cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Increase of temperature and crystallinity during electrical switching in microcrystalline silicon

We investigate electrical stressing and switching in hydrogenated microcrystalline silicon (µc-Si:H) by thermal, and optical and electrical measurements of Cr/µc-Si:H/metal thin-film structures. Boron-doped microcrystalline Si films of 30-50 nm thick are deposited by hotwire chemical vapor deposition (HWCVD) on Cr-coated glass at 160°C and contacted with Ag or Al. Switching in devices of size 5 to 30 µm is stimulated by a current-ramp from 10 nA to 50 mA. We find that the voltage across the µc-Si:H devices initially increases logarithmically with current, then saturates at 2~3 V, and finally drops to a low value of 1 to 1.5 V. This drop indicates a permanent decrease of device resistance to below 1 kΩ. During current stressing, the surface temperature increases with the bias current, and the surface reflectivity changes. After switching, a small increase in crystalline fraction can be observed by micro-Raman scattering measurements. The observations suggest electrothermal processes which cause changes in microstructure of the µc-Si bulk during current stress.
Enzyme immobilization to ultra‐fine cellulose fibers via amphiphilic polyethylene glycol spacers

Ultra-high specific surface cellulose fibers with an average diameter of 500 nm were generated from electrospinning and alkaline hydrolysis of cellulose acetate and used as porous supports for enzyme immobilization. The cellulose fiber surfaces were reacted with polyethylene glycol (PEG) diacylchloride to simultaneously add amphiphilic spacers and reactive end groups for coupling with a lipase enzyme. The quantity of reactive carboxylic acid on the fiber surfaces could be readily controlled by COCl/OH molar ratios and PEG lengths. The highest free acid (COOH) content of 1.0 mmol per gram of cellulose was obtained at 10 COCl/OH ratio with the 600-Da PEG diacylchloride. Enzyme coupling on such PEG-attached cellulose was optimal in the presence of a water-soluble carbodiimide [1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl) carbodiimide (EDC)] at a very low EDC/COOH molar ratio of 0.2 under acidic condition and at ambient temperature. Whereas the free lipase retained only 25% of its original activity, the fiber-bound lipase possessed much superior retention of catalytic activity after exposure to cyclohexane (81%) and toluene (62%) and hexane (34%). The fiber-bound lipase also exhibited significantly higher catalytic activity at elevated temperatures than the free form, that is, 10 times at 70 °C. The ultra-fine, fibrous, and porous structures were retained throughout alkaline hydrolysis, activation, coupling, and activity assays. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 42: 4289–4299, 2004
Clinical Isolation and Resistance Patterns of and Superinfection with 10 Nosocomial Pathogens after Treatment with Ceftriaxone versus Ampicillin-Sulbactam

Isolation of pathogens from clinical cultures and their resistance patterns may be altered by antecedent antibiotic treatment. The objective of this study was to assess the influence of treatment with ceftriaxone versus that with ampicillin-sulbactam on recovery and superinfections with 10 nosocomial pathogens. The study was designed as a historical cohort study, using a propensity score to adjust for confounding by indication and multivariate survival analyses to adjust for other confounding. Two thousand four hundred forty-five patients were treated with ampicillin-sulbactam, and 1, 308 were treated with ceftriaxone. The study analyzed two outcomes: (i) recovery of pathogens from clinical cultures and (ii) microbiologically documented infections. Data were obtained from administrative, pharmacy, clinical, and laboratory databases and by chart extraction. Following treatment, new isolation of at least 1 of the 10 target pathogens occurred for 244 patients. After adjustment, more infections occurred in the ampicillin-sulbactam group (hazard ratio [HR], 1.55; P = 0.009). This was observed with all gram-negative rods combined (HR, 3.6; P < 0.001) and with each genus of the family Enterobacteriaceae. No differences in isolation of gram-positive bacteria were evident (P = 0.33). Microbiologically documented superinfections occurred in 172 patients and were less frequent in the ceftriaxone group (3.8% versus 5%; HR, 1.6; P = 0. 015). All the Escherichia coli and Klebsiella spp. isolates were susceptible to ceftriaxone, but half were resistant to ampicillin-sulbactam. The prevalence of oxacillin resistance among Staphylococcus aureus isolates was higher in the ceftriaxone group (63% versus 31%; odds ratio, 3.8; P = 0.08). Differences in the rates of superinfections and the likely causative organisms following treatment with ceftriaxone or ampicillin-sulbactam were evident. This may guide clinicians in empirical choices of antibiotics to treat superinfection.
Using Concept Maps in a Modified Team-Based Learning Exercise

ABSTRACT Medical school education has traditionally been driven by single discipline teaching and assessment. Newer medical school curricula often implement an organ-based approach that fosters integration of basic science and clinical disciplines. Concept maps are widely used in education. Through diagrammatic depiction of a variety of concepts and their specific connections with other ideas, concept maps provide a unique perspective into learning and performance that can complement other assessment methods commonly used in medical schools. In this innovation, we describe using concepts maps as a vehicle for a modified a classic Team-Based Learning (TBL) exercise. Modifications to traditional TBL in our innovation included replacing an individual assessment using multiple-choice questions with concept maps as well as combining the group assessment and application exercise whereby teams created concept maps. These modifications were made to further assess understanding of content across the Fundamentals m...
The status and conservation of the Chacoan peccary in Paraguay

