cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Chromatin silencing maintains the identity of intestinal stem cells.

The epithelial sheet of the small intestine harbors villi structures in the lumen and invaginations to form the crypts of Lieberkuhn (1). Intestinal stem cells (ISCs) at the bottom of the crypts give rise to Paneth cells and transit-amplifying cells that are capable of differentiating into different types of cells that are components of the small intestine (1). Hierarchies of stem cell models suggest that there are 4 to 6 stem cells per crypt, which decide the ultimate pattern of the entire crypt (2). Two models were originally established for ISCs: the +4 label retaining cell (LRC) model and the crypt base columnar cell (CBC) or Lgr5 + cell model (2,3). Wnt signaling is known to be essential for Lgr5 + ISCs, and the bottom of the crypt is thought to be a stem cell niche in which Wnt signaling crosstalks with other signaling pathways in regulating self-renewal of ISCs as well as their differentiation, proliferation and migration (4).
Preoperative blood transfusion is a predictor of worse short-term postoperative outcomes after colectomy.

Background Both anemia and blood transfusion are associated with poor outcomes. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of preoperative blood transfusion on postoperative outcomes after colectomy, stratified by severity of anemia. Methods Patients undergoing colectomy from 2012–2014 were selected from the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program targeted colectomy database. Patients were divided into 2 groups based on receipt of preoperative transfusion and then stratified by hematocrit. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to compare 30-day outcomes between the 2 groups. Results A total of 60,785 patients were included in the study, with an overall preoperative transfusion rate of 3.4% (n = 2,073). On univariate analysis, transfusion was associated with significantly greater rates of postoperative morbidity. The risk-adjusted, multivariate model confirmed increased risk of complications with preoperative transfusion (odds ratio 1.32, 95% confidence interval, 1.18–1.48). Furthermore, transfusion did not improve outcomes even in the setting of moderate anemia (odds ratio 1.35, 95% confidence interval, 1.14–1.60) or severe anemia (odds ratio 0.97, 95% confidence interval, 0.66–1.41). Conclusions Preoperative transfusion is an independent predictor of complications in patients with mild and moderate anemia. Furthermore, these retrospective data suggest that even severely anemic patients do not benefit from preoperative transfusion and empiric transfusion therefore should be avoided. Alternatives to preoperative optimization of this high-risk surgical population should be sought.
Use of Dietary Supplements Improved Diet Quality But Not Cardiovascular and Nutritional Biomarkers in Socioeconomically Diverse African American and White Adults.

ABSTRACTKnowledge of the contribution of supplements to overall nutritional health is limited. The research objectives were to describe motivations for use of dietary supplements by African Americans and Whites examined in the Healthy Aging in Neighborhoods of Diversity across the Life Span (HANDLS) study and to determine if supplements provided beneficial effects to micronutrient diet quality and nutritional and cardiovascular biomarkers. The majority of the HANDLS study population were smokers, overweight or obese, and self-reported their health as poor to good. The top two reasons for their supplement use were to supplement the diet and to improve overall health. Micronutrient intake was calculated from two 24-hour recalls and a supplement questionnaire. Diet quality was assessed by the Mean Adequacy Ratio (MAR) [Maximum score = 100] derived from the Nutrient Adequacy Ratio (NAR) for 17 micronutrients. The MAR score for nonusers was 73.12, for supplement users based on diet alone was 74.89, and for foo...
Bahir Dar and the Lake Tana Basin: Historical Phases of Growth and Ecology

This essay sets out five distinct periods of economic, demographic, and spatial change that transformed the physical landscape and its effect on the region’s hinterland on a local, national and international level – that would form the “urbanscape” of the early twenty first century. Lake Tana is at the Blue Nile’s first major outflow and is the heartbeat of the watershed, registering its seasonal pulse. Lake Tana and its surrounding ecologies is the font of the Blue Nile's waters, sitting at 1800 meters above sea level from where it frames much of the watershed. The Blue Nile watershed’s agriculture and its relationship with human settlement had evolved over many generations of smallholder agriculture and its regional role in trade. The Blue Nile basin, its geology and its geographies simultaneously shaped the cultures of several distinctive peoples. The ethnographic landscape included Christian highland farmers and aristocrats, Cushitic-speaking Agaw farmers, Muslim traders (who spoke Amharic), and Omotic-speaking Shinasha. These cultures traded places and bodies of knowledge on the local ecologies over time, resulting in a cereal-based agro-economy that supported livestock and small farms that managed them.
Atheism and Inferential Bias

