cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Development and Application of Testing System for Communication Protocol of Distribution Automation

Secure and stable operation of distribution automation system(DAS) is related to the security and stability of present distribution automation network.To test the determined application functions and communications between master station equipments and terminal equipments are the guarantee of DAS security.Software has been designed to carry out test and analysis communications equipment use of Guangxi DL634.5.101/104-2002 protoco1 in DAS presents the test system platform,software development and implementation and the test process of protocols clearly.The application shows that the system plays a significant role in the construction,rebuilding,operation and maintenance of distribution automation systems.
On the Self-cultivation in the Analects of Confucius

The Thought of self-cultivation has a pivotal role in the Analects of Confucius.The book not only puts forward the academic basis of self-cultivation and specific requirements,but also describes the different levels that could be achieved to cultivate oneself.Analyzing the Thought of self-cultivation can contribute to a better understanding of the essence of Confucianism.
Gastric emptying and its relationship to antral contractile activity.

Gastric emptying and antral contractile activity were simultaneously measured in 3 dogs with gastric and duodenal fistulas. Contractile activity was monitored by two force strain gauge transducers on the serosal surface of the antrum of 2 dogs and a single strain gauge transducer on the serosal surface of both the antrum and fundus of the 3rd dog. Both the frequency and force (motility index) of antral contractions were determined for each 1 min period. Gastric emptying and contractile activity were recorded and compared minute by minute with test meals (154 m M saline) of 60, 120, 240, and 480 ml. Although the rate of gastric emptying increased with the frequency and force of antral contractions, up to 67 mi min-1 (mean 6.9 ml min-1) were emptied without measurable antral contractile activity and 0 to 96 ml min-1 (mean 19.4 ml min-1) were emptied during maximal antral activity (minute motility index > 119 mm). Antral contractile activity increased with the size of the test meal and decreased exponentially with the rate of gastric emptying. Fundal contractile activity was generally absent during the test meal. These studies suggest that although the antrum has a significant role in the emptying of liquids, other undefined factors may modify its effect on gastric emptying.
A comparative evaluation of the current methods for open reduction of the congenitally displaced hip.

SUMMARY The history of open reduction for congenital dislocation of the hips is reviewed. There are currently five procedures used for open reduction of the hip. Each of these procedures is reviewed as to rationale, anatomic approach, and advantages. An attempt is made to review the literature concerning the complications and results associated with these various procedures. The author concludes by attempting to formulate the indications for each of the five procedures.
Are You Wasting Your Vote by Voting for Candidate X

This paper discusses the pros and cons of voting in political elections, and analyzes the argument that people who vote for minority party candidates are wasting their vote.
Heterogeneity of human colony-forming cells (CFU-C): differences in size, rate of colony formation, and responsiveness to colony-stimulating factor.

Abstract Human bone marrow cells have been fractionated by velocity sedimentation at unit gravity. Fractions were analyzed for cell morphology, number of nucleated cells and myeloid colony-forming cells (CFU-C's). Colony formation was assayed with the following CSF preparations: serum-free HLCM and two electrophoretically distinct CSF fractions (CSF-A and CSF-B) purified from the same source. Two distinct CFU-C populations were found. One, a rapidly sedimenting (7.2 to 8.0 mm/hr), population exhibited colonies after 7 days of culture in response to HLCM and CSF-A only. The second, a more slowly sedimenting (6.5 mm/hr) CFU-C peak, did not exhibit colonies until 11 days of culture and did so in response to all three CSF's tested. The results indicate that human bone marrow CFU-C's are heterogeneous and that the two purified CSF fractions from human lung have different CFU-C specificity.
Effects of Hypoxia and Hypercapnic Hypoxia on Oxygen Transport and Acid-Base Status in the Atlantic Blue Crab, Callinectes sapidus, During Exercise

The responses of estuarine invertebrates to hypoxic conditions are well established. However, many studies have investigated hypoxia as an isolated condition despite its frequent co-occurrence with hypercapnia (elevated CO2 ). Although many studies suggest deleterious effects, hypercapnia has been observed to improve blue crab walking performance in hypoxia. To investigate the physiological effects of combined hypercapnic hypoxia, we measured Po2 , pH, [l-lactate], Pco2 , and total O2 in pre- and postbranchial hemolymph sampled from blue crabs during walking exercise. Crabs walked at 8 m min-1 on an aquatic treadmill in normoxic (100% air saturation), moderately hypoxic (50%), and severely hypoxic (20%) seawater with and without the addition of hypercapnia (about 2% CO2 ). Respiration was almost completely aerobic in normoxic conditions, with little buildup of lactate. During exercise under severe hypoxia, lactate increased from 1.4 to 11.0 mM, indicating a heavy reliance on anaerobic respiration. The O2 saturation of arterial hemocyanin was 47% in severe hypoxia after 120 min, significantly lower than in normoxia (80%). However, the addition of hypercapnia significantly increased the percentage saturation of arterial hemocyanin in severe hypoxia to 92% after 120 min of exercise, equivalent to normoxic levels. Hypercapnia in severe hypoxia also caused a marked increase in hemolymph Pco2 (around 1.1 kPa), but caused only a minor decrease in pH of 0.1 units. We suggest that the improved O2 saturation at the gills results from a specific effect of molecular CO2 on hemocyanin oxygen binding affinity, which works independently of and counter to the effects of decreased pH.
Role of endothelin-1 in regulating proliferation of cultured rabbit airway smooth muscle cells

