cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Abstract 118: Discharge Medications, Hospice Use and 30 Day Outcomes for Hospitalized Heart Failure Patients

Purpose: Identifying factors associated with poor 30 day outcomes following hospital discharge for heart failure patients is important for improving quality of care. Discharge on appropriate medications is a critical factor to improve outcomes. Analyses generally have not differentiated discharge medication recommendations based on prognosis such as referral to hospice after discharge. Methods: Hospitalized Medicare patients with an adjudicated acute HF diagnosis during 2006-2011 were identified from the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) study of a biracial cohort of 15,792 participants from 4 US communities since 1987. Logistic regression was used to explore two questions: 1) whether using hospice within 30 days of discharge was associated with being discharged on at least one of three medications [ACE inhibitors/angiotensin receptor blockers (ACEI/ARB), beta-blockers (BB), or diuretics]; and 2) how inclusion of patients likely close to death affected associations of discharge medications (separately or in combination) with hospital readmission or death within 30 days. Hospitalizations for participants who used hospice and died within 30 days following discharge were excluded for the analysis of readmission or death. All regressions controlled for patient demographic and clinical characteristics. Results: The study sample included 780 participants (mean age 76, 45% male, 35% black) with 1457 hospital discharges; within 30 days, 24% of discharges were readmitted and 5% died. Hospice was used within 30 days for 105 discharges (7.4%). Using hospice was strongly associated with not being discharged on at least one medication (OR 0.22; 95% CI 0.11,0.46). Forty discharges used hospice and died within 30 days but only 26 had complete data. Excluding these cases, regression with complete data for 1240 hospitalizations (684 patients) showed that thirty day readmission or death was lower (p<0.05) for patients discharged on ACEI/ARB (OR 0.71, 95% CI 0.53,0.95) or diuretics (OR 0.66, 95% CI 0.48,0.91) but not for BB. A regression assessing the joint effect of discharge on all three drugs had the strongest reduction (OR 0.56, 95% CI 0.41,0.76); including hospice users who died within 30 days without readmission showed only a slightly stronger effect (OR 0.53, 95% CI 0.39,0.72), possibly due to the addition of only 26 stays. Other predictors positively associated with readmission or death included race/site, atrial fibrillation, stroke, and longer hospital stay; hospice was weakly associated with a lower likelihood. Conclusions: As heart failure progresses, transfer to palliative or hospice services is often appropriate. Including patients when death is imminent in outcome analyses could overestimate medication effects. Mechanisms for identifying such patients other than hospice use are limited but constitute an important goal for future research.
Potential Evolutionary, Neurophysiological, and Developmental Origins of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome and Inconsolable Crying (Colic): Is It about Controlling Breath?

The authors develop a conceptual, testable model suggesting lack of developmental synchrony between cortical and subcortical neural tracts necessary for breathing control underlying human vocalization (speech breathing), potentially leaving infants vulnerable to inconsolable crying. They propose that this lack of developmental synchrony also helps explain the human susceptibility to sudden infant death syndrome. Beginning around 1 month, during sleep and awake periods, infants gradually learn to shift between volitional and autonomic breathing control based on developing functional interconnections between cortical and subcortical neural networks. The existence of sudden infant death syndrome and inconsolable crying may reflect adaptive failures exacerbated by prolonged parent–infant separation, whether night or day, due to one or the other subsystem of neural networks and/or their functioning nuclei not being equally mature or able to sufficiently send, detect, or respond to signals provided by the other. Implications of these proposed models for family practice and family science research are examined.
Antimitotic action of maleuric acid.

Summary1. Maleuric acid produced mitotic inhibition in onion root-tip cells and an increase in proportion of mitotic cells in meta-phase, but little or no cytoplasmic or nuclear abnormality was observed. 2. A single intraperitoneal injection of maleuric acid into mice bearing the Ehrlich ascites tumor resulted in marked cytoplasmic blebbing of the tumor cells. Mitotic abnormalities produced by the treatment persisted for prolonged periods. 3. The affected tumor cells showed essentially normal patterns of free amino acids.
A rapid paper-disc test for penicillinase.

A practical acidimetric assay for penicillinase production using penicillin and phenol red impregnated in paper discs was developed. Blank discs were first impregnated with buffered penicillin G and, after drying, with 1% phenol red. For use, a disc was added to a bacterial suspension made in saline solution. A yellow color within 1 to 30 min of incubation indicated penicillinase production. These discs were tested against Staphylococcus aureus , Haemophilus influenzae , and Neisseria gonorrhoeae , and the assay was found to be a simple, rapid, and accurate method for detection of penicillinase.
Determination of Theophylline and Its Metabolites by Liquid Chromatography

A high pressure liquid chromatographic assay has been developed for the separation and quantitation of theophylline and its metabolites (1-methyl uric acid, 3-methyl xanthine, and 1,3-dimethyl uric acid), theobromine, and dyphylline in biological fluids, viz. human serum, urine, and saliva. The serum has been rendered protein-free by passage through a filter with a nominal molecular weight limit of 10,000. The filtrate is injected onto a reverse-phase column and the separation achieved by utilizing a polar mobile phase and dyphylline (dihydroxypropyl theophylline) as the internal standard. The results for two normal subjects are included to illustrate the applicability of the technique.
Double K-shell vacancy production in the electron capture decay of 139Ce.