While the cognitive science of religion is well-trodden ground, atheism has been considerably less scrutinized. Recent psychological studies associate atheism with an intellectual virtue, inferentiality (Shenhav 2011; Norenzayan, Gervais, and Trzesniewski 2012; Norenzayan and Gervais 2013; Pennycook 2012). Theism, on the other hand, is associated with an intellectual “vice”, intuitive thinking. While atheism is allied with the attendant claim that atheism is the result of careful rational assessment of the relevant evidence, theism is considered the result of a lack of reflection on the relevant evidence (or careless disregard of the evidence). Atheism, then, is rational, but theism, then, is irrational. In this essay, we will assess the import of these studies and the attendant claims that these differences in thinking styles entail differences in rationality.
Synthesis and characterization of a cobalt(II) tetrakis(3-fluorophenyl) porphyrin with a built-in 4-vinylphenyl surface attachment moiety

Metalloporphyrins serve important roles in biology and as components in emerging technological assemblies for energy conversion. In this report, we describe the synthesis and characterization of a novel cobalt(II) 5,10,15,20-tetrakis (3-fluorophenyl)porphyrin bearing a 4-vinylphenyl surface attachment group at a beta position on the macrocycle. Electrochemical measurements show the 3-fluorophenyl groups at the meso positions of the porphyrin perturb the reduction potentials of the complex to more positive values as compared to non-fluorinated analogs, thus allowing access to reduced cobalt porphyrin species at significantly less negative applied bias potentials. The complex, cobalt(II) 5,10,15,20-tetrakis(3-fluorophenyl)-2-(4-vinylphenyl)porphyrin, is abbreviated in this article as Gov-1 in honor of Govindjee for his pioneering investigations in the role of fluorine as a promoter of novel protein-substrate interactions and the inspirational role he continues to have in encouraging young investigators in the areas of natural and artificial photosynthesis.
Science and Technology: Where Are the Women?

ROWENA MARTINEAU discusses the absence of black women from science and engineering disciplines and occupations. Will a woman-friendly environment and the reconstructing of social roles encourage wo...
Management of Anemia in Patients Receiving Protease Inhibitors

Anemia occurs frequently in these patients—cer-tainly more frequently than it does in patients receiving only pegylated interferon and ribavirin. In a pooled analysis of the clinical safety data from trials of telaprevir (Incivek, Vertex), hemoglobin values less than 10 g/dL were found to occur in approximately 36% of patients receiving telaprevir-based triple therapy. More severe anemia, definedas hemoglobin values less than 8.5 g/dL, was observed in about 14% of patients. Among patients treated with pegylated interferon and ribavirin alone, only 17% had hemoglobin values less than 10 g/dL, and 5% had hemoglobin values less than 8.5 g/dL. Similar rates of anemia were seen in trials of bocepre-vir (Victrelis, Merck). Pooled data from SPRINT-1 and SPRINT-2 showed that approximately 49% of patients had hemoglobin values less than 10 g/dL, and approxi-mately 6% of patients had hemoglobin values less than 8.5 g/dL. Similar rates of anemia were observed in RESPOND-2, a trial that evaluated boceprevir-based triple therapy in interferon-experienced patients: Approx-imately 49% of these patients had hemoglobin values less than 10 g/dL, and approximately 10% of patients had hemoglobin values less than 8.5 g/dL. Among patients in the control group, who were treated with pegylated inter-feron and ribavirin alone, approximately 30% of patients showed a hemoglobin value less than 10 g/dL, and only approximately 3% of patients had a hemoglobin value less than 8.5 g/dL. Overall, there is a significantlyhigher rate of clinically significantanemia when therapy includes either boceprevir or telaprevir compared to treatment with pegylated interferon and ribavirin alone.
Recognizing and (Re)cognizing Ageism in EC–12 US Social Education

This chapter examines the internal conflict between teaching US democracy and ageism within the sliding continuum of living, learning, and experiencing democracy. It also explores the limits of schooling in creating a responsive citizenry and possible examples of how social educators can overcome ageism within schooling models, to move more closely toward democratic classrooms. Sliding continuums, located at the start of each section, augment the traditional section headers to represent the journey toward having less ageism in schools. As social educators, many things may be outside of our control in relation to teaching in a democratic system, but we can choose on each continuum where students will experience democracy within our classrooms.
Feeding Dairy Cows by Using Radio Telemetry

The Alfa Laval automatic feeder is designed to control the daily intake of concentrate by individual cows in a herd. It consists of a stall and manger, above which is a feed dispenser with a storage hopper. Signals from a collar worn around the cow's neck activate the dispenser to supply concentrate at a predetermined constant rate. The total feeding time (min–24h) for each cow can be adjusted on a variable dial on the collar. Cows quickly adapted to using the feeders. Individuals made approximately the same number of visits to the feeder each day, but among cows the number of visits per day ranged from 4 to 46. Younger cows visited the feeder more often than older cows (P < 0.01). and initially wasted more time in the feeders when no feed was being dispensed (P < 0.01). There was a good correlation (r = 0.96) between the desired and actual concentrate intake of the cows.
Serum tumor markers and testicular germ cell tumors: a primer for radiologists

