cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Identification of ENO1 as a potential sputum biomarker for early-stage lung cancer by shotgun proteomics.

Abstract Background Lung cancer is the leading cancer killer. Early detection will reduce the related deaths. The objective of this study was to identify potential biomarkers for early-stage lung cancer in sputum supernatant. Materials and Methods Using shotgun proteomics, we detected changes in protein profiles that were associated with lung cancer by analyzing sputum supernatants from 6 patients with early-stage lung cancer and 5 cancer-free controls. Using western blotting, we validated the proteomic results in 22 lung cancer cases and 22 controls. Using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), we evaluated the diagnostic performance of the biomarker candidates in an independent set of 35 cases and 36 controls. Results Proteomics identified 8 biomarker candidates for lung cancer. Western blotting validation of the candidates showed that enolase 1 (ENO1) displayed a higher expression level in patients with cancer than in cancer-free individuals (P = .015). ELISA revealed that the assessment of ENO1 expression in sputum supernatant had 58.33% sensitivity and 80.00% specificity in distinguishing patients with stage I lung cancer from cancer-free individuals. Conclusion The analysis of protein biomarkers in sputum may provide a potential approach for the early detection of lung cancer. Future validation of all the candidates defined by shotgun proteomics in a large cohort study may help develop additional biomarkers that can be added to ENO1 to provide more diagnostic efficacy for lung cancer.
HETEROGENEITY IN STATE‐DEPENDENT UTILITY: EVIDENCE FROM STRATEGIC SURVEYS

A standard result of life-cycle models under uncertainty is that optimizing individuals equate the expected marginal utility of consumption across states of the world if insurance is available at actuarially fair rates. A small empirical literature has suggested that the marginal utility of consumption is lower in less healthy states. We use a novel survey-based measure to document significant heterogeneity in health-state dependence across individuals largely orthogonal to standard controls. We further show that individuals value unhealthy states of the world more when facing work-limiting disabilities than when facing disabilities requiring long-term care, and when facing physical rather than mental disabilities. (JEL D12, I10)
Towards Auto-remediation in Services Delivery: Context-Based Classification of Noisy and Unstructured Tickets

Service interactions account for major source of revenue and employment in many modern economies, and yet the service operations management process remains extremely complex. Ticket is the fundamental management entity in this process and resolution of tickets remains largely human intensive. A large portion of these human executed resolution tasks are repetitive in nature and can be automated. Ticket description analytics can be used to automatically identify the true category of the problem. This when combined with automated remediation actions considerably reduces the human effort. We look at monitoring data in a big provider’s domain and abstract out the repeatable tasks from the noisy and unstructured human-readable text in tickets. We present a novel approach for automatic problem determination from this noisy and unstructured text. The approach uses two distinct levels of analysis, (a) correlating different data sources to obtain a richer text followed by (b) context based classification of the correlated data. We report on accuracy and efficiency of our approach using real customer data.
The Story of Demore V. Kim: Judicial Deference to Congressional Folly

In Demore v. Kim, the Supreme Court rejected a due process challenge to a statute mandating detention without bond for virtually all noncitizen offenders facing deportation. Demore is the Court's most recent foray into constitutional immigration law. It is also among the most disturbing of the Court's immigration cases, because it seems to signal a shift away from greater constitutional protection of noncitizens and toward unquestioning reaffirmation of the so-called plenary power doctrine. This chapter from the forthcoming book Immigration Stories delves into the history of the challenged statute and the record of the case to develop an account that contradicts in many respects the Demore majority's analysis of the statute and its application to the respondent, Hyung Joon Kim. The statute at issue in Demore was enacted, as the Supreme Court noted, to redress serious inadequacies in the system for removing deportable criminal offenders. Nevertheless, the sweeping detention mandate was not the product of careful deliberation, as depicted by the Demore majority, but rather was an overreaction, prompted by election year politics and inserted without study into omnibus legislation that Congress was in a hurry to pass. In addition to developing this legislative history, the chapter details the considerable costs that mandatory detention imposes on noncitizen offenders, who must relinquish their freedom as the price for contesting deportation, and on the government, which must devote scarce resources to detain individuals who do not present a risk of flight or danger to the community. It also tells of the rehabilitated life of Hyung Joon Kim, whose fight to remain in the United States continues to this day. Finally, the chapter analyzes the majority's unconvincing explanation for upholding mandatory detention. I conclude that Demore is best understood as a post-9/11 decision, rendered at a time when a majority of the Court was reluctant to scrutinize the political branches' claimed authority to detain non-citizens who are perceived as a threat. It is the historical context of Demore, rather than the Court's analysis of precedent, that explains the outcome of the decision. This legal realist interpretation has important implications for the stability of Demore as precedent and for the future of the plenary power doctrine.
Deficit irrigation impact on lycopene, soluble solids, firmness and yield of diploid and triploid watermelon in three distinct environments

