cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Communication failures in patient sign-out and suggestions for improvement: a critical incident analysis

Background: The transfer of care for hospitalized patients between inpatient physicians is routinely mediated through written and verbal communication or "sign-out". This study aims to describe how communication failures during this process can lead to patient harm. Methods: In interviews employing critical incident technique, first year resident physicians (interns) described (1) any adverse events or near misses due to suboptimal preceding patient sign-out; (2) the worst event due to suboptimal sign-out in which they were involved; and (3) suggestions to improve sign-out. All data were analyzed and categorized using the constant comparative method with independent review by three researchers. Results: Twenty six interns caring for 82 patients were interviewed after receiving sign-out from another intern. Twenty five discrete incidents, all the result of communication failures during the preceding patient sign-out, and 21 worst events were described. Inter-rater agreement for categorization was high (κ 0.78–1.00). Omitted content (such as medications, active problems, pending tests) or failure-prone communication processes (such as lack of face-to-face discussion) emerged as major categories of failed communication. In nearly all cases these failures led to uncertainty during decisions on patient care. Uncertainty may result in inefficient or suboptimal care such as repeat or unnecessary tests. Interns desired thorough but relevant face-to-face verbal sign-outs that reviewed anticipated issues. They preferred legible, accurate, updated, written sign-out sheets that included standard patient content such as code status or active and anticipated medical problems. Conclusion: Communication failures during sign-out often lead to uncertainty in decisions on patient care. These may result in inefficient or suboptimal care leading to patient harm.
Optical Silver Superlens Imaging Below the Diffraction Limit

Conventional optical imaging systems cannot resolve the features smaller than approximately half the size of the working wavelength, called the diffraction limit. The superlens theory predicts that a flat lens made of an ideal material with negative permittivity and/or permeability is able to resolve features much smaller than working wavelength through the restoration of evanescent waves[1]. We experimentally demonstrated the superlens concept for the first time using a thin silver slab in a quasi-static regime; a 60nm half-pitch object was imaged with λ=365nm illumination wavelength, λ/6 resolution[3], and the imaging of 50nm half-pitch object under the same light source, λ/7, was also reported[4]. Here, we present mainly experimental studies of near-field optical superlens imaging.
DIRECT SAMPLING AND ANALYSIS OF VOLATILE ORGANIC COMPOUNDS IN AIR BY MEMBRANE INTRODUCTION AND GLOW DISCHARGE ION TRAP MASS SPECTROMETRY WITH FILTERED NOISE FIELDS

Two direct air sampling interfaces have been evaluated in the laboratory for monitoring toxic air pollutants in real time by ion trap mass spectrometry in both single mass spectrometry and tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) modes. The mass spectrometer is the research-grade Finnigan MAT ion trap (ITMSTM) equipped with the Teledyne filtered noise field (FNF) module to eject unwanted ions and isolate only ions of interest. This results in enhanced sensitivity and selectivity for analyte ions of interest. MS/MS operation, for characterization of individual compounds with high sensitivity and specificity, is achieved by applying a supplementary RF signal to the end-caps of the ion trap. The direct air sampling interfaces are a semi-permeable helium-purged tubular membrane and an atmospheric sampling glow discharge ionization (ASGDI) source. Nonpolar and polar volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are measured at trace levels in air, using an environmental test chamber as the source of the target compound mixtures at known concentrations. Experiments conducted with the combination systems permit a comparison of the two direct air sampling interfaces for monitoring VOCs continuously in real time and illustrate the power of the FNF method to isolate ions with unit mass resolution and to perform MS/MS measurements.
DEPRIVATION AND FOSTER CARE

Five years of experience as psychiatric consultant to the foster care division of an urban welfare department have led me to the disturbing conclusion that present programs of foster care are failing to meet the needs of many children who will have to remain in foster homes to the age of eighteen (Eisenberg, 1962b). The number of cases seen in the welfare department psychiatric clinic because they presented serious behavior disorders exceeded by tenfold the rate of service in community psychiatric agencies for the general child population. Although it is true that foster children are under somewhat more careful surveillance than youngsters in the general population and that social workers may be likely to seek psychiatric care sooner than many families would, it is also true that the foster care cases seen were a fraction of those referred since services were limited. Although it is not possible to determine the true prevalence of psychiatric disturbance simply from the frequency of services provided, the data nonetheless suggest a disproportionately high rate of psychiatric disability in the foster care population. In our study the disturbed foster children were contrasted on a number of salient social characteristics with the remaining children in the city and state foster care program. The disturbed children were much more likely to be illegitimate, to have come into care at a time when they were living with either a distant relative or a family friend
Dynamic modelling and simulation of two-mode electric variable transmission

AbstractA dynamic model is created for evaluating an electric variable transmission (EVT) developed by Allison Transmission Division of General Motors. The model is based on Kane's equations, and t...
Who Pays for Dates? Following Versus Challenging Gender Norms:

Chivalry dictates that on a “date,” the man pays, whereas egalitarian ideals suggest that gender should not determine who pays. We examined the extent to which people embrace or reject these compet...
Survivorship care experiences, information, and support needs of patients with oral and oropharyngeal cancer.

