cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Short-term variablility of respiration and sleep during unattended nonlaboratory polysomnogaphy - The sleep heart health study

Study Objectives: To determine the short-term variability of indices of disturbed respiration and sleep during 2 nights of unattended nonlaboratory polysomnography conducted several months apart. Design: Participants were randomly selected using a block design with stratification on preliminary estimates of 2 criteria: respiratory disturbance index [RDI 3% (apnea or hypopnea events associated with > 3% O 2 desaturation): 85%). The RDI and sleep data from initial and repeated polysomnography were compared. Setting: NA Participants: A subset of 99 participants in the Sleep Heart Health Study who agreed to have a repeat polysomnogram within 4 months of their original study. Interventions: NA Measurements and Results: Acceptable repeat polysomnograms were obtained in 91 subjects (mean study interval: 77 ± 18 {sd} days; range: 31-112 days). There was no significant bias in RDI between study nights using several different RDI definitions including RDI 3% and RDI 4% (apnea or hypopnea events associated with ≥4% O 2 desaturation). Variability between studies estimated using intraclass correlations (ICC) ranged from 0.77 to 0.81. For subjects with a RDI 3% <15, variability increased as a function of increasing RDI, but for those with a RDI 3% ≥15, variability was constant. Body mass index, SEff, gender, or age did not directly predict RDI variability. Using RDI 4% cutpoints of ≤5, ≤10 and ≤15 events per hour of sleep demonstrated that 79.1%, 85.7%, and 87.9% of subjects, respectively, had the same classification of SDB status on both nights of study. There also was no significant bias in sleep staging, sleep efficiency, or arousal index between studies. However, variability was greater with ICC values ranging from 0.37 (% time in REM) to 0.76 (arousal index). Conclusion: In the Sleep Heart Health Study, accurate estimates of the severity of sleep-disordered breathing and the quality of sleep were obtained from a single night of unattended nonlaboratory polysomnography. These findings may be applicable to other large epidemiologic studies provided that similar recording techniques and quality-assurance procedures are followed.
Reliability-based progressive collapse analysis of highway bridges

Abstract Structural systems optimized to meet member design criteria as specified in current design standards and specifications may not provide sufficient levels of robustness to withstand a possible local failure following an unforeseen extreme event. In fact, the failure of one structural element may result in the failure of another creating a chain reaction that might progress throughout the entire structure or a major portion of it leading to catastrophic collapse. To reduce the chances of such collapses, the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) established a set of procedures and criteria to evaluate the robustness of buildings using traditional deterministic methods. Although widely accepted and used for the progressive collapse analysis of buildings, the GSA criteria may not be suitable for bridges because of the differences in their structural configurations and in the nature and intensity of their permanent and transient loads. Furthermore, it is not clear how the existing criteria take into consideration the large uncertainties associated with estimating the applied loads and the capacity of structural systems to resist collapse following the initiation of a local failure. Because performing direct probabilistic analyses may be impractical for routine engineering practice, following current code calibration processes, design guidelines and standards can specify incremental progressive collapse analysis criteria that are calibrated based on structural reliability concepts to ensure consistent levels of safety for the pertinent range of applications, load levels and structural types and configurations. The objective of this paper is to describe a methodology for performing probabilistic progressive collapse analyses and calibrating incremental analysis criteria for highway bridges accounting for the uncertainties in the applied loads and the load carrying capacities of the members as well as the system. The reliability analysis methodology is illustrated using models of a steel box girder bridge and a steel truss bridge subjected to different initial damage scenarios. The paper outlines how the results from several reliability analyses can be implemented to develop criteria that would lead to consistent levels of safety and reliability. Such criteria can, in the future, be used to propose progressive collapse analysis guidelines for bridges that are compatible with the principles of Load and Resistance Factor Design (LRFD) methods.
Earth observing system (EOS)

The Earth Observing System (EOS) is the centerpiece of a comprehensive global change research program planned by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) in the late 90s. As a part of this program, NASA is launching two series of polar platforms EOS A beginning 1997, and EOS B in 1999. The objective of this program is to make synergistic measurements of key environmental parameters of the Earth from a variety of sensors over a period of 15-25 years in order to understand and predict environmental changes.
A Cdc48 “Retrochaperone” Function Is Required for the Solubility of Retrotranslocated, Integral Membrane Endoplasmic Reticulum-associated Degradation (ERAD-M) Substrates

