cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effect of Nonsolvent Exposure on Morphology of Mesoporous Semicrystalline Block Copolymer Films

Polystyrene-block-polyethylene-block-polystyrene (SES) copolymers were blended with homopolymer polystyrene (PS), and films of the blend were solvent cast using a doctor blade. The nonporous SES and PS films were exposed to both tetrahydrofuran (THF) and methanol (MeOH) in an alternating fashion for 1 min intervals three times, without letting the films dry between solvent immersions. At this point, either the films were removed from MeOH and dried or the films were immersed in THF and then dried. THF is a nonsolvent for crystalline polyethylene (PE) but a good solvent for both amorphous PE and PS. Methanol is a nonsolvent for semicrystalline PE, amorphous PE, and PS. Films that were dried with MeOH as the final nonsolvent were highly porous and exhibited high conductivity when swollen in a liquid electrolyte. In contrast, films that were dried with THF as the final nonsolvent were nonporous and exhibited poor conductivity when swollen in a liquid electrolyte. We study the fundamental effect of nonsolvent...
Study Progress in Stress Ulcer

The stress ulcer(SU),one of critical illnesses in intensive care unit(ICU),is one of the causes of death in ICU.The understanding for SU started with the ischemic-reperfusion injury and developed with the neuroendocrine disbalance.The research in therapeutic strategies also had been made a great step.The paper reviewed the pathogenesis,clinical characteristics,diagnosis and treatment of SU as follows.
Supervision Techniques for Hand-Over Test of Electric Equipment in Lhasa Inverter Station

Test supervision on DC transmission projects is an important part of quality supervision on the whole DC transmission project and lifetime technical supervision on power transmission equipment.Located in high-elevation area,Lhasa Inverter Station,the receiving end of Qinghai-Tibet DC transmission project,faces great challenges on the hand-over test and technical supervision for its electric equipment due to special natural environments.Technical innovation points of supervision on electric equipment hand-over test in Lhasa Inverter Station are described in detail from three aspects,,including equipment test modification due to high altitude,performance improvement in withstand voltage test device in high-elevation area,influence reduction of external environment on tests and focus of calibration certificate inspection.
The benefits and risks of IUD use.

Some of the benefits of IUD use are its one-time only motivation absence of systemic metabolic side effects associated with hormonal contraception immediate return of fertility following discontinuation effectiveness in preventing pregnancy lower risk of mortality which risk does not increase with age compared with oral contraceptive use. Disadvantage of IUD is its higher morbidity rates 2/1000 IUD users (compared with the pills 1/1000 pill users) which can be attributed to a number of specific side effects associated with IUD use. The side effects are pain and bleeding (pain on insertion dysmenorrhea dyspareunia and pelvic pain hypermenorrhea and intermenstrual bleeding and spotting) expulsion infection perforation and pregnancy. Health care professionals should carefully evaluate a prospective IUD user in the light of the benefits and risks of IUD use.
The use of interferon in the treatment of multiple myeloma

Almost all patients with multiple myeloma still relapse or become refractory in 2 to 3 years. Interferon (IFN) therapy has clearly influenced the levels of abnormal serum proteins in some patients. A multi-institutional phase II clinical trial used alfa-2b recombinant interferon (Intron A, Schering, Kenilworth, NJ) in 38 evaluable patients with relapsing and refractory multiple myeloma; two thirds of the patient population had received extensive prior treatment. Seven responded, of whom three continued to do so beyond 1 year--one with an ongoing complete remission. An additional 13 had at least a 25% decrease in abnormal paraproteins. Of nine patients who were initially refractory to chemotherapy, two responded to IFN. Of nine relapsing patients returned to chemotherapy following IFN therapy, six then responded. Thirty previously untreated patients with multiple myeloma were treated with IFN followed by melphalan and prednisone; of 24 evaluable patients, 18 responded with a median duration of 10+ months. Alfa-2b IFN apparently does not antagonize melphalan or prednisone, nor does it appear to worsen the response of the two drugs alone. Effectiveness of recombinant alfa-2b IFN in pretreated relapsing patients suggests additional trials are needed to study its effects in previously untreated patients. A significant number of patients who relapsed on their original chemotherapy and subsequent interferon will apparently respond to the reinstitution of chemotherapy.
On testing physically unclonable functions for uniqueness

A number of applications from smartcard to ePassport to eID depend on preventing unauthorized access to hardware and software functionality. Physically Unclonable Functions (PUF) rely on manufacturing process variations to create unique identifiers that can be used for various security applications including authentication and secure access. For practical applications, PUFs are required to be unique for each chip. Such property cannot be ensured by design alone. Since PUFs rely on manufacturing process variations, there are no guarantees that two PUFs will never have identical properties. Therefore, testing becomes necessary to screen out PUFs that violate the above property. Despite decades of research on PUFs, there has been scant attention to the problem of testing PUFs for uniqueness. In this paper, we investigate the problem of testing PUFs for uniqueness and we propose techniques for Uniqueness testing. The proposed methods are low-cost and are tailored for testing PUFs using hardware testers.
Affinity-controlled protein encapsulation into sub-30 nm telodendrimer nanocarriers by multivalent and synergistic interactions.