Background There is little research documenting the posttreatment experiences and needs of oral/oropharyngeal cancer survivors. Methods In this cross-sectional study, 92 patients with oral/oropharyngeal cancer diagnosed between 2 and 5 years prior completed a survey about oral cancer information and support needs. Results About half retrospectively reported that they did not receive a written treatment summary. The desire for more oral cancer information was common; one-third or more desired more information about long-term effects, recommended follow-up, and symptoms that should prompt contacting a doctor. Support needs were less common; only a lack of energy was rated as a significant support need. Patients who had a recurrence, did not drink alcohol, and had a greater recurrence fear desired more information. Smokers and more distressed patients reported more support needs. Conclusion Survivors reported the desire for more oral cancer information. A desire for assistance was less common. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 38: E1935-E1946, 2016.
Willingness to Pay for CT Colonography: A Survey of Patient Preferences.

OBJECTIVE. CT colonography (CTC) has received mixed reviews both in the radiology literature and in clinical practice. CTC is less invasive than optical colonoscopy (OC), is better for identifying polyps, and does not require sedation. However, its cost-effectiveness has been called into question, and there is a residual need for OC if the CTC findings are positive. Some radiologists are hesitant to perform CTC because of the time-intensive nature of its interpretation. Results of willingness-to-pay surveys can be informative about preferences and value placed on intangibles. The purpose of this study was to use such a survey to elicit the preferences of radiologists about CTC versus OC. SUBJECTS AND METHODS. A vignette was presented in which the insurer covered OC at no charge but required out-of-pocket payment for CTC. The strengths and weaknesses of OC and CTC were listed. The respondents were asked how much they would be willing to pay for CTC; for CTC with perfect sensitivity, specificity, and accura...
The changing landscape of requirements engineering practices over the past decade

Even though there is ample information available on solid requirements engineering practices, anecdotal evidence still indicates poor practices in industry. The key issue in implementing an improvement is to first identify the areas that need most improvement. Three surveys were conducted in 2003, 2008 and 2013 on the state of practice of requirements engineering. Surveys data obtained includes characteristics of projects, practices, organizations, and practitioners related to requirements engineering. In this paper we present a comparison and analysis of the responses from the three surveys in order to understand the changing land-scape of requirements engineering industrial practices over the past years.
Effect of sonic and ultrasonic frequencies on the crystallization of basalt

Experiments were conducted to determine whether vibrations with frequencies in the sonic to ultrasonic range have any effect on the crystallization of basalt. One-atmosphere melting experiments were done at the QFM buffer on a sample of alkali basalt. A piezoelectric quartz crystal and a function generator were used to generate waves of 1.5 MHz and 150 kHz, and waves were propagated along the platinum quench wire to which the experimental charge was attached. Experiments were conducted at 1182 °C; at this temperature the sample was about 25% crystalline and contained olivine and plagioclase. Compared to the static control experiments, vibrated experiments produced plagioclase crystals that were less euhedral and had lower aspect ratios. Crystal size distributions for plagioclase were steeper for the vibrated experiments, with a higher population density of smaller crystals. The effect on olivine crystal size distributions was less. If the effect on plagioclase extends to lower vibrational frequencies, it is possible that this phenomenon may occur in magmas prior to eruption. The experimental technique developed to produce vibrations is potentially useful for improving homogeneity of melt and increasing likelihood of achieving mineral-melt equilibrium in partitioning experiments.
The Inability of RNA from Lymph Node Cells from Immunized Strain 2 Animals to Confer Immune Competence To Strain 13 Lymph Node Cells in the DNP-PLL Immune System

SummaryRibonucleic acid (RNA) obtained from the lymph nodes of responder strain 2 guinea pigs immunized with DNP-PLL was added in vitro to the lymph node cells from normal nonresponder strain 13 guinea pigs. These strain 13 lymph node cells were then tested for their ability to be stimulated to proliferate by the addition of DNP-PLL. Under two different culture conditions normal strain 13 cells exposed to the RNA failed to respond to antigen. These experiments do not lend support to the idea that RNA obtained from immunized lymphoid cells can transfer immunological information to naive lymphoid cells.
Transjugular Liver Biopsy in a Multiple Myeloma Patient with Hepatomegaly, Portal Hypertension and "Miliary" Liver Lesions: A Case Report

The present report describes a 50-year-old female recently diagnosed with multiple myeloma who presented with hepatosplenomegaly, miliary-type hyper enhancing liver tumors, and esophageal varices. We performed a transjugular liver biopsy when liver biopsy was requested to evaluate the miliary-type liver lesions. This was done to lower the risk of bleeding given the patient's anemia and probable portal hypertension. This approach was successful in safely providing diagnostic samples for surgical pathology and flow cytometry to assess the nature of focal miliary liver lesions. It also proved portal hypertension.
Trends in Professional Art Library Job Postings, 2010–2015

