were the special population that was most often studied based on the number of registered projects that included children and adolescents. However, they were much less likely to be successfully enrolled in research studies compared with adults older than 65 years. Only 20% of the studies were interventional, and 20%-35% of participants in this category were from vulnerable populations. More studies are exclusively devoted to women’s health issues compared with men’s health issues.
Enhancing Volunteer Pride and Retention Rates: The Role of Organizational Reputation, Task Significance, and Skill Variety

Volunteers are vital to many organizations, and their retention is a crucial concern for management. While research confirms anticipated pride attracts volunteers to organizations, the role of prid...
Comparative Study of Pseudospectral Methods for Spacecraft Optimal Attitude Maneuvers

This paper presents a comparative study of six common pseudospectral (PS) methods for solving optimal spacecraft attitude control problems. The problems of minimum time, minimum control effort, and...
Lymphopenia in Pediatric Patients Following Proton Radiotherapy.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE(S) The role of lymphocytes in the body's immune response to cancer cells is increasingly appreciated. While lymphocytes are sensitive to even low doses of radiotherapy (RT), we hypothesized that modern techniques such as proton therapy and vertebral-body sparing craniospinal irradiation (CSI) may minimize RT-associated lymphopenia in pediatric patients. MATERIALS/METHODS Retrospective data from pediatric patients treated with RT at two institutions was reviewed. Blood counts, including lymphocytes, hemoglobin, and platelets, immediately before (pre-RT) and after RT (post-RT) were recorded when available. To assess the impact of vertebral body sparing CSI, vertebral bodies were retrospectively contoured to determine mean vertebral body dose. Patients were divided into CSI, non-CSI CNS, and extracranial groups. Patient and treatment variables were assessed for associations with change in lymphocytes during treatment. RESULTS One-hundred seventy-six pediatric patients treated with RT from 2016-2020 were reviewed. All patients were treated with protons. Of these, 91 had pre-RT and post-RT labs available for review, including 32 CSI, 8 non-CSI CNS, and 51 extracranial treatments. For all patients, 69% had clinical lymphopenia (≤1.6 × 109 lymphocytes/L) prior to RT and 92% had lymphopenia following RT. For the entire cohort, 91% had a reduction in lymphocytes RT, including 97% of CSI and 86% of extracranial treatments. and post-RT. Factors associated with lymphopenia following RT included CSI, multifocal disease, prior surgery, and prior chemotherapy. Post-RT lymphopenia occurred in 100% of patients who received concurrent chemotherapy and 87% of those who did not (P = 0.026). The magnitude of lymphocyte reduction was 50% from pre to post RT (P < 0.001) for all patients, and 58% for CSI patients (P < 0.001). Hemoglobin decreased in 71.4% of patients after RT, including 72% of CSI and 86.3% of extracranial treatments. Platelet count decreased in 89%, including 94% of CSI and 86% of extracranial treatments. Of the 32 patients treated with CSI, 15 were treated with a vertebral body sparing technique as they had reached skeletal maturity. The mean vertebral body dose was 1573cGy for vertebral sparing patients and 2820cGy for others. Higher mean vertebral body dose was associated with greater reduction in lymphocytes from baseline (P = 0.022). There was no association between pre or post RT lymphocytes or magnitude of lymphocyte reduction with survival for the entire cohort. CONCLUSION While lymphopenia is common after RT, modern techniques that spare bone marrow or blood volume, such as proton therapy and vertebral body sparing, may help minimize post-RT lymphopenia. Vertebral body sparing proton CSI demonstrated improvement in post-RT lymphopenia relative to standard proton CSI.
Mediating the Indissoluble Family: Mediator Style in Domestic Relations Cases

Mediation‘s rapid, and relatively recent, rise to prominence has permanently altered the practice of law in many areas of the legal field. Nowhere is this more true than in the area of family law, where mediation has become a central aspect of nearly every family case. The ubiquitous use of mediation, particularly in the family arena, brings with it many benefits both for parties and for the legal system as a whole. At the same time, the rapid rise in the use of mediation has also brought a number of challenges. Mediators come from varied backgrounds and practice a number of different mediation styles and skills. States have struggled with how to regulate mediators, and requirements and qualifications for mediators nationwide are varied and sometimes less than stringent. This difficulty in certifying who is qualified and competent to mediate, combined with a general lack of knowledge among both attorneys and the general public as to what mediation is and the differences among mediator styles, creates a challenge in matching the right mediator to the right case. This problem is particularly troublesome when dealing with family issues, especially those that involve the custody and ongoing parenting of children. Ameliorating these difficulties has become, perhaps, even more important in light of recent and continuing changes in the nature of family disputes in the United States. In Western countries, most recognize that the rate of divorce has risen to unprecedented levels over the last half century. Scholars and researchers have noted that the nature of divorce has also changed. Early on, divorce may have been seen both legally and practically as a ―clean break‖ between spouses, ending both the marriage and the family relationship (usually between the father and the children); now, for a variety of reasons, both fathers and mothers desire to continue in an active parenting role post divorce. Thus, divorce may end the spousal relationship but no longer ends the active parenting relationship, a phenomenon that has been referred to as ―the indissolubility of parenthood.‖ As more separated and divorced parents have a continuing need to communicate with one another and make joint
GIS, Big Data, and a Tweet Corpus Operationalized via Natural Language Processing

