cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Antimicrobial Prophylaxis in Children with Urinary Tract Infection and Vesicoureteral Reflux

Thirty children with urinary tract infection and nonobstructive vesicoureteral reflux have been followed prospectively for a mean of 17 months. After classification according to age and grade of reflux, 10 patients were assigned at random to treatment with antimicrobial prophylaxis alone or antimicrobial prophylaxis plus corrective surgery. Twenty other patients were also treated with antimicrobial prophylaxis alone. All were assigned at random to treatment with a single daily dose of trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole or nitrofurantoin. Cultures of urine, complete blood cell counts, and determination of levels of aspartate aminotransferase in serum were performed regularly during follow-up. Both drugs proved effective in prevention of recurrent infection, and no significant hematologic or hepatic abnormalities were noted. Current results suggest that either prophylaxis or surgery may effectively prevent chronic pyelonephritis or reflux nephropathy, but only continuing evaluation of this group of patients will confirm these results.
Image-Based Automated Change Detection for Synthetic Aperture Sonar by Multistage Coregistration and Canonical Correlation Analysis

In this paper, an automated change detection technique is presented that compares new and historical seafloor images created with sidescan synthetic aperture sonar (SAS) for changes occurring over time. The method consists of a four-stage process: a coarse navigational alignment that relates and approximates pixel locations of reference and repeat–pass data sets; fine-scale coregistration using the scale-invariant feature transform (SIFT) algorithm to match features between overlapping data sets; local coregistration that improves phase coherence; and finally, change detection utilizing a canonical correlation analysis (CCA) algorithm to detect changes. The method was tested using data collected with a high-frequency SAS in a sandy shallow-water environment. Successful results of this multistage change detection method are presented here, and the robustness of the techniques that exploit phase and amplitude levels of the backscattered signals is discussed. It is shown that the coherent nature of the SAS data can be exploited and utilized in this environment over time scales ranging from hours through several days. Robustness of the coregistration methods and analysis of scene coherence over time is characterized by analysis of repeat pass as well as synthetically modified data sets.
Study on reactive power compensation scheme and its configuration for Jiangxi converter station of DC power transmission project from Gansu to Jiangxi

The ±800kV DC power transmission project from Gansu to Jiangxi is the first ±800kV DC power transmission project in Jiangxi grid planning.Reactive power compensation scheme and its configuration are important components in the UHVDC power transmission system.According to the features of reactive power demand of the UHVDC converter station,the total capacity and the dividing scheme of reactive power compensators are proposed.By means of numerical simulation,the proposed reactive power compensation scheme and its configuration are verified.
Demand Response Strategies for Smoothing Power Fluctuation of Interconnecting ties in the Micro-Grid with Controllable Load

Energy storage technology is the principal tool to smooth power fluctuation produced by roof PV in regional micro-grid. In this paper, demand-side resource is takne as a tool to smooth power fluctuation in microgrid, so as to decrease the energy-storage capacity in a high PV penetration rate situation. The method includes two levels which are day-ahead plan and real-time control. The day-ahead plan includes prediction of intermittently photovoltaic power generation and presetting power curve of controllable load such as central air conditioners and other loads with slow rate of power change. It is for handling the change of photovoltaic power generation. The real-time control is to use the interruptible load to response to instant fluctuation of photovoltaic power. The measuring precision is the critical factor in the real-time control process. Through the day-ahead plan for controllable load and the real-time control on interruptible load, the power fluctuation caused by slow change or instant change of photovoltaic power generation could be effectively eliminated with taking the full advantages of demand response technology.
Efficacy of blood exchange transfusion for newborns with severe neonatal hyperbilirubinemia during mechanical ventilation

Objective To investigate the efficacy and safety of blood exchange transfusion for neonates with severe neonatal hyperbilirubinemia during mechanical ventilation,and provide basis for the clinical treatment of this disease. Methods Total 49 newborns with extremely severe hyperbilirubinemia from Jan 2008 to Dec 2013 in our hospital received the blood exchange transfusion during mechanical ventilation. The bilirubin level,routine blood test,blood gas,coagulation function and adverse events were analyzed. Results Total bilirubin and indirect bilirubin decreased obviously by the treatment from( 313. 7 ± 73. 43,263. 2 ± 72. 84) μmol / L to( 618. 4 ± 95. 64,553. 2 ± 64. 72) μmol / L,t = 4. 246,5. 326,P 0. 05. Plasma albumin level and bilirubin / albumin ratio after treatment( 31. 5 ± 1. 84 g / L,0. 48 ± 0. 15) was lower than those before treatment( 36. 4 ± 4. 22 g / L,0. 83 ± 0. 12),t = 4. 672,5. 246,P 0. 05. White blood cell,hemoglobin,blood platelet after treatment( 7. 03 ± 4. 84,131. 36 ± 18. 43,103. 35 ± 41. 76) g / L was lower than those before treatment( 13. 23 ± 6. 33,154. 32 ± 31. 46,312. 32 ± 113. 43) g/L,t = 6. 353,7. 346,9. 464,P 0. 05. There was no significant difference in blood coagulation,p H / HCO3-of the blood gas,prothrombin time and activated partial thromboplastin time before and after the exchange transfusion( P 0. 05). Conclusion Through the internal environment could be influenced,the blood exchange transfusion during mechanical ventilation is effective and safe under the basic life support therapy.
Majorization and D-optimality for Complete Block Designs under Correlations

