cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Blast-phase myeloproliferative neoplasms: risk factors and treatment approaches

ABSTRACTIntroduction: The past 10 years have seen dramatic advances in the understanding of the molecular pathogenesis of BCR-ABL negative myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs). With this knowledge has come novel, molecularly targeted therapies such as JAK inhibitors that may decrease symptoms and improve quality of life for patients with MPNs. Despite these advances, progression of the disease to an acute leukemic (blast) phase remains difficult to predict and even more difficult to treat, with high rates of disease relapse and mortality.Areas covered: We performed a literature review of known risk factors for progression of MPNs towards blast phase and treatment options for transformed disease, including approved and investigational agents. Herein, we review the current literature and suggest strategies for improving outcomes in the future.Expert commentary: Further understanding of the biologic basis for transformation of MPNs from the chronic to blast phase is needed in order to predict, prevent, and tr...
Emotional Contagion in the Classroom: The Impact of Teacher Satisfaction and Confirmation on Perceptions of Student Nonverbal Classroom Behavior

ABSTRACTTeachers appreciate nonverbally responsive students, but what is missing is an understanding of the direct influence of teachers' self-perceptions on their perceptions of how engaged their students are in class. Using the emotional contagion theory as a lens, this study examines the premise that satisfied instructors expect students to mirror their own behaviors in the classroom through being nonverbally responsive. Results of the regression model confirm that teachers' perceptions of their own confirmation behaviors most strongly predict their perceptions of how nonverbally responsive students are in class. Thus, instructors who are more expressive will likely induce students to be more expressive, leading them to determine their students are being more nonverbally responsive. Further, expressive instructors will be more attuned to student interaction because they may subconsciously expect students to mirror their actions through nonverbal behaviors—they will look for it. Additionally, satisfied ...
Deuterium-Tritium Fuel Layer Formation for the National Ignition Facility

AbstractInertial confinement fusion requires very smooth and uniform solid deuterium-tritium (D-T) fuel layers. The National Ignition Facility (NIF) point design calls for a 65- to 75-μm-thick D-T fuel layer inside of a 2-mm-diam spherical ablator shell to be 1.5 K below the D-T melting temperature (Tm) of 19.79 K. We find that the layer quality depends on the initial crystal seeding, with the best layers grown from a single seed. The low modes of the layer are controlled by thermal shimming of the hohlraum and meet the NIF requirement with beryllium shells and nearly meet the requirement with plastic shells. The remaining roughness is localized in grain-boundary grooves and is minimal for a single crystal layer. Once formed, the layers need to be cooled to Tm - 1.5 K. We have studied dependence of the roughness on the cooling rate and found that cooling at rates of 0.03 to 0.5 K/s is able to preserve the layer structure for a few seconds after reaching the desired temperature. The entire fuel layer remai...
Simple Method to Introduce an Ester Infrared Probe into Proteins.

The ester carbonyl stretching vibration has recently been shown to be a sensitive and convenient infrared (IR) probe of protein electrostatics due to the linear dependence of its frequency on local electric field. While an ester moiety can be easily incorporated into peptides via solid-phase synthesis, currently there is no method available to site-specifically incorporate it into a large protein. Herein, we show that it is possible to use a cysteine alkylation reaction to achieve this goal and demonstrate the feasibility of this simple method by successfully incorporating a methyl ester group (CH2 COOCH3 ) into a model peptide (YGGCGG), two amyloid-forming peptides derived from the insulin B chain and Aβ, and bovine serum albumin (BSA). IR results obtained with those peptide and protein systems further confirm the utility of this vibrational probe in monitoring, for example, the structural integrity of amyloid fibrils and ligand binding-induced changes in protein local hydration status.
AHP STRUCTURING IN BEST-WORST SCALING AND THE SECRETARY PROBLEM

Â The Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) is the widely known method and methodology of multiple criteria decision making, which enriches many other areas of mathematical and statistical data analysis. This work considers an extension of AHP hierarchical structuring by incorporating it into another method of prioritization known in marketing research as Best-Worst scaling (BWS). BWS is used for finding choice probabilities among the compared items, but when there are a large number of items it is rather difficult to apply this approach directly to all the items. The AHP methodology of hierarchical structuring and estimation of local priorities that are then synthesized into global preferences permits one to build BWS nested models to facilitate choice evaluations. For instance, the compared items can be divided into several subsets by the criteria of brand, size, packaging, etc. The BWS balanced designs and data eliciting procedure can be applied to each of these groups separately, with additional comparisons among the criteria. Synthesizing local choice probabilities by the priorities of the criteria yields global probabilities for the items of choice. In this paper we also apply another simple approach, the so-called â€œsecretary problemâ€ from the operations research field, for comparison. Numerical results demonstrate that these techniques can be very useful for prioritization problems in marketing research where there are a large number of items.
Public Health Insurance and Employment Transitions

