cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Copper Directs ATP7B to the Apical Domain of Hepatic Cells via Basolateral Endosomes

Physiologic Cu levels regulate the intracellular location of the Cu ATPase ATP7B. Here, we determined the routes of Cu-directed trafficking of endogenous ATP7B in the polarized hepatic cell line WIF-B and in the liver in vivo. Copper (10 µm) caused ATP7B to exit the trans-Golgi network (TGN) in vesicles, which trafficked via large basolateral endosomes to the apical domain within 1 h. Although perturbants of luminal acidification had little effect on the TGN localization of ATP7B in low Cu, they blocked delivery to the apical membrane in elevated Cu. If the vesicular proton-pump inhibitor bafilomycin-A1 (Baf) was present with Cu, ATP7B still exited the TGN, but accumulated in large endosomes located near the coverslip, in the basolateral region. Baf washout restored ATP7B trafficking to the apical domain. If ATP7B was staged apically in high Cu, Baf addition promoted the accumulation of ATP7B in subapical endosomes, indicating a blockade of apical recycling, with concomitant loss of ATP7B at the apical membrane. The retrograde pathway to the TGN, induced by Cu removal, was far less affected by Baf than the anterograde (Cu-stimulated) case. Overall, loss of acidification-impaired Cu-regulated trafficking of ATP7B at two main sites: (i) sorting and exit from large basolateral endosomes and (ii) recycling via endosomes near the apical membrane.
Comments on "BPSK system with sounder to combat Rayleigh fading in mobile radio communication"

M. Yokoyama describes a binary phase shift keying (BPSK) system that by utilizing a sounder removes the error floor associated with Rayleigh faded signals. This correspondence shows that the analysis provided by Yokoyama can be drastically simplified.
ASHP national survey of pharmacy practice in hospital settings: Prescribing and transcribing—2016

Purpose The results of the 2016 ASHP national survey of pharmacy practice in hospital settings are presented. Methods A stratified random sample of pharmacy directors at 1,315 general and children’s medical–surgical hospitals in the United States were surveyed using a mixed-mode method offering a choice of completing a paper survey or an online survey. IMS Health supplied data on hospital characteristics; the survey sample was drawn from IMS’s hospital database. Results The survey response rate was 29.8%. Drug policy development by pharmacy and therapeutics committees continues to be an important strategy for improving prescribing. Strict formulary systems are maintained in 63.0% of hospitals, and 89.7% of hospitals use clinical practice guidelines that include medications. Pharmacists have the authority to order laboratory tests in 89.9% of hospitals and order medications in 86.8% of hospitals. Therapeutic interchange policies are used in 89.2% of hospitals. Electronic health records (EHRs) have been implemented partially or completely in most hospitals (99.1%). Computerized prescriber-order-entry systems with clinical decision support are used in 95.6% of hospitals, and 92.6% of hospitals have barcode-assisted medication administration systems. Transitions-of-care programs are increasing in number, with 34.6% of hospitals now offering discharge prescription services. Pharmacists practice in 39.5% of hospital ambulatory or primary care clinics. The most common service offered by pharmacists to outpatients is anticoagulation management (26.0%). When pharmacists practice in ambulatory care clinics, 64.5% have prescribing authority through collaborative practice agreements. Conclusion Pharmacists continue to expand their role in improving the prescribing of medications in both hospital and outpatient settings. The adoption of EHRs and medication-use technologies has contributed to this growth.
Development of a risk-adjusted blood utilization metric.

Background Blood utilization has become an important outcome measure for surgical patients because of the recognized risks and costs associated with transfusion. However, comparisons of blood utilization between providers or institutions are difficult, because there is no standard method for risk adjustment when assessing surgical blood requirements. We examined whether accepted diagnosis-related group (DRG) case mix indexes can be used for this purpose. Study Design and Methods We retrospectively analyzed electronic medical record data from 37,403 surgical inpatients to assess the relationship between intraoperative blood component transfusion requirements and the case mix indexes: weighted Medicare severity DRG and weighted all-patient refined DRG. Thirty-one surgeons from the general surgery service were compared to determine correlations between blood component utilization and case mix index in both a risk unadjusted and an adjusted fashion. Results Case mix indexes and transfusion requirements were directly correlated for red blood cells (RBCs), plasma, and platelet (PLT) transfusions (p < 0.0001 for all three blood components, for both indexes). Surgeons with greater case mix index values had greater transfusion requirements, and adjustment for case mix index resulted in less variation among surgeons (p < 0.0001, p = 0.0003, and p < 0.0001 for unadjusted vs. adjusted utilization of RBCs, plasma, and PLTs, respectively). Conclusions The standard DRG-based case mix indexes used to determine hospital reimbursement were strongly correlated with intraoperative transfusion requirements. We propose that these methods can be used as a risk-adjusted blood utilization metric for surgical patients.
A wavelet magnitude analysis theorem

