cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Prescriptive analytics for reducing 30-day hospital readmissions after general surgery.

Introduction New financial incentives, such as reduced Medicare reimbursements, have led hospitals to closely monitor their readmission rates and initiate efforts aimed at reducing them. In this context, many surgical departments participate in the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP), which collects detailed demographic, laboratory, clinical, procedure and perioperative occurrence data. The availability of such data enables the development of data science methods which predict readmissions and, as done in this paper, offer specific recommendations aimed at preventing readmissions. Materials and methods This study leverages NSQIP data for 722,101 surgeries to develop predictive and prescriptive models, predicting readmissions and offering real-time, personalized treatment recommendations for surgical patients during their hospital stay, aimed at reducing the risk of a 30-day readmission. We applied a variety of classification methods to predict 30-day readmissions and developed two prescriptive methods to recommend pre-operative blood transfusions to increase the patient’s hematocrit with the objective of preventing readmissions. The effect of these interventions was evaluated using several predictive models. Results Predictions of 30-day readmissions based on the entire collection of NSQIP variables achieve an out-of-sample accuracy of 87% (Area Under the Curve—AUC). Predictions based only on pre-operative variables have an accuracy of 74% AUC, out-of-sample. Personalized interventions, in the form of pre-operative blood transfusions identified by the prescriptive methods, reduce readmissions by 12%, on average, for patients considered as candidates for pre-operative transfusion (pre-operative hematoctic <30). The prediction accuracy of the proposed models exceeds results in the literature. Conclusions This study is among the first to develop a methodology for making specific, data-driven, personalized treatment recommendations to reduce the 30-day readmission rate. The reported predicted reduction in readmissions can lead to more than $20 million in savings in the U.S. annually.
Waveform-Agile Frequency Doubled Laser System for Optical Switching and Characterization of Phase Change Materials at Near-IR Wavelengths

We created a system for the characterization of Ge2Sb2Te5 starting with a 1550 nm CW laser and utilizing second harmonic generation through a PPLN crystal in order to achieve full pulse control at 775 nm.
Non-Organic Failure-to-Thrive: Origins and Psychoeducational Implications

Pediatric non-organic failure-to-thrive (NOFT) disorder has serious long-term consequences seldom addressed directly by educational personnel. Infants diagnosed with the disorder frequently exhibit...
Experiential Avoidance and Post-traumatic Stress Symptoms Among Child Abuse Counselors and Service Workers: A Brief Report

Professionals who counsel and serve survivors of childhood abuse may be at risk of experiencing symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which can be exacerbated by cognitive and emotional processes. It is hypothesized that (1) a significant proportion of professionals who primarily serve child abuse survivors experience elevated levels of PTSD symptoms and (2) elevated PTSD symptoms are associated with psychological inflexibility processes, specifically increased experiential avoidance, cognitive fusion, and emotion regulation difficulties. Child abuse counselors and service workers (N = 31) in a major metropolitan area were recruited for a small pilot study. Participants completed self-report measures of PTSD symptoms and levels of psychological flexibility processes. A significant proportion of counselors endorsed clinically significant PTSD symptoms (n = 13, 41.9%). PTSD symptoms were significantly associated with experiential avoidance (r = .54, p < .01) and emotion regulation difficulties (r = .51, p < .01). These associations remained significant after controlling for the personality trait of emotional stability/neuroticism. These findings suggest that PTSD symptoms may be common among child abuse counselors and service workers, and these symptoms tend to be of greater intensity when responded to in avoidant and inflexible ways.
Future Infectious Disease Outbreaks and Collective Responsibility: Students' Experiences and Perspectives.

Stark words like "code blue," "pediatric," and "charge the defibrillator panels" rushed around me as doctors and nurses crowded the emergency department, primed for the next time I might slip into cardiac arrest Small, spherical droplets of water beaded on my forehead as I stood solitary on the darkened platform, looking on as public health officials and police pulled a passenger suspected of having coronavirus from our car DISEASE CONTROL AND SHARED RESPONSIBILITY In the age of COVID-19, words like "community," "health disparities," and "global burden of infectious disease" have become universal and portents for communal experience
Partisanship over security: Public narratives via Twitter on foreign interferences in the 2016 and 2020 U.S. presidential elections

Using a mixed methods approach, we explore the main narrative themes conveyed by the public, via microblogging platform Twitter, in regard to foreign interferences in the U.S. presidential elections of 2016 and 2020. Our findings show that rather than expressing serious concerns about foreign threats to the United States’ democracy and its electoral process, the tweets reflected the political polarization that has come to characterize the American public. Rather than perceiving the interferences as a national security issue, the public appeared to selectively use the foreign threats to bolster their partisan positions.
High-affinity memory B cells induced by SARS-CoV-2 infection produce more plasmablasts and atypical memory B cells than those primed by mRNA vaccines.

