cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
An offshore Mesozoic igneous sequence, Georges Bank basin, North Atlantic

In 1981, a Georges Bank outer continental shelf oil and gas exploration well (Exxon Block 133-1), between the COST G-1 and G-2 wells, penetrated a 341-m (1,120-ft) sequence of igneous rocks interbedded with Middle Jurassic limestones. Interpretation of geophysical well logs combined with core and cutting samples resulted in recognition of two distinct units: (1) an upper 225-m- (740-ft-) thick interval of volcaniclastic rock inter-bedded with limestones, which we interpret as a remnant Middle Jurassic volcanic cone, and (2) a lower 76-m- (250-ft-) thick basalt that has yielded radiometric age dates of ∼136 Ma, which we interpret as an Early Cretaceous intrusion. Chemical data that were obtained from core samples of the lower basalt unit indicate that it is SiO2 undersaturated (avg. 44.24 wt.%), high in K2O (avg. 1.66 wt.%) and Na2O (avg. 3.44 wt.%), and particularly high in TiO2 (avg. 3.99 wt.%), P2O5 (avg. 1.24 wt.%), and Zr (584 ppm). The basalt is a nepheline-normative alkalic type. Comparison of our offshore chemical data to onshore petrologic groups shows that the lower 76-m- (249-ft-) thick Georges Bank basalt (GBB) most strongly corresponds to the New England–Quebec (NEQ) alkalic province, both chemically and temporally. Although we are not suggesting a genetic relationship between the GBB and the NEQ province, we do recognize the GBB as a coeval offshore episode of alkalic activity that is petrologically distinct from the Early Jurassic eastern North American province. The GBB also appears to be part of a widespread eastern North American Late Jurassic–Early Cretaceous alkalic episode.
Language facilities for programmable backtracking

Most languages intended for artificial intelligence applications include a search and backtracking facility. While built-in backtracking facilities are convenient, they are often too inflexible for use beyond a limited range of applicability. Other mechanisms, such as those based on explicit manipulations of bindings or stack frames, tend to be very unstructured, and give the programmer little control over the backtracking process. This paper describes the SL5 programming language and its use for “programmable backtracking.” SL5 includes a general procedure mechanism that permits procedures to be used as recursive functions or as coroutines. Using this mechanism, the programmer can construct control hierarchies that are tailored to the specific application. A string pattern-matching facility is given as an example of the use of the SL5 facilities.
Phase equilibria trigger for explosive volcanic eruptions

[1] A mechanism for explosive volcanic eruptions based on multicomponent phase equilibria modelling of four explosive volcanic systems is proposed. In each system, either isochoric or isobaric crystallization, where either crystals or crystals and exsolved fluid are chemically fractionated from melt, leads inevitably to near-solidus dynamical instability culminating in violent explosive eruption. Driving this instability is a dramatic increase in the volume fraction of fluid bubbles in the magma exceeding the limit for magma fragmentation. This phenomenon is independent of magma decompression. Country rock may be weak, allowing magma to remain in lithostatic equilibrium with its host rock, or strong, leading to divergence of magma and lithostatic pressure. Bubbles may be retained or expelled during crystallization. Instability is the inevitable outcome of crystallization at shallow levels in the crust for all four systems, regardless of the mechanical state of host country rock. We speculate that this phase equilibria mechanism driving explosive eruptions has general significance.
Digital enhancement as an aid to detecting patterns of vegetation stress using medium-scale aerial photography

Abstract The application of image processing algorithms, originally developed for satellite image analysis, has been shown to improve pattern recognition of environmental change and vegetation stress with medium-scale aerial photography. Image enhancement helps to identify subtle features and spatial patterns embedded in a digitized air photo transparency that might otherwise escape visual identification. Our procedure combines visual interpretation with computer-aided image enhancement, including Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) and supervised and unsupervised classification. The motiviation for the application of these techniques came from the need to provide a multi-season record of environmental changes in the immediate vicinity of power generation facilities. The procedure involves simple, on-call, acquisition of colour infrared and colour aerial photography that can be electronically enhanced and evaluated, resulting in accurate, timely, and cost-efficient information on vegetation chan...
Assessment of the responsiveness of the Cats' Assessment Tool for Cardiac Health (CATCH) questionnaire.