SummaryWater conservation practices are critical for production and quality of watermelon [Citrullus lanatus (Thunb.) Matsum & Nakai] in southern regions of the USA. The objective of this experiment was to determine the effects of deficit irrigation and environment on lycopene content, total soluble solids, firmness, and yield of diploid and triploid watermelon. Irrigation rates were 1.0 evapotranspiration (ET), 0.75 ET, and 0.5 ET, which were calculated based on climatic parameters applied to the Penman-Monteith equation. Diploid cultivars were ‘Summer Flavor 710’ and ‘Summer Flavor 800’, and triploid cultivars were ‘Summer Sweet 5244’ and ‘Super Seedless 7187’. To investigate if there was a consistent response in cultivars across diverse environments, three studies were conducted in remote Texas locations: Uvalde in the Wintergarden, Weslaco in the Rio Grande Valley, and Lubbock in the High Plains. To isolate the environmental effects due to weather and soil type, all experiments used similar cultural s...
Effects of Water and Formic Acid Adsorption on the Electronic Structure of Anatase TiO2(101)

Water increases the photocatalytic oxidation (PCO) and decomposition (PCD) rates of formic acid on TiO2. To identify possible electronic origins for the rate increases, the effects of adsorption of combinations of key adsorbates (hydrogen, hydroxyl, water, formic acid, formate) on anatase TiO2(101) were investigated using density functional theory. The adsorption site and strength of bonds formed play key roles in altering the electronic structure to affect reactivity. Adsorption of hydrogen and water through the twofold-coordinated oxygen (2c-O) atom decreased the reducing power of the surface, and adsorption of hydroxyls through the fivefold-coordinated titanium (5c-Ti) atom increased the reducing power. The adsorption of water, formic acid, and monodentate and bidentate formate through the 2c-O and 5c-Ti atoms had varying effects on the positions of the valence and conduction band edges, depending on the strength of the bonds formed. Water coadsorption decreased the strength of the bonds between adsorb...
Sales Force Automation - Here and Now

AbstractAutomating the sales effort is a significant task, but holds tremendous potential to affect a company's bottom line through increasing salesperson efficiency and consequently increasing gross revenues. While field sales automation is expected to grow rapidly in the next several years, automating the sales effort requires more than just providing portable computers and related software for salespeople to use. It requires a network of productivity tools to speed up a salesperson's administrative tasks, while simultaneously increasing productivity and face-to-face selling time.
BLM promotes the activation of Fanconi Anemia signaling pathway

// Jayabal Panneerselvam 1 , Hong Wang 2, 3 , Jun Zhang 2 , Raymond Che 1 , Herbert Yu 1 , Peiwen Fei 1 1 University of Hawaii Cancer Center, University of Hawaii, Honolulu, HI, USA 2 Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA 3 Current address: Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China Correspondence to: Peiwen Fei, email: pfei@hawaii.edu Keywords: Fanconi Anemia, BLM, FANCD2 monoubiquitination, DNA damage, tumorigenesis Received: October 25, 2015 Accepted: March 28, 2016 Published: April 12, 2016 ABSTRACT Mutations in the human RecQ helicase, BLM, causes Bloom Syndrome, which is a rare autosomal recessive disorder and characterized by genomic instability and an increased risk of cancer. Fanconi Anemia (FA), resulting from mutations in any of the 19 known FA genes and those yet to be known, is also characterized by chromosomal instability and a high incidence of cancer. BLM helicase and FA proteins, therefore, may work in a common tumor-suppressor signaling pathway. To date, it remains largely unclear as to how BLM and FA proteins work concurrently in the maintenance of genome stability. Here we report that BLM is involved in the early activation of FA group D2 protein (FANCD2). We found that FANCD2 activation is substantially delayed and attenuated in crosslinking agent-treated cells harboring deficient Blm compared to similarly treated control cells with sufficient BLM. We also identified that the domain VI of BLM plays an essential role in promoting FANCD2 activation in cells treated with DNA crosslinking agents, especially ultraviolet B. The similar biological effects performed by ΔVI-BLM and inactivated FANCD2 further confirm the relationship between BLM and FANCD2. Mutations within the domain VI of BLM detected in human cancer samples demonstrate the functional importance of this domain, suggesting human tumorigenicity resulting from mtBLM may be at least partly attributed to mitigated FANCD2 activation. Collectively, our data show a previously unknown regulatory liaison in advancing our understanding of how the cancer susceptibility gene products act in concert to maintain genome stability.
Sealing and preservation conditions for large and medium gas fields of China

