cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Economic Feasibility of Campus-Wide Photovoltaic Systems in New England

Abstract Compared to the national average residential retail electricity price, Connecticut (CT) had the 4th highest electricity price in the country with 19.23 cents/kWh in September 2015, nearly 50% higher than the national average for price of electricity. This study aims to assess the economic feasibility of the solar PV systems at the campus under realistic constraints, by analyzing actual data from the solar array on campus. The project focused on the economic feasibility of solar PV systems on campus with physical, spatial, and practical constraints that result in a project to deviate from theoretical (estimated) values. To achieve that, the prediction of the PV power generation from the building was developed and compared with the actual (measured) data. The average payback period of a campus-wide PV system was calculated as primarily 11 years, within a range of 8–12 years, and was estimated to reduce overall building operating expenses by $250,000, or 8%. The economic parameters such as NPV and IRR also validated the investment worthiness. The results of the study could be used to analyze or further develop feasibility studies of PV systems at other universities in Connecticut and neighboring states that share similar climatic characteristics and economic factors.
Racing with friends: Resistance to peer influence, gist and specific risk beliefs

PURPOSE: Studies assessing young drivers' risk appraisals with their driving behavior have shown both positive and inverse associations, possibly due to differences in survey items that cue gist appraisals about risk (i.e., beliefs that are focused on meaning) or specific appraisals (i.e., beliefs that are focused on discrete instances). Prior research has indicated that gist-based reasoning is protective against engaging in risk behavior and that use of gist appraisals increases with development. Additionally, although much of adolescents' risk-taking occurs in groups, almost no research examines how adolescents' resistance to peer influence may relate to their specific and gist beliefs about socially-bound risk behavior, as well as their future engagement in such behavior. METHODS: One hundred and thirty-two adolescent drivers participated in a prospective self-report study on racing behavior. Surveys measured specific and gist risk appraisals, resistance to peer influence, and racing behavior at two time points three months apart. We hypothesized that stronger specific appraisals would be associated with greater likelihood of racing, and stronger gist appraisals would be protective. Further, we hypothesized that resistance to peer influence would be positively associated with gist appraisals and negatively associated with specific risk appraisals; and would also be inversely associate with racing. RESULTS: Specific risk appraisals and gist appraisals were predictive of racing behavior as hypothesized. Resistance to peer influence did not predict racing, but was associated with each type of risk appraisal as predicted at Time 1, although the association between specific risk and resistance to peer influence was non-significant at the second time point. CONCLUSIONS: Gist beliefs and the ability to resist influence from friends might be indicative of an underlying strength of one's own beliefs about the self as a non-risk taking person who stands up for his or her beliefs, which is protective against engaging in risky behavior, such as racing with friends.Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. Language: en
Perfil socioeconômico de profissionais catadores de quatro cooperativas de resíduos sólidos da região metropolitana de Porto Alegre/RS, Brasil

Urbanization and population growth led to the emergence of one of the greatest environmental problems of our generation: the immeasurable production of solid waste. Realizing this opportunity to work and income, professional groomer arises from his individual performance to your organization in associations or recycling cooperatives. After more than a decade of its formalization, if do not have a profile of this professional who works directly with waste management. The purpose of this article is to describe the socioeconomic profile of the collectors of the Greater Porto Alegre Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. For the collection of data of this investigation was applied a closed interview 50 pickers for construction of the socioeconomic profile. We conducted individual interviews based on socioeconomic questionnaire according to the parameters established by Behs. The results show the feminization work, precariousness in education, but an income that allows the permanence of these workers in recycling warehouses. The professional recycled garbage pickers does not invest in training or qualification of his work, however, keeps a dignified manner, with income and the possibility of action from the values built on cooperativismo.
What Is the Significance of Molecular Remission in Multiple Myeloma

The present definition of complete remission (CR) in myeloma is not adequate. The definition is mainly based on measuring the secreted product of myeloma cells (M protein), which has a high interpatient and intrapatient variability, rather than on direct measurement of the remaining tumor load. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) techniques are very sensitive to measure minimal residual disease, but in myeloma such a technique is very costly and labor intensive because a specific probe needs to be generated for each patient. There is preliminary evidence, based on a limited number of patients analyzed, that specific PCRs are better predictors of outcome in myeloma than the presently used definition of hematologic CR. Our limited experience indicates that with intensive therapy, including tandem transplants, a high percentage of patients in hematologic CR also achieve a molecular CR. The time to disease progression of such patients appears to be significantly longer compared to that of patients not achieving a molecular CR.
The development of gluconeogenic function in rat liver.

