cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Mechanistic studies and selective catalysis with cytochrome P-450 model systems

Abstract Two related uses of cytochrome P-450 model systems are reviewed and evaluated. After a brief summary of the various types of models which have been created, the use of models to study the mechanisms of hydroxylation and especially epoxidation is discussed. The evidence for hydroxylation by initial hydrogen abstraction followed by recombination is clear and convincing. The evidence for and against each proposed epoxidation intermediate is presented. At this time results seem to favor initial charge transfer from the olefin, followed by electrophilic attack. The degree of charge transfer may vary with different substrates and catalysts. Knowledge of hydroxylation and epoxidation mechanisms allows transition-state geometries to be predicted and thus allows one to design a substrate-catalyst or a regioselective oxygenation catalyst. In the final section of the review, several systems are discussed which achieve selectivity by using steric interactions or substrate-catalyst binding.
The influence of own and other outcome on satisfaction and choice of task difficulty

Abstract Hypotheses are stated about the relationships among the level of task difficulty chosen by a subject in a sequential task, expectancy of success, own outcome and that of a paired subject, and satisfaction with own outcome. Multiple regression analyses were used to test these hypotheses on data from an experiment in which subjects worked in pairs for six trials. It was found that the difficulty level chosen on a given trial was predicted by the difficulty level, the subject's outcome score, and the subject's satisfaction on the previous trial; that level of satisfaction on a trial was predicted by the subject's own outcome score and the difference in outcome scores between the two subjects on that trial; and that expectancy was predicted by difficulty level on the same trial. These results underscore the important mediating role of outcome evaluation in the control of behavior, and are consistent with previous research showing a dependence of evaluation on social comparison processes. Also consistent with previous research is the observed trend over trials to more difficult tasks. The “slope” of this trend depended on the initial difficulty level, a result which is readily accounted for by a simplified version of our hypotheses.
THE CUBIC MATRIX MODEL WITH IMAGINARY COUPLING AND 2D GRAVITY

We study the continuum properties of the Hermitian one-matrix model defined by a cubic potential with imaginary coupling, using the orthogonal polynomials and loop-equation approaches. The model is well defined mathematically and has a continuum limit which cannot be naively interpreted as pure gravity since each term of the sum over surfaces is not positive-definite. Nevertheless, the model may be considered as an analytic continuation of the standard matrix-model formulation of gravity. We study in detail the conditions under which the analytic continuation may be performed. In particular, the specific heat is found to obey a Painleve equation. Although we find a solution that is compatible, as far as global stability is concerned, with the one proposed by David, it is not completely clear that the two solutions are the same.
Music, the Body in Time, and Self-Similarity Concepts

It is shown in this paper that the structural configuration of music exactly parallels the structural configuration of the human body. Music and biological systems share time as a common denominator, since both derive from, and exist in the time dimension. Music and biological systems also share as a common denominator certain features of self-similarity that can be quantified by power-law formulations. Discussed herein is how further investigations into these two common features—selfsimilarity as an architectural property of both music and the human body, and space-time as common dimensions of perception—can provide some insights into specific mechanisms by which the six elements of music—rhythm, melody, harmony, timbre, dynamics, and form—succeed in eliciting profound physiological responses. Once these mechanisms are understood, they can be exploited to develop diagnostic protocols which, in turn, can provide a scientific basis for using music as a clinical intervention in a variety of diagnosed populations.
Overview and fundamentals of urologic robot-integrated systems

Advances in technology have revolutionized urology. Minimally invasive tools now form the core of the urologist's armamentarium. Laparoscopic surgery has become the favored approach for treating many complicated urologic ailments. Surgical robots represent the next evolutionary step in the fruitful man-machine partnership. The introduction of robotic technology in urology changes how urologists learn, teach, plan, and operate. As technology evolves, robots not only will improve performance in minimally invasive procedures, but also enhance other procedures or enable new kinds of operations.
Cigarette Smoking Interventions Among Diverse Populations

One of the greatest public health success stories of the past 50 years has been the reduction in cigarette smoking in the United States. Smoking prevalence has decreased by 50% or more in the United States since the 1960s, and although recent reports indicate a plateau in this decline, the long-term downward trend has resulted in an overall smoking prevalence rate of 20.6% in 2009.1 Despite this success, the Healthy People 2010 objective of reducing the prevalence of cigarette smoking among adults to 12% or less has not been realized. This is, in large part, due to the fact that tobacco control efforts have not impacted population subgroups equally. In general, racial/ethnic minority groups and persons of lower socioeconomic status (SES) have not benefited as much as whites and those of higher SES from smoking prevention and cessation programs. If we are to meet the goal of 12% or less smoking prevalence among the overall adult population, more effort is needed to influence tobacco use behaviors among racial/ethnic and low SES populations
The role of anterior and posterior combined surgery in the treatment of painful degenerative disk disease

