cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Dominant Factors Influencing the Seasonal Predictability of U.S. Precipitation and Surface Air Temperature

Abstract The relative contributions of El Nino–Southern Oscillation (ENSO), long-term tropical Pacific variations, and the Arctic oscillation (AO) to the explained variance of U.S. precipitation and surface air temperature are investigated. The time variability of monthly precipitation in the tropical Pacific basin is separated into high-pass and low-pass filtered components. The leading EOFs of the high-pass and low-pass filtered data capture ENSO cycle–related interannual variability and ENSO-like interdecadal variability, respectively. The dominant mode of variability in the extratropics is the AO, which has been implicated in some of the secular variability of climate in the Northern Hemisphere extratropics. ENSO produces large, reasonably reproducible spatial and temporal shifts in tropical precipitation. The tropical interdecadal variability produces more subtle, but still significant, shifts in tropical precipitation that contribute significantly to the explained variance and to trends in the North...
Just Speculation: The Role of the Oil Futures Market in Supply Volatility

Oil speculators take a lot of flak for the supposed "damage" they cause to the oil market and the economy as a whole. Price manipulation by speculators has been blamed for nearly all of the woes of our recent energy crisis. However, by transferring risk from producers to individuals who specialize in risk, futures markets in fact act to reduce the price variance that producers face in the market. This allows firms to produce oil on a much less sporadic basis, allowing for more stable prices for consumers. Speculation thus acts to calm the market, not to upset it. The purpose of this paper is to analyze how the introduction of an oil futures market affects the supply volatility of that commodity. I find that following the emergence of the futures market in oil, the volatility of oil production drops significantly from then on, even when controlling for varying factors.
Abstract 14138: Changes in Sympathetic Tone With Her2+ Antagonists: An Early Marker of Cardiotoxicity in a Breast Cancer Cohort?

Background: HER2 antagonists (anti-HER2) are effective in treating an aggressive form of breast cancer (BC) but causes cardiotoxicity in select patients. Cardiotoxicity observed with anti-HER2 therapy is linked to the disruption in neuregulin (NRG) / HER2 receptor signaling. Recent data shows that NRG-HER2 receptors are also located in the medulla and are important regulators of vasomotor tone. Disrupting the NRG-HER2 signaling in the medulla resulted in increased hypertension and a shift toward increased sympathetic nerve output. Therefore we hypothesized that women treated with an anti-HER2 agent would exhibit increased sympathetic tone with changes in plasma catecholamines, heart rate (HR) variability (HRV), and circulating NRG, which may be an early sign of cardiotoxicity. Methods: In a pilot study, 17 newly diagnosed female HER2+ BC patients receiving an anti-HER2 agent were enrolled. Supine plasma epinephrine (EPI), norepinephrine (NE), NRG levels were drawn (n=17), and 10-minute continuous ECG recordings were obtained at baseline, and 3 months into anti-HER2 therapy (n=13). HRV was measured using a Fourier transform and low frequency (LF; 0.04-0.15Hz) and high frequency (HF; 0.15-0.4Hz) power were normalized to total power (no units). Parasympathetic cardiac modulation was estimated by HF, and LF/HF ratio was a marker of relative sympathoneural cardiac modulation. Paired analyses were performed with Wilcoxon-Rank Sum tests and P Results: Compared to baseline, 3-months of anti-HER2 treatment significantly increased plasma NE (382 ±210 pg/ml vs. 528±340 pg/ml; p=0.004), significantly decreased plasma NRG (12.7±15.7 ng/ml vs. 10.9±13.3 ng/ml; p=0.04), but did not change plasma EPI (31.5±27.0 pg/ml vs. 28.6±30.6 pg/ml; p=0.47). Anti-HER2 treatment resulted in a trend to lower LF/HF. Conclusions: Anti-HER2 treatment results in increased circulating NE levels and decreased circulating NRG, suggesting that inhibition of NRG-HER2+ signaling leads to increased sympathoneural tone. Larger studies are needed to determine if plasma NE and NRG are prognostic markers of early cardiotoxicity and if beta-blockers offer cardioprotection by suppressing the shift in sympathetic tone.
Deliberative public sphere - the rereading of Habermas's theory in Brazil and its significance for a public theology

With the democratization process in Brazil, legal guarantees were obtained for political mobilizations and organizations. At the societal level, the emergence of new social actors helped expand the boundaries of the political and consolidate a politically influential public sphere. Although communication between the public sphere and the political system occurs under many limitations, new experiences at the local level such as the Participatory Budget enable a clearer link between society and state. In theoretical terms, this means a complement to a discursive conception of the public sphere as developed by Jurgen Habermas, as a deliberative function is assigned to it. In this paper, after considering the social and theoretical context of reception and rereading of the concept of public sphere in sociological studies in Brazil, we engage the question about a public theology that can be developed in a dialogue with Habermas’s theory. Resorting to the criticism of South African theologians James Cochrane and Tinyiko Maluleke against public theologies that based on Habermas reject the democratic potential of liberation theologies, we affirm that criticism and resistance are constitutive elements of democratic dialogue. This affirmation is not inconsistent with the political theory of Habermas; rather, his theory allows to identify the relevance of a public theology precisely in its connection with spheres of life in which the suffering caused by the social problems to be denounced and discussed in the public sphere are more directly perceived. Besides the link between lifeworld and public sphere, as well as between public sphere and political system, other themes of Habermas’s political theory regarded in this article as relevant to be considered in discussions of public theology are the creative potential of language and the presence of religion in the public sphere.
Novel Sparse Bayesian Learning for Structural Health Monitoring Using Incomplete Modal Data