A surprising feature of endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-associated degradation (ERAD) is the movement, or retrotranslocation, of ubiquitinated substrates from the ER lumen or membrane to the cytosol where they are degraded by the 26S proteasome. Multispanning ER membrane proteins, called ERAD-M substrates, are retrotranslocated to the cytosol as full-length intermediates during ERAD, and we have investigated how they maintain substrate solubility. Using an in vivo assay, we show that retrotranslocated ERAD-M substrates are moved to the cytoplasm as part of the normal ERAD pathway, where they are part of a solely proteinaceous complex. Using proteomics and direct biochemical confirmation, we found that Cdc48 serves as a critical "retrochaperone" for these ERAD-M substrates. Cdc48 binding to retrotranslocated, ubiquitinated ERAD-M substrates is required for their solubility; removal of the polyubiquitin chains or competition for binding by addition of free polyubiquitin liberated Cdc48 from retrotranslocated proteins and rendered them insoluble. All components of the canonical Cdc48 complex Cdc48-Npl4-Ufd1 were present in solubilized ERAD-M substrates. This function of the complex was observed for both HRD and DOA pathway substrates. Thus, in addition to the long known ATP-dependent extraction of ERAD substrates during retrotranslocation, the Cdc48 complex is generally and critically needed for the solubility of retrotranslocated ERAD-M intermediates.
Inpatients' Preferences, Beliefs, and Stated Willingness to Pay for Complementary and Alternative Medicine Treatments.

Abstract Objectives: Research demonstrates the benefits of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) in myriad environments. Yet, the majority of CAM services are offered in outpatient settings. Incorporating CAM into hospital settings may lead to increased patient comfort, well-being, and overall satisfaction with hospital admissions. Few studies have examined CAM services among inpatients. Therefore, this study assessed inpatients' preferences and beliefs regarding CAM, as well as their stated willingness to pay for these services. Design: Adult patients (n = 100), ranging in age from 19–95 years (M = 53 years; SD = 19.2 years), were recruited during their hospitalization in the University of California, San Diego, Healthcare System. The inpatients completed a brief individual interview to gather their perspectives on common CAM services, including acupuncture, aromatherapy, art therapy, guided imagery, healthy food, humor therapy, massage therapy, music therapy, pet therapy, Reiki, and stress manage...
Elevated systolic blood pressure of children in the United States is associated with low serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations related to body mass index: National Health and Examination Survey 2007-2010 ☆

A negative association between serum 25-hydroxyvitamn D (25[OH]D) concentrations and blood pressure has been found in adults; whether a similar relationship exists in children remains unclear. We hypothesized that serum 25(OH)D concentrations of children would negatively correlate with blood pressure. Using a nationally representative sample of children aged 8 to 18years from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2007-2010 (n=2908), we compared serum 25(OH)D levels with diastolic and systolic blood pressure by vitamin D nutritional status categories. A high percentage of children were either vitamin D deficient (28.8%) or vitamin D insufficient (48.8%). Prehypertension was defined as blood pressure as ≥90th to <95th percentile and hypertension as ≥95th percentile by age, height, and sex national blood pressure percentile norms for children. Vitamin D-deficient children aged 8 to 13years had higher systolic blood pressure (104.8±0.7mm Hg) than did vitamin D-sufficient children (102.3±0.6mmHg; P<.05). Controlling for age, sex, race/ethnicity, and income, systolic blood pressure was inversely associated with serum 25(OH)D concentrations (P<.03), but not when also controlling for body mass index (P=.63). A higher percentage of vitamin D-deficient and vitamin D-insufficient children (1.7%) vs vitamin D-sufficient children (0.6%) had prehypertension or hypertension. In conclusion, the association of low serum 25(OH)D concentrations with elevated systolic blood pressure in children is likely related to body weight and markers of adiposity.
The Information Content of the Book-to-Market Ratio

This article explores whether the correlation between risk and the market value of equity can explain the premium obtained by investment strategies based on the ratio of book value to market value of equity (BV/MV). Using data from the Japanese stock market, I show that the relationship between BV/MV and risk is weak. I find that two factors contribute to this result. First, market value correlates not only with risk but also with variables measuring liquidity and past performance. Second, book value of equity has a strong correlation with financial risk. Overall evidence suggests that the high correlation between book value and risk reduces the role of market value as a risk proxy and makes other information contained in market value appear to be the main source of the BV/MV premium.
Stereotactic body radiotherapy for locally-advanced unresectable pancreatic cancer—patterns of care and overall survival

Background Unresectable pancreatic cancer remains a challenging disease to treat. Stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) allows for a higher biologically equivalent dose in an abbreviated course more convenient for patients and the integration of systemic therapy. We sought to investigate utilization trends and survival outcomes for patients treated with pancreatic SBRT versus conventionally fractionated radiotherapy (CFRT). Methods We engaged the National Cancer Database (NCDB) from 1998-2012 and identified locally-advanced unresectable patients with histologically confirmed, non-metastatic, pancreatic adenocarcinoma who received radiotherapy. Patients who received CFRT (1.5-4.0 Gy per fraction to a dose of ≥45 Gy, n=11,879) were compared to those who received SBRT (6-15 Gy per fraction to a dose of ≥20 Gy, n=474). Results Median follow-up was 11.0 months (18.4 months for survivors). SBRT utilization increased from 0.2% to 7.4% from 1998 to 2012 (P<0.05). On multivariable analysis, factors predictive for preferential utilization of SBRT over CFRT were later year of diagnosis, age ≥75 years, increased facility volume, and no chemotherapy in the initial treatment plan. Unadjusted median survival was 11.2 months for CFRT vs. 12.6 months for SBRT (P=0.002). Results were consistent in the propensity matched model. Variables predictive for improved survival on multivariable analysis were diagnosis after 2010, younger age, lower comorbidity score, tumor size <3 cm, nodal stage zero, and receipt of chemotherapy (P<0.05). Conclusions SBRT utilization has increased significantly and is associated with a small absolute improvement in overall survival (OS) compared to CFRT. The decreased treatment time, without apparent compromise in survival, makes SBRT an attractive option for patients with unresectable pancreatic cancer warranting further research.
The Rise of Populist Nationalism and the Renegotiation of NAFTA

