cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Health Information Technology and Hospital Patient Safety: A Conceptual Model to Guide Research

Article-at-a-Glance Background The literature indicates that health information technology (IT) use may lead to some gains in the quality and safety of care in some situations but provides little insight into this variability in the results that has been found. The inconsistent findings point to the need for a conceptual model that will guide research in sorting out the complex relationships between health IT and the quality and safety of care. Methods A conceptual model was developed that describes how specific health IT functions could affect different types of inpatient safety errors and that include contextual factors that influence successful health IT implementation. The model was applied to a readily available patient safety measure and nationwide data (2009 AHA Annual Survey Information Technology Supplement and 2009 Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project State Inpatient Databases). Findings The model was difficult to operationalize because (1) available health IT adoption data did not characterize health IT features and extent of usage, and (2) patient safety measures did not elucidate the process failures leading to safety-related outcomes. The sample patient safety measure—Postoperative Physiologic and Metabolic Derangement Rate—was not significantly related to self-reported health IT capabilities when adjusted for hospital structural characteristics. Conclusion These findings illustrate the critical need for collecting data that are germane to health IT and the possible mechanisms by which health IT may affect inpatient safety. Well-defined and sufficiently granular measures of provider's correct use of health IT functions, the contextual factors surrounding health IT use, and patient safety errors leading to health care–associated conditions are needed to illuminate the impact of health IT on patient safety.
Experimental study of a compressive line sensing imaging system in a turbulent environment.

Turbulence poses challenges in many atmospheric and underwater surveillance applications. The compressive line sensing (CLS) active imaging scheme has been demonstrated in simulations and test tank experiments to be effective in scattering media such as turbid coastal water, fog, and mist. The CLS sensing model adopts the distributed compressive sensing theoretical framework that exploits both intrasignal sparsity and the highly correlated nature of adjacent areas in a natural scene. During sensing operation, the laser illuminates the spatial light modulator digital micromirror device to generate a series of one-dimensional binary sensing patterns from a codebook to encode the current target line segment. A single element detector photomultiplier tube acquires target reflections as the encoder output. The target can then be recovered using the encoder output and a predicted on-target codebook that reflects the environmental interference of original codebook entries. In this work, we investigated the effectiveness of the CLS imaging system in a turbulent environment. The development of a compact CLS prototype will be discussed, as will a series of experiments using various turbulence intensities at the Naval Research Lab’s Simulated Turbulence and Turbidity Environment. The experimental results showed that the time-averaged measurements improved both the signal-to-noise radio and the resolution of the reconstructed image in the extreme turbulence environment. The contributing factors for this intriguing and promising result will be discussed.
Reality is interface: Two motion capture case studies of human–machine collaboration in high-skill domains:

This article explores hybrid digital/physical workflows in the building trades, a high-skill domain where human dexterity and craft can be augmented by the precision and repeatability of digital de...
Sodium chloride enhances the storage and conformational stability of BDNF and PEG-BDNF.

Purpose. BDNF, a noncovalent homodimer, was modified by covalently attaching polyethylene glycol (PEG) with an average molecular weight of 20kDa to the N-terminal methionine. Stability of modified BDNF (PEG-BDNF) in aqueous solution was compared to BDNF after storage at elevated temperature in the presence and absence of NaCl.
Design and characterization of thermal conductive wafer coating in thin small outline package for automotive product application

The thermal conductive die attach (DA) material is very important component and it is function to create a joint between die and leadrame as well as to dissipate heat from die throughout the package. However, the dispensing DA material is giving problems, which is epoxy overflow, die tilted especially when dealing with small die size (ranging 15 to 30 mils). Because of this problem, industries are using noncon-ductive dispensing epoxy without metal content and resulting good for manufacturing. There is another problem when using nonconductive epoxy which reducing in thermal and performance of the device. In this paper, we presents conductive material coated at backside of wafer (conductive WBC) and giving excellent thermal and device performance and good for integrated device assembly manufacturing. In the most stringent automotive application, device performance is critical to component level. The small and thin die assembled in Thin Small Outline Package (TSOP), good thermal conductive die attach material is required, together with excellent robustness in oxidation control, manufacturability and reliability. Upon completion of multiple material screening, wafer back coating (WBC) material had selected. It is thermal conductivity can reach approximately 2.2-W/mK and which is enough for lower power devices as well as good in thermal conductivity. With all the improved assembly processes, conductive wafer coated material achieved good manufacturability, excellent thermal performance, meeting customer specification and ready for high volume manufacturing.
Frontal Sinus Breach During Routine Frontal Craniotomy Significantly Increases Risk of Surgical Site Infection: 10-Year Retrospective Analysis.

