cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Construal Level Shapes Associations Between Political Conservatism and Reactions to Male Same-Sex Intimacy

Abstract. This research examined how construal level and the salience of moral values affect relationships between political ideology and moral reactions to same-sex issues. In Study 1 (N = 170), political conservatism was a stronger predictor of moral reactions to physical intimacy between a male same-sex couple (vs. an opposite-sex couple). However, this was only true among participants induced to adopt an abstract (vs. concrete) construal level. Study 2 (N = 152) found political conservatism was a stronger predictor of moral negativity to physical intimacy between men when the idea of moral purity (vs. fairness) was made salient. However, this effect only occurred among participants induced to adopt an abstract (vs. concrete) level of mental construal. The implications of this research for better understanding when social-cognitive factors interact with political ideology to influence moral reactions toward same-sex social policy issues are discussed.
Non-linear dielectric signatures of entropy changes in liquids subject to time dependent electric fields

A model of non-linear dielectric polarization is studied in which the field induced entropy change is the source of polarization dependent retardation time constants. Numerical solutions for the susceptibilities of the system are obtained for parameters that represent the dynamic and thermodynamic behavior of glycerol. The calculations for high amplitude sinusoidal fields show a significant enhancement of the steady state loss for frequencies below that of the low field loss peak. Also at relatively low frequencies, the third harmonic susceptibility spectrum shows a "hump," i.e., a maximum, with an amplitude that increases with decreasing temperature. Both of these non-linear effects are consistent with experimental evidence. While such features have been used to conclude on a temperature dependent number of dynamically correlated particles, Ncorr, the present result demonstrates that the third harmonic susceptibility display a peak with an amplitude that tracks the variation of the activation energy in a model that does not involve dynamical correlations or spatial scales.
Leukocyte Subset Changes in Response to a 164-km Road Cycle Ride in a Hot Environment

The purpose of this observational study was to determine the circulating leukocyte subset response to completing the 2013 Hotter'N Hell Hundred recreational 164-km road cycle event in a hot and humid environmental condition. Twenty-eight men and four women were included in this study. Whole blood samples were obtained 1-2 hours before (PRE) and immediately after (POST) the event. Electronic sizing/sorting and cytometry were used to determine complete blood counts (CBC) including neutrophil, monocyte, and lymphocyte subsets. The concentration of circulating total leukocytes (103·μL-1) increased 134% from PRE to POST with the greatest increase in neutrophils (319%, p<0.0001). Circulating monocytes (including macrophages) increased 24% (p=0.004) and circulating lymphocytes including B and T cells increased 53% (p<0.0001). No association was observed between rolling time or relative intensity and leukocyte subset. Completing the Hotter n' Hell Hundred (HHH), a 100 mile recreational cycling race in extreme (hot and humid) environmental conditions, induces a substantial increase in total leukocytes in circulation. The contribution of increases in specific immune cell subsets is not equal, with neutrophils increasing to greater than 4-fold starting values from PRE to POST race. It is likely that exercise in stressful environmental conditions affects the complement of circulating immune cells, although activational state and characterization of specific leukocyte subsets remains unclear. The observed increase in circulating cell sub-populations suggests that the circulating immune surveillance system may be acutely affected by exercise in hot and humid conditions.
Studies on Host Selection and Host Specificity of the Aphid Hyperparasite Charips victrix (Hymenoptera: Cynipidae). 2. the Bionomics of Charips victrix

The bionomics of Charips victrix (Westwood) when associated with the primary parasites Aphidius smithi Sharma & Subba Rao and Trioxys complanatus Quilis have been examined. This investigation indicates that all developmental stages of A. smithi which occur in nonmummified aphids are attacked. However, only the larval stages are suitable hosts for the development of C. victrix progeny. Several aspects of the development of C. victrix in this host differ from those previously described. Although the development of C. victrix described from T. complanatus is similar to that from A. smithi , the following differences were noted: (1) a few eggs were deposited in the haemocoels of several parasitized and one unparasitized aphid(s), (2) these eggs failed to develop, and (3) T. complanatus embryos were not attacked. Behavioral responses of the spotted alfalfa aphid to C. victrix attacks tend to restrict the ability of the latter to parasitize C. complanatus . A somewhat different behavioral response is observed when the pea aphid is attacked by C. victrix . Both parasitized and unparasitized aphids are investigated by C. victrix females.
Atomic Layer Deposition for Improved Stability of Catalysts for the Conversion of Biomass to Chemicals and Fuels

Atomic layer deposition (ALD) has been used to coat SBA-15 and functionalized SBA-15 with various metal oxides. Use of SBA-15 coated with 4-10 ALD cycles of titania, alumina, niobia, or zirconia in the acid-catalyzed dehydration of fructose to 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) resulted in 24-57% conversion, with 0-22% selectivity, at 130 °C with 2 wt % fructose in 4:1 THF:H 2 O. Propylsulfonic acid functionalized SBA-15 (SBA-15-PrSO 3 H) had a 25% conversion and 48% selectivity for HMF under the same conditions. SBA-15-PrSO 3 H was also coated with 2 ALD cycles of titania followed by 8 ALD cycles silica. The deactivation rate constant for SBA-15-PrSO 3 H was 2.7 x 10 -2 h -1 for the dehydration of fructose to HMF in a flow reactor at 130 °C with a feed of 2 wt % fructose in 4:1 THF:H 2 O. In comparison, the deactivation rate constant for the ALD coated SBA-15-PrSO 3 H-ALD was 7.9 x 10 -3 h -1 .
FcγR gene copy number in Kawasaki disease and intravenous immunoglobulin treatment response.

