cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Multidimensional transfer functions for interactive volume rendering

Most direct volume renderings produced today employ 1D transfer functions which assign color and opacity to the volume based solely on the single scalar quantity which comprises the data set. Though they have not received widespread attention, multi-dimensional transfer functions are a very effective way to extract materials and their boundaries for both scalar and multivariate data. However, identifying good transfer functions is difficult enough in 1D, let alone 2D or 3D. This paper demonstrates an important class of 3D transfer functions for scalar data, and describes the application of multi-dimensional transfer functions to multivariate data. We present a set of direct manipulation widgets that make specifying such transfer functions intuitive and convenient. We also describe how to use modern graphics hardware to both interactively render with multidimensional transfer functions and to provide interactive shadows for volumes. The transfer functions, widgets and hardware combine to form a powerful system for interactive volume exploration.
Diffraction-coupled plasmon-enhanced light emission from InGaN/GaN quantum wells

Plasmon-enhanced near-green light emission from InGaN/GaN quantum wells is demonstrated using periodic arrays of silver nanoparticles. Particularly large (nearly fivefold) enhancements are obtained when the array dimensions are near the onset of the diffractive regime.
Patterns and Paradoxes in Women’s Careers

Women have transformed the world of work and now comprise 40% of workers in the global economy (Carter & Silva, 2010). Accordingly, women’s careers and the impact of women in the workforce continues to be an important research topic.
Protecting Patient Rights: A Nursing Responsibility

This article addresses the issues that practicing nurses should be aware of surrounding access to personal health information. In the age of technology, electronic transmission of medical records has created a new array of challenges for informing and protecting patients’ rights. The Health Insurance Portability Act of 1996 addresses critical issues and poses some actions necessary for nurses to understand to (a) facilitate patients in decision making and (b) advocate for the protection of information, which may be used against patients inappropriately. This article is a general overview of the specific right of autonomy for the patient, which may be in jeopardy of violation without the proper understanding of the issues we face.
The surgical management of chronic cluster headache.

Objective Chronic cluster headache occurs in less than 10% of cluster headache sufferers, but remains an intractable medical problem. Surgical treatments have also been limited in their effectiveness. The authors describe their experience with attempted surgical amelioration of chronic cluster headache. Design Twenty-eight patients, including two with bilateral cluster headache, underwent 39 operations for microvascular decompression of the trigeminal nerve, alone or in combination with section and/or microvascular decompression of the nervus intermedius. Follow-up averaged 5.3 years. Results Initial postoperative success described as 50% relief or greater was achieved in 22 (73.3%) of 30 first-time procedures and greater than 90% relief in half (15 of 30) of these. Long-term follow-up saw this success rate (excellent or good) drop to 46.6%. Repeat procedures have little success, with 7 of 8 failing at long-term follow-up. Morbidity and neurological deficit from the operations was minimal. Conclusions Chronic cluster headache remains a debilitating and poorly controlled syndrome. Although various surgical treatments have had limited success, microvascular decompression of the trigeminal nerve with section of the nervus intermedius compares very favorably to other destructive techniques without the accompanying neurologic deficits. It is, therefore, our recommendation as the first-line operative treatment of chronic cluster headache.
Experience with Phase II insertion devices in the X-ray ring

The installation of Phase II insertion devices in the NSLS (National Synchrotron Light Source) X-ray ring was completed in February 1989, when the hybrid wiggler magnet (HBW) for beam line X21 and the superconducting wiggler (SCW) for beam line X17 were installed. Prior to this time, the soft X-ray undulator at X1, another hybrid wiggler at X25, and the ten-period miniundulator at X13 had been installed. Four of the insertion devices have generated light which has been brought out to the X-ray floor,. Characterization of these devices is continuing, with full commissioning anticipated in the future. Attention is given to thermal considerations, orbit control, and vertical tune shift. >
Effects of calcium and vitamin D3 on transforming growth factors in rectal mucosa of sporadic colorectal adenoma patients: A randomized controlled trial

Transforming growth factor alpha (TGFα) and TGFβ1 are growth-promoting and -inhibiting autocrine/paracrine growth factors, respectively, that may (1) affect risk for colorectal cancer and (2) be modifiable by anti-proliferative exposures. The effects of supplemental calcium and vitamin D3 on these two markers in the normal-appearing colorectal mucosa in humans are unknown. We conducted a pilot, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, 2 × 2 factorial clinical trial (n = 92; 23/treatment group) of calcium 2 g and/or vitamin D3 800 IU/d versus placebo over 6 mo. TGFα and TGFβ1 expression was measured in biopsies of normal-appearing rectal mucosa using automated immunohistochemistry and quantitative image analysis at baseline and 6-mo follow-up. In the calcium, vitamin D3 , and calcium plus vitamin D3 groups relative to the placebo group (1) the mean overall expression of TGFβ1 increased by 14% (P= 0.25), 19% (P = 0.17), and 22% (P = 0.09); (2) the ratio of TGFα expression in the upper 40% (differentiation zone) to that in the lower 60 (proliferation zone) of the crypts decreased by 34% (P = 0.11), 31% (P = 0.22), and 26% (P = 0.33); and (3) the TGFα/TGFβ1 ratio in the upper 40% of the crypts decreased by 28% (P = 0.09), 14% (P = 0.41), and 22% (P = 0.24), respectively. These preliminary results, although not statistically significant, suggest that supplemental calcium and vitamin D3 may increase TGFβ1 expression and shift TGFα expression downward from the differentiation to the proliferation zone in the crypts in the normal-appearing colorectal mucosa of sporadic colorectal adenoma patients, and support further investigation in a larger clinical trial.
Differences in the Response of Rabbit Small Intestine to Heat-Labile and Heat-Stable Enterotoxins of Escherichia coli