For civil structures, structural damage due to excessive loading or environmental degradation usually occurs in localized areas. A new sparse Bayesian probabilistic approach for computing the probability of localized stiffness reductions induced by damage is presented that uses noisy incomplete modal data from before and after possible damage. The methodology employs a hierarchical form of the prior for the stiffness parameters that promotes spatial sparsity in the inferred stiffness reductions. To obtain the most plausible model of sparse stiffness reductions together with its uncertainty within a specified class of models, the method employs an optimization scheme that iterates between the groups of modal parameters and hyperpameters. The approach also adopts a recent published strategy for Bayesian dynamic model updating based on modal data that has two important benefits: (1) no matching of model and experimental modes is needed, and (2) solving the eigenvalue problem of a structural model is not required. For validation, a three-dimensional braced-frame model with simulated data from the Phase II benchmark problem sponsored by the IASC-ASCE task group on structural health monitoring is analyzed using the proposed method. The results show that no threshold is required to issue a damage alarm for the proposed approach and the occurrence of false-positive and false-negative damage detection is clearly reduced in the presence of modeling error.
Fiber-optic gradient-field magnetometer

Fiber-optic magnetometers which offer extremely high sensitivities coupled with room temperature operation have recently been developed.12 These devices utilize magnetostrictive jackets or coatings to modulate the optical path length of single-mode fiber deployed in the arm of a Mach-Zehnder interferometer. Minimum detectable fields as low as 10-9 G/m of fiber have been achieved using selected metallic glasses as magnetostrictive materials. In practice, however, It is often more desirable to detect the gradient of the local magnetic field rather than Its absolute magnitude. This paper re- ports the first successful demonstration of a gradient field magnetic sensor based on fiber optics, describes some of the unique features of the device design, and provides typical data on sensor performance.
Abstract A18: Exploration of Florida blacks' understanding of precision medicine for cancer care and treatment

Background and Objective: African-Americans in the US have the highest cancer mortality rates. Recognizing the need to address this disparity via technological and scientific innovation, In January 2015, President Obama introduced the Precision Medicine Initiative in his State of the Union Address. Allocating $215 million dollars in the 2016 budget, precision medicine should address these cancer health disparities. Yet, little is known about self-identified African-Americans/Blacks9 knowledge of precision medicine. Strategy: The objective is to understand Floridan African American men and women9s knowledge of Precision Medicine and ability to successfully explain underlying concepts relative to the Precision Medicine Initiative. Using a cross-sectional design, Florida Blacks9 were recruited at health forums, barbershops, salons, and churches in the state of Florida. Participants completed a self-administered survey that asked about their demographics, knowledge of precision medicine and ability to explain PMI concepts. Participants who completed the study were given either a $5 gift card of a shirt. Results: A total of 132 participants completed the self-administered survey. Majority of the participants were female (64%) and Native U.S Blacks (85% African American of African descent). 62% were college trained and 71% were currently employed. 7% of participants had been diagnosed with cancer before and roughly 62% of them had private insurance. Well over 70% of participants have never heard of the concepts precision medicine, and pharmacogenomics. Over 50% of participants had never heard of personalized medicine, individualized medicine, and genomic sequencing. Participants were more familiar with the terms clinical trials, abnormal genes, hereditary risk, and genetic abnormality. They were also able to successfully describe the four terms that they were more familiar with. 73% participants stated that they did not know whether or not the use of precision medicine would improve cancer care and treatment. Conclusion: The findings suggest that majority of participants are unaware of precision medicine. There was little to no understanding about the role of precision medicine in cancer care and treatment. There is a great need to educate minority populations about the Precision Medicine Initiative and identify facilitators and barriers to engagement in order to address health disparities effectively and efficiently. Citation Format: Christina L. Redwine, Folakemi Odedina, Debra Lyon, Jennifer Nguyen. Exploration of Florida blacks9 understanding of precision medicine for cancer care and treatment. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Eighth AACR Conference on The Science of Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; Nov 13-16, 2015; Atlanta, GA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2016;25(3 Suppl):Abstract nr A18.
An Adaptive Denoising Algorithm Based on Morphology and Wavelet Transform

This paper presents an algorithm for ECG denoising based on the morphology and wavelet transform.The baseline drift of the ECG signal is removed with the morphological method and the high-frequency noise was filtered with the wavelet transform.Both of the noise results from these two filters are then used as the reference noise input of an adaptive filter to obtain a clean ECG signal.
Survey of Nursing Students' Self-Reported Knowledge of Ebola Virus Disease, Willingness to Treat, and Perceptions of their Duty to Treat

