cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
SCRIBE: The Design of a Large-Scale Event Notification Infrastructure

This paper presents Scribe, a large-scale event notification infrastructure for topic-based publish-subscribe applications. Scribe supports large numbers of topics, with a potentially large number of subscribers per topic. Scribe is built on top of Pastry, a generic peer-to-peer object location and routing substrate overlayed on the Internet, and leverages Pastry's reliability, self-organization and locality properties. Pastryi s used to create a topic (group) and to build an efficient multicast tree for the dissemination of events to the topic's subscribers (members). Scribe provides weak reliability guarantees, but we outline how an application can extend Scribe to provide stronger ones.
Levels of Death Anxiety in Terminally Ill Men: A Pilot Study

Twenty-five men, twelve of whom were healthy and thirteen of whom had been diagnosed with AIDS, were administered measures of overt (Templer DAS) and covert (Incomplete Sentence Blank) fear of deat...
Evolving coordinated quadruped gaits with the HyperNEAT generative encoding

Legged robots show promise for complex mobility tasks, such as navigating rough terrain, but the design of their control software is both challenging and laborious. Traditional evolutionary algorithms can produce these controllers, but require manual decomposition or other problem simplification because conventionally-used direct encodings have trouble taking advantage of a problem's regularities and symmetries. Such active intervention is time consuming, limits the range of potential solutions, and requires the user to possess a deep understanding of the problem's structure. This paper demonstrates that HyperNEAT, a new and promising generative encoding for evolving neural networks, can evolve quadruped gaits without an engineer manually decomposing the problem. Analyses suggest that HyperNEAT is successful because it employs a generative encoding that can more easily reuse phenotypic modules. It is also one of the first neuroevolutionary algorithms that exploits a problem's geometric symmetries, which may aid its performance. We compare HyperNEAT to FT-NEAT, a direct encoding control, and find that HyperNEAT is able to evolve impressive quadruped gaits and vastly outperforms FT-NEAT. Comparative analyses reveal that HyperNEAT individuals are more holistically affected by genetic operators, resulting in better leg coordination. Overall, the results suggest that HyperNEAT is a powerful algorithm for evolving control systems for complex, yet regular, devices, such as robots.
An aerator for brain slice experiments in individual cell culture plate wells.

Abstract Background Ex vivo acute living brain slices are a broadly employed and powerful experimental preparation. Most new technology regarding this tissue has involved the chamber used when performing electrophysiological experiments. Alternatively we instead focus on the creation of a simple, versatile aerator designed to allow maintenance and manipulation of acute brain slices and potentially other tissue in a multi-well cell culture plate. New method Here we present an easily manufactured aerator designed to fit into a 24-well cell culture plate. It features a nylon mesh and a single microhole to enable gas delivery without compromising tissue stability. The aerator is designed to be individually controlled, allowing both high throughput and single well experiments. Results The aerator was validated by testing material leach, dissolved oxygen delivery, brain slice viability and neuronal electrophysiology. Example experiments are also presented, including a test of whether β1-adrenergic receptor activation regulates gene expression in ex vivo dorsal striatum using qPCR. Comparison with existing methods Key differences include enhanced control over gas delivery to individual wells containing brain slices, decreased necessary volume, a sample restraint to reduce movement artifacts, the potential to be sterilized, the avoidance of materials that absorb water and small biological molecules, minimal production costs, and increased experimental throughput. Conclusion This new aerator is of high utility and will be useful for experiments involving brain slices and other potentially tissue samples in 24-well cell culture plates.
Neuromagnetic localization using magnetic resonance images

Ionic flow associated with neural activation of the brain produces a magnetic field, called the neuromagnetic field, that can be measured outside the head using a highly sensitive superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID)-based neuromagnetometer. Under certain conditions, the sources producing the neuromagnetic field can be localized from a sampling of the neuromagnetic field. Neuromagnetic measurements alone, however, do not contain sufficient information to visualize brain structure. Thus, it is necessary to combine neuromagnetic localization with an anatomical imaging technique such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to visualize both function and anatomy in vivo. Using experimentally measured human neuromagnetic fields and magnetic resonance images, the authors have developed a technique to register accurately these two modalities and have applied the registration procedure to portray the spatiotemporal distribution of neural activity evoked by auditory stimulation. >
Association of Vitamin D Deficiency and Age-Related Macular Degeneration in Medicare Beneficiaries

Several studies have found an association between vitamin D deficiency and age-related macular degeneration (AMD).1-4 Vitamin D has been shown to have immunomodulatory and antiangiogenic properties, suggesting a biologically plausible role in the pathogenesis of AMD.5 This study examines the possible association of vitamin D deficiency and subsequent incidence of first diagnosis of nonneovascular and neovascular AMD in a cohort of Medicare beneficiaries. To our knowledge, this is the first study to evaluate incidence rather than prevalence of AMD in a large sample of vitamin D–deficient patients.
A moore-penrose inverse for boolean relation matrices