Summary Earlier work has shown that the incorporation of pyruvate into glucose and glycogen occurs at negligible rates in slices from fetal rat liver and that this overall pathway appears at birth. Measurement of gluconeogenic enzymes during the transition from the fetus to the newborn suggested that the absence of cytosol P-enolpyruvate carboxykinase limits gluconeogenesis in the fetus. Although a mitochondrial activity of P-enolpyruvate carboxykinase is active in fetal rat liver, it seemed unlikely that this enzyme was participating in gluconeogenesis. This was particularly obvious in fetal guinea pig liver which, like the fetal rat liver, does not have a functional gluconeogenic pathway, but contains a very active mitochondrial P-enolpyruvate carboxykinase. Purification of P-enolpyruvate carboxykinase from the cytosol fraction of rat liver permitted the conclusive demonstration that the cytosol and mitochondrial enzymes were distinct, but did not explain why fetal liver slices could not carry out gluconeogenesis. Experiments in vivo confirmed that gluconeogenesis was absent in fetal rat liver and suggested a block between pyruvate and P-enolpyruvate. Glucagon injected into fetal rats increased the activity of hepatic cytosol P-enolpyruvate carboxykinase 10–15 fold, an increase also found in the incorporation of pyruvate- 14 C into glycogen in slices. However, in vivo experiments under these conditions indicate no glyconeogenesis. This discrepancy between results in vitro and in vivo has been shown to be caused by the ether anesthesia in vivo and resultant hypoxia. It appears that ether causes changes in both cytosol redox and adenine nucleotide balance and that these changes may be sufficient to completely prevent gluconeogenesis. This proposal has been further investigated in newborn animals where anoxia also prevents gluconeogenesis. Analyses suggest the diversion of energy during hypoxia from gluconeogenesis to maintain redox state and nucleotide balance.
Matrix-Assisted Formation of Metal Nanoparticles in Organosilica Sol-Gels

The use of organosilica sol-gels for controlled in-situ formation of metal nanoparticles is investigated. The use of an organically-modified alkoxysilane precursor provides chemically interacting nanopores for the sequestration and binding of metal ions followed by chemical reduction to form metal nanoparticles. The sol-gel matrix acts as a structural template to enable growth of the metal nanoparticles within its porous silica framework, and prevents clustering to form precipitate. Furthermore, simple redox chemistry is used to convert pre-formed copper nanoparticles in the sol-gel matrix into silver and gold nanoparticles. A particularly important aspect of this synthesis method is that all the reaction chemistry is performed under ambient conditions. The particles are characterized by high resolution transmission electron microscopy for their sizes and size distribution. The elemental composition of the particles is determined by energy dispersive X-ray analysis.
The protective effect of hormonal intake on risk of hepatocellular carcinoma in the United States.

4019 Background: In the United States, the incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has been tripled over the last two decades. Despite the overwhelming effect of several environmental risk fact...
Integrating the Role of Thermodynamics in LCA: A Case Study of Microalgal Biofuels

Liquid transportation fuels derived from biomass have gained considerable attention due to their potential to reduce the carbon intensity in the transportation sector and mitigate the effects of global climate change. As such, holistic assessment of the environmental impacts throughout the emerging biofuel supply chains is critical for determining the sustainability of emerging biofuel pathways. Systems analysis via life cycle assessment (LCA) has emerged as the prevalent methodological framework for quantifying the environmental impacts of biofuel systems. However, traditional LCA fails to account for the role of ecosystem goods and services in fuel and product life cycles. In addition, LCA and energy analysis suffers from several limitations such as ignoring the differences in the quality of the energy resource, assuming perfect substitutability of resources, and accounting for only the first law of thermodynamics. Thermodynamic based approaches that utilize exergy and emergy can address several limitations of traditional LCA. This chapter discusses the research progress and methodological advances in thermodynamic based methods for LCA and its application in assessing the environmental impacts of emerging microalgal biofuels. An analysis of microalgal biofuel production is considered as a case study, and the results of thermodynamic metrics are benchmarked against other life cycle based environmental sustainability metrics.
The acute chest syndrome in sickle cell disease: incidence and risk factors. The Cooperative Study of Sickle Cell Disease

The acute chest syndrome (ACS), a pneumonia-like illness in sickle cell patients, is one of the most frequent causes of their morbidity and hospitalizations. Repeated ACS events may predict the development of chronic lung disease. ACS is reported as a frequent cause of death in these patients. We examine here the incidence and risk factors of ACS in 3,751 patients with sickle cell disease who were observed prospectively for at least 2 years (19,867 patient-years [pt-yrs]) as part of a multicenter national study group. The ACS, defined by a new pulmonary infiltrate on x-ray, occurred at least once in 1,085 patients (2,100 events). ACS incidence was higher in patients with homozygous sickle cell disease (SS; 12.8/100 pt-yrs) and in patients with sickle cell-beta(0) -thalassemic (9.4/100 pt-yrs), and lower in patients with hemoglobin (Hb) SC disease (5.2/100 pt-yrs) and patients with sickle cell-beta(+) thalassemia (3.9/100 pt-yrs). alpha-Thalassemia did not affect the rate of ACS incidence in SS patients. Within each Hb type the incidence was strongly but inversely related to age, being highest in children 2 to 4 years of age (25.3/100 pt-yrs in SS) and decreasing gradually to its lowest value in adults (8.8/100 pt-yrs in SS). In SS children (< 10 years of age), we documented an age-related within-person reduction in ACS attack rates. Adults with a higher ACS rate had a higher rate of mortality (from all causes) than those with low ACS rates. This increased rate of mortality might also have contributed to the decline in ACS rate with age. In multivariate analysis, other factors affecting incidence in SS patients were degree of anemia (lower ACS rates in patients with lower steady-state Hb levels) and fetal Hb (lower rates in patients with high fetal Hb). There was also a positive association between ACS rate and steady-state leukocyte count. The relationship of ACS rate to higher steady-state Hb levels in SS patients is unexplained but might be caused by increased blood viscosity.
Poly(N-isopropyl acrylamide)-coated surfaces: Investigation of the mechanism of cell detachment