Although both infections and vaccines induce memory B cell (MBC) populations that participate in secondary immune responses, the MBCs generated in each case can differ. Here, we compare SARS-CoV-2 spike receptor binding domain (S1-RBD)-specific primary MBCs that form in response to infection or a single mRNA vaccination. Both primary MBC populations have similar frequencies in the blood and respond to a second S1-RBD exposure by rapidly producing plasmablasts with an abundant immunoglobulin (Ig)A+ subset and secondary MBCs that are mostly IgG+ and cross-react with the B.1.351 variant. However, infection-induced primary MBCs have better antigen-binding capacity and generate more plasmablasts and secondary MBCs of the classical and atypical subsets than do vaccine-induced primary MBCs. Our results suggest that infection-induced primary MBCs have undergone more affinity maturation than vaccine-induced primary MBCs and produce more robust secondary responses.
Climate Action: The Feasibility of Climate Intervention on a Global Scale

Today’s CO2 emissions are 60% greater than those in 1992 when Rio Earth Summit participants first agreed to act to prevent climate change. The failure to curb emissions is not due to a dearth of technical know-how; the climate intervention toolbox is full of strategies from mitigation to geoengineering and adaptation. Rather, it is due to a lack of political will exacerbated by gaps in our understanding of the complexity that reigns over the earth’s climate system. As we creep ever closer to crossing planetary thresholds and tipping points, time is running out to take the requisite actions to avoid global crises. Future efforts to slow, stabilize or reverse climate change must involve deployment of all possible interventions. The technical and political feasibility of climate action at a global scale rests on deep knowledge of how the climate system can be adjusted by these interdependent tools. Geoengineering entails two broad classes of endeavors with entirely different aims: carbon dioxide removal from the atmosphere and albedo modification to reduce the amount of sunlight hitting the earth’s surface. Many geoengineering options are the ultimate exercise of the engineering mentality deployed at massive scales in both time and space to buy time, despite the many actions that could be employed to actually solve the climate problem. This chapter explains and analyzes from a science and engineering perspective the multitude of available climate tools and considers potential challenges, uncertainties, and unexpected consequences of engineering climate adjustments at a global scale.
Nasal and paranasal sinus carcinoma: how can we continue to make progress?

bPurpose of reviewNew developments in the nasal and paranasal sinuscancers are reviewed.Recent findingsIn addition to woodworking, several risk factors for nasaland paranasal sinus cancers have been identified, mostnotably smoking. Progress in the differential diagnosis ofsmall round cell nasal and paranasal sinus cancers allowsthe precise diagnosis of esthesioneuroblastoma. Despiterecent improvements,Tstaging for ethmoid and nasal cavityneeds refinement. An association of surgery and radiationtherapy remains the best treatment modality. Majordevelopments include endoscopic resection of nasal andparanasal sinus cancers, high-precision radiotherapytechniques such as intensity-modulated radiotherapy, andproton-beam radiotherapy. There is probably no role forchemotherapy in esthesioneuroblastoma. Althoughchemotherapy is important for aggressive neoplasms, itsgeneralized use for nasal and paranasal sinus cancersawaits the application/development of newer drugs. Thesedrugs might be applied locally since the majority ofrecurrences remain local.SummaryProgress in the treatment of nasal and paranasal sinuscancers could be achieved through better prevention andthe developments of more selective treatments such asendoscopic resection, high-precision radiotherapy, andnew chemotherapy drugs.Keywordsadenocarcinoma, cancer, craniofacial resection,chemotherapy, esthesioneuroblastoma, epidemiology,endoscopic surgery, neuroectodermal, paranasal sinus,radiotherapy, undifferentiated sinonasal carcinoma
Effects of X-rays on the Ionization State of Be Star Winds

It is important to understand the ionization state of Be star winds for several reasons, including: (1) if known, mass loss rates can be determined from UV P Cygni profiles; (2) the radiation line driving force which accelerates the winds depends on the ionization distribution; and (3) analysis of line profiles, in conjunction with polarization data, can help assess the credibility of various hypotheses for the assymetric nature of Be star winds.
Effects of Experimental Diabetes and Food Intake on Rat Intestine and Serum Alkaline Phosphatase

Alkaline phosphatase activity of rat serum was reduced 50% by fasting the animal for 24 hours. Diabetes, induced by alloxan or streptozotocin, increased serum alkaline phosphatase 3- to 5-fold in fed rats and the elevated activity was reduced by insulin administration. In the absence of insulin, fasting alone was able to reduce the serum alkaline phosphatase of diabetic rats to control values. The elevated serum isozyme was found to be of intestinal origin by the use of appropriate inhibitors and electrophoretic mobility following neuraminidase treatment. It is concluded that food intake, particularly the hyperphagia of diabetes, plays a major role in regulating the concentration of intestine and serum alkaline phosphatase in the rat.
Arene Transition Metal Chemistry