The wavelet transform is a special case of the generalized short-time Fourier transform (GSTFT), which predates wavelet analysis by many years. The theorem presented here is one example of how GSTFT research can be beneficially applied to wavelet analysis. >
An exploratory study into deception detection in text-based computer-mediated communication

Deception is an everyday occurrence across all communication media. The expansion of the Internet has significantly increased the amount of textual communication received and stored by individuals and organizations. Inundated with massive amounts of textual information transmitted through computer-mediated communication, CMC, people remain largely unsuccessful and inefficient in detecting those messages that may be deceptive. Creating an automated tool that could help people flag the possible deceptive messages in CMC is desirable, but first it is necessary to understand cues used to deceive in textual instances. This study focuses on the identification of deceptive cues deceivers use in a textual CMC environment. 30 dyads (n =14 truthful, n = 16 deceptive) were able to complete the desert survival problem. Findings have demonstrated significant differences between the content within truthful and deceptive messages. Several cues were also found to be significantly more present when deceivers write messages.
MOLECULAR AND ELECTRONIC STRUCTURE OF BIS(TETRAPHENYLDITHIOIMIDODIPHOSPHINATO)MANGANESE(II)

Abstract Complexes of the type [SPR2NPR2S]2M (M=Fe,Co,Ni,Zn; R=CH3, C6H5) have been shown to have a tetrahedral MS4 core structure.1–3 Because of its potential utility as a model for biologically important d 5 MS4-type tetrahedral structures, we have extended the series to include bis(tetraphenyldithio-imidodiphosphinato)manganese(II), (I). We report herein the principal geometrical structural details as well as magnetic and spectral measurements which establish the nature of the ground state and the lowest excited electronic states of (I).
Viruses that Enhance the Aesthetics of Some Ornamental Plants: Beauty or Beast?

Microbes including fungi, bacteria, and viruses commonly cause diseases in humans, animals, and plants. Nevertheless, there are many beneficial microbes. Recently, researchers proved that a phytoplasma is the biological agent causing free-branching in poinsettias which is an economically beneficial trait for their producers. Beneficial viruses for plants have been discovered as well. Symptoms due to virus infections include foliar mosaic, mottle, ring spots, necrosis, malformation, curling/rolling, yellow vein, flower and/or foliage variegation, fruit malformations, and overall plant stunting. However, interactions between plant viruses and their hosts do not always result in disease. There are other viruses that can cause desirable effects in their hosts, and infected plants have been selected or in some cases used by ornamental horticulturists to enhance their aesthetics. Plants with unusual foliage and/or flowers are highly sought by horticulturists and many ornamental plant enthusiasts. Selections of many ornamental plants exhibiting green leaves with other colors such as white, yellow, or red, alone or combined (generally known as variegations) have been propagated and commercialized as distinct cultivars. Similarly, this practice has been conducted with flowers exhibiting desirable aesthetic value, usually in the form of flower breaking (flowers in which petals are variegated due to the irregular distribution of pigment). Plant viruses can cause symptoms that mimic genetic variegations and vein discolorations. In this paper, we discuss some viruses that enhance natural beauty of certain ornamentals and increase their commercial value, and we discuss potential drawbacks and repercussions associated with their use.
Combining Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction risk score and clear-cut alternative diagnosis for chest pain risk stratification.

Abstract Objective The Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) risk score is a validated risk stratification tool useful in patients with definite and potential acute coronary syndromes (ACS) but does not identify patients safe for discharge from the emergency department (ED). Likewise, the use of a clear-cut alternative noncardiac diagnosis risk stratifies patients but does not identify a group safe for discharge. We hypothesized that the presence of an alternative diagnosis in patients with a TIMI risk score less than 2 might identify a cohort of patients safe for ED discharge. Methods In prospective cohort study, we enrolled ED patients with potential ACS. Data included demographics, medical history, components of the TIMI risk score, and whether the treating physician ascribed the condition to an alternative noncardiac diagnosis. Investigators followed the patients through the hospital course, and 30-day follow-up was done. The main outcome was 30-day death, myocardial infarction, or revascularization. Results A total of 3169 patients were enrolled (mean age, 53.6 ± 14 years; 45% men; 67% black). There were 991 patients (31%) with an alternative diagnosis, 980 patients with a TIMI risk score of 0, and 828 with a TIMI score of 1. At low levels of TIMI risk ( Conclusions The TIMI risk score stratifies patients with and without an alternative diagnosis. Unfortunately, patients with both a low TIMI risk score and a clinical impression of an alternative noncardiac diagnosis still have a risk of 30-day adverse events that is not low enough to allow safe discharge from the ED.
Co-occurrence of autism, childhood psychosis, and intellectual disability associated with a de novo 3q29 microdeletion