AbstractThe author outlines the geography of the current art library job market through an examination of job postings from the Art Libraries Society of North America (ARLIS/NA) ARLIS-L listserv. The breakdown of institution type (academic, museum, other) and preferred and required qualifications for professional-level vacancies are analyzed, with results showing the majority of open positions are in academic institutions and the most commonly requested qualifications are library experience, communication skills, knowledge of digital trends, an additional subject degree, and supervisory experience. Finally, the author compares the qualifications for various position types, showing that some qualifications are more highly preferred for certain positions.
Blood Supply of the Cranial Nerves

Abstract The cranial nerves receive their arterial supply from an intricate network of tributaries derived from the external carotid, internal carotid, and vertebrobasilar territories. This chapter provides a comprehensive review of the arterial supply of the cranial nerves.
Natural Variation and Genome-Wide Association Study of Antioxidants in a Diverse Sorghum Collection

Consumption of polyphenol-rich food is associated with decreased risk of oxidative stress-related chronic diseases. Sorghum, a major food and feed cereal crop, has many polyphenol-containing accessions with high antioxidant activity in the grain. However, many of these polyphenol-containing accessions are not high-yielding or food-grade varieties. The natural variation in sorghum grain polyphenols can be used to develop high-yielding, health-promoting specialty food types through marker-assisted breeding. To identify new antioxidant-rich germplasm, we quantified antioxidant activity, total polyphenols, and condensed tannins in whole kernel flour in 266 accessions from the genetically and phenotypically diverse Sorghum Association Panel. Antioxidant activity, total polyphenols, and condensed tannins were in the ranges of 9.6–325.1 μmol of trolox equivalents (TE)/g, 0.8–18.8 g of gallic acid equivalents/kg, and 0–65.5 g of catechin equivalents/kg, respectively. Twenty-three accessions were rich sources of a...
Electromagnetic Interference from Swimming Pool Generator Current Causing Inappropriate ICD Discharges.

Electromagnetic interference (EMI) includes any electromagnetic field signal that can be detected by device circuitry, with potentially serious consequences: incorrect sensing, pacing, device mode switching, and defibrillation. This is a unique case of extracardiac EMI by alternating current leakage from a submerged motor used to recycle chlorinated water, resulting in false rhythm detection and inappropriate ICD discharge. A 31-year-old female with arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy and Medtronic dual-chamber ICD placement presented after several inappropriate ICD shocks at the public swimming pool. Patient had never received prior shocks and device was appropriate at all regular follow-ups. Intracardiac electrograms revealed unique, high-frequency signals at exactly 120 msec suggestive of EMI from a strong external source of alternating current. Electrical artifact was incorrectly sensed as a ventricular arrhythmia which resulted in discharge. ICD parameters including sensing, pacing thresholds, and impedance were all normal suggesting against device malfunction. With device failure and intracardiac sources excluded, EMI was therefore strongly suspected. Avoidance of EMI source brought complete resolution with no further inappropriate shocks. After exclusion of intracardiac interference, device malfunction, and abnormal settings, extracardiac etiologies such as EMI must be thoughtfully considered and excluded. Elimination of inappropriate shocks is to “first, do no harm.”
Supporting Latinx/a/o Community College Leaders: A Geo-Spatial Approach

Community colleges play a significant role in guiding pathways to postsencondary degrees for Latinx/a/o students. To gain a greater understanding of ways Latinx/a/o students utilize community colleges as pathways to degrees, this article focused on institutional leaders, members of one community college professional assocation. An original survey instrument was administered and an exploratory spatial data analysis (ESDA) using a geographic information systems (GIS) database was conducted. Findings suggest greater proportions of Latinx/a/o community college leaders may be found in metropolitan areas with large Latinx/a/o populations. Author reflexivity and implications for research and practice are presented.
Human Papillomavirus Vaccination: Narrative Review of Studies on How Providers' Vaccine Communication Affects Attitudes and Uptake

The burden of human papillomavirus (HPV) infections is substantial, causing thousands of cancers and deaths in the United States yearly. Safe and effective vaccines exist, yet remains underutilized, particularly among younger adolescents for whom the vaccine is targeted. Provider communication techniques are known to affect parents' and adolescents' acceptance of this vaccine. In this review, we examine the influence that provider communication techniques have on parental attitudes regarding HPV vaccine, as well as how those techniques affect vaccination uptake. We explore the limited literature that has directly measured the influence of provider communication techniques on parental attitudes, which suggests that the strength of a provider recommendation strongly influences parents' perceptions regarding the safety of HPV vaccine, and that brief recommendations might be best for parents without significant concerns. We also review the literature regarding the use of so-called 'presumptive' recommendations, and how these types of recommendations are associated with increased HPV vaccine uptake. Finally, we present new information regarding the use of motivational interviewing as a provider communication technique to improve vaccination uptake, particularly among vaccine-hesitant parents. We close with suggestions for 'best practices' that include using brief, strong, unambiguous language to introduce the HPV vaccine, followed by more nuanced communication techniques, such as motivational interviewing, when encountering resistance.
Evaluating CD-ROM versions of the MEDLINE database: a checklist.