Novel nanocarriers are highly demanded for the delivery of heterogeneous protein therapeutics for disease treatments. Conventional nanoparticles for protein delivery are mostly based on the diffusion-limiting mechanisms, e.g., physical trapping and entanglement. We develop herein a novel linear-dendritic copolymer (named telodendrimer) nanocarrier for efficient protein delivery by affinitive coating. This affinity-controlled encapsulation strategy provides nanoformulations with a small particle size ( 50% w/w) and maintained protein bioactivity. We integrate multivalent electrostatic and hydrophobic functionalities synergistically into the well-defined telodendrimer scaffold to fine-tune protein binding affinity and delivery properties. The ion strength and density of the charged groups as well as the structure of the hydrophobic segments are important and their combinations in telodendrimers are crucial for efficient protein encapsulation. We have conducted a series of studies to understand the mechanism and kinetic process of the protein loading and release, utilizing electrophoresis, isothermal titration calorimetry, Forster resonance energy transfer spectroscopy, bio-layer interferometry and computational methods. The optimized nanocarriers are able to deliver cell-impermeable therapeutic protein intracellularly to kill cancer cells efficiently. In vivo imaging studies revealed cargo proteins preferentially accumulate in subcutaneous tumors and retention of peptide therapeutics is improved in an orthotopic brain tumor, these properties are evidence of the improved pharmacokinetics and biodistributions of protein therapeutics delivered by telodendrimer nanoparticles. This study presents a bottom-up strategy to rationally design and fabricate versatile nanocarriers for encapsulation and delivery of proteins for numerous applications.
How Does DICOM Work

To introduce order into the complex medical environment, DICOM uses its own lingo, based on its model of the real world (DICOM information model). Here is that model in a nutshell.
Indicators of rangeland change and their potential for remote sensing

Selected environmental variables were evaluated for their utility as indicators of rangeland change and their potential for remote sensing. Fifty-nine study sites were sampled in southern New Mexico. Total vegetation cover and the ratio of shrub cover to grass cover were related to disturbance. Increasing degrees of change were associated with a decrease in total vegetation cover, an increase in the ratio of shrub to grass cover and a decrease in organic soil cover (litter and algal crusts). Total vegetation cover and organic soil cover can be monitored from single-date satellite data, but total vegetation cover alone may provide ambiguous results. The ratio of shrub to grass cover, which is necessary to identify the direction of change can be determined by examining multi-date satellite data that correspond to the times when grasses and shrubs exhibit their maximum green biomass.
Stem Cell Fate Decision Making: Modeling Approaches

Mathematical (computational) modeling approaches can be effective tools in providing insight into cell-fate decisions. In this article, several major approaches to the modeling of embryonic, hematopoietic, adipose-derived, cancer, and neural stem cell differentiation are discussed. First, the population dynamics approach is considered. The models described as bifurcating dynamical systems that result in bistability or periodic oscillations are then discussed. Also, spatiotemporal models of cell differentiation, including continuum and discrete (agent- and rule-based) approaches, are reviewed. Further, the effects of the mechanical factors are discussed, including the convergence of the differentiation and mechanotransducton pathways and computational analysis of the extracellular matrix (surrounding tissue). Finally, the stochastic models that take into account the molecular noise of internal and external origins are reviewed. The effectiveness of the modeling in the creation of the improved differentiati...
Increasing Awareness of Sudden Death in Pediatric Epilepsy Together.

* Abbreviation: SUDEP — : sudden unexpected (or unexplained) death in epilepsy persons The death of any child is tragic. When the death is sudden and unexpected, it can seem especially incomprehensible. Henry was 4 years old when he died only a few weeks after his epilepsy diagnosis; his parents were devastated and never knew that death could occur; no physician had discussed the possibility with them. Henry was an otherwise healthy child, had a history of febrile seizures, and died in his sleep before his epilepsy workup was complete and before his medication was likely therapeutic. Since Henry’s death 8 years ago, together and independently, Henry’s parents, pediatrician, and neurologist have sought understanding and opportunities to advance awareness and prevention around epilepsy-related mortality. These efforts have launched a multidisciplinary partnership between Children’s National Health System and the University of Virginia to develop an educational research program to systematically raise provider and patient awareness of sudden unexpected (or unexplained) death in epilepsy persons (SUDEP) and other risks associated with epilepsy. This article gives voice to these different experiences and underscores the value of families and providers working together to improve care and prevent death. Although epilepsy is a common childhood disorder, all of us were impacted by Henry, who died, suddenly and unexpectedly, as a result of his seizure disorder. Our partnership started with Henry’s mother, Henry’s pediatrician, and Henry’s neurologist and now includes an educational research program that incorporates parent advocacy, nursing, neuropsychology, psychiatry, neurology, and basic science expertise. As a bereaved mother, I was desperate to make sense out of our tragedy. I searched for understanding and connection to others who shared my experience and ultimately connected with other parents … Address correspondence to Madison M. Berl, PhD, Center for Neuroscience, Children’s National Health System, 111 Michigan Ave NW, Washington, DC 20010. E-mail: mberl{at}childrensnational.org
Racial Attributions in the Justice System and Support for Punitive Crime Policies