BACKGROUND Frontotemporal craniotomies are commonly performed for a variety of neurosurgical pathologies. Infections related to craniotomies cause significant morbidity. We hypothesized that the risk of cranial surgical site infections (SSIs) may be increased in patients whose frontal sinuses are breached during craniotomy. OBJECTIVE To compare the rate of cranial SSIs in patients undergoing frontotemporal craniotomies with and without frontal sinus breach (FSB). METHODS We performed a retrospective analysis of all patients undergoing frontotemporal craniotomies for the management of cerebral aneurysms from 2005 to 2014. This study included 862 patients undergoing 910 craniotomies. Primary outcome of interest was occurrence of a cranial SSI. Standard statistical methods were utilized to explore associations between a variety of variables including FSB, cranial SSI, and infections requiring reoperation. RESULTS Of the 910 craniotomies, 141 (15.5%) involved FSB. Of those involving FSB, 22 (15.6%) developed a cranial SSI, compared to only 56 of the 769 without FSB (7.3%; P = .001). Cranial SSI requiring reoperation was much more likely in patients with FSB compared to those without a breach (7.8% vs 1.6%; P < .001). In those presenting with cranial SSIs, epidural abscess formation was more common with FSB compared to no FSB (27.3% vs 5.4%; P = .006). In multivariate analysis, breach of the frontal sinus was significantly associated with cranial SSI (OR 2.16; 95% CI 1.24-3.78; P = .01) and reoperation (OR 4.20; 95% CI 1.66-10.65; P = .003). CONCLUSION Patients undergoing frontotemporal craniotomies are at significantly greater risk of serious cranial SSIs if the frontal sinus has been breached.
Language coverage for mismatched crowdsourcing

Developing automatic speech recognition technologies requires transcribed speech so as to learn the mapping from sound to text. It is traditionally assumed that transcribers need to be native speakers of the language being transcribed. Mismatched crowdsourcing is the transcription of speech by crowd workers who do not speak the language. Given there are phonological similarities among different human languages, mismatched crowdsourcing does provide noisy data that can be aggregated to yield reliable labels. Here we discuss phonological properties of different languages in a coding-theoretic framework, and how nonnative phoneme misperception can be modeled as a noisy communication channel. We show the results of experiments demonstrating the efficacy of this information theory inspired modeling approach, having native English speakers and native Mandarin speakers transcribe Cantonese speech. Finally we discuss how crowd workers whose native language background give them the highest probability of faithful transcription can be found by solving a weighted set cover problem.
Synthesis and Electrochemical Properties of Half-Sandwich Rhodium and Iridium Methyl Complexes

A series of complexes of the form [Cp(*)M(bpy)(CH3)]I was accessed by treatment of CpM(bpy) or Cp*M(bpy) with methyl iodide (M = Rh, Ir; Cp = cyclopentadienyl; Cp* = pentamethylcyclopentadienyl; bpy = 2,2′-bipyridyl). Solid state structures (X-ray diffraction) reveal the expected distorted octahedral geometry, with Cp or Cp* bound in the η5 mode and bpy bound in the typical κ2 mode. Electrochemical studies demonstrate that the Cp* complexes undergo a single, quasi-reversible one-electron reduction, whereas the Cp complexes undergo both a quasi-reversible one-electron reduction and a second, more negative, irreversible reduction. Electron paramagnetic resonance studies and comparisons between complexes of different metals suggest that the formulation of the singly reduced species is formally M(III) complexes with a bound bpy anion radical. The second reduction observed in the Cp complexes, on the other hand, results in cleavage of the M–C bond. Taken together, the results suggest that the compounds have st...
Understanding pre-mRNA splicing through crystallography.

Abstract Crystallography is a powerful tool to determine the atomic structures of proteins and RNAs. X-ray crystallography has been used to determine the structure of many splicing related proteins and RNAs, making major contributions to our understanding of the molecular mechanism and regulation of pre-mRNA splicing. Compared to other structural methods, crystallography has its own advantage in the high-resolution structural information it can provide and the unique biological questions it can answer. In addition, two new crystallographic methods – the serial femtosecond crystallography and 3D electron crystallography – were developed to overcome some of the limitations of traditional X-ray crystallography and broaden the range of biological problems that crystallography can solve. This review discusses the theoretical basis, instrument requirements, troubleshooting, and exciting potential of these crystallographic methods to further our understanding of pre-mRNA splicing, a critical event in gene expression of all eukaryotes.
National Trends in Hospital Emergency Department Visits among Those with and without Multiple Chronic Conditions, 2007–2012

ABSTRACTEmergency department (ED) visits and the number of adults with multiple chronic conditions (MCC) have been increasing over the last decade, but little is known about the trends in ED use for patients with MCC. This study examined national trends in ED use for those with MCC compared with one chronic condition and no chronic conditions and used data from the 2007–2012 National Emergency Department Sample, limited to patients 45 years old or older. ED visits for encounters with one chronic condition and MCC increased at significantly greater rates than for those with no chronic conditions both overall and for all subgroups examined.
PROGÊNIE EM MACHADO. ALGUMAS QUESTÕES EM MEMÓRIAS PÓSTUMAS DE BRÁS CUBAS E EM ESAÚ E JACÓ