Abstract The treatment of degenerative disk disease remains one of the most controversial topics in the spine surgeryliterature. Surgical treatment is indicated only when conservative treatment fails. However, arthrodesis appears to have a definite, albeit small, role in the management of the intractable and incapacitating disk degeneration disorders. We suggest that combined anterior and posterior arthrodesis be reserved for patients with disabling low back pain with discographic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or computed tomography- concordant back pain and failed posterior intertransverse process arthrodeses with instability, and minimal psychosocial or economic stress.
Sympathetic influences on the native canine coronary collateral circulation

Objective : The aim was to investigate the influence of the sympathetic nervous system on the native collateral circulation in the intact heart. Methods : Experiments were performed on 10 open chest dogs anaesthetised with α chloralose. The left anterior descending coronary artery was cannulated and embolised with 25 μm microspheres. Collateral resistance was determined from measurements of aortic pressure and retrograde flow. Additional haemodynamic measurements included left ventricular pressure and blood flow in the circumflex coronary artery. Results : Coronary embolisation decreased retrograde resistance from 41.5(SEM 6.0) to 20.1(1.9) mm Hg·ml−1·min−1 (P < 0.01). Left stellate stimulation for 60 s (10 Hz) significantly increased circumflex blood flow and decreased circumflex resistance from 2.1(0.3) to 1.6(0.2) mm Hg·ml−1·min−1. Retrograde resistance during sympathetic stimulation decreased from 19.7(1.8) to 16.8(1.8) mm Hg·ml−1·min−1. (P < 0.01). Transient occlusion of descending aorta resulted in changes in perfusion pressure and retrograde flow that were similar to those observed during stellate stimulation. Stellate stimulation after β blockade with timolol (0.1 mg·kg−1) increased circumflex resistance from 1.9(0.2) to 2.3(0.3) mm Hg·ml−1·min−1 (P < 0.01) but did not alter retrograde resistance. Conclusions : The sympathetic nervous system does not have a direct effect on native coronary collateral vessels. Increased sympathetic input to the heart does not result in a coronary steal phenomenon. The primary determinant of flow and resistance in the native collateral network during sympathetic activation is the arterial perfusion pressure.
Inhibition of insulin fibrillogenesis with targeted peptides

Under conditions of acidic pH and elevated temperature, insulin partially unfolds and aggregates into highly structured amyloid fibrils. Aggregation of insulin leads to loss of activity and can trigger an unwanted immune response. Compounds that prevent protein aggregation have been used to stabilize insulin; these compounds generally suppress aggregation only at relatively high inhibitor concentrations. For example, effective inhibition of aggregation of 0.5 mM insulin required arginine concentrations of ≥100 mM. Here, we investigate a targeted approach toward inhibiting insulin aggregation. VEALYL, corresponding to residues B12–17 of full-length insulin, was identified as a short peptide that interacts with full-length insulin. A hybrid peptide was synthesized that contained this binding domain and hexameric arginine; this peptide significantly reduced the rate of insulin aggregation at near-equimolar concentrations. An effective binding domain and N-terminal placement of the arginine hexamer were necessary for inhibitory activity. The data were analyzed using a simple two-step model of aggregation kinetics. These results are useful not only in identifying an insulin aggregation inhibitor but also in extending a targeted protein strategy for modifying aggregation of amyloidogenic proteins.
Nonvariceal Upper Gastrointestinal Bleeding: When Endoscopic Therapy Fails—A Surgeon’s Perspective

Endoscopic hemostasis of upper gastrointestinal bleeding has dramatically reduced the need for surgical management over the past two decades. Nevertheless, surgery still plays a pivotal role. Initial endoscopy stops bleeding in over 90% of cases and allows stratification of patients by their risk of rebleeding. Patients who are at high risk of rebleeding are the elderly with comorbidities; those presenting with shock or a large ulcer; and those who have active bleeding or a nonbleeding visible vessel. In cases of rebleeding after initial success at endoscopic hemostasis, a second endoscopic attempt is justified. Failure to control bleeding endoscopically is the indication for surgical intervention, thus a close cooperation between endoscopists and surgeons is essential. When indicated, surgery should not be delayed.
Comments on "Diversity ALOHA"

In a recent paper, a generalization of the slotted ALOHA random access scheme is considered in which a user transmits multiple copies of the same packet. In frequency diversity ALOHA, multiple copies of the same packet are simultaneously transmitted on different channels. We found the analysis for one of the proposed schemes, namely, channel selection without replacement, to be incorrect. These comments contain a counterexample to the published results and a corrected version of the analysis.
On synchronous robotic networks Part I: Models, tasks and complexity notions

This paper proposes a formal model for a network of robotic agents that move and communicate. Building on concepts from distributed computation, robotics and control theory, we define notions of robotic network, control and communication law, coordination task, and time and communication complexity. We illustrate our model and compute the proposed complexity measures in the example of a network of locally connected agents on a circle that agree upon a direction of motion and pursue their immediate neighbors.
3D visualization of unsteady 2D airplane wake vortices