Serum tumor markers (STMs) play a critical role in the diagnosis, staging and follow-up of both seminomatous and nonseminomatous testicular germ cell neoplasms. Levels of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), especially those measured after orchiectomy, also have implications for patient prognosis. Given that testicular germ cell tumors represent the most common solid tumor in men aged 20-34, radiologists must have familiarity with the clinical utilization and implications of these STMs. This article will review the classical patterns of STM elevation most commonly seen in pure seminomatous and nonseminomatous germ cell tumors while also providing case-based examples highlighting the importance of STM correlation with imaging. The role of STMs in clinical staging and disease surveillance will also be discussed.
Conversion of High Free Fatty Acid Lipid Feedstocks to Biofuel Using Triazabicyclodecene Catalyst (Homogeneous and Heterogeneous)

Traditional biodiesel is produced from feedstocks such as vegetable oils and animal fats by converting the triglycerides with methanol in the presence of a homogeneous catalyst to produce fatty aci...
Abstract 4215: Patient and screening characteristics associated with positive lung cancer screening examinations

Introduction. The likelihood of having a positive low dose computed tomography (LDCT) lung cancer screening (LCS) examination that requires workup may vary according to patients’ characteristics and risk factors. The purpose of this study is to evaluate patient characteristics associated with positive LCS exams. Methods. We utilized data from 1684 LDCT exams conducted for LCS at five academic and community sites from 2015-2018. During the screening visit, patients were asked to complete a comprehensive questionnaire including socio-demographics, smoking history, occupational and environmental exposures, family history of lung cancer, and comorbid conditions. Information on the LCS examination, including the radiologists’ Lung Reporting and Data System (Lung-RADS) assessment, was obtained from the radiologist report. We dichotomized Lung-RADS into negative (Lung-RADS 1 (negative) or 2 (benign appearance or behavior)) and positive (Lung-RADS 3 (probably benign), 4A (suspicious), or 4B (suspicious)) based on the management recommendation of continuing with annual screening in 12 months or requiring follow-up before 12 months. We compared Lung-RADS results (positive versus negative) by patient characteristics using chi-square tests and examined predictors of positive LCS exams using multivariate logistic regression, reporting adjusted odds ratios (aORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95%CI). Results. Screened patients ranged in age from 50-78 years, with 46.7% less than 65 years and 53.3% ages 65 or older. Approximately 53.3% were male and 46.7% were female; 84.5% were White, 11.8% were African American, and 3.7% were other races. The majority (76.5%) of screened patients were overweight or obese. Two-thirds (68.5%) of patients had more than one LCS exam. Most (85.0%) LCS exams were negative while 15.0% were positive. There were no significant differences in Lung-RADS assessment by race, gender, education, or body mass index. Lung-RADS were significantly more likely to be positive in those ages 65 and older versus those ages less than 65 (aOR=1.47, 95%CI: 1.03-2.10) and in baseline versus subsequent screening exams (aOR=0.43, 95%CI: 0.30-0.62). Conclusion. Predictors of having a positive LCS exam requiring work-up before the next recommended annual screening test include being aged 65 and older and having a baseline LCS examination. Citation Format: Louise M. Henderson, Samantha Sites, Tina Tailor, Sara C. Bearden, Roger Huamani, Allison Throneburg, Max Nagle, M Patricia Rivera. Patient and screening characteristics associated with positive lung cancer screening examinations [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2019; 2019 Mar 29-Apr 3; Atlanta, GA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2019;79(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 4215.
Comparison of Primary Care Physician Reimbursement Rates in the United States.

With a growing shortage of physicians, particularly primary care physicians, the issue of adequate pay in Hawai‘i is increasingly important. Anecdotal reports of low pay in Hawai‘i have rarely been substantiated. Data from FAIR Health, a company that tracks private insurance reimbursement rates, is compared across the United States (US) for the CPT code 99213. In addition, FAIR Health and Medicare rates are compared for cities with both similar and disparate cost of living to Hawai‘i. Hawai‘i is in the second lowest quintile for payment in the US for private insurances, and providers are reimbursed significantly lower than in cities with similar cost of living by both Medicare and private insurances. Methods for increasing payment to physicians in Hawai‘i are essential to recruiting the necessary workforce. Revising payment methodologies that increase pay for services in areas of unmet need, revising Medicare Geographic Price Cost Indices to better balance pay in areas of need, and making use of the 10% Medicare Bonus Program for physicians working in Health Professions Shortage Areas are first steps to creating a sustainable plan for physician payment in the future.
National Database Reported Outcomes Following Craniosynostosis Reconstruction.