The probability of double {ital K}-shell vacancy production in the electron capture decay of {sup 139}Ce to the 166-keV level of {sup 139}La has been investigated. Triple coincidences between the 166-keV gamma ray, the La satellite {ital K}{alpha} x ray, and the La hypersatellite {ital K}{alpha} x ray were measured using two intrinsic Ge detectors. We looked for the sum of two of the three radiations in one detector in coincidence with the third radiation in the other detector. The probability of double {ital K}-shell vacancy production per {ital K}-shell electron capture ({ital P}{sub {ital K}{ital K}}) was found to be (2.0{plus minus}1.6){times}10{sup {minus}6}. From this and the known {ital P}{sub {ital K}{ital K}} for {sup 131}Cs we estimate a probability for zero {ital K}-shell vacancy production (shakedown) per {ital K}-shell electron capture of {approx lt}2.4{times}10{sup {minus}5} for {sup 139}Ce.
Estrogenic and Antiestrogenic Activities of Phytoalexins from Red Kidney Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.)

Legumes are the predominant source of isoflavones considered to be phytoestrogens that mimic the hormone 17β-estradiol (E2). Due to the risks associated with hormone replacement therapy, there is a growing need for alternative sources of estrogenic formulations for the treatment of menopausal symptoms. Legume phytoalexins (induced isoflavones) are produced under conditions of stress that include insect damage, wounding, or application of elicitors. The estrogenic and antiestrogenic activities of methanolic extracts obtained from red kidney bean treated with the fungus Aspergillus sojae were compared with those of untreated controls using an estrogen responsive element-based (ERE) luciferase reporter assay. A. sojae-treated red kidney bean extracts displayed both estrogenic and antiestrogenic activities. Analysis of elicitor-treated red kidney bean extracts showed that A. sojae treatments achieved maximal levels of kievitone at 1199 ± 101 μg/g and phaseollin at 227.8 ± 44 μg/g. The phytoalexins kievitone and phaseollin were isolated from A. sojae-treated red kidney bean extracts and analyzed for estrogenic activity using ERα and ERβ binding, ERE luciferase assays in MCF-7 and HEK 293 cells, and MCF-7 cell proliferation. Kievitone showed the highest relative binding affinity to ERα with kievitone (0.48%) > phaseollin (0.21%), and phaseollin showed the highest relative binding affinity to ERβ with phaseollin (0.53%) > kievitone (0.42%). In an ERE luciferase assay in MCF-7 cells, kievitone displayed high ER transactivation at 10 μM; phaseollin displayed low ER transactivation. Both kievitone and phaseollin stimulated MCF-7 cell proliferation, with kievitone displaying agonist activity between 0.1 and 10 μM. Cotransfection reporter assays performed in HEK 293 demonstrated that phaseollin selectively increased ERE transcriptional activity of ERβ and kievitone selectively increased ERE transcriptional activity of ERα. Although phaseollin displayed attenuation of ER transactivation in the ERE luciferase assay in MCF-7 cells, both phytoalexins attenuated the effects of E2 in an MCF-7 cell colonial survival assay. This work provides evidence that the red kidney bean phytoalexins kievitone and phaseollin possess both estrogenic and antiestrogenic activities.
Definition of and Control over the Budget Scale of Expenditure in the Form of Taxation

The budget management of the expenditure in the form of taxation is a popularly used approach. And it has also become an urgent issue we have to cope with in perfecting our tax system and reforming our fiscal system, since the definition of the expense amount is a very important matter in theory and reality. Taking American experience in this aspect as a reference and on the basis of research result by domestic scholars, this paper put forward some suggested ways to define and control the scale.
The influence of IEC 61850 digital substation for electric metering

Introduce the difference between IEC 61850 digital substation and traditional substation,discusses the impact of digital substation on electric metering,brings up the solutions.
[Estimation on the HIV-1 incidence among high risk groups using the pooling RNA technique].

Objective To timely identify the HIV-1 infection in window-period and to estimate the HIV-1 incidence among people who came for voluntary counseling and testing (VCT) service as well as men who have sex with men(MSM),respectively.Methods HIV antibody negative samples that were determined by screening tests between January and October 2012,were collected and tested with pooling HIV-1 RNA testing technique (2-staged pooling by 50 ∶ 1,10 ∶ 1).Positive cases were followed-up for HIV antibody testing while HIV incidence was calculated under Ron Brookmeyer' s method,among VCT and MSM populations.Results Among 1400 HIV antibody negative samples of VCT,two showed HIV-1 RNA positive during the antibody window period with the HIV-1 incidence as 1.87％ per year (95％ CI:1.23％-2.65％).Among 500 HIV antibody negative samples from MSM population,two showed HIV-1 RNA positive in the antibody window period,with HIV-1 incidence as 5.31％ per year (95％ CI:3.52％-7.45％).Conclusion Pooling HIV-1 RNA testing seemed a powerful tool for HIV antibody testing in the window-period.Measures should be taken to strengthen the HIV diagnostic programs among MSM and other high risk groups,during the HIV antibody window-period.More frequent detection approach as pooling HIV-1 RNA testing might be a good choice. Key words: Human immunodeficiency virus; Pooling RNA testing; Window period; High risk groups
Draft Genome Sequence of an Oxalate-Degrading Strain of Clostridium sporogenes from the Gastrointestinal Tract of the White-Throated Woodrat (Neotoma albigula)

