cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Subcellular distribution and protein binding of perfluorooctanoic acid in rat liver and kidney

Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) is an organic fluorochemical, and its elimination in rats is markedly sex-dependent. Liver and kidney are two primary tissues of distribution of PFOA in rats. In this study, the subcellular distribution of PFOA in male and female rat liver and kidney was examined. The results demonstrated that PFOA content in the liver cytosol of the female rat was significantly higher (49 +/- 6% of total radioactive residues, TRR) than in the male liver (26 +/- 5% TRR), whereas PFOA distribution in the heavier subcellular fractions, especially the nuclei and cell debris fraction, was marginally higher in male rat liver. In rat kidney, more than 70% of PFOA was distributed in the cytosolic fraction, with no significant difference between sexes. The degree of protein binding of PFOA in rat liver and kidney cytosol was analyzed by two different chromatographic methods. The percentage of protein-bound PFOA in the liver cytosol was found to be approximately 55% in both male and female rats. In contrast, significantly more PFOA was bound to cytosolic proteins in the kidney of male rats (42 +/- 6% TRR) than in females (17 +/- 5% TRR). Ligand blotting analysis revealed that multiple proteins from the liver cytosol, nuclei, and mitochondria fractions were capable of specific binding to PFOA.
Public health preparedness of post-Katrina and Rita shelter health staff

Introduction During 2005, Hurricanes Katrina and Rita struck the US Gulf Coast, displacing approximately two million people. With >250,000 evacuees in shelters, volunteers from the American Red Cross (ARC) and other nongovernmental and faith-based organizations provided services. The objective of this study was to evaluate the composition, pre-deployment training, and recognition of scenarios with outbreak potential by shelter health staff. Methods A rapid assessment using a 36-item questionnaire was conducted through in-person interviews with shelter health staff immediately following Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Data were collected by sampling at shelters located throughout five ARC regions in Texas. The survey focused on: (1) public health capacity; (2) level of public health awareness among staff; (3) public health training prior to deployment; and (4) interest in technical support for public health concerns. In addition, health staff volunteers were asked to manage 11 clinical scenarios with possible public health implications. Results Forty-three health staff at 24 shelters were interviewed. Nurses comprised the majority of shelter health volunteers and were present in 93% of shelters; however, there were no public health providers present as staff in any shelter. Less than one-third of shelter health staff had public health training, and only 55% had received public health information specific to managing the health needs of evacuees. Only 37% of the shelters had a systematic method for screening the healthcare needs of evacuees upon arrival. Although specific clinical scenarios involving case clusters were referred appropriately, 60% of the time, 75% of all clinical scenarios with epidemic potential did not elicit proper notification of public health authorities by shelter health staff. In contrast, clinical scenarios requiring medical attention were correctly referred >90% of the time. Greater access and support from health and public health experts was endorsed by 93% of respondents. Conclusions Public health training for sheltering operations must be enhanced and should be a required component of pre-deployment instruction. Development of a standardized shelter intake health screening instrument may facilitate assessment of needs and appropriate resource allocation. Shelter health staff did not recognize or report the majority of cases with epidemic potential to public health authorities. Direct technical support to shelter health staff for public health concerns could bridge existing gaps and assist surveillance efforts.
Notification of Obstetric Emergency

Poster Presentation Purpose for the Program Emergency activation models relied on the nurse pressing the nurse call button and requesting help, vocally calling out for help, and then relying on a person to notify each team member needed in the response effort. This meant that other staff had to be able to hear and respond to a nurse's calls, and nonclinical personnel had to be available to relay medical information to physicians and other care team members. The response was unfocused and highly variable. Proposed Change To implement swift notification of team response in obstetric (OB) emergencies using a cap code pager team and smart panel technology already available in every patient room and operating rooms. Response buttons were built for massive transfusion protocol (MTP) team response, emergency cesarean delivery (ECD) team response, and stat anesthesia team response. The team members on the response teams will vary slightly, but the recurring members on the MTP and ECD team include emergency response nursing staff from the labor and delivery unit. These nurses will carry pagers and phones that will alert them to the location of the patient and type of code response. Notification to all the various medical team members will mirror the same process, pager, and phone notification. The most vital change involves a free OB emergency response nurse to support the bedside nurse and elevate the level of care needed. Implementation, Outcomes, and Evaluation Smart panel technology in all existing rooms with emergency notification buttons added to trigger mass page to all identified OB emergency team members. Development and testing of workflows with multiple simulations prior to roll out. There was decreased time spent notifying individual team members, decreased time moving from the labor and delivery room to the operating room, and decreased time from decision to incision. Opportunities to improve closed‐loop communication and role refinement exist. Implications for Nursing Practice The use of the smart panel technology will allow for the nurse to press a single button and notify all the specific care team members needed without having to leave the patient's room or cry out for help. The minutes once spent scrambling to find help will now be spent initiating lifesaving measuring for the patient and preparing for the next phase of care.
The deep seismic structure of the Ethiopia/Afar hotspot and the African superplume