Objective Kawasaki disease (KD), response to intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) therapy, and associated coronary artery disease progression have been associated with genetic polymorphisms in Fc gamma receptor (FcγR) genes. However, it is not known whether the existing gene copy number (GCN) variability relates to KD treatment response, susceptibility, or associated sequelae. Methods The copy number of individuals with KD (n=510) and their family members (n=808) for three variable FcγRs was assessed using pyrosequencing. We performed the transmission disequilibrium test to examine the association of GCN for FcγRs (FcγR2C, FcγR3A, and FcγR3B) with susceptibility and used logistic regression models to determine its association with IVIG treatment outcomes. Results FcγR2C and FcγR3B GCN were significantly associated with KD susceptibility. IVIG response was associated with GCN variations of FcγR3B in Whites and FcγR2C in Hispanics, and gene risk score based on single nucleotide polymorphism and GCN in FcγRs were significantly different between IVIG responders and nonresponders among Whites. We found no significant associations between coronary artery disease and any of the FcγR copy numbers. Conclusion GCN of FcγR2C and FcγR3B influences IVIG treatment response and predisposes individuals to KD, providing potential insights into understanding the mechanism of the FcγR gene family in the IVIG pathway.
Epidemiological analysis of hand-foot-mouth disease in Chongqing in 2010

Objective To analyze the epidemiological characteristics of hand-foot-mouth disease(HFMD) in Chongqing in 2010,and provide a scientific basis for the prevention and treatment of HFMD.Methods The data from "disease surveillance and information management report system" were downloaded.The epidemiological features were described;surveillance data of Hand-foot-mouth disease were collected;the clinical chacteristics and laboratory results of death cases in Chongqing were analyzed.Results There were 19 970 cases in 2010.42 cases were serious and 26 cases of death.The incidence was 69.85/10 million,and the mortality was 0.091/10 million.The incidence reached the peak during the period from April to May.The incidence in major districts was higher than in remote regions.The sporadic children between the age of 1 year to 3 years were high risk susceptible population,but the male children from birth to 3 years were susceptible for death.The major clinical manifestations were high fever,rushes on the hand and foot,accompanied by varying degrees of symptoms of nervous,respiratory,circulatory and digestive systems.Clusters of case occurred mostly in school and kindergardens.The positive rate of fluoresence PCR was 63.26%.The mild cases were mostly caused by Cox A16 virus,however,all the dead ones were caused by EV71.The isolation rate was 24.30%.Conclusion The key ponit of preventing and controlling Hand-foot-mouth disease should be focus on the finding of serious cases in time,strenthening the clinical treatment and reducing the number of death case.
Mandarin tone error detection

Mandarin is a tonal language.Syllables having the same initials and finals,yet different tones may carry rather different meanings.When someone learns Mandarin,pronunciation of the tone is one of the most difficult parts.Therefore,computer assistant language learning systems need to accurately detect tone errors in speech.This paper describes a context dependent tone model to capture the variations of tones in different contexts with a Kullback-Leibler divergence(KLD) to relate an expected tone model for a speech segment with the most fitting tone model as a measure of the correctness of the tone pronunciation.The results show that the method achieves a 6.7% false acceptance rate when the false alarm rate is equal to the false accept rate.
The effect of Castanospermine on the metastatic properties of prostate cancer cells

Background Most deaths from prostate cancer result from the metastatic spread of the disease. Castanospermine has been shown to inhibit tumor growth and metastasis in mouse and rat models. We hypothesized that castanospermine might inhibit metastasis in the Dunning model of rat prostate adenocarcinoma by interfering with the metastatic properties of tumor cells. Materials and methods We examined the cytotoxicity of castanospermine toward the metastatic MAT-LyLu and nonmetastatic AT. 1 cell lines and its effects on cell motility and adhesion to endothelial cells. We assessed castanospermine's effects on in vivo metastasis in Copenhagen rats. Results Castanospermine was not cytotoxic toward the MAT-LyLu and AT. 1 cell lines at concentrations through 10 micrograms/mL, nor did it significantly affect cell motility, adhesion to endothelial cells, or in vivo metastasis. Conclusions Within the Dunning model, castanospermine did not appear to significantly affect cell characteristics related to metastatic potential.
Integrated DNA Methylation and Chromatin Structural Analysis at Single-Molecule Resolution