The emergence of CD-ROM (compact disc/read-only memory) versions of the MEDLINE database requires experienced MEDLINE searchers to examine assumptions about searching MEDLINE, since some expectations may not be fulfilled by this new technology. When applied to a particular CD-ROM MEDLINE product, the evaluation procedure involves testing assumptions concerning database contents; mechanics of searching; display, print, and download capabilities; and user-friendly features. The extent to which a CD-ROM product preserves and exploits important MEDLINE strengths should be assessed, e.g., the MeSH controlled vocabulary, the designation of major and minor MeSH emphasis, and the use of subheadings. Search software characteristics that affect ease of searching and quality of results also need to be examined, e.g., the ability to truncate search terms and the order of precedence in which Boolean operators are evaluated. A checklist to assist in the evaluation process is presented, including search examples for use in testing search functions.
On the existence of elliptics in subgroups of PSL(2, ℝ): A graphical picture

Let F bea non-elementary subgroup of PSL(2, ℝ). The purpose of this paper is to elucidate the nature and the extent of elliptic elements in F.
Detonation and Burning Characteristics of Liquid Oxygen-Liquid Methane Mixtures

Liquid monopropellants are potentially very attractive for application to low cost boosters H. In order to realize this potential, however, a monopropellant must be found which is sufficiently energetic to be competitive from a performance standpoint, but yet stable enough to allow safe handling and usage.
Introduction to Control Theory

The calculus of variations was born from the problem of finding the curve joining two points such that a body sliding along it without friction would move from one end to the other in minimum time.
Influence of topological constraints on ion damage resistance of amorphous hydrogenated silicon carbide

Abstract Radiation damage in materials is an important reliability issue in applications ranging from microelectronic devices to nuclear reactors. However, the influence of atomic structure and specifically topological constraints on the ion damage resistance of amorphous dielectrics has until recently been largely neglected. We have investigated the 120 keV He + ion damage resistance for a series of amorphous hydrogenated silicon carbide (a-SiC:H) thin films. Changes in elemental composition and atomic structure induced by He + ion irradiation were monitored using nuclear reaction analysis, Rutherford backscattering spectroscopy, transmission Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, and transmission electron microscopy while changes in mechanical properties were investigated using nanoindentation measurements. We show that for 120 keV He + ion doses producing up to one displacement per atom, significant hydrogen loss, bond rearrangement, film shrinkage, and mechanical stiffening were induced for films with mean atomic coordination (〈 r 〉) ≤ 2.7, while comparatively minor changes were observed for films with 〈 r 〉 > 2.7. The observed radiation hardness threshold at 〈 r 〉 rad > 2.7 is above the theoretically predicted rigidity percolation threshold of 〈 r 〉 c = 2.4. Based on the observed elimination of terminal C H bonds and Si CH 2 Si linkages, the higher radiation hardness threshold is interpreted as evidence that these bonds are too weak to function as constraints in high-energy ion collisions. Eliminating these constraints increased 〈 r 〉 c to 2.7, in agreement with the observed 〈 r 〉 rad = 2.7. These results demonstrate the key role of topological constraints in ion damage resistance and provide additional criteria for the design of ion-damage-resistant amorphous materials.
Anti-antimatter

It is proposed that the normal particle states of matter and antimatter has identical twin states with reversed negative quantities, including time-reversal. These negative-valued particles will be referred to as anti-matter and anti-antimatter to differentiate them from normal particles.
Abstract WP443: The Impact of Delirium and Impaired Consciousness on Withdrawal of Life-Sustaining Treatment After Spontaneous Intracerebral Hemorrhage

Introduction: Established predictors for outcome after intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) may be subject to self-fulfilling prophecy, as studies examining their effects on mortality have generally not ...
2016 Wind Technologies Market Report