Abstract Objectives To evaluate the responsiveness and optimal timing of a validated health-related quality of life questionnaire, and to assess the relationship between quality of life, severity of disease, and N-terminal pro B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) in cats with acute congestive heart failure (CHF). Animals Thirty client-owned cats with acute CHF. Methods Echocardiography, International Small Animal Cardiac Health Council (ISACHC) stage, and NT-proBNP were assessed in cats within 36 h of admission. The Cats' Assessment Tool for Cardiac Health (CATCH) Questionnaire (range of 0–80, with 80 being the worst possible score) was completed by cat owners and ISACHC stage was assessed at the time of hospital discharge, 3 days after discharge, and 7–14 days after discharge. NT-proBNP concentration was reassessed 7–14 days after discharge. Results The ISACHC stage at time of admission improved significantly by reevaluation 7–14 days after discharge (P 1500 pmol/L) to reevaluation (583 pmol/L; range, 41 to >1500 pmol/L) was not significant (P = 0.59). Median CATCH score was 26 (range, 0–70) at baseline, 19 (range, 0 to 61) at discharge, and 19 (range, 2–49) 7–14 days after discharge (P = 0.89). CATCH scores did not correlate with NT-proBNP concentrations or ISACHC stage. Conclusions These results suggest that the CATCH questionnaire requires further refinement for uses requiring a responsive instrument in cats with acute CHF.
Consumable Anode Process for SnAg Electroplating

Near eutectic tin-silver (SnAg) is currently the alloy of choice for electroplated lead-free solder bumping and Cu pillar capping. While lead-tin (PbSn) is still used in some applications, there has been considerable momentum in moving away from the use of lead in semiconductor packaging. Both solders are normally electroplated as alloys with specific compositions to target a desired melting point. Since the deposition potentials of lead and tin are very close together, they plate with similar characteristics. This makes it possible for PbSn plating systems to use a consumable anode system where the anode composition matches the desired deposit composition. Metals are replenished into the bath in much the same ratio they are consumed. In a SnAg plating bath, the deposition potential of Ag is much more positive than Sn, so very low potential is required for Ag deposition. The plating rate of Ag is generally mass transfer limited. The plating rate of Sn is current controlled. While similar in concept to sys...
Relation of Vitamin D to Keel Bone Deformity in Young Chickens

Abstract INFORMATION as to the causes of crooked keel bone deformity of poultry is of scientific and commercial interest. There is evidence in the literature that inheritance, roosting habit, and nutrition may each play a part in the development of this deformity. Warren (1937) reported the establishment by selection of strains of White Leghorns which differed strikingly in the frequency of occurrence of crooked keel. The development of the deformity was also influenced by roosting habit. Platt (1932) presented evidence that both roosting habit and cod liver oil intake had an effect on keel bone development of 8-week-old White Leghorn cockerels. This author later showed (1933) that the incidence and severity of the crooked keel deformity was influenced by the width of perch used. That vitamin D is concerned in maintaining a normal keel bone was indicated by the observation of Doyle (1925) that the keel bone often becomes bent in . . .
Effect of Concentration of Sodium Acetate on Stannate Conversion Coatings of AZ91D Magnesium Alloy

A process for preparing stannate conversion coating on Mg alloy was established by using sodium acetate as the major component.Thus stannate conversion coatings were obtained on AZ91D Mg alloy by immersing in the conversion fluids containing sodium acetate of various concentrations.The microstructure and corrosion resistance of the conversion coatings were analyzed by means of scanning electron microscopy,X-ray diffraction and full immersion tests.Results show that as-prepared conversion coatings are composed of Mg(α phase plus β phase) and MgSnO3·3H2O.The peak of weight of the conversion coatings increased with increasing concentration of sodium acetate in the conversion fluids,but the peak of weight decreased when the concentration of sodium acetate reached 40 g/L.Moreover,the conversion coating prepared from the conversion fluid containing 20 g/L sodium acetate had the best corrosion resistance.
Left ventricular and biventricular extracardiac conduits

The insertion of an extracardiac conduit from the right ventricle has gained extensive success during the past decade. This report concerns the application of such a conduit from the left ventricle. Its use in four types of anomalies is described: (1) left ventricular outflow hypoplasia, (2) transposition of the great arteries with ventricular inversion and associated pulmonary stenosis, (3) complex anomalies involving double-outlet right ventricle wherein construction of an intracardiac tunnel is not feasible, and (4) transposition of the great arteries with intact ventricular septum and severe pulmonary stenosis. The correction of the last two mentioned anomalies involves the insertion of two parallel conduits, one from each ventricle to its appropriate great artery. The transposition anomaly may alternatively be corrected by combined Mustard repair and a left ventricle-to-pulmonary artery extracardiac conduit.
Esophageal Squamous Cell Papilloma: A Not-So-Rare Cause of Dysphagia.

A 59-year-old white woman presented with a 2-month history of intermittent nonprogressive dysphagia for solids and liquids as well as symptoms of dyspepsia including heartburn, chest pain, and metallic taste. Despite use of over-the-counter antacids and proton pump inhibitors, she did not attain complete resolution of her dysphagia and heartburn. The patient’s medical history was significant for ulcerative colitis, Sjogren syndrome, mitral valve prolapse, and osteoporosis. She had a remote history of temporomandibular joint surgery and bone graft surgery for a herniated cervical disc without complications. She had no history of gastrointestinal surgery or tobacco use. The patient reported drinking alcohol only on social occasions. Her medications included oral corticosteroids and alendronate, and her family history was negative for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and gastrointestinal malignancy. Due to persistence of symptoms despite medical therapy, the patient underwent an esophagogastroduodenoscopy, which demonstrated a pale pink, nonulcerated, polypoid, mucosal lesion located in the middle third of the esophagus, approximately 25 cm from the superior incisors (Figure). The lesion was completely resected by a hot biopsy. Pathology showed squamous esophageal mucosa with prominent papillae, which was consistent with benign squamous cell papilloma. Figure An endoscopic view of a polypoid verrucous sessile lesion in the midesophagus that is highly reminiscent of a skin wart. The patient was discharged with a 3-month course of daily omeprazole and a 2-week course of sucralfate 4 times daily. A follow-up endoscopy performed after 1 year was negative for recurrence of papilloma or any other lesion.
Distinct types of translation termination generate substrates for ribosome-associated quality control

