cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Light-sensitive Conductance of Hyperpolarizing Invertebrate Photoreceptors: A Patch-Clamp Study

Tight-seal recording was employed to investigate membrane currents in hyperpolarizing ciliary photoreceptors enzymatically isolated from the eyes of the file clam (Lima scabra) and the bay scallop (Pecten irradians). These two organisms are unusual in that their double retinas also possess a layer of depolarizing rhabdomeric cells. Ciliary photoreceptors from Lima have a rounded soma, 15-20 microns diam, and display a prominent bundle of fine processes up to 30 microns long. The cell body of scallop cells is similar in size, but the ciliary appendages are modified, forming small spherical structures that protrude from the cell. In both species light stimulation at a voltage near the resting potential gives rise to a graded outward current several hundred pA in amplitude, accompanied by an increase in membrane conductance. The reversal potential of the photocurrent is approximately -80 mV, and shifts in the positive direction by approximately 39 mV when the concentration of extracellular K is increased from 10 to 50 mM, consistent with the notion that light activates K-selective channels. The light-activated conductance increases with depolarization in the physiological range of membrane voltages (-30 to -70 mV). Such outward rectification is greatly reduced after removal of divalent cations from the superfusate. In Pecten, cell-attached recordings were also obtained; in some patches outwardly directed single-channel currents could be activated by light but not by voltage. The unitary conductance of these channels was approximately 26 pS. Solitary ciliary cells also gave evidence of the post stimulus rebound, which is presumably responsible for initiating the "off" discharge of action potentials at the termination of a light stimulus: in patches containing only voltage-dependent channels, light stimulation suppressed depolarization-induced activity, and was followed by a strong burst of openings, directly related to the intensity of the preceding photostimulation.
Perception is Reality: Visibility in Architectural Lighting Research

How architects measure light is changing. Human perception of light is ostensibly the reasonwhy spaces are illuminated, yet primary lighting guidelines used by architects measure how much light is falling on a surface, not the distribution of light to the human eye (Cuttle 2011). Recent lighting research related to human visual perception introduces new ideas that, while they challenge the status quo of lighting practice, build on decades of respected prior research. In this paper’s case in point, researchers are developing new methodologies and tools to study luminance distribution in built environments (Inanici &Navvab 2006). The concept of studying luminance, or perceived light, instead of only illuminance has longbeen established in texts by leading lighting designers and researchers (Lam 1977, Boyce 2003, Steffy2008). This paper aims to provide information on luminance distribution as a factor of emerging importance in the design of quality illuminated environments. To this end, it reviews the use of illuminance and luminance metrics in contemporary architectural lighting practice and research contexts, exposing the objective and subjective aspects of light that these terms measure. It finds that new tools that analyze luminance data from high dynamic range photography and digital simulation models are joined by new lighting knowledge dissemination platforms, together breaking down barriers that prevent architects from designing with luminance concepts. Examination of these research and knowledge tools reveals a shift to across-disciplinary, user-centered approach to architectural lighting where realities of human visual perception and surrounding physical contexts enjoy renewed attention.
Thoracoscopic Resection of a Symptomatic, Congenital Rib Synostosis

We describe a rare case of a 20-year-old man with a 1½-year history of a symptomatic congenital bridging rib synostosis. A minimally invasive surgical solution was provided, with resolution of symptoms.
An inverse electron demand Diels-Alder-based total synthesis of defucogilvocarcin V and some C-8 analogues.

A concise total synthesis of defucogilvocarcin V is reported. The key features of the approach are the formation of the C-ring using a vinylogous Knoevenagel/transesterification reaction and construction of the D-ring by way of an inverse electron demand Diels–Alder-driven domino reaction. The resulting C-8 ester functionality provides a handle for the synthesis of defucogilvocarcin V as well as some C-8 analogues from a common late-stage intermediate.
Autoanti-Jka Associated With Hemolysis After Transfusion With Jk(a+) Red Cells

A 55-year-old woman was admitted to the hospital with anemia and pleural effusion believed to be secondary to an Escherichia coli pulmonary infection. Pretransfusion serological evaluation showed no detectable serum antibodies. The direct antiglobulin test was microscopic positive, with poly specific, IgG, and C3b,C3d antihuman globulin. The patient had not undergone transfusion during the previous 4 months. A hemolytic episode followed the transfusion of two crossmatch-compatible units (one Jk[a+] and one Jk[a−] unit). Autoanti Jka was eluted from both the patient's pretransfusion and posttransfusion red cells. The patient's condition improved following transfusion with jk(a−) red cell units.
Effects of Emotional Disability and Clear Performance Standards on Performance Ratings

The article demonstrates the effect of a worker's emotional disability on employment decisions. The author presents findings of a study investigating personal characteristics as source of bias in r...
Discussion on New Reliability Model of Wireless Base Station System