Some copy number variants (CNVs) are strongly implicated in both schizophrenia and autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). Childhood-onset schizophrenia (COS) occurs rarely with 0.1 – 1% of all schizophrenia diagnoses manifesting before age 10. 3q29 deletions are associated with both autism and schizophrenia, and are rare - the frequency of the deletion estimated to be 1 in 1750 in developmental disorders. Only one patient with a 3q29 deletion was identified out of the first 1174 families with ASDs included in the Simons Simplex Collection (SSC). We report on detailed clinical findings for this patient with a de novo 3q29 deletion who, as a young child, developed a very rare overlap of symptoms of both autism and early onset psychosis. His ASD was first diagnosed at the age of 4 years and his psychotic symptoms began at 5 years old. This is only the second case reported thus far of this rare event of co-occurring autism and very early onset psychosis in a child with a 3q29 deletion. It is also the earliest case of a child with autism developing comorbid psychosis - manifesting by the age of 5 years.
The role of ability and effort in attributions for sport achievement1

In an initial attempt to assess the applicability of Weiner's (1972) attribution model to sport-related behavior, the effects of ability (high versus low), effort (high versus low) and outcome (success versus failure) on causal attributions were investigated. After riding a bicycle ergometer, subjects were asked to attribute the cause of their increased or decreased performance to ability, effort, task difficulty and/or luck. The results indicated that successful outcomes were attributed to both ability and effort and that unsuccessful outcomes were attributed to a lack of ability but not a lack of effort. While the task was seen as easier following success, the perception of low effort mediated this relationship. The results were interpreted to support a situationally specific conceptualization of sport achievement. First, whereas a motivational bias appears to preclude low ability attributions in intellectual pursuits, such is not the case with a novel physical task contingent on strength and muscular endurance. It was suggested that physiologically related ability may be viewed as relatively unstable. Second, relative to intellectual tasks, sport-related effort may be more salient and more quantifiable and may exert a greater influence on subsequent attributions for sport achievement. Finally, support was obtained for the assertions that affect is codetermined by both effort and ability and that expectancy discrepant performance is accounted for largely by perceptions of task difficulty.
Experimental evaluation of PET inserts on reducing the acolinearity effect and improving image resolution

Image resolution of a PET scanner is affected by detector intrinsic spatial resolution, positron range, acolinearity, and the depth of interaction (DOI) effect. Typically, one would reduce crystal dimension to improve image resolution. One can reduce crystal width to improve the tangential resolution. One can also reduce crystal length or increase system diameter to reduce the DOI effect and improve the radial resolution, at the cost of reduced sensitivity. Ideally, one would like to use multi-layer DOI detectors to improve both resolution and sensitivity, but that can be quite expensive. In the case of clinical whole-body (WB) PET scanners, the acolinearity effect limits the image resolution to be no better than 2 mm FWHM regardless how small the detector crystal is. We are developing PET insert devices that improve image resolution of existing PET systems by allowing zoom-in imaging within a smaller field of view (FOV). A high-resolution insert positioned near an object magnifies the radioactivity distribution by a fan-beam geometry that is similar to a pinhole camera. Image resolution of insert systems using this "pseudo-pinhole PET" geometry still depend on the detector intrinsic spatial resolution and the acolinearity effect, but in a way that is different from traditional PET systems. This study investigates the factors that affect image resolution of insert systems through a series of experiments
High-Risk Aortic Valve Replacement: Are the Outcomes as Bad as Predicted?

Background Percutaneous aortic valve replacement (PAVR) trials are ongoing in patients with an elevated European System for Cardiac Operative Risk Evaluation (EuroSCOREs), patients believed to have high mortality rates and poor long-term prognoses with valve replacement surgery. It is, however, uncertain that the EuroSCORE model is well calibrated for such high-risk AVR patients. We evaluated EuroSCORE prediction vs a single institution's surgical results in this target population. Methods From January 1996 through March 2006, 731 patients with EuroSCOREs of 7 or higher underwent isolated AVR. In this cohort, 313 (42.8%) were septuagenarians, 322 (44.0%) were octogenarians or nonagenarians, 233 (31.9%) had had previous cardiac procedures, 237 (32.4%) had atheromatous aortas, and 127 (17.4%) had cerebrovascular disease. A minimally invasive approach was used in 469 (64.2%). Data collection was prospective. Long-term survival was computed from the Social Security Death Benefit Index. Results The mean EuroSCORE was 9.7 (median, 10), and the mean logistic EuroSCORE was 17.2%. Actual hospital mortality was 7.8% (57 of 731). Multivariate analysis showed ejection fraction of less than 0.30 (p = 0.002; odds ratio [OR], 3.13), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (p = 0.019; OR, 2.14), and peripheral vascular disease (p = 0.048; OR, 2.13) were significant predictors of hospital mortality. Complication(s) occurred in 73 patients (9.9%). Freedom from all-cause death (including hospital mortality) was 72.4% at 5 years (n = 152). Age (p Conclusions Logistic EuroSCORE greatly overpredicts mortality in these patients. Five-year survival is good, unlike suggestions from earlier EuroSCORE analyses. This raises concern about unknown long-term percutaneous prosthesis function. Clinical trials for these patients must include randomized surgical controls and have long-term end points.
Screening for Syphilis With the Treponemal Immunoassay: Analysis of Discordant Serology Results and Implications for Clinical Management