Author(s): Ryan H. Wiser; Mark Bolinger | Abstract: The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)’snWind Technologies Market Reportnprovides an annual overview of trends in the U.S. wind power market. You can find the report, a presentation, and a data file on the Files tab, below. Additionally, several data visualizations are available in the Data Visualizations tab. Highlights of this year’s report include:Wind power additions continued at a rapid clip in 2016:n$13 billion was invested in new wind power plants in 2016. In 2016, wind energy contributed 5.6% of the nation’s electricity supply, more than 10% of total electricity generation in fourteen states, and 29% to 37% in three of those states—Iowa, South Dakota, and Kansas.Bigger turbines are enhancing wind project performance:nIncreased blade lengths, in particular, have dramatically increased wind project capacity factors, one measure of project performance. For example, the average 2016 capacity factor among projects built in 2014 and 2015 was 42.6%, compared to an average of 32.1% among projects built from 2004 to 2011 and 25.4% among projects built from 1998 to 2001.Low wind turbine pricing continues to push down installed project costs:nWind turbine prices have fallen from their highs in 2008, to $800–$1,100/kW. Overall, the average installed cost of wind projects in 2016 was $1,590/kW, down $780/kW from the peak in 2009 and 2010.nWind energy prices remain low:nAfter topping out at nearly 7¢/kWh for power purchase agreements (PPAs) executed in 2009, the national average price of wind PPAs has dropped to around 2¢/kWh—though this nationwide average is dominated by projects that hail from the lowest-priced Interior region of the country (such as Texas, Iowa, Oklahoma). These prices, which are possible in part due to federal tax support, compare favorably to the projected future fuel costs of gas-fired generation. nThe supply chain continued to adjust to swings in domestic demand for wind equipment:nWind sector employment reached a new high of more than 101,000 full-time workers at the end of 2016. For wind projects recently installed in the U.S., domestically manufactured content is highest for nacelle assembly (g90%), towers (65-80%), and blades and hubs (50-70%), but is much lower (l20%) for most components internal to the turbine.Continued strong growth in wind capacity is anticipated in the near term:nWith federal tax incentives still available, though declining, various forecasts for the domestic market show expected wind power capacity additions averaging more than 9,000 MW/year from 2017 to 2020.
Evolved Open-Endedness, Not Open-Ended Evolution

Open-endedness is often considered a prerequisite property of the whole evolutionary system and its dynamical behaviors. In the actual history of evolution on Earth, however, there are many example...
Care Settings and Clinical Characteristics of Older Adults with Moderately Severe Dementia

Objectives Little population-level evidence exists to guide the development of interventions for people with dementia in non-nursing home settings. We hypothesized people living at home with moderately severe dementia would differ in social, functional, and medical characteristics from those in either residential care or nursing home settings. Design Retrospective cohort study using pooled data from the National Health and Aging Trends Study, an annual survey of a nationally representative sample of Medicare beneficiaries. Setting US national sample. Participants Respondents newly meeting criteria for incident moderately severe dementia, defined as probable dementia with functional impairment: 728 older adults met our definition between 2012 and 2016. Measurements Social characteristics examined included age, sex, race/ethnicity, country of origin, income, educational attainment, partnership status, and household size. Functional characteristics included help with daily activities, falls, mobility device use, and limitation to home or bed. Medical characteristics included comorbid conditions, self-rated health, hospital stay, symptoms, and dementia behaviors. Results Extrapolated to the population, an estimated 3.3 million older adults developed incident moderately severe dementia between 2012 and 2016. Within this cohort, 64% received care at home, 19% in residential care, and 17% in a nursing facility. social, functional, and medical characteristics differed across care settings. Older adults living at home were 2 to 5 times more likely to be members of disadvantaged populations and had more medical needs: 71% reported bothersome pain compared with 60% in residential care or 59% in nursing homes. Conclusion Over a 5-year period, 2.1 million people lived at home with incident moderately severe dementia. People living at home had a higher prevalence of demographic characteristics associated with systematic patterns of disadvantage, more social support, less functional impairment, worse health, and more symptoms compared with people living in residential care or nursing facilities. This novel study provides insight into setting-specific differences among people with dementia. J Am Geriatr Soc 67:1907-1912, 2019.
Effects of mechanical injury on the tribological rehydration and lubrication of articular cartilage

Abstract Healthy articular cartilage is crucial to joint function, as it provides the low friction and load bearing surface necessary for joint articulation. Nonetheless, joint injury places patients at increased risk of experiencing both accelerated cartilage degeneration and wear, and joint dysfunction due to post-traumatic osteoarthritis (PTOA). In this study, we used our ex vivo convergent stationary contact area (cSCA) explant testing configuration to demonstrate that high-speed sliding of healthy tissues against glass could drive consistent and reproducible recovery of compression-induced cartilage deformation, through the mechanism of ‘tribological rehydration’. In contrast, the presence of physical cartilage damage, mimicking those injuries known to precipitate PTOA, could compromise tribological rehydration and the sliding-driven recovery of cartilage function. Full-thickness cartilage injuries (i.e. fissures and chondral defects) markedly suppressed sliding-driven tribological rehydration. In contrast, impaction to cartilage, which caused surface associated damage, had little effect on the immediate tribomechanical response of explants to sliding (deformation/strain, tribological rehydration, and friction/lubricity). By leveraging the unique ability of the cSCA configuration to support tribological rehydration, this study permitted the first direct ex vivo investigation of injury-dependent strain and friction outcomes in cartilage under testing conditions that replicate and maintain physiologically-relevant levels of fluid load support and frictional outcomes under high sliding speeds (80 mm/s) and moderate compressive stresses (~0.3 MPa). Understanding how injury alters cartilage tribomechanics during sliding sheds light on mechanisms by which cartilage's long-term resilience and low frictional properties are maintained, and can guide studies investigating the functional consequences of physical injury and joint articulation on cartilage health, disease, and rehabilitation.
Applying the information-motivation-behavioral skills model to explain adolescents' fruits and vegetables consumption.