Although there is a great deal of research focused on cell sheet engineering from polymers such as poly(N-isopropyl acrylamide) (pNIPAM), the biocompatibility of pNIPAM surfaces and the nature of cellular detachment from this polymer is still unclear. The most extensive study of the mechanism of detachment proposed a two-step process, with a first (passive) phase involving hydration of pNIPAM chains, and the second (active) phase involving cellular metabolism. However, a number of studies performed successful cell sheet detachment from pNIPAM-grafted surfaces at low temperatures which calls this hypothesis into question. Furthermore, although it has been demonstrated that low-temperature cell sheet detachment using pNIPAM-grafted surfaces is less destructive than other methods of detachment, it has not been investigated if cell sheet detachment removes a portion of pNIPAM from the surfaces as well. It is essential to know if any fragments of the polymer are removed along with the cells, as small polymer fragments could have cytotoxic effects on the cells. This is especially important if these cells are used for the generation of tissues used for transplantation. In this work, the mechanism of cell detachment from pNIPAM coated surfaces is investigated by testing how temperature and presence of an adenosine triphosephase inhibitor affect cellular detachment. Surface initiated atom transfer polymerization (ATRP) was utilized to synthesize thermoresponsive atrpNIPAM surfaces. pNIPAM surfaces were labeled to assess whether cell sheet detachment from pNIPAM is accompanied by the removal of pNIPAM from the substrate itself. Using a semipermeable superstrate, cell sheets were transferred to a secondary culture dish to assess whether cell detachment resulted in any pNIPAM removal. In addition, the function of the transplanted bovine aortic endothelial cells was assessed by determining whether they would proliferate and grow on a new secondary substrate.
What’s at Stake in U.S. Health Reform: A Guide to the Affordable Care Act and Value-Based Care:

The U.S. presidential election of 2016 accentuated the divided perspectives on the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010, commonly known as Obamacare. The perspectives included a pledge from then candidate Donald J. Trump to "repeal and replace on day one"; Republican congressional leaders' more temperate suggestions in the first weeks of the Trump administration to "repair" the Affordable Care Act (ACA); and President Trump's February 5, 2017 statement-16 days after inauguration-that a Republican replacement for the ACA may not be ready until late 2017 or 2018. The swirling rhetoric, media attention, and the dizzying rate of U.S. health and payment reforms both within and outside of the ACA makes it difficult for nurses, both United States and globally, to discern which health policy issues are grounded in the ACA and which aspects reflect payer-driven "volume to value" reimbursement changes. Moreover, popular and controversial elements of the ACA-for example, the clause that prohibits insurance carriers to deny coverage to those with preexisting health conditions and the more controversial individual mandate that bears Supreme Court support as a constitutional provision-are paired in ways that might be unclear to those unfamiliar with nuances of insurance rate determination. To support nurses' capacity to maximize their impact on health policy, this overview distills the 906-page ACA into major themes and describes payment reform legislation and initiatives that are external to the ACA. Understanding the political and societal forces that affect health care policy and delivery is necessary for nurses to effectively lead and advocate for the best interests of their patients.
Physical and Chemical Methods for the Reduction of Biological Hazards in Animal Feeds

Abstract Feed for livestock animals have been under increased scrutiny as a vector for pathogenic bacteria leading to human illnesses. Control of these pathogenic bacteria in animal feeds can be controlled via physical and chemical means. Physical methods can include thermal processing, including irradiation, pelleting, and extrusion. Chemical mitigation can be accomplished through the inclusion of various additives, including formaldehyde, organic acids, essential oils, or medium chain fatty acids. While physical and chemical interventions can help mitigate risk of pathogens contaminating finished animal feeds, the implementation of a biosecurity plan at the feed mill can help prevent pathogens from entering or spreading throughout the facility.
Production of Humanized Mice through Stem Cell Transfer