Air flowing around the wing tips of an airplane forms horizontal tornado-like vortices that can be dangerous to following aircraft. The dynamics of such vortices, including ground and atmospheric effects, can be predicted by numerical simulation, allowing the safety and capacity of airports to be improved. In this payer, we introduce three-dimensional techniques for visualizing time-dependent, two-dimensional wake vorte computations, and the hazard strength of such vortices near the ground. We describe a vortex core tracing algorithm and a local tiling method to visualize the vortex evolution. The tiling method converts time-dependent, two-dimensional vortex cores into three-dimensional vortex tubes. Finally, a novel approach is used to calculate the induced rolling moment on the following airplane at each grid point within a region near the vortex tubes and thus allows three-dimensional visualization of the hazard strength of the vortices.
Thalamocortical asynchrony in conditions of spinal cord injury pain in rats.

Spinal cord injury (SCI) pain is a debilitating chronic condition that is severe and unrelenting. Despite decades of extensive research, the neuropathological mechanisms responsible for the development of this devastating condition remain largely unknown, hindering our ability to develop effective treatments. Because several lines of evidence implicate abnormalities of the thalamus and cortex in the etiology of SCI pain, we hypothesized that SCI pain results from abnormal functional connectivity of brain areas heavily implicated in pain processing. We performed a longitudinal study in a rat model of SCI (SCI group, n = 8; sham-operated group, n = 6) and acquired resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging scans before spinal surgery and 3, 7, 14, and 21 (SCI only) days after surgery in the same animals. Functional connectivity was decreased between the ventroposterior lateral thalamus (VPL) and primary somatosensory cortex (S1) 7 d after SCI. This reduction preceded an increase in connectivity between S1 and other cortical areas involved in nociceptive processing. In addition, VPL had increased connectivity to contralateral thalamus at 7 and 14 d after injury. The temporal pattern of the increase in functional connectivity within the thalamus and between cortical areas (particularly S1 and retrosplenial cortex) had a striking resemblance to the temporal pattern for the development of a “below-level” mechanical hypersensitivity in the same animals. Our findings suggest that below-level hypersensitivity is associated with functional disconnection (asynchrony) between the thalamus and cortical areas involved in nociceptive processing.
A Model of Competence for Counting

A theoretical framework Is presented that distinguishes among three knowledge sources that form the basis for generative performance. The three knowledge sources, termed conceptual, procedural, and utilizational competence, were implemented as a computational model that derives plans for counting procedures. In a previous analysis, Greeno, Riley, and Gelman (1984) developed a characterization of the conceptual competence (implicit understanding of general concepts and principles) associated with the skill of counting and related conceptual competence to various models of performance. In the current work all three knowledge sources are formalized in a computer program (COUNTPLAN) that generates planning nets of counting procedures. The sufficiency of COUNTPLAN's knowledge components is demonstrated through its capacity to generate new plans for counting in novel settings from a core of conceptual competence. The utility of COUNTPLAN to facilitate the distinction between hypotheses of competence and hypotheses of performance is discussed.
The circulating lipophage and experimental atherosclerosis

Summary Routine smears of rats' tail blood have been studied by light microscopy in order to quantitate the number of vacuolated macrophages present in the blood of rats fed high-fat, atherogenic diets. Modification of the routine method for preparing blood smears has allowed the clear demonstration of the lipid nature of these cytoplasmic vacuoles. Among various dietary groups, the average numbers of vacuolated macrophages vary with the average serum-cholesterol levels. The presence of these circulating lipophages, taken with the results of prior morphologic studies of the aortic wall, indicates that the blood is the most likely source of intimal foam cells.
Numerical Simulations of Explosive Wall Breaching

Explosive wall breaching will be a key war fighter capability in future military operations by dismounted soldiers in urban terrain environments where the close proximity of urban structures, possibly occupied by noncombatants, significantly restricts the use of large demolition charges or large caliber direct-fire weapons. The US Army Engineering Research and Development Center (ERDC) is currently investigating new explosive wall breaching systems and numerical techniques to model the breaching system interaction with the wall targets. The experimental and numerical programs will conduct comprehensive demolition breaching research on a full range of construction and material types and will fully validate new multi-functional breaching procedures across the spectrum of desired missions. As a first step in this process, the ERDC conducted a baseline study of C-4 breaching effectiveness against steel-reinforced concrete walls in FY04. The goal of this effort was to develop improved methods for breaching these walls with simple arrangements of C-4. The experimental breaching scenarios addressed: (1) a baseline study of C-4 breaching, (2) optimal use of C-4 for concrete removal, and (3) optimal use of C-4 for concrete and reinforcing steel removal. Numerical simulations of two selected experiments were conducted using the coupled Eulerian and Lagrangian code Zapotec. In these simulations, the concrete and reinforcing steel were modeled as Lagrangian materials, and the C-4 and air were modeled as Eulerian materials. Two different concrete constitutive models were used in the simulations: the Karagozian and Case concrete model, which is included with Zapotec, and the Microplane model, which was implemented in Zapotec by ERDC personnel. Comparisons between the experimental results and the numerical simulations will be described.
Genetic disruption of Ptgs-1, as well as of Ptgs-2, reduces intestinal tumorigenesis in Min mice