A questao da progenie e da concepcao constitui um fio que tece algumas das mais importantes questoes filosoficas e eticas na obra de Machado. Dentre elas, uma teologia que discute predestinacao, providencia e teorias gnosticas, um olhar cientifico, do ponto de vista da teoria da evolucao, e emboca numa filosofia etica que subverte, por exemplo, o utilitarismo. A hipotese de uma "etica da neutralidade" como estrategia do Individuo contra o mandado da Natureza (reproducao e morte) e apenas uma das posicoes a ele permitidas, e a que preco! O artigo propoe uma radical "Hermeneutica da Anagogia" para tecer tanto a ironia da condicao humana, enquanto ser-para-a-morte, e para entender as hipoteses subjacentes na obra de Machado.
The impacts of built environment characteristics of rail station areas on household travel behavior

Abstract Transit-oriented development (TOD) has gained popularity worldwide as a sustainable form of urbanism by concentrating developments near a transit station so as to minimize auto-dependency and maximize ridership. Existing TOD studies, however, have limits in terms of small sample size and aggregate-level analysis. This study examines various travel outcomes – VMT, auto trips, transit trips, and walk trips – in rail-based station areas in eight U.S. metropolitan areas in order to understand the role of neighborhood built environment characteristics. Two-stage hurdle models handle excess zero values in trip count variables and multi-level models deal with three-level data structure – household within station areas within regions. The final models show that automobile use is associated with land-use diversity and street network design of a station area; transit use is strongly related to transit availability and land-use diversity; and walking is related to transit availability, land-use diversity, and street network design. The weakest influence among station-area environment factors is density. In sum, a TOD, a station area having a dense, mixed-use, walkable, and transit-friendly environment, motivates residents to walk more and take transit more while driving less.
Depletion of Maternal Cyclin B3 Contributes to Zygotic Genome Activation in the Ciona Embryo

Summary Most animal embryos display a delay in the activation of zygotic transcription during early embryogenesis [1]. This process is thought to help coordinate rapid increases in cell number during early development [2]. The timing of zygotic genome activation (ZGA) during the maternal-to-zygotic transition (MZT) remains uncertain despite extensive efforts. We explore ZGA in the simple protovertebrate, Ciona intestinalis . Single-cell RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) assays identified Cyclin B3 ( Ccnb3 ) as a putative mediator of ZGA. Maternal Ccnb3 transcripts rapidly diminish in abundance during the onset of zygotic transcription at the 8-cell and 16-cell stages. Disruption of Ccnb3 activity results in precocious activation of zygotic transcription, while overexpression abolishes normal activation. These observations suggest that the depletion of maternal Cyclin B3 products is a critical component of the MZT and ZGA. We discuss evidence that this mechanism might play a conserved role in the MZT of other metazoans, including mice and humans.
USING LEGISLATION TO REDUCE ONE-TIME PLASTIC BAG USAGE

Plastic bag litter generates serious environmental concerns and poses a risk to wildlife. As this does not seem to be a problem which can be resolved by the private sector alone, or by â€˜Coaseanâ€™ negotiation, legislation is proposed, particularly focusing on â€˜oneâ€ useâ€™ bags. This article surveys legislation worldwide, while concentrating on lessons from the United States and the United Kingdom. The issues are more complex than is often assumed. While environmentalists argue for restriction and ultimate elimination of oneâ€ use bags, manufacturers, especially those that have reformulated the composition of their bags, see legislation as an overreaction to a problem that is already being addressed within the industry. They cite evidence that, when used within a comprehensive recycling programme, plastic bags are not only costâ€ effective but a sound use of our limited resources. Bans or restrictions can have knockâ€ on effects which can create new problems.
Fukaya category of Grassmannians: Rectangles

Abstract We show that the monotone Lagrangian torus fiber of the Gelfand-Cetlin integrable system on the complex Grassmannian Gr ( k , n ) supports generators for all maximum modulus summands in the spectral decomposition of the Fukaya category over C , generalizing the example of the Clifford torus in projective space. We introduce an action of the dihedral group D n on the Landau-Ginzburg mirror proposed by Marsh-Rietsch [27] that makes it equivariant and use it to show that, given a lower modulus, the torus supports nonzero objects in none or many summands of the Fukaya category with that modulus. The alternative is controlled by the vanishing of rectangular Schur polynomials at the n-th roots of unity, and for n = p prime this suffices to give a complete set of generators and prove homological mirror symmetry for Gr ( k , p ) .
Exnovation of Low Value Care: A Decade of Prostate‐Specific Antigen Screening Practices