The Affordable Care Act expanded Medicaid eligibility to adults who are below 138 percent of the federal poverty level. There is little to no evidence on the employment effects of the Medicaid expansion in 2014. This paper investigates the pre/post labor market implications of Medicaid expansion with a population near the eligibility cutoff. Using an exogenous variation at the eligibility cutoff, I find a large reduction in part-time employment (
Bibrachial plegia due to Lyme radiculopoliomyelitis-myelitis

Nervous system involvement occurs in up to 15% of patients with Lyme disease, most commonly manifested as cranial neuropathy, lymphocytic meningitis, and or radiculoneuritis. We describe a patient with subacute radiculopoliomyelitis-myelitis matching the selective involvement of the anterior horns and roots of the cervical spinal cord seen on MRI and on electrodiagnostic studies. We demonstrate positive CSF Lyme antibodies and document a near-complete recovery with antibiotics. This case highlights the importance of recognizing an atypical presentation of Lyme disease in the setting of initial radiculitis and or myelitis, particularly given the potential for favorable outcomes with appropriate treatment.
Text Message Reminders Reduce Outpatient Radiology No-Shows But Do Not Improve Arrival Punctuality.

Abstract Purpose To assess whether text-based appointment reminders are a cost-effective strategy to decrease patient no-shows and improve arrival punctuality in the setting of outpatient radiology imaging. Methods and Materials From July 2016 through October 2016, all patients scheduled for MRI imaging at two outpatient locations were randomly assigned to a texting or nontexting arm based on the day. On texting days, patients scheduled for MRI received both the traditional phone call reminder as well as a text-based reminder of their MRI examination. On nontexting days, patients scheduled for MRI received only the traditional phone call reminder. All patients were evaluated based on whether they attended the MRI appointment and, if attended, whether they arrived 30 minutes before the MRI appointment as requested in the text message. Potential associations between the text reminder and examination attendance and punctuality were assessed by χ 2 test with associations considered significant at P ≤ .05. Results A total of 6,989 patients were eligible for analysis, 3,086 in the texting group and 3,903 in the nontexting group. In the texting group, 67.5% (2,083/3,086) of patients were successfully texted with an appointment reminder, with the other 32.5% not having text accessibility. The percent of no-shows was significantly decreased for the texting group compared with the nontexting group (3.8% versus 5.1%, P = .02, odds ratio 0.75, 95% confidence interval 0.59 to 0.94). There was no significant difference between the percent of patients arriving the requested 30 minutes before the MRI appointment between the texting and nontexting groups (60.0% versus 58.5%, P = .25). Conclusion Text message appointment reminders are an effective strategy for decreasing radiology no-shows, even in the presence of traditional phone reminders, but do not improve patient arrival punctuality.
Automated Quantitative Bone Analysis in In Vivo X-ray Micro-Computed Tomography

Measurement and analysis of bone morphometry in 3D micro-computed tomography volumes using automated image processing and analysis improve the accuracy, consistency, reproducibility, and speed of preclinical osteological research studies. Automating segmentation and separation of individual bones in 3D micro-computed tomography volumes of murine models presents significant challenges considering partial volume effects and joints with thin spacing, i.e., 50 to $100~\mu \text{m}$ . In this paper, novel hybrid splitting filters are presented to overcome the challenge of automated bone separation. This is achieved by enhancing joint contrast using rotationally invariant second-derivative operators. These filters generate split components that seed marker-controlled watershed segmentation. In addition, these filters can be used to separate metaphysis and epiphysis in long bones, e.g., femur, and remove the metaphyseal growth plate from the detected bone mask in morphometric measurements. Moreover, for slice-by-slice stereological measurements of long bones, particularly curved bones, such as tibia, the accuracy of the analysis can be improved if the planar measurements are guided to follow the longitudinal direction of the bone. In this paper, an approach is presented for characterizing the bone medial axis using morphological thinning and centerline operations. Building upon the medial axis, a novel framework is presented to automatically guide stereological measurements of long bones and enhance measurement accuracy and consistency. These image processing and analysis approaches are combined in an automated streamlined software workflow and applied to a range of in vivo micro-computed tomography studies for validation.
Combining Algorithms and User Experience: A Hybrid Personalized Movie Recommender Based on Perceived Similarity

Recommender systems, which filter information based on individual interests, represent a possible remedy for information overload. There are two major types of recommendation techniques—collaborative filtering and content-based. Although the content-based approach alleviates the “cold-start” problem faced by collaborative filtering, this approach generally produces lower accuracy. Thus, a hybrid strategy is often adopted. However, we identified that existing approaches are hampered by insufficient analysis of the unstructured content features of recommended products and a problematic assumption that ignores individual differences in the perception of similarity. Therefore, we propose a new recommendation framework that applies Latent Semantic Analysis to extract semantic features from unstructured text and uses Multiple Regression to identify a unique similarity weighting strategy for each user. By using a combined dataset from MovieLens and Microsoft Xbox, we developed a movie recommender as a proof-of-concept. The initial results represented a promising opportunity to combine behavioral studies and computer algorithms.
Application of Real-Time 3D Navigation System in CT-Guided Percutaneous Interventional Procedures: A Feasibility Study