Abstract Inadequate fruits and vegetables consumption in adolescence increases adolescents' current and future chronic disease risk and is predictive of inadequate consumption in adulthood. Given that adolescents' engagement in dietary behaviors is complicated by intrapersonal, interpersonal, and environmental factors, a health behavior model of change incorporating all of these factors is most appropriate to inform research and intervention efforts. Yet, common preventive health behavior models used to explain adolescents' dietary behaviors do not adequately account for these factors. The current study explored the utility of a comprehensive, predictive model, that is the Information-Motivation-Behavioral Skills (IMB) model, for explaining adolescents' fruits and vegetables consumption in a cross-sectional national sample. Study hypotheses included (1) health information and motivation for fruits and vegetables would directly be related to fruits and vegetables consumption; and (2) the relationship between fruits and vegetables consumption and health information and motivation would be mediated by behavioral skills for consumption. Data from the adolescent diet-related surveys of the Family Life, Activity, Sun, Health, and Eating (FLASHE) study (N = 1646) were used. Structural equation modeling was used to test study hypotheses. Fruits and vegetables-related information and motivation were positively related to adolescents' fruits and vegetables consumption. For information and personal motivation (specifically fruits and vegetables preferences), the relationship with fruits and vegetables consumption was partially mediated through behavioral skills. These preliminary findings support the utility of the IMB model to explain adolescents’ fruits and vegetables consumption.
An Analysis of Our Ten-Year Cohort of Patients with Cardiac Amyloidosis Supported by the Continuous-Flow Left Ventricular Assist Device

Purpose Limited data exists on the use continuous-flow left ventricular assist device (CF-LVAD) in patients with cardiac amyloidosis (CA). The largest single center analysis on CF-LVAD support in patients with CA reports a 50% mortality at 6-months. Our primary aim was to examine the survival and morbidity of our patients with diagnosed CA and supported by CF-LVAD. Methods Data on demographics, type of cardiac amyloidosis, pre-implant echocardiographic features, and post-implant survival and morbidity outcomes was retrospectively extracted on patients with CA and supported by CF-LVAD at our institution from January 2009-October 2019. Descriptive statistics are reported. Results Six patients with diagnosed CA (mean age 64 ± 9 years) were supported by CF-LVAD (3 centrifugal, 3 axial) for a median 32.3 months (range 8.4, 48.3). Table 1 depicts pertinent patient demographics, survival and morbidity. Four patients had ATTR amyloid, and 2 had AL amyloidosis. LV ejection fraction (10-45%) and end-diastolic dimension (4.4-6.0 cm) varied pre-implant. All 6 patients were alive at 6-months on CF-LVAD support. Overall, 2 patients died, 2 were bridged to heart transplant, and 2 remain on destination therapy. One patient required a right ventricular assist device and dialysis immediately post-implant, and two patients had hospital re-admission for right heart failure. Various etiologies contributed to re-hospitalizations post-implant (data not shown). With CF-LVAD support, the patients with AL amyloid survived for a median 47.8 months. Conclusion Our limited experience in patients with cardiac amyloidosis highlights the feasibility of supporting these patients with CF-LVAD as bridge to transplant or destination therapy. Future analyses are warranted to refine careful patient selection to improve outcomes, with particular consideration to the interplay between right ventricular hemodynamics and renal function.
THE IMPACT OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND BIG DATA IN BUSINESS INTELLIGENCE

The goal of this study was to suggest ideas for improving the information technology IT at business for the purpose of increasing business productivity. Organizations must be knowledgeable in order to properly utilize IT tools and be able to apply that knowledge to create unique competencies in order to gain sustained advantage from IT investments. Information technology in the modern organizations has been proposed as the mechanism to accomplish the productivity in the concerned industries. Existing empirical research demonstrates that IT may indeed act as a mediator for the effect of productivity on modern organizational outcomes. Yet, this study is not consistent in the conceptualizations of the relationships involved, nor in their definitions and measurement of IT investment spending. Thus, they chase numerous creative and innovative procedures and approaches while adding a substantial role of informational technology in the administration of such practice. This study aims to address these concerns in the businesses to compare the effectiveness with respect to measurement of IT as mediating variables in knowledge-intensive organizations. Implications for research and practice are discussed.
The Impact of Government Contracting Out on Spending: The Case of Public Education in New Orleans:

In this study, we start with developing a theoretical framework incorporating theories from the contracting literature and adapt them to the unusual case of nonprofit charter schools, which yields ...
Effect of Nb content on the phase composition, densification, microstructure, and mechanical properties of high-entropy boride ceramics