How do members of racial groups explain the large disparity in the way Blacks and Whites are treated by the criminal justice system in the United States? And how do such explanations (attributions)...
AMPK Improves Intestinal Epithelial Differentiation via Regulating CDX2

BackgroundGut epithelium forms the largest and critical barrier against the external environment, which is constantly renewed. The homeostasis of intestinal barrier is based on a delicate regulatio...
Sailing on the '7 Cs': teaching junior doctors how to redirect patients during difficult consultations in primary care.

The faculty of voluntarily bringing back a wandering attention, over and over again, is the very root of judgment, character, and will. No one is master of himself if he have it not. An education w...
Self-identified strengths among youth offenders charged with assault against a non-intimate family member

ABSTRACTYouth involved in the criminal justice system are particularly vulnerable to increased risk for continuing offending behaviors since aggressive and/or violent behavior compromise developmental growth. The present study seeks to build on the current literature related to youth offenders by using an exploratory qualitative approach to analyze strength-based asset interviews completed by youth referred to a diversion program. Results revealed four distinctive themes: 1) hardiness, 2) grit, 3) social competence, and 4) empathy. Broadening the scope of research focusing on youth offenders, the present study offers a number of implications for social work practice.
Balancing overhead-minimization objectives in network probing-path selection

Probing is a technique used for network monitoring and measurement applications, including detection of silent failures and performance analysis to verify compliance with service-level agreements. Many existing approaches to probing-path selection seek to minimize the number of probes (an NP-hard problem) or to minimize probing delay, but they fail to properly assess the network overhead imposed by the probing strategy. In this paper, we present an approximation algorithm for probing-path selection that simultaneously considers two types of overhead-minimization objectives. Our approach can be customized to achieve a desired balance between the number of probes used overall and the effect on individual network components such as network devices and links. Through analysis and simulation on various topologies and under a variety of settings, we assess the effect of customization on a number of network-overhead measures. Compared to previous work, our approach efficiently computes a set of end-to-end probing paths fully covering a network without unduly overloading it.
Impaired Protein Quality Control During Left Ventricular Remodeling in Mice With Cardiac Restricted Overexpression of Tumor Necrosis Factor.

Background:Sustained inflammation in the heart is sufficient to provoke left ventricular dysfunction and left ventricular remodeling. Although inflammation has been linked to many of the biological...
Lipid Deposition in Rat Aortas with Intraluminal Hemispherical Plug Stenosis:A Morphological and Biophysical Study

A new method was devised to create a stenosis in the rat abdominal aorta. To restrict blood flow, a hemispherical plug was inserted into the aorta through a renal artery. This type of intrinsic (intraluminal) stenosis minimizes possible intramural effects associated with external compression or ligation which severely deform the arterial wall. In the aorta of hypercholesterolemic rats, lipid deposits were distributed in crescent-shaped patches proximal and distal to the plug, whereas lipid deposition in the opposite aortic wall was inhibited. Based on enlarged physical scale models used to study the flow field, the regions of lipid deposition were found to coincide with regions of low shear stress, stagnation, and recirculation. Shear stress was elevated at the wall opposite the plug. These results show that when confounding mural effects are minimized, lipid deposition is promoted in regions of low shear stress with recirculation and inhibited in regions of elevated shear stress.
Variations in Stable Isotopic Compositions of Marble: An Assessment of Causes

Although 18O/16O and13C/12C analyses of marbles are increasingly employed to solve archaeological problems of association and provenance, a number of factors can invalidate or limit their application. To be most useful, marble should be isotopically homogeneous to within a few tenths per mil over the dimensions of an artifact and not more than a few per mil from a given quarry site. However, recent compilations of data (1) show that some very large quarries, such as the Aliki Quarry on the Island of Thasos, Greece, are relatively homogeneous isotopically, whereas others that are much smaller (e.g., at Naxos, 2), are very heterogeneous. Still others, such as some quarries from Western Anatolia (e.g., Ephesos) have such large isotopic ranges (3,4) that the method itself is of limited use.
Plasma lipoproteins: recent developments.