Two isoforms of cyclooxygenase (COX) are known, and to date most studies have implicated COX-2, rather than COX-1, as the isoform involved in colon carcinogenesis. In the present study, we show that homologous disruption of either Ptgs-1 or Ptgs-2 (genes coding for COX-1 or COX-2, respectively) reduced polyp formation in Min/+ mice by approximately 80%. Only COX-1 protein was immunohistochemically detected in normal intestinal tissue, whereas both COX-1 and variable levels of COX-2 protein were detected in polyps. Prostaglandin E2 was increased in polyps compared with normal tissue, and both COX-1 and COX-2 contributed to the PGE2 produced. The results indicate that COX-1, as well as COX-2, plays a key role in intestinal tumorigenesis and that COX-1 may also be a chemotherapeutic target for nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
Importance And Behavior Of Capital Project Benefits Factors In Practice: Early Evidence

We extend the capital budgeting literature by identifying capital project benefits factors and relating each factor’s importance to firm and individual decision-maker factors. We find significant and consistent changes in importance of project benefits factors associated with decision-maker firm-individual factors. Project benefits such as value, scale, profitability, strategic fit, competitiveness, communications and implimentability importance can be explained by decision-makers' firm size or type, line/staff distinctions, power, experience, and behavioral training.
Impotent Masculinities in Frank Wedekind’s «Erdgeist»

For most of recorded history, the study of impotence fell under the purview of healers. This changed in the late nineteenth century, however, as the works of avant garde artists like the German dramatist and social critic Frank Wedekind ushered analyses of this malady into public discourse. In looking first at conditions in Europe during Wedekind’s time and then tracing the history of impotence from the Ancient Chinese up to Wedekind’s day, this article investigates how Wedekind’s representations of impotence emblematized not only his own personal afflictions but a greater cultural malaise.
Shattering Stereotypes: New Plays from Poland in English Translation

A review of the anthology Apollonia: Twenty-First-Century Polish Drama and Texts for the Stage edited by Krystyna Duniec, Joanna Klass, and Joanna Krakowska.
Chronic Kidney Disease in Children

Abstract Chronic kidney disease (CKD) in children has unique etiologies compared to adults, with the majority of pediatric CKD caused by congenital anomalies of the kidney and urinary tract (CAKUT). Additional etiologies include primary and secondary glomerular disorders and cystic and hereditary kidney diseases. The natural history of CKD in children is characterized by a steady decline in kidney function over time, although children with CAKUT tend to have a slower decline compared to children with glomerular disorders. Interventions to slow progressive kidney disease in children and diminish CVD risk factors include strict control of blood pressure and correction of anemia, dyslipidemia, and calcium–phosphate balance. When children with CKD progress to ESRD, preemptive transplantation is the preferred method of renal replacement therapy, but HD remains the most common initial therapeutic modality. CKD has a multitude of effects on childhood health including CVD, impaired nutrition and growth, anemia, bone disease, and neurocognitive deficits. Children with CKD have an increased risk of early mortality.
Effect of Polypropylene Fibres on Strength and Plastic Shrinkage of High Volume Fly Ash Self Compacting Concrete

Objectives: The present paper aims to test the influence of polypropylene fibre on plastic shrinkage and compressive strength of High Volume Fly Ash Self-Compacting Concrete (HVFA_SCC). Methods/Statistical Analysis: Six 150mm cubes and a slab of dimension 560mm×365mm×114mm were casted each for five mixes of HVFA_SCC with and without polypropylene fibres. The cementitious material (600 kg/m3) and water to powder ratio (0.325) were kept constant. The self-compacting concrete mixes had a cement replacement of 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, and 70% of class F fly ash. The dosage of polypropylene fibres was 0.1% of total volume of concrete.Findings: Experimentationson these mixes were made to attain the fresh properties of concreteon viscosity, stability, filling and passing abilities. The compressive strength and plastic shrinkage properties were determined. Slump flow values on the mix blends were in the range of 650mm - 800mm and flow times were ranging from 2 to 4 sec. The HVFA_SCC mixes with polypropylene fibres had developed the twentyeight days compressive strengths ranging from 24.0 MPa to 46.0 MPa. Addition of polypropylene fibres in high volume fly ash self-compacting concrete had not shown any significant effect on the strength parameters but it had improved concrete resistance to plastic shrinkage by reducing sedimentation and bleeding due to increase in cohesion of mix. The control on bleed water resists the migration of the cementitious fines and the sand to the surface. The PFSCC60 has attained a twentyeight days Compressive strength of 30 MPa. Applications/Improvements: PFSCC60 has consumed only 40% cement by weight of the cementitious material proves to be economical and by reducing the emission of greenhouse gases found to be ecofriendly
Differential and Joint Effects of Metformin and Statins on Overall Survival of Elderly Patients with Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma: A Large Population-Based Study

