cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Thermal‐mechanical properties of PVC flame retarded alloys

Several segments of the plastics conversion industry are concerned with meeting critical functional and performance demands. Relevant concerns include flame spread, smoke generation, and toxicity. In recent decades, the transportation and electrical/electronics industries have consumed tremendous quantities of polymeric materials. Many of these plastics have been extensively modified to meet flammability criteria, processability demands, and other functional requirements. Aircraft and electronics applications of these materials include printed circuit boards, electrical connectors, wiring, wire harnesses, and aircraft cabin flooring, ceiling, paneling, carpeting, and cargo storage bins. The traditional mechanism for imparting flame retarding properties is to incorporate external additives, which alter burning characteristics, but at the expense of functional properties. An alternate solution to flame retarding that has gained much attention in recent years is the alloying, or blending, of flammable polymers with inherently flame retarded polymers. ASTM protocol has established dynamic mechanical testing (DMT) techniques to evaluate the rheological properties of such materials. This paper exhibits how DMT can be used to monitor the solid properties of various flame retarded alloys.
Non-ergodicity and PEER's framework formula

A framework formula for performance-based earthquake engineering, advocated and used by researchers at the Pacific Earthquake Engineering Research (PEER) Center, is closely examined. The formula was originally intended for computing the mean annual rate of a performance measure exceeding a specified threshold. However, it has also been used for computing the probability that a performance measure will exceed a specified threshold during a given period of time. It is shown that the use of the formula to compute such probabilities could lead to errors when non-ergodic variables (aleatory or epistemic) are present. Assuming a Poisson model for the occurrence of earthquakes in time, an exact expression is derived for the probability distribution of the maximum of a performance measure over a given period of time, properly accounting for non-ergodic uncertainties. This result is used to assess the approximation involved in the PEER formula for computing probabilities. It is found that the PEER approximation of the probability has a negligible error for probabilities less than about 0.01. For larger probabilities, the error depends on the magnitude of non-ergodic uncertainties and the duration of time considered and can be as much as 20% for probabilities around 0.05 and 30% for probabilities around 0.10. The error is always on the conservative side. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A Simple Approach to Improve the Abstraction Level of Object Representation

The management of complexity is an essential problem in software development and abstraction is one of the best mechanisms dealing with complexity. In order to increase productivity in software development, we should provide formal notation to support high-level abstractions. In this way, the semantic gap between the designers' conceptual model and the execution model is diminished. This article describes an approach to improve the abstraction level of encapsulation. This approach supports the expression of the class interface as data and functions. Although each one of these constructs (encapsulation, and interface as data and functions) is provided by most programming languages, the combination of both for the same attribute is not provided. In addition, the level of abstraction of data representation is increased allowing partial automation of its implementation.
Sex differences in revascularization.

TO THE EDITOR: The excellent study of sex and coronary revascularization by Ghali and colleagues (1) highlights an important question facing those who use observational data to investigate ethnic and gender disparities: Are administrative databases sufficiently detailed to control for potential confounders in the relationship of ethnicity and sex to health outcomes? Ghali and colleagues found that the addition of two essential clinical predictor variables (extent of coronary disease and ejection fraction) to a multivariate analysis of administrative data produced an unbiased assessment of the effect of sex on revascularization. Although this demonstrates the inadequacy of some administrative data for the assessment of a particular disease‐ outcome relationship, it does not necessarily imply that all disparity studies based on administrative data are inherently flawed. Rather, if any database contains adequate information on all reasonable covariates, outcomes analyses based on such data may produce useful results. A fundamental issue, therefore, is how to identify whether a particular database, administrative or clinical, has adequate detail for a multivariate analysis of outcomes. In the case of coronary revascularization, it should have been clear that analyses failing to control for the extent of coronary disease would probably produce biased results (2, 3). Researchers in sex and ethnic disparities should be vigilant in identifying and reporting the absence of important covariates from their databases. Readers of such studies should verify that all reasonable factors that may influence the frequency of clinical outcomes were incorporated in multivariate analyses (4). Inevitably, even analyses based on highly detailed clinical databases will occasionally fail to include important covariates and will lead to erroneous conclusions. It is also likely that many sparse but sufficient administrative databases contain all the information necessary to accurately advance the understanding of ethnic and sex disparities in medical care.
A SEMIEMPIRICAL METHOD FOR PREDICTING MULTIFIN WEAPON AERODYNAMICS

A new semiempirical method was developed to compute normal force coefficients of multifin missile configurations using cruciform missile aerodynamics as a baseline. The method was developed using full Euler Computational Fluid Dynamics codes to compare computations with wind tunnel data bases for cruciform missiles as a function of Mach number, angle of attack, and aspect ratio. The Euler codes were then used for the same freestream conditions and missile configurations except the number of fins was increased from four to six and eight respectively. A table of coefficients was then formed for the normal force coefficient of six- and eight-fin configurations compared to that of four- fin cases for
A pursuit game with range-only measurements