Based on the analysis of the sealing and preservation characteristics of 46 large and medium gas fields in different types of basin,the sealing ability of the caprocks was examined using comprehensive evaluation parameters.The gas sealing ability in foreland basins,followed by rift basins,is the best,and that in cratonic basins is the worst.The preservation conditions of the fields were studied according to the gas accumulation time.The gas accumulation in rift basins is relatively late,and their preservation conditions are good.The preservation conditions in foreland and crationic basins are poor.The gas accumulation efficiency of foreland basin is the highest,followed in turn by rift basin and cratonic basin.According to the relationship between accumulation efficiency and sealing and preservation conditions,to form highly efficient large and medium gas fields,the minimum sealing parameter value for cratonic basin should be about 3.1×10~9m/s,for rift basin about 7.0×10~9m/s, and for foreland basin 9.7×10~8m/s.
A New Approach in Water Management or Business as Usual? The Milk River, Montana

The allocation, management and development of water in the West is a highly dynamic area. Yet the basic law governing allocation of western water has not changed substantially in over 100 years, and is steeped in archaic concepts fashioned to address situations no longer relevant. Why this dichotomy between what is happening on the ground and the law? In short, the resource itself, our demand on it, and our view of its value is changing at a rate that outpaces the ability of the law to adapt. Supply fluctuates on both a seasonal and long-term basis. Estimates indicate that 1.2 billion people globally experience a shortage of potable water and given current population trends, that number will only increase. Many Indian reservations in the United States, like the developing world, lack potable water. In the West, growing urban demand and recent recognition of tribal rights and critical habitat needs place increasing strain on this finite, yet ever renewable resource. To meet these needs in the face of growing concern with the cost of water development on the integrity of ecosystems, the focus in water policy both globally and in the West has moved away from the twentieth century emphasis on water development and toward improvements in management and efficiency. Yet many of these efforts run headlong into the archaic law governing water allocation. Western water policymakers and practitioners find themselves in a constant struggle to introduce sufficient flexibility into the law to address changes in supply, demand, and values. In the effort to address modern problems, negotiation plays an increasingly important role. Collaborative processes aimed at resolving local issues are taking place in many of the water basins in the West. Frequently, what began as a focused process to settle, for example, tribal water right claims, has expanded to cover basin-wide issues. The current ad hoc approach to settlement has given rise to a variety of processes, thus providing a fertile ground for testing a variety of approaches and solutions designed to address water allocation problems. The growing use of negotiation to solve problems not adequately addressed by existing law may very well herald a new era for water distribution and management in the West, one tailored to the problems faced by specific water basins and structured around governance that mimics basin boundaries. This paper explores one such effort in a typical western basin: the Milk River.
Effects on the Tarsal Tunnel Following Malerba Z-type Osteotomy Compared to Standard Lateralizing Calcaneal Osteotomy.

Background:Tarsal tunnel syndrome is a known complication of lateralizing calcaneal osteotomy. A Malerba Z-type osteotomy may preserve more tarsal tunnel volume (TTV) and decrease risk of neurovasc...
The induction of midtrimester abortion with intra-amniotic prostaglandin F2α

Prostaglandin F2α was administered by a single intra-amniotic instillation of 40 mg. to 30 women for midtrimester abortion. Fifteen patients aborted completely, 14 incompletely, and one failed to abort within 48 hours. The mean instillation-abortion time was 25 hours. Fifteen patients experienced gastrointestinal side effects and three were febrile.
Radical left encourages decline

While the political right laments the degeneration of the rule of law in the West, radical left theorists encourage this decline. Their opposition builds upon the communitarian reaction to liberalism and upon on the negative implications of the rule of law in liberal systems, especially those related to distributive justice and formal equality. It is liberalism and capitalism that the radical left most resents, and the rule of law is attacked for the service it provides in bolstering this political and economic system. This chapter will concentrate on arguments raised amongst legal theorists in the USA, where the theoretical challenge to the rule of law has been most vociferous. Such severe criticism could only be produced in a country in which lengthy acquaintance with the rule of law confers intimate familiarity of its limitations, and also leads to a sense of security that encourages forgetfulness about its benefits. The 1960s and 1970s witnessed a massive social upheaval in the USA, related to the fight for civil rights, protests against the Vietnam War, refusal to comply with the draft, and resistance against school busing, mixed in with broader concerns about the dire economic future (stagflation and the oil crisis), the corruption of politics (Watergate), and the sexual revolution and mind-altering drugs. President John F. Kennedy and Robert Kennedy, his brother and political heir apparent, had been assassinated. Civil rights leader Martin Luther King was murdered.
Animal models of resistance exercise and their application to neuroscience research.