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses those complexes in which a transition metal is π-bonded to a six-membered aromatic hydrocarbon ring. Recent X-ray structural investigations along with spectroscopic and theoretical studies have contributed significantly to the understanding of the bonding in arene metal complexes. The cocondensation of transition-metal atoms and aromatic hydrocarbon at liquid nitrogen temperature leads directly to zero-valent arene complexes. Reaction of disubstituted acetylenes with transition-metal compounds often leads to arene complexes. The direct reaction between a metal carbonyl and an aromatic hydrocarbon often leads to the replacement of 2 or 3 carbonyl groups yielding arene complexes. Monoarene complexes often undergo arene replacement reactions with ligands, such as arenas. The parent compound bisbenzene chromium has been the subject of several structural analyses. Molecular orbital calculations have been carried out on the arene tricarbonyl complexes of Cr, Mo, and W. On the basis of overlap considerations, it has been suggested that the MO framework of the arene ring may play an important role in the metal–ligand bonding in arene chromium tricarbonyl complexes. Vanadium hexacarbonyl reacts with various arenes yielding complexes [(arene)V(CO) 4 ] + [V(CO) 6 ] – from which hexafluorphosphate or tetraphenylborate salts can be prepared by metathesis reaction. Bisarene chromium compounds have proven to be rather inert toward arene replacement by nonaromatic ligands. The exchange of one arene ligand for another in arene tricarbonyl compounds has been of some synthetic value. Phosphine and phosphite ligands react with arene tricarbonyl complexes.
DNA probes for culture confirmation and direct detection of bacterial and fungal infections: a review of current technologies and assays.

This chapter focuses on nonamplified nucleic acid probes and their current uses in the clinical laboratory. DNA probes are pieces of nucleic acid that are labeled in some way and are designed to seek out and bind to stretches of DNA or RNA that have sequences that are complementary to the probe. In hybridization reactions, a double-stranded DNA molecule is denatured to single strands. Several formats for the hybridization reactions exist: solid phase; in solution (liquid phase); in situ; or by use of a Southern hybridization procedure after gel electrophoresis. In sandwich hybridization assays, one probe is attached to a solid support such as a nitrocellulose filter in single-stranded form and ‘‘captures’’ homologous nucleic acids in liquid samples; a second probe, which recognizes a contiguous area of the nucleic acid, carries the reporter molecule such as a radioisotope or biotin. The target and probe nucleic acids are free to move in solution, maximizing chances that complementary sequences will bind. Southern hybridization involves using purified DNA that is cleaved with restriction endonucleases. There are numerous methods for detecting the binding of probe to target nucleic acid. Commercially available DNA probes used for culture confirmation of bacteria, mycobacteria, and fungi are discussed in the chapter. Of the assays discussed in the chapter, probes for the detection of mycobacteria have had the greatest clinical impact. The chapter describes the utility of nonamplified probes for the diagnosis of sexually transmitted diseases, vaginal infections, and streptococcal pharyngitis.
The Formation of Hydroxyapatite-Ionomer Cements at 38°C:

This study describes the formation of a calcium polyacrylate-hydroxyapatite cement. Our hypothesis was that calcium phosphates would rapidly hydrolyze in the presence of polyacrylic acid (PAA) to form a cement. PAA, tetracalcium phosphate (TetCP), and dicalcium phosphate (DCP) were reacted together and formed calcium polyacrylate (CPA) and hydroxyapatite (HAp) within 10 h at 38°C, resulting in hardened masses. Reaction times increased with decreasing (HA preactants)/PAA ratios. In the first of three reaction stages, the pH increased while CPA and dicalcium phosphate dihydrate (DCPD) formed. Two steady-state pH conditions occurred during the second stage as TetCP reacted with DCPD and DCP. The first steady-state pH was the result of DCPD and TetCP reacting at near-equilibrium conditions. The second steady-state pH resulted as the reaction became limited by DCP dissolution. The third, diffusionally controlled, stage occurredas DCP and previously formed HA preacted to produce calcium-deficient HAp (Ca/P=1.5)...
Complete Interference and Nonrandom Distribution of Meiotic Crossover in a Mollusc, Mulinia lateralis (Say)

In gene mapping, the genetic distance between two genes is measured by the frequency of meiotic crossovers occurring between them. It is generally assumed that there is more than one crossover per chromosome, and the distribution of crossovers along chromosomes is random and follows a Poisson distribution (no interference), or that interference is inversely correlated with distance. Although those assumptions may be correct for some organisms, we report here a novel exception in the marine mollusc Mulinia lateralis Say. Using segregation analysis of gynogenetic diploids, we found surprisingly high gene-centromere recombinant frequencies for most of the 13 allozyme loci studied. For at least six loci, there was always one and only one crossover occurring between the gene and its centromere, suggesting complete interference where the occurrence of one crossover completely suppressed the occurrence of another. The complete interference was confirmed by the cytogenetic observation that there was only one chiasma for all bivalents. Further, sites of the single crossover seem not to be randomly distributed along chromosomes, but preferentially located in a recombination hot-region proximal to the centromere. The restricted distribution of a single crossover per chromosome provides one explanation for the unique phenomenon of heterozygote deficiency in M. lateralis and other molluscs.
Enriching carbonylated proteins inside a microchip through the use of oxalyldihydrazide as a crosslinker