ABSTRACT The gastrointestinal tract of the white-throated woodrat Neotoma albigula harbors a diverse microbial population that functions in the degradation of ingested plant secondary compounds. Here, we present the draft genome sequence and annotation of Clostridium sporogenes strain 8-O, a novel oxalate-degrading bacterium isolated from the feces of N. albigula.
Core body temperature, skin temperature, and interface pressure. Relationship to skin integrity in nursing home residents.

OBJECTIVE To ascertain the effects of 1-, 1 1/2-, and 2-hour turning intervals on nursing home residents' skin over the sacrum and trochanters. HYPOTHESES (1) the higher the core body temperature, the higher the skin surface temperature; (2) the 2-hour turning interval would have significantly higher skin surface temperature; (3) there would be no relationship between skin surface temperature and interface pressure; and (4) the sacrum would have the lowest skin surface temperature. DESIGN Modified Latin-square. SETTING For-profit nursing home. PARTICIPANTS Convenience sample of 26 residents who scored < 3 on the Short Portable Mini-Mental Status Questionnaire and did not have (1) open wounds; (2) albumin levels < 3.3 mg/dL; (3) severe arthritis; (4) cortisone, anticoagulation, insulin therapy or 3 medications for hypertension; and/or (5) were totally bedridden. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S) First Temp measured core temperature; a disposable thermistor temperature probe, skin temperature; and a digital interface pressure evaluator, the interface pressure. RESULTS Negative correlation (r = -.33, P = .003) occurred between core body temperature and skin surface temperature. Skin surface temperature rose at the end of the 2-hour turning interval but was not significant (F = (2.68) = .73, P = .49). Weak negative relationship (r = -12, P = .29) occurred between skin surface temperature and interface pressure, and sacral skin surface temperature was significantly lower for the left trochanter only (F = (8.68) = 7.05, P = .002). CONCLUSION Although hypotheses were not supported, more research is needed to understand how time in position and multiple chronic illnesses interact to affect skin pressure tolerance.
Simulating ecologically relevant hydrological indicators in a temporary river system

Abstract Hydrological indicators (HIs) are commonly used in eco-hydrological studies (i.e. environmental flow and hydrological status assessment). Their computation is based on streamflow data, and if measured data are not available, hydrological models can be used to generate flow data. The present paper describes a study that aimed to predict streamflow in a temporary river and to analyze the general reliability of some hydrological indicators evaluated by using simulated data instead of measured flow data. The SWAT model was used to predict daily streamflow in a river section of the Celone river (Puglia, Italy). Several HIs characterizing the patterns of river flow or specific hydrological components were evaluated using observed and simulated streamflow. The results show that the SWAT model is able to simulate streamflow in temporary river systems, but its performance under extreme low flow conditions may be a weak point. When simulated streamflow time series were used, the replicability of the HIs evaluated using a rigorous statistical methodology ranged from good to limited. Good performance was found for the magnitude of discharge in wet months (average monthly flow from November to May), for the high flow indicators (annual maxima, 1-, 3-, 7-, 30-, 90-day mean flow) and timing, while limited performance was detected for low flow indicators (annual minimum 1-, 3-, 7-, 30-, 90-day mean flow) and the number of zero flow days. Better performance for low flow indicators was found after introducing the zero-flow threshold. This type of eco-hydrological study may contribute to characterizing the flow regime and its alterations in regions with scarce data.
[A survey on eperythrozoon infection in the population from Hangzhou city, Zhejiang province].

Objective To understand the situation of eperythrozoon (EPE) infection in the population from Hangzhou. Methods According to the situation in Hangzhou, a questionnaire was designed to investigate the study population. Venous blood specimens from the studied objects were collected before an Improved Wright-Giemsa Fast Dyeing method was used. Microscopic examination was applied to test their condition of infection. SPSS 13.0 software was applied for statistical analysis.Results Totally, 580 persons were under investigation in this study, including 111 with jobs ( 'occupational' ) and another 118 served as internal controls of them. The rest 351 were considered as external controls. Finally, 54 people were detected as having EPE infection with a total positive rate as 9.31%. The infection rates were 20.72%(23/111), 7.12%(25/351) and 5.08%(6/118) among the 'occupational' population, external controls and the internal controls, respectively. The difference among these three rates was statistically significant (χ2=21.60, P<0.05). There was also significant difference found in the infection rate between people who washed their hands promptly after being exposed to animal coat, raw meat or animal excrements and those who did not wash their hands in time. The infection rate of the population who washed hands with soap or other cleaning products was lower than that of those who washed hands with only water (χ2=6.76, P<0.05). We found that residential area, pet feeding, exposure to animal coat/raw meat/animal excrement, trauma were not risk factors of EPE infection. People with higher education degree had lower risk to EPE infection than those with low education. The infection rate was not different between the populations with different eating habits. The Improved Wright-Giemsa Fast Dyeing method used in this study was good in detecting the positive rates and easy to handle. Conclusion The risk factors to EPE infection were livestock contacting, washing their hands not promptly or washing hands without soap or other cleaning products after contacting. Key words: Eperythrozoon; Infection rate; Epidemiology
Localization of human blood phenol sulfotransferase activities : novel detection of the thermostable enzyme in granulocytes