In this paper,the reliability model of distributed base stations are discussed.A new reliability model,named Comb Model,is presented and its calculating method is given.The aim of the Comb Model is to solve the calculating problem of the mission reliability index of distributed base station systems.Based on the physical meaning of the distributed systems,the mathematical expression of the system and module failure rates of the Comb Model is derived by theoretic deduction from the perspective of system reliability.The Comb Model has been applied to a distributed base station to develop the reliability model and calculate the reliability index calculation and the results are good.
Visual Simulation for LCD Display Controller Using Matlab

This paper describes how to simulate visual picture using matlab software in 256 K color LCD controller.This hardware designed by VerilogHDL language,can generate some data by simulation of NC tools.Matlab reads the data and generates a picture for verification of common and segment address mapping or grayscale arithmetic.
Maximum Likelihood Phylogenetic Inference

In this article, we provide an overview of maximum likelihood methods for phylogenetic inference. A brief introduction to general maximum likelihood estimation is provided. We define a phylogenetic likelihood, summarize how to compute this likelihood, and then discuss approaches used to maximize the phylogenetic likelihood function. We discuss a property of the maximum likelihood estimation, called consistency, that states that the maximum likelihood phylogeny will converge to the true phylogenetic tree with as more and more data are added to the analysis. We describe the bootstrap, a popular technique used to characterize the uncertainty in parameter estimates, and then outline its use in phylogenetic maximum likelihood estimation. A short example is given to illustrate the use of phylogenetic maximum likelihood techniques on a real dataset of primate mitochondrial DNA sequences.
Medication-assisted treatment for hospitalized patients with intravenous-drug-use related infective endocarditis.

Background and Objectives A feared complication of opioid use disorder (OUD) is intravenous drug use related infective endocarditis (IDU-IE). We report on our experience engaging hospitalized IDU-IE patients to initiate medication-assisted treatment (MAT). Methods A retrospective study (n = 29) using descriptive statistics. Results Overall, 9 (31.0%) successfully initiated buprenorphine maintenance during the hospitalization, and 9 (31.0%) accepted a referral to methadone maintenance following discharge. Eleven (37.9%) declined MAT altogether. Discussion and Conclusions Hospitalizations may represent an important opportunity to engage IDU-IE patients to initiate MAT. Scientific Significance The study provides preliminary support of engaging hospitalized IDU-IE patients to initiate MAT. (Am J Addict 2016;XX:1–4)
SU-F-T-96: A New Paradigm of Weekly Chart Checking for Radiation Therapy Clinics

Purpose: To put forth an innovative clinical paradigm for weekly chart checking so that treatment status is periodically checked accurately and efficiently. This study also aims to help optimize the chart checking clinical workflow in a busy radiation therapy clinic. Methods: It is mandated by the Texas Administrative code to check patient charts of radiation therapy once a week or every five fractions, however it varies drastically among institutions in terms of when and how it is done. Some do it every day, but a lot of efforts are wasted on opening ineligible charts; some do it on a fixed day but the distribution of intervals between subsequent checks is not optimal. To establish an optimal chart checking procedure, a new paradigm was developed to achieve 1) charts are checked more accurately and more efficiently; 2) charts are checked on optimal days without any miss; 3) workload is evened out throughout a week when multiple physicists are involved. All active charts will be accessed by querying the R&V system. Priority is assigned to each chart based on the number of days before the next due date followed by sorting and workload distribution steps. New charts are also taken into account when distributing the workload so it is reasonably even throughout the week. Results: Our clinical workflow became more streamlined and smooth. In addition, charts get checked in a more timely fashion so that errors would get caught earlier should they occur. Conclusion: We developed a new weekly chart checking diagram. It helps physicists check charts in a timely manner, saves their time in busy clinics, and consequently reduces possible errors.
Matrix Riccati Equations

This chapter presents matrix Riccati equations applicable to systems of quadratic ordinary differential equations. It yields an exact solution. The chapter highlights that there is an exact solution available for matrix Riccati equations. If the given ordinary differential equations can be put in the form of a matrix Riccati equation, the solution can be found. Matrix Riccati equations arise naturally in a number of physical settings. The gains in a Kalman–Bucy filter satisfy a matrix Riccati equation. Also, the deflection of a beam can be described by such equations. They also appear quite often in the context of control theory and invariant embedding solutions. Kerner has also shown that nonlinear differential systems of arbitrary order, ζ i = X i (ζ i , ζ 2 ,…. ζ k , t ) for t = 1,2,…, k , may often be reduced to Riccati systems.
Women Prophets and Radical Protestantism in the British Atlantic World, 1640–1730

This book examines the stories of radical Protestant women who prophesied between the British Civil Wars and the Great Awakening. It explores how women prophets shaped religious and civic communities in the British Atlantic world by invoking claims of chosenness. Elizabeth Bouldin interweaves detailed individual studies with analysis that summarizes trends and patterns among women prophets from a variety of backgrounds throughout the British Isles, colonial North America, and continental Europe. Highlighting the ecumenical goals of many early modern dissenters, Women Prophets and Radical Protestantism in the British Atlantic World, 1640–1730 places female prophecy in the context of major political, cultural, and religious transformations of the period. These include transatlantic migration, debates over toleration, the formation of Atlantic religious networks, and the rise of the public sphere. This wide-ranging volume will appeal to all those interested in European and British Atlantic history and the history of women and religion.
The measured effect magnitude of co-morbidities on burn injury mortality.