The response of adult rabbit small intestine to the heat-stable (ST) and heat-labile (LT) enterotoxins of Escherichia coli has been investigated by employing the ligated loop technique. Fluid accumulation was determined in relation to enterotoxin dose and duration of gut exposure. The individual responses to ST and LT differed in a characteristic manner. Onset of net fluid accumulation in response to ST appeared to be immediate even at the lowest dose tested. Onset of net fluid accumulation in response to LT was rapid at high doses but delayed at low doses. Maximum volume per length ratios elicited by ST occurred between 4 and 6 h after injection of loops over the entire range of doses tested. However, maximum ratios elicited by LT occurred no less than 10 h after injection even at low doses. Fluid accumulation elicited by LT increased in duration with increasing dose; high doses of LT producing a response which was sustained for at least 18 h. The net effect of these differences in reaction characteristics is a sharp increase in the proportion of the cumulative net secretory response attributable to LT with time. Therefore, a 6-h assay time is appropriate for the titration of ST, whereas an 18-h assay is not. The 18-h assay was found more appropriate for toxin-antitoxin neutralization studies since only LT was neutralized by anti-enterotoxin serum. LT of E. coli (swine) strain P-263 and (human) strain 334 was neutralized by antibody stimulated by enterotoxin from E. coli (human) strain H-10407. LT was labile to mild acid conditions, whereas ST was not.
Chloroplast heterogeneity and historical admixture within the genus Malus

UNLABELLED • PREMISE OF THE STUDY The genus Malus represents a unique and complex evolutionary context in which to study domestication. Several Malus species have provided novel alleles and traits to the cultivars. The extent of admixture among wild Malus species has not been well described, due in part to limited sampling of individuals within a taxon.• METHODS Four chloroplast regions (1681 bp total) were sequenced and aligned for 412 Malus individuals from 30 species. Phylogenetic relationships were reconstructed using maximum parsimony. The distribution of chloroplast haplotypes among species was examined using statistical parsimony, phylogenetic trees, and a median-joining network.• KEY RESULTS Chloroplast haplotypes are shared among species within Malus. Three major haplotype-sharing networks were identified. One includes species native to China, Western North America, as well as Malus domestica Borkh, and its four primary progenitor species: M. sieversii (Ledeb.) M. Roem., M. orientalis Uglitzk., M. sylvestris (L.) Mill., and M. prunifolia (Willd.) Borkh; another includes five Chinese Malus species, and a third includes the three Malus species native to Eastern North America.• CONCLUSIONS Chloroplast haplotypes found in M. domestica belong to a single, highly admixed network. Haplotypes shared between the domesticated apple and its progenitors may reflect historical introgression or the retention of ancestral polymorphisms. Multiple individuals should be sampled within Malus species to reveal haplotype heterogeneity, if complex maternal contributions to named species are to be recognized.
Interferometric SAR phase difference calibration: methods and results

Addresses the steps necessary to determine and maintain the phase calibration of a two-channel interferometric synthetic aperture radar (IFSAR). The method, setup, and accuracy of four different calibration techniques are compared. The most novel technique involves pointing the interferometric baseline at nadir and imaging a lake surface. The other techniques include measuring various flat surfaces in traditional side-looking IFSAR maps, in-flight closed-loop calibration path measurements, and static laboratory measurements. Initial results indicate that, using combinations of these measurements, it is possible to maintain the interferometric phase calibration of Sandia National Laboratories' K/sub u/ Band IFSAR to better than 3 degrees. The time variability of various parts of the calibration and requirements for recalibration are also discussed. >
Moderation Management: A Mutual-Help Organization for Problem Drinkers Who Are Not Alcohol-Dependent

Moderation Management (MM) is a mutual-help organization for problem drinkers who are not alcohol-dependent. MM members pursue a goal of moderate drinking as defined by specific guidelines for frequency and quantity of alcohol consumption. MM's program for change is based primarily on cognitive restructuring and behavioral self-control enhancement and has no inherent spiritual component. MM's definition of the “nondependent” problem drinker is based on the individual's ability to adhere to MM guidelines, which include an initial 30-day abstinence period followed by limits on daily consumption. MM's members, on average, are less alcohol-dependent and have higher social capital than individuals who participate in Alcoholics Anonymous or seek inpatient alcohol treatment. Although no longitudinal studies to date have examined the efficacy of MM, there are positive outcome data for similar cognitive and brief behavioral interventions delivered by health care professionals. Critics of MM claim the organization ...
The Distribution of Mycobacterium avium ssp. paratuberculosis in the Environment Surrounding Minnesota Dairy Farms