Abstract Background Numerous studies have demonstrated that participation in regular resistance exercise (e.g., strength training) is associated with improvements in mental health, memory, and cognition. However, less is known about the neurobiological mechanisms mediating these effects. The goal of this mini-review is to describe and evaluate the available animal models of resistance exercise that may prove useful for examining CNS activity. New method Various models have been developed to examine resistance exercise in laboratory animals. Comparison with existing methods Resistance exercise models vary in how the resistance manipulation is applied, either through direct stimulation of the muscle (e.g., in situ models) or through behavior maintained by operant contingencies (e.g., whole organism models). Each model presents distinct advantages and disadvantages for examining central nervous system (CNS) activity, and consideration of these attributes is essential for the future investigation of underlying neurobiological substrates. Results Potential neurobiological mechanisms mediating the effects of resistance exercise on pain, anxiety, memory, and drug use have been efficiently and effectively investigated using resistance exercise models that minimize stress and maximize the relative contribution of resistance over aerobic factors. Conclusions Whole organism resistance exercise models that (1) limit the use of potentially stressful stimuli and (2) minimize the contribution of aerobic factors will be critical for examining resistance exercise and CNS function.
Building a Tailored, Multilevel Prevention Strategy to Support Children and Families Affected by Parental Incarceration

ABSTRACTDuring the past several decades, a wave of incarceration engulfed the United States. In the wake of this “mass incarceration” are children and families who continue to struggle from its impact. Although findings are now emerging on the impacts of incarceration, there are few studies that have examined how to best intervene to promote positive development for those children who have had a parent incarcerated. While there are common risks and challenges faced by children and their families, the significant variation between and among these individuals and their relationships highlights the challenges in finding solutions. Given the number of issues at play, it is clear that a “one-size-fits-all” approach to addressing child needs is not sufficient. This article examines some of the common challenges faced by families impacted by parental incarceration as well as existing interventions designed to help support children and families overcome these challenges. It then offers some potential directions f...
Metric Feature Indexing for Interactive Multimedia Search

We address the problem of interactive event search in large video archives, using multimedia cues derived from both audio and visual information. Content-based search tools are limited in their ability to quickly respond to ad hoc queries, where a user defines an event of interest on the fly from several video clips. We show that an index organizing pre-computed features can be used to determine the highest-scoring detections while significantly reducing the number of clips examined, and that this approach is compatible with state of the art event search using late fusion over several multimedia cues. In experiments with the TRECVID Multimedia Event Detection (MEDTEST) data, we show that the top 100 detections can be determined by examining only about 1% of the video archive, and that time-limited mean average precision is significantly improved relative to a comparable approach from the literature.
Low fruit intake and exercise are associated with COPD in the USA

Background: Diet and exercise are modifiable risk factors for COPD. Fruits and vegetables contain antioxidants, may protect from oxidative stress and are associated with COPD and survival. Aims: We hypothesized that poor diet and low exercise are more prevalent in COPD patients and those with comorbidities. Methods: The Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System is the world's largest health survey. It routinely collects demographic factors, comorbidities, physical activity, and smoking status. In 2012 an optional module on diet was queried by 5 states. A chi square and a t-test analyzed categorical and continuous variables with a significant p-value <0.05. Multivariate logistic regression adjusted for demographic factors and smoking to model the impact of diet and exercise on COPD generating odds ratio (OR) and confidence interval (CI). SAS 9.4 for Windows (SAS Institute Inc., USA) was used for analysis. Results: We analyzed 32,953 subjects of whom 9.6% reported COPD. Those with higher education, income and employed were less likely to have COPD. COPD patients were less likely to consume fruits and had less exercise compared to non-COPD patients . Most had a presence of two or more comorbidities (58.62%) and were less likely to report physical activity (OR 0.72 CI 0.62-0.85). ![Figure][1] Conclusions: Dietary intake of fruits and exercise are decreased in COPD patients. Future studies will elucidate the effect of nutrition and exercise on COPD. [1]: pending:yes
Neutrophil‐mediated vascular barrier injury: Role of neutrophil extracellular traps

Neutrophils play an essential role in host defense against infection or injury. While neutrophil activation is necessary for pathogen clearance and tissue repair, a hyperactive response can lead to tissue damage and microcirculatory disorders, a process involving complex neutrophil-endothelium cross talk. This review highlights recent research findings about neutrophil-mediated signaling and structural changes, including those induced by neutrophil extracellular traps, which ultimately lead to vascular barrier injury.
Netrin-Mediated Axon Guidance to the CNS Midline Revisited

Varadarajan et al. (2017)—in this issue of Neuron—and Dominici et al. (2017)—published online at Nature—independently show that floor plate-derived netrin-1 is dispensable for commissural neuron axon guidance to the CNS midline during development.
Comparisons of demography and inbreeding depression in introduced and wild populations of an endangered shrub.

ABSTRACT: Population introduction is frequently attempted to promote rare plant conservation but there is little evidence to evaluate its effectiveness. We measured size structure, survival, growth, and recruitment in three 20-year-old introduced populations of the endangered shrub Conradina glabra, an endemic in upland longleaf pine habitat in the Florida Panhandle, and compared these with measurements from three natural populations. We also quantified inbreeding depression from hand pollinations in two populations and incorporated its consequences for seed production and germination into demographic projections. Individuals in introduced populations, which had been subjected to recent prescribed fire, grew nearly three times faster and produced more than twice as many recruits per individual, but suffered 3.7% greater mortality than individuals in wild populations growing in habitat where fire was suppressed. Demographic matrix projections based on our data predict that introduced populations would grow...
Is Major Depression Linked to Alcohol-Impaired Driving?