The Chacoan peccary Catagonus wagneri is endemic to the dry thorn forest of the Gran Chaco of Paraguay, Argentina and Bolivia. Since its discovery by scientists in the 1970s its population has declined due to overhunting, habitat destruction, and possibly disease. As of 1989 about 5000 individuals are estimated to survive in the Paraguayan Chaco. Small dispersed populations still exist in Argentina and Bolivia, but more information is needed on the status of this species in those two countries. In Paraguay, Chacoan peccaries have almost disappeared from the two national parks within their range and the only significant population exists in an area where there are no reserves. The survival of this species depends on enforcing regulations against hunting both within and outside the national parks, translocating animals to the parks, establishing a system of reserves on private land in critical areas, training of Paraguayan wildlife professionals, and environmental education.
A telemedicine program for diagnosis and management of sleep-disordered breathing: the fast-track for sleep apnea tele-sleep program.

The objective of this study was to facilitate access to sleep health care for veterans. We designed and implemented a Telehealth program for diagnosing and treating sleep-related breathing disorders (SRBDs). Building on our ongoing out-of-laboratory “Fast Track for Sleep Apnea” program, procedures were modified to accommodate remote operations. This Tele-sleep program was set up at the medical center's community-based outpatient clinics. Home sleep testing and positive airway pressure device technological advances enabled realizing this application for Telehealth. In addition to obtaining appropriated teleconferencing equipment, the program involved implementing systematic processes for (1) six types of clinic visits, (2) training remote-site personnel, (3) making recommendations for inventory management, and (4) evaluating patient satisfaction. Over the past year, we have updated and refined our procedures to optimize program performance and efficiency. To achieve the next step, that is, increasing program scale beyond its current state (e.g., to region-wide), we will need to further develop and formalize quality control indicators to more efficiently monitor operations. The program has helped relieve clinical load at the central sleep program, improved local access to sleep care for veterans, and improved patient satisfaction with health care for SRBDs.
COSTS OF REPRODUCTION IN THE WILD: PATH ANALYSIS OF NATURAL SELECTION AND EXPERIMENTAL TESTS OF CAUSATION.

During 1991 through 1994, natural selection on reproductive effort in side-blotched lizards was indexed by measuring total clutch mass produced on the first clutch of the reproductive season and assessing how such effort in current reproduction affects subsequent survival and clutch production. In addition, selection was also experimentally assessed in free-ranging female side-blotched lizards by (1) surgically decreasing total clutch mass (direct ovarian manipulation) and enhancing clutch mass using (2) exogenous gonadotropin, and (3) exogenous corticosterone. Surgical reduction of clutch mass uniformly enhanced survival. However, increasing clutch mass had more complex effects depending on year. Experimentally enhanced clutch mass enhanced survival in 1991, had no effect on survival in 1992, and decreased survival in 1993. Despite the complexity of these experimental results, they are corroborated by our comparative data. It is important to note that local environmental effects can obscure detection of costs arising from natural variation in reproductive effort, and we removed such effects using path analysis. The striking shift in natural selection favoring females laying a large clutch mass (1991) to selection against females laying a large clutch mass (1993) is associated with an end of a severe multiyear drought. Our natural-history observations suggest that the correlated increase in predatory snake activity on our study site, coincident with the end of the drought, is the agent of natural selection. Although the actual agents of selection (e.g., snake predation versus drought-related effects) are not resolved, the patterns of natural selection measured in our comparative and experimental data are also consistent with year-to-year changes in clutch mass and egg size that would be indicative of rapid short-term evolution in these traits.
Acute Systeinic and Coronary Hemodynamic Effects of Trimethidinium Methosulfate.

Summary1. The acute hemodynamic effects of trimethidinium methosulfate have been studied in 10 mongrel dogs. 2. Administration of the drug results in a decrease in blood pressure in the systemic and pulmonary arteries and the right atrium. 3. Associated with these decreased pressures, the stroke volume decreased, but there was sufficient increase in cardiac rate so that cardiac output did not change significantly. Pulmonary vascular resistance decreased significantly where as peripheral resistance fell slightly but not significantly. 4. Both right and left ventricular work decreased significantly while left ventricular myocardial oxygen consumption was unchanged and calculated cardiac efficiency decreased. 5. These hemodynamic effects are similar to those of hexamethonium, pentolinium, mecamylamine and SKF 6890.
Association between small intestinal bacterial overgrowth and deep vein thrombosis