The purpose of this study was to explore nursing students' self-reported knowledge of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD), willingness to treat patients with EVD, and student perceptions of duty to treat patients with EVD. The researchers developed the Survey of Nursing Student Self-Reported Knowledge of EVD, Willingness to Treat, and Perceptions of Duty to Treat, a quantitative tool with open-ended questions to inform the responses. On-line survey software was used for gathering anonymous data. A mixture of descriptive, nonparametric, and parametric statistics were used to describe, compare, and examine relationships between variables. Results demonstrated that licensed students scored significantly higher on self-reported knowledge of EVD than their prelicensure student counterparts (P=.039). Licensed students and prelicensure students did not differ on self-assessed willingness to treat (P>.05). The students had significantly higher willingness-to-treat scores when self-reported knowledge scores were higher (P=.007) and when they were older (P=.004). Willingness to treat was not influenced by whether one was partnered or single (P>.05) or had children or did not have children (P>.05). In conclusion, basic EVD knowledge and training appears to be critical to ensure willingness to treat. However, it is imperative that students have an indepth understanding of the principles of infectious diseases in general.
Searching for evidence-based oncology: tips and tools for finding evidence in the medical literature.

Evidence-based medicine is defined in the medical subject headings (MeSH) from the US National Library of Medicine (NLM) as “the process of systematically finding, appraising, and using contemporaneous research findings as the basis for clinical decisions. Evidence-based medicine asks questions, finds and appraises the relevant data, and harnesses that information for everyday clinical practice.”1 Finding relevant clinical articles involves the use of specific search strategies as quality filters to limit retrieval to clinically relevant studies.
Why be a member of the International MYOPAIN Society

The focus of the International MYOPAIN Society (IMS) is to improve our understanding and care of myopain conditions including myofascial pain (MP), fibromyalgia (FM), myositis, muscle contracture, ...
Discovery and Characterization of a Peptoid with Antifungal Activity against Cryptococcus neoformans

Studies show there is an increasing rate of fungal infections, especially in immunocompromised patients and treatments for fungal genera, such as Aspergillus, Candida, and Cryptococcus, carry significant cytotoxicity with an increasing prevalence of antifungal resistance. We have previously reported a high-throughput assay for identifying peptoids with antimicrobial properties from combinatorial libraries. Here we report the application of this assay in identifying a peptoid with antifungal properties against Cryptococcus neoformans. Termed AEC5, this peptoid has comparable potency to existing clinical antifungal agents, excellent stability, and minimal cytotoxicity in mammalian cells.
Surface uplift in the Central Andes driven by growth of the Altiplano Puna Magma Body

The Altiplano-Puna Magma Body (APMB) in the Central Andes is the largest imaged magma reservoir on Earth, and is located within the second highest orogenic plateau on Earth, the Altiplano-Puna. Although the APMB is a first-order geologic feature similar to the Sierra Nevada batholith, its role in the surface uplift history of the Central Andes remains uncertain. Here we show that a long-wavelength topographic dome overlies the seismically measured extent of the APMB, and gravity data suggest that the uplift is isostatically compensated. Isostatic modelling of the magmatic contribution to dome growth yields melt volumes comparable to those estimated from tomography, and suggests that the APMB growth rate exceeds the peak Cretaceous magmatic flare-up in the Sierran batholith. Our analysis reveals that magmatic addition may provide a contribution to surface uplift on par with lithospheric removal, and illustrates that surface topography may help constrain the magnitude of pluton-scale melt production. The Altiplano-Puna magma body is located in the world's second highest plateau, the Altiplano-Puna, but the influence of melt production in the surface uplift of the Central Andes is unclear. Perkinset al. link surface topography and isotactic modelling to constrain the melt production in the magma body.
What the signs say: Gentrification and the disappearance of capitalism without distinction in Brooklyn

We examine shop signs in Brooklyn, New York, as sociolinguistic technologies of place-making that operate through specific language ideologies which represent class struggles for material wealth. We find two salient types of signs which we call Old School Vernacular and Distinction-making signage. The first indexes multiple inclusions in the neighborhood economy before gentrification and thus suggests a capitalism without distinction. These signs also challenge linguistic and literacy prescriptivism. In contrast, Distinction-making signs signal an exclusivity that for some readers also represents exclusion. We discuss how these data can reveal and disguise rent gap opportunities as both old and new signs co-inhabit the same space in a rapidly gentrifying Brooklyn.
Women's Rights Organizations and Human Trafficking†