BACKGROUND Screening for syphilis with treponemal chemiluminescence immunoassays (CIA) identifies patients with discordant serology who are not identified with traditional screening methods (eg, CIA-positive, rapid plasma regain (RPR)-negative). We sought to describe the clinical characteristics and management of patients with discordant syphilis serology. METHODS From August 2007-October 2007, patients with CIA-positive, RPR-negative serology were tested with the Treponema pallidum particle agglutination assay (TP-PA) at Kaiser Permanente Northern California. Clinical and demographic characteristics, prior syphilis history and CIA index values were compared for CIA-positive, RPR-negative patients according to TP-PA status. RESULTS Of 21,623 assays, 439 (2%) were CIA-positive and 255/439 (58%) were RPR-negative; subsequently, 184 (72%) were TP-PA-positive and 71 (28%) were TP-PA--negative. TP-PA--positive patients were more likely to be male, HIV-positive, homosexual, previously treated for syphilis (57% versus 9%), with higher median CIA index values (9.8 versus 1.6) (all P < .0001). After repeat testing, 7/31 (23%) CIA-positive, RPR-negative, TP-PA--negative patients seroreverted to CIA-negative. CONCLUSIONS TP-PA results in conjunction with clinical/behavioral assessment helped guide the management of patients with CIA-positive, RPR-negative serology. TP-PA-positive patients were both highly likely to have prior syphilis and major epidemiologic risk factors for syphilis. CIA-positive, RPR-negative, TP-PA-negative serology may represent a false-positive CIA in low-prevalence populations.
A Theory of Stationary Long Waves. Part III: Quasi-Normal Modes in a Singular Waveguide

The present paper deals with the fundamental issue of whether one can treat waves as normal modes when critical surface, where the phase speed of the wave matches the zonal wind speed, are present. In particular the question of whether a Rossby critical level (such as the zero-wind line for stationary waves) is absorbing or reflecting is raised and subsequently addressed. It is found that the critical level is never totally absorbing; Rossby waves are partially reflected even if the critical layer is dominated by dissipative processes. The relevance of nonlinearity in planetary-scale Rossby wave critical layers is also discussed and it is found to be the dominant mechanism. With the relative magnitudes of nonlinearity versus viscosity relevant to the earth's atmosphere it is found that the steady-state critical level should be almost perfectly reflecting to incident Rossby waves. Consequently, normal-mode solutions can be found; the quantization condition for these waves is also derived.
Dynamics of correlated genetic systems. IV. Multilocus effects of ethanol stress environments

Four replicate populations of Drosophila melanogaster, two reared on medium supplemented with ethanol and two reared on standard medium, were electrophoretically monitored for 28 generations. During the first 12 generations, allelic, genotypic and gametic frequencies were determined for eight polymorphic enzymes: GOT, alpha-GPDH, MDH, ADH, TO, E6, Ec and ODH. Samples from generation 18 and 28 were electrophoretically typed for ADH and alpha-GPDH. In addition, samples from generation 27 were analyzed for the presence of inversion heterozygotes. The experimental results showed rapid gene-frequency divergence between control and treatment populations at the Adh locus in a direction consistent with the activity hierarchy of Adh genotypes. Gene-frequency divergence between control and treatment populations also occurred at the alpha-Gpdh locus, although the agreement among replicates appeared to have broken down by generation 28. No differential gene-frequency change occurred at any of the six remaining marker loci. Furthermore, values of linkage disequilibria among all linked pairs of genes were initially small and remained small throughout the course of the experiment. Taking these facts into account, it is argued that the gene-frequency response observed at ADH is most probably caused by selection at the Adh locus. The gene frequency response at alpha-Gpdh can also be be accounted for in terms of the effect of ethanol on energy metabolism, although other explanations cannot be excluded.
Promoting Physical Activity With the Out of School Nutrition and Physical Activity (OSNAP) Initiative A Cluster-Randomized Controlled Trial

Importance Millions of children attend after-school programs in the United States. Increasing physical activity levels of program participants could have a broad effect on children’s health. Objective To test the effectiveness of the Out of School Nutrition and Physical Activity (OSNAP) Initiative in increasing children’s physical activity levels in existing after-school programs. Design, Setting, and Participants Cluster-randomized controlled trial with matched program pairs. Baseline data were collected September 27 through November 12, 2010, with follow-up data collected April 25 through May 27, 2011. The dates of our analysis were March 11, 2014, through August 18, 2015. The setting was 20 after-school programs in Boston, Massachusetts. All children 5 to 12 years old in participating programs were eligible for study inclusion. Interventions Ten programs participated in a series of three 3-hour learning collaborative workshops, with additional optional opportunities for training and technical assistance. Main Outcomes and Measures Change in number of minutes and bouts of moderate to vigorous physical activity, vigorous physical activity, and sedentary activity and change in total accelerometer counts between baseline and follow-up. Results Participants with complete data were 402 racially/ethnically diverse children, with a mean age of 7.7 years. Change in the duration of physical activity opportunities offered to children during program time did not differ between conditions (−1.2 minutes; 95% CI, −14.2 to 12.4 minutes; P = .87). Change in moderate to vigorous physical activity minutes accumulated by children during program time did not differ significantly by intervention status (−1.0; 95% CI, −3.3 to 1.3; P = .40). Total minutes per day of vigorous physical activity (3.2; 95% CI, 1.8-4.7; P P P = .01) increased significantly during program time among intervention participants compared with control participants. Conclusions and Relevance Although programs participating in the OSNAP Initiative did not allot significantly more time for physical activity, they successfully made existing time more vigorously active for children receiving the intervention. Trial Registration clinicaltrials.gov Identifier:NCT01396473
Draft Genome Sequences of Edwardsiella ictaluri Strains LADL11-100 and LADL11-194 Isolated from Zebrafish Danio rerio