OBJECTIVE Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) has been associated with several diseases. The association between SIBO and deep vein thrombosis (DVT) has not been investigated. This study was aimed to investigate the frequency and risk factors for the development of DVT in patients tested for SIBO. METHODS All 321 eligible patients were included from the Cleveland Clinic Gastrointestinal Motility Lab databank from January 2008 to January 2014. Patients who were evaluated with glucose hydrogen/methane breath test as well as Doppler ultrasonography for suspected DVT were included. Patients with catheter-related DVT were excluded. The primary outcomes were the frequency and risk factors (including SIBO) for DVT in this patient population. RESULTS Of the 321-case cohort, 144 patients (44.9%) tested positive for SIBO, and 53 (16.5%) had ultrasonographic findings of DVT. SIBO evaluation before the evaluation of DVT occurred in 201 patients (median time from the breath test to ultrasonography: 27 months; interquartile range [IQR]: 11.0-45.0 months), and SIBO evaluation after evaluation for DVT occurred in 120 patients (median time from ultrasonography to the breath test: 30 months; IQR: 11.8-54.3 months). In the univariate analysis, DVT was associated with family history of thromboembolic events (35.8% vs 16.0%, P=0.001), chronic kidney diseases (CKD; 26.4% vs 13.4%, P=0.019) and the presence of SIBO (69.8% vs 39.9%, P<0.001). In the multivariate analysis, family history of thromboembolic events (odds ratio [OR]: 3.39; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.67-6.87; P<0.001), CKD (OR: 2.23; 95%CI: 1.04-4.74; P = 0.037), and the presence of SIBO (OR: 3.27; 95% CI: 1.70-6.32; P < 0.001) remained independently associated with DVT. CONCLUSION SIBO was found to be associated with DVT. The nature of this association warrants further investigation.
Research on Detection Instrument and Method for Degree of Electrified Oil in Larger Scale Transformer

In the larger scale transformer with forced oil circulation,the electrostatic discharge caused by electrified oil flow is the one of important factor to threaten safe operation of larger scale transformer.The degree of electrified oil is measured for transformer,in order to adopt the measures and improve service conditions in time so as to prevent transformer fault that causes the damage of transformer.The paper introduced the principle and structure of detection instrument for degree of electrified oil in larger scale transformer,which adopted the filter method.The improvements in the producing course and the testing results of degree of electrified oil for the oil made in China and imported from abroad,as well as the actual testing results of degree of electrified oil for larger scale transformer were also introduced.
Preoperative Risk Factors and Complication Rates of Thighplasty: Analysis of 1,493 Patients.

Background Despite a rise in thighplasties, outcomes and risk factors have not been well described. Objectives This study investigated the incidence and risk factors of major complications following thighplasty in a large, prospective, multicenter database. It further evaluated the safety of combined procedures. Methods Patients undergoing thighplasty between 2008 and 2013 were identified within the CosmetAssure database (Birmingham, AL). The primary outcome was the occurrence of major complication(s) requiring emergency department visit, hospital admission, or reoperation within 30 days postoperatively. Age, gender, body mass index, smoking, diabetes, type of facility, and combination procedures were evaluated as risk factors. Results Among the 129,007 patients enrolled in CosmetAssure, 1493 (0.8%) underwent thighplasty. One thousand and eighty-eight (72.9%) thighplasties were combined with other procedures. Ninety-nine (6.6%) developed at least one complication. The most common complications were infection (2.7%), hematoma (2.1%), suspected venous thromboembolism (VTE) (1.1%), fluid overload (0.5%), and confirmed VTE (0.3%). Thighplasties performed in a hospital had higher complications (8.1%) than ambulatory surgical center (6.2%) and office-based surgical suite (3.1%). When thighplasty was performed alone, smoking was an independent risk factor to develop at least one complication (RR = 9.51) and hematoma (RR = 13.48). Compared to thighplasty alone, complication rate did not increase with the addition of concomitant procedures (4.7% vs 7.4%, P = .079). Conclusion Infection and hematoma are the most common major complications. In thighplasty alone, smoking is the only independent risk factor for overall complications and hematoma formation. The addition on concomitant cosmetic procedures does not increase complication rates. Level of Evidence 2![Graphic][1] Risk [1]: /embed/inline-graphic-1.gif
Ophthalmic Examination of Infants and Children by the Pediatrician

The author offers a logical procedure and philosophy for the pediatrician to use for the examination of infants and children, giving guidelines for proper time periods for examinations and for the extent of the examination.
Efficient Intramolecular Asymmetric Reductions of α-, β-, and γ-Keto Acids with Diisopinocampheylborane1

α-, β-, and γ-Keto acids are reduced with diisopinocampheylborane at room temperature to the corresponding hydroxy acids with predictable stereochemistry in very high ee. The γ-hydroxy acids produced were conveniently cyclized to the corresponding lactones. This provides a simple synthesis of 4-hexanolide, a component of the pheromone secreted by the female dermestid beetle Trogoderma glabrum.
The modulation of Dicer regulates tumor immunogenicity in melanoma