We address a discrete-time, pursuit-evasion game with alternate moves played between two kinds of players: the pursuer and the evader. The pursuer wishes to capture the evader while the evader?s goal is to avoid capture. By capture, we mean that the distance between the players is no greater than 1 unit. We assume simple, first-order motion kinematics for the players. The pursuer can move with a step size of at most 1 unit while the evader can move with a maximum step size of s ? 1 units. The pursuer is able to measure only its distance from the evader, before and after the evader?s move. We propose a capture strategy and first show that for the game played in ?2, if s ? 0.5, then a single pursuer captures the evader in finite time. Next, we show that if the game is played in ?3 and if s ? 0.5, then with a modified strategy, two identical cooperative pursuers capture the evader in finite time. Finally, we shed light on the performance of the capture strategy in the case of s ? [0.5, 1] and the case of sensing errors via simulations. We also present a simulation study of a version of this game with simultaneous moves.
Inhaled fluticasone propionate impairs pulmonary clearance of Klebsiella Pneumoniae in mice

Recent trials demonstrate increased pneumonia risk in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients treated with the inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) fluticasone propionate (FP). There is limited work describing FP effects on host defenses against bacterial pneumonia. C57BL/6 mice received daily, nose-only exposure to nebulized FP or vehicle for 8 days, followed by pulmonary challenge with Klebsiella pneumoniae. Bacterial burden, phagocytosis, leukocyte recruitment, cytokine expression, nitric oxide release, and survival were measured. Inhaled FP increased bacterial burden in lungs and blood 48 h after infection but affected neither in vivo phagocytosis of bacteria by alveolar macrophages (AM) nor alveolar neutrophil recruitment. AM from FP-treated mice showed impaired expression of infection induced TNF-alpha, IP-10 (CXCL-10), and interleukin 6 (IL-6), and AM also showed a trend towards impaired intracellular pathogen control following in vivo infection. In vitro FP treatment resulted in a dose-dependent impairment of cytokine expression by AM. Furthermore, infection-induced nitric oxide (but not hydrogen peroxide) production was impaired by FP in vivo and in vitro. FP decreased survival in this model. Exposure to inhaled FP impairs pulmonary clearance of K. pneumoniae in mice, an effect associated with greater systemic bacteremia and death. Decreased AM cytokine and nitric oxide expression parallel the failure to control infection. These results support the study of ICS effects on human pulmonary host defenses.
A probabilistic crystal plasticity model for modeling grain shape effects based on slip geometry

Abstract A new statistical theory is introduced that takes into account the coupling between grain size, shape and crystallographic texture during deformation of polycrystalline microstructures. A “grain size orientation distribution function” (GSODF) is used to encode the probability density of finding a grain size D along a direction (given by unit vector n ) in grains with orientation g . The GSODF is sampled from the input microstructure and is represented in a finite element mesh. During elastoplastic deformation, the evolution of grain size D (in direction θ ) and the orientation g is tracked by directly updating the GSODF probabilities using a Lagrangian probability update scheme. The effect of grain shape (e.g. in high aspect ratio grains) is modeled by including the apparent grain size as seen by various different active slip systems in the grain within the constitutive law for the slip system resistance. The prediction of texture and strains achieved by the statistical approach is compared to Taylor aggregate and finite element deformation analysis of a planar polycrystalline microstructure. The role of grain shape and size in determining plastic response is investigated and a new adaptive GSODF model for modeling microstructures with multimodal grain shapes is proposed.
The security of EPC Gen2 compliant RFID protocols

The increased functionality of EPC Class1 Gen2 (EPCGen2) is making this standard the de facto specification for inexpensive tags in the RFID industry. EPCGen2 supports only very basic security tools such as a 16-bit Pseudo-Random Number Generator and a 16-bit Cyclic Redundancy Code. Recently two EPCGen2 compliant protocols that address security issues were proposed in the literature. In this paper we analyze these protocols and show that they are not secure and subject to replay/impersonation and synchronization attacks. We then consider the general issue of supporting security in EPCGen2 compliant protocols and propose two RFID protocols that are secure within the restricted constraints of this standard, and an anonymous RFID mutual authentication protocol with forward secrecy that is compliant with the EPC Class2 Gen2 standard.
Avalanche Climatology of the Western United States, with an Emphasis on Alta, Utah∗

Climate and snowpack characteristics of avalanches vary spatially across the western United States, distinguishing three regions. The coastal mountain renges have warmer, denser snow; interior (continental) ranges have colder, less-dense snow; and intermountain ranges have intermediate characteristics. Avalanche character of Alta, Utah, is related to eastern Pacific 700-mb height anomalies for December, January, and March, but not for February. Avalanche conditions around Alta do not always relate to localized pressure gradient winds for December and February.
Development and Delivery of an Integrated Project-Based Jobsite Management Undergraduate Course