We report a proof of principle study for the use of oxalyldihydrazide as a crosslinker for enrichment of carbonylated proteins within a microfluidic chip. Surface modification steps are characterized and analyzed using analytical techniques. We use oxidized cytochrome c as our model protein and demonstrate the chip's ability to capture carbonylated targets. After 100 min of continuous loading, the chip is capable of capturing 7.5 μg of carbonylated protein. All the proteins captured are eluted out of the chip using the elution protocol. Finally, we demonstrate the chip's specificity for oxidized targets by mixing oxidized cytochrome c and TRITC-BSA, with cytochrome c in low abundance. The results show that the chip is efficient at finding its target when unoxidized proteins are present. This is the first report to suggest the use of immobilized oxalyldihydrazide on a microchip as an enrichment methodology for low abundance proteins in a sample.
THE EFFECT OF PUBLICIZED EXECUTIONS ON HOMICIDE IN CALIFORNIA

ABSTRACT A requisite of theories of the impact of capital punishment is citizen awareness of executions. However, this criterion is often left unmeasured. Further, the current literature utilizes nationwide data, which introduces aggregation bias. The present paper addresses these issues, testing a death dip hypothesis with data on publicized executions in California. Monthly data are employed to capture any short term effect. A multivariate regression analysis finds that a publicized execution is associated with a decrease of 2.6 homicides, or a 12.7percent decrease in the month of the publicized execution. Publicized executions were associated with a total decrease of 99 homicides during the time period analyzed. The model explains 41 percent of the variance in homicide. The death dip after an execution is interpreted from a blend of the normative validation, victim mobilization, and deterrence perspectives.
Picosecond nodal testing of centimeter-size superconducting Nb microstrip interconnects

Abstract We have implemented a low-temperature electro-optic sampling system for non-invasive, nodal testing of superconducting Nb integrated circuits. With submillivolt sensitivity and a subpicosecond temporal response, this system has been used to perform nodal analysis on rapid-single-flux quantum (RSFQ) devices and superconducting microstrip interconnects. Here we demonstrate that by measuring the propagation of 6-ps-wide pulses at various test nodes, we are able to fully characterize a superconducting microstrip waveguide the size of an entire chip. The transmission line was selected not only to perform the first complete characterization of a superconducting microstrip, but also to demonstrate full nodal testing of a foundry-fabricated RSFQ integrated circuit. Finally, our results provided much-needed feedback for improving computer simulations of superconducting digital circuits.
Retinal nerve fiber layer thickness and thalamus pathology in multiple sclerosis patients.

Background and purpose Visual impairments are frequent in multiple sclerosis (MS). Optic neuritis can directly reduce retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness. Our objectives were to evaluate associations of the RNFL thickness (RNFLT) of MS patients with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) measures of regional brain atrophy and tissue injury in the post-chiasmatic deep gray matter (GM) section of the visual pathway. Methods Retinal nerve fiber layer thickness was measured using optical coherence tomography (OCT) in 96 relapsing−remitting MS (RR-MS) patients and 46 controls. MRI was obtained within ±3 months of OCT. RNFLT associations with MRI measures from diffusion tensor imaging and regional and tissue specific atrophy were assessed. Results In RR-MS, lower RNFLT was associated with lower white matter volume and lower whole brain volume. Lower RNFLT was associated with lower total deep gray matter volume and lower thalamus volume. Lower RNFLT was associated with greater mean diffusivity (MD) in normal appearing (NA) brain tissue and NA gray matter. Trends were found for lower RNFLT with greater MD in NA white matter and thalamus. RNFLT in controls was not associated with MD. Conclusions Lower RNFLT is associated with microscopic tissue injury in NA regions of the brain and with neurodegeneration of the deep gray matter and thalamus in RR-MS.
Hypothalamic Oxytocin Mediates Social Buffering of the Stress Response

Background While stressful life events can enhance the risk of mental disorders, positive social interactions can propagate good mental health and normal behavioral routines. Still, the neural systems that promote these benefits are undetermined. Oxytocin is a hormone involved in social behavior and stress; thus, we focus on the impact that social buffering has on the stress response and the governing effects of oxytocin. Methods Female prairie voles ( Microtus ochrogaster ) were exposed to 1 hour immobilization stress and then recovered alone or with their male partner to characterize the effect of social contact on the behavioral, physiological, and neuroendocrine stress response. In addition, we treated immobilized female voles recovering alone with oxytocin or vehicle and female voles recovering with their male partner with a selective oxytocin receptor antagonist or vehicle. Group sizes varied from 6 to 8 voles ( N = 98 total). Results We found that 1 hour immobilization increased anxiety-like behaviors and circulating levels of corticosterone, a stress hormone, in female prairie voles recovering alone but not the female prairie voles recovering with their male partner. This social buffering by the male partner on biobehavioral responses to stress was accompanied by increased oxytocin release in the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus. Intra-paraventricular nucleus oxytocin injections reduced behavioral and corticosterone responses to immobilization, whereas injections of an oxytocin receptor antagonist blocked the effects of the social buffering. Conclusions Together, our data demonstrate that paraventricular nucleus oxytocin mediates the social buffering effects on the stress response and thus may be a target for treatment of stress-related disorders.
A new genus of Lauraceae from Costa Rica, with comments on problems of generic and specific delimitation within the family