Background: Published evidence indicates that individual use of metformin and statin is associated with reduced cancer mortality. However, their differential and joint effects on pancreatic cancer survival are inconclusive.Methods: We identified a large population-based cohort of 12,572 patients ages 65 years or older with primary pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) diagnosed between 2008 and 2011 from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER)-Medicare-linked database. Exposure to metformin and statins was ascertained from Medicare Prescription Drug Event files. Cox proportional hazards models with time-varying covariates adjusted for propensity scores were used to assess the association while controlling for potential confounders.Results: Of 12,572 PDAC patients, 950 (7.56%) had used metformin alone, 4,506 (35.84%) had used statin alone, and 2,445 (19.45%) were dual users. Statin use was significantly associated with improved overall survival [HR, 0.94; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.90-0.98], and survival was more pronounced in postdiagnosis statin users (HR, 0.69; 95% CI, 0.56-0.86). Metformin use was not significantly associated with overall survival (HR, 1.01; 95% CI, 0.94-1.09). No beneficial effect was observed for dual users (HR, 1.00; 95% CI, 0.95-1.05).Conclusions: Our findings suggest potential benefits of statins on improving survival among elderly PDAC patients; further prospective studies are warranted to corroborate the putative benefit of statin therapy in pancreatic cancer.Impact: Although more studies are needed to confirm our findings, our data add to the body of evidence on potential anticancer effects of statins. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 26(8); 1225-32. ©2017 AACR.
Aspects Integral to Managing the Care Environment

This chapter provides you with the opportunity to learn more about the management process in relationship to the care environment where our aging population lives. This chapter also reviews your role in the management process.
Mohs Surgery for Melanoma In Situ

This chapter discusses the history and current treatment of melanoma in situ (MIS), with emphasis on the current evidence available. Removing the entire lesion is paramount, particularly as up to 67% of MIS contain invasive components. Evidence that a 1 cm margin is needed to clear 97% of melanoma in situ is presented, with even wider margins needed in some cases on the head and neck. When a 1 cm margin is anatomically impractical, Mohs surgery should be employed to attempt narrower surgical margins and achieve higher cure rates. Cure rates for wide local excision of MIS are 8–20% versus 1–2% with Mohs surgery. The use of Mohs surgery and other techniques to enable histologic evaluation of the entire peripheral margin is outlined. Advantages of Mohs surgery include tissue conservation, repair only after guaranteed clear margins, repair on the same day, and cure rates of ~99%. High cure rates are the norm, even on the head and neck and in recurrent cases. This chapter concludes with clinical scenarios that illustrate the multiple benefits of Mohs surgery for MIS.
Flux pinning and critical current density in YBa2Cu3O6+y and EuBa2Cu3O6+y superconductors.

We have studied the magnetic characteristics of the critical states of Y-Ba-Cu-O and Eu-Ba-Cu-O high-${T}_{c}$ superconductors. Magnetization data at various temperatures have revealed a very large magnetic hysteresis. The highly irreversible behavior was found to exist both in bulk samples and in well-isolated particles. These effects are consistent with the existence of large pinning forces caused by the structural defects in these materials. By analyzing the hysteretic magnetization data, the critical current density ${J}_{c}$ as a function of the external magnetic field has been obtained at several temperatures. The variation of the trapped flux with temperature (up to ${T}_{c}$) has also been measured.
Spatially-Stationary Propagating Random Field Model for Massive MIMO Small-Scale Fading

The spatially uncorrelated Rayleigh small-scale fading model is a useful stochastic tool for analyzing multiple-antenna wireless communication systems, and, as experiments have shown, it often is a good approximation to physical propagation. However, the assumption that the propagating field is uncorrelated from one point in space to another breaks down when, for example, antenna spacings are smaller than one-half wavelength - a model defect typically addressed by assuming some spatial correlation. Spatial correlation can have huge effects even in the absence of close spacing between antennas. While an ad-hoc correlation versus distance, such as exponential, may add an element of realism to the model, in general it does not capture the peculiar “action at a distance” phenomena associated with the wave equation. The very desirable property of spatial stationarity can be retained, provided the spatial autocorrelation is chosen such that the complex Gaussian small-scale fading random field satisfies the homogeneous wave equation. The fading model that is closest to iid Rayleigh fading, and that is still consistent with the wave equation, has an autocorrelation equal to sinc(2πR/λ, corresponding to planewaves arriving uniformly from all directions, and having independent, equal variance complex Gaussian amplitudes. The contribution of this paper is twofold: first, a Fourier planewave representation that provides a computationally efficient way to generate samples of the random field, second, an inverse representation that enables the efficient computation of the joint likelihood of noisy measurements of the field over continuous segments of lines, planes, and volumes.
Peer vs. Self-Grading of Practice Exams: Which Is Better?