Objectives This article examines the impact of women's rights organizations (WROs) in preventing human trafficking and improving state policies on trafficking. WROs, through their knowledge and experience working with governments, and the services they provide to women, are in a strong position to influence trafficking outcomes and policies. Methods Implementing a cross-national time series analysis of states between the years 2000 and 2007 with data on WRO presence within states, shaming by WROs, and data on trafficking flows and policy, we test our hypotheses. Results We show support for the hypothesis that WRO presence and shaming can lead to improvements in this important policy area. Conclusions In a growing literature on the effects of NGOs on state policy and human rights, this study illustrates an additional important area where NGOs lead to improvements in policy outcomes.
The Mechanics of Breathing

Air that enters the respiratory system is first conditioned: it is filtered, warmed, and humidified by the tracheobronchial tree before the air arrives at the parts of the tree than exchange gas. Gas flow in the respiratory system is governed by pressure differences, and these are driven by expansion or compression of the volume of the lungs. During restful breathing, the diaphragm provides the force for expansion, while expiration is passive and requires no muscles. The external intercostals aid inspiration. The abdominal muscles and internal intercostals aid forceful expiration. Muscles move the chest wall and not the lungs, but the lungs follow because the thin fluid in the pleura paste the lungs to the chest wall. The lungs have a compliance that is produced by elastic fibers and by surface tension. The surface tension is reduced by surfactant, whose lack in newborns causes respiratory distress syndrome. The surfactant helps stabilize alveoli size, keeps the alveoli dry, and reduces the work of breathing. The chest wall acts like a spring: at low volumes it recoils to a higher volume; at high volumes it recoils to a smaller volume. The lungs always tend to collapse. Put together, the balance of lung collapse and chest expansion is the FRC—the functional residual capacity.
Breaking the Color Barrier - A Multi-Selective Antibody Reporter Offers Innovative Strategies of Fluorescence Detection

A novel bi-partite fluorescence platform exploits the high affinity and selectivity of antibody scaffolds to capture and activate small-molecule fluorogens. In this report, we investigated the property of multi-selectivity activation by a single antibody against diverse cyanine family fluorogens. Our fluorescence screen identified three cell-impermeant fluorogens, each with unique emission spectra (blue, green and red) and nanomolar affinities. Most importantly, as a protein fusion tag to G-protein-coupled receptors, the antibody biosensor retained full activity - displaying bright fluorogen signals with minimal background on live cells. Because fluorogen-activating antibodies interact with their target ligands via non-covalent interactions, we were able to perform advanced multi-color detection strategies on live cells, previously difficult or impossible with conventional reporters. We found that by fine-tuning the concentrations of the different color fluorogen molecules in solution, a user may interchange the fluorescence signal (onset versus offset), execute real-time signal exchange via fluorogen competition, measure multi-channel fluorescence via co-labeling, and assess real-time cell surface receptor traffic via pulse-chase experiments. Thus, here we inform of an innovative reporter technology based on tri-color signal that allows user-defined fluorescence tuning in live-cell applications.
Ozone Production in the Negative DC Corona: The Dependence of Discharge Polarity

The rate of production and the spatial distribution of ozone in the negative DC corona discharge are predicted with a numerical model. The results are compared to prior experimental data and to results previously presented by the authors for the positive corona discharge. In agreement with experimental data, ozone production rate in the negative corona is an order of magnitude higher than in the positive corona. The model reveals that this significant difference is due to the effect of discharge polarity on the number of energetic electrons in the corona plasma. The number of electrons is one order of magnitude greater and the chemically reactive plasma region extends beyond the ionization region in the negative corona. The paper also extends our prior modeling effort to lower velocities where the Joule heating reduces ozone production. The magnitude of the reduction is characterized by a new dimensionless parameter referred to as the electric Damkohler's third number(DaIII–e).
The Informal and Underground Economy of the South Texas Border, Chad Richardson, Michael J. Pisani. University of Texas Press, Austin (2012), ix+335 pp.

What border people deem licit often contradicts with what governments define as legal. Chad Richardson and Michael J. Pisani explore this basic premise in their investigation into the economic prac...
Direct β-Selective Hydrocarboxylation of Styrenes with CO2 Enabled by Continuous Flow Photoredox Catalysis

The direct β-selective hydrocarboxylation of styrenes under atmospheric pressure of CO2 has been developed using photoredox catalysis in continuous flow. The scope of this methodology was demonstrated with a range of functionalized terminal styrenes, as well as α-substituted and β-substituted styrenes.
Too Cold, Too Wet, Too Bright, or Just Right? Environmental Predictors of Snake Movement and Activity

Movement and activity patterns are fundamental to the basic ecology of any organism and can be influenced by a variety of environmental factors. For snakes, which are notable for being secretive and difficult to study, environmental influences on movement are often obscure. Here, we investigate environmental drivers of terrestrial activity for 23 snake species from a temperate community in the Atlantic Coastal Plain region of South Carolina, USA. Activity was strongly seasonal, with primarily fossorial species showing unimodal activity peaks in summer, whereas several aquatic species showed increased terrestrial movements to and from a wetland in both spring and fall. After controlling for seasonal activity, temperature and precipitation had consistent effects on snake movement, with activity of snakes increasing with temperature and decreasing with precipitation. The influence of moon illumination was more ambiguous but may have a weak, negative effect on snake activity. These environmental factors likel...
Indeterminate biliary strictures: a simplified approach