The objective of this study was to characterize the distribution of Mycobacterium paratuberculosis (Map) in the environment of infected and uninfected Minnesota dairy farms. Eighty herds known to be infected from Minnesota's Johne's Disease Control Program (JDCP) and 28 herds known to be uninfected from Minnesota Voluntary Johne's Disease Herd Status Program (VJDHSP) were sampled. Fecal samples from up to 100 cows in each herd were cultured in pools of 5 cows. Two environmental samples were obtained from each farm from various locations. All samples were tested using bacterial culture for Map. Eighty percent of the JDCP herds had at least one positive pool. Environmental samples were cultured positive in 78% of the JDCP herds. Two (7%) of the VJDHSP herds had one positive pool, and one herd had one positive environmental sample. Environmental samples were cultured positive in cow alleyways (77% of the herds), manure storage (68%), calving area (21%), sick cow pen (18%), water runoff (6%), and postweaned calves areas (3%). There was an association between maximum level of colonies per tube from cow alleyways and manure storage and fecal pool prevalence. Herds with both areas cultured negative were estimated to have 0.3 to 4% fecal pool prevalence. Herds with both areas having a heavy load of bacteria were estimated to have 53 to 73% fecal pool prevalence. The study results indicate that targeted sampling of cow alleyways and manure storage areas appears to be an alternative strategy for herd screening and Johne's infection status assessment and for estimating herd fecal prevalence.
Novel Low-k Dual-phase Materials Prepared by PECVD

Dielectric materials based on Si, C., O, H (SiCOH) have been demonstrated previously with dielectric constants of about 2.8. This value could be potentially further reduced by increasing/introducing porosity in the SiCOH films. Depositing multiphase films containing at least one thermally unstable phase and annealing the films to remove this labile phase from the material could create the enhanced porosity. Dual-phase materials, SiCOH-CH, have been prepared in the present study by PECVD from mixtures of a SiCOH precursor with a hydrocarbon. The films have been characterized as-deposited and after thermal anneals of up to 4 hours at 400°C. The atomic composition of the films has been determined by RBS and FRES analysis and their optical properties have been determined by FTIR and n&k measurements. Metal-insulator-silicon structures have been used to measure the electrical properties of the dual-phase films. After an initial anneal at 400°C, accompanied by a significant loss of CH and some SiH species and a thickness loss of up to 50%, the films stabilized. Depending on the deposition conditions and concentration of the CH precursor in the feed gas, the dielectric constant decreased by 10–15% during the stabilization anneal and reached values as low as 2.4. These initial results indicate the possibility to further reduce the dielectric constant of PECVD produced SiCOH films and the potential to incorporate such films in the interconnect structures of future ULSI chips.
Radiofrequency volumetric tissue reduction of the inferior turbinate in a sheep model.

Objectives/Hypothesis: To validate the sheep model for endoscopic nasal surgery, and to utilize this model to compare the immediate and early postoperative histopathologic effects of four electrosurgical turbinate reduction techniques. Study Design: Pilot comparative study of electrosurgical devices for inferior turbinate reduction using a sheep model. Methods: Three radiofrequency devices (one monopolar and two bipolar) were compared to monopolar electrosurgery in a sheep model of inferior turbinate reduction. Procedures were performed according to device manufacturer guidelines using standard endoscopic instruments. Normative acoustic rhinometry data were obtained for the sheep model. Histopathologic analysis of turbinate specimens was performed at postoperative day 0 and 21. Results: Turbinate reduction was performed on seven sheep, one procedure on each side, yielding 14 turbinate specimens. Acoustic rhinometry was validated in the sheep model and demonstrated increased nasal volumes following decongestion and turbinate reduction. Submucosal destruction of glands and venous sinusoids and replacement with fibrosis were demonstrated as a common mechanism of action for all four electrosurgical devices. Epithelial disruption was seen with all devices on postoperative day 0. Squamous metaplasia and normal respiratory epithelial regeneration were documented variably between devices at postoperative day 21. Conclusions: The sheep model is useful for study of both the anatomic and histopathologic effects of endonasal procedures. Standard endoscopic instruments and acoustic rhinometry can be used in this model with reproducible results. In this pilot animal study, radiofrequency devices for inferior turbinate reduction demonstrated greater preservation of normal nasal mucosal respiratory epithelium when compared to monopolar electrosurgery. Laryngoscope, 2012
An Evaluation of Early Education Based on Physical Environmental Guidelines

The integration of environmental policies with political support for action on these policies is of prime significance for mobilization and progression of improving indoor environments. However, state licensing agencies and local county ordinances for child care centers do not universally follow these policies and standards. As a result, most early childhood educational programs operate without proper indoor environments. Indoor air quality, temperature, ventilation, daylighting, and acoustics are crucial factors for educational settings in early childhood education. This study documents the physical environment in early childhood education centers in three counties in Maryland. Results indicate that building performance and indoor air quality standards vary according to the socioeconomic status of children who attend early childhood programs, and environmental factors correlate with educational achievement (as measured by kindergarten readiness scores).
Isolation and characterization of rice MADS box gene homologues and their RFLP mapping.