It is less than 50 years since Macheboeuf first isolated and described the plasma lipoproteins (1,2). The reason for the increasing interest in these substances is the evidence associating them to the development of arteriosclerosis (3). Regardless whether or not hyperlipidemia as such is present, the accumulation of lipoprotein-cholesterol in the arterial wall is one of the hallmarks of arteriosclerosis. Hypercholesterolemia is one of the three major risk factors for premature coronary disease (4). The significance of hypertriglyceridemia is less well established. In the past year in the clinical area, we have seen completion of the analysis of the data of the coronary drug project (5). This study showed that lowering triglycerides and the very low density lipoproteins (VLDL) in men who already had a myocardial infarction did not appear to decrease significantly cardiovascular morbidity or mortality. There was some reduction in the incidence of new myocardial infarctions in the subjects treated with nicotinic acid. While an elevation of the low density lipoproteins (LDL) is considered to increase an individual’s risk of developing premature coronary disease (3), we still do not know whether or not reduction of the elevation will concomitantly reduce the risk.
Development and Validation of an Electronic Health Record-Based Machine Learning Model to Estimate Delirium Risk in Newly Hospitalized Patients Without Known Cognitive Impairment.

Importance Current methods for identifying hospitalized patients at increased risk of delirium require nurse-administered questionnaires with moderate accuracy. Objective To develop and validate a machine learning model that predicts incident delirium risk based on electronic health data available on admission. Design, Setting, and Participants Retrospective cohort study evaluating 5 machine learning algorithms to predict delirium using 796 clinical variables identified by an expert panel as relevant to delirium prediction and consistently available in electronic health records within 24 hours of admission. The training set comprised 14 227 adult patients with non–intensive care unit hospital stays and no delirium on admission who were discharged between January 1, 2016, and August 31, 2017, from UCSF Health, a large academic health institution. The test set comprised 3996 patients with hospital stays who were discharged between August 1, 2017, and November 30, 2017. Exposures Patient demographic characteristics, diagnoses, nursing records, laboratory results, and medications available in electronic health records during hospitalization. Main Outcomes and Measures Delirium was defined as a positive Nursing Delirium Screening Scale or Confusion Assessment Method for the Intensive Care Unit score. Models were assessed using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) and compared against the 4-point scoring system AWOL (age >79 years, failure to spellworldbackward, disorientation to place, and higher nurse-rated illness severity), a validated delirium risk–assessment tool routinely administered in this cohort. Results The training set included 14 227 patients (5113 [35.9%] aged >64 years; 7335 [51.6%] female; 687 [4.8%] with delirium), and the test set included 3996 patients (1491 [37.3%] aged >64 years; 1966 [49.2%] female; 191 [4.8%] with delirium). In total, the analysis included 18 223 hospital admissions (6604 [36.2%] aged >64 years; 9301 [51.0%] female; 878 [4.8%] with delirium). The AWOL system achieved a baseline AUC of 0.678. The gradient boosting machine model performed best, with an AUC of 0.855. Setting specificity at 90%, the model had a 59.7% (95% CI, 52.4%-66.7%) sensitivity, 23.1% (95% CI, 20.5%-25.9%) positive predictive value, 97.8% (95% CI, 97.4%-98.1%) negative predictive value, and a number needed to screen of 4.8. Penalized logistic regression and random forest models also performed well, with AUCs of 0.854 and 0.848, respectively. Conclusions and Relevance Machine learning can be used to estimate hospital-acquired delirium risk using electronic health record data available within 24 hours of hospital admission. Such a model may allow more precise targeting of delirium prevention resources without increasing the burden on health care professionals.
Aspirin use and survival in head and neck squamous cell cancer (HNC) patients.

6042Background: The phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K) signaling pathway is the most common genetic alteration in HNC, particularly in oropharynx cancers (OPC). Up-regulation of the PI3K pathway ...
Trans-Scapes Transitions in Transit

A philosopher offers a small cluster of provocations that lay out a landscape through which to meander, engaging here with insights, there with complexities, eventually to have carved a pattern of understanding rather than to have simply transitioned from one state to some predetermined goal state.
An Alternative to Integration by Partial Fractions Technique

Classroom Capsules are short (1–3 pages) notes that contain new mathematical insights on a topic from undergraduate mathematics, preferably something that can be directly introduced into a college ...
Discerning localized thermal impulses using an embedded distributed optical fiber sensor network

An embedded distributed optical fiber sensor (DOFS) based on Rayleigh scattering is used to measure the localized thermal response of a carbon fiber/epoxy composite to directed energy. The thermal impulse from a laser strike is detected while the composite is subjected to cyclic mechanical strain. The ultimate goal is rapid detection of directed energy on the surface of the composite. Prior research demonstrated the use of distributed optical fiber sensors embedded in carbon fiber/epoxy composite structures to rapidly detect temperature changes approaching 1000℃ during a high energy laser strike. However, swept wavelength interferometry used to interrogate a DOFS uses shifts in frequency which can be caused by both changes in temperature and strain. Hence, strain in the composite resulting from mechanical loading is also detected by the embedded sensor and can interfere with rapid detection and measurement of a localized thermal response. Initial tests have demonstrated the simultaneous response of the DOFS to both temperature and strain. A sensing network has been designed to mitigate the response of the sensor to mechanically applied strains, and a simple signal processing technique has been used to cancel the response of the sensor to bending strain while enhancing the thermal response when directed energy is incident on the composite surface. Additional testing indicates that the network and processing technique can also be used to isolate localized impacts on the composite surface from bending strain.
Inner-Paddled Microcantilever for Multi-modal and Nonlinear Atomic Force Microscopy