Introduction: Pre-operative evaluation of biliary strictures remains challenging. The dilemma that exists is how to balance the risk of failing to detect malignancy and the potential morbidity caus...
Characterisation of the effects on proteases of Heterodera glycines and Meloidogyne incognita second-stage juveniles by inhibitors obtained from cysts of H. glycines

The protease inhibitor component of Heterodera glycines cyst contents was explored using a battery of peptide substrates and H. glycines and Meloidogyne incognita second-stage juveniles as enzyme sources. Protease inhibitors were prepared by heat-denaturing H. glycines cyst-egg extract (hHglCE), which was used in all inhibition exploration. Eight substrates targeting four endoprotease groups (aspartic, cysteine, metallo- and serine proteases) revealed that protease inhibition by hHglCE varied significantly between H. glycines and M. incognita with seven of the eight substrates. Only cysteine protease activity was inhibited equally between H. glycines and M. incognita . Aspartic protease activity was inhibited more strongly in H. glycines and serine protease activity was inhibited more strongly in M. incognita . Digestion of five matrix metalloprotease (MMP) substrates was inhibited more strongly in H. glycines (two substrates) and M. incognita (three substrates). These variations were particularly intriguing given the potential association of MMP proteases with developing embryos. Inhibition of digestion of nematode FMRFamide-like peptides (FLPs) showed less variation between nematode species than the targeted substrates, but inhibition did vary significantly across substrates within each species. Digestion of FLP-6 was the least affected by hHglCE but was inhibited significantly more in M. incognita than in H. glycines . Residue differences between two FLP-14 sequences significantly affected inhibition of FLP-14 digestion in both H. glycines and M. incognita . RP-HPLC fractionation of hHglCE clearly demonstrated the presence of high (Fr No.5) and low (Fr No.14) polarity inhibitor components. Potency of inhibition of M. incognita serine protease activity, based upon IC 50 values (1.68 and 2.78 hHglCEeq reaction −1 for Fr No.5 and Fr No.14, respectively), was reduced significantly from unfractionated hHglCE (IC 50 = 0.61), suggesting inhibitor dilution, loss of component synergy, or both, due to fractionation.
Case report: effect of blood glucose/A1c on periodontal/alveolar bone health

Diabetes and periodontal health relation is well established in literature This case report shows reversal of bone loss on control of blood glucose and A c level Further study in this area suggested Probably area with organic matrix intact got recalcified nbsp
The Postclassical Oral World and the Unity of Sūra 74

This paper uses observations from studies of highly oral cultures to demonstrate the structural unity of Q 74, 30-31. That passage mysteriously says that over hell stands “nineteen”. This number is then followed by a strangely long aside that argues that this “nineteen” refers to angels and that “We have made their number only as a test for the disbelievers”. The reference to the nineteen has in the past been seen as unclear and the verse that follows as structurally bizarre in several ways, prompting many to argue that it is an interpolation. This article will use structural and oral rhetorical methods to suggest that this is not the case. Their content, style, and structure are all deliberate and are a response to various debates about numbers and numerology. More specifically, the passage is a correction of the Christological use of numbers by Near Eastern Christians in the Postclassical age. This article aims to show how the application of orality as a hermeneutical tool can resolve key questions regarding the coherence of the Qurʾānic text.
Pathological Oscillations in the Pharmacoresistant Epileptic Brain

Epilepsy is a serious neurological disorder and in up to one-third of ­individuals with epilepsy, medication does not adequately control their seizures. Surgery is currently the most effective treatment in patients with pharmacoresistant epilepsy and postsurgical seizure freedom depends on accurately identifying the epileptogenic region. Broad bandwidth direct brain recordings in presurgical patients and chronic models of epilepsy reveal brief spontaneous bursts of electrical activity in the interictal EEG termed high-frequency oscillations (HFOs; 80–600 Hz) that are believed to reflect fundamental neuronal disturbances responsible for epilepsy. In the epileptic brain, pathological HFOs (pHFOs) are strongly linked to brain areas capable of generating spontaneous seizures, and in some cases the occurrence of pHFOs can predict the transition to ictus. Experimental evidence indicates a correlation between postsurgical seizure freedom and removal of tissue generating interictal and ictal pHFOs, thus supporting the view that pathological HFOs could be a biomarker to epileptogenicity.
Extensions of the Basic Spatial Model

In this chapter I consider two separate extensions of the spatial model in Chapter 1, both dealing with externalities that distort spatial equilibria. As discussed in Chapter 1, people crowd into urban areas to exploit external economies of scale in production that arise because of spillover benefits among firms in terms of labor and other input market efficiencies. But this phenomenon of people crowding into a limited spatial area so as to have access to common work sites or other facilities is itself the cause of many disamenities and externalities. This close proximity of residents results in social externalities such as noise pollution, neighborhood externalities such as the benefits to a resident of nearby residents maintaining their houses and gardens, and congestion externalities in the use of parks, roads, and outdoor recreation sites. General externality relationships and detailed ways of dealing with them are discussed in Chapters 4-8 for housing, neighborhoods, and auto transportation. In this chapter I deal with the primary spatial dimensions of two sets of urban problems-racial prejudice and air pollution. I focus on the spatial aspects of these problems, which also provides opportunities to apply the model developed in Chapter 1. The more general aspects of racial prejudice are dealt with in later chapters.
After the War on Drugs Is Over: Implications for Social Work Education