Abstract Dense high-entropy (Hf,Zr,Ti,Ta,Nb)B2 ceramics with Nb contents ranging from 0 to 20 at% were produced by a two-step spark plasma sintering process. X-ray diffraction indicated that a single-phase with hexagonal structure was detected in the composition without Nb. In contrast, two phases with the same hexagonal structure, but slightly different lattice parameters were present in compositions containing Nb. The addition of Nb resulted in the presence of a Nb-rich second phase and the amount of the second phase increased as the Nb content increased. The relative densities were all >99.5 %, but decreased from ∼100 % to ∼99.5 % as the Nb content increased from 0 to 20 at%. The average grain size decreased from 13.9 ± 5.5 μm for the composition without Nb additions to 5.2 ± 2.0 μm for the composition containing 20 at% Nb. The reduction of grain size with increasing Nb content was due to the suppression of grain growth by the Nb-rich second phase. The addition of Nb increased Young’s modulus and Vickers hardness, but decreased shear modulus. While some Nb dissolved into the main phase, a Nb-rich second phase was formed in all Nb-containing compositions.
Effectiveness of guided group work in graduate level quantum mechanics

Implementing guided group work in a graduate level quantum mechanics course can be beneficial for students.
tDCS as a treatment for anxiety and related cognitive deficits.

Abstract Introduction Anxiety is characterized by psychological, physiological, and cognitive complaints. Current treatments have significant limitations, and often overlook any potential benefits to common cognitive symptoms, notably attention and executive function issues. The current study aimed to investigate the use of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on both common anxiety symptoms and executive function abilities in a college aged sample. Method As this is one of the first large scale anxiety studies utilizing tDCS, participants were given a single session of tDCS (anodal, cathodal, or sham) for 20 min at 2 mA over the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (lDLPFC). Participants also completed a series of self-reported anxiety measures and measures of executive functioning (Rey-O Copy and Wisconsin Card Sorting Task). Results While there were no differences in anxiety between tDCS groups, a trend was noted demonstrating better performance on Rey-O Copy for the cathodal group. Anxiety increased pre to post for all groups. Conclusion Overall, results suggest that while anodal stimulation of the lDLPFC may benefit cognitive abilities for this population, targeting psychological symptoms of anxiety likely requires stimulation over other cortex, possibly right DLPFC. Further, the use of tDCS, whether active or sham, may be distressing to patients.
Effects of Angiotensin II Type 1A Receptor on ACE2, Neprilysin and KIM-1 in Two Kidney One Clip (2K1C) Model of Renovascular Hypertension.

Activation of the renin angiotensin system plays a pivotal role in the regulation of blood pressure, which is mainly attributed to the formation of angiotensin-II (Ang II). The actions of Ang II are mediated through binding to the Ang-II type 1 receptor (AT1R) which leads to increased blood pressure, fluid retention, and aldosterone secretion. In addition, Ang II is also involved in cell injury, vascular remodeling, and inflammation. The actions of Ang II could be antagonized by its conversion to the vasodilator peptide Ang (1-7), partly generated by the action of angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) and/or neprilysin (NEP). Previous studies demonstrated increased urinary ACE2 shedding in the db/db mouse model of diabetic kidney disease. The aim of the study was to investigate whether renal and urinary ACE2 and NEP are altered in the 2K1C Goldblatt hypertensive mice. Since AT1R is highly expressed in the kidney, we also researched the effect of global deletion of AT1R on renal and urinary ACE2, NEP, and kidney injury marker (KIM-1). Hypertension and albuminuria were induced in AT1R knock out (AT1RKO) and WT mice by unilateral constriction of the renal artery of one kidney. The 24 h mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) was measured using radio-telemetry. Two weeks after 2K1C surgery, MAP and albuminuria were significantly increased in WT mice compared to AT1RKO mice. Results demonstrated a correlation between MAP and albuminuria. Unlike db/db diabetic mice, ACE2 and NEP expression and activities were significantly decreased in the clipped kidney of WT and AT1RKO compared with the contralateral kidney and sham control (p < 0.05). There was no detectable urinary ACE2 and NEP expression and activity in 2K1C mice. KIM-1 was significantly increased in the clipped kidney of WT and AT1KO (p < 0.05). Deletion of AT1R has no effect on the increased urinary KIM-1 excretion detected in 2K1C mice. In conclusion, renal injury in 2K1C Goldblatt mouse model is associated with loss of renal ACE2 and NEP expression and activity. Urinary KIM-1 could serve as an early indicator of acute kidney injury. Deletion of AT1R attenuates albuminuria and hypertension without affecting renal ACE2, NEP, and KIM-1 expression.
Understanding polyomavirus CNS disease - a perspective from mouse models.