SUMMARY D-optimal designs are derived in the complete block design set-up for comparing treatments using ordinary least squares estimators when the experimental errors are correlated. It is shown that the D-optimal design is different from the weakly universally optimal design of Morgan and Chakravarti, and Kiefer and Wynn.
Chapter 5 Cancer

The widespread use of temporary and permanent implants in the post World War II era has had a dramatic impact on the practice of medicine and on the life of disabled and ill individuals. Nowhere has this been more obvious than in the frequent use of implants to stabilize fractures and replace diseased joints which has revolutionized orthopedic practice and afforded millions of patients levels of function that previously could not be achieved. Although the metal alloys used in these implants exhibit excellent resistance to corrosion, oxidation of these large components ultimately produce free ions, chlorides, oxides, and hydroxides which, in combination with particulate metal matter released by wear and fretting, are released into the surrounding environment. Efforts to improve these alloys have included compositional as well as processing changes. Additionally, modifications have been made to the plastic articulating components in efforts to produce a much more consistent ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene. The perceived need to improve implant wear and corrosion resistance and alter design has been largely motivated by the excessive soft tissue staining noted by orthopedic surgeons at the time of removal or revision of clinically failed joint arthroplasty. The presence of particulate metal matter, polyethylene, and even fragments of polymethyl methacrylate in local tissue has been confirmed histologically and by direct analysis [1–4]. In spite of all of the modifications made in implant composition, implant fixation, and articulation, biomaterial degradation and release of these products persist [4–7].
Chapter 4 – Radionuclide Imaging of Cancer Therapy

One of the major uses of radionuclide scintigraphy is the imaging evaluation of treatment response in cancer. It is now well recognized that anatomic-based imaging systems are deficient for this purpose, which has been unraveled in view of increasing use of hybrid imaging systems as well as the use of cytostatic (rather than cytotoxic) drug regimen. The anatomic response criteria are based on treatment-induced decline in lesion size which can lag behind metabolic changes. This chapter summarizes briefly the major radionuclide imaging procedures including the use of various single-photon and positron-based radiotracers that are often employed in assessing response to treatment in patients with cancer.
Antenatal corticosteroids and the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system in adolescents born preterm

Antenatal corticosteroid (ANCS) treatment hastens fetal lung maturity and improves survival of premature infants, but the long-term effects of ANCS are not well-described. Animal models suggest that ANCS increases the risk of cardiovascular disease through programmed changes in the renin-angiotensin (Ang)-aldosterone system (RAAS). We hypothesized that ANCS exposure alters the RAAS in adolescents born prematurely. A cohort of 173 adolescents born prematurely was evaluated, of whom 92 were exposed to ANCS. We measured plasma and urine Ang II and Ang-(1–7) and calculated Ang II/Ang-(1–7) ratios. We used general linear regression models to estimate the difference in the RAAS between the ANCS-exposed and unexposed groups, adjusting for confounding variables. In unadjusted analyses, and after adjustment for sex, race, and maternal hypertension, ANCS exposure was associated with increased urinary Ang II/Ang-(1–7) (estimate 0.27 (95% CI 0.03, 0.5), P = 0.03), increased plasma Ang-(1–7) (0.66 (0.26, 1.07), P = 0.002), and decreased plasma Ang II/Ang-(1–7) (−0.48 (−0.91, −0.06), P = 0.03). These alterations indicate an imbalance in the urinary RAAS, promoting the actions of Ang II at the expense of Ang-(1–7), which over time may increase the risk of renal inflammation and fibrosis and ultimately hypertension and renal disease.
Flexion-Extension Gap in Cruciate-Retaining Versus Posterior-Stabilized Total Knee Arthroplasty: A Cadaveric Study