Chromatin limits the accessibility of DNA to trans-acting factors in transcription, replication, and repair. Although transcriptional variation between cells in a population may contribute to survival and disease, most assays of chromatin structure recover only population averages. We have developed DNA methyltransferases (MTases) as probing agents of DNA accessibility in chromatin, either expressed in vivo in budding yeast or as recombinant enzymatic probes of nuclei isolated from mammalian cells. In this chapter, we focus on the use of recombinant MTase (M) M.CviPI to probe chromatin accessibility in nuclei isolated from mammalian cell lines and animal tissue. This technique, named methylation accessibility protocol for individual templates (MAPit), reports protein-DNA interactions at single-molecule resolution. The single-molecule readout allows identification of chromatin subpopulations and rare epigenetic variants within a cell population. Furthermore, the use of M.CviPI in mammalian systems gives a comprehensive view of both chromatin structure and endogenous DNA methylation in a single assay.
Design of Competent Genetic Algorithms

The good news of the last chapter was that mixing or exchange behavior can be understood in quantitative terms. The bad news was that simple selectorecombinative GAs scale poorly on hard problems, largely the result of their inadequate mixing behavior. of course, this does not say that simple GAs are not useful; nor does it invalidate the success that many have had in using simple GAs to solve problems that are difficult to approach by other means. Moreover, the class of nearly decomposable problems with unknown decomposition is difficult to crack by any computational method. But the results presented in the last chapter do go a long way toward explaining the observed fiddling and twiddling with codings and operators that have long been a staple of practical GA application. It also makes us wonder whether it is possible to design what we have called competent GAs—GAs that solve boundedly difficulty problems quickly, reliably, and accurately without the need for problemspecific codings, operators, or other forms of human intervention.
Development and Application of a Sensitive Peptide Reporter to Discover 20S Proteasome Stimulators

To attenuate an overabundance of cellular protein, it has been hypothesized that the 20S core particle (20S CP) of the proteasome can be chemically stimulated to degrade proteins into nontoxic peptides more quickly. Screening for small molecule 20S CP stimulators is typically performed with a reporter peptide composed of four amino acids and a coumarin group that is released upon proteasome-mediated hydrolysis to generate a fluorescent signal. Screening with this small reporter can lead to false negatives because the reporter peptide is rapidly turned-over without stimulation. To improve the screening for 20S CP stimulators, we have developed a peptide FRET reporter nearly four times more sensitive to stimulation but still amenable for high throughput screening. Through application of our FRET reporter, we have discovered two 20S CP gate-opening stimulators and also a molecule that elicits its mechanism of action through an interaction with a 20S CP active site.
“Recovering” public space and race: Afro-Colombian street vendors in Bogotá, Colombia:

Bogota, Colombia is one of the largest migrant-receiving cities in the Americas, and in the last two decades, the city has received an influx of over one million people displaced by internal violen...
Wireless Propagation of Optical Coded Pulse Streams Through Turbid Media

Experiments on time-resolved photon transmission through polystyrene scattering solutions were performed. Time-resolved polarization measurements were used to extract coded information buried within the multiple-scattered pulse profile from the early ballistic and snake components passing through a turbid medium. This method has the potential to improve optical wireless communication in a cloudy environment.
Association between furosemide in premature infants and sensorineural hearing loss and nephrocalcinosis: a systematic review

Furosemide is a potent loop diuretic commonly and variably used by neonatologists to improve oxygenation and lung compliance in premature infants. There are several safety concerns with use of furosemide in premature infants, specifically the risk of sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL), and nephrocalcinosis/nephrolithiasis (NC/NL). We conducted a systematic review of all trials and observational studies examining the association between these outcomes with exposure to furosemide in premature infants. We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, and clinicaltrials.gov . We included studies reporting either SNHL or NC/NL in premature infants (< 37 weeks completed gestational age) who received at least one dose of enteral or intravenous furosemide. Thirty-two studies met full inclusion criteria for the review, including 12 studies examining SNHL and 20 studies examining NC/NL. Only one randomized controlled trial was identified in this review. We found no evidence that furosemide exposure increases the risk of SNHL or NC/NL in premature infants, with varying quality of studies and found the strength of evidence for both outcomes to be low. The most common limitation in these studies was the lack of control for confounding factors. The evidence for the risk of SNHL and NC/NL in premature infants exposed to furosemide is low. Further randomized controlled trials of furosemide in premature infants are urgently needed to adequately assess the risk of SNHL and NC/NL, provide evidence for improved FDA labeling, and promote safer prescribing practices.
Understanding greed as a unified construct

Abstract The concept of greed is a popular topic since the economic crisis of 2008. Much of the psychological research relating to greed aligns greed as a situation-specific trait as opposed to a dispositional trait. Thus, there is a need to enhance our understanding of greed as a disposition and explore individual differences that may influence behavior. Since individuals conceptualize greed in various ways, there is a lack in understanding of the construct. We propose a unified definition of greed and outline the extant research on dispositional greed, focusing on existing greed assessments. Considering our working definition of greed, we advocate that there is a need for future research to enhance definitional clarity, including the development of an additional greed assessment that more accurately encapsulates this complex construct.
TGIF transcription factors repress acetyl CoA metabolic gene expression and promote intestinal tumor growth