Detecting and characterizing nanoscale material properties and functionalities of samples and emerging devices is of rapidly growing interest in nano- and bio-technologies. We introduce a new inner-paddled cantilever design that can circumvent the limitations of a conventional AFM cantilever, in a new two-field design. The inner-paddle provides an additional, independent pathway to respond to variations of material properties. In the context of functional imaging techniques such as PFM and AFM-IR, the two-transduction channels can resolve the long-time issue of crosstalk between surface topography and material functionality from which a conventional AFM cantilever has inherently suffered. Moreover, when this new cantilever system is tested in tapping mode AFM, the inner-paddle can amplify a higher harmonic that coincides precisely with a higher vibration mode, resulting in multi-frequency AFM for compositional mapping. This is the result of internal resonance between the fundamental bending beam mode and a higher mode. Unlike other multi-frequency AFM techniques, the input signal contains only a single frequency, yet the cantilever response contains two frequencies with large signal-to-noise ratios (SNR). This is yet one more example of intentional use of strong nonlinearity for design.
Applying Computer Science in Biology: A Model for Incorporating Interdisciplinary Pedagogical Approaches through ePortfolio in the First Year Experience at LaGuardia Community College

This paper describes the use of ePortfolio as a platform for an interdisciplinary, collaborative course project for First Year Seminar (FYS) students in an Engineering and Computer Science FYS class, and in a Liberal Arts: Math and Science FYS class. This project was designed to enrich the integrative research experience of new-to-college students at LaGuardia Community College, and to engage them in hands-on inquiry and problem-solving practice, with a broader goal of increasing the retention rate in STEM majors by introducing students to the interdisciplinary nature of modern science and encouraging them to think of their future career paths in the same context. The major task in the project was to compare RNA sequences using computer programs, in order to facilitate the study of blood cancer. Throughout the project, students in both classes applied mathematical skills to perform algorithm analysis on a biological problem and were exposed to the application and basis of relevant technology in Computer Science. Collaborative work was conducted using ePortfolio as an online course platform which hosted all student work and allowed remote communication and collaboration to happen between two classes in different majors. Based on survey feedback, students were impressed by how they could contribute to the task using basic math and computer skills, and interest in continuing their STEM education was expressed unanimously.
The development of tone and intonation in Mandarin-speaking children—A pilot study

Mandarin is a tone language in which fundamental frequency (F0) is used to contrast lexical meaning and to convey intonation information. When tone and intonation interact, speakers maintain the shape of the F0 contour for word meaning contrasts but manipulate the magnitude of F0 change to meet intonation requirements. This pilot study provided a new perspective on tone acquisition by exploring phonetic characteristics of tone in different intonation contexts by Mandarin children who have acquired phonological contrasts. Three-, five- and eight-year-old monolingual Mandarin-speaking children and adults participated in this pilot study. Production of monosyllabic Tone 2 (rising F0) and Tone 4 (falling F0) words in isolation and in carrier sentences with interrogative (rising) and declarative (falling) intonation were elicited. Magnitude of F0 change, duration and intensity of the target words were acoustically measured and analyzed. Results suggested (1) a physiological basis of phonatory production where Tone 2 and falling intonation were produced more accurately; (2) lexical first strategy in the youngest children who prioritize tone accuracy over intonation accuracy; and (3) usage of developmentally appropriate and controllable acoustic cues first (e.g., Duration).Mandarin is a tone language in which fundamental frequency (F0) is used to contrast lexical meaning and to convey intonation information. When tone and intonation interact, speakers maintain the shape of the F0 contour for word meaning contrasts but manipulate the magnitude of F0 change to meet intonation requirements. This pilot study provided a new perspective on tone acquisition by exploring phonetic characteristics of tone in different intonation contexts by Mandarin children who have acquired phonological contrasts. Three-, five- and eight-year-old monolingual Mandarin-speaking children and adults participated in this pilot study. Production of monosyllabic Tone 2 (rising F0) and Tone 4 (falling F0) words in isolation and in carrier sentences with interrogative (rising) and declarative (falling) intonation were elicited. Magnitude of F0 change, duration and intensity of the target words were acoustically measured and analyzed. Results suggested (1) a physiological basis of phonatory production where ...
28 The roadmap to success: creating unit-based teams to increase family centered rounding and improve care team communi