JC polyomavirus (JCPyV), a ubiquitous human pathogen, causes several devastating brain diseases in immune-compromised individuals. The most notable of these JCPyV-associated CNS diseases is the frequently fatal demyelinating brain disease progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML). PML, an AIDS-defining disease in the pre-cART epoch, has emerged as a life-threatening complication in patients receiving immunomodulatory agents for autoimmune and inflammatory disorders and treatment for certain hematological malignancies. Among the rapidly expanding list of PML-associated biologics, natalizumab (Tysabri®) has the highest incidence and is an ominous sequela for multiple sclerosis (MS) patients who otherwise benefit from dramatic reductions in relapses using this immunomodulatory agent. Drug withdrawal, the only therapeutic option for PML, is often complicated by a high-mortality cerebral inflammatory reaction. No anti-JCPyV agents are available. Lack of a tractable animal model of polyomavirus-induced central nervous system (CNS) disease is an acknowledged bottleneck to elucidating PML pathogenesis, immunological mechanisms that control JCPyV, in vivo evaluation of agents that inhibit polyomavirus replication in tissue culture, and uncovering early events that presage JCPyV-associated neuropathology. The natural virus-host mouse polyomavirus (MuPyV) model has recently been developed to explore mechanisms of polyomavirus-associated CNS disease. In this review, we will cover the benefits of using the MuPyV model to answer fundamental questions about innate and adaptive immune control of JCPyV, the impact of immunomodulation on JCPyV pathogenesis, and how this MuPyV CNS infection model will help improve criteria for identifying patients at risk for JCPyV-associated CNS diseases before the development of irreversible lesions.
XACT-seq: A photocrosslinking-based technique for detection of the RNA polymerase active-center position relative to DNA in Escherichia coli.

XACT-seq ("crosslink between active-center and template sequencing") is a technique for high-throughput, single-nucleotide resolution mapping of RNA polymerase (RNAP) active-center positions relative to the DNA template. XACT-seq overcomes limitations of approaches that rely on analysis of the RNA 3' end (e.g., native elongating transcript sequencing) or that report RNAP positions with low resolution (e.g., ChIP-seq and ChIP-exo). XACT-seq can be used to map RNAP active-center positions in transcription initiation complexes, initially transcribing complexes, and transcription elongation complexes. For complete details on the use and execution of this protocol, please refer to Winkelman et al. (2020).
Staying Slim with Insulin in Mind

Striking the delicate balance between energy intake in the form of food and energy expenditure in the form of metabolic activity keeps the body extremely busy. As Schwartz explains in his enlightening Perspective, the finding that insulin signals the brain to promote weight loss ( BrA¼ning et al .) flies in the face of the notion that insulin is involved solely in glucose storage, its conversion to fat, and weight gain.
The role of sugar in the aetiology of dental caries. 6. Evidence from experimental animal research.

Abstract The interrelationship of factors causing dental caries means that the role of carbohydrates is complex. It appears that simple sugars in the mouth are necessary for the production of dental caries in experimental animals, but their relative caries-producing potential depends on a number of factors. Many studies have emphasized the strong influence of sucrose in caries initiation and progression, especially on smooth surfaces where S. mutans predominates even at low levels when associated with high-starch diets. However, since numerous studies indicated the ability of all common monosaccharides and disaccharides to cause carious lesions, none of these simple sugars offer any real hope of being non-cariogenic in human diets.
The Chromosphere in Coronal Holes and the Quiet-Sun Network: An He I (584 Å) Full-Disk Scan by SUMER/SOHO

A raster scan by Solar Ultraviolet Measurements of Emitted Radiation/Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO) of the full solar disk containing over 2 million individual spectra of the He I line at 584 A provides the possibility to study small- and large-scale variations of intensity, line shift, and line width. New striking features are the enhanced line width and the blueshifts in the coronal holes as well as the long-known reduced intensity there. The relation of intensity versus line shift and the variation of the line shift in the coronal holes indicate that the blueshifts in the holes are not consistent with a uniform outflow. The observations suggest that optical depth effects might be responsible for the observed blueshifts and line widths. These results motivate new observations by SOHO and ground-based facilities.
Endocardial mapping of reentry around an anatomical barrier in the canine right atrium: observations during the action of the Class IC agent, flecainide.

Flecainide and Atrial Reentry. Introduction: Flecainide is effective in terminating stable atrial flutter in the conscious dog with a Y-shaped right atrial lesion. In this model, flutter is due to circus movement of the impulse around a fixed anatomical barrier. Methods and Results: To investigate the mechanism of flecainide-induced termination of this type of reentry, we determined the pattern of endocardial activation of the right and left atria before and during administration of flecainide by recording simultaneously from 192 electrode pairs in the isolated blood perfused heart. At least five consecutive flutter beats were analyzed before and during flecainide for each of eight termination episodes in five hearts. In all, flecainide increased flutter cycle length (164 ± 24 msec) by 89% to 309 ± 77 msec (P < 0.05) before termination. Atrial refractory period and conduction time during paced beats were also increased by flecainide. In flve episodes, termination was due to conduction block of the impulse at critical sites within the reentrant circuit (mode 1). Cycle length oscillations (± 30 msec) at sites proximal to site of block preceded termination in three of these episodes. In three other episodes, interruption of the original circuit occurred when there was failure of a lateral boundary, giving rise to an impulse that reset the original circuit (mode 2). In these episodes, long-short cycle length oscillations led to return reexcitation by the impulse within the primary path and suhsequent termination. Conclusion: In summary, similar to our previous findings with the Class III agent, d-sotalol, two different modes of termination of atrial reentry were observed with flecainide.