Introduction. To evaluate the accuracy of a quantitative 3D navigation system for CT-guided interventional procedures in a two-part study. Materials and Methods. Twenty-two procedures were performed in abdominal and thoracic phantoms. Accuracies of the 3D anatomy map registration and navigation were evaluated. Time used for the navigated procedures was recorded. In the IRB approved clinical evaluation, 21 patients scheduled for CT-guided thoracic and hepatic biopsy and ablations were recruited. CT-guided procedures were performed without following the 3D navigation display. Accuracy of navigation as well as workflow fitness of the system was evaluated. Results. In phantoms, the average 3D anatomy map registration error was 1.79 mm. The average navigated needle placement accuracy for one-pass and two-pass procedures, respectively, was mm and mm in the liver and mm and mm in the lung. The average accuracy of the 3D navigation system in human subjects was 4.6 mm ± 3.1 for all procedures. The system fits the existing workflow of CT-guided interventions with minimum impact. Conclusion. A 3D navigation system can be performed along the existing workflow and has the potential to navigate precision needle placement in CT-guided interventional procedures.
Safety and efficacy of concurrent immune checkpoint inhibitors and hypofractionated body radiotherapy

Integration of hypofractionated body radiotherapy (H-RT) into immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy may be a promising strategy to improve the outcomes of ICIs, although sufficient data is lacking regarding the safety and efficacy of this regimen. We, hereby, reviewed the safety and efficacy of this combination in 59 patients treated with H-RT during or within 8 weeks of ICI infusion and compared results with historical reports of ICI treatment alone. Most patients had RCC or melanoma. Median follow-up was 11 months. Most patients received either Nivolumab alone or with Ipilimumab; 83% received stereotactic RT and 17% received conformal H-RT. Any grade adverse events (AEs) were reported in 46 patients, and grade 3-4 in 12 patients without any treatment-related grade 5 toxicity. The most common grade 3 AEs were fatigue and pneumonitis. Grade 3-4 toxicities were higher with ICI combination and with simultaneous ICIs. Overall, most any-grade or grade ≥3 AE rates did not differ significantly from historically reported rates with single-agent or multi-agent ICIs. Toxicity did not correlate with H-RT site, dose, fraction number, tumor type, or ICI and H-RT sequencing. Median progression-free survival was 6.5 months. Objective response rate (ORR) was 26%; 10% had complete response (CR). Median duration of response was 9.4 ± 4.6 months. H-RT of lung lesions was more likely to achieve CR than other sites. H-RT of bone lesions had a lower ORR than non-bone H-RT. In conclusion, combining body H-RT with ICIs is safe and promising. Prospective validation is warranted.
Acculturation and Adherence to Physical Activity Recommendations Among Chinese American and Non-Hispanic White Breast Cancer Survivors.

Chinese American breast cancer survivors’ adherence to recommended physical activity (PA) guidelines has been understudied. This study investigated their PA adherence by acculturation level (vs. non-Hispanic White (NHW) survivors). One hundred ninety five Chinese and 202 NHW breast cancer survivors (stage 0–III) responded to a cross-sectional survey including a self-reported PA questionnaire. PA adherence referred to meeting PA recommendations for cancer survivors. Acculturation among Chinese was defined by proxies of U.S. residency, English proficiency, and interview language. Logistic regression was performed to examine factors associated with PA adherence. More-acculturated Chinese survivors’ PA adherence rate was 76%. Less-acculturated Chinese survivors’ adherence rate (60%) was significantly lower than that of NHWs (80%) (OR 0.38, 95%CI 0.19, 0.75). Less-acculturated Chinese survivors were also less likely to engage in vigorous-intensity PA than NHWs (p < 0.01). Future research on less-acculturated Chinese survivors’ motivation for PA to promote their adherence is needed.
Life Extension in Dwarf Mice

Abstract Dwarf mice are remarkably long-lived. Congenital deficiency of growth hormone, prolactin, and thyroid-stimulating hormone due to mutations at the Pit1 or Prop1 loci, as well as growth hormone resistance due to targeted disruption of the growth hormone receptor gene, lead to major increase in both average and maximal life span. Prolonged longevity of Snell dwarf (Pit1dw), Ames dwarf (Prop1df), and growth hormone receptor knockout mice is associated with a major extension of “health span” and multiple symptoms of delayed aging. Suspected mechanisms of prolonged longevity of hypopituitary and growth hormone (GH)-resistant mice include reduced peripheral levels of insulin and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1), enhanced sensitivity to insulin actions, reduced mechanistic target of rapamycin, particularly the complex 1 signaling, reduced generation of reactive oxygen species, enhanced antioxidant defenses and stress resistance, reduced cell senescence and inflammation, and delayed onset of fatal neoplastic and nonneoplastic disease. Negative correlation of body size, a GH/IGF1-dependent trait, and longevity applies to genetically normal mice and to other species, and there is increasing evidence that somatotropic (GH/IGF1) signaling is involved in the control of human aging and risks of age-related diseases.
Melting Point, Enthalpy of Fusion, and Heat Capacity Measurements of Several Polyfunctional, Industrially Important Compounds by Differential Scanning Calorimetry