Background Family Centered Rounding (FCR) allows the medical team to partner with patients and families in medical decisions, improving patient satisfaction, advocacy, communication, and safety. However, daily implementation is uncommon due physical and time constraints and a lack of training and standardization. Objectives This project’s aim was to increase the percentage of patients receiving FCR from 59% to 90% in 6 months. Methods The Model for Improvement and sequential PDSA cycles were utilized. The process of assigning patients to physician teams was delineated, teams were restructured, and FCR was standardized. The percentage of patients on their geographic team-based unit (process measure) was collected daily. Convenience sampling was used to obtain the frequency of FCR, care team communication measured via ‘trio rounding’ between physician, nurse, and caregiver (outcome measures), and duration of rounds (balancing measure). Results The percentage of patients geographically assigned improved from a median of 40% (25th, 75th percentiles 38, 41) to 96% (25th, 75th percentiles 95, 100), figure 1. Patients receiving FCR increased from 93 (59%) to 136 (93.6%), figure 2, achieving the project’s aim. Trio rounding frequency is improving (33, 35% to 38, 45%), figure 3, with data for the current PDSA cycle being collected. Rounds exceeding the allotted time remained stable (5, 36% to 5, 31%), figure 4. Conclusions By increasing the percentage of patients on unit-based teams, 30% more patients received FCR (95% CI 19, 40) without prolonging rounding time. Results may be generalizable to similarly sized hospitals and residency programs. Future interventions will focus on improving FCR effectiveness.
Radiation Therapy Adherence Among Patients Experiencing Homelessness.

Purpose Radiation therapy is a valuable, yet time- and resource-intense therapy. Patients experiencing homelessness (PEH) face many barriers related to the timely receipt of radiation therapy. Owing to a paucity of data regarding cancer treatment and homelessness, clinicians have a limited evidence base when recommending therapy to PEH. This study was performed to evaluate adherence to radiation therapy treatment regimens in PEH with cancer. Methods and Materials The study cohort was primarily derived from the Vanderbilt University Medical Center Homeless Health Services program. Patients in the Homeless Health Services program with radiation oncology visits were identified by query of the electronic medical record. Manual chart review was performed to gather standard treatment parameters and data describing missed appointments. A comparison group of patients not experiencing homelessness (non-PEH) was generated by aggregating appointment data for all other patients receiving similar treatments at Vanderbilt University Medical Center during multiple, consecutive years. Results In the study, 3408 PEH were identified, of whom 48 underwent radiation oncology consultation. Thirty-two were prescribed at least 1 course of radiation therapy, for a total of 54 unique courses. Out of these courses, 34 (62.9%) were completed as prescribed without delay, 12 (22.2%) were completed with delay(s), and 8 (14.8%) were not fully completed. Although the PEH cohort had significantly higher rates of delayed and undelivered fractions, the proportion of delayed or incomplete courses was not significantly different from the comparison group of non-PEH, particularly for courses with 10 or fewer fractions. Reasons for missed appointments for PEH were variable. Conclusions This is the first publication describing adherence to radiation therapy in PEH. Our data suggest that PEH are as likely as non-PEH to complete a course of radiation therapy, albeit with more treatment interruptions. When treatment courses of >10 fractions are expected, PEH may benefit from more hypofractionated regimens, provided they have equivalent clinical efficacy to longer regimens. Documenting reasons for missed appointments will be essential to further understanding the needs of PEH. This study serves as a foundation for further analysis regarding homelessness and radiation therapy.
Feasibility of Patient-Centric Remote Dried Blood Sampling: The Prediction, Risk, and Evaluation of Major Adverse Cardiac Events (PRE-MACE) Study.

Background: Remote patient monitoring can shift important data collection opportunities to low-cost settings. Here, we evaluate whether the quality of blood-samples taken by patients at home differs from samples taken from the same patients by clinical staff. We examine the effects of socio-demographic and patient reported outcomes (PRO) survey data on remote blood sampling compliance and quality. Methods: Samples were collected both in-clinic by study-staff and remotely by subjects at home. During cataloging the samples were graded for quality. We used chi-squared tests and logistic regressions to examine differences in quality and compliance between samples taken in-clinic versus samples taken by subjects at-home. Results: 64.6% of in-clinic samples and 69.7% of samples collected remotely at home received a Good (compared to Not Good) quality grade (chi2 = 4.91; p =.03). Regression analysis found remote samples had roughly 1.5 times higher odds of being Good quality compared to samples taken in-clinic (p <.001; 95% CI 1.18-2.03). Increased anxiety reduced odds of contributing a Good sample (p =.04; 95% CI.95-1.0). Response rates were significantly higher for in-clinic sampling (95.8% vs 89.8%; p <.001). Conclusion: Blood-samples taken by patients at home using a microsampling device yielded higher quality samples than those taken in-clinic.
Introduction: Developing the Archive: Public Space and the Urban Library in Contemporary Perspective