INTRODUCTION: A discrepancy exists between biomechanical and clinical outcome studies when comparing cruciate-retaining (CR) versus posterior stabilized (PS) component designs. The purpose of this study is to re-evaluate experimental model results using half-body specimens with intact extensor mechanisms and navigation to evaluate PS and CR component gaps though an entire range of motion. METHODS: A custom-designed knee testing apparatus was used for secure anchoring of the lower half of cadaver pelvic, allowing full range of knee motion and the application of traction throughout that range. Eight sequential testing regimens: were conducted with knee intact, with CR TKA in place, with PS TKA with quadriceps tendon in place, with PS TKA with sectioned quadriceps tendon in place, with and without traction at each stage. At each stage, a navigated knee system with dedicated software was used to record component gapping through a full range of motion from 0° to 120°. The amount of traction used was 22N. Each knee (n = 10) was taken through 6 full ranges of motion at every stage. At each stage, corroboration of navigation findings was attempted using a modified gap balancer to take static gap measurements at 0° and 90° with 12 in. lbs of torque was applied. RESULTS: The difference in component gapping between CR and PS knees resulted in a range from −0.85 mm to 0.62 mm. The range of component gapping was from −0.67 mm to 0.70 mm with both constructs under 22N traction load. There was no significant difference between loaded and unloaded component gaps, and there were no statistically significant differences in component gapping between CR and PS knees throughout a full range of motion. Static flexion-extension gap measurements, were significantly different from previously published data, notably at in 90° flexion gap measurement. The comparison of the sectioned unloaded and sectioned loaded quadriceps tendon constructs gave a range of distraction of tibio-femoral gaps from 1.85 to 5.22 mm and 1.46 to 4.60 mm, respectively. These measurements were significantly increased over previously reported findings. CONCLUSION: There was no significant difference between the CR and PS TKA designs with respect to component gapping when measured through a complete range of motion with an intact extensor mechanism. This data contradicts earlier results, obtained from less complete specimens, and correlates with clinical studies which show no gap differences in CR and PS knees. We conclude that the sectioned quadriceps tendon influences knee flexion-extension gaps in a PS TKA construct model. This finding suggests that intact extensor mechanisms may be required to perform proper kinematic studies of TKA, and this may be a contributing factor in the discrepancies observed between previous biomechanical and clinical outcome studies. Clinical Relevance: The findings of this study may solve the controversy regarding differences of the CR and PS TKA designs observed using biomechanical models.
Modeling the influence of preferential flow on the spatial variability and time-dependence of mineral weathering rates

Inferences of weathering rates from laboratory and field observations suggest significant scale and time dependence. Preferential flow induced by heterogeneity (manifest as permeability variations or discrete fractures) has been suggested as one potential mechanism causing scale/time dependence. We present a quantitative evaluation of the influence of preferential flow on weathering rates using reactive transport modeling. Simulations were performed in discrete fracture networks (DFNs) and correlated random permeability fields (CRPFs), and compared to simulations in homogeneous permeability fields. The simulations reveal spatial variability in the weathering rate, multi-dimensional distribution of reactions zones, and the formation of rough weathering interfaces and corestones due to preferential flow. In the homogeneous fields and CRPFs, the domain-averaged weathering rate is initially constant as long as the weathering front is contained within the domain, reflecting equilibrium-controlled behavior. The behavior in the CRPFs was influenced by macrodispersion, with more spread-out weathering profiles, an earlier departure from the initial constant rate and longer persistence of weathering. DFN simulations exhibited a sustained time-dependence resulting from the formation of diffusion-controlled weathering fronts in matrix blocks, which is consistent with the shrinking core mechanism. A significant decrease in the domain-averaged weathering rate is evident despite high remaining mineral volume fractions, but the decline does not follow a 1/√t dependence, characteristic of diffusion, due to network scale effects and advection-controlled behavior near the inflow boundary. The DFN simulations also reveal relatively constant horizontally-averaged weathering rates over a significant depth range, challenging the very notion of a weathering front. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
The Transconjunctival Lower Lid Blepharoplasty—A Neglected Technique

A modified transconjunctival approach to the lower lid blepharoplasty is presented. This method, while not appropriate for all cases, has definite indications and advantages.
Validated UHPLC-MS/MS method for quantification of doxycycline in abdominal aortic aneurysm patients.

Aim: There is a strong evidence that doxycycline can benefit abdominal aortic aneurysms patients because of its ability to inhibit matrix metalloproteinase enzymes. There is a need for a specific quantification method for doxycycline in these patients. We report herein the development and validation of a selective, specific, simple and rapid UHPLC–MS/MS method for doxycycline. Results: The assay was linear (r2 > 0.994) over a concentration range of 0.010–7.005 μg/ml. This validated method has good lower limit of quantification (LLOQ) (10 ng/ml), accuracies (89.1–103.4%), precision (≤7.0%) and extraction recoveries (95.8%). Doxycycline was stable during short- and long-term storage. Conclusion: The assay is reliable and has been successfully applied to serum samples obtained from the patients of N-TA3CT clinical study.
Incidence of urinary extravasation and rate of ureteral stenting after high-grade renal trauma in adults: a meta-analysis.

Background: Collecting system injury and urinary extravasation is an important yet understudied aspect of renal trauma. We aimed to examine the incidence of urinary extravasation and also the rates of ureteral stenting after high-grade renal trauma (HGRT) in adults. Methods: A search strategy was developed to search Ovid Medline, Embase, CINAHL, and Cochrane Library. Two reviewers screened titles and abstracts, followed by full-text review of the relevant publications. Studies were included if they indicated the number of patients with HGRT [the American Association for the Surgery of Trauma (AAST) grades III–IV or equivalents] and number of patients with urinary extravasation. A descriptive meta-analysis of binary proportions was performed with random-effects model to calculate the incidence of urinary extravasation and rates of ureteral stenting. Results: After screening, 24 and 20 studies were included for calculating urinary extravasation and stenting rates, respectively. Most studies involved blunt injury and were retrospective single-center case series. Incidence of urinary extravasation was 29% (95% CI: 17–42%) after HGRT (grade III–V), and 51% (95% CI: 38–64%) when only grade IV–V injuries were combined. Overall, 29% (95% CI: 22–36%) of patients with urinary extravasation underwent ureteral stenting. Conclusions: Approximately 30% of patients with HGRT are diagnosed with urinary extravasation and 29% of those with urinary extravasation undergo ureteral stenting. Understanding the rate of urinary extravasation and interventions is the first step in creating a prospective trial designed to demonstrate when ureteral stenting and aggressive management of urinary extravasation is needed.
The Missing Role of Context: A Conceptual Model