// Nicholas C. Hoffend 1 , William J. Magner 1, 3 , Thomas B. Tomasi 1, 2, 3 1 Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Department of Immunology, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, New York, USA 2 Department of Medicine, State University of New York, Buffalo, New York, USA 3 Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, State University of New York, Buffalo, New York, USA Correspondence to: Thomas B. Tomasi, email: Thomas.Tomasi@roswellpark.org Keywords: Dicer, microRNA, melanoma, immunogenicity, CD8 + T cells Received: February 02, 2016 Accepted: June 12, 2016 Published: June 23, 2016 ABSTRACT MicroRNAs (miRs) are small non-coding RNAs that regulate most cellular protein networks by targeting mRNAs for translational inhibition or degradation. Dicer, a type III endoribonuclease, is a critical component in microRNA biogenesis and is required for mature microRNA production. Abnormal Dicer expression occurs in numerous cancer types and correlates with poor patient prognosis. For example, increased Dicer expression in melanoma is associated with more aggressive tumors (higher tumor mitotic index and depth of invasion) and poor patient prognosis. However, the role that Dicer plays in melanoma development and immune evasion remains unclear. Here, we report on a newly discovered relationship between Dicer expression and tumor immunogenicity. To investigate Dicer’s role in regulating melanoma immunogenicity, Dicer knockdown studies were performed. We found that B16F0-Dicer deficient cells exhibited decreased tumor growth compared to control cells and were capable of inducing anti-tumor immunity. The decrease in tumor growth was abrogated in immunodeficient NSG mice and was shown to be dependent upon CD8 + T cells. Dicer knockdown also induced a more responsive immune gene profile in melanoma cells. Further studies demonstrated that CD8 + T cells preferentially killed Dicer knockdown tumor cells compared to control cells. Taken together, we present evidence which links Dicer expression to tumor immunogenicity in melanoma.
Feasibility of nurses measuring gait speed in older community-dwelling Emergency Department patients

Gait speed assessment is a rapid, simple and objective measure for predicting risk of unfavorable outcomes which may provide better prognostic and reliable information than existing geriatric ED (Emergency Department) screening tools. This descriptive pilot project was designed to determine feasibility of implementing gait speed screening into routine nursing practice by objectively identifying patients with sub-optimal gait speeds. Participants included community-dwelling adults 65 years and older with plans for discharge following ED treatment. Patients with a gait speed <1.0 m/s were identified as "high-risk" for an adverse event, and referred to the ED social worker for individualized resources prior to discharge. Thirty-five patients were screened and nurse initiated gait speed screens were completed 60% of the time. This project demonstrates ED gait speed screening may be feasible. Implications for practice should consider incorporating gait speed screening into routine nursing assessment to improve provider ED decision-making and disposition planning.
The Use of Knowledge Engineering Teams as a Method for the Development of Expert Systems

The purely acquisitional approach to knowledge engineering is insufficient for the task of constructing larger scale expert systems intended for practical use in the field. This paper describes our solution for this problem in the form of knowledge engineering teams consisting of a knowledge acquisition specialist, a knowledge based programming specialist, and a user specialist. Based on our experience with several projects, the role of each specialist and the interaction between the specialists are discussed in detail.
Mechanism of Translation Termination: RF1 Dissociation Follows Dissociation of RF3 from the Ribosome.

Release factors 1 and 2 (RF1 and RF2, respectively) bind to ribosomes that have a stop codon in the A site and catalyze the release of the newly synthesized protein. Following peptide release, the dissociation of RF1 and RF2 from the ribosome is accelerated by release factor 3 (RF3). The mechanism for RF3-promoted dissociation of RF1 and RF2 is unclear. It was previously proposed that RF3 hydrolyzes GTP and dissociates from the ribosome after RF1 dissociation. Here we monitored directly the dissociation kinetics of RF1 and RF3 using Forster resonance energy transfer-based assays. In contrast to the previous model, our data show that RF3 hydrolyzes GTP and dissociates from the ribosome before RF1 dissociation. We propose that RF3 stabilizes the ratcheted state of the ribosome, which consequently accelerates the dissociation of RF1 and RF2.
Equity Option Strategy Discovery and Optimization Using a Memetic Algorithm

Options in finance are becoming an increasingly popular investment instrument. Good returns, however, do depend on finding the right strategy for trading and risk management. In this paper we describe a memetic algorithm designed to discover and optimize multi-leg option strategies for the S&P500 index. Strategies comprising from one up to six option legs are examined. The fitness function is specifically designed to maximize profitability while seeking a certain trade success percentage and equity drawdown limit. Using historical option data from 2005 to 2016, our memetic algorithm discovered a four-leg option strategy that offers optimum performance.
Bridge circuit with two extended properties

The paper substantiates an electrical circuit with separate balancing and two extended properties: extended functional capabilities and balancing all definable parameters by means of varistors only. The authors describe the way to make such bridging. Initial bridge circuit has been selected and the method to change its loop containing balancing elements has been defined, with such method comprising the substitution of the single resistor by a multielement port that is equivalent to the port of the controlled, diagnosed, measured or investigated object. It is proved that such loop in the bridge circuit can provide for the bridge circuit extended functional capability even if it is balanced by varistors only. The paper contains examples of equilibrium conditions in the obtained bridge circuit for two variants of controlled objects that are reverse two-terminal networks. The proposed bridge circuit, like the initial one, belongs to quasibalanced bridges, because voltage spikes, that occur at the onset of the output pulse and at its termination and contain sum-totals of exponential summands fading to the zero within the transient time period, are not reduced to zero.
Milrinone Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics in Neonates with Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension of the Newborn.