Introduction The ability to better prognosticate burn injury outcome is challenging and historically, most center use the Baux or revised Baux score to help prognosticate burn outcome, however, the weighted contribution of comorbidity on burn mortality has traditionally not been accounted for nor adequately studied. We therefore sought to determine the effect of comorbidities, using the Charlson comorbidity index (CCI) on burn mortality.
Modeling and parameter extraction of amorphous silicon thin-film-transistors for active-matrix liquid-crystal displays

An analytical model for the series resistors is derived based on two-dimensional current flow in the source/drain regions. This model accounts for effects of band-tail states on channel conduction, finite overlap of the gate to source and drain, and combined contact resistivity of the intrinsic and n/sup +/ a-Si films. Coupling this model with a consistent model for the intrinsic TFT (thin-film transistor) yields a complete description of the staggered TFT at low drain-to-source voltage, and this model has been used to extract key device parameters for a-Si TFTs. >
Multi intelligent agent based cyber attack resilient system protection and emergency control

Centralized system protection and emergency control schemes are playing critical roles in maintaining the stability of modern power system. Being able to make optimal decisions based on global information and coordinate complex protection/control activities is the most desirable feature of a centralized scheme. On the other hand, centralized intelligence is quite vulnerable to various malicious cyber attacks, and the risk of losing it might be extremely high. This paper proposes a multi-agent based system protection and emergency control scheme with decentralized intelligence. The proposed decentralized scheme can detect coordinated cyber attacks with special patterns and carry out the best effort remedial actions in an adaptable manner, and such that system stability is maintained even part of the scheme is compromised. One decentralized load rejection scheme is designed and implemented in IEEE 39 bus system as a study case. Scheme performance is tested when under various attack vectors and desirable cyber attack resiliency is exhibited.
Quantum jumps in the PEMFC science and technology from the 1960s to the year 2000 ☆: Part II. Engineering, technology development and application aspects

Abstract The technology of proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) has now reached the test-phase, and engineering development and optimization are vital in order to achieve to the next step of the evolution, i.e. the realization of commercial units. This paper highlights the most important technological progresses in the areas of (i) water and thermal management, (ii) scale-up from single cells to cell stacks, (iii) bipolar plates and flow fields, and (iv) fuel processing. Modeling is another aspect of the technological development, since modeling studies have significantly contributed to the understanding of the physico-chemical phenomena occurring in a fuel cell, and also have provided a valuable tool for the optimization of structure, geometry and operating conditions of fuel cells and stacks. The ‘quantum jumps’ in this field are reviewed, starting from the studies at the electrode level up to the stack and system size, with particular emphasis on (i) the ‘cluster–network’ model of perfluorosulfonic membranes, and the percolative dependence of the membrane proton conductivity on its water content, (ii) the models of charge and mass transport coupled to electrochemical reaction in the electrodes, and (iii) the models of water transport trough the membrane, which have been usefully applied for the optimization of water management of PEMFCs. The evolution of PEMFC applications is discussed as well, starting from the NASA’s Gemini Space Flights to the latest developments of fuel cell vehicles, including the evolutions in the areas of portable power sources and residential and building applications.
There and Back Again – The Performance Evaluation Effects of Going to and Returning from Part-Time Status

Using data from a Big 4 professional services firm, I examine the performance evaluation score penalties associated with part-time working arrangements. First, I establish that performance evaluation scores (1) suffer for employees working part-time, and (2) rebound when part-timers return to full-time status. Prior research suggests that some of this penalty is attributable to supervisors’ heuristics creating a bias against part-timers, who supervisors often assume are less committed employees. I find that these performance evaluation score penalties are minimized and rebounds are maximized when supervisors have better information about part-time workers’ quality (i.e., when part-timers work on smaller teams or have long tenures in their role), perhaps because in these settings supervisors are less likely to rely on negatively biased heuristics relating to part-time workers. I also establish the importance of performance evaluation scores to part-timers, as relative to full-timers, part-timers’ bonuses perhaps rely more on performance evaluation scores (in line with an availability bias). Together, these findings shed light on strategies that can ease work-life conflicts for employees, as well as help employers better deploy human resources and evaluate employee performance.
Nativity, Chronic Health Conditions, and Health Behaviors in Filipino Americans.