Countries that have traditionally led the way in promoting economic globalization and its institutions have seen a recent surge of populism and nationalism, calling into question the liberal international economic order. The rhetoric of these critics is often vague, however, and it is unclear what a populist or nationalist approach to international economic policy would look like. The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) renegotiation initiated by the Trump administration could give us the first clues. Will their proposals destroy the trading system as we know it, or merely tweak it? This article examines these issues by discussing the concepts of nationalism and sovereignty, and then viewing the Trump administrationâ€™s specific NAFTA proposals through those lenses.
Multimodality imaging and clinicopathologic assessment of abdominal wall endometriosis: knocking down the enigma.

To review the clinical, multimodality imaging, and pathologic characteristics of abdominal wall endometriosis (AWE), the most common type of extra-pelvic endometriosis. 116 women with histopathologically confirmed extragenital endometriosis diagnosed between 2/2014 and 6/2017 were evaluated retrospectively. Of these, 26 (22.4%) were found to have AWE and 18/26 met inclusion criteria for imaging. Available imaging studies were re-reviewed by two expert radiologists. Data regarding clinical features, histopathologic findings, and management were collected through medical record review. 21 pathology-proven AWE deposits were identified by imaging in 18 women [mean age at diagnosis of 38.5 years (range 31–48)]. Prior C-section was present in 15/18 (83.3%) and pelvic endometriosis in 3/18 (16.7%) patients. Patients presented with abdominal pain in 14/18 (77.8%) cases, which was cyclical in 8/14; palpable mass in 12/18 (66.7%); fluid discharge in 2/18 (11.1%); and local skin discoloration in 2/18 (11.1%). Of the 21 lesions, 15 were evaluated with US, 10 with CT, and 5 with MRI. Mean lesion dimensions were 2.5 × 2.2 × 2.6 cm, and deposits were predominantly located at midline or left hemiabdomen [22/30 (73.3%)], were either stellate [15/30 (50%)] or round [15/30 (50%)] in shape, had ill-defined margins [21/30 (70%)], were heterogenous in appearance [27/30 (90%)], and involved both deep and superficial abdominal wall layers [17/30 (56.7%)]. On US, lesions were mainly isoechoic/hyperechoic [7/15 (46.7%)], and scarcely vascular [8/15 (53.3%)] with a peripheral vascular pattern [8/13 (61.5%)]. On CT, AWEs were hypervascular and homogeneous [8/10 (80%)], superiorly located to scar tissue, and on MRI lesions appeared hyperintense [4/5 (80%)] to muscle with T2 cystic and T1 hemorrhagic foci [4/5 (80%)]. In 23/27 (85.1%) original reports, there was at least one known mass prior to imaging; AWE was correctly diagnosed in only 7/23 (30.4%) cases. In those with no prior knowledge of a mass, the lesion was detected in 3/4 (75%), but AWE was only diagnosed in a single case. Median time between onset of symptoms and histopathology was 24.41 moths (IQR 15.18–47.33). AWE is a challenging clinical entity frequently diagnosed with a significant delay and easily misinterpreted despite multimodality imaging. Familiarity with its radiologic features holds the potential for positively impacting diagnosis.
Characterizing Uncertain Sea Level Rise Projections to Support Investment Decisions

Many institutions worldwide are considering how to include uncertainty about future changes in sea-levels and storm surges into their investment decisions regarding large capital infrastructures. Here we examine how to characterize deeply uncertain climate change projections to support such decisions using Robust Decision Making analysis. We address questions regarding how to confront the potential for future changes in low probability but large impact flooding events due to changes in sea-levels and storm surges. Such extreme events can affect investments in infrastructure but have proved difficult to consider in such decisions because of the deep uncertainty surrounding them. This study utilizes Robust Decision Making methods to address two questions applied to investment decisions at the Port of Los Angeles: (1) Under what future conditions would a Port of Los Angeles decision to harden its facilities against extreme flood scenarios at the next upgrade pass a cost-benefit test, and (2) Do sea-level rise projections and other information suggest such conditions are sufficiently likely to justify such an investment? We also compare and contrast the Robust Decision Making methods with a full probabilistic analysis. These two analysis frameworks result in similar investment recommendations for different idealized future sea-level projections, but provide different information to decision makers and envision different types of engagement with stakeholders. In particular, the full probabilistic analysis begins by aggregating the best scientific information into a single set of joint probability distributions, while the Robust Decision Making analysis identifies scenarios where a decision to invest in near-term response to extreme sea-level rise passes a cost-benefit test, and then assembles scientific information of differing levels of confidence to help decision makers judge whether or not these scenarios are sufficiently likely to justify making such investments. Results highlight the highly-localized and context dependent nature of applying Robust Decision Making methods to inform investment decisions.
Flow Properties of Blood under Low Shear Rate