All hazards do not end in disaster. From a public health perspective we are primarily concerned with preempting adverse health outcomes caused by hazards, particularly at the population level. To that end, it is apposite that both the tradition of disaster research and epidemiology are particularly occupied with identifying the population at risk of experiencing a disaster. The notion of vulnerabilities and capacities has been discussed in a variety of disciplines to describe characteristics of individuals, societies, and environments in relation to external threats to a population. Vulnerabilities are understood to enable negative outcomes, while capacities enable positive outcomes. This chapter will focus on the conceptualization of disaster risk, as defined in much of the academic literature, as vulnerabilities and capacities. Our models, presented in this book, pay special attention to the interaction between vulnerabilities and capacities, with each other and with the hazard, to ultimately produce or avert a disaster.
Genes and Mental Illness

The concept of mental illness evolved from possession by gods and an imbalance of body fluids (including the modern version of neurotransmitter imbalance) to a model that posits an interaction between genes and the environment. Environmental stress is known to play an important role – both by altering the genes early in development and as a precipitating factor for illness in later life. Recent evidence suggests that the interaction between the genes and the environment is mediated by memes – information encoded in neural connections which may be endogenous or exogenous.A gene × meme interaction model of mental illness is proposed.
Precision Brain Morphometry: Feasibility and Opportunities of Extreme Rapid Scans

The traditional approach to achieve optimal structural brain morphometry is to increase spatial resolution and maintain a high signal-to-noise ratio within a single scanning session using long acquisitions. Here we explore alternative approaches that use multiple rapid structural scans and averaging to achieve stable morphometric estimates. Effects of sequence, resolution, acceleration, and number of scans within- and between-sessions were varied across six studies that included 1,025 scans. Single ~1-min magnetization-prepared rapid gradient echo (MP-RAGE) scans that use wave-controlled aliasing in parallel imaging (Wave-CAIPI) encoding yield morphometric estimates nearly as accurate as those obtained with traditional long scans. Averaging estimates from multiple rapid scans reduces error below traditional approaches using less total acquisition time. Test-retest reliability within- and between-sessions for ~2 min multi-echo MP-RAGE scans revealed that a source of error is the idiosyncratic positioning of the subject9s head between sessions. Cluster scanning over multiple tightly-spaced sessions mitigates this effect and achieves cortical thickness estimates with less than 10μm global (30μm regional) error. Test-retest error for the hippocampus falls below 0.6%. Additional sources of error include coil heating when scans are acquired rapidly within the same session and change in console software between sessions. Rapid acquisitions allow novel experimental designs that can use cluster scanning to achieve precise longitudinal assessment within the individual, build in robustness by affording redundant acquisitions, and reduce the structural scanning burden to a minute when anatomical registration is the goal. The field should consider replacing long structural scans with fast alternatives.
Maine's Bold Initiative: Homecare for All.

A 2018 ballot initiative in Maine proposed universal home care and improved work conditions for home care workers.Although ultimately defeated, the innovative proposal received considerable support...
A MUSCL-SCNI approach for meshfree modeling of shock waves in fluids

A stable and nodally integrated meshfree formulation for modeling shock waves in fluids is developed. The reproducing kernel approximation is employed to discretize the conservation equations for compressible flow, and a flux vector splitting approach is applied to allow proper numerical treatments for the advection and pressure parts, respectively, based on the characteristics of each flux term. To capture the essential shock physics in fluids, including the Rankine–Hugoniot jump conditions and the entropy condition, local Riemann enrichment is introduced under the stabilized conforming nodal integration (SCNI) framework. Meanwhile, numerical instabilities associated with the advection flux are eliminated by adopting a modified upwind scheme. To further enhance accuracy, a MUSCL-type method is introduced in conjunction with an oscillation limiter to avoid Gibbs phenomenon and ensure monotonic piecewise linear reconstruction in the smooth region. The present meshfree formulation is free from tunable artificial parameters and is capable of capturing shock and rarefaction waves without over/undershoots. Several numerical examples are analyzed to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed MUSCL-SCNI approach in meshfree modeling of complex shock phenomena, including shock diffraction, shock–vortex interaction, and high energy explosion processes.
Evaluation of a training program for traditional birth attendants in Quetzaltenango Guatemala