Introduction: Nearly half of Americans have a chronic health condition related to unhealthful behavior. One in four Americans is an immigrant; yet immigrants’ health has been studied little, partic...
Antibiotic Prophylaxis in Clean-Contaminated Head and Neck Surgery: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis:

Objective To determine the optimal duration and type of antibiotic prophylaxis in patients undergoing clean-contaminated resection for head and neck cancer. Data Sources Search strategies were created by a medical librarian, implemented in multiple databases, and completed in June 2016. Review Methods The population of interest was adults ≥18 years undergoing clean-contaminated head and neck surgery, intervention was postoperative antibiotic prophylaxis, comparator was duration and types of antibiotics used, outcome was the wound infection rate, and the study design was randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Studies were excluded if not randomized, did not use systemic antibiotics, did not study wound infections, or included children. After excluding duplicates, the search strategy yielded 427 abstracts. After applying inclusion and exclusion criteria, 67 studies were screened, leaving 19 RCTs for review. PRISMA guidelines were followed. A random-effects model was used for meta-analysis. Results Meta-analysis of 340 patients in 4 RCTs showed that the pooled relative risk of wound infection was 0.98 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.58-1.61; P = .718; I2 = 0.0%) in patients receiving 1 day vs 5 days of prophylaxis. Conclusion This study provides evidence that there is no difference in the risk of wound infection with 1 day vs 5 days of systemic antibiotic prophylaxis in clean-contaminated head and neck surgery, consistent with existing guidelines. Future large randomized trials are needed to more clearly define the appropriate choice of prophylaxis in penicillin-allergic patients.
Knowledge-based treatment planning and its potential role in the transition between treatment planning systems.

Abstract Commissioning a new treatment planning system (TPS) involves many time-consuming tasks. We investigated the role that knowledge-based planning (KBP) can play in aiding a clinic's transition to a new TPS. Sixty clinically treated prostate/prostate bed intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) plans were exported from an in-house TPS and were used to create a KBP model in a newly implemented commercial application. To determine the benefit that KBP may have in a TPS transition, the model was tested on 2 groups of patients. Group 1 consisted of the first 10 prostate/prostate bed patients treated in the commercial TPS after the transition from the in-house TPS. Group 2 consisted of 10 patients planned in the commercial TPS after 8 months of clinical use. The KBP-generated plan was compared with the clinically used plan in terms of plan quality (ability to meet planning objectives and overall dose metrics) and planning efficiency (time required to generate clinically acceptable plans). The KBP-generated plans provided a significantly improved target coverage (p = 0.01) compared with the clinically used plans for Group 1, but yielded plans of comparable target coverage to the clinically used plans for Group 2. For the organs at risk, the KBP-generated plans produced lower doses, on average, for every normal-tissue objective except for the maximum dose to 0.1 cc of rectum. The time needed for the KBP-generated plans ranged from 6 to 15 minutes compared to 30 to 150 and 15 to 60 minutes for manual planning in Groups 1 and 2, respectively. KBP is a promising tool to aid in the transition to a new TPS. Our study indicates that high-quality treatment plans could have been generated in the newly implemented TPS more efficiently compared with not using KBP. Even after 8 months of the clinical use, KBP still showed an increase in plan quality and planning efficiency compared with manual planning.
Direct Electrical Detection of Iodine Gas by a Novel Metal–Organic-Framework-Based Sensor

High-fidelity detection of iodine species is of utmost importance to the safety of the population in cases of nuclear accidents or advanced nuclear fuel reprocessing. Herein, we describe the success at using impedance spectroscopy to directly detect the real-time adsorption of I2 by a metal–organic framework zeolitic imidazolate framework (ZIF)-8-based sensor. Methanolic suspensions of ZIF-8 were dropcast onto platinum interdigitated electrodes, dried, and exposed to gaseous I2 at 25, 40, or 70 °C. Using an unoptimized sensor geometry, I2 was readily detected at 25 °C in air within 720 s of exposure. The specific response is attributed to the chemical selectivity of the ZIF-8 toward I2. Furthermore, equivalent circuit modeling of the impedance data indicates a >105× decrease in ZIF-8 resistance when 116 wt % I2 is adsorbed by ZIF-8 at 70 °C in air. This irreversible decrease in resistance is accompanied by an irreversible loss in the long-range crystallinity, as evidenced by X-ray diffraction and infrared...
Trajectories of the Expression of Negative Emotion from Kindergarten to First Grade: Associations with Academic Outcomes