BACKGROUND While there has been ample interest and literature published regarding craniosynostosis surgical technique, there are few reports on adverse hospital and health system outcomes. The purpose of this study was to describe rate of and risk factors for complications, and adverse outcomes following craniosynostosis reconstruction. METHODS This study retrospectively reviewed the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) Pediatric database and identified all patients undergoing craniosynostosis repair from 2012 to 2016. Univariate logistic regression analysis was used to identify significant associations between preoperative risk factors and adverse outcomes. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was then used to identify independent risk factors and causes of prolonged operative times, transfusions, reoperation, prolonged length of hospital stays, and readmission. RESULTS There were 3924 patients included who underwent craniosynostosis repair, of whom 1732 underwent frontoorbital advancement and 2192 underwent cranial vault remodeling. Transfusion was the most common NSQIP reportable outcome, occurring for 66.5% of all patients. The incidence of reoperation was 2.4% and readmission was 3.0%. CONCLUSION This study provides a large descriptive analysis of craniosynostosis repair throughout the United States. Largely nonmodifiable patient risk factors lead to worse health system metrics, with young age, gastrointestinal comorbidities, American Society of Anesthesiologist scores of 3 and greater, reoperation, and a prolonged length of stay as independent risk factors for readmission. This analysis can be used to identify the standard of practice in synostosis care and enhance the implementation of ancillary care services to provide safe and cost-effective care for patients undergoing craniosynostosis repair.
Umbilical Cord Milking in Extremely Preterm Infants: A Randomized Controlled Trial Comparing Cord Milking with Immediate Cord Clamping.

Objective This study aimed to assess potential benefits of umbilical cord milking (UCM) when compared with immediate cord clamping (ICC) in extremely preterm infants. Study Design This is a single-center, randomized controlled trial of infants 240/7 to 276/7 weeks' gestation who received UCM versus ICC. In the experimental group, 18 cm of the umbilical cord was milked three times. The primary aim was to assess the initial hemoglobin and to assess the number of blood transfusions received in the first 28 days after birth. Secondary outcomes were also assessed, including intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH). A priori, neurodevelopmental follow-up was planned at 15 to 18 months corrected gestational age (CGA). Results Baseline characteristics for 56 enrolled infants were similar in both groups with a mean gestational age of 26.1 ± 1.2 weeks and a mean birth weight of 815 ± 204 g. There were no differences in the mean initial hemoglobin in the UCM group when compared with the ICC group, 13.7 ± 2.0 and 13.8 ± 2.6 g/dL, respectively (p = 0.95), with no differences in median number of blood transfusions after birth between the ICC group and the UCM group, 2 (interquartile range [IQR]: 1–4) versus 2.5 (IQR: 1–5) (p = 0.40). There was also no difference in the rate of severe IVH. At 15 to 18 months CGA, there were no differences in death or disability in the ICC group compared with the UCM group (26 vs. 22%; p = 1.0) and no differences in neurodevelopmental outcomes. Conclusion In a randomized trial of ICC versus UCM in extremely preterm infants, no differences were seen in initial hemoglobin or number of blood transfusions. Key Points
Spectroscoping Imaging of Surfaces with Atomic Resolution

With its ability to probe surfaces with atomic resolution, the scanning tunneling microscope (STM) has attracted wide attention. Since tunneling depends on the overlap of charge densities of sample and tip, the ‘topograph’ determined with the STM also reflects the density of filled and empty states of the tip and surface, respectively, which are involved in tunneling [1,2]. For biases, of 1–2 eV several different surface states can be involved, particularly for semiconductor surfaces. Since the tip is presumably a point which one attempts to maintain the same while scanning, the ‘topograph’also reflects variations associated with the local surface density of states (DOS) of the sample. The surface states on semiconductors can dominate tunneling and produce variations in ‘topographic’ images up to 1A for homogeneous surfaces, e.g. Si [3], ~ 2A for inhomogeneous systems, e.g. Ag/Si [4], and up to 10A where strong charge transfer can occur, e.g. 0/GaAs [5]. Understanding the role of these electronic states and delineating DOS effects from geometric features on the surface is important for using the STM. Furthermore, delineating DOS features from geometric features can allow the spatial imaging of surface states [3,6], Relating the locations and energies of these states to the different atoms on the surface can provide new insight to the bonding interaction arising at semiconductor surfaces. This paper summarizes some recent methods and issues regarding spatially resolved surface spectroscopy with the STM as well as some recent findings.
Social Status Equalization and Outdoor Orientation Programs: An Exploratory Study:

Background: Research results indicate outdoor orientation programs (OOPs) successfully help students transition to college and increase student retention, but an understanding of all the key variab...
Gendered Performance Differences in Information Technology Courses

This study aims to analyze patterns of gender-based grade disparity in undergraduate information technology (IT) courses at a public research university. The study is part of an effort to understand factors in IT education that may contribute to the gender gap in IT higher education and careers. The study followed a learning analytics methodology developed and used by previous studies of gendered based performance differences in STEM courses at other universities. This research adds to a base of information on gender performance in IT courses. Results indicated that, on average, IT courses have gendered performance differences, with most courses favoring males. Also, results found that, on average, the course delivery method does not impact gender performance. A surprising result is in the senior-level courses, on average, the courses favor females. The recommendations for expanding the study are to examine additional course factors such as instructor gender, class size, and the number of females in the course and to include additional computing disciplines and other universities in the data set. This study will lead to a research path to understanding gender neutral IT course instruction.
Localized Delivery of Cisplatin to Cervical Cancer Improves Its Therapeutic Efficacy and Minimizes Its Side Effect Profile.