Povedadaphne quadriporata is described and illustrated. Its possible relationships are suggested. The problems of specific and generic delimitation in Lauraceae are discussed from the viewpoint of a study of Costa Rica's nearly 100 species.
Power System Even Harmonics and Power Quality Indices

This article deals with the even harmonic components (especially second harmonic components) in power system voltages and currents. The power system even harmonic components can be generated from semi-controlled three-phase rectifiers and dc-biased transformers. Those components cause unequal positive and negative peak values, which are called waveform asymmetry. Waveform asymmetries have a harmful impact on the loads sensitive to voltage or current peaks. The usual power quality indices (e.g., total harmonic distortion, telephone inference factor) are well defined for even harmonics. However, none of those indices can capture the waveform asymmetry. Total even harmonic distortion (TEHD) is proposed to consider the special effect of even harmonics. A new index, asymmetry factor (AF), is proposed for the waveform asymmetry. The difference between the AF and the crest factor (CF) is clarified. Simulation and laboratory results are reported.
Fast analysis of oxygen and sulfur compounds in gasoline by GC-AED

This paper describes a method for determining both the total sulfur content and the concentration of oxygenated additives in gasoline by gas chromatography with atomic emission detection (GC-AED). The AED provides selective detection of oxygen and sulfur compounds. Because the response factors for sulfur and oxygen are largely independent of the type of compound, calibration and determination of total element content are simplified. The use of a 0.1 mm i.d. capillary column enables complete elution of the components of the gasoline in under 10 minutes.
Imperial concerns and 'women's affairs' : State efforts to regulate clitoridectomy and eradicate abortion in Meru, Kenya, c.1910-1950

This paper analyzes campaigns to regulate clitoridectomy and eradicate abortion in Kenya during the colonial period revealing the contradictory and gendered nature of the colonial states attempt to comply with the "moral obligations" of imperial rule while securing local political control. The paper reviews administrative concerns and knowledge during the period 1910-28 describes the initiation practices through the lens of local remembrance and ethnographic fragments and reviews colonial opposition to clitoridectomy and abortion. The "female circumcision controversy" peaked in 1929-31 when missionaries gained support for a ban on the more severe forms of excision but failed to have this ban written into the 1930 penal code. The paper then looks at attempts of Local Native Councils to regulate clitoridectomy during the period 1925-34 and at attempts during 1929-51 to eradicate abortion by lowering the age of female initiation reducing the time when an uncircumcised girl could engage in premarital sexual activity and risk an unacceptable pregnancy that would end in abortion. The next section describes how efforts to enforce early initiation included mass excisions under police supervision which disrupted the timing and sequence of initiation and courtship and undermined a practice that gendered personhood and sustained generational authority. While perhaps preventing some abortions this process enabled males to subvert womens traditional authority.
Effect of notches and glass fiber reinforcement on fatigue behavior of polycarbonate

In order to investigate the effect of a notch on the tensile properties of polycarbonate and 30% glass fiber-reinforced polycarbonate, two types of notched specimens were prepared. These notches were a sharp 60° notch and a dull notch with rounded tip 1.5 mm in radius at the base of the 60° notch. The notches decreased the tensile strength of polycarbonate. The sharp notch reduced tensile strength more effectively than the dull notch. In 30% glass fiber-reinforced polycarbonate, even the dull notch decreased the tensile strength considerably. Unnotched polycarbonate was subjected to cyclic tensile loading of 104 cycles at 10 Hz, with varying cyclic stress. It was found that the elongation at break decreased rapidly with increase in cyclic stress. The notches considerably decreased the tensile fatigue strengths of polycarbonate and glass fiber-reinforced polycarbonate in 104 cycles at 10 Hz.
A phase field model of electrochemical impedance spectroscopy

A general phase field model for electrochemistry is presented in the context of simulating electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) experiments. The model tracks species, phases, and charge distribution. Governing partial differential equations are derived from a simple set of assumptions including ideal bulk solution thermodynamics, a method of interpolating between bulk phases, physical balance laws, and the second law of thermodynamics. A source term in the conservation of mass expression captures the behavior of the chemical reactions through the interface and in the bulk phases. Three example systems are given to demonstrate the variety of EIS behavior that can be simulated by this general model. These example systems show two-time constant transport, finite-length diffusion, and constant phase element behavior. Future versions of this model can be used to study the link between EIS and microstructure.
Mosfet Current-to-Frequency Converter with a Linear Sub Picoampere-to-Microampere Range

A current-to-frequency converter with a single linear current range of 10-13 to 106 amperes has been developed for monitoring ion chamber currents. The converter has an output transfer function of 10-11 amperes/ Hz or 10-11 coulombs/count which is temperature compensated. Its frequency output, which is compatible with most scalers, yields a maximum linear rate of 105 Hz at 10-6 amperes input current.
Glucose deprivation does not affect GLUT1 targeting in 3T3-L1 adipocytes.