SUMMARY The Ethiopia/Afar hotspot has been frequently explained as an upper mantle continuation of the African superplume, with anomalous material in the lower mantle under southern Africa, rising through the transition zone beneath eastern Africa. However, the significantly larger amplitude low velocity anomaly in the upper mantle beneath Ethiopia/Afar, compared to the anomalies beneath neighboring regions, has led to questions about whether or not alongstrike differences in the seismic structure beneath eastern Africa and western Arabia are consistent with the superplume interpretation. Here we present a new P-wave model of the hotspot’s deep structure and use it to evaluate the superplume model. At shallow (< ∼400km) depths, the slowest velocities are centered beneath the Main Ethiopian Rift, and we attribute these low velocities to decompression melting beneath young, thin lithosphere. At deeper depths, the low velocity structure trends to the northeast, and the locus of the low velocity anomaly is found beneath Afar. The northeast-trending structure with depth is best modeled by northeastward flow of warm superplume material beneath eastern Africa. The combined effects of shallow decompression melting and northeastward flow of superplume material explain why upper mantle velocities beneath Ethiopia/Afar are significantly slower than those beneath neighboring East Africa and western Arabia. The superplume interpretation can thus explain the deep seismic structure of the hotspot if the effects of both decompression melting and mantle flow are considered.
Kinase dependent activation of voltage-gated Ca2+ channels by ET-1 in pulmonary arterial myocytes during chronic hypoxia

Exposure to chronic hypoxia (CH) causes pulmonary hypertension. The vasoconstrictor endothelin-1 (ET-1) is thought to play a role in the development of hypoxic pulmonary hypertension. In pulmonary ...
Neuropsychological rehabilitation of young adults who suffer brain injury in childhood: Clinical observations

Abstract Young adults who suffer brain injury during childhood present clinically with predictable neuropsychological and psychosocial problems in young adulthood. This paper summarises clinical observations concerning four such patients, three of whom were treated within the context of a neuropsycho-logically oriented rehabilitation programme. The implications of these observations for the development of future rehabilitation programmes for children are considered briefly.
Auctioning Resource Rights

We review the issues involved in designing a mechanism for allocating resource rights. We focus on the case of exploration and development rights for oil and gas leases in US federal lands to highlight the trade-offs at play. The main issues concern the design of the lease contract, the design of the auction, and the supply of leases. A distinguishing feature of oil and gas leases is that the mechanism must solve not only the adverse selection problem of selecting the bidder with the highest valuation but also the moral hazard problem of ensuring that right holders make efficient investment decisions.
Biochemical, metabolic, and vascular mechanisms in menopausal hot flashes

Abstract Objective: To determine if increases in core body temperature preceding most hot flashes are caused by increased metabolic rate, peripheral vasoconstriction, or central noradrenergic activation. Design: Laboratory physiological study. Setting: University medical center. Patient(s): Fourteen healthy, postmenopausal women reporting frequent hot flashes. Intervention(s): Data were recorded for 3 hours in a temperature- and humidity-controlled room. Main Outcome Measure(s): Core body temperature, mean skin temperature, respiratory exchange ratio, sternal skin conductance, plasma 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol, and vanillylmandelic acid. Result(s): Twenty-nine physiologically defined hot flashes were recorded. Increases in core body temperature, measured with an ingested radiotelemetry capsule, preceded 76% of the flashes. Increased metabolic rate began after increased core temperature. Peripheral vasoconstriction did not occur. Plasma levels of 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol, a metabolite of brain norepinephrine, increased significantly, whereas vanillylmandelic acid, a peripheral metabolite, did not. Conclusion(s): Core body temperature elevations preceding menopausal hot flashes are not driven by peripheral vasoconstriction or increased metabolic rate, but probably by a central noradrenergic mechanism.
Depression in Family Caregivers of Elders: A Theoretical Model of Caregiver Burden, Sociotropy, and Autonomy

To test the diathesis-stress model for family caregivers, two structural equation models were developed to explain depression measured by the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale. A cross-sectional convenience sample of 112 caregivers completed questionnaires to measure burden, personality traits, dysfunctional attitudes, and depression. The final model included direct paths from caregiver burden to autonomy and sociotropy, and indirect paths from burden to depression through sociotropy and autonomy. The final model fit adequately (χ2 [224, N = 112] = 308.60, p < .00; CFI = .951; RMSEA = .058). Levels of burden influenced caregiver depression scores. One pathway to depression was though the personality traits of sociotropy and autonomy; both had a larger influence on depression scores than burden alone. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Res Nurs Health 33:20–34, 2010
Evolutionary Patterns of Eastern Equine Encephalitis Virus in North versus South America Suggest Ecological Differences and Taxonomic Revision

The eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) complex consists of four distinct genetic lineages: one that circulates in North America (NA EEEV) and the Caribbean and three that circulate in Central and South America (SA EEEV). Differences in their geographic, pathogenic, and epidemiologic profiles prompted evaluation of their genetic diversity and evolutionary histories. The structural polyprotein open reading frames of all available SA EEEV and recent NA EEEV isolates were sequenced and used in evolutionary and phylogenetic analyses. The nucleotide substitution rate per year for SA EEEV (1.2 × 10−4) was lower and more consistent than that for NA EEEV (2.7 × 10−4), which exhibited considerable rate variation among constituent clades. Estimates of time since divergence varied widely depending upon the sequences used, with NA and SA EEEV diverging ca. 922 to 4,856 years ago and the two main SA EEEV lineages diverging ca. 577 to 2,927 years ago. The single, monophyletic NA EEEV lineage exhibited mainly temporally associated relationships and was highly conserved throughout its geographic range. In contrast, SA EEEV comprised three divergent lineages, two consisting of highly conserved geographic groupings that completely lacked temporal associations. A phylogenetic comparison of SA EEEV and Venezuelan equine encephalitis viruses (VEEV) demonstrated similar genetic and evolutionary patterns, consistent with the well-documented use of mammalian reservoir hosts by VEEV. Our results emphasize the evolutionary and genetic divergences between members of the NA and SA EEEV lineages, consistent with major differences in pathogenicity and ecology, and propose that NA and SA EEEV be reclassified as distinct species in the EEE complex.
Deep Learning of Part-Based Representation of Data Using Sparse Autoencoders With Nonnegativity Constraints

We demonstrate a new deep learning autoencoder network, trained by a nonnegativity constraint algorithm (nonnegativity-constrained autoencoder), that learns features that show part-based representation of data. The learning algorithm is based on constraining negative weights. The performance of the algorithm is assessed based on decomposing data into parts and its prediction performance is tested on three standard image data sets and one text data set. The results indicate that the nonnegativity constraint forces the autoencoder to learn features that amount to a part-based representation of data, while improving sparsity and reconstruction quality in comparison with the traditional sparse autoencoder and nonnegative matrix factorization. It is also shown that this newly acquired representation improves the prediction performance of a deep neural network.
Grid-centric scheduling strategies for workflow applications

Grid computing faces a great challenge because the resources are not localized, but distributed, heterogeneous and dynamic. Thus, it is essential to provide a set of programming tools that execute an application on the Grid resources with as little input from the user as possible. The thesis of this work is that Grid-centric scheduling techniques of workflow applications can provide good usability of the Grid environment by reliably executing the application on a large scale distributed system with good performance. We support our thesis with new and effective approaches in the following five aspects. First, we modeled the performance of the existing scheduling approaches in a multi-cluster Grid environment. We implemented several widely-used scheduling algorithms and identified the best candidate. The study further introduced a new measurement, based on our experiments, which can improve the schedule quality of some scheduling algorithms as much as 20 fold in a multi-cluster Grid environment. Second, we studied the scalability of the existing Grid scheduling algorithms. To deal with Grid systems consisting of hundreds of thousands of resources, we designed and implemented a novel approach that performs explicit resource selection decoupled from scheduling Our experimental evaluation confirmed that our decoupled approach can be scalable in such an environment without sacrificing the quality of the schedule by more than 10%. Third, we proposed solutions to address the dynamic nature of Grid computing with a new cluster-based hybrid scheduling mechanism. Our experimental results collected from real executions on production clusters demonstrated that this approach produces programs running 30% to 100% faster than the other scheduling approaches we implemented on both reserved and shared resources. Fourth, we improved the reliability of Grid computing by incorporating fault- tolerance and recovery mechanisms into the workow application execution. Our experiments on a simulated multi-cluster Grid environment demonstrated the effectiveness of our approach and also characterized the three-way trade-off between reliability, performance and resource usage when executing a workflow application. Finally, we improved the large batch-queue wait time often found in production Grid clusters. We developed a novel approach to partition the workow application and submit them judiciously to achieve less total batch-queue wait time. The experimental results derived from production site batch queue logs show that our approach can reduce total wait time by as much as 70%. Our approaches combined can greatly improve the usability of Grid computing while increasing the performance of workow applications on a multi-cluster Grid environment.
Long-term potentiation in the rat hippocampus is reversibly depressed by chronic intermittent ethanol exposure.