At universities offering professional degrees, such as construction management, some programs are moving towards and exploring alternative delivery methods for achieving the curriculum's goals and objectives. This article describes an integrated and project-based learning Jobsite Construction Management course being taught at a major university. A course overview describing the various delivery methods used (such as lectures, reading assignments, supplemental materials, guest lecturers, lab assignments, technology, and jobsite visits) is presented. The benefits of vertical and horizontal course integration in a project-based learning environment are emphasized and more fully explained. A class survey was conducted over two quarters to assess the student's perspective on various aspects of the course, in particular the delivery methods used to relate course material. The student survey responses are evaluated and discussed individually. Results suggest that an integrated curriculum set in a project-based l...
Aqueous Corrosion Study of α2-Ti3Al/SiC Composites

Abstract Aqueous corrosion behavior of α2-Ti-24% Al-11% Nb (at%)/silicon carbide (SiC) fiber composite was studied by direct current (DC) polarization and alternating current (AC) impedance techniq...
Inserting the Ftz homeodomain into Engrailed creates a dominant transcriptional repressor that specifically turns off Ftz target genes in vivo

The Engrailed homeodomain protein is an ‘active’ or dominant transcriptional repressor in cultured cells. In contrast, the Fushi Tarazu homeodomain protein is an activator, both in cultured cells and in Drosophila embryos, where it activates several known target genes, including its own gene. This auto-activation has been shown to depend on targeting to a fushi tarazu enhancer by the Fushi Tarazu homeodomain. We combined Fushi Tarazu targeting and Engrailed active repression in a chimeric regulator, EFE. When EFE is ubiquitously expressed, it overrides endogenous Fushi Tarazu and causes a fushi tarazu mutant phenotype. Normal Fushi Tarazu target genes are affected as they are in fushi tarazu mutants. One such target gene is repressed by EFE even where Fushi Tarazu is not expressed, suggesting that the repression is active. This is confirmed by showing that the in vivo activity of EFE depends on a domain that is required for active repression in culture. A derivative that lacks this domain, while it cannot repress the endogenous fushi tarazu gene, can still reduce the activity of the fushi tarazu autoregulatory enhancer, suggesting that it competes with endogenous Fushi Tarazu for binding sites in vivo. However, this passive repression is much less effective than active repression.
Syntaxin 7 and VAMP-7 are soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor attachment protein receptors required for late endosome-lysosome and homotypic lysosome fusion in alveolar macrophages.

Endocytosis in alveolar macrophages can be reversibly inhibited, permitting the isolation of endocytic vesicles at defined stages of maturation. Using an in vitro fusion assay, we determined that each isolated endosome population was capable of homotypic fusion. All vesicle populations were also capable of heterotypic fusion in a temporally specific manner; early endosomes, isolated 4 min after internalization, could fuse with endosomes isolated 8 min after internalization but not with 12-min endosomes or lysosomes. Lysosomes fuse with 12-min endosomes but not with earlier endosomes. Using homogenous populations of endosomes, we have identified Syntaxin 7 as a soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor attachment protein receptor (SNARE) required for late endosome–lysosome and homotypic lysosome fusion in vitro. A bacterially expressed human Syntaxin 7 lacking the transmembrane domain inhibited homotypic late endosome and lysosome fusion as well as heterotypic late endosome–lysosome fusion. Affinity-purified antibodies directed against Syntaxin 7 also inhibited lysosome fusion in vitro but had no affect on homotypic early endosome fusion. Previous work suggested that human VAMP-7 (vesicle-associated membrane protein-7) was a SNARE required for late endosome–lysosome fusion. A bacterially expressed human VAMP-7 lacking the transmembrane domain inhibited both late endosome–lysosome fusion and homotypic lysosome fusion in vitro. These studies indicate that: 1) fusion along the endocytic pathway is a highly regulated process, and 2) two SNARE molecules, Syntaxin 7 and human VAMP-7, are involved in fusion of vesicles in the late endocytic pathway in alveolar macrophages.
Ethnic Succession: A Review Essay

There is a clear process of ethnic succession in the American food business. Ethnic groups cluster for a generation or two in a particular niche of the business and then they concede ground to others. Germans and Swiss were replaced by Italians and Eastern European Jews, who were replaced by Greeks, Mexicans, Koreans, Bangladeshis etc. Why are there such patterns of succession? How can we explain them? I try to answer those questions by way of a review of two books on food and ethnicity.
What predicts early volumetric edema increase following stereotactic radiosurgery for brain metastases