We have previously demonstrated that glucose deprivation alters the glycosylation of the GLUT1 glucose transporter in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Many aberrantly glycosylated proteins are retained in the endoplasmic reticulum by interaction with chaperones. Herein, we use three independent procedures to show that GLUT1 is targeted to the plasma membrane, despite alterations in glycosylation. While earlier experiments revealed that plasma membrane targeting of aglyco GLUT 1 transporter was significantly reduced, our data show for the first time that altered glycosylation provides sufficient information to drive appropriate trafficking.
Allocating operating room block time using historical caseload variability

Operating room (OR) allocation and planning is one of the most important strategic decisions that OR managers face. The number of ORs that a hospital opens depends on the number of blocks that are allocated to the surgical groups, services, or individual surgeons, combined with the amount of open posting time (i.e., first come, first serve posting) that the hospital wants to provide. By allocating too few ORs, a hospital may turn away surgery demand whereas opening too many ORs could prove to be a costly decision. The traditional method of determining block frequency and size considers the average historical surgery demand for each group. However, given that there are penalties to the system for having too much or too little OR time allocated to a group, demand variability should play a role in determining the real OR requirement. In this paper we present an algorithm that allocates block time based on this demand variability, specifically accounting for both over-utilized time (time used beyond the block) and under-utilized time (time unused within the block). This algorithm provides a solution to the situation in which total caseload demand can be accommodated by the total OR resource set, in other words not in a capacity-constrained situation. We have found this scenario to be common among several regional healthcare providers with large OR suites and excess capacity. This algorithm could be used to adjust existing blocks or to assign new blocks to surgeons that did not previously have a block. We also have studied the effect of turnover time on the number of ORs that needs to be allocated. Numerical experiments based on real data from a large health-care provider indicate the opportunity to achieve over 2,900 hours of OR time savings through improved block allocations.
Theory of viscoelastic properties of polyelectrolyte solutions

Abstract A theory of frequency dependence of shear viscosity η and modulus G of polyelectrolyte solutions is presented as functions of concentrations of the polymer (c) and added salt. In the asymptotic limit of high frequency ω, η is proportional to cω−2/3 in dilute solutions and to c3/4ω−1/2 in semidilute solutions under salt-free conditions. As in the zero-frequency limit, reduced viscosity η and reduced modulus G are decreasing functions of c in salt-free semidilute solutions at high frequencies: ηr∼c−1/4ω−1/2, Gr∼c−1/4ω1/2. If the salt concentration is high, η∼cω−4/9 in dilute solutions and η∼c9/8ω−1/2 in semidilute solutions, as expected for neutral good solutions.
How foreign firms view their U.S. distributors

Abstract Foreign manufacturers' views of their U.S. industrial distributor partners are examined in this study. For the most part, the manufacturers hold the industrial distributors in high regard in terms of their capabilities for performing such key marketing functions as providing market coverage, sales contact, inventory holding, and order processing. On two other functions, providing market information and advice and technical support, the industrial distributors were given lower grades by the manufacturers.
BIAS IN THE CODING OF HOSPITAL DISCHARGE DATA AND ITS IMPLICATIONS FOR QUALITY ASSESSMENT

t From the Department of Family Medicine, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Presented in part at the Association for Health Services Research annual meeting, Chicago, IL, June 1992. This research was supported in part by the Agency for Health Care Policy and Research. Address correspondence to: Patrick S. Romano, MD, University of California Davis, Division of General Medicine, Primary Care Center, Room 3107, 2221 Stockton Boulevard, Sacramento, CA 95817. tions are underreported when patients die, for two possible reasons: coders identify all relevant diagnoses but the chronic codes are discarded when abstracts are truncated to
Noninvasive techniques to manage urinary incontinence among care-dependent persons

Approximately half of the nursing home residents in the United States are incontinent of urine, and the prevalence rates among community-dwelling elderly persons are significant. Behavioral treatments are first-line management for most cases of urinary incontinence, and these techniques are recommended in the urinary incontinence guidelines published in 1996 by the Agency for Health Care Policy and Research. This article emphasizes assessment and treatments for persons in whom urinary incontinence has been detected and who are cognitively or physically impaired that are appropriately performed by nurses with no special expertise in or knowledge of urinary incontinence.
Infrared Sensitivity of Unstable Vacua

We discover that some unstable vacua have long memory. By that we mean that even in the theories containing only massive particles, there are correllators and expectation values which grow with time. We examine the cases of instabilities caused by the constant electric fields, expanding and contracting universes and, most importantly, the global de Sitter space. In the last case the interaction leads to a remarkable UV/IR mixing and to a large back reaction. This gives reasons to believe that the cosmological constant problem could be resolved by the infrared physics.
Comparison of Calcium-Induced Associations of Bovine and Caprine Caseins and the Relationship of αs1-Casein Content to Colloidal Stabilization: A Thermodynamic Linkage Analysis