Objectives To examine prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) screening practice change in subgroups of men defined in guidelines and in various regions and to identify factors associated with change in screening practices. Design Observational study using serial cross‐sections, 2003 to 2013. Setting National fee‐for‐service Medicare. Participants Men aged 68 and older eligible for prostate cancer screening. Measurements National PSA screening practices in men aged 68 and older from 2003 to 2013 and change in regional screening rates in men aged 75 and older. Results The PSA screening rate in men aged 68 and older was 17.2% in 2003, 22.3% in 2008, and 18.6% in 2013 (p < .001 for all differences); rates ended slightly lower than rates in 2003 only in men 80 and older. Racial disparities in screening became less pronounced over this period. In men aged 75 and older, change in regional screening rates varied widely, with absolute rates growing by 15 per 100 enrollees in some areas and declining by the same amount in others. Areas with high social capital, a measure associated with diffusion of new ideas, were more likely to decline; malpractice intensity and managed care penetration had no effect. Conclusion Studying Medicare enrollees over time, we found little reduction in PSA screening and even increases according to race and in some regions. The heterogeneous changes across regions suggest that consistent reduction in the use of low‐value care may require change strategies that go beyond evidence and guidelines to include monitoring and feedback on performance. J Am Geriatr Soc 67:29–36, 2019.
Situational Contexts and Risk Factors Associated with Incapacitated and Nonincapacitated Sexual Assaults Among College Women

Abstract Background: Research has documented multilevel risk factors associated with experiencing incapacitated sexual assault among undergraduate women. Less is known about multilevel risk factors...
Abstract 028: Neutrophils Aged Under Oxidative Stress Impede Vascular Repair

Objectives: The link between chronic inflammation and poor cardiovascular outcomes has long been appreciated, but the regulation of immune cellular targets to improve cardiovascular health remains ...
Consistency of Direct-to-Consumer Genetic Testing Results Among Identical Twins

Abstract Background The purpose of this study was to evaluate the consistency of 3 commonly used direct-to-consumer genetic testing kits. Genetic testing kits are widely marketed by several companies but the consistency of their results is unclear. Because identical twins share the same DNA, their genetic testing results should provide insight into test consistency. Methods Forty-two identical twins (21 pairs) provided samples for 3 testing companies. Outcomes were concordance of ancestry results when twin pairs were tested by the same company and the same participant was tested by different companies. Concordance of 8 self-reported traits with 23andMe genetic analyses were also examined. Results Concordance of ancestry results when twin pairs were tested by the same company was high, with mean percentage agreement ranging from 94.5% to 99.2%. Concordance of ancestry results when participants were tested by 2 different companies was lower, with mean percentage agreement ranging from 52.7% to 84.1%. Concordance of trait results was variable, ranging from 34.1% for deep sleep and detached earlobes to 90.2% for cleft chin. Conclusion The consistency of consumer genetic testing is high for ancestry results within companies but lower and more variable for ancestry results across companies and for specific traits. These results raise questions about the usefulness of such testing.
Neutrophil proteome shifts over the myocardial infarction time continuum

In response to myocardial infarction (MI), neutrophils (PMNs) are early responders that initiate the inflammatory reaction. Because macrophages and fibroblasts show polarization states after MI, we hypothesized PMNs also undergo phenotypic changes over the MI time course. The objective of the current study was to map the continuum of polarization phenotypes in cardiac neutrophils over the first week of MI. C57BL/6J male mice (3–6 months old) underwent permanent coronary artery ligation to induce MI, and PMNs were isolated from the infarct region at days 1, 3, 5, and 7 after MI. Day 0 served as a no MI negative control. Aptamer proteomics was performed on biological replicates (n = 10–12) for each time point. Day (D)1 MI neutrophils had a high degranulation profile with increased matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) activity. D3 MI neutrophil profiles showed upregulation of apoptosis and induction of extracellular matrix (ECM) organization. D5 MI neutrophils further increased their ECM reorganization profile. D7 MI neutrophils had a reparative signature that included expression of fibronectin, galectin-3, and fibrinogen to contribute to scar formation by stimulating ECM reorganization. Of note, fibronectin was a key modulator of degranulation, as it amplified MMP-9 release in the presence of an inflammatory stimulus. Our results indicate that neutrophils selectively degranulate over the MI time course, reflective of both their intrinsic protein profiles as well as the ECM environment in which they reside. MMPs, cathepsins, and ECM proteins were prominent neutrophil degranulation indicators.
Complex diffraction and dispersion effects in femtosecond laser writing of fiber Bragg gratings using the phase mask technique.

The combined effect of chromatic dispersion and conical diffraction (i.e., off-plane diffraction) in femtosecond laser inscription of fiber Bragg gratings using the phase mask technique is characterized by measuring the light intensity distribution after the phase mask. As the distance from the mask and the observation point grows, chromatic dispersion and conical diffraction introduced by the mask gradually decrease the peak intensity inside the line-shaped focal volume of the cylindrical lens that is used to focus the femtosecond pulses inside the fiber. We also show that at a certain distance from the mask spherical aberration introduced by the plane-parallel mask substrate is cancelled out by conical diffraction and, at a different distance, chromatic aberration of the cylindrical lens is cancelled out by chromatic dispersion of the mask. These two independent cancellation effects lead to sharpening of the line-shaped focus and the consequent growth of peak light intensity inside it. The above phenomena become especially pronounced for tightly focused femtosecond laser beams and small-pitch phase masks, which, in turn, allows one to choose experimental conditions to inscribe Bragg gratings in polymer-coated non-sensitized 50 µm fibers.
Anisotropic phase-separated morphology of polymer blends directed by electrically pre-oriented clay platelets