The development of humanized mice has become a prominent tool for translational animal studies of human diseases. Here we show how immune deficient mice can be "humanized" by injections of human umbilical cord stem cells. The engraftment of these cells and development into human lymphocytes has been possible because of the development of novel severely immune deficient mouse strains. Here we present proven protocols for the generation and analysis of humanized mice on the NSG mouse background.
Multi-wavelengths Photo Magnetic Imaging

Photo-Magnetic Imaging (PMI) is a novel diffuse optical imaging technique that yields high resolution optical absorption images. It is based on the measurement of the temperature increase of a given medium after its illumination with a near-infrared laser using Magnetic Resonance Thermometry (MRT). In this paper, we present the first multi-wavelengths PMI system able to provide oxy- and deoxyhemoglobin concentration maps with high spatial and quantitative accuracy.
Health care costs of depression in patients diagnosed with cancer

OBJECTIVE Depression is common among patients diagnosed with cancer. Patients with cancer and depression use more health care services compared with nondepressed cancer patients. The current study seeks to estimate the added cost of depression in cancer patients in the first year after cancer diagnosis. METHODS Health care charges were obtained for 2051 depressed and 11 182 nondepressed patients with an International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, diagnosis of cancer in the 2014 calendar year from the University of California San Diego Healthcare System. The annual health care charges for cancer patients with and without depression were analyzed using generalized linear models with a log-link function and gamma distribution, covarying for age, sex, race/ethnicity, comorbid diseases, and presence of metastatic disease. Total cost data were broken down into several categories including ambulatory care, emergency department visits, and hospital visits. RESULTS Depressed cancer patients had total annual health care charges that were 113% higher than nondepressed cancer patients (B = 0.76; P < .001). The estimated mean charges for depressed patients were $235 337 compared with $110 650 for nondepressed patients. Depressed cancer patients incurred greater charges than nondepressed patients in ambulatory care (B = 0.70; P < .001), emergency department charges (B = 0.31; P < .001), and hospital charges (B = 0.39; P < .001). CONCLUSIONS Depressed cancer patients incur significantly higher health care charges across multiple cost categories including ambulatory care, emergency department visits, and hospital visits. Future research should investigate if interventions for detecting and treating depression are effective for reducing health care use and costs in cancer patients.
Spacelab Life Sciences 1 - The stepping stone

The Spacelab Life Sciences (SLS-1) mission scheduled for launch in March 1990 will study the effects of microgravity on physiological parameters of humans and animals. The data obtained will guide equipment design, performance of activities involving the use of animals, and prediction of human physiological responses during long-term microgravity exposure. The experiments planned for the SLS-1 mission include a particulate-containment demonstration test, integrated rodent experiments, jellyfish experiments, and validation of the small-mass measuring instrument. The design and operation of the Research Animal Holding Facility, General-Purpose Work Station, General-Purpose Transfer Unit, and Animal Enclosure Module are discussed and illustrated with drawings and diagrams.
NMR methods for determination of enantiomeric excess.

With the dramatic recent growth in importance of asymmetric syntheses, new applications or approaches for analyses of enantiomeric excess (% e.e.) of samples continue to become more essential. Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy provides a wide range of powerful methods which are complementary to chromatographic or electrophoretic-based approaches. This present review focuses on representative and selective recent examples (through mid-1999) of English language reports on NMR methods for % e.e. determination.
Prospects for International Management of Intercontinental Air Pollution Transport

The recognition of the intercontinental transport of air pollution continues a historic trend towards greater awareness and management of air pollution over larger spatial scales. Intercontinental transport contributes to a “tightening vise” on air quality management in industrialized nations with background concentrations rising, standards becoming more stringent, local controls becoming more difficult to achieve, and emissions in other parts of the world rapidly increasing. While several regional and global regimes currently exist for addressing issues of transboundary air quality, important gaps remain for intercontinental transport. International cooperative regimes at all levels – binational, regional, hemispheric, and global – should be encouraged to address intercontinental transport. Activities which increase the capacity in developing nations for managing domestic air pollution problems are the most important actions to be taken in the short term. In addition, international research efforts are needed to quantify source-receptor relationships between nations and to develop integrated analysis tools that connect international transport, climate change, global energy infrastructure, and economic development.
Positivity Limiters for Filtered Spectral Approximations of Linear Kinetic Transport Equations

We analyze the properties and compare the performance of several positivity limiters for spectral approximations with respect to the angular variable of linear transport equations. It is well-known that spectral methods suffer from the occurrence of (unphysical) negative spatial particle concentrations due to the fact that the underlying polynomial approximations are not always positive at the kinetic level. Positivity limiters address this defect by enforcing positivity of the polynomial approximation on a finite set of preselected points. With a proper PDE solver, they ensure positivity of the particle concentration at each step in a time integration scheme. We review several known positivity limiters proposed in other contexts and also introduce a modification for one of them. We give error estimates for the consistency of the positive approximations produced by these limiters and compare the theoretical estimates to numerical results. We then solve two benchmark problems with these limiters, make qualitative and quantitative observations about the solutions, and then compare the efficiency of the different limiters.
Comparison of whole plant and detached leaf screening techniques for identifying anthracnose resistance in strawberry plants.