Purpose Cervical cancer represents the fourth most frequent malignancy in the world among women, and mortality has remained stable for the past 4 decades. Intravenous cisplatin with concurrent radiation therapy is the standard-of-care for patients with local and regional cervical cancer. However, cisplatin induces serious dose-limiting systemic toxicities and recurrence frequently occurs. In this study, we aimed to develop an intracervical drug delivery system that allows cisplatin release directly into the tumor and minimize systemic side effects. Methods and Materials Twenty patient biopsies and 5 cell lines treated with cisplatin were analyzed for platinum content using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Polymeric implants loaded with cisplatin were developed and evaluated for degradation and drug release. The effect of local or systemic cisplatin delivery on drug biodistribution as well as tumor burden were evaluated in vivo, in combination with radiation therapy. Results Platinum levels in patient biopsies were 6-fold lower than the levels needed for efficacy and radiosensitization in vitro. Cisplatin local delivery implant remarkably improved drug specificity to the tumor and significantly decreased accumulation in the blood, kidney, and other distant normal organs, compared with traditional systemic delivery. The localized treatment further resulted in complete inhibition of tumor growth. Conclusions The current standard-of-care systemic administration of cisplatin provides a subtherapeutic dose. We developed a polymeric drug delivery system that delivered high doses of cisplatin directly into the cervical tumor, while lowering drug accumulation and consequent side effects in normal tissues. Moving forward, these data will be used as the basis of a future first-in-human clinical trial to test the efficacy of localized cisplatin as adjuvant or neoadjuvant chemotherapy in local and regional cervical cancer.
Rank and Linear Correlation Differences in Monte Carlo Simulation

AbstractMonte Carlo simulation is used to quantify and characterize uncertainty in a variety of applications, such as cost and engineering economic analysis and project management. The dependence o...
An Inter-Disciplinary Approach to Styling Apparel for Social Media Content & Marketing Media

In our daily social media experiences, visual content is curated and refined for the viewing public. As a pedagogical practice, academics are unsure of how to approach curriculum that prepares students for social media careers. Styling, a career once thought only applicable to traditional print media and celebrity or affluent clientele; is now a widely accessible venture due to social media’s endless potential for image and video content. In order to stay relevant in the ever-shifting technological giant of social media- a new inter-disciplinary approach to pedagogy in the course ‘Styling for Apparel’ was taken with impressive resulting content.
Using spatial smoothing to model a functional regression estimator to points on a lattice with application to surface-level ozone in the Eastern United States

Spatial functional regression methods allow researchers to model spatially dependent functional random variables, often using a kriging-based interpolation method. However, less effort has been devoted towards the goal of modeling the relationship between a scalar response and a functional covariate throughout a spatial domain. Here, we introduce a method to characterize this association by estimating a coefficient function over points on a spatial lattice. Gridded data products are becoming commonplace in many fields, making this approach useful to researchers in many disciplines. As in our data application, we assume that the set of coefficient functions of interest are spatially similar; therefore, we aim to improve our estimates by penalizing dissimilarity between coefficient function estimates at adjacent points on the lattice. The results of our simulation study provide additional support for this approach. We perform an analysis of surface-level ozone in the Eastern US and consider three functional covariates: the vertical temperature profile (VTP), specific humidity, and omega. Our analysis suggests that the VTP and specific humidity may have stronger associations with surface-level O $$_3$$ than omega, and that these relationships differ by region and by altitude. We also propose a permutation-based hypothesis test to determine whether it is reasonable to believe that coefficient functions truly differ from the zero function. Pointwise application of this test suggests that these atmospheric profile variables (APVs) may be useful predictor variables in much of the spatial domain.
A Linkage Between Aerosol Optical Depth (AOD) and Meteorological Drought over the Eastern Gangetic Plain of India

The meteorological drought is a recurring phenomenon for Bihar, a densely populated Indian state situated on the Eastern Gangetic Plain (EGP). Drought largely affects a wide population of the state since most people residing here predominantly depend on agriculture for livelihood. The linkage between Aerosol and Indian Summer Monsoon Rainfall (ISMR) or southwest monsoon rainfall is a complex process affecting the hydrological cycle, which in turn may cause meteorological drought over the study area. Therefore, the relation between the Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI); a metric for categorising drought intensity, and Aerosol Optical Depth (AOD) are examined from 2000 to 2019. The high resolution (0.25° × 0.25°) gridded rainfall data (2000–2019) of India Meteorological Department (IMD) and AOD data (2000–2019) at a resolution of 1° × 1° at 550 nm from Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectro-radiometer (MODIS) products are analysed. To understand the role of the aerosol on rainfall and to further investigate the influence on underlying cloud properties as a probable cause of meteorological drought, MODIS-derived cloud parameters namely, Cloud Top Temperature (CTT), Cloud Top Pressure (CTP), and Cloud Fraction (CF) at the resolution of 1° × 1° for the period of 2000–2019 have been examined. A strong inverse relationship between CTT/CTP and SPI whereas as a directly positive relationship between CTT/CTP and AOD is found thus a strong correlation between SPI and AOD is also well verified by cloud parameters. A possible linkage between aerosols and drought conditions through indirect and semi direct effects of aerosol cloud interactions was also found to be quite important for Bihar & EGP.
Association of Social Determinants of Health and Their Cumulative Impact on Hospitalization Among a National Sample of Community-Dwelling US Adults.