Several authors in recent years investigated the properties of the Moore-Penrose inverse of an arbitrary Boolean relation matrix. The concept of a Moore-Penrose inverse for Boolean relation matrices was discussed first by Rutherford [11] and then independently discovered by Markowsky [8], Plemmons [10], and the author ([3] and [4]). It is natural to inquire whether or not the Moore-Penrose inverse is unique, if it exists. In this paper, the properties of unique Moore-Penrose inverse of an arbitrary Boolean relation matrix are examined in connection with partial order relation and three computational methods for the unique Moore-Penrose inverse for an arbitrary Boolean relation matrix is developed.
Contrasting life histories of the predatory cladocerans Leptodora kindtii and Bythotrephes longimanus

The predatory cladocerans, Leptodora kindtii (Focke, 1844) and Bythotrephes longimanus (Leydig, 1860), express markedly different life-history traits. Leptodora produce small-bodied neonates that mature at small sizes but continue to grow throughout life. Bythotrephes produce larger neonates in both relative and absolute terms that grow rapidly to a large size at maturity whereupon they curtail somatic growth and divert resources mainly to reproduction. Despite their remarkable differences, the sets of life-history traits of both species appear to be solutions to the same basic selection pressures imposed by visually discriminating gape-limited fishes and foraging constraints imposed by prey size. Leptodora stresses pre-contact (transparency) while Bythotrephes stresses postcontact (caudal spine) modes of morphological defense against fishes. Mounting these disparate modes of defense has consequences for selection on timing and allocation to body growth that may underlie competitive imbalance between the species. Owing to the production of large-bodied neonates that grow rapidly, Bythotrephes quickly attain body sizes that both admit them to a broader prey base in size and taxonomic variety, and allow shorter prey handling times, in comparison to Leptodora. This provides Bythotrephes with a wider and more exploitable prey base from an earlier age and may explain why Leptodora has declined in density following Bythotrephes invasion into some North American lakes. The divergent sets of life-history traits expressed by Leptodora and Bythotrephes parallel two dominant life-history strategies evolved by phytoplanktivorous species of the order Cladocera.
Action of colicines on Shigella boydii and on their rough and mucoid variants.

SummaryIn 58 experiments involving comparisons of 6 smooth parent cultures of various Sh. boydii serotypes and their corresponding non-S variants, the variants were significantly more sensitive to colicine action than the smooth parent strains. Reversal of the culture from the non-S to the S form was accomplished by use of kinetin, and the “transformed” cultures reflected, in part, the colicine spectrum of the original S parent culture and in part the spectrum of the non-S variants from which the “transformed” S cultures were immediately derived.
Unipolar membrane association of Dishevelled mediates Frizzled planar cell polarity signaling

Drosophila epithelia acquire a planar cell polarity (PCP) orthogonal to their apical-basal axes. Frizzled (Fz) is the receptor for the PCP signal, and Dishevelled (Dsh) transduces the signal. Here, I demonstrate that unipolar relocalization of Dsh to the membrane is required to mediate PCP, but not Wingless (Wg) signaling. Dsh membrane localization reflects the activation of Fz/PCP signaling, revealing that the initially symmetric signal evolves to one that displays unipolar asymmetry, specifying the cells' ultimate polarity. This transition from symmetric to asymmetric Dsh localization requires Dsh function, and reflects an amplification process that generates a steep intracellular activity gradient necessary to determine PCP.
Molecular genetics of atrioventricular septal defects.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW Atrioventricular septal defects (AVSDs) occur as a clinical feature of several different syndromes, as autosomal dominant defects, and as sporadically occurring malformations. Consequently, it is clear that there is genetic heterogeneity, but until recently, little else was known about the genes involved in the pathogenesis of AVSD. Recent advances in understanding the molecular genetic basis of AVSD are reviewed. RECENT FINDINGS Atrioventricular septal defect is most often found associated with trisomy 21 (Down syndrome), but the responsible gene or genes on chromosome 21 have not been identified. However, promising candidates exist, and the current status of those efforts is presented. AVSD not associated with trisomy 21 usually occurs as a sporadic trait with no indication of the genetic basis. The discovery of cysteine rich with EGF domains (CRELD) 1 as the first recognized genetic risk factor for AVSD provides new insight into the genetic basis of sporadically occurring AVSD and the potential for genetic overlap with syndromic AVSD. Mutation of CRELD1 increases susceptibility to AVSD but is not alone sufficient to cause the defect, indicating that AVSD is multigenic. Consequently, additional genes must be identified to understand the genetic basis of AVSD. SUMMARY Because most nonsyndromic cases of AVSD are sporadic, opportunities for genetic analyses in humans are limited. An abundance of candidate genes have been identified through animal models and biochemical studies, but determining which actually contribute to the pathogenesis of AVSD will be difficult. Painstaking investigation of these candidate genes in humans may ultimately be necessary to identify the remaining genetic risk factors for AVSD.
Training residents in dermatopathology: Why, when, where, and how

These observations and conclusions derive from more than 20 years of teaching dermatopathology full-time to residents in dermatology and surgical pathology, fellows in dermatopathology, and practicing dermatologists and pathologists .
2D RAKE receivers for CDMA cellular systems