Anthracnose is a destructive disease of strawberry caused by several Colletotrichum species including C. acutatum, C. fragariae, and C. gloeosporioides. Identification of anthracnose resistant stra...
Giving Voices (Without Words) to Prehistoric People: Glimpses into an Archaeologist's Imagination

This article describes a path to addressing the discomfort that I and many of my braver colleagues have had, when putting words into the mouths and heads of prehistoric actors, knowing that these words say more about us than they do about prehistory. Yet without such speech, how are we archaeologists and the broader public to imagine the intangibles of the deep past (emotions, affect, gender, senses)? Moreover, such words create a misleading certainty that conceals the ambiguities of the archaeological data. Are there alternative options to verbal and vocal clarity when creating imagined fictive narratives about the past? With inspiration from composer Gyorgi Ligeti, from linguists and experimental psychologists, and from ASMR (Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response) performers, I explore the emotive power of vocal non-verbal interjections and utterances that have more universality and less cultural baggage, using them in three diverse re-mediations of digital media from three prehistoric archaeological contexts in Europe and Anatolia.
Comparative outcomes of endoscopic ultrasound–guided cystogastrostomy for peripancreatic fluid collections: a systematic review and meta-analysis:

Background:Endoscopic ultrasound–guided cystogastrostomy has become the first-line treatment for symptomatic peripancreatic fluid collections. The aim of this study is to analyze the efficacy and s...
Selective oxidation of colour-inducing constituents in raw sugar cane juice with potassium permanganate.

Abstract Colour removal in raw sugar remains a crucial but expensive process in the sugar industry. In this report, permanganate (MnO4−) oxidation is explored as an alternative method to remove colour-inducing constituents in sugar cane juice/produced raw sugar. Experiments indicated alum, an inexpensive coagulant, was able to remove residual Mn species produced after MnO4− treatment. The optimal dosages of MnO4− and alum for decoloration of a 17 wt% raw sugar solution (70 °C) was found to be 4 mM and 2 g/l, respectively. Removal of colour and Mn removal were further improved at ambient temperature. Sucrose, the major component of raw sugar, was not affected during treatment with MnO4− and alum. Two-phase kinetic behaviour for MnO4− oxidation was observed, where an initial rapid oxidation phase is followed by a second slower reaction phase. These results suggest permanganate oxidation is a promising alternative for accomplishing the decoloration of raw sugar solutions.
“I Could Never Work With Those People . . . ”: Secondary Prevention of Child Sexual Abuse Via a Brief Training for Therapists About Pedophilia:

Sexual abuse prevention efforts should ideally include counseling for people who have attractions to children before they offend. Due to a variety of factors, many therapists do not wish to work wi...
In acute ischemic stroke with hyperglycemia, intensive vs standard glucose control did not improve 90-day outcomes

Source Citation Johnston KC, Bruno A, Pauls Q, et al; Neurological Emergencies Treatment Trials Network and the SHINE Trial Investigators. Intensive vs standard treatment of hyperglycemia and funct...
“An A Is An A”: We Have Met the Enemy, and He Is Us!1

Original article: Aguinis, H., Cummings, C., Ramani, R., and Cummings, T., “An A is an A:” The New Bottom Line for Valuing Academic Research, https://doi.org/10.5465/amp.2017.0193In this exchange w...
CHAPTER 12 – Topics in Algebra

Publisher Summary This chapter focuses on several topics in algebra. An arithmetic sequence—also called an arithmetic progression—is a sequence such that each term differs from its predecessor by a fixed number called the common difference. Symbolically, the nth term in an arithmetic sequence can be written by a recursive formula an = an − 1 + d and (2) a formula an = a1 + (n − 1) d, which relates an to a1. Adding the terms of a an arithmetic sequence results in a series. A geometric sequence or progression is a sequence such that each term is obtained by multiplying the previous term by a fixed number. In symbols, an = r • an − 1 for n > 1, where r is the common ratio. Geometric means are the terms between the first and last terms. The principle of mathematical induction is a method of proving certain statements involving the natural numbers. The binomial expansion of (a + b)n where n is any natural number is simply the result of carrying out the multiplication. Pascal's triangle is one way of determining the coefficients of the terms of the expansion. From the binomial theorem, the sum of the exponents in any term of the binomial expansion equals n and the product of the first n natural numbers is n factorial, which in symbols is written as n!. From the concepts of permutations and combinations, if one event can occur in m ways and a second event can happen in n ways, then both events can happen in m • n ways.
A test of the fear avoidance model to predict chronic pain outcomes in a polytrauma sample.