Thirty-five MADS box gene homologues were identified through a large-scale cDNA analysis in rice. Based on the nucleotide sequences of the 3'-untranslated region, these clones were classified into 11 independent species. Seven species were found to be new among the rice MADS box gene family, and the other 4 corresponded to the previously reported OsMADSl, 0sMADS2, 0sMADS4, and 0sMADS5. The full nucleotide sequences of the 7 new species were determined. Each clone encoded a deduced protein of 164-267 amino acids. The K-domain of the MADS protein was conserved in all clones though with lower degree in clone S10304. Reverse transcription PCR analysis showed that clones E31254 and E31864 were expressed mainly in panicles. Dendrogram analysis suggested that E31254 and E31864 are close to Arabidopsis AGL9 and API, respectively. Restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) linkage mapping revealed that the rice MADS box gene homologues reported here are not clustered but are located throughout the genome. The locus of E31864 on the RFLP map was closely linked to the long sterile lemma gene,
Method for modelling the potential sensed by a concentric multi-ring electrode set from a moving depolarization wave

A model is presented for simulating the potential sensed by a set of planar, concentric ring electrides with various radii and widths, caused by a simulated moving depolarization wavefront. The wavefront is represented by dipole elements which move in steps toward the electrode set. The results of this simulation are in qualitative agreement with previous in vivo and tank experiments. >
Gulf stream rings in the Sargasso Sea

Abstract A study of the distribution of rings formed by the separation of large enclosed meanders of the Gulf Stream is presented. Approximately 200,000 bathythermograph records previously taken in the western North Atlantic were used to detect these structures. Identification of 62 rings was possible in the western Sargasso Sea while rings were wholly absent in the central portion. It is shown that rings are formed along the southern side of the Gulf Stream between longitudes 60°W and 70°W and tend to move south and southwest as far as 25°N latitude. During this translation they show a gradual subsidence and decrease in their diameters as indicated by the position of the 17° isotherm. It is estimated that rings may be recognised by their temperature structures approximately 1·5 years after formation.
After Detection:: The Improved Accuracy of Lung Cancer Assessment Using Radiologic Computer-aided Diagnosis

Rationale and Objectives The aim of this study was to evaluate the improved accuracy of radiologic assessment of lung cancer afforded by computer-aided diagnosis (CADx). Materials and Methods Inclusion/exclusion criteria were formulated, and a systematic inquiry of research databases was conducted. Following title and abstract review, an in-depth review of 149 surviving articles was performed with accepted articles undergoing a Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies (QUADAS)-based quality review and data abstraction. Results A total of 14 articles, representing 1868 scans, passed the review. Increases in the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) area under the curve of .8 or higher were seen in all nine studies that reported it, except for one that employed subspecialized radiologists. Conclusions This systematic review demonstrated improved accuracy of lung cancer assessment using CADx over manual review, in eight high-quality observer-performance studies. The improved accuracy afforded by radiologic lung-CADx suggests the need to explore its use in screening and regular clinical workflow.
Recent advances in the pathological understanding of eosinophilic esophagitis

Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is a chronic allergen-mediated inflammatory disease of the esophagus. This inflammation leads to feeding difficulties, failure to thrive and vomiting in young children, and causes food impaction and esophageal stricture in adolescents and adults. In the 20 years since EoE was first described, we have gained a great deal of knowledge regarding the genetic predisposition of disease, the inflammatory milieu associated with EoE and the long-term complications of chronic inflammation. Herein, we summarize the important breakthroughs in the field including both in vitro and in vivo analysis. We discuss insights that we have gained from large-scale unbiased genetic analysis, a multitude of genetically and chemically altered mouse models of EoE and most importantly, the results of clinical trials of various pharmacologic agents. Understanding these successes and failures may be the key to developing more effective therapeutic strategies.
ASSOCIATION OF OBESITY WITH SURVIVAL AFTER CARDIOPULMONARY RESUSCITATION FOR IN-HOSPITAL CARDIAC ARREST: ANALYSIS OF THE 2003-2011 NATIONAL INPATIENT SAMPLE DATABASES

Prior studies have shown that obesity is paradoxically associated with improved survival in patients with acute coronary syndromes, acute heart failure, and acute ischemic stroke. However, the association of obesity with survival after in-hospital cardiac arrest (IHCA) has not been well examined.
Preference Measurement of Item Collections

In many cases of practical interest the marketing researcher may wish to analyze preferences for collections of items. This article shows how these collections can be analyzed by conjoint measureme...
Design issues for turbine-based and rocket-based combined cycle propulsion system inlets