Cotranslational degradation of polypeptide nascent chains plays a critical role in quality control of protein synthesis and the rescue of stalled ribosomes. In eukaryotes, ribosome stalling triggers release of 60S subunits with attached nascent polypeptides, which undergo ubiquitination by the E3 ligase Ltn1 and proteasomal degradation facilitated by the ATPase Cdc48. However, the identity of factors acting upstream in this process is less clear. Here, we examined how the canonical release factors Sup45-Sup35 (eRF1-eRF3) and their paralogs Dom34-Hbs1 affect the total population of ubiquitinated nascent chains associated with yeast ribosomes. We found that the availability of the functional release factor complex Sup45-Sup35 strongly influences the amount of ubiquitinated polypeptides associated with 60S ribosomal subunits, while Dom34-Hbs1 generate 60S-associated peptidyl-tRNAs that constitute a relatively minor fraction of Ltn1 substrates. These results uncover two separate pathways that target nascent polypeptides for Ltn1-Cdc48-mediated degradation and suggest that in addition to canonical termination on stop codons, eukaryotic release factors contribute to cotranslational protein quality control.
How Much Energy Do Building Energy Codes Save? Evidence from California Houses

Regulations governing the energy efficiency of new buildings have become a cornerstone of US environmental policy. California enacted the first such codes in 1978 and has tightened them every few years since. I evaluate the resulting energy savings three ways: comparing energy used by houses constructed under different standards, controlling for building and occupant characteristics; examining how energy use varies with outdoor temperatures; and comparing energy used by houses of different vintages in California to that same difference in other states. All three approaches yield estimated energy savings significantly short of those projected when the regulations were enacted.
Tunable dielectric metasurfaces using elastic substrates

We introduce a tunable metasurface platform for efficient reconfigurable optical wavefront shaping based on stretchable elastic substrates. As proof of concept, we demonstrates lenses with highly tunable focal length.
The public health resource utilization impact of airway foreign bodies in children.

Abstract Objective Quantify the resource utilization associated with airway foreign bodies in children in the United States using a national database and report observed trends over time. Study type: Cross-sectional analysis of national inpatient database with weighted estimates. Data source The KID database (2000–2009). Methods ICD-9-DM codes for foreign body aspiration were used to identify patients to be included for investigation. Admission rates and charges were aggregated and compared among geographic region, location, and teaching hospital status. These factors were then also trended over time. Results From 2000 to 2009, airway foreign body diagnoses in children accounted for an estimated 4000 to 5000 admissions, resulting in a mean admission rate of 6.6 per 10,000 pediatric patients annually. Charges related to airway foreign bodies in children rose from a total of $93 million to $486 million in the observed period. There is an increasing trend over time of total charges per patient. Charges appear to be higher in urban locations and teaching hospitals. Conclusions The public health and economic burden of pediatric airway foreign bodies appears to be rising. Further investigation may be helpful to examine factors that may be contributing to increasing charges and creating strategies to improve cost effectiveness, as well as why there seems to be increased resource utilization in urban locations and teaching hospitals.
(Re)considering psychological constructs: A thematic synthesis defining five therapeutic factors in group art therapy

Abstract This thematic synthesis redefines group art therapy mechanisms of change and aims to aid in a critical analysis of group art therapy theory. The researchers reviewed 119 qualitative sources and employed thematic analysis synthesis to develop themes of group art therapeutic factors, which have been previously equated to mechanisms of change. The sources were divided and synthesized in one of four categories based on a pre-determined criteria: teaching texts, practice-based, case study, and single case design. The four syntheses were then reviewed and used to derive possible meta themes of therapeutic factors. The meta-synthesis resulted in five art therapeutic factors in group settings: symbolic expression, relational aesthetics, embodiment, pleasure/play, and ritual. The findings are contextualized to inform training, clinical, and research practices in group art therapy.
COST-EFFECTIVENESS OF SAILCLOTH SELECTION FOR DIFFERENT CLASSES, TYPES AND SPECIES OF SAILING BOATS