This book will examine the changing roles and meaning of public libraries and library design responding to cultural and social values within the context of the creative city, branding, iconic architecture, and as an anchor institution. The global trend of the creative city urban development model and branding is anchored in the cultural institution of the library among other cultural institutions to attract the global professional class of creatives, tourists, and investors. Contemporary urban public libraries are also representative of democratic values to offer universal access. They seriously adopt as part of their mission the provision of important programming that highlights the interests of their constituents engaging in the processes of community building and establishing a strong connection based on tolerance and inclusivity to the cities in which they are located. The book is composed of an analysis of the creative city model, branding, and the library as an anchor institution to attract skilled knowledge labor to the city as well as tourists, residents, and investors. The public library design as a cultural institution for the commons that belongs to all will be a chapter that focuses on the meaning of the library, its relationship to the city, and other important components from the perspective of library staff and designers based on interviews and visits to some of the libraries selected. Descriptions of the public library main branches in Salt Lake City, Seattle, New York City, in the United States; Medellin, Colombia; Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada; and Alexandria in Alexandria, Egypt will be examined in a chapter for each main library. The final chapter of the book will offer a comparative perspective among the different libraries to highlight the best practices in library design, programming, and special features that make libraries distinct and iconic. Public libraries are some of the remaining genuine public spaces in the contemporary neoliberal city, and future trends indicate that their meaning and importance will likely increase as these public institutions change and adapt.
Correction to: Planted forests and natural regeneration in forest transitions: patterns and implications from the U.S. South

This article has an error that was introduced during the publishing process. In this paper, Figure 3 is mistakenly identical to Figure 2. The correct Figure 3 and its caption are provided here.
Ni(OH)2-free NiCu as a hydrogen evolution and oxidation electrocatalyst

Abstract In this manuscript, we investigate the role of the nickel surface oxidation and the use of additional reducing agent in the synthesis process in the electrochemical activity of NiCu electrocatalysts for hydrogen oxidation reaction and hydrogen evolution reaction. In addition, the role of the carbon support morphology is also investigated: two different supports, DENKA black and Ketjenblack with widely different properties (specific surface, proportion of low strain carbons, etc.) are studied, and no difference are observed in their electrochemical activity. However, the use 4-aminoantipyrine as a reducing agent resulted in a dramatic increase in non-oxidized Ni at the electrocatalyst’ surface, concomitant to a large increase in its activity for both the hydrogen evolution and oxidation.
A Limited Opportunity: COVID-19 and Promotion of Advance Care Planning

Background: Little is known about how COVID-19 has influenced the role of family caregivers in advance care planning (ACP). Objectives: To explore the experiences of family caregivers and ACP in the United States during the COVID-19 pandemic. Design: Exploratory sequential mixed-methods design of caregiver characteristics and pandemic response to ACP. Settings/Subjects: Family caregivers of care recipients with varied caregiving needs (dementia, mental illness, etc.). Measurements: Quantitative survey was done of fixed-choice questions of 82 caregivers. Semistructured qualitative telephone interviews were performed of a subsample of participants (n = 28). Results: Some (19%) of family caregivers revisited or updated advance directives of care recipients and/or had some type of contingency plan (33%) if they were to become ill. We identified three barriers caregivers faced during the pandemic that may have limited their engagement with ACP. Conclusions: Family caregivers need education regarding ACP and specific resources that can guide and support them through the process of ACP, for both themselves and care recipients.
Independent host- and bacterium-based determinants protect a model symbiosis from phage predation

Summary/AbstractBacteriophages (phages) are diverse and abundant constituents of microbial communities worldwide, and are capable of modulating bacterial populations in diverse ways. Here we describe a novel phage, {phi}HNL01, which infects the marine bacterium Vibrio fischeri. We use culture-based approaches to demonstrate that mutations in the exopolysaccharide locus of V. fischeri render this bacterium resistant to infection by {phi}HNL01, highlighting the extracellular matrix as a key determinant of phage tropism in this interaction. Additionally, using the natural symbiosis between V. fischeri and the squid Euprymna scolopes, we show that during colonization, V. fischeri is protected from phage present in the ambient seawater. Taken together, these findings shed light on independent yet synergistic host- and bacterium-based strategies for resisting symbiosis-disrupting phage predation, and present important implications for understanding these strategies in the context of host-associated microbial ecosystems.
Prevalence, Correlates, and Treatment of Suicidal Behavior in US Military Veterans: Results From the 2019-2020 National Health and Resilience in Veterans Study