We examined individual trajectories, across four time points, of children's (N = 301) expression of negative emotion in classroom settings and whether these trajectories predicted their observed school engagement, teacher-reported academic skills, and passage comprehension assessed with a standardized measure in first grade. In latent growth curve analyses, negative expressivity declined from kindergarten to first grade with significant individual differences in trajectories. Negative expressivity in kindergarten inversely predicted first grade school engagement and teacher-reported academic skills, and the slope of negative expressivity from kindergarten to first grade inversely predicted school engagement (e.g., increasing negative expressivity was associated with lower school engagement). In addition, we examined if prior academic functioning in kindergarten moderated the association between negative expressivity (level in kindergarten and change over time) and academic functioning in first grade. The slope of negative expressivity was negatively associated with first grade school engagement and passage comprehension for children who had lower kindergarten school engagement and passage comprehension, respectively, but was unrelated for those with higher academic functioning in kindergarten. That is, for children who had lower kindergarten school engagement and passage comprehension, greater declines in negative expressivity were associated with higher first grade school engagement and passage comprehension, respectively. The findings suggest that negative emotional expressivity in school is associated with academic outcomes in first grade and, in some cases, this association is more pronounced for children who had lower kindergarten academic functioning.
Sleep Quality and Daytime Sleepiness Among Women With Urgency Predominant Urinary Incontinence.

Objective The objective of this study was to examine the strength and direction of the association between urinary symptoms and both poor quality sleep and daytime sleepiness among women with urgency urinary incontinence. Methods A planned secondary analysis of baseline characteristics of participants in a multicenter, double-blinded, 12-week randomized controlled trial of pharmacologic therapy for urgency-predominant urinary incontinence in ambulatory women self-diagnosed by the 3 Incontinence Questions was performed. Urinary symptoms were assessed by 3-day voiding diaries. Quality of sleep was assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and daytime sleepiness using the Epworth Sleepiness Scale. Results Of the 640 participants, mean (SD) age was 56 (±14) years and 68% were white. Participants reported an average of 3.9 (±3.0) urgency incontinence episodes per day and 1.3 (±1.3) episodes of nocturia per night. At baseline, 57% had poor sleep quality (PSQI score, >5) and 17% reported daytime sleepiness (Epworth Sleepiness Scale score, >10). Most women (69%) did not use sleeping medication during the prior month, whereas 13% reported use of sleeping medication 3 or more times per week. An increase in total daily incontinence episodes, total daily urgency incontinence episodes, total daily micturitions, and moderate to severe urge sensations were all associated with higher self-report of poor sleep quality according to the PSQI (all P ≤ 0.01). Higher scores on the Bother Scale and the Health-Related Quality of Life for overactive bladder on the Overactive Bladder Questionnaire were similarly associated with higher rates of poor sleep quality (both P ≤ 0.01). In subgroup analysis of those who took sleeping medications less than twice a week, there was still a significant relationship between incontinence measures and quality of sleep as measured by the PSQI. In multivariable analyses, greater frequency of nighttime urgency incontinence was associated with poor sleep quality (P = 0.03). Conclusions Among ambulatory women with urgency urinary incontinence, poor sleep quality is common and greater frequency of incontinence is associated with a greater degree of sleep dysfunction. Women seeking urgency urinary incontinence treatment should be queried about their sleeping habits so that they can be offered appropriate interventions.
Counting Caenorhabditis elegans : Protocol Optimization and Applications for Population Growth and Toxicity Studies in Liquid Medium

The nematode Caenorhabditis elegans is used extensively in molecular, toxicological and genetics research. However, standardized methods for counting nematodes in liquid culture do not exist despite the wide use of nematodes and need for accurate measurements. Herein, we provide a simple and affordable counting protocol developed to maximize count accuracy and minimize variability in liquid nematode culture. Sources of variability in the counting process were identified and tested in 14 separate experiments. Three variables resulted in significant effects on nematode count: shaking of the culture, priming of pipette tips, and sampling location within a microcentrifuge tube. Between-operator variability did not have a statistically significant effect on counts, even among differently-skilled operators. The protocol was used to assess population growth rates of nematodes in two different but common liquid growth media: axenic modified Caenorhabditis elegans Habitation and Reproduction medium (mCeHR) and S-basal complete. In mCeHR, nematode populations doubled daily for 10 d. S-basal complete populations initially doubled every 12 h, but slowed within 7 d. We also detected a statistically significant difference between embryo-to-hatchling incubation period of 5 d in mCeHR compared to 4 d in S-basal complete. The developed counting method for Caenorhabditis elegans reduces variability and allows for rigorous and reliable experimentation.
Pore filling during selective laser melting - assisted additive manufacturing of composites