Results over of theoretical analysis for the selection of corresponding basic material of sail clothes fabric for a different classes, types and views of sailing boats are given in the article. Sailing boats needs the proper of yachting equipment, that goes both with the manipulation of boats and rigging (in accordance of views, classes and types of sailing boats). The material for sailing is elected by participants of competitions depending of the area of navigation, the strength of wind, the whole distances and boat’s possibilities, coming from technical criteria and parameters of the boats. Full analysis of economic efficiency is conducted and price politics of different material’s types for sails in accordance with its chemical composition is analyzed. The most effective type of factory fabric is certain for sewing of sails for racing boats. For a deep scientific analysis and practical realization of the investigated process an accent is done on the exposure of the most popular sailing sailcloth materials used only on the famous world regattas. These results are very important and needed foremost for the first-class skippers of modern world racing boats, to identify most practical and super persistent to the wind, the sun, salt water materials that use in sewing of racing sails. Necessary analyses and descriptions of scientific article concerning sewing of racing sails also will be useful to the yachtsmen that only begin the way in the world of cruise yachting and sporting yachting races. Importance of faithful direction at the choice of material for sails is done not only for the decision element of victories in races and regattas, but also for an answer on many questions, constrained concerning speed of boat, norm of coverage of sails and, in the end, with maneuverability, boat speed.
Variation in ecosystem carbon dynamics of saltwater marshes in the northern Gulf of Mexico

Wetlands are highly productive ecosystems that can sequester large quantities of carbon. However, variation in physiological potential can alter their capacity to sequester carbon. To examine variation in ecosystem physiological capacity, we established three coastal marsh sites in Mississippi and Alabama spanning a productivity gradient. Over 1 year, we measured ecophysiological activity and spectral indices in two vegetation zones within each marsh to develop a better understanding of variation in ecosystem responses and health. Gross ecosystem exchange of carbon and ecosystem respiration rates (Reco) differed significantly among sites, with the highest activity at Grand Bay, Mississippi and Point Aux Pines, Alabama and lower ecophysiological activity at Dauphin Island, Alabama. Net ecosystem exchange was similar for all three study areas because greater carbon assimilation was negated by higher levels of respiration. Spectral indices and leaf area were significantly different by marsh vegetation zone, suggesting that alterations in species composition and plant productivity can have important implications for carbon sequestration. While limited to 1 year, this study establishes a foundation by which to evaluate future research conducted over greater temporal and spatial scales, thereby enhancing our understanding of marsh physiological activity.
P-bodies and the miRNA pathway regulate translational repression of bicoid mRNA during Drosophila melanogaster oogenesis

Embryonic axis patterning in Drosophila melanogaster is partly achieved by mRNAs that are maternally localized to the oocyte; the spatio-temporal regulation of these transcripts9 stability and translation is a characteristic feature of oogenesis. While protein regulatory factors are necessary for the translational regulation of some maternal transcripts (e.g. oskar and gurken ), small RNA pathways are also known to regulate mRNA stability and translation in eukaryotes. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small RNA regulators of gene expression, widely conserved throughout eukaryotic genomes and essential for animal development. The main D. melanogaster anterior determinant, bicoid , is maternally transcribed, but it is not translated until early embryogenesis. We investigated the possibility that its translational repression during oogenesis is mediated by miRNA activity. We found that the bicoid 39UTR contains a highly conserved, predicted binding site for miR-305. Our studies reveal that miR-305 regulates the translation of a reporter gene containing the bicoid 39UTR in cell culture, and that miR-305 only partially contributes to bicoid mRNA translational repression during oogenesis. We also found that Processing bodies (P-bodies) in the egg chamber may play a role in stabilizing bicoid and other maternal transcripts. Here, we offer insights into the possible role of P-bodies and the miRNA pathway in the translational repression of bicoid mRNA during oogenesis.
An efficient algorithm for generating diverse microstructure sets and delineating properties closures

Abstract Properties closures delineate the theoretical objective space for materials design problems, allowing designers to make informed trade-offs between competing constraints and target properties. We present a new algorithm called hierarchical simplex sampling (HSS) that approximates properties closures more efficiently and faithfully than traditional optimization based approaches. By construction, HSS generates samples of microstructure statistics that span the corresponding microstructure hull. As a result, we also find that HSS can be coupled with synthetic polycrystal generation software to generate diverse sets of microstructures for subsequent mesoscale simulations. By more broadly sampling the space of possible microstructures, it is anticipated that such diverse microstructure sets will expand our understanding of the influence of microstructure on macroscale effective properties and inform the construction of higher-fidelity mesoscale structure-property models.
Theorems and Conjectures on the Droplet-Driven Relaxation of Stochastic Ising Models

Recent rigorous results on droplet-driven relaxation of stochastic Ising models in the vicinity of the phase transition region are reviewed. Further conjectures are raised based on the same sort of heuristic picture which suggested the proven results, and some new results on these lines are announced and some of their proofs sketched.
Friedel─Crafts A2 + B4 Polycondensation toward Regioselective Linear Polymer with Rigid Triphenylmethane Backbone and Its Property as Gas Separation Membrane