A volumetric analysis of pre- and post-radiosurgery (PreSRS and PostSRS) edema in patients with cerebral metastases was performed to determine factors of a predictive model assessing the risk of developing increased edema relatively early after SRS. One-hundred-fourteen metastases in 55 patients were analyzed. Selection for this analysis required an MRI ≤ 30 days before SRS and an MRI ≤ 100 days after SRS. Tumor volumes were calculated on PreSRS, SRS, and PostSRS T1-weighted postgadolinium images while edema volumes were calculating using PreSRS and PostSRS fluid-attenuated inversion recovery MR images. An increase in edema was defined as an increase in measurable edema of at least 5%. We developed and evaluated a model predicting the relative risk (RR) of increased edema after SRS. Peritumoral edema increased in 18% (21/114) of the analyzed lesions. Melanoma/renal histology, recursive partitioning analysis class III, and prior WBRT carried RRs of developing postSRS edema increase of 2.45, 2.48, and 3.16, respectively (all P values <0.05). The PreSRS edema/tumor ratio predicted for a RR of 1.007/ratio unit, and steroid dose at time of SRS predicted for a RR of 0.89/mg (all P values <0.05). A predictive model for assessing the RR of increased edema after SRS was developed based from these data and may be useful in identifying patients who might benefit from prophylactic anti-edema therapies before, during, or after SRS. This model could be used as the basis of inclusion criteria for prospective trials investigating novel anti-edema therapies.
Overview: Hidden Hunger and the Role of Public-Private Partnership:

Mineral and vitamin deficiencies adversely affect the health intellect and physical ability of some one and a half billion people worldwide. The World Bank has estimated that for less than 0.3% of their GDP most developing countries could rid themselves of these preventable conditions and diseases which now cost them 5% of their GDP in lost lives disability and low productivity. The world needs to give much more attention to problems of protein-energy malnutrition and poor growth in children; to parasitic viral and bacterial infections that cause extensive preventable morbidity and mortality; and to reductions in poverty and intolerable inequity. Nevertheless the control of vitamin and mineral deficiencies using existing scientific knowledge and technologies offers an extraordinarily large opportunity to improve human well-being and to accelerate development at relatively low cost. Furthermore it is something that is within our grasp to achieve in a relatively short length of time. The World Bank considers micronutrient control programs to be among the most cost-effective of all health interventions. (excerpt)
Schulz-Snyder Phase Retrieval Algorithm as an Alternating Minimization Algorithm

We derive the Schulz-Snyder phase retrieval algorithm as an alternating minimization method, and discuss its advantages and drawbacks. An annealing-type Schulz-Snyder algorithm is proposed to avoid convergence to nonglobal solutions. Numerical experiments which suggest the effectiveness of the proposed method are presented.
The Rise and Fall of an Immune Response

That screeching noise you hear when someone first turns on a microphone—called audio feedback—happens because the mic picks up the sound from the speaker. Yoshizaki et al . now report that immune responses experience feedback as well: The same processes that initiate autoimmunity driven by B and T cells are responsible for restraining this pathogenic immune response. The investigators found in a model of multiple sclerosis (MS) that factors critical for induction of B cell–T cell interactions such as interleukin-21 (IL-21) and CD40 were also critical for the restraint of autoimmunity. These findings indicate that inhibition of these molecules, classically thought of as immunostimulatory, may not modulate all forms of immunity equally. Yoshizaki et al . found that B cell expression of IL21 and CD40 molecules was necessary for the differentiation and proliferation of regulatory B cells, which suppress immune responses. The authors found that regulatory B cells lacking CD40 or the receptor for IL-21 failed to suppress development of experimental autoimmune encephalitis (EAE)—a mouse model of MS. In addition, using regulatory B cells from mice that cannot present antigen to T cells, they provided evidence that the function of regulatory B cells is antigen-specific. In addition to the usual caveats regarding extrapolation from mouse data to human disease, two additional qualifications are in order for this work. The acute induction EAE model used in these experiments may not replicate human MS, and several investigators have shown that biologics that block the CD40 system and IL-21 pathways can blunt autoimmune disease. Reconciling these factors will be necessary to move forward with the hypothesis that regulatory B cells play a crucial role in systems beyond acute mouse MS models. That said, Yoshizaki et al. have unraveled critical mechanisms of regulatory B cell differentiation and function and show that the relationship between immune activation and suppression is complex from the start. A. Yoshizaki et al. , Regulatory B cells control T-cell autoimmunity through IL-21-dependent cognate interactions. Nature 491 , 264–268 (2012). [[Abstract]][1] [1]: http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v491/n7423/full/nature11501.html
Analysis on DC Digital Voltmeter Measurement Audit Result

Taking DC digital voltmeter as measurement audit object,through the analysis on operation level of lab operator,selection of measurement audit sample uncertainty evaluation,the paper discusses how to make measurement audit to prove its high level calibration/check ability.
fMRI study of neural sensitization to hedonic stimuli in long-term, daily cannabis users.