In 1992 a training program for traditional birth attendants (TBAs) was initiated in Quetzaltenango Guatemala in order to improve the identification and treatment of neonatal disorders and high-risk pregnancies. This program was evaluated by comparing the pattern of hospital referrals by TBAs before and after the training. The study design consisted of a community intervention evaluated by means of several cross-sectional surveys. Comparisons were made between a group of TBAs who had received the training (intervention group) and another group of TBAs from nearby communities who had not received the training (control group). The outcome variables included the TBAs ability to correctly identify obstetric complications the point in time at which they sent mothers to the hospital and perinatal mortality among the children whose mothers were referred to the hospital. Of the 854 women eligible 845 participated in the study. Following the training program there was a 200% increase in the number of mothers referred to the hospital by the TBAs. There was also improvement in the ability of the TBAs in the intervention group to refer women with obstetric complications to the hospital although the effect of the program appeared to have been minimal on both that ability and the reduction of perinatal mortality. Nevertheless the latter effect should be more precisely determined since a decrease in perinatal mortality was observed in both the intervention and control groups with no statistically significant difference. (authors) (summaries in ENG SPA)
Assessing the influence of processing parameters and external loading on the nanoporous structure and morphology of nanoporous gold toward catalytic applications

Abstract Nanoporous gold structure gains several unique physical and chemical properties from its nanoscale foam structure composed of ligaments and connected pores. The high specific surface area and interconnected pores make its structure ideal for gas catalysis. Catalytic activity arises in part from the high number density of surface steps and kinks at points of high curvature in the nanoporous structure. However, the structure also makes the material macroscopically brittle and unreliable for many applications due to poor mechanical stability. The ligament diameter, which regulates both desirable chemical properties and mechanical instability, can be tuned to over three orders of magnitude, but few morphology features can be adjusted independently of this. Here, we fabricate nanoporous gold with an average ligament diameter of around 10 nm while varying synthesis parameters and quantify the resulting morphology in order to evaluate the effect of processing on the resulting nanoscale foam structure. In situ tensile experiments are performed to observe how both individual ligaments and the foam structure's features change during deformation in real-time. We found two new morphology features that are independently controllable through synthesis parameters and are likely to influence mechanical stability while preserving or enhancing catalytic activity. The curvature of the ligaments can be increased by stirring the electrolyte during dealloying and the width of the ligament diameter size distribution can be adjusted by controlling the coarsening rate. In situ mechanical tests show that grain boundaries can influence crack propagation and that ligaments removed from the crack tip experience both elastic and plastic stress.
Data-driven predictive maintenance scheduling policies for railways

Abstract Inspection and maintenance activities are essential to preserving safety and cost-effectiveness in railways. However, the stochastic nature of railway defect occurrence is usually ignored in literature; instead, defect stochasticity is considered independently of maintenance scheduling. This study presents a new approach to predict rail and geometry defects that relies on easy-to-obtain data and integrates prediction with inspection and maintenance scheduling activities. In the proposed approach, a novel use of risk-averse and hybrid prediction methodology controls the underestimation of defects. Then, a discounted Markov decision process model utilizes these predictions to determine optimal inspection and maintenance scheduling policies. Furthermore, in the presence of capacity constraints, Whittle indices via the multi-armed restless bandit formulation dynamically provide the optimal policies using the updated transition kernels. Results indicate a high accuracy rate in prediction and effective long-term scheduling policies that are adaptable to changing conditions.
Cuticular Permeability, Percent Body Water Loss, and Relative Humidity Equilibria Comparisons of Four Termite Species.

This study compared percentage of total body water (%TBW), water loss rate under desiccative conditions, and cuticular permeability (CP) of four termite species (Order: Blattodea, Infraorder: Isoptera) from different habitats, including one subterranean termite, Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki (Blattodea: Rhinotermitidae), one dampwood termite, Neotermes jouteli (Banks) (Blattodea: Kalotermitidae), one ‘wetwood’ termite, Cryptotermes cavifrons Banks (Blattodea: Kalotermitidae), and one drywood termite, Cryptotermes brevis Walker (Blattodea: Kalotermitidae). There was no consistent pattern associated with the habitat relative humidity (RH) levels and the %TBW among the four termite species tested. Because C. formosanus forage for food, its lowest %TBW may be due to its ability to access water sources, and its need to be more mobile than kalotermitids that remain in wood. Body water loss rate and CP were lower for xeric species such as Cr. brevis than hydric species such as N. jouteli. An RH equilibrium represents the capacity of termite water retention mechanisms that may include the physical structure of cuticular layers, behavioral manipulation of natural openings, and physiological means. As with water loss rate and CP data, RH equilibria were lower for xeric species such as Cr. brevis than hydric species such as N. jouteli. Moreover, RH equilibria for dead individuals of the four termite species were significantly higher than those of live individuals, indicating dead termites lost more water after losing their physiological and behavioral means of retaining water. RH equilibria represent termites’ capability in water retention, and there is a strong linear relationship between RH equilibria and CP values. Hence, RH equilibria may offer simpler alternatives to CP estimates.
Body mass index and all-cause readmissions following acute heart failure hospitalization