The present paper reports a differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) study of 19 industrially important compounds that lacked key experimental data in their respective two-phase vapor liquid regions. The compounds are o-tolualdehyde (CAS 529-20-4), m-tolualdehyde (CAS 620-23-5), p-tolualdehyde (CAS 104-87-0), 3-methylbenzyl alcohol (CAS 587-03-1), p-toluic acid (CAS 99-94-5), 1-phenyl-1-propanol (CAS 93-54-9), 1-phenyl-2-propanol (CAS 698-87-3), 2-phenyl-1-propanol (CAS 1123-85-9), 2-isopropylphenol (CAS 88-69-7), 2,5-dimethylfuran (CAS 625-86-5), 5-methylfurfural (CAS 620-02-0), phenyl acetate (CAS 122-79-2), ethyl 2-phenylacetate (CAS 101-97-3), n-hexylcyclohexane (CAS 4292-75-5), 6-undecanone (CAS 927-49-1), 1H-perfluorooctane (CAS 335-65-9), 2,6-dimethoxyphenol (CAS 91-10-1), trans-isoeugenol (CAS 5932-68-3), and 1-propoxy-2-propanol (CAS 1569-01-3). New experimental melting temperatures, enthalpies of fusion, glass transition temperatures, and heat capacities of the liquid compounds as a function of t...
SAM: self-adaptive dynamic analysis for multithreaded programs

Many dynamic analysis techniques have been proposed to detect incorrect program behaviors resulted from faulty code. However, the huge overhead incurred by such dynamic analysis prevents thorough testing of large-scale software systems. In this paper, we propose a novel framework using compile-time and run-time optimizations on instrumentation and monitoring that aim to significantly reduce the overhead of dynamic analysis on multithreaded programs. We implemented a tool called SAM (Self-Adaptive Monitoring) that can selectively turn off excessive monitoring on repeated code region invocations if the current program context has been determined to be redundant, which may assist many existing dynamic detection tools to improve their performance. Specifically, we approximate the program context for a code region invocation as a set of variables, which include path-critical variables and shared variables accessed in that region. The path-critical variables are inferred using a use-definition dataflow analysis, and the shared variables are identified using a hybrid thread-based escape analysis. We have implemented the tool in Java and evaluated it on a set of real-world programs. Our experimental results show that it can significantly reduce the runtime overhead of the baseline atomicity violation and data race analyses by an average of 50% and 20%, respectively, while roughly keeping the accuracy of the underlying runtime detection tools.
Iterative Learning-based Model Predictive Control for Precise Trajectory Tracking of Piezo Nanopositioning Stage

Model predictive control (MPC) has recently been proposed to achieve real-time trajectory tracking of piezo nanopositioning stages. Due to the requirement of high-accuracy system modeling in MPC, precise tracking of high-bandwidth/large displacement-range trajectories for nanopositioning stages is still challenging. Although this issue might be solved by using iterative learning control (ILC) approaches, new issues, such as large initial tracking error and low convergence rate will be induced. To address these issues in MPC and ILC, an iterative learning-based MPC (IL-MPC) algorithm is proposed in this paper to achieve accurate and high-efficacy trajectory tracking of nanopositioning devices through the integration of ILC and MPC. Specifically, the ILC is applied to a system consists of the MPC controller and the piezo nanopositioning stages where the output of ILC is regarded as the reference signal of the MPC controller. The convergence analysis of the proposed IL-MPC with the existence of measurement noise and model uncertainty is presented. Based on the convergence analysis, the upper bound of the tracking error in frequency domain was estimated. To demonstrate the efficacy of the proposed method, experiments were conducted on a nano-piezo stage to track periodic and broadband trajectories and the tracking performances of IL-MPC and ILC were compared in detail.
Low-value care: antipsychotic medication use among community-dwelling medicare beneficiaries with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias and without severe mental illness

AbstractBackground: Antipsychotic medication use among elderly with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD) and without severe mental illness is considered as low-value care. Our objective...
The Library of Congress non-print optical disk pilot program

Description d'une partie du projet pilote de disques optiques a laser pour les supports ecrits et non ecrits, en cours de realisation a la Library of Congress. Les videodisques d'images fixes sont relies a une banque de donnees sur microordinateur contenant les notices «legendes» d'une image ou d'un groupe d'images. Ceci permet la recherche selective avant le visionnement. Avantages: conservation des collections originales, acces plus simple et rapide, gestion facilitee, securite accrue. Le projet etudie la question du droit d'auteur et envisage des procedures d'evaluation. (INTD)
Livelihood interests, organizational discipline, and grassroots participation in Ecuadorian indigenous movement protests

The Ecuadorian indigenous movement has received much scholarly attention for its ability to mobilize large numbers of people in its protest campaigns. These mobilizations rely on the participation ...
Allosteric Activation Mechanism of the α1β2γ2 γ-Aminobutyric Acid Type A Receptor Revealed by Mutation of the Conserved M2 Leucine