Phenol sulfotransferases (PSTs) catalyze the sulfate conjugation of catecholamines and a variety of phenolic compounds. Thermolabile and thermostable forms of PST exist in human tissue. Blood component thermostable PST activities have proved useful as measures of the enzyme activities in other tissues such as the liver. The most thoroughly studied blood component is the human platelet, which contains both thermolabile and thermostable PST activities. Partial localization of PST activity in blood has been characterized only for thermolabile PST. We performed the studies reported here to define the cellular and subcellular localization of both thermolabile and thermostable PST activities in blood elements. Blood samples from four adults were pooled and aliquots for platelet studies were anticoagulated with ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid. Aliquots for studies of granulocytes, mononuclear cells, and erythrocytes were defibrinated to avoid platelet contamination and were separated through Ficoll-Hypaque gradients. Cytosol thermolabile PST activities assayed with dopamine as the substrate and expressed as a percent of the total thermolabile PST activity per milliliter of whole blood were as follows: platelets, 97%; granulocytes, 0.6%; mononuclear cells, 0.7%; and erythrocytes, 0.4%. Cytosol thermostable PST activities measured with p-nitrophenol were as follows: platelets, 77% of the total activity; granulocytes, 19%; mononuclear cells, 1.2%; and erythrocytes, 0.5%. Plasma and membrane-bound activities were less than 2.3% of total activities for each form. Because granulocyte thermostable PST was present in an amount greater than expected, it was further characterized. The Michaelis-Menten constant values for p-nitrophenol and 3'-phosphoadenosine-5'-phosphosulfate were 1.13 mumol/L and 0.6 mumol/L, respectively. The pH optimum of 6.6, a 50% inhibitory concentration for 2,6-dichloro-4-nitrophenol of 1.0 mumol/L, and retention of 56% of activity after preincubation at 45 degrees C for 15 minutes were the same for the granulocytes as for platelet thermostable PST. In summary, our study confirms and extends our knowledge of localization of blood thermolabile PST. Our data define for the first time the localization of blood thermostable PST and highlight the substantial contribution of granulocyte thermostable PST activity. Granulocytes represent an easily obtained nucleated cell for the study of human thermostable PST.
Human Pluripotent Stem Cells: Advances in Chondrogenic Differentiation and Articular Cartilage Regeneration

Articular chondral lesions are major risk factors for the development of osteoarthritis (OA). Multiple adult cell-based approaches have been attempted to restore hyaline cartilage and prevent progressive degeneration; however, the formation of permanent cartilage has not yet been achieved. A scalable source of cartilage progenitors may have far-reaching potential to advance joint cartilage therapy as well as disease modeling and would be expected to facilitate the discovery of novel therapeutics to stimulate cartilage regeneration or prevent degeneration. Because of their unlimited proliferative capacity and pluripotency, human pluripotent stem cells have become an attractive therapeutic option as a source for consistently uniform cells with high chondrogenic capacity. This review focuses on the recent progress using development-based paradigms to control the differentiation of human pluripotent stem cells to an articular chondrocyte fate. We highlight recent findings that demonstrate the promise for using pluripotent stem cell-based replacement for hyaline cartilage repair.
Neural Alterations in Acquired Age-Related Hearing Loss.

Hearing loss is one of the most prevalent chronic health conditions in older adults. Growing evidence suggests that hearing loss is associated with reduced cognitive functioning and incident dementia. In this mini-review, we briefly examine literature on anatomical and functional alterations in the brains of adults with acquired age-associated hearing loss, which may underlie the cognitive consequences observed in this population, focusing on studies that have used structural and functional magnetic resonance imaging, diffusion tensor imaging, and event-related electroencephalography. We discuss structural and functional alterations observed in the temporal and frontal cortices and the limbic system. These neural alterations are discussed in the context of common cause, information-degradation, and sensory-deprivation hypotheses, and we suggest possible rehabilitation strategies. Although we are beginning to learn more about changes in neural architecture and functionality related to age-associated hearing loss, much work remains to be done. Understanding the neural alterations will provide objective markers for early identification of neural consequences of age-associated hearing loss and for evaluating benefits of intervention approaches.
Rise in serum and urine creatinine after phenacemide