A major advantage of spread-spectrum communication systems is their ability to exploit the multipath structure of the received signal. Different paths can be characterized by their time delays, attenuations, and angles of arrival. A standard RAKE receiver recombines different path signals and mitigates the effects of multipath by separating the paths in time domain. A method of exploiting the spatial properties of the multipath environment using multiple element antenna arrays is proposed where both code and spatial structure of signals can be used to improve SINR. The simulation results present the performance of such a multichannel receiver.
Ion Implantation and Characterization of III-V Materials

We have implanted most dopant elements into GaAs, GaP, InP, and InSb, to energies from 10 to 700 keV, and a few up to 2.4 MeV, in random and channeled orientation, annealed some of these implants, and measured the depth distributions using secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) . We have calculated values of Rm, Rp, ΔRp, γ1, β2, using an LSS formulation, and measured these same profile parameters for the experimental profiles using a Pearson IV computer fitting routine. We describe a study of the fabrication of self-aligned W-gate FETs in GaAs using Si-implanted channels and source/drains, and a buried p implant (Be or Mg) to compensate the backside (tail) of the Si profile. The implant profiles and electrical device characteristics, including the effects on AVt of various implant conditions, are discussed.
Spirituality and Suicide Prevention: Charting a Course for Research and Clinical Practice

In their commentary, Bryan, Graham, and Roberge (2015) examine how spirituality can be conceptualized as a protective factor against suicide. The commentary submitted by Currier, Kuhlman, and Smith (2015) offers a review of the extant literature examining the relationship between spirituality and suicidal behavior as well as several ethical considerations related to applying spirituality in clinical practice. The present article looks to add to these discussions by providing further insight into understandings of spirituality as well as suggest additional steps which could be useful in developing the applicability of spirituality to suicide prevention efforts targeting current and former military personnel.
The distribution and recovery of gold in the Golden Sunlight gold-silver telluride deposit, Montana, U.S.A.

The gold balance in an ore deposit where the ore is treated by cyanide is the sum of the ‘visible gold’ that is amenable to cyanidation and ‘visible gold’ and the ‘invisible gold’, which are not amenable to cyanidation. Petrographic analyses, electron and ion microprobe as well as scanning electron microscope studies of ore from the Golden Sunlight deposit, Montana, suggest that periods of relatively poor gold recoveries are primarily due to the presence of inclusions, <25 μm in size, of native gold, petzite, calaverite, buckhornite and krennerite. These are encapsulated in cyanide insoluble grains of pyrite, chalcopyrite and tennantite and are present in the tailings. This contribution probably accounts for 3–25% of the unrecoverable gold processed during the life of the mine. Minor amounts (6–7%) of ‘invisible gold’, as indicated by ion microprobe studies and the presence of up to 5% ‘visible gold’ in buckhornite, which is rare in nature, appears to account for the remainder of the gold budget.
Survival of the Fittest: Rhetoric During the Course of an Election Campaign

Despite the tradition of studying campaign effects, we know little about the rhetorical strategies of candidates. This study speculates about the types of appeals that incumbents and challengers find most effective and that are, as a result, most likely to dominate an election campaign. Candidates have an incentive to use arguments that evoke emotions such as fear, anxiety, and anger Emotional appeals allow candidates to emphasize consensual values, which makes it easier to mobilize their party's base while simultaneously attracting the support of the uncommitted. The use of emotional appeals is also consistent with the media's preference for drama and excitement in news reporting. Thus, emotional appeals will be more enduring than other types of appeals, and hence more likely to dominate the rhetorical landscape. A content analysis of newspaper coverage of the 1988 Canadian federal election campaign provides suggestive evidence in favor of this view.
Thermal Conductivity and Interface Thermal Conductance of Titanium Silicide Films on Si

Titanium silicide films were prepared by magnetron sputtering of Ti on B-doped Si (100) and annealing at different temperatures up to 700 °C in argon atmosphere. Films were also prepared by laser physical vapor deposition (LPVD) of Ti at 500 °C and 600 °C on B-doped Si (100) followed by in situ annealing. The films were characterized by X-ray diffraction for phase identification, scanning electron microscopy for interface microstructure and oxygen level, atomic force microscopy for interface roughness, transient thermoreflectance for thermal conductivity and interface thermal conductance of the interface with Si. Annealing at 700 °C for 1 h was responsible for the complete formation of C54 phase. LPVD at 500 °C and 600 °C was responsible for C54 formation with smaller grain size, but unreacted Ti and other silicide phases were also present. The interface in all the films was continuous with the absence of voids. The thermal conductivity of the films increased for higher processing temperature. The interface thermal conductance for films prepared below 700 °C was lower. Film annealed at 700 °C significantly showed higher interface thermal conductance and lower effective thermal resistance. Comparison of thermal properties of the TiSi2 films with that of WSi2 films prepared previously showed that the effective thermal resistance of the C54 phase is lower.
Obituary, Giovanni Berlinguer, Founder of the Journal