Increased expression of the potent vasoconstrictor and bronchoactive peptide, endothelin-1 (ET-1), has recently been demonstrated in airway epithelial and endothelial cells of asthmatic patients. To identify its potential role in contributing to airway smooth muscle (ASM) hyperplasia, a characteristic feature of asthmatic airways, the mitogenic action of ET-1 was investigated in cultured rabbit ASM cells. ET-1 elicited significant dose-dependent (10(-12)-10(-6) M) increases in ASM cell number, with a mean potency (i.e., -log mean effective dose) of action of 9.82-log M. ET-1 also acutely stimulated intracellular inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate accumulation. The latter response was blocked by phospholipase C inhibition with neomycin; however, neomycin had no effect on the promitogenic action of ET-1. By contrast, the ASM cell proliferative response to ET-1 was independently inhibited by pertussis toxin, inhibitors of phospholipase A2, cyclooxygenase, and thromboxane A2 (TxA2) synthesis, as well as blockade of the TxA2 receptor. Moreover, in complementary studies, we found that administration of the stable TxA2 mimetics, carbocyclic TxA2 (CTA2) and U-46619, induced ASM cell proliferation and that ET-1 evoked the release of endogenous TxA2 from the ASM cells. Collectively, these observations provide new evidence that 1) ET-1 is a potent mitogen of ASM cells, 2) the promitogenic effect of ET-1 is associated with activation of a pertussis toxin-sensitive G protein coupled to stimulation of phospholipase A2, and 3) the latter mediates ASM cell proliferation via the release and autocrine mitogenic action of TxA2. The findings support a potential role for ET-1 in mediating the characteristic hyperplasia of ASM in asthma.
Aerobic oxidation of alcohols in visible light on Pd-grafted Ti cluster

The titanium cluster with the reduced band gap has been synthesized having the palladium nanoparticles over the surface, which not only binds to the atmospheric oxygen but also catalyzes the oxidation of alcohols under visible light.
Genome Sequences of 12 Bacterial Isolates Obtained from the Urine of Pregnant Women

The presence of bacteria in urine can pose significant risks during pregnancy. However, there are few reference genome strains for many common urinary bacteria. We isolated 12 urinary strains of Streptococcus, Staphylococcus, Citrobacter, Gardnerella, and Lactobacillus These strains and their genomes are now available to the research community.
Ontologies and Rules for Rapid Enterprise Integration and Event Aggregation

Ontologies enable explicit expression of collective concepts and support Machine-to-Machine (M2M) interactions at the semantic level. Ontologies expressed in a standard language, such as the Web Ontology Language (OWL) and exposed on a network offer the potential for unprecedented interoperability solutions since they are semantically rich, computer interpretable and inherently extensible. Rules that operate over ontologies allow for fusion of events in a semantically rich way. In this paper, we describe how we applied ontologies and rules for rapid enterprise integration of heterogeneous data sources and aggregation of events in the battlefield. We found that once a robust foundational domain ontology is established, it is easy and quick to integrate new data sources and therefore rapidly provide new system capabilities. We also found that rules that operate over ontological concepts are useful in agile aggregation of events for enhanced situational awareness.
Engineering and Computer Science Accreditation

Accreditation can play a vital role in human capital development. Here the history of engineering and computing accreditation in the United States is reviewed. An example of an accrediting body structure, a criteria set and an accreditation process is then presented followed by the history of the development of an accreditation body. Finally, a discussion of IEEE efforts to further international accreditation is presented.
Bariatric surgery attenuates colitis in an obese murine model

Abstract Background Obesity and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) represent chronic inflammatory conditions. Bariatric surgery improves some obesity-related co-morbidities, but the effects of bariatric surgery on IBD have not been well studied. Objectives To examine if bariatric surgery may attenuate colitis in an obese murine model of IBD and study the mechanisms underlying the postsurgical amelioration of intestinal inflammation. Setting University of California Irvine, Department of Surgery and Microbiology laboratories. Methods Obese mice were assigned to one of 2 bariatric procedures [Duodenojejunal Bypass (DJB n=6), Sleeve Gastrectomy (SG n=8)]. Sham-operated mice were (Sham n=8) were used as a control. After recovering from surgery, IBD was induced by administration of 2% dextran sodium sulfate. Fecal samples were collected before and after IBD induction for microbiome analysis. Pathologic analyses and immunohistochemical staining were performed on colon. Results Survival after DJB and SG was higher relative to Sham mice. Histologically, DJB mice had significantly less intestinal inflammation. The observed improvements were not related to a difference in weight among the groups. Farnesoid X receptor staining in the colon was observed quantitatively more in DJB than in SG and sham mice. A statistically significant increase in the number of Lactobacillales was observed in the stool of mice after DJB. Conclusion These results suggest that bariatric surgery, in particular DJB, reduces the severity of colitis in a chemically-induced IBD murine model. The anticolitis effects of DJB may be associated with Farnesoid X receptor regulation and gut microbiome rearrangements.
Optimal Wall-to-Wall Transport by Incompressible Flows.