Objective To describe the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of milrinone in infants with persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn (PPHN) and to explore the impact of age on milrinone disposition. Design Randomized, open label pilot study. Setting Multicenter; level 3 and level 4 neonatal intensive care units. Patients Six infants ≥34 weeks' gestational age and 10 days of life with persistent hypoxemia receiving inhaled nitric oxide. Intervention Intravenous milrinone lactate in one of two dosing regimens: (1) low dose, 20 mcg/kg bolus followed by 0.2 mcg/kg/minute, and (2) standard dose, 50 mcg/kg bolus followed by 0.5 mcg/kg/minute. Measurements and Main Results The final structural model was a two-compartment disposition model with interindividual variability estimated on clearance (CL). The estimated value of CL is 7.65 mL/minute/3.4 kg (3.05 mL/minute/kg). The addition of age improved the precision of the CL estimate, and CL increased with chronological age in days. The oxygenation index was highly variable within each participant and improved with time. There were no observed safety concerns in either dosing group. Conclusion The CL of milrinone in newborns with PPHN is reduced and increases with age. In this pilot study, we did not see significant pharmacodynamic or safety effects associated with drug exposure.
Using Speech Analysis to Unmask Perceptual Bias: Dialect, Difference, and Tolerance

Students in pre-professional training in Communication Sciences and Disorders (CSD) demonstrate a novice ability to identify their own perceptual biases towards linguistic differences among individ...
Sex and dose-dependent effects of an estrogen mimic on boldness in threespine stickleback, Gasterosteus aculeatus, from an anadromous population

Abstract Endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) like 17α-ethinylestradiol (EE2) are prevalent in aquatic ecosystems worldwide where they have the ability to decrease fitness by altering the ways in which organisms forage, court, and react to predators. Boldness serves as a measure of the risks organisms are willing to take to attain resources and is an important, yet underutilized, measure of fitness-related exposure effects. Additionally, the majority of studies on EDC exposure are conducted on freshwater species despite the fact that coastal environments are also at risk. In this study, sexually mature male and female threespine stickleback, Gasterosteus aculeatus, from an anadromous population were placed into one of three treatment groups: control (no EE2), low dose (5 ng/L EE2), or high dose (10 ng/L EE2) to determine if EE2 alters boldness. Fish were tested in four different assays (Shoaling Propensity, Empty Tank, Foraging, and Novel Environment) and their behavior was compared over time and across treatment groups. Changes in behavior were seen after as little as one week of exposure to EE2. Both sex differences and dosage effects were found, with these two variables interacting and contingent upon the assay in which they were examined. In general, females were more affected than males and the higher dose of EE2 had a greater effect than the lower dose. These results indicate that EE2, and likely other EDCs, can generate behavioral changes in organisms in estuarine and marine systems in ways that can negatively influence the fitness of these organisms.
New Markers of Vascular Risk

Although statins and LDL-C reduction reduce CV events, there remains a significant residual risk for events in both primary and secondary prevention populations, especially in patients with metabolic syndrome, diabetes, or renal impairment. The advent of novel biomarkers, advanced lipid testing, and platelet reactivity has the potential to identify and treat these high-risk patients. The integration of biomarkers for the early detection and the extent of myocardial necrosis, genomic testing, and platelet function assessment to measure improper response to antiplatelet therapy and inflammatory markers with advanced lipid testing to identify inadequate antiatherosclerotic treatment may hopefully markedly reduce the cardiovascular morbidity associated with ACS.
Spiroplasmas: Evolution, Adaptation and Diversity

Since its designation as a separate genus some 30 years ago, Spiroplasmas have been well documented in a wide range of hosts and as the causative agent of several plant and insect diseases. One major area of research is the continued identification and taxonomical characterization of new Spiroplasma sp. combined with a determination of phylogenetic relationships among the various Spiroplasma sp. and between the Spiroplasmas and other members of the Mollicutes and Eubacteria. Although most phylogenetic analyses have been dependent on 16S rDNA sequence data, progress in two Spiroplasma sp. genome sequencing projects will provide new genomic regions for comparative focus. The co-evolution of Spiroplasmas with their arthropod hosts has provided an additional research focus to study host specificity and attachment. The diversity of symbiotic relationships between Spiroplasmas and their hosts has led to the study of commensal, mutualistic, and pathogenic relationships. Pathogenesis in insect hosts or in plants, transferred by insect hosts, is a major research focus, which requires attachment and invasion into insect tissues beyond the initial infection site, and successful movement to other tissues. The diversity and adaptations that have occurred during the evolution of the Spiroplasmas with their hosts will be the primary focus of this article.
Flexible Flow Shops