Three patients under treatment with phenacemide for uncontrollable psychomotor epilepsy were found to have greatly increased serum creatinine levels in the absence of elevated blood urea nitrogen (BUN) values or any other evidence of renal disease. Serum creatinine returned promptly to normal after omission of the phenacemide and rose quickly again on resumption. Experiments in rabbits and rats fully reproduced these clinical observations. In vivo and in vitro studies with the drug and its metabolites excluded these as a cause for a spurious analytical finding. Rabbits given phenacemide have a fall in serum and urine creatine, while the corresponding creatine values rise. With the use of a creatininase degradation procedure, it could be proved that the markedly elevated serum level and the increased excretion consist of the creatinine and not of any other substance. An effect of phenacemide on the conversion rate of creatinine to creatinine in the body is a speculative possibility.
The Effects of Night Work on Nurses and an Analysis of Countermeasures

Nurses are expected to work a variety of different shifts throughout their careers, including traditional day shifts, night shifts, and swing shifts. Research suggests that night shifts can have potentially adverse effects on a worker’s perceptual and motor capacities, circadian rhythm, and ability to function the following day. Due to the critical role that nurses play in the health care delivery system, it is worth exploring options that serve to mitigate the aforementioned consequences associated with working at night. A number of potential countermeasures are explored, including slow shift rotations, naps, melatonin supplements, and caffeine. It is concluded that implementing slow rotating shifts and allowing time for a nap during the first night shift of a new rotation could have the largest impact on maximizing worker and patient safety.
Clinical Profile and Underdiagnosis of Pulmonary Hypertension in US Veteran Patients

Background—Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a key contributor to cardiovascular morbidity and early mortality; however, reports are lacking on the epidemiology of PH in at-risk patient populations. Methods and Results—The echocardiography registries from 2 major Veterans Affairs hospitals were accessed to identify patients with at least moderate PH, defined here as a pulmonary artery systolic pressure ≥60 mm Hg detected echocardiographically. From a total of 10 471 individual patient transthoracic echocardiograms, we identified moderate or severe PH in 340 patients (332 men; mean, 77 years; mean pulmonary artery systolic pressure, 69.4±10.5 mm Hg), of which PH was listed as a diagnosis in the medical record for only 59 (17.3%). At a mean of 832 days (0–4817 days) following echocardiography diagnosing PH, 150 (44.1%) patients were deceased. PH was present without substantial left heart remodeling: the mean left ventricular ejection fraction was 0.50±0.16, left ventricular end-diastolic dimension was 5.0±0.9 ...
Sickle, Hammer, and Trowel: Theory and Practice of Archaeology Under Communism

I present a preliminary comparative analysis of archaeological thought and practice in selected Communist-ruled countries and the use of Marxist-inspired methodology, and its local variants, to research and interpret the social past. The goal is to identify common patterns of governmental influence and control in the teaching and practice of archaeology and interpretations of the social past. The analysis allows for identification of pressures inflicted by the political milieu to control archaeological reasoning and the conditions for professional engagement.
A língua que é capaz de incluir ou excluir um indivíduo analisada em textos publicitários da Adidas

Resumo: Este artigo apresenta uma analise de textos publicitarios da empresa Adidas e tem como objetivo identificar recursos linguisticos utilizados para fazer com que individuos excluidos pela sociedade sintam-se fazendo parte de um contexto esportivo. Por meio desta associacao, o leitor e levado a acreditar que necessita comprar os produtos oferecidos no comercial para tornar-se uma pessoa de sucesso. Para esta analise, e realizado um estudo de dois textos publicitarios divulgados na internet pela Adidas. Esse estudo e embasado em conceitos da teoria dos subentendidos contidos no texto. E realizada tambemuma reflexao sobre a diversidade linguistica e social utilizada nos textos publicitarios. Para isso serao utilizados alguns conceitos de Bourdieu. Por meio desta analise averigua-se como a lingua e utilizada como instrumento de poder. Palavras-chave: Textos Publicitarios. Recursos Linguisticos. Adidas. _______________________Abstract: This article presents an analysis of advertising texts of the Adidas Company and aims to identify language resources used to make individuals excluded by society to feel part of a sporting context. Through this association, the reader is led to believe that you need to buy the products offered in the business to become a successful person. For this analysis, we conducted a study of two advertising texts published on the Internet by Adidas. This study is grounded in concepts of the theory of implied contained in the text. It also carried out a reflection on the linguistic and social diversity used in advertising copy. For that will be used some concepts of Bourdieu. Through this analysis consider whetheras the language is used as an instrument of power. Keywords: Text Advertising. Language Resources. Adidas
Optical Band Gap Alteration of Graphene Oxide via Ozone Treatment