Although there is emergent evidence illustrating neural sensitivity to cannabis cues in cannabis users, the specificity of this effect to cannabis cues as opposed to a generalized hyper-sensitivity to hedonic stimuli has not yet been directly tested. Using fMRI, we presented 53 daily, long-term cannabis users and 68 non-using controls visual and tactile cues for cannabis, a natural reward, and, a sensory-perceptual control object to evaluate brain response to hedonic stimuli in cannabis users. The results showed an interaction between group and reward type such that the users had greater response during cannabis cues relative to natural reward cues (i.e., fruit) in the orbitofrontal cortex, striatum, anterior cingulate gyrus, and ventral tegmental area compared to non-users (cluster-threshold z = 2.3, P < 0.05). In the users, there were positive brain-behavior correlations between neural response to cannabis cues in fronto-striatal-temporal regions and subjective craving, marijuana-related problems, withdrawal symptoms, and levels of THC metabolites (cluster-threshold z = 2.3, P < 0.05). These findings demonstrate hyper-responsivity, and, specificity of brain response to cannabis cues in long-term cannabis users that are above that of response to natural reward cues. These observations are concordant with incentive sensitization models suggesting sensitization of mesocorticolimbic regions and disruption of natural reward processes following drug use. Although the cross-sectional nature of this study does not provide information on causality, the positive correlations between neural response and indicators of cannabis use (i.e., THC levels) suggest that alterations in the reward system are, in part, related to cannabis use. Hum Brain Mapp 37:3431-3443, 2016. © 2016 The Authors Human Brain Mapping Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Testing methods for dynamic interlaminar fracture toughness of polymeric composites

Publisher Summary One of the major failure modes in unidirectionally fiber-reinforced polymeric composites is delamination cracking. Delamination in composites is often produced by impact loads, and spreads dynamically. Thus, its dynamic propagation behavior and methods for characterizing the dynamic fracture properties are of interest to many researchers. There are several specimen configurations developed for dynamic fracture tests for metals and ceramics. Common among most of the dynamic fracture tests is the use of dynamic loads either through a rigid body impact or the use of a Hopkinson bar. Using the measured impact force history in conjunction with the observed crack tip velocity as the input boundary conditions, the dynamic response of the specimen is modeled numerically, from which the fracture parameter such as energy release rate history is calculated. Dynamic fracture toughness is not measured directly. Rather, it is calculated using the solid mechanics model with the aid of some experimental data. Consequently, modeling errors may result in inaccurate measured dynamic fracture toughness even if the experiment is carried out flawlessly.
Global Mental Health in Our Own Backyard: An Unaccompanied Immigrant Child's Migration From El Salvador to New York City

There has been a recent surge in the number of children migrating to the United States without a parent. Despite their vulnerability to extreme adversity at every stage of their migration process, little is known about the psychosocial context and mental health needs of unaccompanied children. This article presents a case study of a 16-year-old Salvadoran boy who participated in a larger, mixed-methods study on the psychosocial context, psychological presentation, and mental health service utilization of unaccompanied children living in New York pending their immigration cases. After the presentation of the case, different models for understanding the experiences and needs of unaccompanied children are discussed.
Properties of faster-than-Nyquist channel matrices and folded-spectrum, and their applications

Faster-than-Nyquist (FTN) signaling has recently emerged as a potential technology for the next generation mobile, long-haul optical, and satellite broadcasting. The fundamental features of the FTN signaling including the number of signaling dimensions, the theoretical capacity limits, and the optimal power allocation can be inferred from the structure of the discrete-time FTN channel matrices. In particular, their eigenvalues are closely related to a function of frequency known as folded-spectrum. This work studies key properties of the FTN channel matrices and the folded-spectrum, and elucidate precise relationships between the two. We then apply the presented properties to provide key insights in to FTN signaling including how many signaling dimensions FTN has access to, qualities of those dimensions, and how fast should the symbol rate be for the FTN signaling.
Rationality, Risk, Uncertainty, and Islamic Finance

Islamic finance rejects the notion of wholly rational calculations of uncertainty and risk, and provides opportunities through which the calculative rationality of economics can be refracted and understood anew—namely, through ethical possibilities that are typically taken as counterpoint to market-driven capitalism. Global shifts in concentrations and movements of capital and power are entwined with the Islamic finance industry’s rapid ascent from experimental to full-fledged in the 1990s. As an economic anthropologist, my approach to Islamic finance invokes disciplinary shifts in anthropology also intimately entwined with the falling walls of 1989—synecdoche for a triumph of capitalism, the downfall of communism, and new velocities in capital circulation across eroding borders.
Noncommutative Fluid Mechanics