While the association between Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) and health outcomes is well known, few studies have explored the impact of SDOH on hospitalization. Examine the independent association and cumulative effect of six SDOH domains on hospitalization. Using cross-sectional data from the 2016–2018 National Health Interview Surveys (NHIS), we used multivariable logistical regression models controlling for sociodemographics and comorbid conditions to assess the association of each SDOH and SDOH burden (i.e., cumulative number of SDOH) with hospitalization. National survey of community-dwelling individuals in the US Adults ≥18 years who responded to the NHIS survey Six SDOH domains (economic instability, lack of community, educational deficits, food insecurity, social isolation, and inadequate access to medical care) Hospitalization within 1 year Among all 55,186 respondents, most were ≤50 years old (54.2%), female (51.7%, 95% CI 51.1–52.3), non-Hispanic (83.9%, 95% CI 82.4–84.5), identified as White (77.9%, 95% CI 76.8–79.1), and had health insurance (90%, 95% CI 88.9–91.9). Hospitalized individuals (n=5506; 8.7%) were more likely to be ≥50 years old (61.2%), female (60.7%, 95% CI 58.9–62.4), non-Hispanic (87%, 95% CI 86.2–88.4), and identify as White (78.5%, 95% CI 76.7–80.3), compared to those who were not hospitalized. Hospitalized individuals described poorer overall health, reporting higher incidence of having ≥5 comorbid conditions (38.9%, 95% CI 37.1–40.1) compared to those who did not report a hospitalization (15.9%, 95% CI 15.4–16.5). Hospitalized respondents reported higher rates of economic instability (33%), lack of community (14%), educational deficits (67%), food insecurity (14%), social isolation (34%), and less access to health care (6%) compared to non-hospitalized individuals. In adjusted analysis, food insecurity (OR: 1.36, 95% CI 1.22–1.52), social isolation (OR: 1.17, 95% CI 1.08–1.26), and lower educational attainment (OR: 1.12, 95% CI 1.02–1.25) were associated with hospitalization, while a higher SDOH burden was associated with increased odds of hospitalization (3–4 SDOH [OR: 1.25, 95% CI 1.06–1.49] and ≥5 SDOH [OR: 1.72, 95% CI 1.40–2.06]) compared to those who reported no SDOH. Among community-dwelling US adults, three SDOH domains: food insecurity, social isolation, and low educational attainment increase an individual’s risk of hospitalization. Additionally, risk of hospitalization increases as SDOH burden increases.
The Decline of ‘Drafts’

Once, not too long ago, the word ‘draft’ was an important, if taken-for-granted, term in the practice of the International Law Commission. Employed by both the Commission and the United Nations General Assembly, the word acted as a marker, distinguishing the texts produced by the Commission, which were assigned that term, from those instruments based on the Commission’s work that were subsequently adopted by states through treaty negotiations. Today, the use of the word ‘draft’ is in decline: the Commission is producing more and more products that are no longer labeled with that term; and even when the Commission still attaches that description to its completed work, the Assembly, after receiving the Commission’s completed ‘drafts’, is dropping the word when it subsequently refers to those texts in its resolutions.The decline of ‘drafts’ is a constitutive change. It has turned the International Law Commission into the finalizer of international legal texts (not just their originator), replacing the collective law-making by states that once occurred in diplomatic conferences. And it has encouraged non-State actors (particularly tribunals) to pass judgment on the legal value and binding nature of the Commission’s work, again bypassing states and their role in perfecting international legal acts. Those who follow this novel practice and omit the word ‘draft’ — whether they are academics, attorneys, or diplomats — are effectively endorsing these shifts in international law-making (and the assumptions that underlie them), wittingly or not. Though these constitutional changes are consonant with the times, they are worth identifying as a first step toward appreciating and evaluating their consequences.
Enhanced prediction of cleavage in bovine precursor sequences

Neuropeptides are important signaling molecules that influence a wide variety of biological processes. The prediction of neuropeptides from precursor proteins is difficult due to the numerous and complex series of enzymatic processing and posttranslational modification steps. Bioinformatics prediction of cleavage sites using statistical models was used to overcome the challenge of identifying neuropeptides. Binary logistic models were trained on a bovine dataset and validated on a mammalian dataset that contained no bovine precursors. A model that incorporated amino acid locations and properties provided more accurate and precise cleavage predictions than one using amino acid locations alone. All models consistently resulted in highly accurate predictions of cleavage sites in both datasets. The logistic model proposed can accurately predict cleavage sites in mammalian species and minimize the time consuming and costly experimental validation of neuropeptides.
Fast Collective Communication Algorithms for Reflective Memory Network Clusters