Background Alcohol-impaired driving causes a substantial proportion of motor vehicle accidents. Depression is a prevalent psychiatric disorder among drinker-drivers. Few previous studies have investigated the relationship between major depression and alcohol-impaired driving. Objectives We investigated whether depression has a positive relationship with the probability of alcohol-impaired driving after controlling for the co-occurrence of binge drinking and alcohol dependence. Methods Our data consisted of drinkers aged 21-64 years from two waves of the National Epidemiologic Survey of Alcohol and Related Conditions. Cross-sectional analysis investigated whether depression is an independent risk factor for drinking-driving. Longitudinal analysis distinguished the relationship of depression onset, continuance, and recovery with changes in drinking-driving behaviors between the waves. These dual approaches allowed comparisons with previous studies. Results Major depression was a small but statistically significant predictor of changes in alcohol-impaired driving behaviors among males but not females. Binge drinking and alcohol dependence were comparatively stronger predictors. Conclusions/Importance: There is limited empirical support that treating depression reduces drinking and driving in males who do not exhibit symptoms of alcohol use disorders. For persons with co-occurring depression and alcohol use disorders, depression treatment should be part of a strategy for treating alcohol use disorders which are highly related to drinking and driving.
Sample Based Methods

The methods discussed in this chapter are based in concepts discussed in chapters 2 and 4. They also are interconnected and connected to methods discussed earlier. Specifically, we noted in Chapter 8 that the ratio-correlation method can both be informed by sample data (Ericksen, 1973, 1974) and viewed as a form of synthetic estimation (Swanson and Prevost, 1985), a subject we take up in this chapter. Moreover, it is possible to use methods discussed in chapters 7, 8, 9 and 10 with sample data. Conversely, it is the case that some of the methods discussed here, particularly synthetic estimation, do not require sample data for their use. In this regard, the placement of synthetic estimation in this chapter reflects its origins in sample methods and the needs of survey statisticians to leverage the resources they had available (Steinberg, 1979; US NCHS, 1968). As will be seen in this chapter, demographers use a form of synthetic estimation that is not dependent on sample information.
Imaging of Convective Drug Delivery in the Nervous System

Convection-enhanced delivery permits the direct homogeneous delivery of small- and large-molecular-weight putative therapeutics to the nervous system in a manner that bypasses the blood-nervous system barrier. The development of co-infused surrogate imaging tracers (for computed tomography and MRI) allows for the real-time, noninvasive monitoring of infusate distribution during convective delivery. Real-time image monitoring of convective distribution of therapeutic agents insures that targeted structures/nervous system regions are adequately perfused, enhances safety, informs efficacy (or lack thereof) of putative agents, and provides critical information regarding the properties of convection-enhanced delivery in normal and various pathologic tissue states.
Impact of geriatric consultations on clinical outcomes of elderly trauma patients: A retrospective analysis.

Abstract Introduction The elderly account for a large proportion of morbidity and mortality secondary to trauma, despite lower-energy mechanisms of injury and fewer trauma admissions. The benefit of geriatric trauma consultation services (GTCS) to this population remains unclear. Methods We performed a retrospective cohort analysis of a GTCS, which was established in January 2015. Patients over 60 admitted to the trauma service from January of 2014 to February 2016 were eligible. Results There were no significant differences in 30-day and in-hospital mortalities, mean ICU and total lengths of stay, or complication rates. However, if a single complication was experienced, post-GTCS patients were nearly three times more likely to experience multiple complications. More patients in the GTCS group were discharged home, but were readmitted four times more often. Conclusions A mandatory GTCS was not associated with improved patient outcomes, suggesting that management exclusively by the trauma team is at least equally effective in treatment of geriatric trauma.
Observing Black youth sociopolitical group participation and high school democratic climate through the lens of critical race theory

AbstractThe purpose of this paper was to determine if high school democratic climates influence Black youth participation in sociopolitical groups using critical race theory as a lens. It was hypothesized that Black youth would be less likely to participate in sociopolitical groups due to perceived lack of support. It was also hypothesized that Black and White youth participation in sociopolitical groups is more comparable when the climate at their school is perceived to be more democratic. The hypotheses were only partially supported in that Black youth were more likely than White youth to participate in sociopolitical groups when the high school democratic climate was low. However, Black and White youth participation was found to be comparable when the high school democratic climate was high. This study adds to the literature by showing that high school democratic climates interact with race in a way that motivates sociopolitical group involvement among youth.
Causes and predictors of 30-day readmission after cardiovascular implantable electronic devices implantation: Insights from Nationwide Readmissions Database.