The determination of the flow properties of blood was carried out over a range of shear rates (3 × 10−3 to 3 × 103 sec.−1) using a Weissenberg Rheogoniometer. The hematocrit of the samples ranged from 39 percent to 63 percent. Plots of viscosity as a function of shear rate on log-log scale clearly demonstrated the non-Newtonian behavior of blood, a higher hematocrit resulting in an upward displacement of the curve. For a normal value of hematocrit (H ≈ 45%), the log viscosity versus log shear rate curve consists of three regions, a representation supported by the theory that blood consists of aggregates of blood cells whose size is related to the applied shear. At low values of shear rate (σ 103), blood behaves as a Newtonian fluid, due to the fact that the aggregates are destroyed and the blood cells behave as individuals.
The Language Organ: Linguistics as Cognitive Physiology

Introduction 1. Studying the human language faculty 2. Language as a mental organ 3. Syntax 4. Sound patterns to language 5. Describing linguistic knowledge 6. Phonetics and the I-linguistics of speech 7. Morphology 8. Language change 9. 'Growing' a language 10. The organic basis of language.
Nonlinear Bloch waves and balance between hardening and softening dispersion

The introduction of nonlinearity alters the dispersion of elastic waves in solid media. In this paper, we present an analytical formulation for the treatment of finite-strain Bloch waves in one-dimensional phononic crystals consisting of layers with alternating material properties. Considering longitudinal waves and ignoring lateral effects, the exact nonlinear dispersion relation in each homogeneous layer is first obtained and subsequently used within the transfer matrix method to derive an approximate nonlinear dispersion relation for the overall periodic medium. The result is an amplitude-dependent elastic band structure that upon verification by numerical simulations is accurate for up to an amplitude-to-unit-cell length ratio of one-eighth. The derived dispersion relation allows us to interpret the formation of spatial invariance in the wave profile as a balance between hardening and softening effects in the dispersion that emerge due to the nonlinearity and the periodicity, respectively. For example, for a wave amplitude of the order of one-eighth of the unit-cell size in a demonstrative structure, the two effects are practically in balance for wavelengths as small as roughly three times the unit-cell size.
Revisiting the Apollo photogrammetric mapping system

Abstract. The integrated photogrammetric mapping system flown on the last three Apollo lunar missions (AS15, AS16, and AS17) in 1971 and 1972 incorporated a Metric (mapping) Camera, a high-resolution Panoramic Camera, and a star camera and laser altimeter. The U.S. Geological Survey’s Astrogeology Science Center, the Intelligent Robotics Group of the NASA Ames Research Center, and Arizona State University are working together in an ongoing collaboration to achieve the most complete cartographic development of Apollo mapping system data into versatile digital map products. These will enable a variety of scientific/engineering uses of the data including mission planning, geologic mapping, geophysical process modelling, slope dependent correction of spectral data, and change detection. After a brief discussion of the origins of the mapping system, we describe the Metric and Panoramic cameras, processing of the associated image and support data, work to photogrammetrically control the Metric Camera images, and future plans.
Intestinal Failure and Indications for Visceral Transplantation

Intestinal failure stems from the inability of the gut to absorb necessary macronutrients, micronutrients, and fluid required to maintain health and growth, leading to the need for parenteral nutrition (PN). PN is associated with several important complications, including catheter-related bloodstream infections (CRBSI), IF-associated liver disease (IFALD), metabolic bone disease, and impaired quality of life. After resection or loss of bowel, it is possible to achieve clinical nutritional autonomy via the natural process of intestinal adaptation and with the program of intestinal rehabilitation. If this does not succeed or not acceptable or if there are PN-associated complications, intestinal transplantation can improve patients’ quality of life.
FK506 Induces Ligand-Independent Activation of the Bone Morphogenetic Protein Pathway and Osteogenesis

Osteoinductive bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs), including BMP-2, have a unique capability of mediating bone formation both in orthotopic and ectopic locations. Immunosuppresive macrolides have been shown to potentiate BMP-2 activity through FKBP12, but these have yet to translate to effective osteoinductive therapies. Herein, we show the osteogenic activity of FK506 as a stand-alone agent in direct comparison to BMP-2 both in vitro and in vivo. FK506 was capable of producing stand-alone alkaline phosphatase induction in C2C12 cells comparable to that seen with rhBMP-2. FK506 treatment activated the BMP receptor, as shown by increased pSmad1/5 levels, and produced significantly higher mRNA levels of the early response genes in BMP and TGF-β pathways. Additionally, the FK506 induction of alkaline phosphatase was shown to be resistant to Noggin treatment. In vivo osteogenic activity of FK506 was tested by local delivery on a collagen sponge in an ectopic subcutaneous implantation model in the rat. Dose responses of FK506 showed increasing levels of ectopic mineralization comparable to the mineral volume produced by BMP-2 delivery. These findings suggest that the use of FK506 can enhance osteoblastic differentiation in vitro and can induce mineralization when delivered locally in vivo.
MODIFYING MIDSOLE STIFFNESS of BASKETBALL FOOTWEAR AFFECTS FOOT and ANKLE BIOMECHANICS