(2003). After the War on Drugs is Over. Journal of Social Work Education: Vol. 39, No. 2, pp. 193-212.
General Behavior of Polymer Mixtures

This part of the monograph will examine systems containing mixtures of two distinguishable kinds of polymer molecules. Such mixtures, known as polymer blends, polyblends, or simply blends, include mechanical blends, graft copolymers, block copolymers, and interpenetrating polymer networks.
Structure and stability of nanofluid films wetting solids: An overview.

Abstract When an air bubble or an oil droplet in a nanofluid (liquid containing dispersed nanoparticles) approaches a solid surface, a nanofluid film is formed between the bubble or drop and a solid substrate. The nanoparticles confined in the film surfaces tend to self-layer and the film thins in a stepwise manner. The wetting behavior and film stability criteria valid for the classical molecularly thin films cannot be applied to nanofilm. Here we present an overview of the structure and stability of multilayer nanofilms wetting solid surfaces. We first present a brief review of the classical concept of molecular films wetting solid, and then we discuss the nanofluid film structure evolution as determined by the in-layer radial distribution function versus nanofilm's number of layers. The role of the particle volume fraction, size and polydispersity on the layering phenomenon is highlighted. The stability of the nanofilm, that is its layer-by-layer thinning is elucidated by the presence of particle voids or dislocations. We calculated the free energy of the nanofilm on a solid surface based on nanofilm osmotic pressure. We independently verified it by the direct measurement of the nanofilm-meniscus contact angle using reflected light interferometry. Finally, we present some practical applications of a wetting aqueous film for oily soil removal from a solid surface and the nanofilm displacing an oil phase from a capillary as in an enhanced oil recovery operation.
Substance and Person: Berkeley on Descartes and Locke

In his post-1720 works, Berkeley focuses his comments about Descartes on mechanism and about Locke on general abstract ideas. He warns against using metaphysical principles to explain observed regularities, and he extends his account to include spiritual substances (including God). Indeed, by calling a substance a spirit, he emphasizes how a person is simply the will that ideas be differentiated and associated in a certain way, not some thing that engages in differentiation. In this sense, a substance cannot be conceived apart from its activity.
Practical Uncertainties in the Limited Predictability of the Record-Breaking Intensification of Hurricane Patricia (2015)

AbstractHurricane Patricia (2015) was a record-breaking tropical cyclone that was difficult to forecast in real time by both operational numerical weather prediction models and operational forecast...
Renal osteodystrophy and chronic kidney disease–mineral bone disorder

Abstract Chronic kidney disease (CKD) affects over 20 million individuals in the United States, and 752 million individuals worldwide. Progressive kidney disease that leads to the need for dialysis (end-stage kidney disease) or transplantation affects over 700,000 individuals in the United States. CKD is defined as abnormalities of kidney structure or function present for >3 months, with stratification based on estimated glomerular filtration rate category and the magnitude of albuminuria. The Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes group has updated the classification of CKD and changed the term “stage” to “grade,” as not all kidney disease is progressive, and noted that the presence or absence of albuminuria can greatly influence prognosis. There is considerable overlap between individuals identified with osteoporosis and CKD, and at every stage/grade of kidney disease, there is increased fracture risk, demonstrating the important contribution of CKD to bone fragility.
Software Quality Assurance and Evaluation

(1991). Software Quality Assurance and Evaluation. Journal of Quality Technology: Vol. 23, No. 3, pp. 264-264.
2347 A Comparison of Laparoscopic Versus Laparotomy Management for Adnexal Masses During Pregnancy: A Retrospective Study With 16-Year Experience