This report presents an unexpected acid-catalyzed Friedel–Crafts (F–C) hydroxyalkylation polymerization to produce linear polymers containing triphenylmethane repeating units in the backbone. The polymerization of 4-nitrobenzaldehye (NBA, a difunctional A2 monomer) and 1,4-dimethoxybenzene (DMB, a B4 monomer with four identical reactive sites) demonstrated very high regioselective reactions at the 2,5 positions of DMB monomer, leaving 3,6 positions unreacted to avoid any branched structure. The produced linear polymers were always terminated with DMB units at both ends, allowing easy synthesis of high-molecular-weight polymers by using excess amount of NBA. The polymerizations used various inexpensive 4-substituted benzaldehydes and para-disubstituted benzenes as the A2 and B4 monomers, producing a series of linear polymers with tunable side group compositions. These polymers with high molecular weight and rigid triphenylmethane backbone structure were cast into freestanding membranes and demonstrated exc...
Exploring Perceptions of Collaboration of Critical Access Advanced Practice Registered Nurses

Purpose: The purpose of the study is to understand the relationship between advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) and physicians practicing in a rural, northwestern state. Earlier studies found the presence of an oversight relationship. This study sought to deepen our understanding of that relationship in order to determine if this oversight limited APRN scope of practice. Sample: The study interviewed eleven APRNs with varied specialities in rural practice settings. Methods: An interview-based qualitative study was conducted with APRNs practicing in Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs). The IRB approved protocol was developed to investigate the influence of the relationship on APRNs' ability to practice to the full scope of care in a state that allows for independent practice. All interviews were transcribed and content analysis was completed using both manual coding and Leximancer software. Findings: While the level of oversight found varied by the speciality of the APRN, the nature of oversight was generally found to be one of support. Any evidence of restriction of APRN scope of practice was limited to early in the APRN's time in their current location or was experienced at least a decade ago. Conclusions: Earlier work found evidence of oversight relationships between APRNs and physicians. These findings raised concerns that this relationship restricted the ability of APRNs to provide their full scope of care to rural populations, contributing to the chronic shortage of providers in these areas. This study illustrated that these concerns are largely unfounded in the current environment in CAH settings in this state. Keywords: APRNs, Physician, oversight, relationships, collaboration DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.14574/ojrnhc.v18i2.451
Airborne/Droplet Infection Isolation

Airborne/droplet infection is caused by infected agents in the air around a person. Microbial pathogenic agents that are mainly transmitted airborne are aerosols, re-aerosols, microbe-carrying particles, huge amounts of bacteria-carrying airborne skin cells, dust, droplets and droplet nuclei. At the same time, there is always a contact transmission from contaminated environment, equipment, textiles and waste. Droplet nuclei are small evaporated droplet residues (<5 μm) produced by coughing, sneezing, shouting, singing and speaking very distinct—especially the consonants. Droplet nuclei remain for many hours in the air and may be carried by normal air currents in long distances outside the room. Therefore, “droplet isolation and droplet precaution” is included in the airborne isolation regime. The source of infection is usually a patient but may also be a healthy carrier. The patient should be placed in isolate dedicated for airborne infections.
FREE ENERGY MODEL OF HIGH TEMPERATURE TRANSITION IN Ti2O3 AND V2O3

A free energy model is presented, which describes qualitatively the insulator-metal transition in Ti 2 O 3 and the high temperature transition in V 2 O 3 . The free energy description includes band electron entropy, and elastic and electron-electron energies. The transition in both cases is due to band-crossing effects, driven mainly by competition between electron-electron energy and band electron entropy. The model gives a good qualitative description of the transition in Ti 2 O 3 , and changes produced by addition of a few percent vanadium. Application to V 2 O 3 gives a good qualitative description of the high temperature transition from metal to a poorer conductivity metal, and a qualitative description of the changes produced by a few percent of chromium.
Seed germination ecology of Polymnia canadensis (Asteraceae), a monocarpic species of the North American temperate deciduous forest.

The seed germination of Polymnia canadensis was studied in relation to its wide variation in life history and its ecology as a mostly facultative biennial, a life cycle type that is rare in stable forest habitats in eastern North America. The seed dormancy and germination characteristics of P. canadensis were like some other herbaceous woodland species of diverse life cycle types. That is, its seeds have physiological dormancy, and they (1) germinated to higher percentages after cold stratification, (2) germinated better in light than in darkness and (3) formed a persistent soil seed bank. Since its seed dormancy and germination characteristics are not uncommon and are not particularly associated with any one life cycle type in woodlands, those properties do not contribute to the rarity of its life cycle type in deciduous forests. These properties are also found in many facultative biennials of open, disturbed habitats and in other Asteraceae of various life cycle types. In addition, the germination phenology of P. canadensis differed between mesic and dry field sites in central Kentucky. At the dry sites, most of the yearly germination occurred in fall, while at the mesic sites most germination occurred in the spring due to being inhibited during fall. A reciprocal seed transplant experiment conducted in two different years demonstrated that the cause of this difference was environmental and that there was no source x site interaction; i.e., no difference between sources in phenotypic plasticity for germination phenology. Absence of genetic effects was also shown by no consistent pattern in the few differences between seed sources in seed incubation laboratory experiments and in a germination phenology experiment in glasshouse flats. Exposure of seeds to a high ratio of far-red/red light prior to or during incubation did not inhibit germination. Neither did changes in leaf litter thickness qualitatively alter germination phenology in field quadrats or in glasshouse flats. Thus, germination in fall at mesic sites was inhibited by other unknown factor(s), perhaps interacting with the effects of closed tree canopy and/or thick leaf litter.
Dynamics of Unemployment and Home Price Shocks on Mortgage Default Rates