Background There is a growing incidence of foot injuries in basketball, which may be from the sport's repetitive, forceful multi-directional demands. Modifying midsole stiffness of the basketball shoe has been reported to alter ankle motion and plantar forces to reduce the risk of injury; however, the effects on anatomical, in-shoe foot (metatarsal), motion is not well understood. Purpose The purpose of this study was to identify differences in foot and ankle biomechanics between basketball shoes with differing midsole stiffness values during single-leg jump landings. It was hypothesized that a stiffer midsole would elicit lower 1st metatarsophalangeal joint (MTPJ) dorsiflexion angles, higher ankle dorsiflexion angles, and higher plantar forces and relative loading in the distal foot. Study design Experimental cross-sectional study. Methods Twenty high school and collegiate-aged basketball players performed a single-leg side drop jump and a single-leg cross drop jump in a pair of standard basketball shoes and a pair of shoes modified with a fiberglass plate to increase midsole stiffness. Three-dimensional motion analysis and flexible insoles quantified foot and ankle kinematics and plantar force distribution, respectively. Separate 2 (footwear) × 2 (task) repeated measures ANOVA models were used to analyze differences in 1) ankle kinematics, 2) 1st metatarsophalangeal kinematics, 3) maximal regional plantar forces, and 4) relative load. Results The stiffer shoe elicited decreased peak ankle plantarflexion (mean difference = 5.8 °, p = 0.01) and eversion (mean difference = 6.6 °, p = 0.03) and increased peak ankle dorsiflexion angles (mean difference = 5.0 °, p = 0.008) but no differences were observed in 1st MTPJ motion (p > 0.05). The stiffer shoe also resulted in lower peak plantar forces (mean difference = 24.2N, p = 0.004) and relative load (mean difference = 1.9%, p = 0.001) under the lesser toes. Conclusions Altering the midsole stiffness in basketball shoes did not reduce motion at the MTPJ, indicating that added stiffness may reduce shoe motion, but does not reduce in-shoe anatomical motion. Instead, a stiffer midsole elicits other changes, including additional ankle joint motion and a reduction in plantar forces under the lesser toes. Collectively, this indicates that clinicians need to account for unintended compensations that can occur throughout the kinetic chain when altering a shoe property to alleviate a musculoskeletal injury. Level of evidence 2b.
Uncovering dynamic stock return correlations with multilayer network analysis

We apply recent innovations in network science to analyze how correlations of stock returns evolve over time. To illustrate these techniques we study the returns of 30 industry stock portfolios from 1927 to 2014. We calculate Pearson correlation matrices for each year, and apply multilayer network tools to these correlation matrices to uncover mesoscale architecture in the form of communities. These communities are easily interpretable as groups of industries with highly correlated stock returns. We observe that the flexibility, or the likelihood of industries to switch communities, exhibits a statistically significant increase after 1970, and that the communities evolve in ways consistent with changes in the structure of the U.S. economy. We find that these patterns are not explained by changes in average pairwise correlations or industry market betas. These results therefore underscore the potential for using multilayer network tools to study time-varying correlations of financial assets.
Enablers and Hypocrites

Costs of breaking the law were reduced through actions of Prohibition Era enablers and hypocrites. Politicians and law enforcement officials took bribes and overlooked abuses of the law for self-enrichment. Others actively participated in liquor syndicates. Stories of corrupt politicians and law enforcement officials enabling violators and line tip-toers are provided in this chapter as are tales of wealthy hypocrites speaking publicly about the outrages of Demon Rum while sipping cocktails with friends in their private parlors.
A Systematic Requirements and Risks-Based Test Case Prioritization Using a Fuzzy Expert System

The use of risk information can help software engineers identify software components that are likely vulnerable or require extra attention when testing. Some studies have shown that the requirements risk-based approaches can be effective in improving the effectiveness of regression testing techniques. However, the risk estimation processes used in such approaches can be subjective, time-consuming, and costly. In this research, we introduce a fuzzy expert system that emulates human thinking to address the subjectivity related issues in the risk estimation process in a systematic and an efficient way and thus further improve the effectiveness of test case prioritization. Further, the required data for our approach was gathered by employing a semi-automated process that made the risk estimation process less subjective. The empirical results indicate that the new prioritization approach can improve the rate of fault detection over several existing test case prioritization techniques, while reducing threats to subjective risk estimation.
Optimum surfactant criteria for controlling invasion-induced water blockage in tight water-wet cores