It is with great sadness and enormous sorrow that I report the passing of a founder of the International Journal of Health Services and a member of the journal’s Editorial Board from the beginning. Giovanni Berlinguer was born in Sassari, Sardinia, and received his degree in medicine and surgery from the University of Rome in 1952. He had an extensive and productive academic career as a professor of social medicine and occupational hygiene. He wrote many books on the impact of the political, economic, and social contexts on the well-being, quality of life, and health of populations. He also published extensively in several languages on bioethics and the politics of health. He was a founder of what is now called the social determinants of health. As an author who influenced the understanding of medicine in medical institutions under capitalism in developed and developing countries, some of his books became classics. Dr Berlinguer was Emeritus Professor at the University of Rome, honorary professor at the independent University of Santo Domingo, and honorary Doctor of the University of Montreal and the University of Brasilia. He received innumerable awards and was no doubt one of the major intellectuals of social medicine in the 21st century. Dr Berlinguer was also active in policy making, helping me to found the International Association for Health Policy and becoming a key member of that organization. He also headed the first National Health Plan as part of the Economic Development Program adopted by the Italian Parliament in 1968. He served on the UNESCO International Bioethics Committee and the World Health Organization’s Commission on the Social Determinants of International Journal of Health Services 2015, Vol. 45(4) 585–586 ! The Author(s) 2015 Reprints and permissions: sagepub.com/journalsPermissions.nav DOI: 10.1177/0020731415603875 joh.sagepub.com
Inheritance and world variation in thermal requirements for egg hatch in Lymantria dispar (Lepidoptera: Erebidae)

Mode of inheritance of hatch traits in Lymantria dispar L. was determined by crossing populations nearly fixed for the phenotypic extremes. The nondiapausing phenotype was inherited via a single recessive gene and the phenotype with reduced low temperature exposure requirements before hatch was inherited via a single dominant gene. There was no evidence for sex-linkage or cytoplasmic effects with either gene. Eggs from 43 geographic populations were evaluated for hatch characteristics after being held for 60 d at 5°C followed by incubation at 25°C. There was considerable variation both within and among the populations in the proportion able to hatch, time to first hatch, and average time to hatch. Egg masses with reduced requirement for low temperatures before the eggs were ready to hatch were present in all subspecies of L. dispar and the phenotype was not fixed in most populations. The populations clustered into three distinct groups, and climatic variables were found to be rough predictors of those groups. Variation in hatch phenotypes between populations is likely an adaptation to local climate and within a population provides a bet-hedging strategy to ensure that at least some hatch synchronizes with host leaf-out. Continued vigilance to prevent movement of populations both within and between countries is warranted, because some of the alleles that confer nondiapause or reduced low temperature requirements before egg hatch are not present in all populations and their introduction would increase variation in egg hatch within a population.
Indoor positioning with OFDM Visible Light Communications

Visible Light Communication (VLC) technology using light emitting diodes (LEDs) has been gaining increasing attention in recent years as it is appealing for a wide range of applications such as indoor positioning. Orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) has been applied to indoor wireless optical communications in order to mitigate the effect of multipath distortion of the optical channel as well as increasing data rate. In this paper, we investigate the indoor positioning accuracy of optical based OFDM techniques used in VLC systems. A positioning algorithm based on power attenuation is used to estimate the receiver coordinates. We further calculate the positioning errors in all the locations of a room and compare them with those using single carrier modulation scheme, i.e., on-off keying (OOK) modulation. We demonstrate that OFDM positioning system outperforms its conventional counterpart.
Increased Erythropoietin Levels in Serum of Rats with Transplants of an Adrenal Cortical Carcinoma

SummaryExperiments on rats bearing a transplant of an adrenal cortical carcinoma show: that there is a significant increase in the reticulocyte count 2 weeks after transplants are made as well as increases in other peripheral red cell parameters; that there is an absolute polycythemia, as indicated by significant increases in total blood volume and total red cell volume with simultaneous normal plasma volumes at 4 weeks after transplantation; that there is no significant change in total white cell or differential counts up to 4 weeks but a significant decrease in total circulating esinophils at 3 weeks posttransplantation; and that there is an erythropoietic stimulating factor, presumed to be erythropoietin, in the serum 17 days after tumor transplantation.
Limits on new-lepton pairs (L-,L0) with arbitrary neutrino mass.