We describe a general pathway to prepare an anisotropic phase-separated polystyrene (PS) - poly(vinyl methyl ether) (PVME) blend morphology by using electrically pre-orientated clay platelets. The clay platelets were oriented in a PS/PVME blend by means of an externally applied AC electric field while the blend is in one phase. Following orientation step, phase separation of the blends was induced by a temperature jump above their lower critical solution temperature (LCST) in the presence of the oriented clay platelets. In this process, an early stage co-continuous PS/PVME morphology coarsened and turned anisotropic phase-separated morphology parallel to the direction defined by clay planes oriented by AC electric field. The degree of anisotropy of PS/PVME phase-separated morphology was characterized by image analysis and that was found to be linearly proportional to the degree of orientation of clay platelets obtained by a 2D Wide Angle X-ray Scattering (WAXS). Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM) image of the blend morphology revealed that clay platelets oriented to AC field direction were located in a PVME phase. The electrically ordered column structures of clay platelets in the PVME phase yielded anisotropic PS diffusion during the phase separation. This process provides a unique new way to develop directionally organized phase-separated morphology from partially miscible binary blends using nanoparticles in combination with an external electric field.
Risky Business: Examining the 80-20 Rule in Relation to a RTM Framework:

The spatial elements of crime occurrence and the identification of crime generators/attractors have remained a prominent area of research. We focus on the utility of the 80-20 rule and the labeling...
Synchrotron Emission from Very High Energy Gamma-Ray-induced Pair Cascades in Active Galactic Nucleus Environments

The discovery of very high energy (VHE; E > 100 GeV) ?-ray emission from intermediate- and low-frequency-peaked blazars suggests that ?? absorption and pair cascading might occur in these objects. In previous papers, we investigated the Compton emission from VHE ?-ray-induced pair cascades, deflected by moderate magnetic fields, in a largely model-independent way, and demonstrated that this emission can explain the Fermi fluxes and spectra of the radio galaxies Cen A and NGC?1275. In this paper, we describe a generalization of our Monte Carlo cascade code to include the angle-dependent synchrotron output from the cascades, allowing for the application to situations with non-negligible magnetic fields, leading to potentially observable synchrotron signatures, but still not dominating the radiative energy loss of cascade particles. We confirm that the synchrotron radiation from the cascades in NGC?1275 and Cen A is negligible for the parameters used in our previous works. We demonstrate that the magnetic field cannot be determined from a fit of the cascade emission to the ?-ray spectrum alone, and the degeneracy can only be lifted if the synchrotron emission from the cascades is observed as well. We illustrate this fact with the example of NGC?1275. We point out that the cascade synchrotron emission may produce spectral features in the same energy range in which the big blue bump is observed in the spectral energy distributions of several blazars, and may make a non-negligible contribution to this feature. We illustrate this idea with the example of 3C 279.
Bounds for the zeros of Collatz polynomials, with necessary and sufficient strictness conditions

In a previous work, we introduced the Collatz polynomials; these are the polynomials $\left[P_N(z)\right]_{N\in\mathbb{N}}$ such that $\left[z^0\right]P_N = N$ and $\left[z^{k+1}\right]P_N = c\left(\left[z^k\right]P_N\right)$, where $c:\mathbb{N}\rightarrow \mathbb{N}$ is the Collatz function $1\rightarrow 0$, $2n\rightarrow n$, $2n+1\rightarrow 3n+2$ (for example, $P_5(z) = 5 + 8z + 4z^2 + 2z^3 + z^4$). In this article, we prove that all zeros of $P_N$ (which we call Collatz zeros) lie in an annulus centered at the origin, with outer radius 2 and inner radius a function of the largest odd iterate of $N$. Moreover, using an extension of the Enestrom-Kakeya Theorem, we prove that $|z| = 2$ for a root of $P_N$ if and only if the Collatz trajectory of $N$ has a certain form; as a corollary, the set of $N$ for which our upper bound is an equality is sparse in $\mathbb{N}$. Inspired by these results, we close with some questions for further study.
Elevated emotion reactivity and emotion regulation in individuals at clinical high risk for developing psychosis and those diagnosed with a psychotic disorder.

AIMS Disrupted affective processes are core features of psychosis; yet emotion reactivity and emotion regulation impairments have not been fully characterized in individuals at clinical high-risk for developing psychosis (CHR) or adolescents diagnosed with a psychotic disorder (AOP). Characterizing these impairments may provide a fuller understanding of factors contributing to psychosis risk and psychosis onset. Using cross-sectional and longitudinal data, we evaluated (1) group-level effects of emotion reactivity and regulation, (2) stability of group-level effects over time and age, (3) relationships between emotion reactivity and regulation, and (4) associations between these measures and psychosocial functioning and clinical symptomatology. METHODS Eighty-seven participants (CHR = 32, TD = 42, AOP = 13; 12-25 years, 1-5 visits) completed the Emotion Reactivity Scale, Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale, and Emotion Regulation Questionnaire. We assessed psychotic symptoms with the Structured Interview for Prodromal Syndromes and measured real-world functioning with the Global Functioning: Social and Role Scales. We used analysis of variance to assess Aim 1 and linear mixed models to address Aims 2-4. RESULTS CHR and AOP endorsed experiencing heightened levels of emotion reactivity and greater difficulty utilizing emotion regulation strategies compared to TD. These impairments were stable across time and adolescent development. Greater levels of emotion reactivity were associated with greater emotion regulation impairments. Greater impairments in emotion regulation were associated with lower social functioning and greater negative symptom severity. CONCLUSION Therapeutic interventions designed to reduce emotion reactivity and improve one's ability to utilize emotion regulation strategies may be effective in reducing clinical symptomatology and improving real-world functioning in CHR and AOP.
Machine learning techniques in the examination of the electron-positron pair creation process