We introduce four types of flexibility encountered in a flow shop: job routing through a hybrid shop, machine assignment, allocation of a scarce resource over the tasks to speed up processing, and the composition of daily production batches to satisfy requirements for a finite set of parts over a finite horizon. Two forms of machine flexibility are considered: multitasking where a machine can do more than one task of a job, and multiprocessing where several machines may combine to process a task. In each case, we present some or all of the following: complexity results, solution algorithms or heuristics with worst case performance, and assessments on the benefits of flexibility.
Evolutionarily Conserved Pathways Regulating Engulfment of Apoptotic Cells

Animal models, such as the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans and the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster, combined with the powerful approaches of forward and reverse genetics, have greatly contributed to discovering the mechanisms involved in the clearance of dying cells, and indicated a high degree of evolutionary conservation in many of the signal transduction pathways implicated in the uptake of dying cells. This chapter will discuss the studies that led to the isolation of several genes that regulate recognition, uptake, or processing of apoptotic cells, and provide a review of the mutational analysis approaches that revealed the existence of at least two major genetic pathways for phagocytosis of dying cells in C. elegans and mammals. Studies in D. melanogaster have helped identify new players, as well as genes that are homologues of those identified in C. elegans and mammals. The usage of D. melanogaster as one of the model organisms for unraveling the molecular mechanisms of phagocytosis of apoptotic cells will be examined in the light of recently published literature. This chapter will be devoted to a comparative analysis of the biochemical pathways involved in clearance of dead cells, citing studies of phylogenetically diverse multicellular organisms ranging from C. elegans and D. melanogaster, to mammals.
Stable Soluble Paramagnetic Compounds

Stable soluble paramagnetic compounds with relatively low molecular weight (less than 2 kD) have long been used to report aspects of their environment. In particular, these compounds act as spin probes, molecules that can be directed to various tissue fluids via spin probe design and report back environmental conditions. Aspects of the environment that are reported by spin probe spectrum include the following: concentration of other paramagnetic material (e.g., oxygen) in the environment, separately the spin probe concentration itself (in certain circumstances), microviscosity and by direct relationship the local diffusion constants, pH, temperature, and local polarity. Much experience has been generated with nitroxyl spin probes. Characteristics of these spin probes are described. A newer group of carbon centered spin probes developed by Nycomed Innovations (Malmo, SE) is also described. One of these is described in greater detail, the symmetric trityl. Among the promises of these newer spin probes is much narrower lines with better signal-to-noise. An additional effect of the narrower line is higher sensitivity to environmental effects
Electrocoagulation bipolaire et sonde BICAP-tumeur: données de base

L’emploi de l’electrocoagulation bipolaire et l’utilisation de la sonde BICAP tumeur, de meme que le concept sur lequel repose cette modalite therapeutique, sont tres prometteurs dans le traitement des lesions neoplasiques et gastrointestinales obstructives. Des modifications de ce nouvel appareil permettront d’en accroitre l’utilite.
Utilization and Adherence in Medical Homes: An Assessment of Rural-Urban Differences for People With Severe Mental Illness.

BACKGROUND The complex nature of managing care for people with severe mental illness (SMI), including major depression, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia, is a challenge for primary care practices, especially in rural areas. The team-based emphasis of medical homes may act as an important facilitator to help reduce observed rural-urban differences in care. OBJECTIVE The objective of this study was to examine whether enrollment in medical homes improved care in rural versus urban settings for people with SMI. RESEARCH DESIGN Secondary data analysis of North Carolina Medicaid claims from 2004-2007, using propensity score weights and generalized estimating equations to assess differences between urban, nonmetropolitan urban and rural areas. SUBJECTS Medicaid-enrolled adults with diagnoses of major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder or schizophrenia. Medicare/Medicaid dual eligibles were excluded. MEASURES We examined utilization measures of primary care use, specialty mental health use, inpatient hospitalizations, and emergency department use and medication adherence. RESULTS Rural medical home enrollees generally had higher primary care use and medication adherence than rural nonmedical home enrollees. Rural medical home enrollees had fewer primary care visits than urban medical home enrollees, but both groups were similar on the other outcome measures. These findings varied somewhat by SMI diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS Findings indicate that enrollment in medical homes among rural Medicaid beneficiaries holds the promise of reducing rural-urban differences in care. Both urban and rural medical homes may benefit from targeted resources to help close the remaining gaps and to improve the success of the medical home model in addressing the health care needs of people with SMI.
Human Rights Prosecutions and Institutional Continuity in Sri Lanka

This chapter details the highly constraining power of emergency laws in Sri Lanka and the conditions that produced a handful of human rights prosecutions midway through the conflict. Emergency and anti-terrorism laws in Sri Lanka include explicit immunity and inquest clauses that encourage and facilitate impunity regarding state violations. Very few prosecutions were held in Sri Lanka as a result, and the handful of prosecutions that occurred largely emerged through the temporary political will of one political leader.
Use of PHQ-9 and pharmacogenetic testing in clinical practice.