Alcohol exposure induces multiple neuroadaptive changes in the CNS that can have serious long-term consequences on CNS function including cognitive effects and attenuation of learning and memory. T...
Medically Inappropriate Hospital Use in a Pediatric Population

Abstract To assess the extent of inappropriate hospital use in pediatric inpatients, I modified the Appropriateness Evaluation Protocol (AEP) — developed to assess inappropriate hospital use in adu...
Elder Mistreatment:: A Taxonomy with Definitions by Delphi

A three-round Delphi survey was conducted with a national panel of 63 elder mistreatment experts to inductively develop a taxonomy of elder mistreatment and definitions of the categorical concepts. Through this collaborative process, researchers, clinicians, educators, and policy-makers in the field came to agreement on the essential components of a five-level taxonomy and 11 definitions. Research, practice, and policy implications of this agreement are discussed.
HOMELESSNESS IS AN INDEPENDENT RISK FACTOR FOR HEART FAILURE READMISSION

A substantial body of literature has shown disparities in incidence of disease, treatment, and hospital readmission for cardiovascular disease among racial minorities and socially disadvantaged patients, however there are no published reports on the impact of homelessness on the care of patients
Induction of Hydrolases by Allelochemicals and Host Plants in Fall Armyworm (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) Larvae

The influence of allelochemicals and host plants on two hydrolases, α -naphthyl acetate ( α -NA) esterase and styrene oxide hydrolase, was investigated in the fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith). The α -NA esterase was induced by a range of allelochemicals. Celery, potato, and parsley were also active in inducing the esterase, whereas a number of other host plants had no significant effect. Styrene oxide hydrolase was moderately induced by indole 3-carbinol, peppermint oil, and phenobarbital, but none of the host plants showed any inductive effect.
GENERALIZABILITY OF COGNITIVE DIFFERENTIATION ACROSS PRODUCT AND SOCIAL DOMAINS

This study examined the degree to which cognitive differentiation—the capacity to view objects, persons, and events in a multidimensional manner—was generalized across two very different consumer products and interpersonal relations. Substantial generalizability would hold important implications for understanding choice processes. The observed correlations between differentiation scores for the three domains were weak although statistically significant in two cases.
Developing Professionalism in a Hospitality Undergraduate Program

The terms “profession”, “professional”, and “professionalism” have been defined in various ways. Little has been written on how to educate students on these concepts, yet several studies have identified “professionalism” as important for hospitality management graduates. An introduction to hospitality management course was modified to address this concept. Students' participate in activities such as writing a code of ethics, interacting with hospitality professionals, and participating in community service projects. A comparison of pre- and post-assessments showed an improvement in students understanding of the concept of professionalism.
On the Monotonicity of a Class of Exponential Sequences

(1981). On the Monotonicity of a Class of Exponential Sequences. The American Mathematical Monthly: Vol. 88, No. 5, pp. 341-344.
Contractile economy and aerobic recovery metabolism in skeletal muscle adapted to creatine depletion

Mice were treated for 7-12 wk with the creatine analogue beta-guanidinopropionic acid (beta-GPA). Treatment reduced total creatine to approximately 5% of control values in soleus (SOL) and extensor...
Propagation of leaking interface waves

With simple generalizations of the method due to Rosenbaum (1961) and Phinney (1961), single integral expressions may be written down for the long range pole contributions to the transient signal in a plane seismic waveguide. This method yields expressions for the leaking, or imperfectly trapped waves, and suffers from no restriction on the number of layers or the existence of coupling to one or two half-spaces. When it is applied to the simple interface wave problem of two halfspaces in contact, closed form expressions are obtained describing the propagation of pulses along the interface due to lower sheet poles. The theory is applied to the Lamb problem, the liquid/solid interface, and the solid/solid interface problems. The leaking wave generalizations of the Rayleigh and Stoneley waves are found and a new wave, coupled to the P-wave, is demonstrated. The physical importance of leaking interface pulses is shown to be in their coupling to the normal or leaking oscillations of layered structures.
Asteroid in situ exploration using planetary object geophysical observer (POGO)

Missions to small bodies greatly benefit from landed measurements of surface composition such as from Rosetta Philae and Hayabusa-2 MASCOT. For future rendezvous or sample return missions, a lander could enhance investigation the small body origin by characterizing its geophysical state, mineralogical composition, and abundances of major and key minor elements. The lander can also characterize the mechanical and thermal properties of the regolith, addressing Decadal goals of investigating processes that alter surfaces of solar system bodies. Key challenges in design of such a lander include lack of knowledge of the regolith before arrival, the landing process, power availability, mass constraints, and large diurnal thermal variations. Communication with either the orbiter or direct-to-Earth also requires great flexibility.
Clinical and molecular insights into adenoid cystic carcinoma: Neural crest-like stemness as a target.