Abstract Flowback after hydraulic fracturing shows a poor recovery of the fracturing fluid. The unrecovered fluid is believed to invade the matrix and creates a formation damage called water blockage, which affects the optimum oil production from the reservoir. Surfactant is often added into the fracturing fluid, because it can improve the recovery of the fracturing fluid, and hence minimum water blockage. This objective is achieved by the surfactant's interfacial tension (IFT) reduction and wettability alteration capabilities. This study investigates the optimum surfactant criteria, in terms of the IFT and wettability, to minimize the water blockage. From the perspective of regained oil relative permeability, our history-matched core-scale model reveals that the optimum criteria depend on the matrix capillarity. In conventional reservoirs, the optimum criteria are to select surfactants which offer ultralow IFT (even as low as 0.001 mN/m) and maintain the water-wetness of the rock. However, in tight reservoirs, the optimum criteria are surfactants which strongly alter the rock wettability to oil-wet, while the IFT requirement is more flexible (i.e., from 15 down to 0.001 mN/m). The contradicting optimum criteria can be explained by the relative dominance between relative permeability and capillary pressure. This study emphasizes that the optimum surfactant criteria for conventional reservoirs are not necessarily the same as those for tight reservoirs.
Exploratory analysis of the potential for advanced diagnostic testing to reduce healthcare expenditures of patients hospitalized with meningitis or encephalitis.

Author(s): Fulton, Brent D; Proudman, David G; Sample, Hannah A; Gelfand, Jeffrey M; Chiu, Charles Y; DeRisi, Joseph L; Wilson, Michael R | Abstract: OBJECTIVE:To estimate healthcare expenditures that could be impacted by advanced diagnostic testing for patients hospitalized with meningitis or encephalitis. METHODS:Patients hospitalized with meningitis (N = 23,933) or encephalitis (N = 7,858) in the U.S. were identified in the 2010-2014 Truven Health MarketScan Commercial Claims and Encounters Database using ICD-9-CM diagnostic codes. The database included an average of 40.8 million commercially insured enrollees under age 65 per year. Clinical, demographic and healthcare utilization criteria were used to identify patient subgroups early in their episode who were at risk to have high inpatient expenditures. Healthcare expenditures of patients within each subgroup were bifurcated: those expenditures that remained five days after the patient could be classified into the subgroup versus those that had occurred previously. RESULTS:The hospitalization episode rate per 100,000 enrollee-years for meningitis was 13.0 (95% CI: 12.9-13.2) and for encephalitis was 4.3 (95% CI: 4.2-4.4), with mean inpatient expenditures of $36,891 (SD = $92,636) and $60,181 (SD = $130,276), respectively. If advanced diagnostic testing had been administered on the day that a patient could be classified into a subgroup, then a test with a five-day turnaround time could impact the following mean inpatient expenditures that remained by subgroup for patients with meningitis or encephalitis, respectively: had a neurosurgical procedure ($83,337 and $56,020), had an ICU stay ($34,221 and $46,051), had HIV-1 infection or a previous organ transplant ($37,702 and $62,222), were age l1 year ($35,371 and $52,812), or had a hospital length of stay g2 days ($18,325 and $30,244). DISCUSSION:Inpatient expenditures for patients hospitalized with meningitis or encephalitis were substantial and varied widely. Patient subgroups who had high healthcare expenditures could be identified early in their stay, raising the potential for advanced diagnostic testing to lower these expenditures.
8.09 – Magnetic Polarity Reversals in the Core

Paleomagnetic observations have provided much information about the nature of geomagnetic dipole reversals and three-dimensional (3-D) magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) computer models are beginning to provide insight to the reversal mechanism. Reversals typically take 2000–12 000 years to occur – one to two orders of magnitude shorter than the dipole-dominated, stable polarity epochs between reversals. However, the durations of both the polarity transitions and epochs vary greatly. Average reversal frequency appears to depend on the degree of equatorial symmetry of the nonaxial dipole field (i.e., the total field minus the axial dipole term). Virtually, all records document lowered intensity during reversals, but they differ in complexity of transitional direction change. At least some reversals have highly complex transition paths. In addition, stable polarity epochs are often punctuated by large directional excursions that occur more frequently than reversals and may be regarded as aborted reversals. A statistical bias of transition poles for preferred geographical regions that correlate with lower-mantle tomography has been claimed, and such bias has been produced in dynamo simulations employing laterally varying heat flux at the core–mantle boundary. No external trigger is necessary for reversals, which occur as a natural result of the very nonlinear dynamo process; that is, the flow, field, and thermodynamic variables of the Earth’s outer fluid core all depend on time and space and on each other in a chaotic way. The more realistic computer simulations suggest that MHD instabilities continually occur but only one in many attempts result in a complete reversal of the magnetic dipole field and that these successful reversals often have different morphologies and durations. Computer models have provided new insights into the mechanism of the geodynamo and its reversals, but much better spatial resolution, lower viscosity, and longer simulations are needed to reveal and understand the complex turbulent processes that underlie the polarity reversal phenomenon.
Occupational Therapy Practitioners' Perspectives about Addressing Mental Health across School-Based Settings in Southern California.