A focus of recent research is the suggestion that spatial coordinates need not commute. Models have been constructed that incorporate this, within both particle and field physics. The present attention to this idea derives from string theory but, in fact, a more immediately appreciated physical setting is available: motion in a strong, external magnetic field. In particular, a charged fluid interacting with such a field exhibits noncommutative features, which we discuss in this chapter. But first we show how the noncommutativity of particle coordinates (as opposed to fields) manifests itself in an analogous magnetic system.
Design and implementation of a 1.3 kW, 7-level flying capacitor multilevel AC-DC converter with power factor correction

This work presents a 1.3 kW, single phase, AC-DC converter with power factor correction based on a 7-level flying capacitor multilevel converter. The topology features a tradeoff of active circuit complexity for dramatic reduction on the magnetic component size, while maintaining a high efficiency. In this work, we demonstrate these features through theoretical analysis as well as a hardware prototype. It has been experimentally demonstrated that the prototype can operate at an universal AC input from 90–230 V RMS and frequencies from 47–63 Hz with an output voltage of 400 V, achieving a box power density of 1.21 W/cm3 (19.8 W/in3) and a peak efficiency of 97.6%. This prototype is the first successful demonstration of a 7-level flying capacitor multilevel boost topology as an AC-DC converter with fully implemented digital PFC control and self-powered start-up from a universal AC input.
Disparity in Medicaid physician payments for vascular surgery.

Abstract Objective Medicare reimbursements are standardized nationwide on the basis of resource-dependent inputs of physicians' time, intensity, practice costs, and malpractice costs, whereas Medicaid payments vary and are determined by individual states. Our objectives were to determine Medicaid reimbursement to physicians for common vascular procedures for the seven states in the Northeast that compose the New England Society for Vascular Surgery and to compare Medicaid payments with Medicare. Methods Using publicly available data, we obtained Medicaid physician payments in Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island, and Vermont for 10 commonly performed vascular surgery procedures. For comparison, Medicare physician payments for these procedures were adjusted for regional differences using Medicare geographic payment cost indices. Descriptive statistics were calculated by state; Wilcoxon signed rank test was used to compare fees, and one-way analysis of variance was used to compare variance. Results Medicaid payments varied widely by state. Within individual states (except Vermont), there was no relationship between Medicaid and Medicare payments. Medicaid reimbursement for common vascular procedures ranged from 25% to 91% of Medicare rates and had up to a threefold variation in payment among states for a single procedure. The mean Medicaid payment was 60% of Medicare payment. The greatest state-to-state variance in payment was for open abdominal aortic repair (standard deviation, $227.31); the least was for femoral artery exposure (standard deviation, $31.86). For a Medicaid-based, frequency-weighted analysis of services, New Hampshire exhibited the lowest payments (43% Medicare) and Vermont the highest (80% Medicare). Conclusions Among the seven Northeast states considered, with the exception of Vermont, there is no logical relationship between Medicaid and Medicare payments. Because Medicare payments are determined by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services with consideration of resource-based inputs, we conclude that in six of the seven states, Medicaid payments bear no relationship to resource utilization. With Medicaid expansion, access to vascular procedures may be limited by payments insufficient to meet resource needs.
The energy of ordering in the alloy CuPt

Abstract The energy of ordering in the alloy CuPt was measured by means of tin solution calorimetry. The energy difference between a specimen quenched from above the critical temperature and a specimen completely long-range ordered is 1400 ± 60 cal/g-atom.
Training Surgeons and Anesthesiologists to Facilitate End-of-Life Conversations With Patients and Families: A Systematic Review of Existing Educational Models.

Objective Despite caring for patients near the end-of-life (EOL), surgeons and anesthesiologists report low confidence in their ability to facilitate EOL conversations. This discrepancy exists despite competency requirements and professional medical society recommendations. The objective of this systematic review is to identify articles describing EOL communication training available to surgeons and anesthesiologists, and to assess their methodological rigor to inform future curricular design and evaluation. Methods This PRISMA-concordant systematic review identified English-language articles from PubMed, EMBASE, and manual review. Eligible articles included viewpoint pieces, and observational, qualitative, or case studies that featured an educational intervention for surgeons or anesthesiologists on EOL communication skills. Data on the study objective, setting, design, participants, intervention, and results were extracted and analyzed. The Newcastle-Ottawa Scale was used to assess methodological quality. Results Database and manual search returned 2710 articles. A total of 2268 studies were screened by title and abstract, 46 reviewed in full-text, and 16 included in the final analysis. Fifteen studies were conducted exclusively in academic hospitals. Two studies included attending surgeons as participants; all others featured residents, fellows, or a mix thereof. Fifteen studies used simulated role-playing to teach and assess EOL communication skills. Measured outcomes included knowledge, attitudes, confidence, self-rated or observer-rated communication skills, and curriculum feedback; significance of results varied widely. Most studies lacked adequate methodological quality and appropriate control groups to be confident about the significance and applicability of their results. Conclusions There are few quality studies evaluating EOL communication training for surgeons and anesthesiologists. These programs frequently use role-playing to teach and assess EOL communication skills. More studies are needed to evaluate the effect of these interventions on patient outcomes. However, evaluating the effectiveness of these initiatives poses methodological challenges.
Correlation of 99mTc-sestamibi uptake in renal masses with mitochondrial content and multi-drug resistance pump expression.