Obesity is associated with a lower mortality risk among patients with heart failure (HF). Whether this obesity paradox applies to all-cause hospitalizations is unknown. We aimed to investigate the association between body mass index (BMI) and 30-day all-cause readmissions following HF hospitalization. We retrospectively evaluated 2252 HF hospital admissions of Centers of Medicare Services beneficiaries from an academic medical center. We classified obesity using established BMI categories. All 30-day postdischarge readmission to all hospitals and mortality events were documented. We evaluated 30-day postdischarge unplanned, all-cause readmission and death in the total cohort, propensity-matched cohort, and by ejection fraction (EF). An Overweight-Obese BMI (BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2) was paradoxically associated with a lower mortality rate than a Normal BMI (18.5–24.9 kg/m2) (5.0% vs 8.5%, p = 0.0018). In contrast, an Overweight-Obese BMI was associated with a 29% (95% CI: 1.03–1.63) increased relative risk of all-cause readmission compared with a Normal BMI (23.2% vs 18.9%, p = 0.0288), which was consistent across obesity severity subgroups. Among 966 matched admissions, an Overweight-Obese BMI retained higher readmission risk compared with a Normal BMI (25.1% vs 17.2%, p = 0.003). After matching, readmissions remained higher for Overweight-Obese vs Normal BMI in admissions with reduced EF (25.7% vs 17.8%, p = 0.032) and preserved EF (23.0% vs 15.0%, p = 0.048). No difference in the percentage of readmissions for HF (40%) or noncardiovascular causes (45%) existed between Overweight-Obese and Normal BMI groups. Despite a lower mortality risk, increased BMI is associated with increased all-cause hospital readmission rates in an elderly HF population which persists after propensity matching.
Hepatosplenic T-cell lymphoma: The Mayo Clinic experience.

e20036Background: Hepatosplenic T cell lymphoma (HSTL) is a rare subtype of mature T cell lymphomas accounting for less than 1 percent of non-Hodgkin lymphomas. it has been associated with poor pro...
On precision dosing of oral small molecule drugs in oncology

Personalization of oral small molecule anticancer drug doses based on individual patient blood drug levels, also known as therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM), has the potential to significantly improve the effectiveness of treatment by maximizing drug efficacy and minimize toxicity. However, this option has not yet been widely embraced by the oncology community. Some reasons for this include increased logistical complexity of dose individualization, the lack of clinical laboratories that measure small molecule drug concentrations in support of patient care, and the lack of reimbursement of costs. However, the main obstacle may be the lack of studies clearly demonstrating that monitoring of oral small molecule anticancer drug levels actually improves clinical outcomes. Without unequivocal evidence in support of TDM-guided dose individualization, especially demonstration of improved survival with TDM in randomized controlled trials, wide acceptance of this approach by oncologists and reimbursement by insurance companies is unlikely, and patients may continue to suffer as a result of receiving incorrect drug doses. This article reviews the current status of TDM of oral small molecule drugs in oncology and intends to provide strategic insights into the design of studies for evaluating the utility of TDM in this clinical context.
Combining oncolytic virus with FDA approved pharmacological agents for cancer therapy.

Oncolytic viruses (OVs) have been engineered to selectively replicate in cancer cells. While initially thought to exert its anti-cancer effects through direct cytolysis, it is increasingly apprecia...
Intriguing size distribution of the uncultured and globally widespread marine non-cyanobacterial diazotroph Gamma-A.

Non-cyanobacterial diazotrophs (NCDs) have recently emerged as potentially important contributors to marine nitrogen fixation. One of the most widely distributed NCDs is Gamma-A, yet information about its autecology is still scarce and solely relies on the PCR-based detection of its nitrogenase (nifH) gene in seawater, since previous metagenomic surveys targeting free-living planktonic size fractions (<3 μm) have not detected it. Here, we explore the diversity, biogeography, size-distribution, and nitrogenase gene expression of Gamma-A across four larger planktonic size-fractions (0.8–5, 5–20, 20–180, and 180–2000 μm) using metagenomes and metatranscriptomes from the Tara Oceans. We detected a single variant of a complete Gamma-A nifH gene along with other nitrogenase-related genes (nifKDT) within a metatranscriptomic-based contig of the Marine Atlas of Tara Ocean Unigenes. Gamma-A was detected in tropical and subtropical oceanic regions across all the size-fractions. However, the highest gene and transcript abundances were found in the 0.8–5 and 5–20 μm size-fractions at the surface, whereas abundances at the deep chlorophyll maximum were lower and similar across all size-fractions. The ubiquitous presence of active Gamma-A in large planktonic size-fractions suggests a filamentous or particle-attached lifestyle and places its potential to fix nitrogen in larger planktonic compartments.
The Interplay between Advertising and Society: An Historical Analysis:

As society has become more diverse and inclusive, so do the images portrayed in advertising. Using an historical research method, we gather data on political, legal, demographic, social, and cultur...
Calumniadores (DCH) (Slanderers (DCH))