INTRODUCTION Readmissions are a burden on health care resources and have negative impact on patients. Cardiovascular implantable electronic devices (CIEDs) are frequently used in the management of rhythm disorders and advanced heart failure. We assessed 30-day readmissions in patients admitted for CIED implantation in a sample of United States patients. METHODS Data were extracted from Nationwide Readmissions Database for calendar year 2013. Patients admitted for CIED implantation were identified using ICD-9 codes. Patients <18 years of age, with missing data, who died during hospitalization or discharged in December were excluded. Primary endpoint was all-cause 30-day readmission rate. Factors associated with 30-day readmissions were identified and examined using multivariate logistic regression. RESULTS We identified 320,783 admissions for CIED implantations. After applying exclusion criteria, 290,420 patients were included in final analysis, out of whom 45,467 (15.7%) patients were readmitted within 30 days. Readmitted patients were younger and had more comorbidities. Septicemia (5.1%), pneumonia (3.4%), CHF (2.35%), and paroxysmal ventricular tachycardia (2.3%) were common primary causes of 30-day readmission. Young age, female gender, key comorbidities, weekend admissions, and admission to medium and large size hospital were independent predictors of 30-day readmissions. CONCLUSION In our study, 15.7% patients were readmitted within 30 days of an index admission for CIED implantation. Most readmissions were due to infectious or cardiovascular causes. There is a need to identify patients at risk for readmission to improve outcomes and curb the cost of care.
Influence of SLM on Compressive Response of NiTi Scaffolds

Porous Nickel-Titanium shape memory alloys (NiTi-SMAs) have attracted much attention in biomedical applications due to their high range of pure elastic deformability (i.e., superelasticity) as well as their bone-level modulus of elasticity (E≈12-20 GPa). In recent years, Selective Laser Melting (SLM) has been used to produce complex NiTi components. The focus of this study is to investigate the superelasticity and compressive properties of SLM NiTi-SMAs. To this aim, several NiTi components with different level of porosities (32- 58%) were fabricated from Ni50.8Ti (at. %) powder via SLM PXM by Phenix/3D Systems, using optimum processing parameter (Laser power-P=250 W, scanning speed-v=1250mm/s, hatch spacing-h=120μm, layer thickness-t=30μm). To tailor the superelasticity behavior at body temperature, the samples were solution annealed and aged for 15 min at 350°C. Then, transformation temperatures (TTs), superelastic response, and cyclic behavior of NiTi samples were studied. As the porosity was increased, the irrecoverable strain was observed to be higher in the samples. At the first superelastic cycle, 3.5%, 3.5%, and 2.7% strain recovery were observed for the porosity levels of 32%, 45%, and 58%, respectively. However, after 10 cycles, the superelastic response of the samples was stabilized and full strain recovery was observed. Finally, the modulus of elasticity of dense SLM NiTi was decreased from 47 GPa to 9 GPa in the first cycle by adding 58% porosity.
On the Iterative Solution of a Stochastic Mapping

M. Henon has demonstrated [1] that the simple deterministic mapping, xk+1=axk+bx2 k-xk-1, possessing a conservation theorem similar to Liouville’s Theorem, can exhibit the same “stochastic” behavior which, in Hamiltonian dynamics, is considered necessary for establishing an “approach to equiLibrium” or “transport laws”. While this mapping is so simple that it could be studied on a pocket-calculator its analytic solution is not available. This is probably due to the fact that it is so successful in imitating the behavior of a “non- integrable” Hamiltonian system of differential equations.
Reduced Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor α Expression Is Associated With Decreased Survival and Increased Tissue Bacterial Load in Sepsis

The peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α (PPAR-α) is a member of the nuclear receptor family with many important physiologic roles related to metabolism and inflammation. Previous research in pediatric patients with septic shock revealed that genes corresponding to the PPAR-α signaling pathway are significantly downregulated in a subgroup of children with more severe disease. In this study, PPAR-α expression analysis using whole-blood derived RNA revealed that PPAR-α expression was decreased in patients with septic shock and that the magnitude of that decrement correlated with the severity of disease. In a mouse model of sepsis, induced by cecal ligation and puncture, knockout mice lacking PPAR-α had decreased survival compared with wild-type animals. Plasma cytokine analysis demonstrated decreased levels of interleukin 1β (IL-1β), IL-6, IL-17, keratinocyte-derived cytokine, macrophage chemoattractant protein 1, macrophage inflammatory protein 2, and tumor necrosis factor α at 24 h in PPAR-α knockout animals. Cell surface markers of activation on splenic dendritic cells, macrophages, and CD8 T cells were reduced in PPAR-α null animals, and the bacterial load in lung and splenic tissues was increased. These data indicate that reduced or absent PPAR-α expression confers a survival disadvantage in sepsis and that PPAR-α plays a role in maintaining appropriate immune functions during the sepsis response.
NVM Weight Variation Impact on Analog Spiking Neural Network Chip