A conserved leucine residue in the midpoint of the second transmembrane domain (M2) of the ligand-activated ion channel family has been proposed to play an important role in receptor activation. In this study, we assessed the importance of this leucine in the activation of rat alpha 1 beta 2 gamma 2 GABA receptors expressed in Xenopus laevis oocytes by site-directed mutagenesis and two-electrode voltage clamp. The hydrophobic conserved M2 leucines in alpha1(L263), beta2(L259), and gamma 2(L274) subunits were mutated to the hydrophilic amino acid residue serine and coexpressed in all possible combinations with their wild-type and/or mutant counterparts. The mutation in any one subunit decreased the EC(50) and created spontaneous openings that were blocked by picrotoxin and, surprisingly, by the competitive antagonist bicuculline. The magnitudes of the shifts in GABA EC(50) and picrotoxin IC(50) as well as the degree of spontaneous openings were all correlated with the number of subunits carrying the leucine mutation. Simultaneous mutation of the GABA binding site (beta 2Y157S; increased the EC(50)) and the conserved M2 leucine (beta 2L259S; decreased the EC(50)) produced receptors with the predicted intermediate agonist sensitivity, indicating the two mutations affect binding and gating independently. The results are discussed in light of a proposed allosteric activation mechanism.
Spectral properties of condensed phases of disulfur monoxide, polysulfur oxide, and irradiated sulfur

The spectral reflectances of S2O, as well as the polysulfur oxide (PSO) condensate dissociation products of SO2 and condensates of elemental sulfur irradiated with UV light and X-rays, have been ascertained in the 200-1700 nm range with a view to the relevance of these compounds to the interpretation of planetary data. While S2O is a dark red solid, PSO is a pale yellow one that absorbs strongly in the UV but exhibits no bands in either the visible or near IR. Elemental S produces strong bands in the UV, and while it is normally white at room temperature, UV irradiation causes it to turn yellow. X-ray irradiation of S turns it orange.
Recognition of a Missing Person in a Mock Silver Alert in Relation to Individual Difference Factors and the Effect of an Educational Video

In two studies, we investigated participants’ ability to recognize a missing older adult featured in a mock Silver Alert. Previous research on face recognition indicates the presence of biases related to demographic variables such as gender, race, and age; thus, we compared recognition of the target in relation to these variables. Further, we explored recognition of the target in relation to empathy, conscientiousness, attitudes toward and contact with older individuals as these variables may play a role in motivation and attention to these types of alerts. In Study 1, college students (N = 610) viewed both a video of the missing man and an educational video on Silver Alerts before attempting recognition, whereas in Study 2 (N = 350), we experimentally manipulated whether participants viewed the educational video. Both studies resulted in high recognition rates (83.90% and 75.1%, respectively). Study 2 did not show a significant effect of the educational video, perhaps because of the effectiveness other components of both studies, such as the additional video of the target. Those who recognized the target had significantly higher empathy scores and metacognitive ratings (i.e., confidence) in both studies, with inconsistent differences on other individual difference variables. Caucasian participants were more likely than African-American participants to recognize the Caucasian male target, consistent with previous research on Own-Race Bias in face recognition. Additional research is needed to explore ways of improving the public’s ability to recognize missing senior citizens.
Hospital-Acquired Pressure Injuries in Children With Congenital Heart Disease: Prevalence and Associated Factors.

Objectives To explore the prevalence, location, and clinical factors associated with hospital-acquired pressure injuries among pediatric patients with congenital heart disease. Design Secondary analysis of data from a multicenter prospective cohort study of pediatric pressure injury risk, including patients with congenital heart disease. Setting Eight acute care academic pediatric hospitals. Patients Patients were preterm to 21 years old with congenital heart disease and on bed rest for at least 24 hours after hospital admission with a medical device attached to or traversing the skin or mucous membrane. Interventions None. Measurements and main results Patients were evaluated for a maximum of eight observations during a 4-week period to identify Braden QD risk and pressure injury development. Hospital-acquired pressure injuries were staged according to the National Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel guidelines. Stepwise logistic regression was used to explore risk factors associated with hospital-acquired pressure injuries development, accounting for site as a cluster variable using generalized estimating equations. Overall, 279 pediatric cardiac patients provided 919 observations (median, 2 per patient [interquartile range, 2-5 per patient]). Thirty-eight hospital-acquired pressure injuries occurred in 27 patients (9.7%). Most injuries (28/38 [74%]) were related to medical devices. The most common medical devices that caused injury were oxygen saturation probes. The remaining hospital-acquired pressure injuries were immobility-related pressure injuries (10/38 [26%]) located primarily on the buttock, sacrum, or coccyx (5/10 [50%]). In multivariable analyses, being non-Hispanic white (odds ratio, 3.54; 95% CI, 2.15-5.84), experiencing operating room time greater than 4 hours (odds ratio, 2.91; 95% CI, 1.13-7.49), having oxygen saturation levels less than 85% (odds ratio, 2.65; 95% CI, 1.01-6.96), and having worse Braden QD scores (odds ratio, 1.25 per 1 point increase; 95% CI, 1.17-1.34) were significantly associated with hospital-acquired pressure injuries development. Conclusions In this multicenter observational study of pediatric patients with congenital heart disease, we describe a hospital-acquired pressure injury prevalence of 9.7% with approximately 75% of injuries related to medical devices. These data can be used to inform practice and target interventions to decrease pressure injury risk and prevent pressure injuries in this vulnerable pediatric population.
Creole Architectural Translation: Processes of Exchange in Eighteenth-Century Mauritius