BACKGROUND This project evaluated the clinical use of pharmacogenetic testing in an outpatient psychiatric practice, integrated a standardized measure for assessing depressive symptoms, and captured data regarding treatment efficacy. LOCAL PROBLEM According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2016), more than 10% of all outpatient office visits include a depression-related diagnosis. Patients who require more medication trials to experience remission of depressive symptoms are more likely to relapse in the follow-up period than those who do not (National Institute of Mental Health, 2001). METHODS AND INTERVENTIONS Baseline Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) scores and medication regimens were recorded for 15 adults with major depressive disorder who completed pharmacogenetic testing. Repeat PHQ-9 scores and medication regimens were recorded at follow-up appointments within 6 weeks post-pharmacogenetic testing and compared with baseline data. RESULTS The PHQ-9 scores ranged from a 5-point reduction to a 2-point increase in depressive symptoms at follow-up appointment. The PHQ-9 scores were lower at follow-up screening for 14 participants. Six of the 15 participants were on a single medication, with significant drug-gene interactions. Medications with significant drug-gene interactions were eliminated from the regimen for three of the six patients. For the remaining three patients, providers deemed it to be reasonable to continue the medications with significant drug-gene interactions. CONCLUSIONS Pharmacogenetic testing is a useful clinical tool for guiding medication selection but does not replace provider judgment. Drug-gene interaction testing results should be considered in addition to patient preference, medication cost, possible side effects, and immediate clinical needs.
Experiences of women with cervical dysplasia and associated diagnoses using electronic cigarettes for smoking substitution.

Introduction The aim of this qualitative study was to describe the motivation and experiences of women with cervical dysplasia and associated diagnoses who used electronic cigarettes (ECs) to reduce the number of cigarettes they smoked. Methods Qualitative interviews were conducted with 26 women aged 18-65 years with cervical dysplasia and associated diagnoses who smoked at least three cigarettes daily for the past year or more and who enrolled in an intervention designed to substitute regular cigarettes with ECs. At the 12-week follow-up, patients were contacted by telephone. Semi-structured interviews were recorded, then transcribed, coded and analysed for themes. Results When confronted with a new diagnosis associated with smoking, women in this study were eager to try ECs to help them reduce their intake of cigarettes. Women reported that physical cues similar to smoking, delivery of nicotine sufficient to assist with smoking reduction and the security of having the device available to use in instances where temptations to smoke may occur were all positive experiences in trying the device. Other women in the study reported negative experiences, such as a lack of sufficient nicotine to eliminate cravings, heaviness of the device and the need to keep it charged. Depression, nicotine addiction and habit were factors that made it difficult to decrease cigarette consumption. Conclusions Findings suggest that ECs may help with smoking substitution in patients who must reduce smoking due to medical conditions or diagnoses.
Optimal matching approaches in health policy evaluations under rolling enrolment

Author(s): Pimentel, SD; Forrow, LV; Gellar, J; Li, J | Abstract: Comparison group selection is paramount for health policy evaluations, where randomization is seldom practicable. Rolling enrolment is common in these evaluations, introducing challenges for comparison group selection and inference. We propose a novel framework, GroupMatch, for comparison group selection under rolling enrolment, founded on the notion of time agnosticism: two subjects with similar outcome trajectories but different enrolment periods may be more prognostically similar and produce better inference if matched, than two subjects with the same enrolment period but different pre-enrolment trajectories. We articulate the conceptual advantages of this framework and demonstrate its efficacy in a simulation study and in an application to a study of the effect of falls in Medicare Advantage patients.
Smartphone Accelometry in Diagnosing Orthostatic Tremor (P4.8-046)

Objective: NA Background: Primary orthostatic tremor (OT) is a rare movement disorder characterized by a 13–18 Hz leg tremor, which arises when standing and is relieved by walking or sitting. Those affected generally do not fall, but experience fear of falling, lessened by ambulation. Because of its low amplitude, the tremor is not readily visible, and the diagnosis requires confirmation with surface electromyography (SEMG). Recently applications using the accelometer feature of smartphones (SPA) have been used to detect and quantify tremors, including OT (1), though the accuracy of SPA in diagnosing OT is unknown. Design/Methods: We conducted a prospective pilot study of SPA in consecutive adults (18+ years), who presented to our neurology clinic with either subjective leg shakiness upon standing or unsteadiness when standing that lessened with ambulation. We assessed tremor using the StudyMyTremor application (2) on an iPhone 6s adhered with medical tape to the patient’s right tibialis anterior. SEMG was completed at the same site. The primary outcome of this study was to determine the SPA’s sensitivity and specificity in detecting OT (defined as a 13–18 Hz tremor) when compared with SEMG. Results: 46 patients with the following diagnoses were included: OT (5), Parkinson’s disease, Hereditary Spastic Paraplegia, orthostatic hypotension, essential tremor, spinal cerebellar ataxia, sensory ataxia and functional movement disorder. SPA detected a 13–18 Hz tremor in all OT patients, diagnosed by SEMG. No false positive SPA recordings were seen in other conditions. Conclusions: Though a larger ample size is desirable, preliminary data suggest that SPA is an alternative to SEMG in the diagnosis of OT. Disclosure: Dr. Calvo has nothing to disclose. Dr. Ferrara has nothing to disclose.
Cardiomyocyte-Specific STIM1 (Stromal Interaction Molecule 1) Depletion in the Adult Heart Promotes the Development of Arrhythmogenic Discordant Alternans.