Graphene oxide (GO) is a graphene derivative that emits fluorescence, which makes GO an attractive material for optoelectronics and biotechnology. In this work, we utilize ozone treatment to controllably tune the band gap of GO, which can significantly enhance its applications. Ozone treatment in aqueous GO suspensions yields the addition/rearrangement of oxygen-containing functional groups suggested by the increase in vibrational transitions of C-O and C=O moieties. Concomitantly it leads to an initial increase in GO fluorescence intensity and significant (100 nm) blue shifts in emission maxima. Based on the model of GO fluorescence originating from sp2 graphitic islands confined by oxygenated addends, we propose that ozone-induced functionalization decreases the size of graphitic islands affecting the GO band gap and emission energies. TEM analyses of GO flakes confirm the size decrease of ordered sp2 domains with ozone treatment, whereas semi-empirical PM3 calculations on model addend-confined graphitic clusters predict the inverse dependence of the band gap energies on sp2 cluster size. This mod﻿el explains ozone-induced increase in emission energies yielding fluorescence blue shifts and helps develop an understanding of the origins of GO fluorescence emission. Furthermore, ozone treatment provides a versatile approach to controllably alter GO band gap for optoelectronics and bio-sensing applications.
Using Jazz as a Metaphor to Teach Improvisational Communication Skills.

Metaphor helps humans understand complex concepts by “mapping” them onto accessible concepts. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of using jazz as a metaphor to teach senior medical students improvisational communication skills, and to understand student learning experiences. The authors designed a month-long course that used jazz to teach improvisational communication. A sample of fourth-year medical students (N = 30) completed the course between 2011 and 2014. Evaluation consisted of quantitative and qualitative data collected pre- and post-course, with comparison to a concurrent control group on some measures. Measures included: (a) Student self-reports of knowledge and ability performing communicative tasks; (b) blinded standardized patient assessment of students’ adaptability and quality of listening; and (c) qualitative course evaluation data and open-ended interviews with course students. Compared to control students, course students demonstrated statistically significant and educationally meaningful gains in adaptability and listening behaviors. Students’ course experiences suggested that the jazz components led to high engagement and creativity, and provided a model to guide application of improvisational concepts to their own communication behaviors. Metaphor proved to be a powerful tool in this study, partly through enabling increased reflection and decreased resistance to behaviors that, on the surface, tended to run counter to generally accepted norms. The use of jazz as a metaphor to teach improvisational communication warrants further refinement and investigation.
Unveiling the Role of CeO2 Atomic Layer Deposition Coatings on LiMn2O4 Cathode Materials: An Experimental and Theoretical Study

An atomic layer deposition (ALD) coating on active materials of a lithium ion battery is a more effective strategy for improving battery performance than other coating technologies. However, substantial uncertainty still remains about the underlying physics and role of the ALD coating in improving battery performance. Although improvement in the stability and capacity of CeO2 thin film coated particles for batteries has been reported, a detailed and accurate description of the mechanism has not been provided. We have developed a multiphysics-based model that takes into consideration stress mechanics, diffusion of lithium ion, and dissolution of transition-metal ions of spinel LiMn2O4 cathode. The model analyzes how different coating thicknesses affect diffusion-induced stress generation and, ultimately, crack propagation. Experimentally measured diffusivity and dissolution rates were incorporated into the model to account for a trade-off between delayed transport and prevention of side reactions. Along wi...
Duct cleaning: A review of associated health effects and results of company and expert surveys

The purpose of this study is to address the subject of nonroutine cleaning of ducts and other components of HVAC systems. A literature review was conducted to determine the short- and long-term environmental and occupational health aspects of nonroutine cleaning of HVAC components. Surveys were conducted of representative duct cleaning companies to determine their recommended approach to duct and HVAC system cleaning. Interviews of professionals from trade associations, academia, government agencies, and consulting firms were also undertaken to gain their assessment of the cleaning process. The means used to identify particulate and odor contamination in HVAC systems, including problems associated with the identification process, are discussed. The advantages and disadvantages of various cleaning methods in terms of the types of equipment and long-term effectiveness are described.
Incentive design for high quality disease prediction model using crowdsourced clinical data

Abstract Clinical data mining has great potential for mining hidden patterns in the medical datasets, which can then be used to guide clinical decision making and personalized medicine. While several studies have merged medical data mining techniques with statistical analysis, their proposed mechanisms are excessively complex and are not particularly accurate for individual patients. Therefore, it is essential that a better tool is developed for disease progression and survival rate predictions. In addition, most of the medical datasets are noisy and hence any dataset needs to be cleaned before it is used for predictions. Each dataset may contain many features not all of which are useful for predictions. Therefore, useful feature selection techniques need to be employed before prediction models can be constructed. Furthermore, larger and high quality datasets typically create better prediction models. Thus, in this paper, we explore how data cleaning and feature selection techniques affect the performance of the prediction models. In addition, we develop a new incentive model with individual rationality and platform profitability features to encourage different hospitals to share high quality data so that better prediction models can be constructed. We evaluate our proposed techniques using three datasets and the results show that our proposed methods are more efficient and accurate than several existing prediction models.
Fluorescence Lifetime Imaging with Compressive Sensing through Deep Convolutional Neural Network