We have searched 205 pb/sup -1/ of ..sqrt..s = 29 GeV data from the Mark II detector at the SLAC e/sup +/e/sup -/ storage ring PEP for events which may signify the existence of a new lepton pair (L/sup -/,L/sup 0/) where the L/sup 0/ may be massive, but does not exceed the L/sup -/ mass. Three event signatures for L/sup +/L/sup -/ decay are examined: (i) e/sup +- /..mu../sup minus-or-plus/, (ii) (e or ..mu..)/sup +- /(..pi../sup minus-or-plus/+less than or equal to4..gamma..), and (iii) (e or ..mu..)/sup +- /(greater than or equal to3..pi../sup +- /+greater than or equal to0..gamma..)/sup minus-or-plus/. The numbers of signature events are found to be in good agreement with Monte Carlo simulations of known background sources. The ranges of L/sup -/ and L/sup 0/ masses for which new lepton pairs are excluded are obtained using a likelihood-ratio method to compare the number of observed signature events to the expected background, and to the expected background plus Monte Carlo predictions of (L/sup -/,L/sup 0/) signals.
Product Durability/Reliability Design and Validation Based on Test Data Analysis

Better quality leads to less waste, improved competitiveness, higher customer satisfaction, higher sales and revenues, and eventually higher profitability. Meeting the quality and performance goals requires that decisions be based on reliable tests and quantitative test data analysis. Statistical process control (SPC) is such a fundamental quantitative approach to quality control and improvement. Walter Shewhart in 1920s and 1930s pioneered the use of statistical methods as a tool to manage and control production.
Subclonal diversity arises early even in small colorectal tumours and contributes to differential growth fates.

Objective and design The goal of the study was to determine whether the mutational profile of early colorectal polyps correlated with growth behaviour. The growth of small polyps (6–9 mm) that were first identified during routine screening of patients was monitored over time by interval imaging with CT colonography. Mutations in these lesions with known growth rates were identified by targeted next-generation sequencing. The timing of mutational events was estimated using computer modelling and statistical inference considering several parameters including allele frequency and fitness. Results The mutational landscape of small polyps is varied both within individual polyps and among the group as a whole but no single alteration was correlated with growth behaviour. Polyps carried 0–3 pathogenic mutations with the most frequent being in APC , KRAS/NRAS , BRAF , FBXW7 and TP53 . In polyps with two or more pathogenic mutations, allele frequencies were often variable, indicating the presence of multiple populations within a single tumour. Based on computer modelling, detectable mutations occurred at a mean polyp size of 30±35 crypts, well before the tumour is of a clinically detectable size. Conclusions These data indicate that small colon polyps can have multiple pathogenic mutations in crucial driver genes that arise early in the existence of a tumour. Understanding the molecular pathway of tumourigenesis and clonal evolution in polyps that are at risk for progressing to invasive cancers will allow us to begin to better predict which polyps are more likely to progress into adenocarcinomas and which patients are at greater risk of developing advanced disease.
Taxonomic status of Allohoraeomorphus Franz (Coleoptera, Staphylinidae, Scydmaeninae)

Following the examination of the type material, the generic name Allohoraeomorphus Franz, 1986 is placed as a juniorobjective synonym of Horaeomorphus Schaufuss, 1889. The only species included in Allohoraeomorphus, Horaeomor- phus calcarifer (Franz, 1986), comb. n., is redescribed and its diagnostic characters, including the aedeagus and modified male metatrochanters are illustrated.
Short-term Variability of Vitamin D-Related Biomarkers.

BACKGROUND: Quantifying the variability of biomarkers is important, as high within-person variability can lead to misclassification of individuals. Short-term variability of important markers of vitamin D metabolism is relatively unknown. METHODS: A repeatability study was conducted in 160 Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities study participants (60% female, 28% black, mean age 76 years). Fasting serum was drawn at 2 time points, a median of 6 (range 3–13) weeks apart. Vitamin D binding protein (VDBP) and 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] were measured by LC-MS, fibroblast growth factor (FGF23) and parathyroid hormone (PTH) by enzyme-linked immunoassay, and calcium and phosphorus by Roche Cobas 6000. Free and bioavailable 25(OH)D were calculated. We calculated the within-person CV (CVW), intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), Spearman rank correlation coefficient (r), and percent reclassified. RESULTS: The CVW was lowest for calcium (2.0%), albumin (3.6%), 25(OH)D (6.9%), VDBP (7.0%) and phosphorus (7.6%); intermediate for free 25(OH)D (9.0%) and bioavailable 25(OH)D (9.9%); and highest for PTH (16.7%) and FGF23 (17.8%). Reclassification was highest for PTH, VDBP, and phosphorus (all 7.5%). The ICC and r were highest (≥0.80) for 25(OH)D, free 25(OH)D, bioavailable 25(OH)D and PTH, but somewhat lower (approximately 0.60–0.75) for the other biomarkers. CONCLUSIONS: Six-week short-term variability, as assessed by CVW, was quite low for VDBP, calcium and phosphorus, but fairly high for FGF23 and PTH. As such, multiple measurements of FGF23 and PTH may be needed to minimize misclassification. These results provide insight into the extent of potential misclassification of vitamin D markers in research and clinical settings.
Formalizing Convergent Instrumental Goals

Omohundro has argued that sufficiently advanced AI systems of any design would, by default, have incentives to pursue a number of instrumentally useful subgoals, such as acquiring more computing power and amassing many resources. Omohundro refers to these as “basic AI drives,” and he, along with Bostrom and others, has argued that this means great care must be taken when designing powerful autonomous systems, because even if they have harmless goals, the side effects of pursuing those goals may be quite harmful. These arguments, while intuitively compelling, are primarily philosophical. In this paper, we provide formal models that demonstrate Omohundro’s thesis, thereby putting mathematical weight behind those intuitive claims.
The Usage of the AMA Guides for the Determination of Psychological Injury Within the State and Federal Workers’ Compensation Systems