Tgif1 (thymine-guanine-interacting factor 1) and Tgif2 repress gene expression by binding directly to DNA or interacting with transforming growth factor (TGF) β-responsive SMADs. Tgifs are essential for embryogenesis and may function in tumor progression. By analyzing both gain and loss of Tgif function in a well-established mouse model of intestinal cancer, we show that Tgifs promote adenoma growth in the context of mutant Apc (adenomatous polyposis coli). Despite the tumor-suppressive role of TGFβ signaling, transcriptome profiling of colon tumors suggests minimal effect of Tgifs on the TGFβ pathway. Instead, it appears that Tgifs, which are up-regulated in Apc mutant colon tumors, contribute to reprogramming metabolic gene expression. Integrating gene expression data from colon tumors with other gene expression and chromatin-binding data identifies a set of direct Tgif target genes encoding proteins involved in acetyl CoA and pyruvate metabolism. Analysis of both tumor and nontumor tissues indicates that these genes are targets of Tgif repression in multiple settings, suggesting that this is a core Tgif function. We propose that Tgifs play an important role in regulating basic energy metabolism in normal cells, and that this function of Tgifs is amplified in some cancers.
Not All Library Analytics are Created Equal: LibAnswers to the Rescue!

AbstractThe reasons for implementing and the advantages of switching to the Reference Analytics system, a part of the Springshare LibAnswers platform, for collecting reference statistics at a three-campus university library are described. The benefits of using this web-based product are highlighted based on the comparison with the previously used analytical tools and the annual statistical data. Transitioning to Reference Analytics allowed librarians to take advantage of such features, as seamless access to reference transactions, easy customization, cross-tabulation, and data visualization, proving beneficial for overall library reference services.
Cardiorespiratory responses during aquatic treadmill exercise and land treadmill exercise in older adults with type 2 diabetes.

BACKGROUND The purpose of this study was to compare the effect of aquatic treadmill exercise (ATM) to land treadmill exercise (LTM) in adults with and without type 2 diabetes (T2D). METHODS Five participants with T2D (4 females, 1 male; age=51±3 years; height=170±3 cm; weight=96±11 kg; body fat=32±1%) and five participants without T2D (4 females, 1 male; age=51±3 years; height=170±3 cm; weight=71±15 kg; body fat=27±2%) completed the study. Participants completed three, 5-minute stages of exercise at 3.2 km/h, 4.8 km/h and 6.4 km/h with 0% grade on land and aquatic treadmills. Heart rate (HR), systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP and DBP), absolute and relative oxygen consumption (VO2), and energy expenditure were measured at rest and during steady-state exercise at each intensity. A 2x2x4 Mixed Factorial ANOVA and Bonferroni post-hoc test with a significance level of 0.05 was used. RESULTS All variables increased as speed increased (P<0.05) independent of group or mode. The HR value was higher on the LTM versus the ATM independent of group and treadmill stage (P=0.002) and SBP was higher in the T2D group versus no T2D independent of treadmill mode and stage (P=0.01). Relative VO2 was higher in the group without T2D compared to the T2D group at 6.4 km/h independent of treadmill mode (P=0.032). CONCLUSIONS Although there is some evidence for the varying effects of aquatic and land exercise when comparing those with and without T2D, cardiorespiratory and metabolic variables are similar in both groups during locomotion on land and in an aquatic environment.
Sleep disturbance and physiological regulation among young adults with prior depression.

Abstract Sleep disturbance and respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA) are well-known to be independently associated with depression. Yet, it remains unclear how sleep disturbance and impaired physiological regulation (indexed by RSA) may synergistically contribute to depression risk. The current study examined the relationship between sleep disturbance (duration, insomnia) on daily depressive symptoms, and whether RSA moderated this relationship in a sample of young adults with a history of depression. To examine hypotheses, participants (N = 102, ages 18–22) completed a laboratory socio-evaluative stressor task to assess RSA at rest and reactivity. Participants then completed daily measures of sleep duration, insomnia symptoms, and depressive symptoms for two weeks. For main effects, multilevel modeling indicated that shorter overall sleep duration (but not insomnia) predicted higher depressive symptoms, and individual fluctuations in insomnia symptoms (but not sleep duration) predicted higher levels of next-day depressive symptoms. Lower resting RSA, but not reactivity, potentiated these relationships. Individual differences in sleep disturbance (duration and insomnia) predicted prospective levels of depressive symptoms among individuals with lower physiological regulation (indexed by lower RSA), who were particularly vulnerable to the daily effects of sleep disturbance on depressed mood. These results suggest the need to examine both daily sleep disturbance and physiological regulation to understand who may be at greatest risk for depression.
ICI-Induced Intramolecular Electrophilic Cyclization of 1-[4′-Methoxy(1,1′-biphenyl)2-yl]alkynones. A Facile Approach to Spiroconjugated Molecules.