Abstract Numerical assessment of pore-filling time during Selective Laser Melting (SLM) of metal matrix composites is conducted based on the theory of liquid-phase sintering. Modeling of 3D bi-modal packings of spherical metal and ceramic particles indicates the existence of clusters of ceramic reinforcements with various volume concentrations. During SLM the pores between ceramic particles have to be filled with liquid metal, and the pore-filling duration can be considered to be the minimum necessary time of the successful pore-free SLM processing. Based on the results of the modeling an analytical criterion for the pore-free additive manufacturing of composites utilizing SLM is developed.
Accepting Organ from Mentally Deficient Donor

A 39 year old insulin-dependent (type 1 ) diabetic social worker develops end-stage renal failure caused by diabetic nephropathy. Noting virulent diabetic retinopathy and serious peripheral vascular disease, the attending nephrologist advocates an immediate kidney transplant rather than dialytic therapy which may permit progression of diabetic complications. The patient has an institutionalized, mentally defective, 37 year old sister, functioning at approximately kindergarten level, who is usually seen only on holiday visits. After review of treatment options and in recognition of the two-year or longer wait for a cadaver kidney, the parents — who are legal guardians for the defective sister — direct that she be scheduled as a transplant donor.
Combinatorial algorithms for design of DNA arrays.

Optimal design of DNA arrays requires the development of algorithms with two-fold goals: reducing the effects caused by unintended illumination (border length minimization problem) and reducing the complexity of masks (mask decomposition problem). We describe algorithms that reduce the number of rectangles in mask decomposition by 20–30% as compared to a standard array design under the assumption that the arrangement of oligonucleotides on the array is fixed. This algorithm produces provably optimal solution for all studied real instances of array design. We also address the difficult problem of finding an arrangement which minimizes the border length and come up with a new idea of threading that significantly reduces the border length as compared to standard designs.
A practical approach to achieve private medical record linkage in light of public resources.

Objective Integration of patients' records across resources enhances analytics. To address privacy concerns, emerging strategies such as Bloom filter encodings (BFEs), enable integration while obscuring identifiers. However, recent investigations demonstrate BFEs are, in theory, vulnerable to cryptanalysis when encoded identifiers are randomly selected from a public resource. This study investigates the extent to which cryptanalysis conditions hold for (1) real patient records and (2) a countermeasure that obscures the frequencies of the identifying values in encoded datasets. Design First, to investigate the strength of cryptanalysis for real patient records, we build BFEs from identifiers in an electronic medical record system and apply cryptanalysis using identifiers in a publicly available voter registry. Second, to investigate the countermeasure under ideal cryptanalysis conditions, we compose BFEs from the identifiers that are randomly selected from a public voter registry. Measurement We utilize precision (ie, rate of correct re-identified encodings) and computation efficiency (ie, time to complete cryptanalysis) to assess the performance of cryptanalysis in BFEs before and after application of the countermeasure. Results Cryptanalysis can achieve high precision when the encoded identifiers are composed of a random sample of a public resource (ie, a voter registry). However, we also find that the attack is less efficient and may not be practical for more realistic scenarios. By contrast, the proposed countermeasure made cryptanalysis impractical in terms of precision and efficiency. Conclusions Performance of cryptanalysis against BFEs based on patient data is significantly lower than theoretical estimates. The proposed countermeasure makes BFEs resistant to known practical attacks.
Memeta: a framework for multi-relational analytics on the blogosphere

The “memeta” project is developing a framework for studying the structure and content of the blogosphere. We are particularly interested in how metadata about blogs can be discovered, extracted and computed, and how this metadata can be modeled, represented and analyzed to provide new blog related services.
Post-Cartesian Developments of the Way of Ideas

A monistic solution to the Cartesian problems is suggested in Descartes’ own writings. Concerning the interaction between substances, they are alike for Descartes as substances created by God. And though he stresses that mind is thinking and matter is extension, he does not always compress (or confuse) substance with its essence. This could be construed as a denial of absolute dualism. Hence, interaction could take place because of real ontological likeness between the two substances. This likeness might also serve to explain how ideas represent material things, except for the claim that sensations are not representative. Sensations would have just as much likeness to material things as would ideas, so the representative character of ideas cannot be this likeness alone if sensations are to be non-representative. There is a possibility that Descartes could solve the epistemological problem by denying the epistemological likeness principle. He does sometimes say that ideas and sensations are innate. If they arise only upon the occasion of real interaction between mind and matter, there is no need to say that their representative character is caused by this interaction. Innate ideas could a priori (from God) have a representative character, while sensations do not. One could not object that they must both represent because both are caused by interaction, for the representative character would not be caused by interaction. To this solution one might object that there is no clear notion of what this representative character might be, while the fact that there is likeness between sensations (as well as ideas) and material objects is enough to establish that sensations (as well as ideas) can represent material objects.
Modeling salinity-dependent transport of viruses in porous media