Psychological injuries, like physical injuries, may occur within the workplace. If those injuries are reported to be a result of a triggering event in the workplace, then a workers’ compensation (WC) claim may be filed by the individual. State WC and the federal WC systems have laws and rules in place to address workplace psychological injury claims. However, because each State has its own WC State laws as does the federal WC system, there is no current standardization in defining either psychological injury or in defining disability. This is because each system has its own definitions. A few States allow workplace psychological injury claims. Some States do not accept WC psychological injury claims. The remaining States recognize workplace psychological injuries but with specific limitations. The federal WC system allows WC psychological injury claims. There are problematic issues that occur in the State and federal WC systems. These issues are utilizing outdated terminology, employing outdated diagnostic criteria, and allowing documentation submission and professional opinion that does not comport with current professional standards of care. In addition, the need for a definitive answer to address causation is not always possible to address with regard to psychological injury. These types of issues introduce imprecision into the determination of psychological injuries. To address these concerns, the American Medical Association developed the Guides to the Evaluation of Permanent Impairment as a means to take a more scientific approach to the assessment of impairment. This stance was a move away from the poorly defined term, “disability”. The focus was on evaluating the individual’s functioning in terms of impairment. The AMA holds that this is a more objective method that provides a balance between clinical opinion and the utilization of a more scientific methodology that increased precision in the determination of psychological injury and purported impairment in functioning that may have resulted from the injury. The American Medical Association’s Guides to the Evaluation of Permanent Impairment are utilized by many States and the federal WC systems to assist in the evaluation of psychological impairment in functioning and in the WC claims process. Some States opt to use earlier editions of the Guides. Other States and the federal WC system require the usage of the most current edition of the Guides. A few States opt to forego the usage of the Guides altogether and develop State-specific guidelines. The complexities that arise within the WC systems as well as usage of the Guides to evaluate and assess psychological injury are explored as well as potential solutions to address the imprecision that occurs within the WC systems.
Moving From Discovery to System-Wide Change: The Role of Research in a Learning Health Care System: Experience from Three Decades of Health Systems Research in the Veterans Health Administration*

The Veterans Health Administration is unique, functioning as an integrated health care system that provides care to more than six million veterans annually and as a home to an established scientific enterprise that conducts more than $1 billion of research each year. The presence of research, spanning the continuum from basic health services to translational research, has helped the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) realize the potential of a learning health care system and has contributed to significant improvements in clinical quality over the past two decades. It has also illustrated distinct pathways by which research influences clinical care and policy and has provided lessons on challenges in translating research into practice on a national scale. These lessons are increasingly relevant to other health care systems, as the issues confronting the VA-the need to provide timely access, coordination of care, and consistent high quality across a diverse system-mirror those of the larger US health care system.
Aniconism in the first centuries of Christianity

ABSTRACTScholars generally agree that Christian iconography emerged only in the 3rd century. The absence of earlier, unambiguously Christian artifacts led many scholars to characterize Christians as initially aniconic largely in deference to biblical prohibitions of graven images and to regard the pictorial art’s emergence as a departure from the church’s original disapproval. This essay argues that classical philosophical arguments were even more influential on Christian condemnation of divine images than biblical texts and that when it emerged, Christian art essentially served non-idolatrous didactic rather than devotional purposes. Finally, this essay maintains that the demise of polytheism (and its perceived idolatry) changed both the circumstances and content of the debate over divine images. Whereas earlier censure mainly contended that manufactured objects were incapable of representing an invisible God, later criticism focused more on the problems of representing Christ’s human and divine natures ...
Women mentoring in the academe: a faculty cross-racial and cross-cultural experience

AbstractTwo women faculty members, one White from the southeastern United States and one Black African from Zimbabwe, purposefully explored their informal mentoring relationship with the goal of illuminating the complexities associated with their cross-racial, cross-cultural experience. Concentrating on their four-year mentor-mentee academic relationship at a predominantly White institution (PWI), these women employed a dialogic duoethnographic methodology to uncover emerging, nuanced characteristics contributing to the positive nature of their mentoring experience. Calling upon a seminal nine-function mentoring framework focused on advancing mentee personal growth and professional advancement, the authors, engaged in critical interplay of dialogic considerations of their mentoring experiences, relationship, and literature. The authors revealed a distinct cross-cultural and cross-racial journey where each, as participant researcher, uncovered a deeper appreciation for the importance of engaged dialog. Eme...
Monoacylglycerol lipase inhibitor JZL184 prevents HIV-1 gp120-induced synapse loss by altering endocannabinoid signaling