ABSTRACT Here, we report the draft genome sequences of Edwardsiella ictaluri strains LADL11-100 and LADL11-194, two isolates from natural outbreaks of edwardsiellosis in the zebrafish Danio rerio, as well as the sequences of the plasmids carried by the zebrafish strain of E. ictaluri.
VARUS-VALGUS BALANCING IN KNEE REPLACEMENT SURGERY

There are many different approaches to achieving balancing in total knee surgery. The most frequently used method is to obtain correctly aligned bone cuts, and then carry out necessary soft tissue releases to achieve equal flexion and extension gaps. In some techniques, the bone cuts themselves are determined by the prevailing soft tissue status or the kinematics during flexion-extension. Navigation can provide quantitative data during these processes but so far, navigation is used in only in a minority of cases. However in recent years, new technologies have been introduced with lower cost and implementation time, allowing for more widespread use. Early studies have indicated that more reproducible balancing can be obtained, and that balancing has a positive effect on clinical outcomes. However the ability to measure balancing quantitatively during surgery, has raised the questions of the most systematic method for implementation during surgery, and the relative influence of various correcting factors. Further, the ideal balancing parameters with respect to varus-valgus ratios and the magnitudes during a full flexion range, have yet to be defined. Even if normative data is the target, there is scant data on this topic. In our own laboratory, we carried out experiments on knee specimens where the various surgical variables were systematically investigated for their effect on varus-valgus balancing. Different tests were developed including the ‘Heel Push Test’ where lateral and medial contact forces were plotted as a function of flexion. Imbalances were achieved with either bone cut adjustments or soft tissue releases. The major finding was that adjustments of only 2 mms or 2 degrees could correct most imbalances. This was considered to be due to two effects; the pretension in the ligaments bringing the structure to the stiff part of the load-elongation curve, and the high values of the stiffness itself. Medial-lateral equality was the goal in this work, but recognizing that this may not be the situation in the normal knee. To answer this question, we developed a method for measuring the varus-valgus balancing in normal subjects, using a ‘Smart Knee Fixture’ with embedded stretch sensors. We validated this device using cadaveric specimens, and normal volunteers using fluoroscopy and electromyography. We are now applying the method in an IRB study to both normals and post-operative knee replacement cases. For the latter, the relation between operative data, and post-operative balancing will be studied, as well as the relation of balancing to functional outcomes. This overall subject of balancing at surgery, and the post-operative effects, is open to extensive experimental research, and is predicted to result in improved outcomes.
Predicting bed dynamics in three-phase, fluidized-bed biofilm reactors

This paper presents a unified model that inter-relates gas flow rate, liquid flow rate, and hold-ups of each of the liquid, gas, and solid phases in three-phase, fluidized-bed biofilm (TPFBB) process. It describes how carrier properties, biofilm properties, and gas and liquid flow velocities control the system dynamics, which ultimately will affect the density, thickness, and distribution of the biofilm. The paper describes the development of the mathematical model to correlate the effects of gas flow rate, liquid flow rate, solid concentration, and biofilm thickness and density. This knowledge is critically needed in light of the use of TPFBB processes in treating industrial wastewater, which often has high substrate concentration. For example, the proper design of the TPFBB process requires mathematical description of the cause-effect relationship between biofilm growth and fluidization.
“An Essential Expression of the People”: Interpretations of Hasidic Song in the Composition and Performance History of Ernest Bloch's Baal Shem

Abstract This article examines Ernest Bloch9s Baal Shem: Three Pictures of Chassidic Life, considering its score, its performance history, and early recordings of the second movement, “Nigun,” by Yehudi Menuhin, Joseph Szigeti, and Mischa Elman, to investigate the idea, promoted by the composer and many of his performers and critics, that the music represented Jewish identity through the evocation of Hasidic song. Bloch9s score and Menuhin9s performances were described as expressing what was often characterized during the early twentieth century as a self-affirming racial feeling that linked the modern diaspora in America to Eastern European Hasidic Jewish communities. With Baal Shem, Bloch and his performers and listeners participated in a self-conscious effort to construct a modern Jewish identity that they believed could be conveyed in the sounds and structures of art music. Menuhin9s lifelong friendship and collaboration with Bloch underscores the crucial roles of Bloch9s performers in working with the composer to devise compositional and performance tropes for the representation of Hasidic song, and in creating his broad reputation as a composer of a definitive Jewish music, a reputation Bloch would sometimes embrace and at other times disavow.
A Report on Simulation-Driven Reliability and Failure Analysis of Large-Scale Storage Systems