We consider wall-to-wall transport of a passive tracer by divergence-free velocity vector fields u. Given an enstrophy budget ⟨|∇u|^{2}⟩≤Pe^{2} we construct steady two-dimensional flows that transport at rates Nu(u)≳Pe^{2/3}/(logPe)^{4/3} in the large enstrophy limit. Combined with the known upper bound Nu(u)≲Pe^{2/3} for any such enstrophy-constrained flow, we conclude that maximally transporting flows satisfy Nu∼Pe^{2/3} up to possible logarithmic corrections. Combined with known transport bounds in the context of Rayleigh-Benard convection, this establishes that while suitable flows approaching the "ultimate" heat transport scaling Nu∼Ra^{1/2} exist, they are not always realizable as buoyancy-driven flows. The result is obtained by exploiting a connection between the wall-to-wall optimal transport problem and a closely related class of singularly perturbed variational problems arising in the study of energy-driven pattern formation in materials science.
Statistical Analysis Of A Class: Monte Carlo And Multiple Imputation Spreadsheet Methods For Estimation And Extrapolation

The Monte Carlo method and related multiple imputation methods are traditionally used in math, physics and science to estimate and analyze data and are now becoming standard tools in analyzing business and financial problems. However, few sources explain the application of the Monte Carlo method for individuals and business professionals who are not immersed in the realm of mathematics or science. This paper introduces these Monte Carlo methods for the non-mathematician and business student, providing examples where the Monte Carlo method is applied when only small samples are available. Statistical analysis and statistically sound extrapolation of sample characteristics to the larger class population can be facilitated by applying Monte Carlo methods and the related concept of multiple imputation, which is also explained. Appendices provide step-by-step instructions for using two popular spreadsheet add-ins to run Monte Carlo based analysis.
Model Reference Adaptive Control of a Circulatory Model for Combined Nitroprusside-Dopamine Therapy

Abstract A direct model reference adaptive control (MRAC) algorithm is used to compute the infusion of two drugs in order to control blood pressure and cardiac output in a realistic physiological nonlinear multiple-input multiple-output representation. Consideration is given to the effects of digitization, unequal output sampling rates, and to a modification to alleviate the nonsatisfaction of a positive real condition.
High Resolution Inverse Raman and Raman Gain Spectroscopy

Although spontaneous Raman spectroscopy has a history dating back to the discovery of the Raman effect in 1928, nonlinear Raman phenomena have only been reported since the introduction of laser sources in the past 20 years [1].
Strengthening Your Technology and Partner Ecosystem

IoT is a very rapidly evolving space. This pace and nature of evolution is impacting businesses and companies in very fundamental ways. Large industrial manufacturers are becoming software companies, retail consumer companies are becoming analytics enterprises, cloud software solution companies are developing hardware capabilities that capture more value in IoT ecosystems, start-ups are challenging established players in almost every segment; the transformation across industries is quite unprecedented [1]. Skills and capabilities required to win in this new world order are vastly different to what companies have cultivated over past several decades. Moreover, IoT is impacting transformations much quicker than businesses are normally used to; which necessitates acquiring skills and capabilities swiftly. In such a dynamic environment, it is imperative for companies to partner with others to get faster access to solutions, quicker reach to markets, better scale and more comprehensive capabilities.
Nucleus accumbens dopamine depletions and time-constrained progressive ratio performance: effects of different ratio requirements.

Two experiments were conducted to determine the effects of accumbens dopamine (DA) depletions on progressive ratio responding for food reinforcement. In one version of this schedule, ratio requirement increased by one response after each reinforcer was obtained (PROG1). In the other version, ratio requirement increased by five responses after each reinforcer was obtained (PROG5). For both versions, 60-min sessions were conducted. Accumbens DA depletions produced by local injections of 6-OHDA substantially decreased the number of responses on both schedules. The deficits in the response number induced by DA depletions persisted through the two weeks of postsurgical testing for both the PROG1 and PROG5 schedules. However, there were differences between the effects of DA depletions on the two schedules in terms of the time to complete the last ratio. Although time to complete the last ratio was significantly reduced by DA depletions only in the first week of testing on the PROG1 schedule, rats recovered on this measure by the second week after surgery. In contrast, DA-depleted rats on the PROG5 schedule showed a more persistent suppression of the time to complete the last ratio, which lasted through both weeks of postsurgical testing. Performance on schedules that generate low baseline rates of responding (e.g., continuous, fixed, and variable interval) is relatively unaffected by accumbens DA depletions; nevertheless, accumbens DA depletions substantially impair progressive ratio response output. The high work output necessary for responding on the PROG5 schedule may make these animals more sensitive to the effects of accumbens DA depletions.
Personality Disorders in Primary Care: Impact on Depression Outcomes Within Collaborative Care.