The synthesis of the title compounds is described by an electrophilic ICl induced cyclization.
Four nights of sleep restriction suppress the postprandial lipemic response and decrease satiety

Chronic sleep restriction, or inadequate sleep, is associated with increased risk of cardiometabolic disease. Laboratory studies demonstrate that sleep restriction causes impaired whole-body insulin sensitivity and glucose disposal. Evidence suggests that inadequate sleep also impairs adipose tissue insulin sensitivity and the NEFA rebound during intravenous glucose tolerance tests, yet no studies have examined the effects of sleep restriction on high-fat meal lipemia. We assessed the effect of 5 h time in bed (TIB) per night for four consecutive nights on postprandial lipemia following a standardized high-fat dinner (HFD). Furthermore, we assessed whether one night of recovery sleep (10 h TIB) was sufficient to restore postprandial metabolism to baseline. We found that postprandial triglyceride (TG) area under the curve was suppressed by sleep restriction (P = 0.01), but returned to baseline values following one night of recovery. Sleep restriction decreased NEFAs throughout the HFD (P = 0.02) and NEFAs remained suppressed in the recovery condition (P = 0.04). Sleep restriction also decreased participant-reported fullness or satiety (P = 0.03), and decreased postprandial interleukin-6 (P < 0.01). Our findings indicate that four nights of 5 h TIB per night impair postprandial lipemia and that one night of recovery sleep may be adequate for recovery of TG metabolism, but not for markers of adipocyte function.
Early career faculty of color and promotion and tenure: the intersection of advancement in the academy and cultural taxation

This qualitative study examined how early career faculty of color in higher education departments of educational leadership and administration across the United States were able to manage the cultu...
Single Cell Transcriptomics Reveals Dysregulated Cellular and Molecular Networks in a Fragile X Syndrome model [preprint]

Abstract Despite advances in understanding the pathophysiology of Fragile X syndrome (FXS), its molecular bases are still poorly understood. Whole brain tissue expression profiles have proved surprisingly uninformative. We applied single cell RNA sequencing to profile a FXS mouse model. We found that FXS results in a highly cell type specific effect and it is strongest among different neuronal types. We detected a downregulation of mRNAs bound by FMRP and this effect is prominent in neurons. Metabolic pathways including translation are significantly upregulated across all cell types with the notable exception of excitatory neurons. These effects point to a potential difference in the activity of mTOR pathways, and together with other dysregulated pathways suggest an excitatory-inhibitory imbalance in the FXS cortex which is exacerbated by astrocytes. Our data demonstrate the cell-type specific complexity of FXS and provide a resource for interrogating the biological basis of this disorder.
Copula-based Markov zero-inflated count time series models with application

Count time series data with excess zeros are observed in several applied disciplines. When these zero-inflated counts are sequentially recorded, they might result in serial dependence. Ignoring the...
The effect of Bandura's self-efficacy concepts to improve diabetes self-management practices

Poor diabetes self-management practices may lead to the development of chronic kidney disease (CKD), which, if left untreated, can progress to end stage renal disease (ESRD). Type 2 diabetes mellit...
Review: Lanters, José. The theatre of Thomas Kilroy: no absolutes. Cork UP, 2018

For anyone studying contemporary theatre, Jose Lanters’ new book on Thomas Kilroy is essential. Lanters examines Kilroy’s writing and theatrical process for ten plays, positioning him as an Irish writer who blends global influences, works cooperatively with production teams, and is postmodern in thematic sensibility and experimental stylizing. She divides the study of these plays into three sections: “Nationalism and Identity,” “Gender and Sexuality,” and “Art and Mysticism.”
Death as Cataclysm or Catharsis: Yves Bonnefoy’s Douve

One of Bonnefoy’s best known poetic works, the 1953 Du mouvement et de l’immobilite de Douve, is also one of his most elusive, a complex piece presenting subtle juxtapositions of metaphysical inqui...
Prolgraf-B: A Knowledge-Based System for the Automated Construction of Nuclear Plant Diagnostic Models

Automated diagnosis of undesired operational transients in a nuclear power plant process has been an active subject of research for the last ten years. Examples of different approaches to the solution of this problem are the early research on Disturbance Analysis Systems (DASs) and the more recent developments in the area of Automated Emergency Operating Procedures (AEOPs).
Automated light-based motor mapping of multiple limb movements in mice using deep neural networks

Recent developments in optogenetics allow for quick and minimally-invasive methods of studying functional brain organization in animal models. DeepLabCut (DLC), a toolbox for markerless pose estimation, offers the ability to track user-defined features in 3-dimensions with human level accuracy. We demonstrate a hybrid method utilizing DLC and optogenetic motor mapping to localize the movements of multiple modalities to the mouse cortex. We outline a pipeline to map and characterize multiple motor representations in anesthetized and awake mice. Furthermore, we identify behaviorally-relevant motor movements of multiple limbs reside in overlapping cortical representations of the respective limbs.
Improving Physician Decision-Making and Patient Outcomes Using Analytics: ACase Study with the World’s Leading Knee Replacement Surgeon