Objective: US military veterans have high rates of suicide relative to civilians. However, little is known about the prevalence and correlates of suicidal behaviors in the general US veteran population. Methods: Data were from the National Health and Resilience in Veterans Study, a representative survey of US veterans conducted in 2019-2020 (n = 4,069). Analyses (1) estimated the prevalence of current suicidal ideation, lifetime suicide plans, and lifetime suicide attempts; (2) identified associated sociodemographic, military, DSM-5 psychiatric, and other risk correlates; and (3) examined mental health treatment utilization among veterans with suicidal ideation, suicide plans, or suicide attempts. Results: The prevalence of current suicidal ideation, lifetime suicide plans, and lifetime suicide attempts was 9.0%, 7.3%, and 3.9%, respectively. Suicidal behaviors were most prevalent among veterans aged 18-44 years, with 18.2%, 19.3%, and 11.1%, respectively, endorsing suicidal ideation, suicide plans, and suicide attempts. Major depressive disorder (MDD), age, posttraumatic stress disorder, and adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) emerged as the strongest correlates of suicidal ideation and suicide plans, while MDD, age, alcohol use disorder, and ACEs were the strongest correlates of suicide attempts. Only 35.5% of veterans with current suicidal ideation were engaged in mental health treatment, with veterans who used the US Veterans Administration (VA) as their primary source of health care more than twice as likely as VA non-users to be engaged in such treatment (54.7% vs 23.8%). Conclusions: Suicidal behaviors are highly prevalent among US veterans, particularly among young veterans. Results suggest that nearly two-thirds of veterans with current suicidal ideation are not engaged in mental health treatment, signaling the need for enhanced suicide prevention and outreach efforts.
Automatic Speech Recognition for Air Traffic Control Communications

A significant fraction of communications between air traffic controllers and pilots is through speech, via radio channels. Automatic transcription of air traffic control (ATC) communications has th...
A Paradox by Another Name Is Good Estimation

This chapter describes the property of estimates of points in a multidimensional space that is labeled by some as paradoxical, shows when this property of the estimates is present, and also shows that the paradoxical result is not flaw in estimation because estimates improve with additional information even when the paradox occurs. The paradox is that when a correct response to a test item is added to the string of responses for an examinee to previous items, at least one of the coordinates of the new estimated θ-point decreases compared to the estimate based on the initial string of responses. The information presented in the chapter shows that this can occur whenever the likelihood function for the estimates has a particular form. This form is present in many cases when the item responses for a test can not be described by simple structure. Results are presented to show that the additional response improves the estimate of the θ-point even though the paradoxical result occurs.
Interest plurality and institutional work: An ethnography of rural community organizing

Purpose – The institutional work literature has paid little attention to cognition and interests in the creation, maintenance, and disruption of institutions. The purpose of this paper is to explore the construct of interests as it relates to institutional work projects. The authors frame interests as recognitions situated within broader institutional meaning systems, with a specific focus on interest plurality. Design/methodology/approach – The authors conducted an 18-month ethnography exploring institutional work projects within a rural chamber of commerce. The authors aimed to understand how projects contributed to community survival on a micro-level and institutional change on a macro-level. Rural chambers of commerce represent a unique example of emergent public-private partnerships, challenging traditional commercial logics of chambers of commerce. The research design included qualitative data collection, coding, and analysis of field notes, interviews, and archival sources. Findings – Purposive act...
An examination of single link failure in an optical network with full grooming

This thesis considers a survivable optical network with link-based protection that can survive one fault, has links each with a fixed total bidirectional capacity, and full grooming at each node. An upper bound on the total primary capacity the network can provide is derived from conditions that are necessary but not sufficient to guarantee restoration. An ILP formulation is developed and presented that achieves this bound when possible for a given topology, and tends to spread out backup capacity by insisting on using small cycles to form backup routes. The blocking probability of connections in a network thus protected is compared against the networks blocking probability if protected by a p-Cycle. Simulations showed that the more spread out backup capacity had lower blocking probability than a Hamiltonian p-Cycle. P-Cycles are supplemented by an additional pre-configured structure. The capacity used by non-simple p-cycles and lines are compared against non-pre-configured resource reservation. Examples where lines can be useful are easy to construct. However ILP solutions for protecting the Cost 239 network did not include them.
Cardiac implanted electronic device-related infective endocarditis: clinical features, management, and outcomes of 80 consecutive patients.

Background The use of cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs) has expanded dramatically over the past decade, but net clinical benefit has been curtailed by increasing infectious complications. In particular, CIED-related infectious endocarditis (IE) is a serious condition with significant morbidity and mortality. Methods We performed a single-center, retrospective study between July 2006 and February 2011 with CIED-related IE, defined by either lead vegetations detected on echocardiography or by fulfilling Duke criteria for definite endocarditis. Clinical parameters and outcomes were detailed by electronic medical record review and vital status was confirmed by the Social Security Death Index. Results Eighty patients (median age 67, interquartile range 56–75, 58 M/22 F) were diagnosed with CIED-related IE. Overall mortality was 36% with a median time to death of 95 days from presentation. Over half (52%) of the deaths were infection related with a median time to death of 29 days. Multivariate analysis showed methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection (odds ratio [OR] 0.158; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.047–0.534; P = .003) and concomitant valve endocarditis (OR 0.141, CI 0.041–0.491, P = .002) independently predicted mortality. Conclusion In this contemporary series, all-cause mortality in patients with CIED-related IE was high with a short time to death from onset of infection. MRSA and concomitant valve infection were the most powerful independent predictors of mortality.