Background:Individuals with personality disorders (PDs) are high utilizers of primary care and mental health services; however, they struggle to utilize the care effectively and studies have shown ...
Improving Nitrogen Fertilizer Use Efficiency in Surface- and Overhead Sprinkler-Irrigated Cotton in the Desert Southwest

Nitrogen fertilizer use efficiency (NUE) is low in surface-irrigated cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.), especially when adding N to irrigation water. A NO₃ soil-test algorithm was compared with canopy reflectance-based N management with surface- overhead sprinkler-irrigation in central Arizona. The surface irrigation studies also compared fertigation of N fertilizer with knifing-in of N and the addition of a urease and nitrification inhibitor (Agrotain Plus, Koch Agronomic Services, Wichita, KS) to urea ammonium nitrate (UAN). Cotton lint and seed yields responded positively to N fertilizer in all four site-years. Recovery efficiency (RE) of N at low N fertilizer rates (60 to 76 kg N ha–¹) ranged from 21 to 61% with surface irrigation and from 81 to 97% with overhead sprinkler irrigation. Deep percolation below 1.8 m was 4 to 11% of applied surface irrigations and rain, but was undetectable in the overhead sprinkler. Leaching of NO₃ was apparently the largest N loss pathway in the surface-irrigated system. Fertigating UAN into surface irrigation resulted in similar lint yields and RE as knifing UAN. Use of Agrotain Plus with UAN gave similar yields and RE as using UAN alone. Reflectance-based N management using normalized difference vegetation index-amber (NDVIA) saved 50% of N fertilizer of the full soil-test based dose without a yield reduction in three of four site- years. Nitrogen fertilizer was over-prescribed with the soil-test-based treatment. This may have been due to not accounting for N mineralization, which the reflectance method indirectly measures.
In situ observations of graphitic staples in crumpled graphene

Abstract Graphene is an exceptionally effective lubricant additive that performs well when crumpled rather than as flat sheets. In the literature, it has been suggested that crumpled graphene is analogous to wadding paper, and that this morphology significantly improves self-dispersion in lubricants and anti-wear behavior. We report here in situ transmission electron microscopy of crumpled graphene sliding, demonstrating that it possesses intra-sheet links and graphitic nanocrystals that provide additional mechanical stability and enable the material to reversibly deform. Crumpled graphene is closer to crumpled paper with additional staples, with the intra-sheet links and graphitic nanocrystals as graphitic staples.
Shifts in vegetation and avian community structure following the decline of a foundational forest species, the eastern hemlock

ABSTRACT Eastern hemlock (Tsuga canadensis) is undergoing widespread decline throughout the eastern United States due to the introduction of the nonnative hemlock woolly adelgid (Adelges tsugae). In light of hemlock's unique significance for avian communities, we examined the long-term response of the breeding bird community to the decline and die-off of this foundational forest species. We conducted variable-radius point counts to survey bird communities in both hemlock and hardwood stands in 2000, during the early stages of adelgid infestation, and again in 2015 and 2016, following significant hemlock decline. We also measured the severity of hemlock decline and associated vegetation variables in the same hemlock stands in which avian surveys were completed. We used multispecies occupancy models to examine species-specific and species group responses to hemlock decline. Results showed that, across hemlock stands, hemlock basal area declined from a mean of 56% of the total basal area to 46%, and that hem...
A Theoretical Approach to the Calculation of Impurity Profiles for Annealed, Ion Implanted B in Si

A three-stream diffusion model for boron in silicon is proposed. The model is capable of predicting ordinary diffusion, proton enhanced diffusion and the annealing behavior of room-temperature-implanted boron when appropriate restrictions on dose and annealing temperature are obeyed. Parameters required in the model were selected so that the model would correctly predict the impurity profiles that are obtained under conventional thermal diffusion conditions. The same parameter set is then used in the annealing calculation for implanted boron.
Behavioral Treatment of Pain

Recently, there has been a great deal of interest in the use of behavior therapy and behavior modification techniques for treating chronic pain patients. This interest has been generated by several factors. First, medical and surgical approaches known to be effective for acute pain have met with only limited success when used with chronic pain patients (Aitken, 1959; White, 1966). Second, there is a growing awareness among physicians that behavioral and psychological factors are important in the etiology and maintenance of chronic pain problems (Bonica, 1977; Holden, 1978). Third, there is evidence that treatment programs incorporating behavioral techniques are successful in treating many chronic pain patients who have failed to respond to more conventional treatment efforts.
Chronic Thrombocytopenia Is Induced in Dogs by Development of Cross-Reacting Antibodies to the MpL Ligand