Objectives This review surveys trialed therapies and molecular defects in adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC), with an emphasis on neural crest-like stemness characteristics of newly discovered cancer stem cells (CSCs) and therapies that may target these CSCs. Data Sources Articles available on Pubmed or OVID MEDLINE databases and unpublished data. Review Methods Systematic review of articles pertaining to ACC and neural crest-like stem cells. Results Adenoid cystic carcinoma of the salivary gland is a slowly growing but relentless cancer that is prone to nerve invasion and metastases. A lack of understanding of molecular etiology and absence of targetable drivers has limited therapy for patients with ACC to surgery and radiation. Currently, no curative treatments are available for patients with metastatic disease, which highlights the need for effective new therapies. Research in this area has been inhibited by the lack of validated cell lines and a paucity of clinically useful markers. The ACC research environment has recently improved, thanks to the introduction of novel tools, technologies, approaches, and models. Improved understanding of ACC suggests that neural crest-like stemness is a major target in this rare tumor. New cell culture techniques and patient-derived xenografts provide tools for preclinical testing. Conclusion Preclinical research has not identified effective targets in ACC, as confirmed by the large number of failed clinical trials. New molecular data suggest that drivers of neural crest-like stemness may be required for maintenance of ACC; as such, CSCs are a target for therapy of ACC.
Ionic Transport and Dielectric Relaxation in Polymer Electrolytes

Understanding the electrical properties of polymer electrolytes is a fundamentally and practically important problem in electrolyte science. The presence of salt not only poses challenges for the analysis of dielectric spectrum, but also leads to the emergence of new relaxation processes. In addition, the ionic transport mechanism in polymers remains poorly understood. Here we present a brief review of the methods for analysis of the dielectric spectra as well as an account of the phenomenology of ionic transport and dielectric relaxation in polymer electrolytes.
Gay Community Involvement in HIV and STD Prevention: Where We Have Been, Where We Are, and Where We Should be Going

In the USA, gay and bisexual men, other men who have sex with men (MSM), and transgender persons were initially, and continue to be, profoundly affected by the HIV Early in the pandemic, there was little political motivation in the larger mainstream community to act against an emerging pandemic that some referred to in a derogatory manner as the “gay plague.” Thus, some of the most innovative and successful HIV prevention and prevention-research efforts sprang from the creativity of gay men and their allies. Community partnerships of community leaders, community members, advocates and activists, and researchers emerged and provided needed care; initiated community-based educational and prevention programs; advocated for both drug development and expedited drug trials; and developed, implemented, and evaluated prevention strategies in the community. Simply, gay men wanted to provide the needed support and care to friends, neighbors, and other community members who were infected with and affected by HIV. In this chapter, we (1) review the role gay men and their allies have played in HIV-prevention research and practice over time as it relates to community-based participatory research (CBPR) today, (2) review the roots and development of CBPR to identify its relevance and place in the present, and (3) point to new directions or courses for social action, community-based prevention, and applications of CBPR to prevent HIV among gay and bisexual men, MSM, and transgender persons.
Impact of Hyperglycemia and Age on Outcomes in Patients With Acute Myeloid Leukemia.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES To examine the prevalence and impact of hyperglycemia on health outcomes (number of neutropenic days, infection, and hospital length of stay) in patients hospitalized for acute myeloid leukemia (AML) receiving initial induction therapy. . DESIGN Retrospective, descriptive study. . SETTING A large urban hospital in Indianapolis, Indiana. . SAMPLE 103 patients with AML and a subset of 41 patients aged 65 years or older. . METHODS Demographics and medical information were extracted from electronic health records. Serum-fasting blood glucose was used to assess glycemic status. The association of hyperglycemia with the health outcomes was analyzed. A subset of patients aged 65 years or older was also analyzed. . MAIN RESEARCH VARIABLES Hyperglycemia, age, and health outcomes in patients with AML. . FINDINGS Forty patients experienced hyperglycemia during initial induction for AML. In the larger sample, no associations were noted between hyperglycemia and health outcomes. A significant relationship (p = 0.022) was noted between hyperglycemia and infection in patients aged 65 years or older. Patients aged 65 years or older had 5.6 times the risk of developing infection as those aged younger than 65 years. Although not statistically significant, patients aged 65 years or older with hyperglycemia had 2.5 more days of neutropenia and 1.5 days longer hospital length of stay. . CONCLUSIONS This study provides preliminary evidence that hyperglycemia is prevalent during initial induction for AML and may have harmful consequences, particularly for patients aged 65 years or older. More research is needed to determine clinically significant levels of hyperglycemia and their impact on health outcomes. . IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING Oncology nurses can assess and proactively collaborate with members of the healthcare team to implement strategies to prevent or mitigate the harmful consequences of hyperglycemia.
A decentralized approach to multi-robot formation initialization

This paper presents a novel solution to the formation initialization problem, in which autonomous mobile robots must arrange themselves into a specific geometric configuration without centralized control, without explicit inter-agent communication, and using only information from local sensors which is necessarily incomplete. Our solution to this fundamental multi-robot coordination problem is based on satisficing theory, a paradigm for decision making in which individual options are evaluated by comparing potential gains with projected costs. An option can be justified as adequate if its benefits outweigh its costs. In multi-agent systems inclined to cooperation, satisficing offers advantages relative to traditional utility-maximization approaches. We present experimental results that demonstrate cooperative, emergent multi-agent behaviour. We compare the performance of various enhancements within the satisficing framework across a collection of scenarios that differ in starting positions, target formations, number of agents involved, and the presence of static obstacles. The results suggest that satisficing is an attractive alternative for the synthesis of cooperative multi-robot systems.
Technology Familiarization to Preservice Teachers: Factors that Influence Teacher Educators’ Technology Decisions