This paper uses a Structural Vector Autoregression (SVAR) model to study the dynamics of the impact of unemployment and home price index shocks on mortgage default rates from 1979 to 2000 and from 2001 to 2010. We first fit the model to the 1979 to 2000 sample and forecast the changes in the national and regional mortgage default rates from 2001 to 2010. The model did a good job in forecasting the actual changes in the mortgage default rates from 2001 to 2007; however, it failed during 2008 to 2010. The results for the 1979 to 2000 and 2001 to 2010 periods indicate that the dynamic response of the mortgage default rate to unemployment and home price index shocks changed at the national, regional and state levels after 2000. Unemployment and home price shocks seem to have become more important during the 2001 to 2010 period. The two shocks are responsible on average for about 60% of the movement in the regional mortgage default rates during this period. Except for the Pacific region, California and Florida, most of the variations in the mortgage default rates at the national, regional and state levels are explained by the unemployment shocks. The post 2000 results could be attributed to the increase in the number of mortgage loan borrowers who were more susceptible to unemployment and negative home price shocks.
Revision of the Laparoscopic Gastric Band

The popularity of the laparoscopic adjustable gastric band (LAGB) has seen a significant decline over the past decade. Reasons for this can be appreciated by understanding the two general indications for its removal: failure to maintain adequate long-term weight loss and serious complications due to the band itself. The efficacy of the LAGB in maintaining adequate long-term weight loss has been both refuted and supported. Though some have argued for the band to be a potentially effective weight loss tool, it became increasingly clear that the band was being placed at the expense of significant morbidity, with some cohorts demonstrating complication rates as high as 40–50%. Common complications include port- or catheter-related problems, band leakage, band infection, gastroesophageal reflux disease, and esophagitis. The most concerning complications include gastric pouch dilation, band slippage, and band erosion. As a consequence of its morbidity, surgeons have been forced to become adept at the explantation of these bands, with both minimally invasive and endoscopic techniques having been tried, described, implemented, and popularized. As the band creates a particularly challenging operative field, secondary to gastric and perigastric inflammation and fibrosis, the safety of one-stage versus two-stage revisional procedures have been debated. Regardless, after band removal, standard options for revisional surgery include conversion to either revisional laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass or revisional laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy. As with many clinical situations, an experienced surgeon in conjunction with a patient-tailored treatment plan should maximize the chances of performing a successful revision of the laparoscopic gastric band.
BI GIS Competition Brings DSS to AITP NCC.

A national student competition problem in business intelligence (BI) is considered to foster an understanding of this competition and of the underlying case study problem used. The focus here is two-fold. First, is to illustrate this competition, and second, is to provide a case problem that can be considered for use in various information systems courses. This case problem utilizes a commercially available, hosted software application that includes a rich econometric data set. The data are accessed using spatial queries and produce more than four dozen views of the data through predefined reports. Once the queries occur, the data can be analyzed further with other BI tools that include Microsoft Excel. The case problem requires this analysis of external business data to furnish information for business decision making. This NCC competition and its case problem approach have been successful for the past four years. Clearly, the experience of this competition can be applied to case-based, experiential learning in information system courses that include a BI component. This usage of the competition problem has been found to work well in several of these courses and should be considered by others for similar courses.
Immune checkpoint inhibitors: a narrative review of considerations for the anaesthesiologist

Summary Immunotherapy has revolutionised the treatment of oncologic malignancies. Immune checkpoint inhibitors represent a new class of immunotherapy drugs. Although these drugs show promise, they are associated with immune-related adverse reactions. An increasing number of patients who undergo surgery will have had treatment with immune checkpoint inhibitors. In this narrative review article, we discuss their mechanism of action, therapeutic effects, pertinent toxicities, and address specific perioperative considerations for patients treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors.
Management of Patient with Myasthenia Gravis

A 34-year-old woman with myasthenia gravis diagnosed 2 years ago is scheduled for an elective hysterectomy. She is currently on pyridostigmine 60 mg TID. Her vitals are normal for her age. Preoperative hematocrit is 30 g%. You are in pre-anesthesia clinic. Discuss the etiology, clinical features, and diagnostic tests for myasthenia gravis and its differential diagnosis? (Table 24.1)
Misdiagnosis of Small Cell Prostate Cancer: Lessons Learned