The MpL ligand (ML) is a potent stimulus for thrombocytopoiesis. To create an in vivo model of ML deficiency, we injected dogs with a recombinant human ML (rhML) to determine whether cross-reacting antibodies would develop and cause thrombocytopenia. RhML was administered subcutaneously for 8 weeks to three normal dogs (mean platelets, 197 ± 5.5 × 103/μL). Within 5 days their platelet counts were twice baseline and greater than 4 times baseline by day 21. Then, uniformly, chronic thrombocytopenia developed. At 1 week after terminating rhML, mean platelets were 0.5 times baseline and at 2 months 0.25 times baseline. Early in treatment, marrow biopsies showed increased megakaryocyte number and ploidy, which decreased as platelets declined. Paralleling these changes, high titer anti-rhML antibodies developed. Autologous 51Cr-labeled platelet recovery and survival measurements indicated that the thrombocytopenia was principally due to decreased production. Infusion of plasma from the thrombocytopenic dogs into two normal dogs and one dog previously made thrombocytopenic with rhML caused platelet counts to fall gradually. These studies show that dogs with anti-rhML antibodies develop thrombocytopenia, presumably because the cross-reacting antibodies neutralize endogenous canine ML. The results strongly suggest that ML plays an essential role in maintaining normal platelet levels.
The "window" of slow pathway conduction after ablation and recurrence of atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia.

Introduction: Slow pathway (SP) conduction often persists following radiofrequency (RF) catheter ablation of atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia (AVNRT). An association between persistent SP conduction, as evidenced by discontinuous AV nodal conduction curves, and recurrent tachycardia has not been established. Of note, the segment of the curve attributable to SP conduction (the “window” of SP conduction) varies. This study examined whether the maximal post-ablation SP conduction window length differs in patients who later have recurrent tachycardia when compared with those who do not recur. Methods and Results: Electrophysiologic study data were compared in two groups who had undergone RF ablation of the SP for typical AVNRT at a single center from 1992–1998. The groups, consisting of seven known recurrences (Group A) and 50 non-recurrences confirmed through a follow-up survey and phone contact (Group B), were similar in gender proportion, age, baseline electrophysiologic data, and number of RF deliveries. Four patients (57%) from Group A and 26 (52%) from Group B exhibited discontinuous AV nodal conduction curves after ablation. The maximum post-ablation window lengths among patients with dual AV nodal physiology varied widely and similarly in the two groups, and the means did not significantly differ (53±47 msec in Group A vs. 36±31 msec in Group B; p=0.36). Conclusion: Persistent SP conduction post-ablation in this series was a common finding not predictive of recurrence. No difference in the maximum SP conduction window post-ablation was evident between recurrences and non-recurrences.
An Introduction to Knowledge Systems1

There are many features and functions that distinguish commercially available knowledge systems. Most of these tools have the objective of being usable by developers unfamiliar with artificial intelligence programming techniques. In general, these tools allow the developer to represent knowledge as rules. Rule-based systems can be operated with either a backward-or forward-chaining approach to reasoning. These two approaches to reasoning are associated with different problem types.
Ce Impurities in Th-Based Superconducting Hosts

The experiments reported here were initiated as a study of Ce as an impurity in Th—Y alloy hosts, motivated by an interest in observing in measurements of superconducting transition temperatures T c an expected transition of the Ce atom from a nonmagnetic configuration in Th1 to a magnetic configuration in Y.2 However, proceeding from Th to Y, the zero-pressure T c of Th—Y alloys falls below 50 m°K (our lower limit of measurement) while the Ce impurities appear to remain nonmagnetic; i.e., T c vs. Ce concentration n may always be fitted by the modified exponential $$T_c = T_{co} e^{ - An/\left( {1 - Dn} \right)} $$ (1) where T c0 is the T c of the host and A and D are adjustable parameters. This equation was derived by Kaiser3 for the case of a BCS superconductor into which has been dissolved an impurity element with nonmagnetic Friedel—Anderson resonant d or f electronic states.
Nutrition in the Prevention and Treatment of Cognitive Decline

Aging is often accompanied by cognitive changes, the direction of which depends on the specific cognitive domain. Cognitive decline, however, is not an inevitable consequence of aging. Rather, cognitive functioning may be influenced by a number of lifestyle variables including nutrient intake. Nutrition is of particular interest in older adults, as food intake generally declines with age, often resulting in poor protein, vitamin and mineral consumption. The present chapter will review research supporting individual nutrients including vitamin B6, vitamin B12, folic acid and vitamin D, foods containing phytochemicals and fatty acids, and dietary patterns such as the Mediterranean diet, thought to moderate age-related cognitive decline. In each section, both epidemiological research, which assesses associations between nutrient intake and cognition, and randomized controlled trials, which evaluate causal evidence to support such correlational findings will be examined. Across the vitamins and foods reviewed in this chapter, a consistent finding was that intake was associated with higher cognitive scores across cross-sectional and prospective studies, while the relationship was less clear in randomized controlled trials. Thus future research should focus on determining whether a causal relationship exists between diet and cognitive function, including pinpointing particular populations who may benefit most from improved nutrition (e.g. individuals with versus without heightened risk for Alzheimer’s disease) and determining optimal intake values among older adults.
Effects of Osteoarthritis Pain and Concurrent Insomnia and Depression on Health Care Use in a Primary Care Population of Older Adults.