This paper presents the elements of an analytical and experimental inlet program prepared by the NASA Lewis Research Center (LeRC) in support of Turbine Based Combined Cycle (TBCC) and Rocket Based Combined Cycle (RBCC) propulsion systems. The primary focus is on inlet technology for TBCC systems although areas of common interest to RBCC systems will also be discussed. The preliminary problem definition, analysis and design work are presented along with a proposed program plan for an aggressive program to meet the aerospace community's future needs for TBCC and RBCC inlet technology. The TBCC is a propulsion system that combines a turbine engine with ramjet and scramjet systems while RBCC combines the ramjet and scramjet systems with a rocket. TBCC systems combine the low speed thrust capability of a turbojet with the high speed efficiency of a ramjet and scramjet, while RBCC systems combine the high thrust-toweight (F/W) ratio of rockets with the high speed efficiency (i.e. specific impulse, Isp) of ramjets. Both systems provide a single, integrated propulsion system that is capable of generating net thrust from sea-level-static to hypersonic speeds. The subject inlet plan is a roadmap to investigate problem areas unique to the TBCC and RBCC systems. These include forebody boundary layer ingestion, offset diffusers, rectangular-to-round transition ducts, and single flow path versus dual flow path flow splitting issues. The plan outlines both computational and experimental studies designed to investigate the feasibility of various strategies to control or minimize the adverse effects of the abovementioned problem areas on inlet flow field qualities (e.g., total pressure distortion and recovery). Preliminary conceptual designs are presented for vision vehicles (both government and industry concepts) and propulsion systems. Design and analysis for these concepts were performed with method-of-characteristics (MOC), parabolized Navier-Stokes (PNS), and full NavierStokes (FNS) codes and the results are presented. An experimental program is laid out to address the aforementioned problem areas and those uncovered during the analyses. This comprehensive experimental program involves tests in the LeRC 1x1 Supersonic Wind Tunnel (SWT), Diffuser Test Rig (DTR), and 10x10 SWT. NOMENCLATURE D2 Fn Isp Ldif M0 Ps Pso PtO Pt2 q Ram/m Spil/m Z A2 inlet capture area turbojet subsonic diffuser entrance flow area turbojet subsonic diffuser exit flow area freestream captured stream tube area turbojet subsonic diffuser exit diameter thrust specific impulse turbojet subsonic diffuser length freestream Mach model static pressure freestream static pressure freestream total pressure engine face total pressure recovery freestream dynamic pressure ram drag divided by massflow spill drag divided by massflow turbojet subsonic diffuser centroid offset turbojet subsonic diffuser effective average wall angle gamma, ratio of specific heats, 1.4
Penetrating orthopedic injuries.

Treatment of gunshot wounds involving the extremities remains controversial, including the need for systemic antibiotics and formal debridement. Open joint injuries and gunshot fractures present different challenges to the treating surgeon.
Inflatable penile prostheses in patients undergoing cystoprostatectomy with urethrectomy.

AbstractWhen urethrectomy is indicated in the male patient in combination with cystoprostatectomy for diffuse transitional cell carcinoma, an additional challenge to reconstruction and sexual rehabilitation will be encountered. Inflatable penile prostheses were implanted in 19 patients who had undergone cystoprostatectomy with prophylactic urethrectomy. Of the patients 13 underwent cystoprostatectomy with en bloc urethrectomy and delayed placement of an inflatable penile prosthesis. The remaining 6 patients required urethrectomy and simultaneous implantation of an inflatable penile prosthesis 6 to 12 weeks after radical cystectomy. All 19 patients healed appropriately and had an adequate functioning prosthesis. However, results in patients in whom the glandular urethra could be preserved safely were far superior to those in patients requiring total urethrectomy. This was so because of easier and improved cylinder placement with better support to the glans, increased glandular sensation and a more acceptab...
Nonlinearity-induced PT-symmetry without material gain

Parity-time symmetry has raised a great deal of attention in optics in recent years, yet its application has been so far hindered by the stringent requirements on coherent gain balanced with loss. In this paper, we show that the conditions to enable parity and time symmetry can be simultaneously satisfied for a pair of modes with mixed frequencies interacting in a nonlinear medium, without requiring the presence of material gain. First, we consider a guided wave structure with second order nonlinearity and we derive the PT-symmetric Hamiltonian that governs the interaction of two waves of mixed frequencies when accompanied by a high intensity pump beam at the sum frequency. We also extend the results to an array of coupled nonlinear waveguide channels. It is shown that the evolution dynamics of the low-frequency waves is associated with a periodic PT-symmetric lattice while the phase of the pump beams can be utilized as a control parameter to modify the gain and loss distribution, thus realizing different PT lattices by design. Our results suggest that nonlinear wave mixing processes can form a rich platform to realize PT-symmetric Hamiltonians of arbitrary dimensions in optical systems, without requiring material gain.
[4 + 4] and [6 + 4] Cycloadditions

The potential utility of higher-order cycloaddition reactions in complex syntheses has only been recognized relatively recently. To a large extent, cycloaddition processes involving the interaction of two polyene addends have been restricted to somewhat specialized molecular systems selected for examining particular mechanistic and theoretical issues. This has been a very fruitful endeavor since the observations concerning the behavior of higher-order cycloaddition reactions have been instrumental in providing insight into the underlying principles of the cycloaddition reaction in a general sense.
The utility of electronic health record-based hygiene notes for chlorhexidine bathing practice evaluation.