Study Objective To evaluate the surgical, obstetric outcomes between laparoscopic and laparotomy management for adnexal mass during pregnancy. Design Retrospective comparative study. Setting University tertiary care referral center for endoscopic surgery. Patients or Participants Eighty-six pregnant women who underwent 86 operations for suspected adnexal pathology at our institute. Laparoscopy was performed during the first trimester in 13 patients, second trimester in 33 patients. The remaining 40 patients underwent laparotomy, 8 during the first trimester, 31 during the second trimester and 1 during third trimester. Interventions Laparoscopy or laparotomy for the management of adnexal masses during pregnancy from January 1996 to March 2012. Measurements and Main Results Operative and postoperative maternal complications, miscarriage, congenital malformations, and newborn long-term outcome. Results The laparoscopy group had a significantly shorter mean operative time (68.5±4.2 vs 49.9±3.4 min, P=0.0008), lower mean blood loss (19.9±2.3 vs 45.3±4.6 ml), shorter mean flatus time after operation (22.0±0.7 vs 43.1±2.1 h) and mean hospital stay (2.8±0.1 vs 6.6±0.2 days, P=0.004) than the laparotomy group. All group patients didn't require a blood transfusion. In multivariate analysis, there was no significant difference between laparoscopy and laparotomy group in obstetric outcomes, including preterm delivery and miscarriage rate, after adjusting for confounding factors, such as gestational age at surgery, emergency surgery and mass size. The median follow-up time was 3.5 years (range, 1.5-11.5 years). The median age of the child was 2.5 years (range, 1-9.5 years). All babies were healthy. Conclusion In this retrospective study, the successful outcome suggests that operative laparoscopy for adnexal masses performed during pregnancy is safe and feasible when performed by experienced surgeons. Procedures in the second trimester without emergency indications is preferable.
The Length of Gomco Clamp Timing and Its Effect on Bleeding

Background: The Gomco Clamp is an instrument that has been used for over 60 years to perform newborn circumcisions. The number of minutes the Gomco clamp remains tightened to the bell in this procedure is referred to as the “clamp time”. During the clamp time a crush injury is occurring, which provides hemostasis. The clamp time has varied based upon provider and institution, and no clear current guidelines exist. …
Applications of Artificial Intelligence Methodologies to Behavioral and Social Sciences

Although Artificial Intelligence (AI) has been a part of the computer science field for many decades, it has only recently been applied to different areas of behavioral and social sciences. This article provides an examination of the applications of AI methodologies to behavioral and social sciences exploring the areas where they are now utilized, the different tools used and their effectiveness. The study is a systematic research examination of peer-reviewed articles (2010–2019) that used AI methodologies in social and behavioral sciences with a focus on children and families. The results indicate that artificial intelligence methodologies have been successfully applied to three main areas of behavioral and social sciences, namely (1) to increase the effectiveness of diagnosis and prediction of different conditions, (2) to increase understanding of human development and functioning, and (3) to increase the effectiveness of data management in different social and human services. Random forests, neural networks, and elastic net are among the most frequent AI methods used for prediction, supplementing traditional approaches, while natural language processing and robotics continue to increase their role in understanding human functioning and improve social services. Applications of AI methodologies to behavioral and social sciences provide opportunities and challenges that need to be considered. Recommendations for future research are also included.
Chapter 87 – Metabolic Acidosis

: The “processes” which cause acidemia or alkalemia are referred to as acidosis and alkalosis, respectively. The presence of a normal plasma pH, and an abnormal HCO3− or Pco2, may represent a “mixed” acid-base disorder. Metabolic acidosis is the most common acid-base disorder recognized in domestic animals. Hydrogen ions cannot be added to the body without an accompanying anion. The Pco2 may not change during the acute, uncompensated phase of metabolic acidosis. The bicarbonate buffer equation is shifted to the left during both the uncompensated and compensated phases of metabolic acidosis. Although the ventilatory response to a metabolic acidosis may help to ameliorate the effect on the plasma pH, it is insufficient to completely normalize it. Bone dissolution helps to mitigate a fall in pH during a metabolic acidosis.
Extending the Beta divergence to complex values

Abstract Various information-theoretic divergences have been proposed for the cost function in tasks such as matrix factorization and clustering. One class of divergence is called the Beta divergence. By varying a real-valued parameter β , the Beta divergence connects several well-known divergences, such as the Euclidean distance, Kullback-Leibler divergence, and Itakura-Saito divergence. Unfortunately, the Beta divergence is properly defined only for positive real values, hindering its use for measuring distances between complex-valued data points. We define a new divergence, the Complex Beta divergence, that operates on complex values, and show that it coincides with the standard Beta divergence when the data is restricted to be in phase. Moreover, we show that different values of β place different penalties on errors in magnitude and phase.
Staphylococcus aureus Bacteremia in Patients Infected With COVID-19: A Case Series.

Background Previous viral pandemics have shown that secondary bacterial infections result in higher morbidity and mortality, with Staphylococcus aureus being the primary causative pathogen. The impact of secondary S. aureus bacteremia on mortality in patients infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) remains unknown. Methods This was a retrospective observational case series of patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) who developed secondary S. aureus bacteremia across 2 New York City hospitals. The primary end point was to describe 14-day and 30-day hospital mortality rates of patients with COVID-19 and S. aureus bacteremia. Secondary end points included predictors of 14-day and 30-day hospital mortality in patients with COVID-19 and S. aureus bacteremia. Results A total of 42 patients hospitalized for COVID-19 with secondary S. aureus bacteremia were identified. Of these patients, 23 (54.8%) and 28 (66.7%) died at 14 days and 30 days, respectively, from their first positive blood culture. Multivariate analysis identified hospital-onset bacteremia (≥4 days from date of admission) and age as significant predictors of 14-day hospital mortality and Pitt bacteremia score as a significant predictor of 30-day hospital mortality (odds ratio [OR], 11.9; 95% CI, 2.03-114.7; P = .01; OR, 1.10; 95% CI, 1.03-1.20; P = .02; and OR, 1.56; 95% CI, 1.19-2.18; P = .003, respectively). Conclusions Bacteremia with S. aureus is associated with high mortality rates in patients hospitalized with COVID-19. Further investigation is warranted to understand the impact of COVID-19 and secondary S. aureus bacteremia.
Feasibility of ecological momentary assessment to study depressive symptoms among cancer caregivers