Monoacylglycerol lipase (MGL) hydrolyzes 2-arachidonoylglycerol to arachidonic acid and glycerol. Inhibition of MGL may attenuate neuroinflammation by enhancing endocannabinoid signaling and decreasing prostaglandin (PG) production. Almost half of HIV infected individuals are afflicted with HIV-associated neurocognitive disorder (HAND), a neuroinflammatory disease in which cognitive decline correlates with synapse loss. HIV infected cells shed the envelope protein gp120 which is a potent neurotoxin that induces synapse loss. Here, we tested whether inhibition of MGL, using the selective inhibitor JZL184, would prevent synapse loss induced by gp120. The number of synapses between rat hippocampal neurons in culture was quantified by imaging clusters of a GFP-tagged antibody-like protein that selectively binds to the postsynaptic scaffolding protein, PSD95. JZL184 completely blocked gp120-induced synapse loss. Inhibition of MGL decreased gp120-induced interleukin-1β (IL-1β) production and subsequent potentiation of NMDA receptor-mediated calcium influx. JZL184-mediated protection of synapses was reversed by a selective cannabinoid type 2 receptor (CB2R) inverse agonist/antagonist. JZL184 also reduced gp120-induced prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) production; PG signaling was required for gp120-induced IL-1β expression and synapse loss. Inhibition of MGL prevented gp120-induced synapse loss by activating CB2R resulting in decreased production of the inflammatory cytokine IL-1β. Because PG signaling was required for gp120-induced synapse loss, JZL184-induced decreases in PGE2 levels may also protect synapses. MGL presents a promising target for preventing synapse loss in neuroinflammatory conditions such as HAND.
Designing proper control set-point signal for PQ inverters of isolated microgrids

In this paper, the performance and transient frequency response of an islanded microgrid with two different categories of inverters are analyzed when different control set-point signals are defined for the Current Source Inverters. Voltage Source Inverters (VSIs) use a decentralized droop controller which helps preserving the power-sharing stability. Then, Current Source Inverters (CSI, also called PQ inverters) will improve the system's performance by providing extra capacity for the system to accommodate load changes. In this context, defining proper active and reactive power set-points for CSI (PQ) inverters of a microgrid is one of the necessary control designs that ensures systems integrity by providing more secure power supply to the loads. The study conducted here tries to propose different possible solution for communication link selection and definition in order to form an appropriate set-point signal. Consequently it minimizes the need for communication links as much as possible while making sure that the systems performance is acceptable. The proposed control signals are investigated and their effects on the transient response are demonstrated using an 11 bus microgrid.
Metal-free hydrogen evolution over defect-rich anatase titanium dioxide

Abstract Commercial anatase phase titanium dioxide was annealed under various gases (hydrogen, nitrogen, argon, and air) to induce the formation of defects. While annealing in the absence of oxygen there was a notable increase in the concentration of paramagnetic defects as measured by Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR) and X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS). The presence of these defects increased the metal-free photocatalytic activity of the samples towards hydrogen evolution from photocatalytic methane steam reforming (MSR) under UV illumination. Catalyst activity was stable for over 42 h while illuminated owing to the regeneration of Ti3+ defects by UV photoexcitation, but rapidly decayed in the dark. The high concentration of unique Ti3+ defect sites generated during annealing catalyze hydrogen evolution, avoiding the need for precious metal cocatalysts, while anatase lacking these defects is inactive. This work shows that the implementation of defect-rich anatase TiO2 provides new catalytic pathways for hydrogen generation from photocatalytic methane steam reforming.
Pulmonary Epithelial Injury: Clinical and Experimental Evidence for a Major Role in Acute Lung Injury and Multiple Organ Dysfunction

Several clinical and experimental studies in the last ten years have provided compelling evidence for the importance of alveolar epithelial injury in the pathogenesis of acute lung injury (ALI). Over twenty years ago, morphologic studies published by Bachofen and Weibel [1] demonstrated that there was evidence of both lung endothelial and alveolar epithelial injury on morphologic examination of patients who died with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). These studies represent classic ultrastructural observations. However, the importance of the alveolar epithelial injury was not appreciated until approximately the last ten years. It is now apparent that the magnitude of alveolar epithelial injury is a major determinant of the extent, severity, and prognosis in patients with clinical lung injury. This chapter will review briefly some of the evidence from selected experimental work as well as some clinical studies.
The AIS Expectation Gap

In response to the changing terms of competition in business, traditional accounting is becoming AIS – a growing subdiscipline of IS. Visionaries see accounting of the future as primarily an IS discipline as the field changes into a technologydriven information system profession. The challenge for accounting education is to keep pace with the transformation of the profession. This study uses data from four CPA groups (i.e. auditors, tax accountants, managerial accountants, and professors) to identify key AIS knowledge, skills, and personal abilities required in the marketplace. As expected, the results reveal an AIS “expectation gap” between the needs of the profession and academic preparation. The failure of accounting education to make a timely response to changing market conditions threatens the displacement of CPAs by other professionals with the requisite IS skills and knowledge.
Nutrition of the Older Athlete