We designed a Convolutional Neural Network to directly reconstruct both intensity and lifetime images from raw compressive time-resolved measurements. It provides better simulated and experimental results with significantly reduced time compared to the traditional workflow.
Clinical Implications of Ablation of Drivers for Atrial Fibrillation: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background: The outcomes from pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) for atrial fibrillation (AF) are suboptimal, but the benefits of additional lesion sets remain unproven. Recent studies propose ablation of AF drivers improves outcomes over PVI, yet with conflicting reports in the literature. We undertook a systematic literature review and meta-analysis to determine outcomes from ablation of AF drivers in addition to PVI or as a stand-alone procedure. Methods: Database search was done using the terms atrial fibrillation and ablation or catheter ablation and driver or rotor or focal impulse or FIRM (Focal Impulse and Rotor Modulation). We pooled data using random effects model and assessed heterogeneity with I 2 statistic. Results: Seventeen studies met inclusion criteria, in a cohort size of 3294 patients. Adding AF driver ablation to PVI reported freedom from AF of 72.5% (confidence interval [CI], 62.1%–81.8%; P P P =0.02) for freedom from AF and an odds ratio of 1.8 (CI, 1.2–2.7; P P Conclusions: In controlled studies, the addition of AF driver ablation to PVI supports the possible benefit of a combined approach of AF driver ablation and PVI in improving single-procedure freedom from all arrhythmias. However, most studies are uncontrolled and are limited by substantial heterogeneity in outcomes. Large multicenter randomized trials are needed to precisely define the benefits of adding driver ablation to PVI.
Bilateral Sustained Nephrograms After Parenteral Administration of Iodinated Contrast Material: A Potential Biomarker for Acute Kidney Injury, Dialysis, and Mortality.

Abstract Objective To determine whether persistent bilateral global nephrograms are associated with acute kidney injury (AKI), dialysis, and mortality. Patients and Methods All patients who underwent (1) contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) or cardiac catheterization with iohexol between January 1, 2000, and December 31, 2014, and (2) noncontrast abdominal CT in the subsequent 24±6 hours were identified. Patients without preprocedure and postprocedure creatinine measurements or who received additional contrast material were excluded. Nephrograms were identified by radiologist review and CT attenuation measurements. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to determine nephrogram risk factors. Acute kidney injury (defined as a creatinine level of ≥0.5 mg/dL or Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes stages 1-3), dialysis, and mortality proportions were compared between patients with and without bilateral global nephrograms using the Fisher's exact test. Results A total of 123 patients met all inclusion criteria. The proportion of patients with a nephrogram was 37.4% (n=46), with a higher proportion following interventional (67% [18 of 30]) vs diagnostic (27.3% [9 of 33]) catheterization or contrast-enhanced computed tomography (31.7% [19 of 60]). Age (P=.002), chronic kidney disease (P=.05), and acute hypotension or shock (P=.02) were significant risk factors for nephrogram development. Patients with nephrogram had significantly higher rates of AKI (37.0% [17 of 46] vs 5.2% [4 of 77]; odds ratio [OR], 10.7 [95% CI, 3.31-34.5]; P Conclusion The presence of persistent bilateral global nephrograms suggests an increased risk of AKI, dialysis, and mortality when compared with patients whose kidneys fully eliminated the contrast material.
Axonal Transport Mechanisms in Cytoskeleton Formation and Regulation

Most axonal and synaptic proteins are synthesized within the cell body and must travel long distances along axons to reach their sites of function. It is widely accepted that membranous organelles are bidirectionally transported by motor proteins, including kinesins and dynein, at fast rates (50–400 mm/day) along axonal microtubules. The mechanisms underlying slow axonal transport of proteins, including components of the cytoskeleton, have been more elusive, although recent genetic and live-cell imaging approaches have yielded general principles about the dynamic behaviors of cytoskeletal elements and formation of the axonal cytoskeleton. Cytoskeletal components may undergo slow transport (0.1–10 mm/day in vivo) as short polymers or oligomeric assemblies of subunits that fully assemble during transport or after they incorporate into the axonal cytoskeleton. Slow transport rates for a particular cargo reflect a pattern of rapid movements along axons interrupted by pauses of varying short durations. In mature myelinated axons, proteins in transport represent a relatively small pool that serve as precursors to a large metabolically stable stationary cytoskeleton composed of neurofilaments networked together by cross bridging proteins along with microtubule and actin filaments. Cytoskeletal components may turn over by local subunit exchange or proteolysis or, alternatively, by detachment of a larger filament fragment that is translocated to a degradative site. Defects in specific aspects of this complex process are the basis for certain neurological disorders.
Computational Modeling of Vascular Hemodynamics

In addition to biochemical factors, hemodynamic factors that are governed by lumenal geometry and blood flow rates likely play an important role in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular disease. Numerous computational and experimental studies indicated correlation of certain hemodynamic parameters with initiation and progression of atherosclerotic plaques, while flow variables possibly affecting aneurysmal disease are still disputed. This chapter presents a review of publications on current state of the art for the Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) methods used in patient-specific flow modeling. Typical modeling assumptions and boundary conditions are described and discussed as well as some of the post-processing and visualization techniques. It is hoped that with the current advances in medical imaging and numerical methods, computational modeling will evolve into a clinical tool providing guidance for cardiovascular disease treatment on a patient-by-patient basis.
SOLVENT EFFECTS ON NADH FLUORESCENCE IN SOLUTION AND IN COMPLEXES WITH ALCOHOL DEHYDROGENASE AND HYDROXYSTEROID DEHYDROGENASE