In extremely energy-efficient neuromorphic computing using analog non-volatile memory (NVM) devices, device variability arises due to process variation and electro/thermo-dynamics of NVM devices, such as phase change memory and resistive-RAM. Thus, for realizing NVM-based neuromorphic computing, it is important to quantitatively analyze the impact of synaptic device variability on neural network training accuracy and assess requirements for NVM devices. We investigated the analysis using simulations focusing on a spiking neural network (SNN)-based restricted Boltzmann machine (RBM). MNIST dataset simulation results revealed that more than 500 steps of conductance achieve comparable performance to the previous study of software-based simulation on SNN-based RBM. We also observed that at least a less than 10% of variation in conductance update for each synaptic device is required for achieving comparable performance to the result with no variation. These results provide baselines for designing and optimizing the characteristics of NVM devices.
Non-Contact Non-Invasive Heart and Respiration Rates Monitoring with MIMO Radar Sensing

Smart health calls for novel approaches to detect vital signs in non- contact, non-invasive and non-intrusive matters. In this work, we design a solution that monitors the rates of heartbeats and respiration simultaneously by using a Frequency Modulated Continuous Wave (FMCW) radar with multiple antennas. This solution measures the reflections from heartbeats and respiration at a high frequency of 4 K H z to capture fine dynamics of motions with big data. It employs multiple antennas and superposition to reduce the interference noises from unwanted motions in the background and any detection defects. The heart and respiration rates are detected in the frequency domains after a chain of preprocessing techniques on the sensed big data. With extensive experiments in a lab office, this system demonstrates high accuracies in various cases: 98% in the still case, 95% with finger motions and 96% with body motions. The tests also confirm that multiple antennas and signal superposition improve the detection accuracy and reliability.
Tensile properties of polymer nanowires fabricated via two-photon lithography

Two-photon lithography enables fabrication of complex 3D structures with nanoscale features. However, its utility is limited by the lack of knowledge about the process–property relationship. Here, we have designed micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS)-based miniaturized tensile testers to measure the stress–strain response of the individual polymer nanowires. Measurements demonstrate that geometrically indistinguishable nanowires can exhibit widely varying material behavior ranging from brittle to soft plastic based on processing conditions. In addition, a distinct size-scaling effect was observed for post-processed nanowires wherein thinner nanowires have up to 2 times higher properties. The process–property characterization presented here will be critical for predictive design of functional 3D structures with nanoscale features.
Efficient arsenic trisulfide vertical grating coupler on lithium niobate for integrated photonic applications.

An efficient vertical grating coupler design for arsenic trisulfide (As2S3) on silicon dioxide (SiO2) on lithium niobate (LN) is proposed, fabricated, and experimentally verified. We report 4 dB coupling efficiency per grating for vertical fiber coupling at a wavelength of 1550 nm with a 3 dB bandwidth of 40 nm using an aluminum reflector mirror between the LN and SiO2 interface. This coupler is the first step towards the demonstration of high-performance integrated photonic devices, which would simultaneously benefit from the acousto-optic properties of As2S3 and electro-optic and acoustic properties of LN. This hybrid platform is deemed to impact a broad range of applications such as imaging, ranging, and inertial sensing.
Non-linear resonances in quadrupole mass spectrometers due to imperfect fields

Abstract Peak-shape distortions and peak-splitting are commonly observed phenomena with all members of the quadrupole family of mass spectrometers. Errors in electrode shape, or spacing, or harmonics in the r.f. field may produce non-linear resonances. The resonances result in peak splitting by causing some ion trajectories to become unstable that otherwise, in a perfect field, would be stable and limited in amplitude. In Part I a theory of non-linear resonances in quadrupole fields was applied to the three-dimensional rotationally symmetric quadrupole ion trap. In the present paper, the theory of non-linear resonances is applied to the quadrupole mass filter and to the monopole mass spectrometer. Numerical computation of ion trajectories was used to determine the extent of peak-splitting for various amounts of third and fourth order spacial distortion and to determine the positions of resonance lines in the stability diagram. The calculations were used in the case of the mass filter to relate the performance to possible spacing errors in assembling the electrode structure. The monopole operating point can be chosen to avoid the resonance lines. The focusing quality is, however, affected by the presence of distortions. For the monopole, peak shapes were determined from the computed ion trajectories. A small amount of one type of third-order distortion is shown to be beneficial.
THE IMPACT OF RULE CHANGES AND LEGISLATION ON THE INCIDENCE OF CONCUSSION IN HIGH SCHOOL SOCCER

Background:There is much concern over the incidence of concussion in high school sports, with a growing focus on soccer, necessitating the need for legislation and formal rule changes for safety re...
Ibrutinib dose modifications in the management of CLL