Peer and self-grading were investigated to determine whether either has a differential impact on completion of practice exam assignments, performance on practice exams or course exams, or student g...
A Simulated Approach to Fostering Competency in End-of-Life Care Among Pharmacy Students

Objective. To determine if pharmacy students participating in simulation-based scenarios reported fewer learning needs about the transition from acute to end-of-life (EOL) care compared to students participating in solely case-based scenario delivery. Methods. Four end-of-life cases were developed for both paper-based case study and simulation delivery. Pharmacy students on three distant campuses were exposed to the case study approach while four teams of nine to ten pharmacy students were exposed to simulated versions of the same cases. A validated questionnaire was administered before and after exposure to assess end-of-life care learning needs. Results were analyzed following a Bonferroni-adjustment for multiple testing. Results. The case study groups produced similar pre/post changes on the questionnaire. After results were pooled and compared to the simulation only group, significantly higher changes in pre/post scores were found for the simulation group. Conclusion. Pharmacy students exposed to simulated EOL scenarios experienced significantly reduced learning needs following the scenarios, unlike their classroom-based counterparts.
Evaluating Scalability Bottlenecks by Workload Extrapolation

Testing a scalability bottleneck requires a large system to generate sufficient load, which is usually not accessible to researchers. To address this problem, this paper extrapolates the workload to a bottleneck node. The key observation that motivates our approach is that systems at a large scale are often repeating their behaviors at small scales, by running a job more times, running more nodes of the same type, or running more iterations of the same loop. Following this observation, we record a node's workloads at small scales and extrapolate such workload at a large scale. Towards this goal, we have developed PatternMiner, a semi-automatic tool to identify how workload patterns change with scale. We have tested our method on HDFS NameNode and YARN's Resource Manager. Our evaluation shows that PatternMiner is able to predict 98% of the workloads for NameNode and 83% of the workloads for the Resource Manager. Furthermore, by utilizing the extrapolated workload, we are able to emulate a cluster of up to 60,000 nodes with only 8 physical machines to evaluate NameNode and Resource Manager.
THE EFFECT OF SELECTED PLATING PROCEDURES ON THE BACTERIAL COUNT OF INSTANT NONFAT DRY MILK1

Summary It was estimated that the addition of 10.5 g of instant non-fat dry milk to 99 ml of water more nearly approximated a 1:10 dilution than did the currently recommended addition of 11 g of po...
Flexible Signatures: Making Authentication Suitable for Real-Time Environments.

This work introduces the concept of flexible signatures. In a flexible signature scheme, the verification algorithm quantifies the validity of a signature based on the number of computations performed, such that the signature’s validation (or confidence) level in [0, 1] improves as the algorithm performs more computations. Importantly, the definition of flexible signatures does not assume the resource restriction to be known in advance, a significant advantage when the verification process is hard stopped by a system interrupt. Prominent traditional signature schemes such as RSA, (EC)DSA seem unsuitable towards building flexible signatures because rigid all-or-nothing guarantees offered by the traditional cryptographic primitives have been particularly unattractive in these unpredictably resource-constrained environments.
Seeing the market: performative sensemaking and the case of advertising agencies and their clients

How do market intermediaries help other market actors see the market and their opportunities for action within it? This article introduces a theoretical framework of performative sensemaking to exp...
Algorithmic Approaches to Characterizing Power Flow Cyber-Attack Vulnerabilities

As power grid control systems become increasingly automated and distributed, security has become a significant design concern. Systems increasingly expose new avenues, at a variety of levels, for attackers to exploit and enable widespread disruptions and/or surveillance. Much prior work has explored the implications of attack models focused on false data injection at the front-end of the control system (i.e. during state estimation) [1]. Instead, in this paper we focus on characterizing the inherent cyber-attack vulnerabilities with power flow. Power flow (and power flow constraints) are at the core of many applications critical to operation of power grids (e.g. state estimation, economic dispatch, contingency analysis, etc.). We propose two algorithmic approaches for characterizing the vulnerability of buses within power grids to cyber-attacks. Specifically, we focus on measuring the instability of power flow to attacks which manifest as either voltage or power related errors. Our results show that attacks manifesting as voltage errors are an order of magnitude more likely to cause instability than attacks manifesting as power related errors (and 5x more likely for state estimation as compared to power flow).
Four Faces of Fair Subject Selection

Although the principle of fair subject selection is a widely recognized requirement of ethical clinical research, it often yields conflicting imperatives, thus raising major ethical dilemmas regarding participant selection. In this paper, we diagnose the source of this problem, arguing that the principle of fair subject selection is best understood as a bundle of four distinct sub-principles, each with normative force and each yielding distinct imperatives: (1) fair inclusion; (2) fair burden sharing; (3) fair opportunity; and (4) fair distribution of third-party risks. We first map out these distinct sub-principles, and then identify the ways in which they yield conflicting imperatives for the design of inclusion and exclusion criteria, and the recruitment of participants. We then offer guidance for how decision makers should navigate these conflicting imperatives to ensure that participants are selected fairly.
Existence and regularity results for the penalized thin obstacle problem with variable coefficients