Every year in the United States more than 300,000 knee replacements are performed. According to Time magazine, this number is expected to increase by 525% by the year 2030. Although knee surgeries are a highly effective treatment, patients are still prone to post-surgery complications which patients, physicians, and insurance companies all hope to minimize. In collaboration with one of the world’s leading knee replacement surgeons, we address this problem using their domain expertise with our analytics capabilities. We show how analysis of unstructured data with patient demographics, patient health data, and insurance codes can help better support the physicians in the diagnosis phase by assessing patient risk of developing complications or the risk of total knee replacement surgery failure. We identified the factors that led to successful knee surgeries (minimal complications and visits) by utilizing various classification algorithms such as random forest and logistic regression. We use these predictive models to provide a recommender system to support the interest of the patient, the hospital, and the insurance company, which helps find the right balance of post-operative patient success and total post-operative treatment costs to try and minimize the rate of relapse and additional physician visits. In the recent past, various studies have been carried out to predict outcomes of total knee replacement surgeries, but most if not all the studies have used similar parameters like pain score or functional score of knees to characterize surgeries as a failure or success. In our study, we have created a new parameter, based on three different conditions (number of post-op visits, direct complications from ICD codes for total knee replacement surgery complications, and whether a revision surgery has been carried out). We show that factors such as BMI, smoking, blood pressure, and age were statistically significant parameters for a surgery outcome. The surgeon performing the surgery was also a significant factor determining the outcome. This could be due to the different techniques used by different surgeons. Our model could save millions of dollars per year by detecting two-thirds of actual complications that would occur. We believe healthcare providers and consulting firms who are developing analytics-driven solutions for their clients in the healthcare industry will find our study novel and inspiring.
Generation of chlorine by-products in simulated wash water.

Abstract Free chlorine (FC) reacting with organic matter in wash water promotes the formation of chlorine by-products. This study aims to evaluate the dynamic impact of FC and organic load on the generation of haloacetic acids (HAAs) and trihalomethanes (THMs) in simulated wash water. Lettuce juice was sequentially added into FC solution with FC periodically replenished. Water samples were collected after each lettuce juice addition to measure water qualities and determine HAAs and THMs using US-Environmental-Protection-Agency (EPA) methods. Concentrations of 88–2103 μg/l of total HAAs and 20.79–859.47 μg/l of total THMs were detected during the study. Monobromoacetic, tribromoacetic, chlorodibromoacetic and trichloroacetic acid were the major HAAs components. Chloroform (trichloromethane) was the primary THMs present. A significant correlation of HAAs with chemical oxygen demand and THMs with FC was observed. Results indicated that optimizing wash water sanitizing systems to limit organic matters and maintain minimal effective FC concentration is critical.
Changes in the Plant Workweek from 1929 to 1976 and their Relation to Key Ratios

The average workweek of manufacturing plants increased from 1929 to 1976. Results for all manufacturing, given in table 4 on several bases, uniformly show increases. Two-digit industry results, given in the last column of table 5, show increases in most instances.1
Comparative analysis of infrared images degraded by lossy compression techniques

This work addresses image degradation introduced by lossy compression techniques and the effects of such degradation on signal detection statistics for applications in fast-framing (<100 Hz) IR image analysis. As future space systems make use of increasingly higher pixel count IR focal plane arrays, data generation rates are anticipated to become too copious for continuous download. The prevailing solution to this issue has been to compress image data prior to downlink. While this solution is application independent for lossless compression, the expected benefits of lossy compression, including higher compression ratio, necessitate several application specific trades in order to characterize preservation of critical information within the data. Current analyses via standard statistical image processing techniques following tunably lossy compression algorithms (JPEG2000, JPEG-LS) allow for detection statistics nearly identical to analyses following standard lossless compression techniques, such as Rice and PNG, even at degradation levels offering a greater than twofold increase in compression ratio. Ongoing efforts focus on repeating the analysis for other tunably lossy compression techniques while also assessing the relative computational burden of each algorithm. Current results suggest that lossy compression techniques can preserve critical information in fast-framing IR data while either significantly reducing downlink bandwidth requirements or significantly increasing the usable focal plane array window size.
Transport of Functionally Appropriate Tools by Capuchin Monkeys (Cebus apella)