Abstract In milk, α s1 -, α s2 -, β -, and κ -caseins undergo association into colloidal complexes (casein micelles) that are visible with the electron microscope. Hydrophobic interactions and Ca 2+ bonding are among the major causes of colloidal complex formation. In model systems, stable colloidal casein micelles can be obtained in a calcium caseinate solution by centrifugation at 1500 × g. The stabilities of colloidal complexes of bovine and two caprine caseins, selected for their α s1 -casein contents, were tested and thermodynamically linked with the calcium-induced changes in the amount of stable colloid present. Analysis of the data according to this thermodynamic linkage approach for bovine and caprine caseins indicates colloid formation at low calcium concentrations (c.015 M ). However, at increased calcium ion concentrations, these colloids are destabilized. Bovine casein ( α s1 -casein = 38% of total casein) was most stable with respect to added calcium ion concentration, and caprine casein, low in α s1 -casein (5% of total casein), was least stable. The high caprine ( α s1 -casein = 17% of total casein) was intermediate in stability. After destabilization, bovine casein was not resolubilized at elevated calcium concentrations, but both caprine caseins were. More casein from the low α s1 -casein sample could be resolubilized (salted in). These results suggest a role for casein composition in dictating the functional properties of milks from various species.
Brief Trauma and Mental Health Assessments for Female Offenders in Addiction Treatment.

Increasing numbers of women in prison raise concerns about gender-specific problems and needs severity. Female offenders report higher trauma as well as mental and medical health complications than males, but large inmate populations and limited resources create challenges in administering proper diagnostic screening and assessments. This study focuses on brief instruments that address specialized trauma and health problems, along with related psychosocial functioning. Women from two prison-based treatment programs for substance abuse were assessed (N = 1,397), including one facility for special needs and one for regular female offenders. Results affirmed that those admitted to the special-needs facility reported more posttraumatic stress symptoms, higher rates of psychological stress and previous hospitalizations, and more health issues than those in the regular treatment facility. Findings supporting use of these short forms and their applications as tools for monitoring needs, progress, and change over...
Durkheim's concept of dérèglement retranslated, Parsons's reading of Durkheim re‐parsed: an examination of post‐emotional displacement, scapegoating and responsibility at Abu Ghraib

In a continued attempt to comprehend Durkheim's original understanding of anomie as a form of dereglement or derangement, we begin with a discussion of how the experiences of abuse at Abu Ghraib fit his model of a deranged, anomic social system. To bolster our interpretation we show how this, more accurate, understanding of anomie as derangement is useful for understanding war crimes in general, an area where Durkheim's concept of anomie has been infrequently applied as a descriptor for research and analysis. Additionally, the concept of post-emotionalism is used to capture a number of related themes in this discussion pertaining to the sociology of knowledge: how and why original meanings of both the abuse at Abu Ghraib and Durkheim's concept of derangement have been taken out of context and result in displaced emotions, scapegoating and misplaced responsibility in intellectual discourse as well as the military justice system.
Mathematical modeling of leachate routing in a leachate recirculating landfill.

Abstract Full-scale application of leachate recirculation has been hampered by an inability to uniformly apply leachate to the waste mass. Much of this problem is due to the varied nature of the disposed waste which promotes preferential routing and short-circuiting of leachate flows. The United States Geological Survey’s Saturated-Unsaturated Flow and Transport (SUTRA) model [Voss C. I. (1984) SUTRA, Saturated–Unsaturated Transport, A Finite-Element Simulation Model for Saturated–Unsaturated, Fluid-Density-Dependent Ground-Water Flow with Energy Transport or Chemically Reactive Single-Species Solute Transport, US Geological Survey, National Center, Reston, VA.] was used to model leachate application to homogeneous anisotropic and heterogeneous waste masses. The homogeneous anisotropic scenario was modeled using vertical hydraulic conductivities of 10−3 and 10−4 cm/s while the horizontal hydraulic conductivity was simulated as one order of magnitude higher than these values. The heterogeneous waste mass was simulated by applying statistical relationships to the local hydraulic conductivities. Normal, exponentially increasing, and exponentially decreasing probability density functions (PDFs) were used to model the frequency-hydraulic conductivity relationship. Median hydraulic conductivities of 10−3 and 10−4 cm/s with hydraulic conductivity ranges of 10−1–10−5 cm/s and 10−2–10−6 cm/s, respectively, were simulated for each probability distribution. Leachate was applied 8 h/day via a horizontal trench at a daily rate of 4 m3/m of trench. Saturation iso-clines are used to illustrate the effect of the waste mass hydraulic parameters on leachate routing. The ability to develop predictions and evaluate a variety of different scenarios without the effort and expense of physical experimentation is a great strength of mathematical models. However, a model’s predictive capabilities must be verified by comparing the model results with field studies. In an attempt to verify model estimations, SUTRA was used to simulate the site recirculation system and operational procedures used at the Delaware Solid Waste Authority Test Cells and the Yolo County Leachate Recirculation Demonstration Project. Cumulative measured and simulated leachate generation were compared. Results from this verification effort indicate that channeled flow is the major leachate movement mechanism that is not well understood at this time.
Facies architecture of the mixed carbonate/siliciclastic inner continental shelf of west-central Florida: implications for Holocene barrier development