99mTc-sestamibi single-photon emission computed tomography/computed tomography (SPECT/CT) has recently been explored for the characterization of indeterminate renal masses. As judged by increased intra-tumoral radiotracer uptake, we have previously reported the excellent diagnostic performance characteristics of this test for identifying benign/indolent oncocytomas and hybrid oncocytic/chromophobe tumors (HOCTs). In this study, we investigated potential molecular mechanisms underlying the discriminatory ability of 99mTc-sestamibi SPECT/CT for renal masses. Fifty renal masses imaged with 99mTc-sestamibi SPECT/CT prior to surgical resection were evaluated by immunohistochemistry for mitochondrial content and expression of the multi-drug resistance pump 1 (MDR1/P-gp). Immunohistochemical staining was scored semi-quantitatively, and results were compared across renal tumor histologies and correlated with 99mTc-sestamibi uptake. In total, 6/6 (100%) and 2/2 (100%) HOCTs demonstrated strong mitochondrial content staining combined with low MDR1 staining. Clear cell renal cell carcinoma showed an opposite pattern with the majority having low mitochondrial (14/26, 54%) and high MDR1 staining (18/26, 69%). Other tumor types were more variable in staining pattern, although the staining pattern reliably predicted 99mTc-sestamibi uptake in almost all tumors except chromophobe renal cell carcinoma. Our findings confirm that renal tumors with high mitochondrial content and relatively low MDR pump expression activity accumulate 99mTc-sestamibi and allow for the accurate diagnosis of the benign/indolent tumor class that includes oncocytomas and HOCTs. For masses in which MDR activity outweighs the presence of mitochondria, the tumors appear cold on 99mTc-sestamibi SPECT/CT, allowing for high confidence in the diagnosis of renal cell carcinoma.
Effect of molecular shape on rotation under severe confinement

Abstract Orientational structure and dynamics of molecules is known to be affected by confinement in space comparable in size to the molecule itself. ZSM-5 with porous channels of ≈ 0.55 nm is such a porous medium, which offers a strict spatial confinement on low molecular weight hydrocarbons. An important factor that determines these properties is the shape of the confined molecules. We employed molecular dynamics simulation to study the orientational structure and dynamics of four molecules that differ in shape but have similar kinetic diameters and moments of inertia, confined in ZSM-5. The effect of molecular shape on the orientational structure and dynamics of propane, acetonitrile, acetaldehyde and acetone in ZSM-5 is studied by means of probing the differences in the orientational distribution of molecules in the ZSM-5 channels, and extracting time scales of the decay of correlation functions related to rotational motion. Orientational correlation functions of all the four molecules exhibit two regimes of rotational motion. While the short time regime represents free rotation of the molecules before they collide with the pore walls, the long time orientational jumps driven by inter-channel migrations give rise to a very slow varying second regime. Of the molecules studied, orientational structure and dynamics of propane is found to be least affected by confinement under ZSM-5, whereas charge and shape asymmetry of other molecules makes their interchannel migration-driven rotation slow. The time scales involved in the rotational motion for the molecules studied are compared with similar studies reported in literature. This study reveals the important role that molecular shape plays in the behavior of confined molecules.
Anatomy and Biomechanics of the Finger Proximal Interphalangeal Joint

A complete understanding of the normal anatomy and biomechanics of the proximal interphalangeal joint is critical when treating pathology of the joint as well as in the design of new reconstructive treatments. The osseous anatomy dictates the principles of motion at the proximal interphalangeal joint. Subsequently, the joint is stabilized throughout its motion by the surrounding proximal collateral ligament, accessory collateral ligament, and volar plate. The goal of this article is to review the normal anatomy and biomechanics of the proximal interphalangeal joint and its associated structures, most importantly the proper collateral ligament, accessory collateral ligament, and volar plate.
An analytical solution to the aeroelastic response of a two-dimensional elastic plate in axial potential flow

This paper presents a novel analytical model that predicts the two-way coupled aeroelastic response of a linear elastic plate in axial potential flow, including the effects of plate curvature. The plate deforms in dynamic balance of the inertia, elastic, and aerodynamic forces. Analytical solutions are obtained by deriving the generalized aerodynamic force with respect to the beam eigenfunctions, which are expressed in a Chebyshev polynomial expansion. Exact expressions are derived for the generated lift, thrust and required input power. The derived solution agrees well with the results reported in the literature for plate flutter and flapping wings.
Uterine EGF Ligand-Receptor Signalling and Its Role in Embryo-Uterine Interactions during Implantation in the Mouse