Capuchin monkeys (Cebus sp.) are notable among New World monkeys for their widespread use of tools. Like chimpanzees, they use both hammer tools and insertion tools in the wild to acquire food that would be unobtainable otherwise. Recent evidence indicates that capuchins transport stones to anvil sites and use the most functionally efficient stones to crack nuts. We further investigated capuchins' assessment of functionality by testing their ability to select a tool that was appropriate for two different tool-use tasks: A stone for a hammer task and a stick for an insertion task. To select the appropriate tools, the monkeys investigated a baited tool-use apparatus (insertion or hammer), traveled to a location in their enclosure where they could no longer see the apparatus, made a selection between two tools (stick or stone), and then could transport the tool back to the apparatus to obtain a walnut. We incorporated tool transport and the lack of a visual cue into the design to assess willingness to transport the tools and the monkeys' memory for the proper tool. Six brown capuchins (Cebus apella) were first trained to select and use the appropriate tool for each apparatus. Four animals completed training and were then tested by allowing them to view a baited apparatus and then travel to a location 8 m distant where they could select a tool while out of view of the apparatus. All four monkeys chose the correct tool significantly more than expected and transported the tools back to the apparatus. Results confirm capuchins' propensity for transporting tools, demonstrate their capacity to select the functionally appropriate tool for two different tool-use tasks, and indicate that they can retain the memory of the correct choice during a travel time of several seconds.
Quantitative analysis of misplaced pedicle screws in the thoracic spine: how much pullout strength is lost?

Object The object of this study was to investigate the effects of iatrogenic pedicle perforations from screw misplacement on the mean pullout strength of thoracic pedicle screws. Methods Forty human thoracic vertebrae (T6–11) from human cadavers were studied. Before pedicle screws were inserted, the specimens were separated into 4 groups according to the type of screw used: 1) standard pedicle screw (no cortical perforation); 2) screw with medial cortical perforation; 3) screw with lateral cortical perforation; and 4) “airball” screw (a screw that completely missed the vertebral body). Consistency among the groups for bone mineral density, pedicle diameter, and screw insertion depth was evaluated. Finally, each screw was pulled out at a constant displacement rate of 10 mm/minute while ultimate strength was recorded. Results Compared with well-placed pedicle screws, medially misplaced screws had 8% greater mean pullout strength (p = 0.482) and laterally misplaced screws had 21% less mean pullout strength (...
A Rural Community Translation of a Dementia Caregiving Intervention

Purpose: This study explored the impact of the implementation of the GA REACH (Resources Enhancing Alzheimer’s Caregiver Health) a multicomponent, evidence-based, tailored intervention, in eleven rural counties in Georgia. Methods: Utilizing up to nine face-to-face (in the home) and three telephone sessions, tailored education and support was provided to 85 family caregivers over a six month period. A pre-post research design was utilized to measure the impact of the intervention. Data was collected on burden, depression, health and healthy behaviors, caregiving frustrations, social support, dementia-related behaviors, and plans for institutionalization. Paired sample T-tests were used to analyze the data. Results: From baseline to six months, caregivers reported significant (p< 0.05) decreased depression, decreased burden, improved caregiver health, and decreased behavioral problems of the care recipient. Caregivers expressed feeling empowered and more capable of addressing the needs of the care recipient. Conclusions: Findings in this study indicate that the GA REACH caregiver support program can sustain the rural caregiver and improve the care environment for the care recipient. Hope for the current overburdened health care system includes the incorporation of caregiver support programs and referral to such programs by nursing and other health care providers, especially as the need for family caregivers will increase along with the number of older adults. Keywords: rural; translation; caregiving; dementia; aging; evidence-based
Analysis of the static strength and relative endurance of women athletes.

Abstract Women athletes (N = 50), age 18 to 30 years, served as subjects for the study that investigated the relationship between static strength and relative endurance of the grip squeezing muscles. The relationship between maximal strength and endurance time was r = .00. A comparison of the endurance times of women athletes with previously reported scores for college-age males revealed that the mean endurance time for women athletes was significantly greater than that for men. These results were discussed in light of evidence that suggests possible sex differences in muscle hypertrophy, capillarization of muscle tissue, critical occluding tension level, and intramuscular occlusion.
The effects of intraduodenal nutrient infusion on serum CCK, LES pressure, and gastroesophageal reflux

Background Fats cause reflux symptoms in many patients and cholecystokinin (CCK) may play a role. This study was designed to evaluate the effects of intraduodenal nutrient infusion on serum CCK levels, lower esophageal sphincter (LES) pressure, and gastroesophageal reflux (GER). Methods Twenty-four asymptomatic volunteers were studied. A Dent sleeve catheter assessed LES function while an impedance-pH catheter measured reflux events. Participants were randomized to fat (F), carbohydrate (C) or protein (P) infusion. Serum CCK and LES pressures were measured at baseline and after nutrient infusion. Key Results Baseline LES pressures and CCK levels were similar in all three groups. A significant linear decrease was found in LES pressure during F, but not C or P, infusion (P = 0.004). A significant interaction effect was noted between the infusion groups and CCK levels (P = 0.002). A significant linear increase was noted in CCK levels during F but not during C or P infusion (P = 0.02). A significant inverse correlation was found between CCK levels and LES pressure (ρ = −0.43; P = 0.04). Esophageal acid exposure was significantly increased in the F infusion group (median; interquartile range: 1.10%; 0.25–4.7%) compared to both the C (0.03%; 0.00–0.39%) and P infusion (0.03%; 0.00–0.39%) groups (P = 0.04). Conclusions & Inferences Intraduodenal F infusion was associated with an increase in CCK levels, while P and C were not. LES pressure decreased significantly after fat infusion and reflux events were more frequent. Fat-induced CCK release is another mechanism that contributes to GER.
Enhancing efficiency of electroluminescence using individual metal nanoparticles and ordered nanoparticle arrays