Ibrutinib is a Bruton tyrosine kinase inhibitor approved for the treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) in 2014. Ibrutinib is often used to treat patients who are younger than the patients originally included in theclinical trials have additional unfavorable prognostic factors and suffer from additional comorbidities excluded from the original phase III trials. Our objective was to examine current clinical practices and their impact in this expanded population of CLL patients who often require adjustments in the standard prescribed dose and schedule of therapy. An extensive review of the medical literature was conducted to establish the consensus on ibrutinib dose modifications in patients with CLL. Twenty-nine studies were reviewed including fourteen clinical trials and fifteen “real-world practice” studies. The average discontinuation rate was similar between clinical trials and “real-world practice” studies though the reasons for discontinuation differed. CLL progression was a more common reason for discontinuation in clinical trial studies while toxicity was a more common reason for discontinuation in “real-world practice” studies. Some studies have suggested worse outcomes in patients requiring dose reductions in ibrutinib while others have shown no change in treatment efficacy in patients requiring dose reductions due to concomitant CYP medications or increased immunosuppression post-transplant. The impact of ibrutinib dose modifications on clinical outcome remains unclear. Patients on concomitant CYP3A inhibitors should be prescribed a lower dose than the standard 420 mg daily, in order to maintain comparable pharmacologic properties. Further research is required to establish definitive clinical practice guidelines.
Front-End Forensics: An Integrated Forensic Intelligence Model

Forensic science has the ability and capacity to be an active participant in investigations, rather than its traditional passive role. Too often, the evidence is collected, submitted to the laboratory, and the investigators wait for results, creating a lag between when the information is needed and when it is made available. Obstacles to forensic service providers being actively involved in investigations include organizational cultural norms, operational resources, sworn and civilian human resource issues, and media-driven expectations of outcomes. While traditional intelligence analysis is forecasting, forensic science and criminal investigations are reconstructive and this alters which methods can be and how to improve investigations. What has been characterized as forensic intelligence in the literature is largely forensic support to crime analysis. The benefits to using actual forensic intelligence actively in investigations by shifting forensic results, even if preliminary, to the front-end of the criminal justice system, are reduced wrongful arrests and convictions, more efficient use of policing resources, and stronger cases for adjudication. An integrated forensic intelligence model (IFIM) is offered as a roadmap to creating a sustained professional culture of forensic intelligence.
A review of big data and medical research

Universally, the volume of data has increased, with the collection rate doubling every 40 months, since the 1980s. “Big data” is a term that was introduced in the 1990s to include data sets too lar...
Mechanism and origins of selectivity in the enantioselective oxa-Pictet–Spengler reaction: a cooperative catalytic complex from a hydrogen bond donor and chiral phosphoric acid

Enantioselective additions to oxocarbenium ions are high-value synthetic transformations but have proven challenging to achieve. In particular, the oxa-Pictet–Spengler reaction has only recently been rendered enantioselective. We report experimental and computational studies on the mechanism of this unusual transformation. Herein we reveal that this reaction is hypothesized to proceed through a self-assembled ternary hydrogen bonding complex involving the substrate, chiral phosphate ion, and a urea hydrogen-bond donor. The computed transition state reveals C2-symmetric grooves in the chiral phosphate that are occupied by the urea and substrate. Occupation of one of these grooves by the urea co-catalyst tunes the available reactive volume and enhances the stereoselectivity of the chiral phosphate catalyst.
Quality of Life Through the Prism of the Roy Adaptation Model

This concept analysis is to expand knowledge about quality of life within the Roy adaptation model. The Walker and Avant concept analysis methodology is utilized. The perception of life events influences quality of life, and quality of life influences decision-making and actions. Balance, self-esteem, and satisfaction are essentials of quality of life. The authors in this concept analysis provide a basis for further research studies measuring quality of life using the theoretical basis of the Roy adaptation model.
Parental perceptions of actual and ideal body weight in early childhood prospectively predict adolescent perceptions of actual and ideal body weight among a low-income population

To examine the longitudinal associations between parental perceptions of their child’s actual weight (PPCA = parental perception of child’s actual) and ideal weight (PPCI = parental perception of child ideal) in early childhood and the child’s own perceptions of their actual weight (APA = adolescent perceived actual) and ideal weight (API = adolescent perceived ideal) during early adolescence among a low-income population. Using a longitudinal study design, 136 child/parent pairs were asked to assess the child’s actual and ideal weight using figure rating scales. When children were 4–7 years old, parents reported on their perception of their child’s weight; when children were 10–12 years old, the child reported on their own weight perceptions. Actual weight, ideal weight, and the difference between ideal and actual weight perception were assessed at the respective timepoints. Regressions were used to examine the relationship between parental weight perceptions (PPCA and PPCI) and later adolescent weight perception (APA and API). On average, PPCI was higher than PPCA, whereas API was lower than APA. We found a positive relationship between PPCI and API (β = 0.309, p = .029). PPCA was positively associated with API (β = 0.304, p = .015) and marginally positively associated with the APA (β = 0.242, p = .077). However, the difference between PPCI and PPCA did not predict either APA or API. Parental perception of their child’s weight may relate to the adolescent’s weight perception, particularly ideal weight. However, several null and marginal associations suggest that parental weight perception in early childhood may not be the most salient factor in determining weight perception in early adolescence. Level III, well-designed longitudinal cohort study.