Whereas ad hoc single domain Big Data inquiry is successful, observation of a multi-domain GIS artifact needs consideration. A GIS solution for multi-domain data analysis must provide visualization and overt statistical analysis tools, e.g., regression capabilities of constituent data streams, in order to enable largescale dataset processing and evaluation. Such guidelines direct inquiry and creation of a robust GIS artifact considering a social media tweet corpus and a domain specific crime dataset. The tweet corpus is operationalized via natural language processing treatments and used in GIS artifact construction and evaluation. Although results are not statistically significant and visualizing crime data is not novel, learning how to combine the two in predictive ways via GIS is. As such, extensions and possible future work support social media natural language processing techniques and Big Data processing for predictive crime-based incident interactions as front-run by real-time social media analysis.
The impact of work incentive benefits counseling on employment outcomes: Evidence from two return-to-work demonstrations

This study examined the influence that different amounts of work incentive benefits counseling had on consumers' employment outcomes. It also examined the influence of prior employment on service provision. Data were combined from two return-to-work projects in Wisconsin. Participants were volunteers receiving Social Security disability benefits and typically had stronger post-disability employment histories than the general SSDI and SSI populations. The amount of benefits counseling provided had positive and statistically significant impacts on all three outcomes, with estimated gains of $34 in earnings and $37 in income in each calendar quarter over a two year period. The gain in the quarterly employment rate was 1.1%. Having strong employment outcomes in the period between establishing eligibility for a Social Security disability program and entering one of the return-to-work projects proved a strong predictor of how much service an individual participant received.
Ambulant erworbene Pneumonie

Die ambulant erworbene Pneumonie (engl. „community-acquired pneumonia“, CAP) ist die haufigste Ursache fur Krankenhauseinweisungen und damit ein bedeutender Kostenfaktor im Gesundheitswesen. Haufigster Erreger ist Streptococcus pneumoniae, gefolgt von Chlamydophila pneumoniae, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, respiratorischen Viren und Haemophilus influenzae. Da zu Beginn der Erkrankung der Erreger meist nicht bekannt ist, kann initial nur empirisch therapiert werden. Voraussetzung fur eine erfolgreiche empirische Therapie ist die Kenntnis des Erregerspektrums und der regionalen Resistenzsituation. Die meisten Therapierichtlinien empfehlen Makrolide, Betalaktame, Tetrazykline oder Fluorochinolone. Im vorliegenden Artikel werden die wichtigsten Erreger und die regionale Resistenzsituation vorgestellt. In Deutschland spielen resistente Erreger bei der CAP—im Gegensatz zur nosokomialen Pneumonie—noch keine grose Rolle. Allerdings ist die Situation in anderen Landern, u. a. beliebten Urlaubszielen wie Spanien, Frankreich und Griechenland, bedrohlicher, und auch hierzulande wird seit einigen Jahren ein kontinuierlicher Anstieg der Resistenzraten beobachtet.
Posttraumatic stress disorder in organ transplant recipients: a systematic review

Abstract Objective To summarize and critically review the existing literature on the prevalence of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) following organ transplantation, risk factors for posttransplantation PTSD and the relationship of posttransplant PTSD to other clinical outcomes including health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and mortality. Methods We conducted a systematic literature review using PubMed, CINAHL Plus, the Cochrane Library and PsycInfo and a search of the online contents of 18 journals. Results Twenty-three studies were included. Posttransplant, the point prevalence of clinician-ascertained PTSD ranged from 1% to 16% ( n =738), the point prevalence of questionnaire-assessed substantial PTSD symptoms ranged from 0% to 46% ( n =1024) and the cumulative incidence of clinician-ascertained transplant-specific PTSD ranged from 10% to 17% ( n =482). Consistent predictors of posttransplant PTSD included history of psychiatric illness prior to transplantation and poor social support posttransplantation. Posttransplant PTSD was consistently associated with worse mental HRQOL and potentially associated with worse physical HRQOL. Conclusions PTSD may impact a substantial proportion of organ transplant recipients. Future studies should focus on transplant-specific PTSD and clarify potential risk factors for, and adverse outcomes related to, posttransplant PTSD.
Respiratory System in Microgravity

The sections in this article are: 1 Topographical Differences of Pulmonary Structure and Function 1.1 Normal Gravity 1.2 Effect of Short Periods of Microgravity 1.3 Effect of Sustained Microgravity 1.4 Nongravitational Inequality of Ventilation and Bloodflow 2 Mechanics of Lung and Chest Wall 2.1 Lung Volume and Chest Wall Configuration 2.2 Flow-volume Curves 3 Pulmonary Bloodflow and Blood Volume 4 Pulmonary Retention of Inhaled Aerosol 5 Nitrogen Washout for Extravehicular Activity 6 Spacecraft Atmosphere
A model for analyzing heritability in the presence of correlated genetic and environmental effects

The purpose of this paper is to point out some of the problems that may arise when the conventional genetic model is applied and there are correlated genetic and environmental effects and to indicate a possible solution to the problems raised.
Stimulating Effect of Fructose 1-6 Diphosphate on the Phagocytic Function of Rat RES and on Human Leukocyte Carbohydrate Metabolism

The phagocytic behavior of the reticuloendothelial system in the rat was assessed by a quantitative technique following fructose-1,6-diphosphate (FDP) administration. In addition, the effect of FDP on the carbohydrate metabolism of human leukocytes was investigated. The rate of colloidal carbon clearance from the blood was increased significantly in the FDP-treated rats as compared to dextrose and saline controls (p < 0.001). FDP also attenuated the hepatic decrease of ATP (p < 0.005) and creatine phosphate (p < 0.005) that has been observed after intravenous administration of colloidal carbon. Carbohydrate metabolism in human leukocytes was enhanced by FDP, with a concomitant increase in ATP content (p < 0.001). Experimental evidence suggests that FDP intervenes in the Embden-Meyerhof pathway both as a metabolic regulator and as a high energy substrate. These properties of FDP in stimulating the carbohydrate metabolism have recently been described in man.