We employ two machine learning techniques, i.e., neural networks and genetic-programming-based symbolic regression, to examine the dynamics of the electron-positron pair creation process with full space–time resolution inside the interaction zone of a supercritical electric field pulse. Both algorithms receive multiple sequences of partially dressed electronic and positronic spatial probability densities as training data and exploit their features as a function of the dressing strength in order to predict each particle’s spatial distribution inside the electric field. A linear combination of both predicted densities is then compared with the unambiguous total charge density, which also contains contributions associated with the independent vacuum polarization process. After its subtraction, the good match confirms the validity of the machine learning approach and lends some credibility to the validity of the predicted single-particle densities.
Vascular Surgery Curriculum for Medical Students: A National Targeted Needs Assessment.

ABSTRACT Objective At present, neither the American College of Surgeons (ACS) nor the Society for Vascular Surgery (SVS) provides curriculum recommendations for medical students rotating on a vascular surgery service. We sent a targeted needs assessment to vascular surgeons across the country in order to investigate the need for a structured curriculum for medical students participating in a vascular surgery rotation during their clinical clerkships. Methods The survey was developed with input from medical students, vascular surgeons, and medical educators. Respondents were identified from the Fellowship and Residency Electronic Interactive Database (FREIDA). The needs assessment was sent to program directors of vascular residencies and fellowships and to other vascular surgery educators. The survey collected data regarding the existing vascular surgery curriculum at the respondent's institution, the need for a standardized curriculum, desired experiences for medical students, and important vascular topics for medical students to cover while on rotation. Results Responses were obtained from 50 of the 146 surveyed individuals (response rate = 34.2%). Forty-eight respondents (96%) worked in an academic hospital or academic affiliated hospital. With regard to the existing vascular surgery curriculum, only twenty-eight respondents (61%) indicated that they had a curriculum approved by the surgery clerkship director. Thirty-seven respondents (77.1%) said there were at least goals and objectives for students on the vascular surgery service, and 29 respondents (60.4%) indicated that there was dedicated time for didactic sessions. Only 17 respondents (35.4%) indicated students gave a case presentation on the service. Twenty-nine respondents (63%) agreed or strongly agreed that there should be a standardized vascular curriculum for medical students. When asked to rank nine topics from most important to least important for students to learn, respondents ranked peripheral arterial disease, aortic disease, and carotid disease highest. Simulation experience was most frequently indicated as a desired addition to the curriculum, and only 16 respondents (33.3%) reported opportunities for vascular surgery specific simulation experiences. Conclusions This study identified the lack of an existing structured curriculum for medical students, the desire for a standardized curriculum, and key topics and experiences that are felt to be important for students to cover. With this information in hand, vascular educators have the potential to enhance the learning experience of medical students rotating through the service by developing a standardized curriculum.
Pirfenidone increases IL10 and improves acute pancreatitis in multiple clinically relevant murine models.

Despite decades of research there is no specific therapy for Acute Pancreatitis (AP). In the current study, we have evaluated the efficacy of pirfenidone, an anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic agent which is FDA-approved for treatment of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), in ameliorating local and systemic injury in AP. Our results suggest that treatment with pirfenidone in therapeutic settings (i.e. after initiation of injury), even when administered at the peak of injury, reduces severity of local and systemic injury and inflammation in multiple models of AP. In-vitro evaluation suggests that pirfenidone decreases cytokine release from acini and macrophages and disrupts acinar-macrophage crosstalk. Therapeutic pirfenidone treatment increases IL-10 secretion from macrophages preceding changes in histology and modulates the immune phenotype of inflammatory cells with decreased levels of inflammatory cytokines. Antibody-mediated IL-10 depletion, use of IL-10 Knock Out mice, and macrophage depletion experiments confirmed the role of IL-10 and macrophages in its mechanism of action, as pirfenidone was unable to reduce severity of AP in these scenarios. Since pirfenidone is FDA approved for IPF, a trial evaluating the efficacy of pirfenidone in patients with moderate to severe AP can be initiated expeditiously.Key Words: Acute Pancreatitis, Pirfenidone, Interleukin-10, L-arginine pancreatitis, Systemic inflammation, lung injury.
The Perceived Usefulness of Competitive Intelligence Systems and Relationship to the Strategic Orientation of the Firm