The purpose of this study was to investigate factors that influence teacher educators’ technology decisions in methods courses. Research has shown various reasons why teachers use different types o...
Risk of Bleeding in Patients on Full-Dose Enoxaparin With Venous Thromboembolism and Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors:

Background: Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are very commonly prescribed agents that are also potent antiplatelet agents. Objective: This study was designed compare the rate of major bleeding events between patients who were treated with low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) for venous thromboembolism (VTE) on SSRIs and those not on chronic SSRI therapy. Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study of 575 patients with a primary or secondary diagnosis of an acute VTE initiated on full-dose enoxaparin with or without an SSRI between October 1, 2009, and October 1, 2014, in a 443-bed, single tertiary care referral county teaching hospital. Results: No significant difference was found in the incidence of major bleeding in the SSRI versus non-SSRI group (19.6% vs 17.0%, P = 0.548). Ad hoc analysis demonstrated an elevated risk of major bleeding in patients on escitalopram compared with those on any of the other SSRIs (46.2% vs 15.2%, P = 0.018). Multivariate analysis demonstrated that escitalo...
A Computer Algorithm for the Complex Variable Boundary Element Method

In this chapter, a computer algorithm for the Complex Variable Boundary Element Method will be developed for use in solving potential problems defined on a simply connected domain. The strategy of using the method is to (1) define the problem domain Ω and boundary Γ such that there are no singularities of the state variable φ(x, y) and conjugate stream function ψ(x, y) for z = x + iy and Z e Ω ∪Γ; (2) develop an approximation function which is analytic in Ω and continuous on Γ and satisfies specified boundary conditions on Γ; and (3) determine an error distribution between the approximation function and the analytic solution of the boundary value problem to be used for error analysis and subsequent modeling refinement. Steps (1) and (2) will be discussed in this chapter, while the error analysis and subsequent modeling refinement methods will be developed in Chapter 5.
Consolidation reduced dose whole brain radiotherapy (rdWBRT) following methotrexate, rituximab, procarbazine, vincristine, cytarabine (R-MPV-A) for newly diagnosed primary CNS lymphoma (PCNSL): Final results and long-term outcome.

2006 Background: After promising early results in the pilot phase (N= 30) reported by Shah 2007, we report on final results of a multicenter phase II study (N=52) in newly diagnosed PCNSL combining...
Visualization of event execution in a discrete event system

In discrete event simulation development, a large conceptual leap often is made when going from the system model to the simulation implementation. The event model, describing how events are scheduled and executed, is implied rather than explicitly stated. This paper addresses the gap by introducing a new visualization tool based on event graphs. Given an event graph representation of the event model, the tool allows the developer to observe the execution and scheduling of events during simulation execution. The use of the visualization tool encourages students to explicitly consider the event model, thus providing additional insight to the relationship between the model and the implementation. To better support more general discrete event simulation development efforts, including software development and verification and validation activities, future research will consider interfacing the visualization tool with simulation software tools and developing the capability to reverse engineer the event model from an existing simulation.
Immigrant-based Disparities in Mental Health Care Utilization:

Studies of immigrant-based disparities in mental health care have been limited by small sample sizes and a lack of measures of different dimensions of acculturation. This study draws on the National Epidemiological Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions to address these limitations. Results indicate first-generation immigrants have lower rates of utilization for both mood and anxiety disorders. Nativity-based disparities in treatment are particularly notable among people from African and Hispanic origins, while there is little evidence of disparities among people from European origins. Of three dimensions of acculturation, only the identity dimension has a positive association with mental health care utilization.
A single Danio rerio hars gene encodes both cytoplasmic and mitochondrial histidyl-tRNA synthetases

Histidyl tRNA Synthetase (HARS) is a member of the aminoacyl tRNA synthetase (ARS) family of enzymes. This family of 20 enzymes is responsible for attaching specific amino acids to their cognate tRNA molecules, a critical step in protein synthesis. However, recent work highlighting a growing number of associations between ARS genes and diverse human diseases raises the possibility of new and unexpected functions in this ancient enzyme family. For example, mutations in HARS have been linked to two different neurological disorders, Usher Syndrome Type IIIB and Charcot Marie Tooth peripheral neuropathy. These connections raise the possibility of previously undiscovered roles for HARS in metazoan development, with alterations in these functions leading to complex diseases. In an attempt to establish Danio rerio as a model for studying HARS functions in human disease, we characterized the Danio rerio hars gene and compared it to that of human HARS. Using a combination of bioinformatics, molecular biology, and cellular approaches, we found that while the human genome encodes separate genes for cytoplasmic and mitochondrial HARS protein, the Danio rerio genome encodes a single hars gene which undergoes alternative splicing to produce the respective cytoplasmic and mitochondrial versions of Hars. Nevertheless, while the HARS genes of humans and Danio differ significantly at the genomic level, we found that they are still highly conserved at the amino acid level, underscoring the potential utility of Danio rerio as a model organism for investigating HARS function and its link to human diseases in vivo.
Polar Fluctuations in Metal Halide Perovskites Uncovered by Acoustic Phonon Anomalies