Background:Unreliable compliance with infection prevention procedures necessitates an analysis of contributing factors.Methods:A retrospective study explored utility of 3236 nursing hygiene notes in the electronic healthcare record system (EHR). This 2012–2013 study identified defects in the chlorhexidine (CHG) bathing practice for a hospital unit.Results:The overall compliance with CHG bathing was 22.99%. Patients with length of stay less than 3 days, in most cases, did not have documentation for CHG bathing. Patient refusal to bathe was the most prevalent documented reason (66%) of the unsuccessful initial and repeated offers to bathe. The regular staff were statistically less successful in convincing patients to bathe. The 1455 notes produced by the regular staff (n = 10) demonstrated a significantly higher failure rate (56.08%) to execute this procedure in comparison with 1770 notes documented by the 246 temporary staff (31.19% failure rate) (P value <0.001) .Discussion:This analysis yielded three mai...
A contrasting look at network formation models and their application to the minimum spanning tree

We review network formation models, contrast their behavior, and conduct numerical experiments to investigate the structural features of the networks they generate. We focus primarily on problems related to minimum spanning trees and consider the cost of selfish behavior, more commonly known as the price of anarchy, in network formation. We also explore differences between local, decentralized methods for network formation and their global, centralized counterparts.
The Role of Data Wrangling

Synonymous to Samuel Taylor Coleridge’s quote in Rime of the Ancient Mariner, the degree to which data are useful is largely determined by an analyst’s ability to wrangle data. In spite of advances in technologies for working with data, analysts still spend an inordinate amount of time obtaining data, diagnosing data quality issues and pre-processing data into a usable form. Research has illustrated that this portion of the data analysis process is the most tedious and time consuming component; often consuming 50–80 % of an analyst’s time (cf. Wickham 2014; Dasu and Johnson 2003). Despite the challenges, data wrangling remains a fundamental building block that enables visualization and statistical modeling. Only through data wrangling can we make data useful. Consequently, one’s ability to perform data wrangling tasks effectively and efficiently is fundamental to becoming an expert data analyst in their respective domain.
Clinical Mental Health Counseling: A 40-Year Retrospective

In 2016, the American Mental Health Counselors Association (AMHCA) celebrated its 40th year. This retrospective article incorporates documents and interviews with key leaders to examine the development of clinical mental health counseling and outline projected future directions. Particular attention is given to the importance of events during the past decade and the needs of the membership for the coming decade.
A Pilot Study of Sleep Disordered Breathing (SDB) and Nocturnal Hypoxemia in Young Adults with Sickle Cell Disease

Sleep disordered breathing including transient hypoxemia and hypercarbia are reported in 60-80% of adolescents and children with sickle cell disease (SCD); oxygen desaturation 50 mm Hg during sleep are associated with increased frequency of acute vaso-occlusion events and are suspected of contributing to microvasculature alterations. To assess the prevalence and degree of sleep-related hypoxemia and potential associations with cardiovascular functions in young adults with SCD, we performed overnight sleep studies using a Type II sleep monitor NOX-T3 (Carefusion, Inc), 6-minute walk tests, echocardiograms, hematologic and chemistry panels, and PSQI questionnaires in 17 adults with SCD, ages 21-30 years. Subjects were attending a sickle cell clinic solely for routine care with no expressed complaints of SDB. Exclusion criteria included acute clinical events, hospitalizations, or red cell transfusions within 4 weeks, and chronic transfusions. AHI>5 (significant apnea/hypopnea hypoxemic episodes) during sleep occurred in 7/17 (41%) of subjects, and these subjects had a higher median number of hypopneas (34 vs 12, p=0.005), and oxygen desaturation indices (ODI, 5.9 vs 2.0, p 5 (median MV EA ratio of 2.0 vs. 1.5, p = 0.08). TR jet velocity >2.5 was found in 2/17 asymptomatic subjects; (both were in the AHI>5 group). General quality of life was lower in patients with AHI>5 (mean score of 38 vs. 48, p = 0.012). As prolonged and frequent hypoxemic episodes may increase risks for vaso-occlusive, cardiovascular, and neurologic events, these common findings of significant nocturnal hypoxemia in young adult sickle cell subjects strongly suggest that SDB should be investigated further in larger patient populations, and interventions initiated. The observations, in addition to prior reports, also strongly suggest that screening of young adult SCD patients for SDB should be performed on a routine basis. Research reported in this publication was supported by the NHLBI under Award Number P50HL118006. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health. Disclosures Klings:Actelion Pharmaceuticals: Research Funding; Pfizer: Consultancy.
Underwater image compression using the wavelet transform