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses about solvent effects on NADH fluorescence in solution and in complexes with alcohol dehydrogenase and hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase. LADH and 20 β -SDH were obtained as suspensions in ammonium sulfate. Excitation and emission spectra for free NADH and the binary NADH-20 β -SDH complex are shown. Addition of NAD to solutions of dye–protein complex results in a loss of dye fluorescence. This suggests a competition between dye and NAD for binding sites. To clarify this point, aliquots of dye solution were added to enzyme in the presence or absence of NAD. The fluorescence excitation and emission spectra of 20β-SDH-bound NADH indicate that the coenzyme molecule is unfolded in the binary complex and that the nicotinamide moiety is bound in a nonpolar region of the protein.
Asian Americans and politics: communities and research transformed

More than a decade ago in a review essay (Watanabe 2006) on the state of book-length treatments of Asian Americans and politics, I observed that with the then existing bookshelf pretty bare the mea...
Post-treatment changes in hematological parameters predict response to nivolumab monotherapy in non-small cell lung cancer patients

Background The absolute neutrophil count (ANC), absolute lymphocyte count (ALC), absolute monocyte count (AMC) and neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) are known markers of inflammation. We evaluated whether ANC, ALC, AMC and NLR, both before and after treatment with nivolumab, are indicative markers of overall survival (OS) and evaluated change in NLR as a predictive marker of response in non -small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients treated with nivolumab. Methods A total of 109 patients with advanced NSCLC treated with nivolumab were included. ANC, ALC, AMC and NLR were examined at initiation of nivolumab therapy and after two cycles. The prognostic role of ANC, ALC, AMC and NLR with OS and changes in NLR ratio were examined with Kaplan-Meier curves and proportional hazard model. Result Post-treatment NLR ≥5 after two cycles of nivolumab was associated with poor OS (median OS in NLR = <5 vs NLR = ≥5 was 29.1 (16.2–40.9) vs 24.2(16.1–36.2) months respectively, p<0.001). In addition NLR increased in non-responders after two cycles of nivolumab by 6.6±21.8 as compared to responders (p = 0.027). Conclusions Post-treatment ANC, ALC and NLR are independent prognostic factors in NSCLC patients treated with nivolumab. Changes in NLR can be an early biomarker for response in NSCLC patients treated with nivolumab.
Data-space approaches for uncertainty quantification of CO2 plume location in geological carbon storage

Abstract A data-space inversion (DSI) method is developed and applied to quantify uncertainty in the location of CO2 plumes in the top layer of a storage aquifer. In the DSI procedure, posterior predictions of the CO2 saturation distribution are generated using simulation results for prior geostatistical model realizations along with observed data, which in this case derive from observations at monitoring wells. Posterior (history-matched) geological models are not constructed in the DSI method, so many of the complications that arise in traditional data assimilation methods are avoided. The DSI method treats quantities of interest (QoI), such as the CO2 saturation distribution in the top layer, as random variables. The posterior distribution for these QoI, conditioned to observed data, is formulated in the data space within a Bayesian framework. Samples from this posterior distribution are generated using the randomized maximum likelihood method. We also introduce a procedure to optimize the locations of monitoring wells using only prior-model simulation results. This approach is based on analytical DSI results, and determines monitoring well locations such that the reduction in expected posterior variance of a relevant quantity is maximized. The new DSI procedure is applied to three-dimensional heterogeneous aquifer models involving uncertainties in a wide range of geological parameters, including variogram orientation, porosity and permeability fields, and regional pressure gradient. Multiple monitoring scenarios, involving four to eight monitoring wells, are considered in the evaluation of our data space methodology. Application of DSI with optimal monitoring wells is shown to consistently reduce the posterior variance of average CO2 saturation in the top layer, and to provide detailed saturation fields in reasonable correspondence with the ‘true’ saturation distribution. Finally, we demonstrate consistent improvement in DSI predictions as data are collected from an increasing number of (optimized) monitoring wells.
The Promise and Peril of Environmental Law: Challenges, Conflicting Objectives, and the Search for Solutions

This article, in a Spanish language version, serves as the introduction to the volume "Derecho Ambiental y Justicia Social" [Environmental Law and Social Justice], published in 2009 by Siglo de los Hombres Publishers and the Universidad de los Andes, Bogota. The evironrmental law addition to their "Nuevo Pensamiento Juridico" [New Legal Thought] series, the introduction aims to identify major themes in environmental law thinking and writing, from law and economics to environmental justice and ecology, over the past 40 years for readers in Latin American interested in but unfamiliar with environmental law. The volume also included versions of articles by Garrett Hardin, Christopher Stone and Carol Rose, edited by the author.