In this paper we give a comprehensive treatment of a two-penalty boundary obstacle problem for a divergence form elliptic operator, motivated by applications to fluid dynamics and thermics. Specifically, we prove existence, uniqueness and optimal regularity of solutions, and establish structural properties of the free boundary. The proofs are based on tailor-made monotonicity formulas of Almgren, Weiss, and Monneau-type, combined with the classical theory of oblique derivative problems.
The BK activator NS11021 partially protects rat kidneys from cold storage and transplantation-induced mitochondrial and renal injury

Abstract Kidneys from deceased donors used for transplantation are placed in cold storage (CS) solution during the search for a matched recipient. However, CS induces mitochondrial and cellular injury, which exacerbates renal graft dysfunction, highlighting the need for therapeutic interventions. Using an in vitro model of renal CS, we recently reported that pharmacological activation of the mitochondrial BK channel (mitoBK) during CS protected against CS-induced mitochondrial injury and cell death. Here, we used an in vivo syngeneic rat model of renal CS (18 h) followed by transplantation (24 h reperfusion) (CS + Tx) to similarly evaluate whether addition of a mitoBK activator to the CS solution can alleviate CS + Tx-induced renal injury. Western blots detected the pore-forming α subunit of the BK channel in mitochondrial fractions from rat kidneys, and mitoBK protein level was reduced after CS + Tx compared to sham surgery. The addition of the BK activator NS11021 (3 μM) to the CS solution partially protected against CS + Tx-induced mitochondrial respiratory dysfunction, oxidative protein nitration, and cell death, but not acute renal dysfunction (SCr and BUN). In summary, the current preclinical study shows that pharmacologically targeting mitoBK channels during CS may be a promising therapeutic intervention to prevent CS + Tx-induced mitochondrial and renal injury.
Creep damage in long-term grade 91 steel component tests

This paper describes specific results from a unique study which involves design, manufacture and internal pressure testing of two Grade 91 steel vessels. The vessel results which are the focus of t...
Fast behavioral feedbacks make ecosystems sensitive to pace and not just magnitude of anthropogenic environmental change.

Anthropogenic environmental change is altering the behavior of animals in ecosystems around the world. Although behavior typically occurs on much faster timescales than demography, it can nevertheless influence demographic processes. Here, we use detailed data on behavior and empirical estimates of demography from a coral reef ecosystem to develop a coupled behavioral–demographic ecosystem model. Analysis of the model reveals that behavior and demography feed back on one another to determine how the ecosystem responds to anthropogenic forcing. In particular, an empirically observed feedback between the density and foraging behavior of herbivorous fish leads to alternative stable ecosystem states of coral population persistence or collapse (and complete algal dominance). This feedback makes the ecosystem more prone to coral collapse under fishing pressure but also more prone to recovery as fishing is reduced. Moreover, because of the behavioral feedback, the response of the ecosystem to changes in fishing pressure depends not only on the magnitude of changes in fishing but also on the pace at which changes are imposed. For example, quickly increasing fishing to a given level can collapse an ecosystem that would persist under more gradual change. Our results reveal conditions under which the pace and not just the magnitude of external forcing can dictate the response of ecosystems to environmental change. More generally, our multiscale behavioral–demographic framework demonstrates how high-resolution behavioral data can be incorporated into ecological models to better understand how ecosystems will respond to perturbations.
Keeping up appearances: testing a moderated mediation path of self-presentation motives, self-efficacy beliefs, social sharing of fitness records and fitness app uses

This survey study employed a framework of self-presentation motives in physical exercise to advance the understanding of exercise monitoring apps users’ sharing behaviours on social networking site...
Records request response rate and vaccination status of first-time college students at a mid-sized Midwestern university.

The purpose of this study was to establish the response rate of first-time college students to a vaccination records request, and to obtain student vaccination rates for selected vaccines. Particip...
Private Arms and Civil Unrest: Lessons from the Black Freedom Movement

The turmoil of 2020 amplifies the American conversation about the utility and legitimacy of firearms during periods of civil unrest. This article engages that conversation through the lens of the Black American experience. The principles drawn from this treatment help frame a sphere of legitimate gun use during periods of civil unrest and underscore the enduring importance of firearms as a resource for individuals whom the state cannot protect. These principles emerge from a considered philosophy and practice of arms developed by a people who have a long history of confronting violent threats that the state has been unable or unwilling to stop.
Improving Maximum Power Point Tracking Efficiency for Partially Shaded PV Arrays by Nested Zone Prediction via Machine Learning