Objective To examine independent and combined effects of pain with concurrent insomnia and depression symptoms on the use of health care services in older adults with osteoarthritis (OA). Methods Patients were Group Health Cooperative (GHC) patients with a primary diagnosis of OA (n = 2,976). We used survey data on pain (Graded Chronic Pain Scale), insomnia (Insomnia Severity Index), and depression (Patient Health Questionnaire-8), and health care use extracted from GHC electronic health records (office visits, length of stay, outpatient and inpatient costs, and hip or knee replacement) for 3 years after the survey. Negative binomial, logistic, and generalized linear models were used to assess predictors of health care use. Results Approximately 34% and 29% of patients displayed at least subclinical insomnia and at least subclinical depression symptoms, respectively, in addition to moderate-to-severe pain. Pain had the greatest independent effects on increasing all types of health care use, followed by depression (moderate effects) on increased office visits, length of stay, outpatient and inpatient costs, and insomnia (mild effects) on decreased length of stay. No synergistic effects of the 3 symptoms on use of health care services were observed. The combined effects of pain plus insomnia and pain plus depression were significant for all types of health care use and increased greatly with increasing severity of insomnia and depression, except for hip/knee replacement. Conclusion Pain is the main driver for health care use in patients with OA. In addition to pain, insomnia plus depression jointly increased diverse types of health care use, and these combined effects increased greatly with increasing severity of insomnia and depression. These findings indicate the important role that concurrent symptomatic conditions may play in increasing use of health care services.
Adult Stem Cells, Tools for Repairing the Retina.

Retinal degenerative diseases lead to the death of retinal neurons causing visual impairment and blindness. In lower order vertebrates, the retina and its surrounding tissue contain stem-cell niches capable of regenerating damaged tissue. Here, we examine these niches and review their capacity to be used as retinal stem/progenitor cells (RSCs/RPCs) for retinal repair. Exogenous factors can control the in vitro activation of RSCs/PCs found in several niches within the adult eye including cells in the ciliary margin, the retinal pigment epithelium, iris pigment epithelium, as well as the inducement of Muller and amacrine cells within the neural retina itself. Recently, factors have been identified for the activation of adult mammalian Muller cells to a RPC state in vivo. Whereas cell transplantation still holds potential for retinal repair, activation of the dormant native regeneration process may lead to a more successful process including greater integration efficiency and proper synaptic targeting.
Binary Data Models

In this chapter we consider the modeling of binary data. Such data are ubiquitous in many fields. Binary data present a number of distinct challenges, and so we devote a separate chapter to their modeling, though we lean heavily on the methods introduced in Chap. 6 on general regression modeling. It is perhaps surprising that the simplest form of outcome can pose difficulties in analysis, but a major problem is the lack of information contained within a variable that can take one of only two values. This can lead to a number of problems, for example, in assessing model fit. Another major complication arises because models for probabilities are generally nonlinear, which can lead to curious behavior of estimators in the presence of confounders. Difficulties in interpretation also arise, even when independent regressors are added to the model.
The return of the Indo-Pacific strategy: an assessment

Eleven years after it was abandoned, the so-called Indo-Pacific concept is back with a vengeance in regional security debates. At the 2017 Shangri-la Dialogue, there were only five mentions of the ...
Proximal Cortical Breach After Retrograde Femoral Nailing for Femoral Shaft Fracture: A Case Report.

Case A case of a distal third femoral shaft fracture treated with retrograde nailing complicated by proximal cortical breach is presented. The proximal fracture was detected intraoperatively and treated with plating. Conclusion Although rare, clinicians should be cognizant of the risk for proximal femur fractures secondary to retrograde femoral nailing in elderly patients.
Reviewing the Oceanic Niño Index (ONI) to Enhance Societal Readiness for El Niño’s Impacts

NOAA’s Oceanic Nino Index (ONI) is used to record for historical purposes the occurrence and duration of El Nino episodes, based on the monitoring of sea surface temperatures (SSTs) in the central Pacific Ocean. The ONI is used to identify the onset of an above average SST threshold that persists for several months, encompassing both the beginning and end of an El Nino episode. The first appearance of an anomalous seasonal value of 0.5 °C suggests with a high probability that an El Nino could emerge, but for heightened warnings, one must wait for several months. In this article, we proposed that the ONI value of 0.7 °C identifies a tipping point at which the El Nino event becomes locked in, which can provide additional lead time for mitigative actions to be taken by societal decision makers. Our preliminary findings suggest that a first appearance of 0.7 °C value could serve as a credible marker of El Nino’s locked-in phase, which can provide additional credibility to the current 0.5 °C El Nino onset indicator for at-risk societies to get ready for El Nino’s foreseeable societal and ecological impacts.
Instrumented bikes and their use in studies on transportation behaviour, safety, and maintenance

Instrumented bikes are a critical tool to understanding cyclist behaviour and preferences to incorporate cycling into modelling, designing, and planning the transportation system. Literature using ...
How Early Childhood Educators Resolve Workplace Challenges Using Character Strengths and Model Character for Children in the Process