Background Chronic musculoskeletal pain is a complex problem, particularly for individuals with head injury and comorbid psychiatric conditions. The Fear Avoidance Model offers one of the strongest opportunities to conceptualize comorbid traumatic injury and pain, but this model is largely untested. Objective This study tests the Fear Avoidance Model of chronic pain using a sample from a study of polytrauma patients in a large Department of Veterans Affairs facility who participated in a federally-funded study of interdisciplinary chronic pain management. Methods The present study comprises a secondary analysis of 93 veterans with chronic pain, head injury, posttraumatic stress symptoms and a history of persistent opioid use. Standardized measures of Fear Avoidance Model risk factors (e.g., pain catastrophizing, fear avoidance beliefs, anxiety, depression) were examined as cross-sectional predictors of pain-related disability. Results Secondary data analysis revealed that Fear Avoidance Model factors accounted for almost 40% of the variance in pain-related disability, with pain catastrophizing and depression demonstrating the strongest relationships with disability. A summary variable combining all four factors revealed a 6% increase in disability for each factor that was clinically significant for the sample patients. Conclusions This study represents the first attempt to examine a complex, theoretical model of pain in a comorbid pain and TBI sample. Findings revealed a strong relationship between this model and pain-related disability that outperforms pain intensity ratings. This model could be used to guide better treatment for comorbid pain and TBI.
Positive airway pressure therapy supplied by an integrated sleep practice associated with greater adherence among pre-Medicare-aged patients with sleep-disordered breathing

Study Objectives:We investigated whether patient adherence to positive airway pressure (PAP) therapy was significantly different between groups whose PAP machines were dispensed by a traditional du...
Impact of a computerized intervention for high distress intolerance on cannabis use outcomes: A randomized controlled trial.

Abstract Objective Prevalence of regular cannabis use and cannabis use disorder (CUD) have increased in the past two decades, but treatment-seeking is low and extant brief interventions do not target causal risk factors implicated in etiological models of addiction. Elevated distress intolerance (DI) is one risk factor that has been empirically linked with greater CUD severity and maintenance in regular users, but, to our knowledge, research has never targeted it in a brief intervention among cannabis users with CUD or at high risk. The current RCT evaluated the impact of a DI intervention (i.e., Distress Tolerance Intervention [DTI]) compared to a healthy habits control intervention (i.e., Healthy Video Control [HVC]) on DI and cannabis use outcomes. Method We randomized cannabis users with high DI (N = 60) to the DTI or HVC condition and they received two computerized intervention sessions. We assessed relief cannabis craving at pre- and post-treatment; and we assessed DI, cannabis use coping motives, use-related problems, and use frequency at pre- and post-treatment as well as one- and four-month follow-ups. We assessed CUD symptoms via interviews at pre-treatment and four-month follow-up. Results Significant, durable reductions in DI and all cannabis use outcomes occurred in both conditions. Compared to the HVC condition, the DTI led to greater reductions in use frequency during the treatment period. Reductions in self-reported DI were correlated with reductions in coping motives and CUD symptoms. Conclusion The DTI's impact on all outcomes was largely comparable to the control condition, though it may have utility as an adjunctive intervention.
Evaluating the Impact of Neurosurgical Educational Interventions on Patient Knowledge and Satisfaction: A Systematic Review of the Literature

Objective In this systematic review, preoperative educational interventions for patients undergoing neurosurgical treatment are identified and their impact on patient knowledge acquisition and satisfaction is assessed. Methods The review was conducted in accordance with the PRISMA guidelines and used PubMed, Google Scholar, and MEDLINE databases. Studies evaluating before and after cohort or control group comparison were identified between 2007 and 2019 and were independently scored and evaluated by 3 authors. Results Eighty-one articles were assessed for eligibility and 15 met the inclusion criteria. Patient educational interventions were text-based (2 studies), multimedia/video-based (3), mobile/tablet-based (5), or used virtual reality (2) or three-dimensional printing (3). Interventions were disease-specific for cerebrovascular lesions (5), degenerative spine disease (2), concussion/traumatic brain injury (2), movement disorders (1), brain tumor (1), adolescent epilepsy (1), and other cranial/spinal elective procedures (3). Eleven studies (n = 18–175) documented patient knowledge acquisition using self-reported knowledge questionnaires (5) or more objective assessments based on true/false or multiple-choice questions (6). Most studies (10/11) reported statistically significant increases in patient knowledge after implementation of the intervention. Ten studies (n = 14–600) documented patient satisfaction using validated satisfaction surveys (2), Likert scale surveys (6), or other questionnaires (2). Although all studies reported increases in patient satisfaction after the intervention, only 4 were statistically significant. Conclusions Patient educational interventions using various modalities are broadly applicable within neurosurgery and ubiquitously enhance patient knowledge and satisfaction. Interventions should be implemented when possible.
Semiparametric Inference for Nonmonotone Missing-Not-at-Random Data: The No Self-Censoring Model

We study the identification and estimation of statistical functionals of multivariate data missing nonmonotonically and not-at-random, taking a semiparametric approach. Specifically, we assume that...
Subspace rotations for high-dimensional outlier detection