Autonomous underwater vehicles (AUV) have gained considerable attention over the years for exploration of the ocean environment. An AUV which is equipped with an underwater video camera and tethered by a fiber optic cable is capable of providing invaluable visual data for ocean research. To extend the exploration range of such AUV's, an idea has been proposed to capture and process underwater video on-board the vehicle then transmit it acoustically to a remote site via an underwater acoustic channel. Video applications process large volumes of data and in order for an underwater channel to accommodate the transmission of this data, extremely high compression is required. The work presented here addresses this massive compression problem by employing the wavelet decomposition in conjunction with vector quantization for coding still underwater images. >
Design optimization of rare-earth free PM-assisted synchronous reluctance motor to improve demagnetization prevention capability

This paper presents the design optimization of rare-earth-free permanent magnet assisted synchronous reluctance motor (PMSynRM) with an objective to improve the demagnetization prevention capability. Ferrite magnet is a common rare-earth-free permanent magnet (PM) which is attracting the manufacturers with its lower price and abundant supply compared to rare-earth materials such as Neodymium, Samarium, and Cerium based PMs. However, due to lower coercive force, Ferrite magnets have a higher risk of getting demagnetized than rare-earth magnets. Therefore, Ferrite based motor should be carefully designed so that the magnets do not get demagnetized at any desired operating condition. This study proposes a Ferrite magnet based PMSynRM (F-PMSynRM) with non-conventional flux-barrier structures to improve its demagnetization prevention capability while maintaining the same output power as a conventional F-PMSynRM. The equivalent magnetic circuit (EMC) has been used to obtain and justify the proposed motor of improved demagnetization prevention capability. Besides, finite element analysis (FEA) results have been presented to compare the proposed motor and conventional motor in terms of their electromagnetic torque, back-emf, stress and demagnetization preventive capability. Experimental results of the no-load induced voltage have been provided to validate the analytical and simulation results.
Communication with children about a parent’s advanced cancer and measures of parental anxiety and depression: a cross-sectional mixed-methods study

Parents with advanced cancer are faced with difficult decision-making about communication about their illness with their children. The objectives of this study were to describe how parents communicated with their children about advanced cancer and to explore associations between communication and parental depression and anxiety. This was a cross-sectional, mixed-methods study of 42 patients with stage IV solid tumor malignancies who had at least one child less than 18 years of age. Participants completed a semi-structured interview and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). We used multiple linear regression to evaluate the association between extent of communication and HADS Anxiety and Depression scores. Interview data were analyzed using standard qualitative content and thematic techniques and triangulated with survey data. Higher HADS Anxiety scores, but not HADS Depression scores, were cross-sectionally associated with greater extent of parental communication (p = 0.003), even when controlling for performance status and children’s ages. In qualitative analyses, parents who acknowledged the terminal nature of their illness or experienced higher symptom burden were more likely to report that they also communicated more extensively with children. A third of parents (n = 14, 33%) described difficulty with illness-related communication with their children. In this pilot study, parents with advanced cancer who reported more illness-related communication with their children also reported more symptoms of general anxiety. Future interventions should address psychological distress relevant to parenting and further assess how parental communication may be linked to parental mood symptoms.
The Mormon Jesus and the Nicene Christ

Mormons should have no real problem endorsing the central thesis of Nicaea's Christological formulation--namely, that the Son is of homoousia , "of one being," with God the Father. If we take that claim in isolation from everything else in the creed, it actually comports quite nicely with Mormon Christology. After all, Mormons are famous for having taught that members of the Godhead and human beings are "of the same species." This means that not only are the Father and the Son "of the same substance" but they also share that metaphysical character with all human beings. That is exactly where the theological problem comes up between Mormons and traditional Christianity and Judaism who have been united in their insistence that the Creator and the creation--including God's human creatures--are divided by an unbridgeable "being" gap. God is the "Wholly Other'. So, does that leave us at an impasse, beyond which no significant dialogue between Theists and Mormons is possible about the person and work of Christ? I think not. I want to point to two potentially productive foci for pursuing the conversation: soteriology (i.e., the theology of salvation) and the historical development of doctrine.
Feeding the Knowledge Forward: Advancements in Post-Occupancy Evaluation Application Through Collaboration

Post-occupancy evaluation (POE) plays an important role in the broader field of Building Performance Evaluation (BPE), offering critical feedback for improving that which has been evaluated. The full process of BPE should utilize POE to feed building information forward by measuring and comparing functional and technical criteria, reporting meaningful findings, applying research outcomes, and informing future designs, thus strengthening the overall design process. However, the final phase of a POE, “applying”, is often disregarded in the evaluation process and instead ends with the step of reporting the findings rather than demonstrating a practical application of how this knowledge feeds forward. This speaks to the challenge of effectively translating research findings into concepts that are both accessible and usable to design practice. As noted by Hamilton (2007), “Members of the design community tend to be nervous about reading and understanding original research. They are unsure of their ability to understand academic language, much less to critically interpret the implications of research on their projects” (p. 29). This presents an opportunity to rethink how researchers are communicating building performance outcomes and develop new methods for integrating evidence into design practice. “Unless designers make optimal use of research evidence, both the research and design project are at risk of not reaching the desired objectives” (Fay et al. 2017, p. 2).
Reading the Textured World