Solution-processable metal halide perovskites (MHPs) offer great promise for efficient light-harvesting and -emitting devices because of their long carrier lifetime and superior carrier transport properties. Similar to traditional oxide perovskites, MHPs exhibit strong dynamic disorders that may further impact their electronic properties. Here we investigate the coherent acoustic phonons of inorganic and organic–inorganic (hybrid) MHP single crystals (CsPbCl3, MAPbCl3, CsPbBr3, MAPbBr3, FAPbBr3, MAPbI3, and FAPbI3) using pump–probe reflection spectroscopy. We show significant phonon softening in the cubic phase of all compositions close to the cubic-to-tetragonal phase transition temperature. Such phonon softening in conjunction with strong acoustic damping is attributed to pretransitional polar fluctuations. Comparison of MHPs with different compositions show that the degree of pretransitional fluctuations is correlated with the size rather than the dipole moment of the A-site cations, and further with t...
Gender and Intimate Partner Violence in Latino Immigrant Neighborhoods

Some quantitative studies indicate that overall rates of intimate partner violence (IPV) are lower in Latino immigrant neighborhoods, but numerous qualitative studies suggest residing in Latino immigrant enclaves increases women’s risk of IPV victimization. We examine the association between neighborhood Latino immigrant concentration and (1) overall IPV and (2) tendencies towards female IPV victimization among resident couples. Using data from the Project on Human Development in Chicago Neighborhoods (PHDCN) and the 1990 census, we first apply Osgood and Schreck’s (Criminology 45:273–312, 2007) statistical approach for examining criminal specialization to quantify overall IPV and tendencies toward female IPV victimization across couples and neighborhoods. We then test the association between Latino immigrant concentration in neighborhoods and resident couples’ overall and gendered IPV patterns. Results indicate that as neighborhood-level Latino immigrant concentration increased, overall IPV was lower among resident couples, but IPV tended to be directed at women when it occurred. Our study underscores the importance of distinguishing between tendencies toward symmetric versus unidirectional IPV when assessing the association between couple violence within Latino immigrant communities.
Multi-parametric muscle and fat correlation of computed tomography parameters to outcomes in a total hip arthroplasty population.

Cross-sectional imaging is not currently used in planning Total Hip Arthroplasty (THA). The aim of our study is to determine correlations between CT parameters and outcomes following THA. A prospective registry of patients who underwent total joint arthroplasty was reviewed for patients who: (1) underwent THA, (2) had a CT between 1 year before and 6 months after surgery, and (3) completed perioperative WOMAC and Harris Hip Score (HHS) questionnaires. Two readers measured CT parameters, yielding mean Hounsfield Units, area, average diameter, and perimeter of the psoas major, gluteus medius and minimus muscles. A segmentation algorithm determined visceral and subcutaneous fat area, and waist circumference. ICC was calculated for each measurement to examine inter-reader agreement. Regression analyses were performed to select measurements with most impact on outcome scores. Twenty-eight patients met inclusion criteria (17 female, 11 male), having mean (+/− standard deviation) age of 54.4 +/− 14.8 years and BMI 29.0 +/− 6.3 kg/m2. Correlations were found between HHS and age (0.650, p = 0.018), height (−1.263, p = 0.009), visceral-to-subcutaneous fat area ratio at the psoas level (0.511, p = 0.018), and waist circumference at the psoas level (1.759, p = 0.002). Inter-reader analysis showed ICC > 0.850 for all measurements. Age and height, as well as CT-derived visceral-to-subcutaneous fat area ratio and waist circumference significantly correlate with postsurgical HHS scores following THA. Our study suggests that parameters derived from cross-sectional CT imaging can be useful additional preoperative planning tool for THA.
EBV Positive Diffuse Large B Cell Lymphoma and Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia Patients Exhibit Increased Anti-dUTPase Antibodies.

The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), which is a ubiquitous γ-herpesvirus, establishes a latent infection in more than 90% of the global adult population. EBV-associated malignancies have increased by 14.6% over the last 20 years, and account for approximately 1.5% of all cancers worldwide and 1.8% of all cancer deaths. However, the potential involvement/contribution of lytic proteins to the pathophysiology of EBV-associated cancers is not well understood. We have previously demonstrated that the EBV-deoxyuridine triphosphate nucleotidohydrolase (dUTPase) modulates innate and adaptive immune responses by engaging the Toll-Like Receptor 2 (TLR2), which leads to the modulation of downstream genes involved in oncogenesis, chronic inflammation, and in effector T-cell function. Furthermore, examination of serum samples from diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) and chronic lymphocytic leukemia patients revealed the presence of increased levels of anti-dUTPase antibodies in both cohorts compared to controls with the highest levels (3.67-fold increase) observed in DLBCL female cases and the lowest (2.12-fold increase) in DLBCL males. Using computer-generated algorithms, dUTPase amino acid sequence alignments, and functional studies of BLLF3 mutants, we identified a putative amino acid motif involved with TLR2 interaction. These findings suggest that the EBV-dUTPase: TLR2 interaction is a potential molecular target that could be used for developing novel therapeutics (small molecules/vaccines).
Featured Article: Multiple Comorbid Conditions, Sleep Quality and Duration, and Academic Performance in Urban Children With Asthma.