Abstract We propose a new two-stage procedure for detecting multiple outliers when the dimension of the data is much larger than the available sample size. In the first stage, the data are split into two disjoint sets, one containing non-outliers and the other containing the rest of the data that are considered as potential outliers. In the second stage, a series of hypothesis tests is conducted to test the abnormality of each potential outlier. A nonparametric test based on uniform random rotations is adopted for hypothesis testing. The power of the proposed test is studied under a high-dimensional asymptotic framework, and its finite-sample exactness is established under mild conditions. Numerical studies based on simulated examples and face recognition data suggest that the proposed approach is superior to the existing methods, especially in terms of false identification of non-outliers.
Bottlebrushes and Combs with Bimodal Distribution of the Side Chains: Diagram of States and Scattering Function

We use a combination of scaling analysis, random phase approximation (RPA) calculations, and coarse-grained molecular dynamics (MD) simulations to elucidate properties of graft polymers with a bimo...
Novel Chemically Modified Curcumin (CMC) Analogs Exhibit Anti-Melanogenic Activity in Primary Human Melanocytes

Hyperpigmentation is a dermatological condition characterized by the overaccumulation and/or oversecretion of melanin pigment. The efficacy of curcumin as an anti-melanogenic therapeutic has been recognized, but the poor stability and solubility that have limited its use have inspired the synthesis of novel curcumin analogs. We have previously reported on comparisons of the anti-melanogenic activity of four novel chemically modified curcumin (CMC) analogs, CMC2.14, CMC2.5, CMC2.23 and CMC2.24, with that of parent curcumin (PC), using a B16F10 mouse melanoma cell model, and we have investigated mechanisms of inhibition. In the current study, we have extended our findings using normal human melanocytes from a darkly pigmented donor (HEMn-DP) and we have begun to study aspects of melanosome export to human keratinocytes. Our results showed that all the CMCs downregulated the protein levels of melanogenic paracrine mediators, endothelin-1 (ET-1) and adrenomedullin (ADM) in HaCaT cells and suppressed the phagocytosis of FluoSphere beads that are considered to be melanosome mimics. All the three CMCs were similarly potent (except CMC2.14, which was highly cytotoxic) in inhibiting melanin production; furthermore, they suppressed dendricity in HEMn-DP cells. CMC2.24 and CMC2.23 robustly suppressed cellular tyrosinase activity but did not alter tyrosinase protein levels, while CMC2.5 did not suppress tyrosinase activity but significantly downregulated tyrosinase protein levels, indicative of a distinctive mode of action for the two structurally related CMCs. Moreover, HEMn-DP cells treated with CMC2.24 or CMC2.23 partially recovered their suppressed tyrosinase activity after cessation of the treatment. All the three CMCs were nontoxic to human dermal fibroblasts while PC was highly cytotoxic. Our results provide a proof-of-principle for the novel use of the CMCs for skin depigmentation, since at low concentrations, ranging from 5 to 25 µM, the CMCs (CMC2.24, CMC2.23 and CMC2.5) were more potent anti-melanogenic agents than PC and tetrahydrocurcumin (THC), both of which were ineffective at melanogenesis at similar doses, as tested in HEMn-DP cells (with PC being highly toxic in dermal fibroblasts and keratinocytes). Further studies to evaluate the efficacy of CMCs in human skin tissue and in vivo studies are warranted.
Optimism and Pessimism with Expected Utility (Second Version)

Savage (1954) provided axioms on preferences over acts that were equivalent to the existence of an expected utility representation. We show that there is a continuum of other expected utility" representations in which for any act, the probability distribution over states depends on the corresponding outcomes. We suggest that optimism and pessimism can be captured by the stake-dependent probabilities in these alternative representations. Extending the DM's preferences to be defined on both subjective acts and objective lotteries, we suggest how one may distinguish optimists from pessimists and separate attitude towards uncertainty from curvature of the utility function over monetary prizes.
Data storytelling is not storytelling with data: A framework for storytelling in science communication and data journalism

Storytelling teaches. All good storytelling is good teaching. Storytelling is a form of teaching and learning because it asks the readers or listeners to replace well-established explanations that ...
The effect of stress and reward on encoding future fear memories.

Abstract Prior experience changes the way we learn about our environment. Stress predisposes individuals to developing psychological disorders , just as positive experiences protect from this eventuality (Kirkpatrick & Heller, 2014; Koenigs & Grafman, 2009; Pechtel & Pizzagalli, 2011). Yet current models of how the brain processes information often do not consider a role for prior experience. The considerable literature that examines how stress impacts the brain is an exception to this. This research demonstrates that stress can bias the interpretation of ambiguous events towards being aversive in nature, owed to changes in amygdala physiology (Holmes et al., 2013; Perusini et al., 2016; Rau et al., 2005; Shors et al., 1992). This is thought to be an important model for how people develop anxiety disorders, like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD; Rau et al., 2005). However, more recent evidence suggests that experience with reward learning can also change the neural circuits that are involved in learning about fear (Sharpe et al., 2021). Specifically, the lateral hypothalamus , a region typically restricted to modulating feeding and reward behavior, can be recruited to encode fear memories after experience with reward learning. This review discusses the literature on how stress and reward change the way we acquire and encode memories for aversive events, offering a testable model of how these regions may interact to promote either adaptive or maladaptive fear memories.
Assessing the influence of patient language preference on 30 day hospital readmission risk from home health care: A retrospective analysis.