In the competitive environment of the 1990s, it is crucial for the firm not only to conduct competitive intelligence (CI) activities, but to design its CI programs to meet the needs of the key strategic marketing decision makers. While many CI programs have been developed in U.S. firms, their design may not have been optimal for the decision maker. A study was conducted with large firms and with member firms of the Society of Competitive Intelligence Professionals to ascertain the types and characteristics of CI that were useful to strategic marketing decision makers.
The therapeutic alliance

In this authoritative book, W. W. Meissner examines all the prevailing ideas about the therapeutic alliance-the collaborative relationship between psychotherapist and an individual patient. The book is an essential reference for clinicians, theoreticians, and others who seek to understand the crucial role of the therapeutic alliance in the success of psychotherapy and psychoanalysis.
The in vitro derivation of phenotypically mature and diverse B cells from immature spleen and bone marrow precursors

The capacity of immature B cells of the spleen and bone marrow to differentiate in vitro into cells representing mature end stage cells was investigated using B-cell activating factor belonging to the TNF family (BAFF) and Notch pathway activators. Immature splenic and bone marrow B cells were found, in the presence of both of these activators, to mature into cells with follicular mature (FM) and marginal zone (MZ) cell phenotypes. Such cells were functionally responsive to B-cell-specific activation. The derivation in vitro of cells with an MZ phenotype was more robust from CD23(-) populations than CD23(+) immature/transitional B cells, suggesting a direct immature/T1 B cell to MZ cell differentiation pathway. Transcript analysis of the in vitro-derived B-cell populations demonstrated expression profiles similar to maturing B cells in vivo. FACS-purified populations of B220(+)CD19(+)CD21(-)CD23(-) cells from bone marrow of 2-wk-old mice gave rise to populations of CD21(+)CD23(-) cells with MZ cell phenotypes as well as CD21(+)CD23(+) cells with FM cell phenotypes in percentages similar to those found in vivo. These data suggest that the commitment to an MZ and FM B cell phenotype is set prior to immature B-cell release from the marrow.
Regulation of ryanodine receptor-mediated calcium signaling by presenilins

Ca 2+ dyshomeostasis is a critical causative mechanism underlying the functional impairment of the central nervous system seen in ‘healthy’ aging [1] , specifically in normal brain aging processes in the absence of disease-causing mutations or external causes. It is generally thought that such impairments result from the gradual accumulation of small changes at the molecular level, such as oxidative damage to the structure and function of synapses, that ultimately cause the loss of biological function [2] . Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a multifactorial pathology directly related to aging and with age as a primary risk factor [3] . Neurons affected by AD have an elevated cytosolic calcium ion concentration [4] . It has not yet been determined if the observed elevation of cytosolic calcium is contributing to or results from AD pathology, but there is mounting evidence in support of the Calcium Hypothesis of brain aging [4-9] . The two presenilin genes found in vertebrates are ubiquitously expressed as the transmembrane proteins presenilin-1 (PS1) and presenilin-2 (PS2), respectively, in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). They are part of the γ-secretase enzyme complex catalyzing the processing of amyloid precursor protein (APP), which - if aberrant under disease conditions - can result in the generation of neurotoxic amyloid-beta (Aβ) peptides [10] (Fig. 1). Approximately 80% of the mutations linked to familial AD have been found in PS1 [11] and clinically relevant PS1 mutations exert effects on cytosolic calcium concentrations [10, 12] . While both presenilins affect cytosolic calcium concentrations, the PS1 isoform binds to several proteins essential to the regulation of intracellular calcium signaling, e.g. the inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor (IP 3 R) [13] , the N -methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor (NMDAR) [14] , and the ryanodine receptor (RyR) [15-17] . Here, the interaction of presenilins with RyRs will be reviewed. PMID: 25646163 [PubMed]
Impact of Day Care on the Child

In the world of day-care research, the status of our knowledge is sufficiently shaky that we must continue to keep an open mind about the service. The knowledge base is growing rapidly, but the conceptual structure that supports it is flimsy and insubstantial. Fortunately, current research efforts are improving this situation. Regardless of whether we like or dislike day care, it is, like the family, here to stay. That realization alone should strengthen our resolve not to compromise on the type of service we create. We have to continue to identify parameters of quality and become good matchmakers in terms of child care, family, and child characteristics. Through such efforts, a network of educare programs that will foster favorable development in children can become a national and global reality.
Elementary school children’s consumption of lower calorie flavored milk, 2010-2013 (632.1)

USDA requires flavored milk (FM) in schools to be fat-free. Added sugars (AS) were reduced from 15gm/8oz in 2009-10 to 6gm/8oz in 2012-13, reducing FM calories from 170 to 110 kcal/8oz. Milk is an important source of shortfall nutrients, thus it is important to know how well children consume reformulated FMs in school. Annual plate waste studies were conducted (April-June 2010-2013) in school districts (n=10) in the north and south as elementary schools moved to fat-free, low added sugars FM. In 2010, children (grades 3-5, n=497) consumed 5.8+ SE 0.12oz of the original 170 kcal/8oz FM. In subsequent years, as fat and AS were removed, children consumed 5.2+SE 0.12oz (n=388, 1277, 533). The data were highly skewed and converted to a binary variable. Overall, children in northern schools were more likely to consume >7oz FM (p<0.0001) than children in the south. Boys consumed more FM at lunch than girls (p<0.0001). Using linear mixed models adjusting for sex and region differences, the proportion of children ...
Low-Frequency Deep Brain Stimulation for Dystonia: Lower is Not Always Better.