Spanish Abstract: Este articulo revisa las diferentes fuentes normativas para identificar los parametros del crimen de la calumnia en el imperio espanol de la edad moderna. La calumnia aludia a aquellas acusaciones que, por ser intencionalmente falsas o enganosas, causaron danos a terceros. En derecho penal, la calumnia se asociaba particularmente con las falsas imputaciones. En el derecho civil, la calumnia abarcaba una gama mas amplia de actividades, inclusive las demandas falsas y los enganos en negocios. La conceptualizacion de la calumnia en el derecho canonico se basaba sobre todo en el octavo mandamiento (contra falsos testimonios). El derecho canonico diferenciaba entre grados de calumnia, juzgando mas grave las acusaciones falsas pronunciadas con malicia (dolo). Dentro de la clasificacion tambien cabia la penalizacion para abogados y procuradores que habian coludido con otra parte en una disputa. Para terminar, el articulo examina las excepciones que existian para la aplicacion de tales estatutos, sobre todo en lo que concernia a los sujetos indigenas de la monarquia en las Indias. English Abstract: This article reviews major normative sources in order to identify the parameters of the crime of slander in the early modern Spanish Empire. Slander referred to a range of statements that, because they were either intentionally false or misleading, led to damages to a third party. In criminal law, slander was particularly associated with the false accusation of a crime. In civil law, slander encompassed a more ample range of activities, including the making of fraudulent demands or deceptive statements in a business transaction. Canon law’s treatment of slander was an extension of the eighth commandment (against bearing false witness). Canon law differentiated between degrees of slander, judging more harshly that uttered with malice (dolo). Within this category, canon law also reserved punishment for colluding lawyers. Finally, this article examines the exceptions provided for the applications of the relevant statute, especially concerning the indigenous subjects of the Spanish Americas.
Assigning immunoglobulin class from single-cell transcriptomes in IgA1-secreting versus membrane subpopulations

IgA nephropathy (IgAN) is an autoimmune disease characterized by renal glomerular immunodeposits enriched for galactose-deficient IgA1 (Gd-IgA1; autoantigen) with the corresponding IgG autoantibodi...
Effectiveness of Telepharmacy Versus Face-to-Face Anticoagulation Services in the Ambulatory Care Setting: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis:

Background:Effectiveness of anticoagulation services managed via telepharmacy (TP) has not been clearly demonstrated.Objective:This systematic review and meta-analysis compares the effectiveness of...
Challenges and opportunities in measuring the pediatric quality of life: exemplified by research in pediatric gastroenterology

Introduction: Quality of life (QOL) is an important patient-reported outcome measure (PROM). Assessment of QOL in children is challenging particularly because developmental age affects the accuracy...
The value of US coral reefs for flood risk reduction

Habitats, such as coral reefs, can mitigate increasing flood damages through coastal protection services. We provide a fine-scale, national valuation of the flood risk reduction benefits of coral habitats to people, property, economies and infrastructure. Across 3,100 km of US coastline, the top-most 1 m of coral reefs prevents the 100-yr flood from growing by 23% (113 km2), avoiding flooding to 53,800 (62%) people, US$2.7 billion (90%) damage to buildings and US$2.6 billion (49%) in indirect economic effects. We estimate the hazard risk reduction benefits of US coral reefs to exceed US$1.8 billion annually. Many highly developed coastlines in Florida and Hawaii receive annual benefits of over US$10 million km–1, whereas US reefs critically reduce flooding of vulnerable populations. This quantification of spatial risk reduction can help to prioritize joint actions in flood management and environmental conservation, opening new opportunities to support reef management with hazard mitigation funding. A valuation of the flood risk reduction services of coral habitats to people, property, economies and infrastructure in the United States finds that these benefits exceed US$1.8 billion annually.
Transport Cost for Carbon Removal Projects With Biomass and CO2 Storage

Strategies to remove carbon from the atmosphere are needed to meet global climate goals. Promising strategies include the conversion of waste biomass to hydrogen, methane, liquid fuels, or electricity coupled with CO2 capture and storage (CCS). A key challenge for these projects is the need to connect geographically dispersed biomass supplies with geologic storage sites by either transporting biomass or CO2. We assess the cost of transport for biomass conversion projects with CCS using publicly available cost data for trucking, rail, and CO2 pipelines in the United States. We find that for large projects (order of 1 Mt/yr CO2 or greater), CO2 by pipeline is the lowest cost option. However, for projects that send most of the biomass carbon to storage, such as gasification to hydrogen or electricity production, biomass by rail is a competitive option. For smaller projects and lower fractions of carbon sent to storage, such as for pyrolysis to liquid fuels, CO2 by rail is the lowest cost option. Assessing three plausible example projects in the United States, we estimate that total transport costs range from $24/t-CO2 stored for a gasification to hydrogen project traversing 670 km to $36/t for a gasification to renewable natural gas project traversing 530 km. In general, if developers have flexibility in choosing transport mode and project type, biomass sources and storage sites can be connected across hundreds of kilometers for transport costs in the range of $20-40/t-CO2 stored. Truck and rail are often viable modes when pipelines cannot be constructed. Distances of 1000 km or more can be connected in the same cost range when shared CO2 pipelines are employed.
A randomized controlled trial of genetic testing and cascade screening in familial hypercholesterolemia