In this paper, we present algorithms for efficiently implementing three collective communication operations on reflective memory network clusters: Broadcast, Barrier Synchronization and All-Reduce. These algorithms have been implemented as an extension to the Bill-Board Protocol, a low-latency communication protocol for reflective memory networks that we previously developed [6,7]. Simulated performance results are presented for these algorithms. The performance of the algorithms is evaluated in detail. A comparative study with Myrinet, a popular point-to-point switched interconnect for clusters is also presented.
Positive predictive value of a health history questionnaire.

The U.S. Air Force Academy (USAFA) is one of the nation's military universities, with the mission to educate and motivate cadets to be career Air Force officers. This diverse population arrives at the USAFA with varying immunization records and disease histories. Analyses of costs and benefits regarding immunization strategies rely on accurate data and assumptions used in their calculation. Health history questionnaires are a low-cost way of evaluating immunization and disease history. However, this requires a good estimate of the questionnaire's positive predictive value, which may vary among populations. This study attempts to provide a more accurate estimate of the positive predictive value of health history questionnaires regarding varicella and rubella disease and vaccination strategies for the population of fourth degree (freshman) cadets at the USAFA. We found positive predictive values of 99% for rubella and 86% for varicella. These data emphasize the importance of analyzing the specific population for which a program is intended rather than broadly applying recommendations that were developed in other populations.
Generalized Wiener system identification: General backlash nonlinearity and finite impulse response linear part

SUMMARY In this paper, we develop an algorithm for identification of the finite impulse response linear part of a block-oriented Wiener System. The nonlinear block is a general backlash function with nonlinear ascending and descending functions. Only the horizontal axis intersection points are assumed known a priori. We propose an identification algorithm and establish identifiability. Simulation results are also presented and discussed. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Helping marketing research earn a seat at the table for decision‐making: An assessment and prescription for the future

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to help marketing research “earn a seat at the table” where managers and researchers make decisions.Design/methodology/approach – The paper describes approaches that can lead to the integration of marketing research with marketing decision making.Findings – Marketing research needs to earn a seat at the table for decision making in most firms today. Over the years, a back‐office, order‐taker mentality has beset too many marketing researchers. As a result, the voice of the customer – what researchers should be bringing to managers' decision making – is simply not heard.Originality/value – In speaking to researchers and managers, the authors offer an improved conceptual structure for understanding the value of information and offer guidelines that will help marketing research's integration into improved management decision making.
Ultraviolet Remote Sensing Techniques for Planetary Aeronomy

This paper presents an overview of the principles of the study of planetary atmospheres at vacuum ultraviolet wavelengths. Ultraviolet (UV) remote sensing is a powerful technique for investigating the chemistry, dynamics, energetics, and composition of planetary atmospheres. In the last fifteen years optical aeronomy has undergone a profound change. The field has begun the transformation from initial spectroscopy, in which the radiating species and their signatures are identified, to remote sensing in which the signatures are used to provide quantitative information on a global basis. This transformation has occurred as UV spectra of nearly all major planetary bodies have been obtained, either by flyby spacecraft or Earth-orbiting observatories, and the basic composition of their atmospheres is now known. We present an historical overview to show how improvements in technology have led to improved measurements. The UV is an ideal region of the spectrum for remotely sensing planetary atmospheres due to the large absorption cross sections exhibited by most of the major species and the prevalence of emission features. The flight of lightweight, compact sensors permits sensitive measurements of the upper atmospheres of the major planets and Titan, and the thin atmospheres of Mercury and Pluto as well as several planetary satellites.
Determination of Activities of Levofloxacin, Alone and Combined with Gentamicin, Ceftazidime, Cefpirome, and Meropenem, against 124 Strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa by Checkerboard and Time-Kill Methodology

A total of 124 Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains were tested for synergy between levofloxacin and cefpirome, ceftazidime, gentamicin, and meropenem. Checkerboards yielded synergistic fractional inhibitory concentration (FIC) indices ( 0.5 to 2 (additive or indifferent), with no antagonism. Time-kill studies with 12 strains showed that levofloxacin (0.06 to 0.5 microg/ml) was synergistic with cefpirome, ceftazidime, gentamicin, and meropenem in 10, 9, 4, and 11 strains, respectively.
Spatial and temporal variability of ozone sensitivity over China observed from the Ozone Monitoring Instrument