Abstract Background In home health care, language barriers are understudied. Language barriers between patients and providers are known to affect a variety of patient outcomes. How a patient's language preference influences hospital readmission risk from home health care has yet to be determined. Objective To determine if home care patients’ language preference is associated with their risk for hospital readmission from home health care within 30 days of hospital discharge. Design Retrospective cross-sectional study of hospital readmissions from an urban home health care agency's administrative records and the national electronic home health care record for the United States, captured between 2010 and 2015. Setting New York City, New York, USA. Participants The dataset comprised 90,221 post-hospitalization patients and 6.5 million home health care visits. Methods First, a Chi-square test was used to determine if there were significant differences in crude readmission rates based on language group. Inverse probability of treatment weighting was used to adjust for significant differences in known hospital readmission risk factors between to examine all-cause hospital readmission during a home health care stay. The final matched sample included 87,561 patients with a language preference of English, Spanish, Russian, Chinese, or Korean. English-speaking patients were considered the comparison group to the non-English speaking patients. A Marginal Structural Model was applied to estimate the impact of non-English language preference against English language preference on rehospitalization. The results of the marginal structural model were expressed as an odds ratio of likelihood of readmission to the hospital from home health care. Results Home health patients with a non-English language preference had a higher hospital readmission risk than English-speaking patients. Crude readmission rate for the limited English proficiency patients was 20.4% (95% CI, 19.9–21.0%) overall compared to 18.5% (95% CI, 18.7–19.2%) for English speakers (p Conclusions People with a non-English language preference have a higher readmission rate from home health care. Hospital and home healthcare agencies may need specialized care coordination services to reduce readmission risk for these patients. Tweetable abstract: A new US-based study finds that home care patients with language barriers are at higher risk for hospital readmission.
Spontaneous chiral symmetry breaking in bilayer graphene

Abstract Bilayer graphene and its thicker cousins with Rhombohedral stacking have attracted considerable attention because of their susceptibility to a variety of broken chiral symmetry states. Due to large density-of-states and quantized Berry phases near their gapless band touching points, each spin-valley flavor spontaneously transfers charge between layers to yield opening of energy gaps in quasiparticle spectra and spreading of momentum-space Berry curvatures. In this article we review the development of theories that predicted such chiral symmetry breaking and classified the possible topological many-body ground states, and the observations in recent experiments that are in reasonable agreement with these theories.
New methods of tricuspid annuloplasty and possibility of their commercial using

Insufficiency of the tricuspid valve often complicates the flow of acquired valve diseases of the left heart parts. The prognosis in patients with mitral and/or aortic valve repair/replacement but without of surgery on tricuspid valve in these cases is unfavourable. Thus the elaboration of new methods of tricuspid valve surgery is highly significant. In Cardiovascular department of Institute of Cardiology was created new method of tricuspid annuloplasty tricuspid circular purse annuloplasty. The advantages of this method in front of De Vega tricuspid annuloplasty method are described in the article.
Rubella immunity testing and immunization of college women. An ongoing program at Brown University.

Abstract Rubella hemagglutination inhibition (HI) titers were determined on 1,141 Brown University women of which 74.7 per cent were immune. Two hundred and twelve susceptible women were immunized with Cendehill or HPV-77 vaccines. One hundred and fifty-eight had repeat HI titers 6 to 10 weeks after immunization and the seroconversion rate was 87 per cent. Of the 20 nonseroconverters, 12 were reimmunized with a conversion rate of 90 per cent. Three per cent of the vaccines developed mild arthralgia, none requiring treatment. No pregnancies were encountered in the vaccinees during the 12 weeks post vaccination. A testing and rubella immunization program for college women appears to present an ideal opportunity of providing immunologic protection before marriage and childbearing.
Employee Attitudes/Attitude Surveys

Employee attitudes and their measurement using survey methodology continue to be important topics in both the study and practice of management. Because job attitudes relate to important organizational outcomes such as absenteeism, turnover, and performance, their evaluation is used both as an organizational assessment tool and as a critical component of research on antecedents to employee behavior. Attitudinal structure, antecedents, processes, and consequences all play key roles in our understanding of how employees act and react at work. Cross-cultural and levels-of-analysis issues in conceptualization and measurement must also be considered in both practice and research. Keywords: theory of planned behavior; job satisfaction; organizational commitment; social influence; implicit attitudes