This article conceptualizes the built environments of eighteenth-century Mauritius as the products of creole architectural translation: the process whereby slaves applied disparate forms of non-Eur...
Developing Expertise: architecture and real estate in metropolitan America: by Sara Stevens, New Haven, Yale University Press, 2016, 280 pp., US$50.00 (hardback), ISBN-10:0300209932, ISBN-13:978-0300209938

Developing Expertise takes a fresh look in examining the morphology of the built environment in the United States. While Sara Stevens is not the first historian to address the role real estate deve...
Standalone Systolic Profile Detection of Non-Contact SCG Signal With LSTM Network

This research aims to propose a standalone systolic profile (SP) detection method that could locate systolic profiles without referring to concurrent R-peaks of electrocardiogram (ECG) signal. This technique is specifically used to facilitate the study of seismocardiogram (SCG) obtained by noncontact sensing methods, such as radar acceleration waveform (RAW). In our research, a single-layer bi-directional long short-term memory (LSTM) network with 300 hidden units is used to distinguish SP, which is the part of SCG that depicts the phase of systole, including fiducial points such as isovolumic contraction (IM) and aortic valve opening (AO) points. The network is trained on a semi-automatically constructed dataset that consists of 2115 positive segments (PSs) and 2115 negative segments (NSs) with the length of 256 milliseconds. The trained network is applied to RAW signal in the form of a sliding window, judging whether each segment is SP. The performance of the proposed approach is evaluated using the prediction accuracy of SP and average inter-beat intervals (IBIs) on 6 subjects. The results show that this approach is promising in replacing the ECG R-peaks as the reference signal for clean or partially noisy RAWs. In addition, the proposed approach demonstrates better performance than the existing heart rate envelope-based methods.
Identification of the local electrical properties of crystalline and amorphous domains in electrochemically doped conjugated polymer thin films

Doped polymer thin films have several applications in electronic, optoelectronic and thermoelectric devices. Often the electrical properties of doped conjugated polymer thin films are affected by their local physical and mechanical characteristics. However, investigations into the effects of doping on local domain properties have not been carried out. Here, we study the physical, mechanical and optical properties of electrochemically doped P3HT thin films at the nanoscale and establish a relation between doping level and the physical properties of P3HT thin films. Bulk crystallinity of both pristine and doped P3HT thin films, characterized using grazing incidence X-ray diffraction, shows a clear loss in crystallinity upon doping. Nanoscale crystalline and amorphous domains in the films are visualized by multimode atomic force microscopy (AFM). It is apparent that the crystalline domains are most affected by doping and have a higher degree of doping compared to amorphous domains. This results in crystalline domains exhibiting superior electrical conductivity at a local level. These results are further supported by Raman mapping and elemental analysis of doped films. A direct relation is established between the physical, mechanical and electrical properties of doped P3HT thin films based on the AFM data. The findings demonstrate that higher dopant concentrations are found in crystalline domains compared to amorphous domains, which has not been shown before to the best of our knowledge. This study can be used to optimize the electronic properties of doped P3HT thin films for use in electronic and optoelectronic device applications.
Trumping the equality norm? Presidential tweets and revealed racial attitudes:

One noteworthy characteristic of Donald Trump’s candidacy and subsequent presidency is his willingness to use racial rhetoric. This is especially the case on Twitter, where he communicates directly...
Evidence in Support of the Border-Ownership Neurons for Representing Textured Figures

We presented one eye with a monocular-boundary-contour (MBC) square, created by phase-shifting a central region of grating relative to a larger uniform grating surround, and the fellow eye with the larger uniform grating. In addition, the grating within the MBC region was rendered with lower contrast relative to the remaining stimulus. Despite this, we found the lower contrast MBC region dominated the perceived cyclopean contrast, with the corresponding region in the fellow eye being suppressed. Secondly, we found for dichoptic stimuli with half-images having square grating regions of different BC strengths, the interocular BC strength ratio determined the perceived contrast of the cyclopean square. Thirdly, we found perceived spatial phase of the cyclopean square was dominated by the spatial phase of the MBC half-image. Altogether, these psychophysical findings provided evidence for a border-to-interior representation strategy, that constructing surface begins at the boundary contour (BC), in binocular contrast and phase integration.
On the structure and patterns of von Kármán vortices in two-dimensional high Reynolds number flows