Abstract Water contamination by pathogenic microbial species is the cause of serious outbreaks of water-borne diseases in coastal urban areas. Upon their discharge into surface water, e.g., estuaries, they may reach the bottom sediments, accumulate (i.e., attachment) under favorable conditions, and be displaced (i.e., detachment) when those conditions are reversed. Current models do not account for coupled transport of microorganism in porous media with salinity, not allowing, therefore, to predict transport behavior under variable chemical conditions. In this paper, a coupled model of transport in porous media of pathogenic microorganisms, such as viruses, and salinity is presented. Upon verification of the model with the analytical solution derived in this work and validation with the experimental data from the literature, simulations of tidal variation of flow and transport were performed. Results show a discrepancy in the transport behavior of viruses predicted by our model and the classical approach. In particular, our results show a peak of virus concentration when a contaminated saline system is flooded by a low salinity water. The peak is due to virus detachment from the porous medium surface upon salinity reduction. The magnitude of the peak can be up to one order of magnitude of the initial concentration within the medium. Suggesting a negative feedback from tidal flow in coastal aquifers nearby estuaries affected by virus contamination, which is not predicted by classical models.
Developing Prepare2Thrive, a community-based intervention targeting treatment engagement among African American individuals living with HIV and serious mental illness

African American individuals living with HIV and serious mental illness (SMI) may report relatively low treatment engagement, despite treatment engagement being critical to managing both health con...
Retrospective evaluation of urinary indwelling catheter type in cats with urethral obstruction (January 2014 to December 2014): 91 cases

Objective To investigate the influence of urinary catheter type on recurrence rate (rUO) in cats with urethral obstruction. Design Retrospective study. Setting Two private referral hospitals. Animals Ninety-one cats diagnosed with urethral obstruction treated with a 3.5-Fr Argyle (AR) or 3.5-Fr red rubber (RR) indwelling catheter presenting in 2014. Measurements and main results One hundred sixty-six cats were identified using diagnostic code search with 91 cats meeting inclusion criteria. All were treated with IV fluids, buprenorphine, prazosin, and an indwelling urethral catheter with a closed collection system. Catheter groups did not differ statistically in baseline characteristics, medication treatment, or catheterization time. Follow-up was available for 91 cats at 24 hours, 86 cats at 7 days, and 84 cats at 30 days. There was no statistical difference in rUO between cats with different catheter types at any time in this retrospective study. Conclusions No difference in rUO was found in cats treated for urethral obstruction with a 3.5-Fr AR or RR catheter, however, due to the retrospective nature of this study the inability to detect a difference may be due to the small sample size of this study. Recurrent urethral obstruction in this study at 30 days was 11%.
Therapies for COPD Exacerbations in Adults

What are the benefits and harms of pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic treatments for exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in adults?
Association of Proteinuria and Hematuria with Acute Kidney Injury and Mortality in Hospitalized Patients with COVID-19.

Introduction: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is strongly associated with poor outcomes in hospitalized patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), but data on the association of proteinuria and hematuria are limited to non-US populations. In addition, admission and in-hospital measures for kidney abnormalities have not been studied separately. Methods: This retrospective cohort study aimed to analyze these associations in 321 patients sequentially admitted between March 7, 2020 and April 1, 2020 at Stony Brook University Medical Center, New York. We investigated the association of proteinuria, hematuria, and AKI with outcomes of inflammation, intensive care unit (ICU) admission, invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV), and in-hospital death. We used ANOVA, t test, χ2 test, and Fisher’s exact test for bivariate analyses and logistic regression for multivariable analysis. Results: Three hundred patients met the inclusion criteria for the study cohort. Multivariable analysis demonstrated that admission proteinuria was significantly associated with risk of in-hospital AKI (OR 4.71, 95% CI 1.28–17.38), while admission hematuria was associated with ICU admission (OR 4.56, 95% CI 1.12–18.64), IMV (OR 8.79, 95% CI 2.08–37.00), and death (OR 18.03, 95% CI 2.84–114.57). During hospitalization, de novo proteinuria was significantly associated with increased risk of death (OR 8.94, 95% CI 1.19–114.4, p = 0.04). In-hospital AKI increased (OR 27.14, 95% CI 4.44–240.17) while recovery from in-hospital AKI decreased the risk of death (OR 0.001, 95% CI 0.001–0.06). Conclusion: Proteinuria and hematuria both at the time of admission and during hospitalization are associated with adverse clinical outcomes in hospitalized patients with COVID-19.
Role of Uncertainty and Social Networks on Shadow Evacuation and Non-Compliance Behavior in Hurricanes:

Shadow evacuation and non-compliance are among undesirable behaviors during hurricane events. Based on a post-Hurricane Matthew household survey, this study aims to understand the combined effects ...
Histone Methylation Regulation in Neurodegenerative Disorders