Objective Common comorbid medical conditions including allergic rhinitis (AR), obesity, and sleep disordered breathing (SDB) have been linked with asthma exacerbations; however, these conditions also impact sleep and academic functioning. The current study sought to examine unique and combined associations of these common comorbidities on sleep and academic performance among urban minority children with persistent asthma. We expected additional comorbid diagnoses would be associated with poorer sleep and academic functioning. Method Urban children 7-9 years old (n = 249) with persistent asthma from African American, Latino, and non-Latino White backgrounds participated in this cross-sectional study. Asthma and AR were assessed using guidelines-based approaches. Overweight/obesity was assessed using body mass index and parents reported on SDB risk. Sleep quality (sleep efficiency) and sleep duration were assessed via 4 weeks of actigraphy. A cumulative risk index (CRI) score of asthma-related comorbidities (i.e., number of comorbidities for which each child met criteria) was calculated. Results Comorbid conditions were prevalent (AR, 85%; overweight/obese, 39%; SDB risk, 44%). Lower SDB risk and better AR control were both associated with fewer school absences. A higher CRI score was associated with shorter sleep duration and more absences. For children with 1 comorbid condition, better lung function was associated with better sleep efficiency. Conclusion Findings suggest increased risk of shorter sleep and more frequent school absences among urban minority children with asthma and more comorbid conditions. Assessment and treatment of this high-risk group must consider how comorbid conditions exacerbate children's asthma and may affect sleep and daytime functioning.
HOT ELECTRON DIFFUSION NOISE ASSOCIATED WITH INTERVALLEY SCATTERING IN SHORT GaAs DEVICES

The velocity fluctuation noise of a low impedance, 1.1 μm N + N − N + GaAs device is measured as a function of applied bias voltage employing a tuned step-up transformer. The experimental results are expressed in terms of the electron mobility and diffusion coefficient, and agree with Monte Carlo simulation data.
Three-dimensional Contour Projections from Objective Functions

Parameter estimates in statistical models are often determined as those values that optimize an objective function. In these cases a set of “reasonable” parameter values is usually defined as the region bounded by a contour of the objective function. Confidence, likelihood, and Bayesian highest posterior density regions are all examples of this. In practice it is very difficult to examine such regions, especially when there are more than a couple parameters. Bates and Watts ([2], Appendix 6) described a method for interpolating two-dimensional projections of such contours from the values of the profiled objective function and the profile trace. Here we extend this method to produce three-dimensional projections of the contours from that information.
Evaluating and Rejecting True Mediation Models: A Cautionary Note

This research note describes an overlooked problem in understanding whether a given variable in a model truly acts as a mediator between some exogenous variable(s) and some final dependent factor. Demonstrations of mediation and the rules for identifying have relied on simple 3-variable models with an explicit direct effects alternative model as the competing explanation. Incorporating a 4th variable demonstrates that it is quite simple to reject mediation when a true form of mediation exists. In the presence of an unobserved relation, correlated error, between mediator variable and outcome variable, the 3-variable model will consistently show direct effects when, in fact, there is no direct effect of the exogenous variable. Applying well-established rules to test for mediation in this circumstance cannot distinguish a model in which pure mediation is rejected from a model in which true mediation is correct. This poses a fundamental problem for the typical assessment of mediation offered by the Baron and Kenny procedures.
Combination therapy with TACE + ablation versus TACE + SBRT for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC): Comparative analysis with propensity score-weighted cohorts.

443Background: To assess the relative efficacy and toxicity associated with TACE+Ablation (Ablation) or TACE+SBRT (SBRT) in a large cohort of patients with unresectable HCC. Methods: Patients with ...
Reaction, Resilience, and the Trumpist Behemoth: Environmental Risk Management from “Hoax” to Technique of Domination

The election of Donald Trump to the U.S. presidency has led to significant changes in environmental governance, unleashing an authoritarian, nationalistic, and business-deregulating juggernaut aime...
Collapse of Reacted Fracture Surface Decreases Permeability and Frictional Strength

Five 3D X-ray computed tomography images of Eagle Ford shale rock coupon pairs, one for each condition shown in Figure 3 in the related publication. Details of the data in this part are presented in README.txt. For more information about the experiments and methodology, please refer to related publication.