This study explores the dynamics and statistical patterns of coherent long-lived vortices spontaneously forming in bluff body wakes. The analysis is based on a series of two-dimensional direct numerical simulations performed for a wide range of Reynolds numbers. We demonstrate that the majority of coherent vortices beyond the recirculation zone are well represented by the canonical Lamb–Oseen solution. This observation is used to develop a low-order census of long-lived eddies in terms of their core sizes and vorticity magnitudes. We demonstrate that the increase in the Reynolds number (Re) leads to the systematic reduction in the initial core radii (r0), whereas the core vorticity (ζ0) increases. These dependencies exhibit singular behavior in the inviscid limit (Re → ∞), which is captured by the proposed explicit relations for r0(Re) and ζ0(Re).
Damned for Their Judgment: The Tort Liability of Standard Development Organizations

This article examines the tort liability of standard development organizations when sued by persons injured while using a product, service or activity that complies with the organization’s standards. These suits typically allege that the standard development organization developed its standards negligently in that the standards failed to require certain precautions that probably would have avoided the plaintiff’s injury. Two successful suits against the National Spa and Pool Institute, the standard development organization for swimming pools illustrate the current law. This article criticizes the opinions in those suits and contends that, on policy grounds, courts should dismiss these suits against standard development organizations on the ground of “no duty” or should grant the organization a qualified privilege when it develops standards. Such a privilege would require a plaintiff to show that the organization developed its standards in bad faith. The contours of “bad faith” in this context are then discussed.
Chaos terrain, storms, and past climate on Mars

[1] We model the atmospheric response to a chaos-forming event at Juventae Chasma, north of Valles Marineris, Mars, using the Mars Regional Atmospheric Modeling System (MRAMS). Interactions between lake-driven convergence, topography, and the regional wind field steer lake-induced precipitation to the southwest. Mean snowfall reaches a maximum of 0.9 mm/h water equivalent (peak snowfall 1.7 mm/h water equivalent) on the SW rim of the chasm. More than 80% of vapor released by the lake is trapped in or next to the lake as snow. Radiative effects of the thick cloud cover raise mean plateau surface temperature by up to 18 K locally. We find that the area of maximum modeled precipitation corresponds to the mapped Juventae plateau channel networks. At Echus Chasma, modeled precipitation maxima also correspond to mapped plateau channel networks. This is consistent with the earlier suggestion that Valles Marineris plateau layered deposits and interbedded channel networks result from localized precipitation. However, snowpack thermal modeling shows temperatures below freezing for the 12 mbar CO2 atmosphere used in our MRAMS simulations. This is true even for the most favorable orbital conditions, and whether or not the greenhouse effect of the lake storm is included. Moderately higher CO2 pressures, or non-CO2 greenhouse forcing, is very likely required for melting and plateau channel network formation under a faint young Sun. Required warming is ≤10 K: global temperatures need not be higher than today. In these localized precipitation scenarios, the rest of the planet remains dry.
Determining the Optimal Workrate for Cycle Ergometer Verification Phase Testing in Males with Obesity

The aim of the present study was to assess the validity of verification phase (VP) testing and a 3 min all-out test to determine critical power (CP) in males with obesity. Nine young adult males with a body mass index (BMI) ≥ 30 kg·m−2 completed a cycle ergometer ramp-style VO2max test, four randomized VP tests at 80, 90, 100, and 105% of maximum wattage attained during the ramp test, and a 3 min all-out test. There was a significant main effect for VO2max across all five tests (p = 0.049). Individually, 8 of 9 participants attained a higher VO2max (L/min) during a VP test compared to the ramp test. A trend (p = 0.06) was observed for VO2max during the 90% VP test (3.61 ± 0.54 L/min) when compared to the ramp test (3.37 ± 0.39 L/min). A significantly higher VO2max (p = 0.016) was found in the VP tests that occurred below 130% of CP wattage (N = 15, VO2max = 3.76 ± 0.52 L/min) compared to those that were above (N = 21, VO2max = 3.36 ± 0.41 L/min). Our findings suggest submaximal VP tests at 90% may elicit the highest VO2max in males with obesity and there may be merit in using % of CP wattage to determine optimal VP intensity.
A Flexible Rolling Regression Framework for Time-Varying SIRD models: Application to COVID-19

The present paper introduces a data-driven framework for describing the time-varying nature of an SIRD model in the context of COVID-19. By embedding a rolling regression in a mixed integer bilevel nonlinear programming problem, our aim is to provide the research community with a model that reproduces accurately the observed changes in the number of infected, recovered, and death cases, while providing information about the time dependency of the parameters that govern the SIRD model. We propose this optimization model and a genetic algorithm to tackle its solution. Moreover, we test this algorithm with 2020 COVID-19 data from the state of Minnesota and found that our results are consistent both qualitatively and quantitatively, thus proving that the framework proposed is an effective an flexible tool to describe the dynamics of a pandemic.
Plant-Based Diet Quality and Risk of Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis in US Women

Objectives Several plant-based foods have been associated with a lower risk of Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC), but not all plant-based foods are healthy. We aimed to examine the association of various plant-based diets with the risk of CD and UC.
The relationship between state-level carbon emissions and average working hours in the United States: a replication study