Nutritional needs and dietary goals of the older athlete involve meeting basic physiologic requirements of aging and exercise, promoting weight control, and incorporating guidelines for reducing the risk of chronic disease. Conservative dietary approaches to weight loss in the obese patient and a high-carbohydrate diet for maximum exercise performance are sound approaches, although diets often need to be individualized. Recent dietary recommendations to reduce fat and increase fiber can be applied without risk of compromising nutritional status for most patients. Guidance away from extremes in caloric restriction and in the distribution of calories may help to promote health and the maintenance of exercise activities. Although requirements for certain micronutrients are affected by aging, vitamin and mineral supplements are unlikely to be necessary for healthy adults and should meet basic criteria for safety if they are prescribed. Diet sources of calcium may require attention, although iron requirements are reduced among postmenopausal women when compared with younger athletes. Adequate fluid replacement is essential for athletes of all ages. For the older athlete who is competing in high-intensity endurance exercise, evidence for the usefulness of 4% to 10% carbohydrate-containing sports drinks exists. Little evidence supports the use of ergogenic aids, such as supplements and unusual food products. Resources and personalized guidance from a registered dietitian can be helpful for many older athletes.
Unexpected eosinophilia in children affected by hydrocephalus accompanied with shunt infection.

The aim of the article is to describe an immunological reaction to shunt infection in children with hydrocephalus. The main cause of shunt infection involves methicillin resistant Staphylococcus epidermidis (Bhatia et al. Indian J Med Microbiol 35:120–123, 2017; Hayhurst et al. Childs Nerv Syst 24:557–562, 2008; Martinez-Lage et al. Childs Nerv Syst 26: 1795–1798, 2010; Simon et al. PLoS One, 2014; Snowden et al. PLoS One 8:e84089, 2013; Turgut et al. Pediatr Neurosurg 41:131–136, 2005), a bacterial strain which is responsible for the formation of biofilm on contaminated catheters (Snowden et al. PLoS One 8:e84089, 2013; Stevens et al. Br J of Neurosurg 26: 792–797, 2012). The study group involved 30 children with congenital hydrocephalus after shunt system implantation, whose procedures were complicated by S. epidermidis implant infection. Thirty children with congenital hydrocephalus awaiting their first-time shunt implantation formed the control group. The level of eosinophils in peripheral blood was assessed in both groups. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) was examined for protein level, pleocytosis, interleukins, CCL26/Eotaxin-3, IL-5, IL-6, CCL11/Eotaxin-1, CCL3/MIP-1a, and MBP. Three measurements were performed in the study group. The first measurement was obtained at the time of shunt infection diagnosis, the second one at the time of the first sterile shunt, and the third one at the time of shunt reimplantation. In the control group, blood and CSF samples were taken once, at the time of shunt implantation. In the clinical material, the highest values of eosinophils in peripheral blood and CSF pleocytosis were observed in the second measurement. It was accompanied by an increase in the majority of analyzed CSF interleukins. CSF pleocytosis observed in the study group shortly after CSF sterilization is presumably related to an allergic reaction to Staphylococcus epidermidis, the causative agent of ventriculoperitoneal shunt infection.
Antimicrobial Stewardship in the Emergency Department

The emergency department (ED) is the hub of the US health care system. Acute infectious diseases are frequently encountered in the ED setting, making this a critical setting for antimicrobial stewardship efforts. Systems level and behavioral stewardship interventions have demonstrated success in the ED setting but successful implementation depends on institutional support and the presence of a physician champion. Antimicrobial stewardship efforts in the ED should target high-impact areas: antibiotic prescribing for nonindicated respiratory tract conditions, such as bronchitis and sinusitis; overtreatment of asymptomatic bacteriuria; and using two antibiotics (double coverage) for uncomplicated cases of cellulitis or abscess.
Driving under the influence of cannabis among medical cannabis patients with chronic pain.

Abstract Background Driving under the influence of cannabis (DUIC) is a public health concern among those using medical cannabis. Understanding behaviors contributing to DUIC can inform prevention efforts. We evaluated three past 6-month DUIC behaviors among medical cannabis users with chronic pain. Methods Adults (N = 790) seeking medical cannabis certification or recertification for moderate/severe pain were recruited from February 2014 through June 2015 at Michigan medical cannabis clinics. About half of participants were male (52%) and 81% were White; their Mean age was 45.8 years. Participants completed survey measures of DUIC (driving within 2 h of use, driving while “a little high,” and driving while “very high”) and background factors (demographics, alcohol use, etc.). Unadjusted and adjusted logistic regressions were used to examine correlates of DUIC. Results For the past 6 months, DUIC within 2 h of use was reported by 56.4% of the sample, DUIC while a “little high” was reported by 50.5%, and “very high” was reported by 21.1%. Greater cannabis quantity consumed and binge drinking were generally associated with DUIC behaviors. Higher pain was associated with lower likelihood of DUIC. Findings vary somewhat across DUIC measures. Conclusions The prevalence of DUIC is concerning, with more research needed on how to best measure DUIC. Prevention messaging for DUIC may be enhanced by addressing alcohol co-consumption.
Choosing the Right App for Preschoolers: Challenges and Solutions.

As early childhood educators employ technology in their classrooms, it is important to have a process to ensure that learning needs are being met.