High-performance computing (HPC) storage systems provide data availability and reliability using various hardware and software fault tolerance techniques. Usually, reliability and availability are calculated at the subsystem or component level using limited metrics such as, mean time to failure (MTTF) or mean time to data loss (MTTDL). This often means settling on simple and disconnected failure models (such as exponential failure rate) to achieve tractable and close-formed solutions. However, such models have been shown to be insufficient in assessing end-to-end storage system reliability and availability. We propose a generic simulation framework aimed at analyzing the reliability and availability of storage systems at scale, and investigating what-if scenarios. The framework is designed for an end-to-end storage system, accommodating the various components and subsystems, their interconnections, failure patterns and propagation, and performs dependency analysis to capture a wide-range of failure cases. We evaluate the framework against a large-scale storage system that is in production and analyze its failure projections toward and beyond the end of lifecycle. We also examine the potential operational impact by studying how different types of components affect the overall system reliability and availability, and present the preliminary results
TWO MODES OF VISUAL IMAGERY

The relationship between active thought imagery and a passive, spontaneous mode of mental imagery is examined with regard to vividness. Results showed a significant consistency within the two modes...
Fine-tuning of epigenetic regulation with respect to promoter CpG content in a cell type-specific manner

Epigenetic regulation of gene expression is fundamental for cell type-specific gene expression. However, integrated comparative transcriptomic and epigenomic analyses in various adult primary differentiated cells remain underrepresented. We generated promoter landscapes of DNA methylation and three important histone methylation marks (H3K4me3, H3K9me2, and H3K27me3) in two primary cell types (B lymphocytes and liver) from adult mice. In line with previous studies, we also observed distinct H3K4me3 patterns at promoters dictated by CpG content in differentiated primary cells. We further explored the distribution of initiating RNA polymerase II and elongating RNA polymerase II across genes within different promoter classes, suggesting different rate-limiting steps at CpG-rich vs. CpG-poor genes. Examination of differentially expressed genes revealed that regulation of tissue-specific genes is closely related to gene function regardless of promoter type. Although repressive chromatin marks displayed differential preference to promoters based on CpG content, we observed fine-tuning of the pattern of association of these marks with specific promoter types in a cell type-specific manner. The distribution of H3K9me2 and H3K27me3, relative to CpG content, differed substantially between the two cell types. Cell-type specific accumulation of repressive chromatin marks was also observed at silent genes in both cell types, suggesting that differentiated primary cells may exhibit cell-type specificity in the distribution of repressive chromatin marks. Epigenetic regulation of gene expression and the association of specific histone marks with promoter sequence classes are fine-tuned in a cell type-specific manner. This unexpected finding underscores the value of extensive study of epigenetic marks across cell and tissue types.
Extended Kalman filter based structural damage detection for MR damper controlled structures

The Magneto-rheological (MR) dampers have been widely used in many building and bridge structures against earthquake and wind loadings due to its advantages including mechanical simplicity, high dynamic range, low power requirements, large force capacity, and robustness. However, research about structural damage detection methods for MR damper controlled structures is limited. This paper aims to develop a real-time structural damage detection method for MR damper controlled structures. A novel state space model of MR damper controlled structure is first built by combining the structure’s equation of motion and MR damper’s hyperbolic tangent model. In this way, the state parameters of both the structure and MR damper are added in the state vector of the state space model. Extended Kalman filter is then used to provide prediction for state variables from measurement data. The two techniques are synergistically combined to identify parameters and track the changes of both structure and MR damper in real time. The proposed method is tested using response data of a three-floor MR damper controlled linear building structure under earthquake excitation. The testing results show that the adaptive extended Kalman filter based approach is capable to estimate not only structural parameters such as stiffness and damping of each floor, but also the parameters of MR damper, so that more insights and understanding of the damage can be obtained. The developed method also demonstrates high damage detection accuracy and light computation, as well as the potential to implement in a structural health monitoring system.
Alternate-day prednisone. Leukocyte kinetics and susceptibility to infections.