Objective Ecological momentary assessment (EMA) may help with the development of more targeted interventions for caregivers' depression, yet the use of this method has been limited among cancer caregivers. This study aimed to demonstrate the feasibility of EMA among cancer caregivers and the use of EMA data to understand affective correlates of caregiver depressive symptoms. Methods Caregivers (N = 25) completed a depressive symptom assessment (Patient Health Questionnaire-8) and then received eight EMA survey prompts per day for 7 days. EMA surveys assessed affect on the orthogonal dimensions of valence and arousal. Participants completed feedback surveys regarding the EMA protocol at the conclusion of the week-long study. Results Of 32 caregivers approached, 25 enrolled and participated (78%), which exceeded the a priori feasibility cutoff of 55%. The prompt completion rate (59%, or 762 of 1,286 issued) did not exceed the a priori cutoff of 65%, although completion was not related to caregivers' age, employment status, physical health quality of life, caregiving stress, or depressive symptoms or the patients' care needs (ps > 0.22). Caregivers' feedback about their study experience was generally positive. Mixed-effects location scale modeling showed caregivers' higher depressive symptoms were related to overall higher reported negative affect and lower positive affect, but not to affective variability. Conclusions Findings from this feasibility study refute potential concerns that an EMA design is too burdensome for distressed caregivers. Clinically, findings suggest the potential importance of not only strategies to reduce overall levels of negative affect, but also to increase opportunities for positive affect.
Mass Administrative Reorganization, Media Attention, and the Paradox of Information

How does media attention influence government decisions about whether to terminate independent administrative agencies? The authors argue that an agency's salience with partisan audiences has a direct effect, but a high media profile can disrupt normal government monitoring processes and obfuscate termination decisions. This argument is evaluated in the context of a recent mass administrative reorganization by the British coalition government using probit and heteroscedastic probit regression models. The evidence suggests that termination is less likely for agencies salient in newspapers popular with the government's core supporters but not those read by its minority coalition partner. We also find that agencies with greater overall newspaper salience as well as younger agencies have a higher error variance.
Conclusion: Ideology, Language, and Political Power

This concluding chapter examines the relationship among ideology, language, governance, and political power in the broader context of China’s economic reforms. Based on the findings of the case studies, the chapter submits a critical assessment on Xi’s ideology work and its implications for the party’s ruling capacity, legitimacy, and political power.
Biphasic, Membrane-Free Zn/Phenothiazine Battery: Effects of Hydrophobicity of Redox Materials on Cyclability

The lack of a suitable ionic exchange membrane has retarded the development of organic nonaqueous redox flow batteries (RFBs). Membrane-free redox stratified batteries, wherein electroactive materi...
Applying Geriatric Principles to Transitions of Care in the Emergency Department

Each emergency department (ED) visit represents a crucial transition of care for older adults. Systems, provider, and patient factors are barriers to safe transitions and can contribute to morbidity and mortality in older adults. Safe transitions from ED to inpatient, ED to skilled nursing facility, or ED back to the community require a holistic approach, such as the 4-Ms model-what matters (patient goals of care), medication, mentation, and mobility-along with safety and social support. Clear written and verbal communication with patients, caregivers, and other members of the interdisciplinary team is paramount in ensuring successful care transitions.
Defining Risk Factors for Children Following a BRUE: The Need to Revisit the AAP BRUE Guideline

* Abbreviations: AAP — : American Academy of Pediatrics ALTE — : apparent life-threatening event BRUE — : brief resolved unexplained event Pediatricians and emergency medicine physicians have long struggled with the evaluation and management of well-appearing infants presenting to the emergency department after what parents have described as a near-death experience. In 1986, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) defined these events as apparent life-threatening events (ALTEs).1 These were events that were characterized as frightening to the caregiver and involved some combination of apnea, choking, gagging, color changes, or changes in muscle tone. Over the years since then, many investigators have sought to identify the risk to infants who have experienced such an event. However, studies were often limited by the vagueness of the original definition, which included some aspect of a subjective understanding of the event by a parent or other caregiver. In 2016, the AAP published a new practice guideline that changed the name for these events from “ALTE” to “brief resolved unexplained event” (BRUE), sought to better define these events, and described low-risk criteria that could be used to safely discharge patients to home after an event.2 However, it remains unclear as to the overlap in patient populations between these two groups, BRUE and ALTE. This is especially important … Address correspondence to Raymond Pitetti, UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, 4401 Penn Ave, Pittsburgh PA, 15224. E-mail: piterd{at}upmc.edu.