Under partial shading conditions, photovoltaic (PV) modules in a solar array experience varying irradiance. A Global Maximum (GM) and multiple Local Maximums (LMs) can originate on the Power-Voltage (P-V) curve under such non-uniform irradiance conditions. There are many maximum power point tracking (MPPT) algorithms developed to obtain maximum power. In the discrete environment of sampling, limited samples might be available to predict the true value of peak and as the change of environment is dynamic, limited time is available to make the prediction of the peak. Machine learning is used to overcome the two problems mentioned above as the MPPT algorithms are not robust enough. Various techniques are used to classify PV curve type and predict MPP. In this paper we process an algorithm to categorize the PV curves in best way and machine learning techniques are used to predict the range within which MPP is present.
Disparity in Use of Left Ventricular Assist Devices among African American Patients with Medicare

Purpose Heart failure (HF) disproportionally affects racial minorities and disparities in access to therapies exist. Recent work suggests greater use of left ventricular assist devices (LVAD) among African American (AA) patients compared to white patients that likely remains disparate due to a higher prevalence of HF in AA. We sought to understand disparities in LVAD use by race among a cohort of patients with similar HF severity and explore the impact of socioeconomic disadvantage. Methods We analyzed fee-for-service Medicare claims among 311,265 beneficiaries admitted with a principal diagnosis of systolic HF between 2008-2014. Inpatient and outpatient claims in prior 6 months used to estimate propensity for LVAD treatment using synthetic minority over-sampling, a machine learning method. Beneficiaries with ≥70% predicted probability of receiving an LVAD were included. These results were applied to model disparities using logistic regression with LVAD use and 1-year survival with and without LVAD among AA and white recipients as the dependent variables. Model covariates included race, clinical characteristics, distance from LVAD center, and year. After confirming a disparity, the Medicare low-income subsidy included to explore impact of socioeconomic disadvantage. Results The sample included 15,406 observations, of whom 45.2% (n=6,967) received an LVAD. AA were 23.6% (n=3,648) of the population and 21.8% (n=1,520) of LVAD recipients. One-year survival was 73% with LVAD and 62% without. Compared to white patients, AA patients matched for the propensity to receive an LVAD were 4.0% less likely to receive the therapy (95% CI -5.1 to -1.7; p Conclusion Disparities in the use of LVAD for AA Medicare beneficiaries with HF exist that are not entirely explained by socioeconomic disadvantage. These data suggest that other factors are impacting the application of LVAD therapy in AA patients. Potential explanations include racial biases or systemic racism that influence clinician decision-making or patient preferences.
The effects of media narratives about failures and discoveries in science on beliefs about and support for science.

This study examines the effects of exposure to media narratives about science on perceptions pertaining to the reliability of science, including trust, beliefs, and support for science. In an exper...
Chest imaging of hypersensitivity pneumonitis induced by heroin abuse

Long-term abuse of nasally inhaled substances such as heroin can result in life-threatening hypersensitivity pneumonitis and respiratory distress. In the setting of hypoxia, a chest CTA is often necessary to see the extent of the lung involvement and to rule out pulmonary emboli.
Total Hip Replacement with Fixation by Acrylic Cement

Total hip replacement utilizing the McKee-Farrar prosthesis and acrylic cement relieved pain in seventy-nine of 100 diseased hips and improved the stance, walking function, and mobility of these same hips for periods of follow-up ranging from two to four years. The results have been so-satisfactory to the patients that continued use and further development of this type of operation is certainly warranted. Basic long-term questions, however, remain to be answered in connection with the use of an all-metal bearing with skeletal fixation by acrylic cement. A cautious attitude toward the use of this technique of total hip replacement should be continued. The patients selected for this procedure should be the elderly and infirm, or patients with desperate and difficult clinical problems which cannot be solved adequately in any other way. The operation should be performed only after the patient has been informed of the unknowns involved. The incidence of wound complications in this series was high. However, only the tendency to subclinical or latent deep infection seemed significantly higher with this type of procedure than with interpositional or femoral replacement arthroplasty without acrylic cement. To avoid infection, standards of surgical asepsis more stringent than those hitherto accepted seem indicated. Prosthetic loosening even in the absence of infection was also a problem. Patient selection, operative technique, and postoperative management probably contributed importantly to this complication. Appropriate changes in methodology have been made, but it is too early to evaluate their efficacy.
Involvement of the renin–angiotensin system in the development of nephrogenic systemic fibrosis-like lesions in the RenTag mouse model

Background Renin–angiotensin system (RAS) activation increases angiotensin II production stimulating profibrotic factors, especially in the setting of chronic kidney disease. Nephrogenic systemic fibrosis (NSF) has been associated with gadolinium (Gd) exposure and renal failure. RAS involvement in NSF is unclear compared to transforming growth factor beta and Smad. RenTag mice were chosen to investigate the role of RAS in NSF-like dermal fibrosis because they demonstrated dermal fibrosis at birth, perturbations of RAS in subcutaneous tissue, and renal failure within 4 weeks of age.