Climate change is perhaps the most pressing problem facing humanity over the coming century. One proposed solution to climate change is reducing employee work hours which potentially allows for deg...
Metformin Improves Aspects of NAFLD in Diet-Induced Obesity

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is known to have an intricate relationship with other metabolic diseases such as insulin resistance and obesity. While numerous studies have shown that metformin, an insulin-sensitizing agent, has beneficial effects on NAFLD, the mechanisms underlying metformin actions on NAFLD remain to be elucidated. In a recent study, the effects of metformin on the aspects of NAFLD were examined. In mice of diet-induced obesity (DIO), metformin treatment reduced hepatic steatosis and inflammation and increased the phosphorylation of liver AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK). In the in vitro systems, metformin exhibited direct effects on hepatocyte and macrophage inflammatory responses. However, metformin appeared to have limited effects on altering adipose tissue lipid accumulation and inflammatory status. Together, metformin improves the aspects of NAFLD by reducing hepatic steatosis, and by decreasing liver inflammation due to the direct effects on suppressing hepatocyte and macrophage inflammatory responses, which all are independent of altering adiposity and adipose tissue inflammatory status.
Fuerzas sociales, estados y órdenes mundiales: Más allá de la Teoría de Relaciones Internacionales

In this article, Cox poses how through the development of International Relations theory different perspectives on state and civil society had face each other. He continues presenting how Critical approaches, inspired firstly by Marxism, continuing with concepts as hegemony and counterhegemony, and then through World System theories, serves to retake material power relevance on new world orders creation processes. Cox proposes the ideologically, theoretical and practical differentiation between the pax britannica and pax americana taking both as specific historical processes, engenders of different social, political and economical structures. Moreover, emphasizes on the various practices of production internationalization through different actors as state agencies, interstate agencies, multinational corporations managing classes, and international institutions, among others, in order to produce the basic structures that form and generate late-Twentieth Century power forces.
Analysis of the shearout failure mode in composite bolted joints

A semi-empirically based strength analysis was developed for the shearout failure mode in composite bolted joints. The failure model utilizes a polynomial ’stress function’ in conjunction with a point stress failure criterion to predict strength as a function of fastener size, edge distance and half spacing. The development of the stress function is based on a two dimensional plane stress finite element analysis using quadrilateral elements with orthotropic material properties. The two constants, m and C, for the point stress criterion, were determined using empirical data from bolted joint tests performed for [45/0/-45/02/-45/0/45/02/90]s Hercules AS/3501-6 graphite epoxy laminates with fastener sizes ranging from 3.18 mm (0.125in) to 952mm (0.375in). Verification of the strength predictions determined from the failure model was accomplished by comparison with experimentally determined shearout strength data.
Variable sinograms and redundant information in tomographic imaging

We introduce and illustrate the novel concept of n- and q-variable sinograms, quantities that can be derived from sinogram data in tomographic imaging. The q-variable sinogram unravels the redundant information in sinogram data that arise in numerous tomographic imaging modalities. To demonstrate the utility of the variable sinograms, we focus on SPECT with non-uniform attenuation, deriving both n- and q-sinograms for an off-center Gaussian activity distribution with a linearly varying attenuator. We identify the redundant information in the data function, and show that this redundancy can be exploited to reduce the scanning angle from 2/spl pi/ down to /spl pi/.
Chapter 15 – Chemical Reactions

This chapter discusses the projects related with chemical reactions, such as stability of a tank reaction. This project models a chemical reaction where cold chemicals pour into a tank and react. It is based on papers of a number of authors beginning with R. Aris and N. R. Amundson in 1958 in the chemical engineering journals. The data of Berger and Perlmutter from 1964 is used in the chapter. Scaling is a problem with most of the real data. The reaction in the tank heats the chemicals and they pour out the other side of the tank at new concentrations. Some of the input chemical flows out the other side, but at a reduced concentration. That reduction has produced the substance one wants to manufacture. The reaction produces heat, but the cold chemical flowing in can absorb some heat. If it absorbs too much, the reaction stops. If it absorbs too little, things overheat. Whether conditions for a stable equilibrium, in other words, conditions where the reaction continues at a stable temperature are examined in the chapter.
Changes in the structure of wages: The United States vs Japan

Abstract This paper examines changes in wage differentials by educational attainment and experience in the United States and Japan since the early 1970s. While educational earnings differentials have expanded dramatically in the United States in the 1980s, the college wage premium has increased only slightly in Japan. In contrast to the large expansion in experience differentials for high school males in the United States, the wages of male new entrants have risen relative to more experienced workers for both high school and college graduates in Japan from 1979 to 1987. Macroeconomic factors (increased openness, trade deficits, and labor market slack) and changes in institutional structures (the decline in unionization) are likely to have amplified each other in contributing to a tremendous decline in real and relative earnings of young less-skilled males in the United States in the 1980s. We further find that a sharp deceleration in the rate of growth of college graduates as a fraction of the labor force in the United States helps account for the much larger increase in the college wage premium in the United States than in Japan in the 1980s.