Abstract The effects of alternate-day and daily prednisone on leukocyte kinetics were studied in 20 patients with inflammatory diseases to investigate the mechanisms of corticosteroid-induced susceptibility to infections. With daily prednisone, both neutrophil and monocyte inflammatory responses were significantly decreased. In patients on alternate-day prednisone, who were studied during the day on which prednisone was administered, neutrophilia and monocytopenia occurred, and cutaneous inflammatory responses of monocytes, but not of neutrophils, were significantly reduced. On the day of therapy of alternate-day prednisone and with daily therapy the half-life of labeled blood neutrophils was significantly prolonged, and the prolongation was proportional to the dose of the drug given. In contrast, in patients maintained on alternate-day prednisone therapy and studied on the day off drug, leukocyte counts, inflammatory responses and neutrophil half-life were normal. (N Engl J Med 291:1154–1158, 1974)
Development and validation of a simple risk score to predict 30-day readmission after percutaneous coronary intervention in a cohort of medicare patients

Objectives To develop a risk model that can be used to identify PCI patients at higher risk of readmission who may benefit from additional resources at the time of discharge. Background A high proportion of patients undergoing PCI are readmitted within 30 days of discharge. Methods The sample comprised patients aged ≥65 years who underwent PCI at a CathPCI Registry®-participating hospital and could be linked with 100% Medicare fee-for-service claims between 01/2007 and 12/2009. The sample (n = 388,078) was randomly divided into risk score development (n = 193,899) and validation (n = 194,179) cohorts. We did not count as readmissions those associated with staged revascularization procedures. Multivariable logistic regression models using stepwise selection models were estimated to identify variables independently associated with all-cause 30-day readmission. Results The mean 30-day readmission rates for the development (11.36%) and validation (11.35%) cohorts were similar. In total, 19 variables were significantly associated with risk of 30-day readmission (P < 0.05), and model c-statistics were similar in the development (0.67) and validation (0.66) cohorts. The simple risk score based on 14 variables identified patients at high and low risk of readmission. Patients with a score of ≥13 (15.4% of sample) had more than an 18.5% risk of readmission, while patients with a score ≤6 (41.9% of sample) had less than an 8% risk of readmission. Conclusion Among PCI patients, risk of readmission can be estimated using clinical factors present at the time of the procedure. This risk score may guide clinical decision-making and resource allocation for PCI patients at the time of hospital discharge. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Realizing the Value of EHR Systems Critical Success Factors

Now that a majority of hospitals and primary care physicians have made the transition to electronic health record EHR systems, realizing value from this investment has become a major issue. The issue raises two key questions: Why do so many EHR implementations continue to fall short of achieving intended healthcare outcome goals? What differentiates those that succeed from those that fall short? This article builds on prior research using a systems framework to analyze the EHR implementation process. It focuses on ten common themes CSFs that appear to differentiate institutions which achieve positive healthcare outcomes from those that do not. Results are highly relevant for healthcare institutions now seeking to focus on realizing the value of their EHR systems.
Beckles v. United States -- Amici Curiae Brief of Scholars of Criminal Law, Federal Courts, and Sentencing in Support of Petitioner

Section 4B1.2(a)(2) of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines is identical to statutory language that the U.S. Supreme Court found to be unconstitutionally vague in Johnson v. United States. The Supreme Court subsequently held that the ruling in Johnson was retroactive. This brief explains why the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines are subject to vagueness challenges and why any ruling that a guideline is unconstitutionally vague should be made retroactive.
Low-Dose ACTH Therapy for Infantile Spasms

The lowest effective ACTH dose, with fewest adverse effects, for the treatment of West syndrome (WS) was determined in a comparative, randomly assigned, controlled study involving 25 patients with cryptogenic (CWS, n=9) or symptomatic (SWS, n=16) WS, at the Department of Pediatrics, Tokyo Women’s Medical University, Tokyo, Japan.
Agricultural Index Insurance for Development

Index insurance is often promoted as a solution to many of the barriers that are thought to limit the supply of formal insurance coverage to smallholder farmers and livestock owners in developing countries. This manuscript summarizes the state of index insurance, paying special attention to the key challenges facing index insurance if it is to become a more effective tool for development. We then offer recommendations to tackle those challenges by strategically investing in a set of public goods and services geared towards addressing key informational gaps and improving the quality of index insurance products around the world.
Cacna1c in the Prefrontal Cortex Regulates Depression-Related Behaviors via REDD1

The CACNA1C gene that encodes the L-type Ca2+ channel (LTCC) Cav1.2 subunit has emerged as a candidate risk gene for multiple neuropsychiatric disorders including bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder, and schizophrenia, all marked with depression-related symptoms. Although cacna1c heterozygous (HET) mice have been previously reported to exhibit an antidepressant-like phenotype, the molecular and circuit-level dysfunction remains unknown. Here we report that viral vector-mediated deletion of cacna1c in the adult prefrontal cortex (PFC) of mice recapitulates the antidepressant-like effect observed in cacna1c HET mice using the sucrose preference test (SPT), forced swim test (FST), and tail suspension test (TST). Molecular studies identified lower levels of REDD1, a protein previously linked to depression, in the PFC of HET mice, and viral-mediated REDD1 overexpression in the PFC of these HET mice reversed the antidepressant-like effect in SPT and TST. Examination of downstream REDD1 targets found lower levels of active/phosphorylated Akt (S473) with no change in mTORC1 phosphorylation. Examination of the transcription factor FoxO3a, previously linked to depression-related behavior and shown to be regulated in other systems by Akt, revealed higher nuclear levels in the PFC of cacna1c HET mice that was further increased following REDD1-mediated reversal of the antidepressant-like phenotype. Collectively, these findings suggest that REDD1 in cacna1c HET mice may influence depression-related behavior via regulation of the FoxO3a pathway. Cacna1c HET mice thus serve as a useful mouse model to further study cacna1c-associated molecular signaling and depression-related behaviors relevant to human CACNA1C genetic variants.
Bremsstrahlung Shielding Analysis of the Particle Beam Fusion Accelerator PBFA II