The implantation process is a complex interaction between embryonic and uterine cells. Major critical events of the implantation process are: (i) synchronized development of the preimplantation embryo to the blastocyst stage and establishment of the receptive uterus; (ii) increased capillary permeability in the receptive uterus at the site of blastocyst apposition; (iii) localized decidualization of the uterine stroma immediately following blastocyst attachment; and (iv) controlled invasion of the stroma by the embryonic trophoblast (1). These events are primarily dependent upon temporal and cell type-specific interactions between progesterone (P4) and estrogen (E). However, the molecular and cellular mechanisms involved in these P4/E regulated processes are not clearly understood. One emerging concept is that P4/E effects in the uterus and/or the embryo are transduced by growth factors which function in an autocrine/paracrine manner. These growth factors are likely to be central elements in the regulation of the implantation process. This manuscript will focus on the role of growth factors, especially of epidermal growth factor (EGF), on embryo-uterine interactions during the peri-implantation period.
Komplikationen der Präeklampsie

Die Etiologie der Praeklampsie ist derzeit nicht klar. Verschiedene Theorien befassen sich mit fehlerhafter Plazentaentwicklung, einer Prostaglandin-Imbalanz sowie immunologischen und genetischen Defekten (Defekt im Angiotensinogen Gen).
Dr. AI, where did you get your degree?

Federal health agencies are currently developing regulatory strategies for Artificial Intelligence based medical products. Regulatory regimes need to account for the new risks and benefits that come with modern AI, including safety concerns and unique opportunities, like the potential for autonomous learning, that makes AI dramatically different from traditional static medical products. The current default regulatory regime is to treat AI like a medical device (i.e., as opposed to like a drug or a biologic product). As agencies like the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) develop new regulation to cover the uniqueness of AI, we suggest they consider adopting aspects of regulation traditionally used in the practice of medicine (i.e., doctors). In fact, FDA is currently undergoing a pilot that moves in that direction. We propose that AI regulation in the medical domain can analogously adopt aspects of the models used to regulate medical providers. We provide this view point to encourage discussion of how medical AI might be regulated. In doing so, we will also review several issues our framework does not resolve.
Contexts of African American Children’s Early Writing Development: Considerations of Parental Education, Parenting Style, Parental Beliefs, and Home Literacy Environments

This study examined associations among parenting style, parents’ literacy beliefs, home literacy practices, and children’s emergent writing skills. A total of 190 African American parents with varied educational experiences and their preschool-aged child participated. Parents completed a survey designed to examine their parenting practices and beliefs, while children were assessed directly on name writing and invented spelling skills. Findings suggest that African American parents’ educational backgrounds and parenting styles provide an important context for understanding the nature of their literacy beliefs and formal and informal home literacy practices. Authoritative parenting styles were positively related to both formal (parental teaching of writing and reading skills) and informal (sharing books with children) home literacy experiences. Authoritarian parenting was associated with parental teaching of writing and reading skills in the home. Parent report of teaching of writing and reading skills at home was associated with children’s invented skills but not their name writing skills. Parental education was positively associated with parental literacy beliefs but not related to informal and formal home literacy experiences. Parental literacy beliefs were positively related to children’s name writing and invented spelling skills. The frequency by which these parents teach reading and writing in their homes and the types of literacy beliefs they espouse are related to their children’s writing skills.
A Short-Term Longitudinal Investigation of Hookups and Holistic Outcomes Among College Students.

Majority of college students hook up at least once during their time in school. The literature on casual sex encounters among college students is growing, though most studies are cross-sectional and individual studies focus on few outcomes at a time, leaving piecemeal and mixed results. The current longitudinal study clarifies prior work by analyzing how post-event process (PEP), an understudied construct within the hookup literature, and emotional (i.e., positive or negative) hookup reactions interact to predict a breadth of outcomes, representing holistic student well-being. The inclusion of PEP reframes the current literature to consider PEP as a predictor variable of hookup outcomes, as moderated by emotional hookup reactions. This is consistent with literature indicating emotional experiences affect PEP across a variety of incidents. Participants (N = 377, 87.6% female) completed self-report measures at 2-month intervals. We tested relationships between the main and interaction effects of PEP and emotional hookup reactions as a moderation regression analyses on anxiety, academic engagement, religious coping, and psychological flourishing. The main effect of PEP predicted more anxiety and less negative religious coping, negative hookup reactions predicted more anxiety, and positive hookup reactions predicted more flourishing. Regarding interaction effects, high levels of positive hookup reactions and PEP were associated with less anxiety, less academic engagement, more negative religious coping, and less psychological flourishing; high levels of negative hookup reactions and PEP were associated with less anxiety and more negative religious coping and were unrelated to academic engagement or flourishing over two months.