Family-based cascade screening from index probands is considered an effective way of identifying undiagnosed individuals with familial hypercholesterolemia (FH). The role of genetic testing of the proband in the success of cascade screening for FH is unknown. We randomized 240 individuals with a clinical diagnosis of FH to genetic testing for FH (n = 160) or usual care with lipid testing alone (n = 80). The primary study endpoint was the proportion of probands with at least one relative enrolled in the study within one year after the notification of results. Proband median age was 59 (47–67) and 71% were female. Only 28 (12%) probands succeeded in enrolling a relative. While the genetic testing group had a higher proportion of probands with relatives enrolled (13.1%) compared with the usual care group (8.8%), this difference was not significant (p = 0.40). In subgroup analyses, enrollment of a relative was higher in the pathogenic variant group (22.7%) compared to the no pathogenic variant (9.5%) and usual care groups (8.8%) (p = 0.04). We observed a low rate of family participation in cascade screening despite repeated recommendations to probands. Compared to usual care, genetic testing did not improve family participation in cascade screening for FH. NCT04526457
Rapid prediction of fuel research octane number and octane sensitivity using the AFIDA constant-volume combustion chamber

Abstract Current research octane number (RON) and motor octane number (MON) gasoline performance characterization techniques use dated, complex engine testing methodology and limit researchers’ ability to easily characterize small volumes of experimental fuels. A novel methodology is presented that correlates measured ignition delay (ID) time to RON in an Advanced Fuel Ignition Delay Analyzer (AFIDA) constant-volume combustion chamber device at a single pressure/temperature condition, with an r2 of 0.99 and standard error (SE) of 1.0. The correlation of the slope of the ID time between two additional temperature points to octane sensitivity (S) produces an r2 of 0.97 and SE of 0.69; however, fuels with S > 12 are indistinguishable. These results are based on methodology calibration using 31 primary and toluene reference fuels containing 0%─40% ethanol with RON values ranging from 85 to 113. Validation of these methods using a 102-sample fuel matrix spanning an array of base fuels and additive chemistry designed to test the robust applicability of the method, along with pump gasoline and high-octane surrogate blend samples, demonstrates an r2 of 0.94 and SE of 1.3 for the RON correlation over all samples, whereas the equivalent S correlation produces an r2 of 0.78 and SE of 1.2 by excluding two additives, 3-pentanone and diisobutylene, which displayed poor S correlation results. This novel AFIDA analysis method can be performed in 1 h and with 40 mL of fuel, offering significant improvements in time and volume requirements over traditional techniques.
“Ethnic studies now”: Preparing to teach and support critical K–12 ethnic studies: Transformative ethnic studies in schools, by Sleeter, C., & Zavala, M., 2020, New York, Teachers College Press, 162 pp., $90 (hardcover) and $29.95 (paperback), ISBN 9780807763452

In the last decade, five states have passed K–12 ethnic studies education policies (Ceasar, 2014; Fensterwald, 2020; Indiana Department of Education, 2018; June, 2017; Lindsay, 2018; Ochoa & Ochoa,...
An Assessment on Ethanol-Blended Gasoline/Diesel Fuels on Cancer Risk and Mortality.

Although cancer is traditionally considered a genetic disease, the epigenetic abnormalities, including DNA hypermethylation, histone deacetylation, and/or microRNA dysregulation, have been demonstrated as a hallmark of cancer. Compared with gene mutations, aberrant epigenetic changes occur more frequently, and cellular epigenome is more susceptible to change by environmental factors. Excess cancer risks are positively associated with exposure to occupational and environmental chemical carcinogens, including those from gasoline combustion exhausted in vehicles. Of note, previous studies proposed particulate matter index (PMI) as a measure for gasoline sooting tendency, and showed that, compared with the other molecules in gasoline, 1,2,4–Trimethylbenzene, 2–methylnaphthalene and toluene significantly contribute to PMI of the gasoline blends. Mechanistically, both epigenome and genome are important in carcinogenicity, and the genotoxicity of chemical agents has been thoroughly studied. However, less effort has been put into studying the epigenotoxicity. Moreover, as the blending of ethanol into gasoline substitutes for carcinogens, like benzene, toluene, xylene, butadiene, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, etc., a reduction of secondary aromatics has been achieved in the atmosphere. This may lead to diminished cancer initiation and progression through altered cellular epigenetic landscape. The present review summarizes the most important findings in the literature on the association between exposures to carcinogens from gasoline combustion, cancer epigenetics and the potential epigenetic impacts of biofuels.
Expert knowledge or emotional connection? Examining clients’ expectations for highly-skilled professional care

Current research suggests that clients devalue semi-skilled care workers’ substantive knowledge and compel these workers to provide emotional intimacy. I refer to this characterization of care work...