Advances achieved with molecular biology and genomics technologies have permitted investigators to discover epigenetic mechanisms, such as DNA methylation and histone posttranslational modifications, which are critical for gene expression in almost all tissues and in brain health and disease. These advances have influenced much interest in understanding the dysregulation of epigenetic mechanisms in neurodegenerative disorders. Although these disorders diverge in their fundamental causes and pathophysiology, several involve the dysregulation of histone methylation-mediated gene expression. Interestingly, epigenetic remodeling via histone methylation in specific brain regions has been suggested to play a critical function in the neurobiology of psychiatric disorders, including that related to neurodegenerative diseases. Prominently, epigenetic dysregulation currently brings considerable interest as an essential player in neurodegenerative disorders, such as Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), Huntington's disease (HD), Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and drugs of abuse, including alcohol abuse disorder, where it may facilitate connections between genetic and environmental risk factors or directly influence disease-specific pathological factors. We have discussed the current state of histone methylation, therapeutic strategies, and future perspectives for these disorders. While not somatically heritable, the enzymes responsible for histone methylation regulation, such as histone methyltransferases and demethylases in neurons, are dynamic and reversible. They have become promising potential therapeutic targets to treat or prevent several neurodegenerative disorders. These findings, along with clinical data, may provide links between molecular-level changes and behavioral differences and provide novel avenues through which the epigenome may be targeted early on in people at risk for neurodegenerative disorders.
Assessing emergency healthcare accessibility in the Salton Sea region of Imperial County, California.

The area surrounding California’s Salton Sea, which lies within Riverside and Imperial counties, has particularly negative health outcomes. Imperial County, a primarily rural region that encompasses the lake, has pediatric asthma-related emergency healthcare visits that double the state average. This paper seeks to assess the level of emergency healthcare access in the Salton Sea region of Imperial County, drawing from spatial science methods. For this study, the "Salton Sea region" is defined as all Imperial County census tracts that include the Salton Sea within its boundaries. To measure "access," this study calculated driving travel times from census tracts to hospitals within Imperial County rather than Euclidean distance to account for geography and urban infrastructures such as road networks and traffic conditions. This study also used the Rational Agent Access Model, or RAAM, to assess access. RAAM scores account for the supply and demand for hospitals in addition to travel times. Results showed that the average travel time for Salton Sea region residents to drive to Imperial County emergency healthcare facilities ranged from 50–61 minutes, compared to 14–20 minutes for other Imperial County tracts. RAAM scores, compared to other Imperial County tracts, were about 30% higher in the Salton Sea region, meaning that healthcare supply is limited in the region. State and county policy should account for spatial inaccessibility to healthcare institutions in order to address emergency healthcare access.
Excisional lipectomy versus liposuction in HIV-associated lipodystrophy.

BACKGROUND Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-associated lipodystrophy is a known consequence of long-term highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). However, a significant number of patients on HAART therapy were left with the stigmata of complications, including fat redistribution. Few studies have described the successful removal of focal areas of lipohypertrophy with successful outcomes. This manuscript reviews the outcomes of excisional lipectomy versus liposuction for HIV-associated cervicodorsal lipodystrophy. METHODS We performed a 15-year retrospective review of HIV-positive patients with lipodystrophy. Patients were identified by query of secure operative logs. Data collected included demographics, medications, comorbidities, duration of HIV, surgical intervention type, pertinent laboratory values, and the amount of tissue removed. RESULTS Nine male patients with HIV-associated lipodystrophy underwent a total of 17 procedures. Of the patients who underwent liposuction initially (n=5), 60% (n=3) experienced a recurrence. There were a total of three cases of primary liposuction followed by excisional lipectomy. One hundred percent of these cases were noted to have a recurrence postoperatively, and there was one case of seroma formation. Of the subjects who underwent excisional lipectomy (n=4), there were no documented recurrences; however, one patient's postoperative course was complicated by seroma formation. CONCLUSIONS HIV-associated lipodystrophy is a disfiguring complication of HAART therapy with significant morbidity. Given the limitations of liposuction alone as the primary intervention, excisional lipectomy is recommended as the primary treatment. Liposuction may be used for better contouring and for subsequent procedures. While there is a slightly higher risk for complications, adjunctive techniques such as quilting sutures and placement of drains may be used in conjunction with excisional lipectomy.
Dynamical Systems Perturbed by Noise

The growth of many populations (e.g. insects) is strongly influenced by the weather. Therefore, one cannot predict the growth of such a population without prior knowledge of what the weather will be. Symbolically, $${{{\rm{dX}}} \over {{\rm{dt}}}} = {\rm{F(X,R),}}$$ (1) where R is a function of t which represents the effects of the weather. If a number of populations are observed at different times or different places, then R will be a different function in each case. Since R cannot be predicted in any case, the problem appears to be unsolvable. However, certain statistics of the weather can be predicted from past data. This suggests that R be considered to be a random process whose moments, say, are known. One would like to describe the distribution of X in terms of the moments of R.