Background: STIM1 (stromal interaction molecule 1) is a calcium (Ca2+) sensor that regulates cardiac hypertrophy by triggering store-operated Ca2+ entry. Because STIM1 binding to phospholamban incr...
Consciousness AND REGRESS

Thomas Reid has a theory of consciousness that is central to his philosophy of mind but which raises a regress problem. I have two tasks in this paper. The first is to give an account of Reid's views on consciousness and the avoidance of the regress based on textual analysis. The second is to expand the theory of consciousness Reid gives to offer a deeper explanation of how the regress is avoided that is based on Reid's philosophy of mind but goes beyond any text from Reid that I know. The distinction is important. Philosophers are inclined to attribute to a philosopher views that they have invented by studying the philosopher. Both textual analysis and invention based on a philosopher's writings are legitimate uses of the history of philosophy. When they are confused, however, arguments about what the philosopher held generate confusion. If you invent something from his or her philosophy, even something implied by it, that is your philosophy, not the philosopher's. The distinction is important for avoidi...
Trends in alcohol and marijuana detected in homicide victims in 9 US states: 2004-2016.

Use of alcohol and other drugs is a major risk factor for assaultive injuries and violent deaths. The purpose of this study was to examine the time trends in the prevalence of alcohol and marijuana detected in homicide victims. We analyzed toxicological testing data for homicide victims (n = 12,638) from the 2004–2016 National Violent Death Reporting System in 9 US states (Colorado, Georgia, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Virginia, and Wisconsin). We used the Cochran-Armitage test for trend to assess the statistical significance of changes in the prevalence of alcohol and marijuana detected in these homicide victims during the study period. Overall, 37.5% of the homicide victims tested positive for alcohol, 31.0% positive for marijuana, and 11.4% positive for both substances. During the study period, the prevalence of marijuana increased from 22.3% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 19.6, 25.0) in 2004 to 42.1% (95% CI = 39.2, 44.9) in 2016 (Z = -15.7; P < .001) while the prevalence of alcohol declined slightly (Z = 1.5; P = 0.143). Marked increases in the prevalence of marijuana were observed in both sexes and across age and racial groups. Marijuana is increasingly detected in homicide victims irrespective of demographic characteristics. Further research is needed to assess the causal role of marijuana use and concurrent use of marijuana and alcohol in homicide victimization.
Half-Truths, Mistakes, and Embarrassments: The United States Goes to the Fifth Special Session to Review Operation of the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction

The article argues that the U.S.’s participation in the 2006 international meeting on transnational child abduction was a failure of U.S. foreign policy. The participation was problematic for two reasons. First, the U.S. routinely threw out legal terminology such as “separation of powers” and “federalism” that inhibited discussion of important topics. The United States used these terms imprecisely; the U.S. was strategic, but not forthright, in its approach. Second, the United States opposed many important Convention reforms that would have helped victims who flee transnationally with their children in order to escape domestic violence. The 2006 Special Session was the first time State Parties placed the topic of domestic violence on the official meeting agenda. The United States had an opportunity to take a leadership role in fashioning a response to these difficult cases, but instead the United States exhibited hostility to the plight of women and children fleeing for reasons of safety. The juxtaposition of these two narratives demonstrates the underlying thesis of this article: State Parties should avoid using legal language in international settings because it impoverishes dialogue about the merit of proposed reforms. Although the United States was correct to oppose a wide variety of policy initiatives (e.g., the consolidation of jurisdiction in the U.S., the appointment of a judicial liaison, the adoption of consent forms for travel, and the enactment of statutory provisions to harmonize Hague Convention law in the U.S.), its method of showing disinterest in these various initiatives was misguided. In contrast, the U.S.’s reprehensible position on reforms designed to help domestic violence victims was offset by its openness in opposing the reforms. The United States’ willingness to address the domestic violence proposals forthrightly allows critics to question the United States’ assumptions, conclusions, and sources of influence.
Temporal and spatial dynamics of carpenter bee sociality revealed by CT imaging

Facultatively social animals adaptively match social strategy to environmental context; as such, they offer unique insights into the ecological factors facilitating social evolution. We investigated temporal (seasonal) and spatial (nest architectural) factors governing flexible social behavior in the carpenter bee Xylocopa varipuncta Patton using repeated, non-destructive computerized tomography scans of nesting logs. We tested the hypothesis that group living is mediated by environmental factors, specifically ecological constraints and phenological parameters. These imaging data support a facultative social organization strongly influenced by seasonal shifts in life-history strategy. Our results also illuminate patterns of structural change associated with nest inheritance and eventual nest abandonment. This dynamic use of space mediates the within-nest interactions that determine social organization. Furthermore, constraints on the usefulness of inherited nest structures compound an existing limitation on nest sites that may underlie the origins of this flexible social strategy. These findings emphasize the importance of including spatial dynamics in considerations of the ecological contexts in which sociality evolved.