This study explored the role of occupational therapy practitioners (OTPs) in school-based practice addressing mental health (MH) needs of all students. A sequential explanatory mixed method design ...
Term structure of discount rates for firms in the insurance industry

Abstract There is strong evidence in the literature for the hypothesis that interest rates and the market risk premium are not constant during the business cycle. The beta risk of firms in the insurance industry is also time-varying. The major implication of these results is that discount rates for risky cash flows are time varying and must obey a term structure similar to the term structure of interest rates. The purpose of this paper is to estimate discount rates for cash flows with different time horizons for the U.S. insurance industry and for different insurance sectors. We find that the term structure cost of capital takes on different shapes depending on the business cycle. It is therefore meaningful for insurers to evaluate risky projects by selecting a discount rate most appropriate for the nature and the time horizon of each project.
Models of the SL9 Impacts I. Ballistic Monte-Carlo Plume

We model the Comet Shoemaker-Levy 9 - Jupiter impact plumes to calculate synthetic plume views, atmospheric infall fluxes, and debris patterns. Our plume is a swarm of ballistic particles with one of several mass-velocity distributions (MVD). The swarm is ejected instantaneously and uniformly into a cone from its apex. Upon falling to the ejection altitude, particles slide with horizontal deceleration following one of several schemes. The model ignores hydrodynamic and Coriolis effects. We adjust plume tilt, opening angle, and minimum velocity, and choose MVD and sliding schemes, to create impact patterns that match observations. Our best match uses the power-law MVD from the numerical impact model of Zahnle and Mac Low, with velocity cutoffs at 4.5 and 11.8 km/sec, cone opening angle of 75 degrees, cone tilt of 30 degrees from vertical, and a sliding constant deceleration of 1.74 m/sec^2. A mathematically-derived feature of Zahnle and Mac Low's published cumulative MVD is a thin shell of mass at the maximum velocity, corresponding to the former atmospheric shock front. This vanguard contains 22% of the mass and 45% of the energy of the plume, and accounts for several previously-unexplained observations, including the large, expanding ring seen at 3.2 microns by McGregor et al. and the ``third precursors'' and ``flare'' seen near 300 and 1000 sec, respectively, in the infrared lightcurves. We present synthetic views of the plumes in flight and after landing and derive infall fluxes of mass, energy, and vertical momentum as a function of time and position on the surface. These fluxes initialize a radiative-hydrodynamic atmosphere model (Paper II of this series) that calculates the thermal and dynamical response of the atmosphere and produces synthetic lightcurves.
Leg loss decreases endurance and increases oxygen consumption during locomotion in harvestmen

Animal movements are highly constrained by morphology and energetics. In addition, predictable bodily damage can constrain locomotion even further. For example, for animals moving on land, losing legs may impose additional costs. We tested if losing legs affects the distance travelled over time (endurance) and the metabolic costs of locomotion (oxygen consumption) in Nelima paessleri harvestmen. These arachnids voluntary releases legs (i.e., autotomy) in response to predation attempts. We used flow-through respirometry as animals moved on a treadmill inside a sealed chamber. We found that endurance decreased gradually with an increasing number of legs lost. Interestingly, oxygen consumption increased only for harvestmen that lost three legs, but not for individuals that lost only a single leg. These results have different ecological and evolutionary implications. Reduced endurance may impair an animal's ability to continue moving away from potential predators, while increased oxygen consumption makes movement costlier. Our findings suggest that individuals have a threshold number of legs that can be lost before experiencing measurable energetic consequences. Overall, our findings illustrate how animals respond to morphological modifications (i.e., damage) that affect the physiology of locomotion.
Short Planning Horizons and the Save More Tomorrow Program

Designed by Thaler and Benartzi (2004), the Save More Tomorrow (SMarT) program enables employees to pre-authorize an automatic escalation of their savings contribution rate into employer-sponsored retirement saving plans, wherein the escalation of the contribution rate typically occurs with the receipt of pay raises. We offer theoretical support for the SMarT program in a model setting with well-functioning credit markets and shortsighted individuals who plan only a fixed number of years into the future. We find that the SMarT saving rate that maximizes lifetime utility is positive, suggesting that the SMarT program increases the welfare of shortsighted individuals. We compute consumption equivalent variations and find that shortsighted individuals with a five-year planing horizon (i) would be better off by an equivalent of 13 percent of lifetime consumption as a result of participating in the SMarT program if they do not have access to a social security program; (ii) would be better off by 9 percent of lifetime consumption as a result of participating in the SMarT program in place of participating in social security; and, (iii) would be better off by 3 percent of lifetime consumption as a result of participating in the SMarT program in tandem with participating in a social security program. The consumption equivalent variations are smaller, although generally still positive, for individuals with longer planning horizons, and the consumption equivalent variations are larger for individuals with shorter planning horizons. Our results contrast with an existing, documented finding in which the SMarT program does not affect the consumption allocations (and therefore does not improve the welfare) of individuals with hyperbolic discount functions, at least in the absence of sizable credit market imperfections.
Extension and Application of Miedema's Model in O and S Containing Melts and Alloys