Surface ozone (O3) air pollution in populated regions has been attributed to emissions of nitrogen oxides (NO + NO2 = NOx) and reactive volatile organic compounds (VOCs). These constituents react with hydrogen oxide radicals (OH + HO2 = HOx) in the presence of sunlight and heat to produce O3. The question of whether to reduce NOx emissions, VOC emissions, or both is complicated by spatially and temporally heterogeneous ozone-NOx-VOC sensitivity. This study characterizes spatial and temporal variations in O3 sensitivity by analyzing the ratio of formaldehyde (HCHO, a marker of VOCs) to nitrogen dioxide (NO2), a metric known as the formaldehyde nitrogen ratio (FNR). Level 3 gridded retrievals from the Ozone Monitoring Instrument (OMI) aboard the NASA Aura satellite were used to calculate FNR, with our analysis focusing on China. Based on previous studies, we take FNR 2.0 as indicating NOx-limited regime, and FNR between 1.0 and 2.0 as indicating transitional regime (where either NOx reductions or VOC reductions would be expected to reduce O3). We find that the transitional regime is widespread over the North China Plain (NCP), the Yangtze River Delta, and the Pearl River Delta during the ozone season (defined as having near-surface air temperatures >20°C at the early afternoon OMI overpass time). Outside of these regions, the NOx-limited regime is dominant. Because HCHO and NO2 have distinct seasonal patterns, FNR also has a pronounced seasonality, consistent with the seasonal cycle of surface O3. Examining trends from 2005 to 2013 indicates rapid growth in NO2, especially over less-developed areas where O3 photochemistry is NOx limited. Over this time period, HCHO decreased in southern China, where VOC emissions are dominated by biogenic sources, but increased slightly over the NCP, where VOC emissions are dominated by anthropogenic sources. A linear regression approach suggests that most of China (70% of grid cells) will be characterized by a transitional regime during the O3 season by 2030. However, in megacities such as Guangzhou, Shanghai, and Beijing, NO2 has decreased such that the chemical regime has shifted from VOC limited in 2005 to transitional in 2013.
Coupling simulation and experiment: The bimodal strategy in integrative systems biology

The importation of computational methods into biology is generating novel methodological strategies for managing complexity which philosophers are only just starting to explore and elaborate. This paper aims to enrich our understanding of methodology in integrative systems biology, which is developing novel epistemic and cognitive strategies for managing complex problem-solving tasks. We illustrate this through developing a case study of a bimodal researcher from our ethnographic investigation of two systems biology research labs. The researcher constructed models of metabolic and cell-signaling pathways by conducting her own wet-lab experimentation while building simulation models. We show how this coupling of experiment and simulation enabled her to build and validate her models and also triangulate and localize errors and uncertainties in them. This method can be contrasted with the unimodal modeling strategy in systems biology which relies more on mathematical or algorithmic methods to reduce complexity. We discuss the relative affordances and limitations of these strategies, which represent distinct opinions in the field about how to handle the investigation of complex biological systems.
Visualizing the conoscopic isochromatic interference fringes in anisotropic crystals by spinning polarizer and analyzer.

In conventional conoscopic interference patterns of optically anisotropic materials the isochromatic interference fringes are inherently masked by the dark isogyres. We prove that the isochromatic fringes can be directly visualized by spinning the crossed linear polarizer and analyzer, regardless of the polarization state of the incident light. This simple method completely eliminates the isogyres and reveals the whole isochromatic fringes without the need of any additional optical elements or calculations. The system works at any wavelength that the linear polarizer permits. The validity of this method is demonstrated by observing the interference patterns of an LiNbO3 electro-optic crystal under different external electric fields.
Elemental microanalysis of organic and organometallic compounds using pyrolysis-gas chromatography

Abstract The multielemental microanalysis of organic and organometallic compounds using pyrolysis—gas chromatography is described. Samples are pyrolyzed in a hydrogen—helium atmosphere at a high temperature, and the elements converted to the corresponding hydride by means of a catalyst. Separation and analysis of the hydride mixture is performed using a gas chromatograph equipped with a flame ionization detector. Another portion of the pyrolysate is passed over a catalyst and assayed using a gas chromatograph equipped with a thermal conductivity detector. Up to nine elements (carbon, oxygen, nitrogen, sulfur, phosphorus, silicon, bromine, iodine or chlorine) may be assayed simultaneously using this system for compounds of molecular weight up to 300 g per mole.
Load switches get smart [battery life improvement]

New ultra-portable designs must combine increased functionality while extending battery life in constantly shrinking form factors. This paper shows how power utilisation has to be carefully managed in order for this shift in emphasis to be achieved. The function of connecting operating blocks to the battery is known as load switching. A power management controller enables the power switch with a logic level; this switch is often referred to as the load switch. Typically, load switches are implemented using two MOSFETs, one as a pass device and the other to hard switch the pass FET on or off. This implementation has been very effective multiplexing battery power to the areas where it is needed and powering off when idle. In comparison, the latest generations of these load switches incorporate complex functions to better perform this switching operation. While these functions have long been implemented discretely when required, the new target form factors for today's products no longer have space for this type of implementation.