Shielding of specific electronic components from the harsh bremsstrahlung environment expected on PBFA II has been investigated. 3-D Monte Carlo estimates of dose in locations throughout the facility have been compared with electronic technology thresholds to identify possible problem locations or technologies. In some parts of the facility, implementation of the 30-MV lithium ion diode option will increase dose rates to electronic equipment above tolerable levels. As a result, additional close-in shielding is being employed and some components are being moved to lower radiation level locations. None of the changes are prohibitive in terms of time, cost, or accelerator utility.
Being Good Is Not Enough: Overcoming Bias in Mobility and Advancement of Female Top Managers

This study examines the role of objective indicators of performance in bridging the gender gap in mobility and advancement of top managers. The main argument is that visibility and level of organizational performance help female managers get promoted. I integrate individual and firm-level characteristics to explain how observable firm performance information can increase external and internal mobility of female top managers. I document the substantial gender gap in advancement of top managers and, consistent with my arguments, I find that female executives’ mobility rate increases with disclosure and level of firm performance. However, the gender gap in mobility and promotion closes only at the highest levels of disclosed firm performance. That is, only the very top women performers advance at the same rate as their male counterparts. This study is the first to assemble large cross-country data of the 946,172 top managers in 540,608 public and private firms to document and track the mobility of 137,475 fe...
BiPAP for treating moderate and severe asthma exacerbations in a PED

BiPAP utilization for the treatment of severe refractory status asthmaticus patients has become an accepted therapy but is not well described for moderate exacerbations. We sought to analyze outcomes from our BiPAP quality database for children presenting in status asthmaticus at varying levels of severity.
CURRENT ALGEBRA AND WARD IDENTITIES: THREE- AND FOUR-POINT FUNCTIONS.

We present a technique which allows us to display explicitly all the information which current algebra yields about $n$-point functions of vector and axial-vector currents. We write all three- and four-point functions in terms of a few primitive functions which are not determined by current algebra. Any approximation to these functions (subject to a single constraint) when used in our formulation yields three- and four-point functions guaranteed to satisfy all constraints imposed by current algebra and partially conserved axial-vector current. We give a very simple model where the primitive functions are given by as smooth functions of the momenta as possible and apply this model to the ${\ensuremath{\pi}}^{+}\ensuremath{-}{\ensuremath{\pi}}^{0}$ electromagnetic mass difference, ${A}_{1}$ decay, and $\ensuremath{\pi}\ensuremath{-}\ensuremath{\pi}$ and $\ensuremath{\pi}\ensuremath{-}\ensuremath{\rho}$ scattering.
Approximating Global Optimum for Probabilistic Truth Discovery

The problem of truth discovery arises in many areas such as database, data mining, data crowdsourcing and machine learning. It seeks trustworthy information from possibly conflicting data provided by multiple sources. Due to its practical importance, the problem has been studied extensively in recent years. Two competing models were proposed for truth discovery, weight-based model and probabilistic model. While \((1+\epsilon )\)-approximations have already been obtained for the weight-based model, no quality guaranteed solution has been discovered yet for the probabilistic model. In this paper, we focus on the probabilistic model and formulate it as a geometric optimization problem. Based on a sampling technique and a few other ideas, we achieve the first \((1 + \epsilon )\)-approximation solution. The general technique we developed has the potential to be used to solve other geometric optimization problems.
KEYNESIAN AGGREGATE DEMAND

This chapter provides an overview of Keynesian aggregate demand. Keynesian aggregate-demand analysis was a reaction to classical economic theories that failed to adequately deal with events like the Great Depression. The Economic Controversy indicates that the debate between Keynesian and classical economists is not through yet. Saving, taxes, and imports are leakages from the circular flow. Investment, government, and net-export spending are all injections. Macroeconomic equilibrium occurs when total leakages equal total injections. The economy always seeks equilibrium, but there is no guarantee that equilibrium and full employment coincide. Economic policies affect national income by altering aggregate demand. Income rises when injections exceed leakages. The economy reponds to leakage and injection changes by moving to a new equilibrium income level. The four components of aggregate demand are consumption, investment, government, and net-export spending. Consumption spending depends on the MPC relationship between changes in income and changes in spending, among other things. Interest rates are an important part of investment choices. Politics and philosophy influence government spending. Exchange rates and trade barriers are two of net exports' variables.