Abstract Sediment vibracores and surface samples were collected from the mixed carbonate/siliciclastic inner shelf of west–central Florida in an effort to determine the three-dimensional facies architecture and Holocene geologic development of the coastal barrier-island and adjacent shallow marine environments. The unconsolidated sediment veneer is thin (generally
South Asian Collections: Using Research Resources for a More General Public

South Asia is a complex and fascinating region. Comprised of India, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Bhutan, the subcontinent is home to all the world's great religions, to numerous languages and dialects, to ethnic diversity, and to a well‐developed publishing industry. Where formerly South Asia was in the news for gurus, Mahatma Gandhi, or Mother Teresa, today it is before the public in terms of nuclear proliferation in Pakistan and India, ethnic/religious strife in Sri Lanka and India, and the Union Carbide disaster in Bhopal. Through the Library of Congress' five South Asian programs, a number of academic libraries in the United States have developed superb collections, which include contemporary and historical topics, to support teaching and research on South Asia. It is the thesis of this article that these specialized resources should be more widely known and used by our colleagues and the general public.
Envy and Jealousy as Discrete Emotions: A Taxometric Analysis

Envy and jealousy may differ in kind or only by degree. In a study of emotion episodes recalled by 291 subjects, two forms of taxometric analysis were used to test between categorical and dimensional models of the two emotions. The two emotions yielded strong convergent evidence of discreteness, and commonly cooccurred. However, although subjects rated their episode to contain similar levels of “envy” and “jealousy,” both terms were equally correlated with the presence of envy features and neither term was correlated substantially with the presence of jealousy features. Implications ar drawn for the study of categorical distinctions between emotions, and for the relation between emotions and emotion terms.
Calculation in k space of integrals arising in the theory of Van der Waals forces. II. Formulas for arbitrary atoms

Basic integrals arising in the momentum space formulation of the van der Waals forces are derived for arbitrary two atoms. These integrals are essentially the matrix elements of the Fourier transformed Coulomb operator and the Fourier transformed square of the Coulomb operator between any two Slater orbitals. The derivation is completely analytic and the results are expressed as finite series expansions in terms of auxiliary integrals. Recursion relations among the auxiliary integrals are developed.
Legal and public policy responses of states to bioterrorism.

In late 2001, during the aftermath of the anthrax letter attacks, model legislation was proposed to relevant state agencies to update their states’ public health laws to meet the threat of bioterrorism. This legislation was the Model State Emergency Health Powers Act. A concern underlying this and related efforts to address future bioterrorism threats was the perceived inadequacy of state laws to respond effectively when such threats occur. We evaluated how 4 states—Utah, Maine, South Dakota, and Indiana—addressed this concern in the context of the model legislation. The conclusion is that the model legislation generally served as an important catalyst for state action in the field of bioterrorism preparation.
Beam daylighting: an alternative illumination technique

Abstract This article is concerned with the energy savings and peak power reductions associated with the maximum utilization of natural light. The general characteristics of diffuse daylighting are discussed in terms of a standard office plan. An innovative technique of daylighting using direct beam radiation from the sun is treated in some detail. Beam daylighting, at 100 lm/W, is found to be more efficient than fluorescent fixtures and is capable of being directed up to 30 ft inward from the exterior facade by reflective louvers or blinds. The estimated cost of the system is calculated to be equivalent to the savings in electrical energy costs within a three-year period. It is also noted that relatively small savings in electrical consumption for air-conditioning are a by-product of the utilization of such a system.
Toxicity-evaluation designs for phase I/II cancer immunotherapy trials

Objectives: To facilitate more efficient Phase I/II cancer immunotherapy trials by incorporating statistically rigorous safety analysis. Setting: The standard Phase I oncology trial is designed to find the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) in a setting where serious drug-related toxicity is expected. However, many newer agents hope to show the efficacy without increasing the background rate of adverse events. Formal statistical designs in this setting are needed. Results: The Phase I/II toxicity-evaluation design is suitable when the therapeutic dose is expected to be well below the MTD. In Phase I, the design enrolls multiple cohorts at the target dose, possibly after an initial dose titration stage, and tests a formal safety hypothesis using a standard 3 + 3 enrollment scheme. Phase I serves as an interim safety analysis before proceeding to Phase II efficacy testing. We give an exact upper confidence limit on the toxicity rate at the therapeutic dose using the combined Phase I/II toxicity data, as well as the maximum likelihood estimate of the toxicity rate. We describe an example where the design has been used for a Phase I/II trial of immunotherapy in leukemia. Conclusions: Phase I/II toxicity-evaluation designs are simple to execute and may be suitable for some cancer immunotherapy trials. We show how to compute power, expected sample size, and expected number of dose-limiting toxicities, as well as the maximum likelihood estimator and exact small sample confidence intervals for the toxicity rate at the therapeutic dose. More flexible designs are briefly discussed. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.