Small cell carcinoma (SCC) of the prostate is rare in the spectrum of prostate tumors. Clinically, prostate SCC is more aggressive and has a poorer prognosis when compared to prostate acinar adenocarcinoma. Delay in diagnosis and misdiagnosis further worsens the outcome of this disease. Here we present a 68-year-old man whose prostate SCC was initially misdiagnosed with benign prostate hypertrophy (BPH) by his primary care physician (PCP) and urologist and small cell lung cancer by his first oncologist and pathologist. This case underscores the diagnostic conundrum of prostate SCC and the importance of exercising caution against the possibility of uncommon prostate cancer misdiagnosis in clinical practice.
Antenatal Hypoxia Accelerates the Onset of Alzheimer’s Disease Pathology in 5xFAD Mouse Model

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a chronic neurodegenerative disorder associated with cognitive impairment and later dementia among the elderly. Mounting evidence shows that adverse maternal environments during the fetal development increase the risk of diseases later in life including neurological disorders, and suggests an early origin in the development of AD-related dementia (ADRD) in utero. In the present study, we investigated the impact of antenatal hypoxia and fetal stress on the initiation of AD-related pathology in offspring of 5xFAD mice. We showed that fetal hypoxia significantly reduced brain and body weight in the fetal and the early postnatal period, which recovered in young adult mice. Using spontaneous Y-maze, novel object recognition (NOR), and open field (OF) tasks, we found that antenatal hypoxia exacerbated cognitive decline in offspring of 5xFAD compared with normoxia control. Of interest, fetal hypoxia did not alter intraneuronal soluble amyloid-β (Aβ) oligomer accumulation in the cortex and hippocampus in 5xFAD mouse offspring, indicating that antenatal hypoxia increased the vulnerability of the brain to synaptotoxic Aβ in the disease onset later in life. Consistent with the early occurrence of cognitive decline, we found synapse loss but not neuronal death in the cerebral cortex in 5xFAD but not wild-type (WT) offspring exposed to antenatal hypoxia. Furthermore, we also demonstrated that antenatal hypoxia significantly increased microglial number and activation, and reactive astrogliosis in the cerebral cortex in WT offspring. Moreover, antenatal hypoxia resulted in an exacerbated increase of microgliosis and astrogliosis in the early stage of AD in 5xFAD offspring. Together, our study reveals a causative link between fetal stress and the accelerated onset of AD-related pathology, and provides mechanistic insights into the developmental origin of aging-related neurodegenerative disorders.
Perioperative FOLFOX in management of peritoneal metastases of colorectal cancer. Case report of 2 patients.

Abstract Introduction Colorectal cancer can disseminate malignant cells to the peritoneal surfaces which over time progress to peritoneal metastases. Management of this type of metastatic disease has been approached using a combined treatment that consists of cytoreductive surgery and perioperative chemotherapy. To optimize these treatments a more effective chemotherapy that is used as planned part of the surgical procedure is required. Presentation of cases Pharmacologic studies to initiate a new perioperative chemotherapy treatment were modeled after the successful systemic treatments of metastatic colorectal cancer referred to as FOLFOX. A management plan that included all of the essential features of successful systemic chemotherapy was formulated. Pharmacokinetic studies of 5-fluorouracil given both intravenously and intraperitoneally and oxaliplatin given intraperitoneally were investigated. Discussion The compatibility of 5-fluorouracil and oxaliplatin was documented showing no degradation of either drug when they were mixed in-vitro over 24 h. The pharmacokinetic analysis of hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) with oxaliplatin showed cytotoxic concentrations for 120 min. In order to maximize oxaliplatin’s effect, both intravenous bolus and continuous infusion 5-fluorouracil was combined with early postoperative intraperitoneal chemotherapy (EPIC). In total, 200 mg/m2 of oxaliplatin was combined with a minimum of 1600 mg of 5-fluorouracil over the 24 -h treatment plan. Conclusion This perioperative FOLFOX treatment was completed in 2 patients and the clinical effectiveness as a result of this in-depth case reports was presented. Formal phase II studies, as a result of these pharmacokinetic and clinical investigations, have been initiated.
Single cell transcriptomics reveals lineage trajectory of the retinal ganglion cells in wild-type and Atoh7-null retinas