Character strengths improve performance and well-being but are rarely studied among early childhood educators. This qualitative study describes how in-service early childhood educators (n = 17, United States) resolved workplace challenges following a character strength application intervention. During professional development, teachers learned to write action plans to use character strengths (e.g., perseverance, kindness) to address their challenges. Teachers reported a 71% success rate in fully or mostly resolving challenges using this method. Another 22% experienced partial success. This study documents how teachers matched character strengths to personal challenges with children, coworkers and parents. Teachers reported using certain strengths mostly with children (e.g., love, forgiveness), others mostly with adults (e.g., teamwork, bravery), and others universally (e.g., kindness, leadership). Teachers reported modeling or teaching character strengths to children in 31% of cases in which they were seeking to resolve some form of workplace challenge. Teachers perceived that the intervention made it more likely for them to model or teach character strengths to children, particularly kindness, forgiveness, social intelligence and teamwork. Educators and children are likely to benefit from professional development that explores the application of character strengths in the workplace.
Microlenses for a fly's eye imaging array

The potential use of microlenses for imaging at millimeter-wave frequencies is investigated by analyzing the focussing properties of dielectric spheres. Our calculations show that the spheres of dielectric constant 12, with a quarter-wave matching layer, exhibit good focussing properties down to a radius of about one free-space wavelength.
Ceftolozane/Tazobactam-Induced Leukocytosis and Clinical Failure in a Patient Being Treated for Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia Caused by Carbapenem-Resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa : a Case Report

Ceftolozane/tazobactam is an intravenous beta-lactam/beta-lactamase inhibitor that utilizes a novel oxyimino-cephalosporin with a traditional beta-lactamase inhibitor. It is approved by the Food and Drug Administration to treat complicated intra-abdominal infections in combination with metronidazole, complicated urinary tract infections, and, most recently, hospital-acquired bacterial and ventilator-associated bacterial pneumonias. It is commonly utilized to treat infections caused by multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa. This case report delineates the first published case of ceftolozane/tazobactam-induced leukocytosis (up to 36.9 × 109 cells/L) and clinical failure when utilized in a high-dose regimen for a patient being treated for ventilator-associated pneumonia secondary to carbapenem-resistant P. aeruginosa. The reaction occurred during initial challenge, resolved after discontinuation, and recurred during re-challenge. In patients who are appropriately being treated with ceftolozane/tazobactam for susceptible infections, consider a drug-induced reaction as a potential cause of rising leukocytosis; this should be differentiated from clinical failure if the patient is clinically stable.
The Curious Case of the ‘French Marx’

Revolutionary Thought after the Paris Commune, 1871–1885 by Julia Nicholls is an ambitious book about the thought of the revolutionary Left in France during the fifteen years after the defeat of th...
Subbasalt Marchenko imaging with offshore Brazil field data

ABSTRACTSubbasalt imaging for hydrocarbon exploration faces challenges with the presence of multiple scattering, attenuation, and mode conversion as seismic waves encounter highly heterogeneous and...
α2δ-1-Dependent NMDA Receptor Activity in the Hypothalamus Is an Effector of Genetic-Environment Interactions That Drive Persistent Hypertension.

The interplay between genetic and environmental factors is critically involved in hypertension development. The paraventricular nucleus (PVN) of the hypothalamus regulates sympathetic output during stress responses and chronic hypertension. In this study, we determined mechanisms of synaptic plasticity in the PVN in chronic stress-induced persistent hypertension in male borderline hypertensive rats (BHR), the first offspring of spontaneously hypertensive rats and normotensive Wistar-Kyoto rats. In Wistar-Kyoto rats, chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) increased arterial blood pressure (ABP), which quickly returned to baseline after CUMS ended. In contrast, in BHR, CUMS caused persistent elevation in ABP, which lasted at least 2 weeks after CUMS ended. CUMS also increased the mRNA level of α2δ-1 and synaptic protein levels of GluN1, α2δ-1, and α2δ-1–GluN1 complexes in the PVN in BHR. Furthermore, CUMS significantly increased the frequency of miniature excitatory postsynaptic currents and the amplitude of NMDA receptor currents in spinally projecting PVN neurons in BHR; these increases were normalized by blocking NMDA receptors with AP5, inhibiting α2δ-1 with gabapentin, or disrupting the α2δ-1–NMDA receptor interaction with α2δ-1Tat peptide. Microinjection of AP5 or α2δ-1Tat peptide into the PVN normalized elevated ABP and renal sympathetic nerve activity in stressed BHR. In addition, systemically administered gabapentin or memantine attenuated higher ABP induced by CUMS in BHR. Our findings indicate that chronic stress-induced persistent hypertension is mediated by augmented sympathetic outflow via α2δ-1–bound NMDA receptors in the PVN. This new information provides a cellular and molecular basis for how the genetic-environment interactions cause persistent hypertension. Significance Statement: Chronic stress is a major risk factor for hypertension development, especially for individuals with a genetic predisposition to hypertension. Using a rat model of borderline hypertension, we showed that chronic stress induced long-lasting hypertension and sympathetic nerve hyperactivity, which were maintained by NMDA receptor activation in the hypothalamus. Chronic stress also increased the expression of α2δ-1, previously regarded as a Ca2+ channel subunit, promoting physical interaction with and synaptic trafficking of NMDA receptors in the hypothalamus. Inhibiting α2δ-1, blocking NMDA receptors, or disrupting α2δ-1–bound NMDA receptors reversed chronic stress-induced sympathetic outflow and persistent hypertension. Thus, α2δ-1–dependent NMDA receptor activity in the hypothalamus is an effector of genetic-environment interactions and may be targeted for treating stress-induced neurogenic hypertension.
Resilience Narratives of Hispanic Counselors in the Texas Rio Grande Valley

This narrative inquiry presents seven Hispanic counselors in long-term practice in the Rio Grande Valley (RGV) of Texas and their stories of professional resilience in a health professional shortag...
Sharp Bounds for Federated Averaging (Local SGD) and Continuous Perspective.