Combined Miedema's model with experimental data provided by Kleppa, the parameters of oxygen and sulfur which were satisfied with Miedema's model were derived: Oxgen: electronegativity 7.04, electronic density 6.03, molar volume 4.59; Sulfur: electronegativity 5.8, electronic density 3.24, and molar volume 6.97. In comparison with results from literature, those parameters had been turned out to be highly reasonable to Miedema's model. The mean absolute percentage error of enthalpies of formation of binary alloying oxides and sulfides were 36.8%, 34.2% respectively. Combining Ding's model, the activities and interaction coefficients between oxygen and other elements of Fe- based alloying melt in 1873 K were derived and further compared with available experimental data. Calculated results were confirmed to be in good agreement with available experimental data, except some special cases. Therefore the long-term problem related with the parameters of oxygen and sulfur for Miedema's model has been resolved successfully by this method. In particular, the special cases Nb, Pt, Ag-their electronegativities(4.05, 5.65, 4.35) were revised to be 4.31, 5.57 and 4.17, respectively, and the revised parameters were much more reasonable than the original parameters.
Social distancing: The effect of density and power on restaurant consumers

Abstract The present research examines the joint effects of density and power on consumers’ attitudes and revisit intentions in a restaurant context. A 2 (Density: high vs. low) x 2 (Power: high vs. low) quasi-experimental design was employed. The restaurant’s built density was manipulated by keeping (high density condition) or removing (low density condition) the extra tables in the restaurant. In addition, individuals’ sense of power was measured and served as a moderator. A total of 327 general restaurant consumers were participants in this study. Results indicated that powerless people responded to a restaurant with high built density more positively (vs. low built density), whereas powerful people exhibited a similar level of attitudes and revisit intentions across the density conditions. Additionally, perceived territoriality was identified as the mediator of the effect of density and power on consumer responses.
The curve of Spee and its levelling in different vertical skeletal patterns: A 3D set-up study.

Summary Objectives Primary: to compare intra-arch measurements [Curve Of Spee (COS) depth, space required to level the COS (δ), uprighting angles of 1st and 2nd lower molars (αM1 & αM2), respectively] between different vertical skeletal patterns. Secondary: to explore the relationship between those measurements in each vertical skeletal pattern. Methods 90 Plaster models were scanned and transformed into digital models using 3Shape Ortho System™ intra oral scanner. COS depth, (δ), αM1 & αM2 were measured on digital models using 3Shape Ortho Analyser™ software. The latter was used to achieve the virtual set-up. The sample was dividied into 3 groups according to the vertical skeletal pattern which was identified by measuring the FMA˚ angle (Frankfort mandibular plane) on a lateral cephalogram using Dolphin imaging software. Results The deepest COS was present in the hypodivergent group (P-value = 0.001). No difference for the additional arch space required to level the COS (δ) between different vertical skeletal patterns (P-value = 0.063). αM2 is the same in all 3 groups, whereas αM1 is greater in normodivergents compared to hyperdivergents (P-value = 0.012). A positive correlation exists between the deepest point of the COS and the uprighting angles, αM1 and αM2. No correlation between (δ) and the different parameters evaluated (deepest point of the COS, αM1 and αM2). Conclusions Additional arch space required to level the COS presented no correlation with the vertical skeletal pattern. Levelling the lower arch was carried out by extrusion of the premolars and uprighting of the posterior teeth; confirming that well-planned orthodontic mechanics can minimize side effects (flaring of the lower incisors) encountered during treatment.
Music and Humor: What's So Funny?

ABSTRACT Though music is rife with humor, musical humor as a single subject has rarely been discussed in analytical and theoretical terms. This paper discusses the nature and current theories of humor, comparing them to music in broad terms. Specific parallels between music and humor are discussed before delving into musical humor itself. The importance and significance of musical humor as a key factor in the development of the musical arts are explained through the analysis of music in terms of humor theory.
The effects of minimal and maximal peer tutoring systems on the academic performance of college students

The effects of two levels of peer tutoring on the academic performance of 193 college students enrolled in two sections of introductory psychology were investigated. In Section 1,10 groups of 3 men and 3 women randomly assigned to 10 undergraduate peer tutors participated in Experimental Condition 1 (E-1). In Section 2, two groups of 20 and 21 students randomly assigned to two undergraduate peer tutors participated in Experimental Condition 2 (E-2). Students not participating in an experimental condition comprised the control groups for each section (C-1 and C-2). The treatment analysis of E1 vs. C-1 and E-2 vs. C-2 revealed significant differences where E-1 and E-2 were clearly superior in academic performance. These data demonstrate that undergraduate peer tutors can enhance the academic performance of college students. Positive ratings by the participating students and peer tutors provide further evidence of the positive program effects.