We apply the ldquoeffective mode volumerdquo theory to evaluate the enhancement of the efficiency of electroluminescence of the semiconductor placed in the vicinity of isolated metal nanoparticles and their arrays and show that using random assembly of isolated particles holds an advantage over the ordered arrays.
The Syntax of Adjuncts

Acknowledgements 1. Introduction 2. The semantics of predicational adverbs 3. The scopal basis of adverb licensing 4. Arguments for right-adjunction 5. Noncanonical orders and the structure of VP 6. Event-internal adjuncts 7. Adjunct licensing in the auxrange 8. Adjuncts in clause-initial projections 9. Conclusions and prospects Notes References Indexes.
US adults recommended for weight reduction by 1998 and 2013 obesity guidelines, NHANES 2007-2012.

Objective To determine the number and proportion of American adults recommended for weight loss treatment under the 1998 and 2013 guidelines on the management of overweight and obesity in adults and to compare characteristics of individuals recommended for treatment. Methods A total of 6,692 adult, non-pregnant participants in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2007-2012 with complete data on demographics, anthropometrics, and biomedical measures were analyzed. Results Compared to the 1998 guidelines, the 2013 guidelines increased the number of adults recommended for weight loss treatment by 20.9% from 116.0 million to 140.2 million, making 64.5% of non-pregnant, non-institutionalized US adults candidates for treatment. The new guidelines recommended treatment for a larger proportion of those overweight, having only one risk factor, or having a large waist circumference. Up to 53.4% of adults could be considered for pharmacologic therapy in addition to lifestyle therapy, and up to 14.7% could be considered for bariatric surgery. Conclusions The 2013 guidelines increased the number of adults to be treated with weight loss by 24.2 million, with the increases spread across groups that differ in socio demographic characteristics.
The Complexity of Stellar Death

The death of a small star--such as our sun--was long believed to be accompanied by formation of a smoothly expanding nebula. Now, dozens of spectacular images of planetary and protoplanetary nebulae provided by Hubble Space Telescope have revealed morphological aspects completely unsuspected before. The newly found complexity represents a challenge for researchers trying to understand the mechanisms of stellar death.
A monolithic integrated array of out-of-plane hot-wire flow sensors and demonstration of boundary-layer flow imaging

We report the development of an out of plane hot wire flow sensor array fabricated using robust three dimensional assembly. The sensor is monolithically integrated with a commercial JFET operational amplifier and operates in constant temperature mode. Output response to airflow has been measured and we have applied the hot wire anemometer array for flow imaging.
Multimegajoule Pulsed Power Generation from a Reusable Compressed Magnetic Field Device

A pulsed power system is described which is potentially capable of producing multimegajoule pulses with millisecond rise time and repetition rates of more than one per second. A metallic piston is driven by gas combustion through axially aligned coils which are originally energized with relatively small magnetic energy. Experimental results are presented for a pulse generator of this kind which utilized a piston of 20 MJ kinetic energy, and comparison is made with predictions of a numerical model.
Eligibility for palivizumab prophylaxis in a cohort of children with severe bronchiolitis

In 2014, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) updated their recommendations for palivizumab prophylaxis for children who are at high risk for severe respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection. To investigate the potential impact of the more restrictive 2014 criteria on the eligibility for palivizumab prophylaxis, we applied the 2012 and 2014 AAP recommendations for palivizumab prophylaxis to a multicenter cohort of 2207 US children hospitalized for bronchiolitis. According to the 2012 AAP recommendations, 215 children (9.7%) were eligible for palivizumab prophylaxis, while 140 children (6.3%) would have been eligible based on the 2014 updated recommendations (34.9% relative decrease; 95%CI: 28.5-41.7%). The decrease was largely driven by the restriction of eligibility to preterm infants with gestational age <29 weeks. Further development of and refinement of cost-effective approaches for the prevention of severe RSV infection are needed.
Two Conceptions of Irreversible Environmental Harm

The concept of "irreversibility" plays a large role in the theory and practice of environmental protection. Indeed, the concept is explicit in some statements of the Precautionary Principle. But the idea of irreversibility remains poorly defined. Because time is linear, any loss is, in a sense, irreversible. On one approach, drawn from environmental economics, irreversibility might be understood as a reference to the value associated with taking precautionary steps that maintain flexibility for an uncertain future ("option value"). On another approach, drawn from environmental ethics, irreversibility might be understood to refer to the qualitatively distinctive nature of certain environmental harms - a point that raises a claim about incommensurability. The two conceptions fit different problems. For example, the idea of option value best fits the problem of climate change; the idea of qualitatively distinctive harms best fits the problem of extinction of endangered species. These ideas can be applied to a wide assortment of environmental problems.