Federated Averaging (FedAvg), also known as Local SGD, is one of the most popular algorithms in Federated Learning (FL). Despite its simplicity and popularity, the convergence rate of FedAvg has thus far been undetermined. Even under the simplest assumptions (convex, smooth, homogeneous, and bounded covariance), the best-known upper and lower bounds do not match, and it is not clear whether the existing analysis captures the capacity of the algorithm. In this work, we first resolve this question by providing a lower bound for FedAvg that matches the existing upper bound, which shows the existing FedAvg upper bound analysis is not improvable. Additionally, we establish a lower bound in a heterogeneous setting that nearly matches the existing upper bound. While our lower bounds show the limitations of FedAvg, under an additional assumption of third-order smoothness, we prove more optimistic state-of-the-art convergence results in both convex and non-convex settings. Our analysis stems from a notion we call iterate bias, which is defined by the deviation of the expectation of the SGD trajectory from the noiseless gradient descent trajectory with the same initialization. We prove novel sharp bounds on this quantity, and show intuitively how to analyze this quantity from a Stochastic Differential Equation (SDE) perspective.
«Jede unserer Seelen lebt nur einen Augenblick». Erzählperspektive, Wahrnehmung und Animalität in Hofmannsthals «Reitergeschichte»

This article argues for a new understanding of Hugo von Hofmannsthal’s Reitergeschichte from 1899 through integrating the story’s animals as the perceiving pre-consciousness into its narrative voice. Through Maurice Merleau-Ponty’s pre-reflective apparatus of percep­tion that intimately links animals and humans through their shared «past that has never been present», this article offers a phenomenological reading of animality in the narrative . Within the context of Jacques Derrida’s The Animal That Therefore I Am , this article examines the attribution of logos beyond the traditional human-animal dichotomy.
Sliding Mode Control of a Thermal Mixing Process

In this paper we consider the robust control of a thermal mixer using multivariable Sliding Mode Control (SMC). The mixer consists of a mixing chamber, hot and cold fluid valves, and an exit valve. The commanded positions of the three valves are the available control inputs, while the controlled variables are total mass flow rate, chamber pressure and the density of the mixture inside the chamber. Unsteady thermodynamics and linear valve models are used in deriving a 5th order nonlinear system with three inputs and three outputs, An SMC controller is designed to achieve robust output tracking in the presence of unknown energy losses between the chamber and the environment. The usefulness of the technique is illustrated with a simulation.
The General NFP Hospital Model

Throughout the past 30 years, there has been a lot of controversy surrounding the proliferation of new forms of health care delivery organizations that challenge and compete with general NFP community hospitals. Traditionally, the health care system in the United States has been dominated by general NFP (NFP) voluntary hospitals. With the number of for-profit general hospitals, physician-owned specialty hospitals, and ambulatory surgical centers increasing, a question arises: “Why is the general NFP community hospital the dominant model?” In order to address this question, this paper reexamines the history of the hospital industry. By understanding how the “general NFP hospital” model emerged and dominated, we attempt to explain the current dominance of general NFP hospitals in the ever changing hospital industry in the United States.
Keeping Reactions Under Quantum Control

It has long been proposed that reactions can be controlled with lasers, but success with complex systems had to wait until ultrafast lasers heralded the field of femtosecond chemistry. In their Perspective, [Hurley and Castleman][1] highlight the report of [ Levis et al .][2], who show that strong-field laser pulses can be used to control a dissociative rearrangement reaction. Bonds are not only selectively broken but also selectively formed. [1]: http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/full/292/5517/648 [2]: http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/short/292/5517/709
Recurrent Wolff-Parkinson-White tachycardia in an infant: Successful treatment by a radio-frequency pacemaker

Abstract A 5 week old infant was successfully treated with use of a radio-frequency pacemaker to terminate recurrent Wolff-Parkinson-White tachycardia. In this instance temporary electronic pacing and later implantation of a permanent pacemaker was lifesaving. The mechanism for termination of Wolff-Parkinson-White tachycardia by pacemaker stimulation is reviewed. This method may have application in any type of recurrent tachycardia in infants as well as adults.
Changing Genes to Feed the World

Mendel in the Kitchen A Scientist9s View of Genetically Modified Foods. by Nina Fedoroff and Nancy Marie Brown. Joseph Henry Press, Washington, DC, 2004. 366 pp. $24.95, C$32.95. ISBN 0-309-09205-1. In this account of the history and technology of genetically modified foods (written for a broad, nonspecialist audience), the authors argue that new molecular approaches offer an environmentally friendly approach to increasing the world9s food supply.