Since the past sixteen years or so, a growing concern about reading has emerged. The argument concerns a pitting of books against computers, of reading against digitalizing, of text against texting. Many teachers have experienced a problem in the reading classroom, when students assigned literary texts often lack the skills or patience to sit still with a book and absorb, then analyze what is on the printed page.
Primary chondro‐osseous melanoma (chondrosarcomatous and osteosarcomatous melanoma)

Melanoma can rarely show malignant chondro-osseous differentiation and can cause diagnostic confusion. We report 3 cases of primary melanoma with extensive bone and cartilage matrix. The first case arose in the nasal mucosa of a 72-year-old woman, the second case in the left index finger of a 26-year-old woman and the third case in the left cheek of a 68-year-old woman. In tumors where osseous and chondroid differentiation appear in mucosa and skin, primary melanoma with chondro-osteosarcomatous differentiation should be considered in the differential. Careful histological examination together with clinical correlation and ancillary immunohistochemical studies can ensure the correct diagnosis is made.
Language Education Policy in Latin America

This article briefly overviews language education policy in Latin America. Education through the Spanish language long has been the principal means of establishing a policy of linguistic and cultural assimilation for the indigenous population. In more recent years, progressive educational reforms that promote intercultural bilingual education have been implemented in conjunction with national language policies that recognize and, in some cases, officialize indigenous languages. Yet despite significant policy shifts, the long-term social inequalities that many language education policies were designed to address have yet to be substantially altered in the region, in part due to the significant lag in implementation of these measures. The article closes by discussing the major challenges to full implementation of language education policy that meaningfully uses indigenous languages in classrooms, including the dearth of qualified bilingual teachers, questions of language standardization, divergent interpretations of ‘bilingual’ and ‘intercultural,’ and complications surrounding decentralization and local authority over indigenous schools.
Tris(1,3-dichloro-2-propyl) phosphate disrupts dorsoventral patterning in zebrafish embryos

Tris(1,3-dichloro-2-propyl) phosphate (TDCIPP) is a high-production volume organophosphate flame retardant widely used within the United States. Within zebrafish, initiation of TDCIPP exposure at 0.75 h post-fertilization (hpf) results in genome-wide alterations in methylation during cleavage (2 hpf) as well as epiboly delay or arrest (at higher concentrations) during late-blastula and early-gastrula (4-6 hpf). To determine whether these TDCIPP-induced effects were associated with impacts on the transcriptome, embryos were exposed to vehicle (0.1% DMSO) or 2 µM TDCIPP from 0.75 hpf to 6 hpf, and total RNA was extracted from triplicate embryo pools per treatment and hybridized onto duplicate Affymetrix Zebrafish Gene 1.0 ST Arrays per RNA sample. Based on transcriptome-wide profiling, TDCIPP resulted in a significant impact on biological processes involved in dorsoventral patterning and bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) signaling. Consistent with these responses, TDCIPP exposure also resulted in strongly dorsalized embryos by 24 hpf-a phenotype that mimicked the effects of dorsomorphin, a potent and selective BMP inhibitor. Moreover, the majority of dorsalized embryos were preceded by epiboly arrest at 6 hpf. Our microarray data also revealed that the expression of sizzled (szl)-a gene encoding a secreted Frizzled-related protein that limits BMP signaling-was significantly decreased by nearly 4-fold at 6 hpf. Therefore, we used a splice-blocking morpholino to test the hypothesis that knockdown of szl phenocopies TDCIPP-induced delays in epiboly progression. Interestingly, contrary to our hypothesis, injection of szl MOs did not affect epiboly progression but, similar to chordin (chd) morphants, resulted in mildly ventralized embryos by 24 hpf. Overall, our findings suggest that TDCIPP-induced epiboly delay may not be driven by decreased szl expression, and that TDCIPP-induced dorsalization may-similar to dorsomorphin-be due to interference with BMP signaling during early zebrafish development.
New Findings on the Indonesian Killings of 1965–66

The anti-communist killings of 1965–66 comprised the single most traumatic political event in independent Indonesia, with a consensus estimate of approximately 500,000 deaths. However, these estimates, along with a geographic and political characterization of the killings, have been informed exclusively by anecdotal accounts. In this article, available census data are used in conjunction with demographic analysis to provide a comprehensive and systematic picture of the killings. Using East Java, one of the four hardest-hit Indonesian provinces, as an example, this article estimates and illustrates their impact and provides a geographic characterization of the killings with evidence about the relationship between their locations and local political milieux. While this study is not able to apportion degrees of agency or responsibility for the killings across the various perpetrators, including the Indonesian army and political opponents of the Communist Party of Indonesia, the patterns presented in this article parallel and build on prior research by anthropologists and historians.