Abstract Past studies concluded that Atoh7 is critical for the emergence of the retinal ganglion cell (RGC) lineage in the developing retina, whereas Pou4f2 and Isl1 function in RGC differentiation. Atoh7 is expressed in a subset of retinal progenitor cells (RPCs) and is considered a competence factor for the RGC fate, but the molecular properties of these RPCs have not been well characterized. In this study, we first used conventional RNA-seq to investigate transcriptomic changes in Atoh7-, Pou4f2-, and Isl1-null retinas at embryonic (E) day 14.5 and identified the differentially expressed genes (DEGs), which expanded our understanding of the scope of downstream events. We then performed single cell RNA-seq (scRNA-seq) on E13.5 and E17.5 wild-type and Atoh7-null retinal cells. Clustering analysis not only correctly identified known cell types at these developmental stages but also revealed a transitional cell state which was marked by Atoh7 and genes for other lineages in a highly overlapping fashion and shared by all early developmental trajectories. Further, analysis of the Atoh7-null retina revealed that, unlike previously believed, the RGC lineage still progressed considerably and a substantial amount of RGC-specific gene expression still occurred. Thus, Atoh7 likely collaborates with other factors to shepherd the transitional RPCs to the RGC lineage by competing with other lineage factors and activating RGC-specific genes. This study thus provides significant insights into the nature of RPC competence for different retinal cell fates and revises our current view on the emergence of the RGC lineage.
Length of Stay Beyond Medical Readiness in a Neurosurgical Patient Population and Associated Healthcare Costs.

BACKGROUND Length of stay beyond medical readiness (LOS-BMR) leads to increased expenses and higher morbidity related to hospital-acquired conditions. OBJECTIVE To determine the proportion of admitted neurosurgical patients who have LOS-BMR and associated risk factors and costs. METHODS We performed a prospective, cohort analysis of all neurosurgical patients admitted to our institution over 5 mo. LOS-BMR was assessed daily by the attending neurosurgeon and neuro-intensivist with a standardized criterion. Univariate and multivariate logistic regressions were performed. RESULTS Of the 884 patients admitted, 229 (25.9%) had a LOS-BMR. The average LOS-BMR was 2.7 ± 3.1 d at an average daily cost of $9 148.28 ± $12 983.10, which resulted in a total cost of $2 076 659.32 over the 5-mo period. Patients with LOS-BMR were significantly more likely to be older and to have hemiplegia, dementia, liver disease, renal disease, and diabetes mellitus. Patients with a LOS-BMR were significantly more likely to be discharged to a subacute rehabilitation/skilled nursing facility (40.2% vs 4.1%) or an acute/inpatient rehabilitation facility (22.7% vs 1.7%, P < .0001). Patients with Medicare insurance were more likely to have a LOS-BMR, whereas patients with private insurance were less likely (P = .048). CONCLUSION The most common reason for LOS-BMR was inefficient discharge of patients to rehabilitation and nursing facilities secondary to unavailability of beds at discharge locations, insurance clearance delays, and family-related issues.
The expert executive: Using AI and expert systems for financial management, marketing, production, and strategy

Introduction and Some Definitions AI and Expert Systems in the Executive Suite are for Real Expert Systems and the Executive How Expert Systems Tackle Problems Representations and Business Issues in Expert Systems Functional Applications AI and Expert Systems at the Top Expert Systems for Production Management Intelligent Marketing and Distributions: Reaching for the Future Intelligent Integrated Financial Systems The Intelligent Expert Executive Questions Top Executives Ask About Expert Systems.
Material standards and reference materials for disease biomarkers: Needs assessment and development

The concept of assay controls is so familiar, most clinical and research scientists give it no second thought. Controls account for assay variability beyond the dependent variable under study. Controls are widely used in every experiment and clinical assay daily, and are part of standard laboratory protocol for each individual clinical laboratory and research group. Reference materials are a means to harmonize the results of measurements among multiple laboratories. These can be informally implemented by collaborating laboratories, or developed more formally by professional organizations and, in some cases, by state and federal agencies. For clinical chemistry and biomedical applications, reference materials (RMs) or certified reference materials (CRMs) may take the form of neat materials of assessed purity, or solutions of analytes. These are typically used for calibration purposes. Many are in the form of matrix materials with assigned values of various analytes of interest. Matrix materials are commonly used to validate that a measurement process provides results that are fit for a defined purpose, or to verify that a measurement process is performing as required. A Standard Reference Material (SRM) is a CRM issued by NIST that meets additional criteria as established by the United States National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) [1]. As SRMs are precious commodities, they typically are not intended for routine clinical or experimental applications as controls. Intended use descriptions often accompany supporting documentation of such standards. NIST’s role in early cancer biomarker evaluation is outlined [2]. As part of continued NIST commitment to healthcare [3], recent NIST workshops have addressed standards and technology in areas such as nanotechnology and early cancer detection [4], HER2 testing of breast cancer [5], gene expression [6] and serum proteomics for early cancer detection [7]. Standards arise in response to clinical needs. In some cases, professional groups or laboratory associations initiate the process. Working in partnership with the standards user communities, NIST serves the national measurements community and has the specific federally mandated responsibility to meet high-priority reference material needs. Various phases of this needs assessment and reference development process in the molecular diagnostics and cancer biomarkers community, and at NIST, are illustrated by the papers in this issue of Disease Markers. Michaud and Winn-Deen address the molecular diagnostic standards needs and issues in the US. Food and Drug Agency (FDA) and in the private sector biotechnology community, respectively. Amos details some pressing recent issues in measurement of autoantibodies that will be discussed in an upcoming USMS Autoantibody Workshop at NIST on February 21–22, 2006. Finally, two papers report on standards devel-