Background: It has been observed that low-frequency stimulation (LFS) may be effective for dystonia, and the use of LFS may alleviate the need for frequent battery changes in a subset of patients. The aim of this study was to analyze LFS as a strategy to treat deep brain stimulation (DBS) patients with various dystonias. Methods: Subjects had to receive a minimum of 6 months of clinical follow-up at the University of Florida, and were required to have a minimum of 3 months on a LFS trial. Twenty-seven dystonia DBS patients were retrospectively analyzed from the UF-INFORM database. Results: Thirteen subjects met inclusion criteria. Of the 13 subjects, all had bilateral internal pallidum (GPi) DBS, and five (38.5%) remained with at least one side on LFS settings at their last follow up (average follow up 24 months, range 6–46 months). Within the first 6 months, six (46%) subjects remained on LFS and seven (54%) were changed to high-frequency stimulation (HFS). Those who remained on LFS settings at 6 months were characterized by shorter disease durations than those on HFS settings. There were no significant differences in dystonia severity (Unified Dystonia Rating Scale and Burke–Fahn–Marsden Dystonia Rating Scale) at baseline between the two settings. The estimated battery life for LFS (79.9±30.5) was significantly longer than for HFS settings (32.2±13.1, p<0.001) Discussion: LFS was ultimately chosen for 38.5% of all subjects. Although this study failed to yield solid predictive features, subjects on LFS tended to have shorter disease durations.
What Does a 'Pivot' or 'Rebalance' Look Like? Elements of the U.S. Strategic Turn Towards Security in the Asia-Pacific Region and Its Waters

In late 2011 and early 2012, the Obama Administration of the U.S. Government finalized its strategic vision for and approach to global security. This approach declares and reflects a strategic turn towards security in the Asia-Pacific region and its waters. That turn includes three elements: (1) a pivot towards U.S. relationships with nations and institutions in the Asia-Pacific region; (2) a rebalance of the U.S. military presence in the region and its waters; and (3) a shift in focus towards upholding and promoting a rule-based international order that exists around the world, including in the Asia-Pacific region. This article discusses those three elements in substantial detail, relying primarily upon strategic guidance documents issued by the U.S. Government, speeches of senior U.S. officials on this subject, and press briefings and interviews provided by those senior officials.
Multiscale Bayesian neural networks for soil water content estimation

[1] Artificial neural networks (ANN) have been used for some time now to estimate soil hydraulic parameters from other available or more easily measurable soil properties. However, most such uses of ANNs as pedotransfer functions (PTFs) have been at matching spatial scales (1:1) of inputs and outputs. This approach assumes that the outputs are only required at the same scale as the input data. Unfortunately, this is rarely true. Different hydrologic, hydroclimatic, and contaminant transport models require soil hydraulic parameter data at different spatial scales, depending upon their grid sizes. While conventional (deterministic) ANNs have been traditionally used in these studies, the use of Bayesian training of ANNs is a more recent development. In this paper, we develop a Bayesian framework to derive soil water retention function including its uncertainty at the point or local scale using PTFs trained with coarser-scale Soil Survey Geographic (SSURGO)-based soil data. The approach includes an ANN trained with Bayesian techniques as a PTF tool with training and validation data collected across spatial extents (scales) in two different regions in the United States. The two study areas include the Las Cruces Trench site in the Rio Grande basin of New Mexico, and the Southern Great Plains 1997 (SGP97) hydrology experimental region in Oklahoma. Each region-specific Bayesian ANN is trained using soil texture and bulk density data from the SSURGO database (scale 1:24,000), and predictions of the soil water contents at different pressure heads with point scale data (1:1) inputs are made. The resulting outputs are corrected for bias using both linear and nonlinear correction techniques. The results show good agreement between the soil water content values measured at the point scale and those predicted by the Bayesian ANN-based PTFs for both the study sites. Overall, Bayesian ANNs coupled with nonlinear bias correction are found to be very suitable tools for deriving soil hydraulic parameters at the local/fine scale from soil physical properties at coarser-scale and across different spatial extents. This approach could potentially be used for soil hydraulic properties estimation and downscaling.
Belief logic systems

Shafer's belief function model, if considered as a logic system, is consistent with the Boolean logic system. However, there are two subclasses of belief under the belief function model. One is the Bayesian belief model, and the other is the Baconian belief model. Either one can also be considered as an extension of the Boolean logic system. The difference of these models is attributed to the tense of the logic system and the appropriate application of each model and its interpretation are explored. >