cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Changing thermal dynamics of lakes in the Great Lakes region: Role of ice cover feedbacks

Abstract The impacts of climate variability and lake ice cover feedbacks on the seasonal thermal dynamics of inland lakes were evaluated for the period of 1916–2007. Analysis of regional scale impacts for the small inland lakes remains a major challenge in the Great Lakes region due to lack of observations at regional scale. Regional lakes were included into a land surface modeling perspective to understand the roles of climate variability on their open water season dynamics. The Variable Infiltration Capacity (VIC) model was applied with a physically based lake algorithm to simulate thermal conditions of lakes at regional scale during the open water period. Prior to its implementation, the VIC model was evaluated for lake surface water temperature in the selected lakes within the study domain. Results suggested that the cold (October–May) and spring (March–May) season air temperatures have increased by 1.38 and 1.54 °C, respectively during the period of 1916–2007. Increase in air temperature was statistically significant at the regional scale. Onset of the stratified season has occurred earlier by more than five days during the period of 1916–2007. Earlier onset of the stratified season was significantly related to the length of the stratified season, thermal storage in the lakes, and mean lake surface water temperatures. The combined impacts of increased air temperature and earlier onset of the stratified season led to increased heat storage in lakes by 82.5 × 1016 J. Degree-days above 15 and 20 °C also increased by 97.5 and 33.0 degree-days during the period of 1916–2007. The lake ice cover was significantly related with the annual lake evaporation, timing of ice formation and break-up in lakes, and heat storage during the spring and summer. Results suggested the climate warming may lead to increased rate of evaporation that is driven by feedbacks of ice cover and snow storage.
The Cost of Job Guarantee in the United States Insights from the 1930s Work Programs

From the 1960s, Minsky argued that implementing a decentralized job-guarantee policy funded by the federal government was a relevant way to promote full employment and price stability, and to allev...
Association of ecotones with relative elevation and fire in an upland Florida landscape

Abstract Question: What are the importance of elevation and fire in maintaining ecotones of Florida scrub assemblages along a gradual topographic gradient? Location: Archbold Biological Station (ABS), 12 km south of Lake Placid, Florida, USA. Methods: Vegetation cover of upland Florida shrublands was quantified using the line-intercept method along 20 transects traversing similar elevation gradients, stratified by time since fire (TSF). We objectively identified shrubland ecotones using a split moving windows boundary analysis (SMW) with three different window widths. Non-metric multidimensional scaling ordination was used to determine relationships among plant assemblages defined by SMW. Results: We located up to four ecotones per transect, the majority of which were wide, highly heterogeneous zones. Relative elevation controlled the distribution of plant assemblages in upland Florida shrublands. Ecotones in shrublands > 30 years TSF had relatively low dissimilarity values in SMW, indicating that previou...
Interaction of the Doa4 deubiquitinating enzyme with the yeast 26S proteasome.

The Saccharomyces cerevisiae Doa4 deubiquitinating enzyme is required for the rapid degradation of protein substrates of the ubiquitin–proteasome pathway. Previous work suggested that Doa4 functions late in the pathway, possibly by deubiquitinating (poly)-ubiquitin-substrate intermediates associated with the 26S proteasome. We now provide evidence for physical and functional interaction between Doa4 and the proteasome. Genetic interaction is indicated by the mutual enhancement of defects associated with a deletion of DOA4 or a proteasome mutation when the two mutations are combined. Physical association of Doa4 and the proteasome was investigated with a new yeast 26S proteasome purification procedure, by which we find that a sizeable fraction of Doa4 copurifies with the protease. Another yeast deubiquitinating enzyme, Ubp5, which is related in sequence to Doa4 but cannot substitute for it even when overproduced, does not associate with the proteasome. DOA4-UBP5 chimeras were made by a novel PCR/yeast recombination method and used to identify an N-terminal 310-residue domain of Doa4 that, when appended to the catalytic domain of Ubp5, conferred Doa4 function, consistent with Ubp enzymes having a modular architecture. Unlike Ubp5, a functional Doa4-Ubp5 chimera associates with the proteasome, suggesting that proteasome binding is important for Doa4 function. Together, these data support a model in which Doa4 promotes proteolysis through removal of ubiquitin from proteolytic intermediates on the proteasome before or after initiation of substrate breakdown.
The Portrayal of Christianity in the History Textbooks of Nazi Germany

The study of history in National Socialist Germany served a demolition function. Students were taught to recognize threats to their way of life, all of which were subsumed under Jewish internationalism and included Christianity, Marxism, democracy, liberalism and modernity. The history written by the Nazis undergirded an ersatz religion whose central theme was the German people's faltering attempts to obey the divine will of a racial deity. A major priority of Nazi educators was the liberation of the fierce Germanic instincts which more than a thousand years of foreign influence had repressed; and in their estimation, Christianity bore a major responsibility for blunting the expression of that Germanic spirit. The new German schools would help create a militarized society which would both purge the national spirit and promote the high-tension ethos which accepted war as a normal condition in a life of struggle.
Variable subcellular localization of glycosphingolipids

Although most glycosphingolipids (GSLs) are thought to be located in the outer leaflet of the plasma membrane, recent evidence indicates that GSLs are also associated with intracellular organelles. We now report that the subcellular localization of GSLs varies depending on the GSL structure and cell type. GSL localization was determined by indirect immunofluorescence microscopy of fixed permeabilized cells. A single GSL exhibited variable subcellular localization in different cells. For example, antibody to GalCer is localized primarily to the plasma membrane of HaCaT II-3 keratinocytes, but to intracellular organelles in other epithelial cells. GalCer is localized to small vesicles and tubulovesicular structures in MDCK cells, and to the surface of phase-dense lipid droplets in HepG2 hepatoma cells. Furthermore, within a single cell type, individual GSLs were found to exhibit different patterns of subcellular localization. In HepG2 cells, LacCer was associated with small vesicles, which differed from the phase-dense vesicles stained by anti-GalCer, and Gb4Cer was associated with the intermediate filaments of the cytoskeleton. Both anti-GalCer and monoclonal antibody A2B5, which binds polysialogangliosides, localized to mitochondria. The distinct subcellular localization patterns of GSLs raise interesting questions about their functions in different organelles. Together with published data on the enrichment of GSLs in specific organelles and in apical plasma membrane, these findings indicate the existence of specific sorting mechanisms that regulate the intracellular transport and localization of GSLs.
Safety and efficacy of botulinum toxin type B (Myobloc) in adductor spasmodic dysphonia.

This single-site, open-label, dose-finding study evaluated the safety and efficacy of botulinum toxin type B (BoNT-B; Myobloc) for the treatment of adductor spasmodic dysphonia (AdSD) in 13 patients. Three patients received a total of 50 U (25 U per vocal fold); the same three subsequently received 100 U, and then 10 more received 200 U. The primary measure of efficacy was the patient's rating of the change in the severity of spasms on a scale from −3 to +3. There were seven secondary measures of efficacy, including blinded ratings of the sound of voice recorded on audiotape. At Week 8 after injection, spasms improved in 0 of 3 patients who received 50 U, 1 of 3 patients who received 100 U, and 8 of 10 patients who received 200 U. The mean (± standard deviation [SD]) score for the change in spasm severity at Week 8 in the 200 U group was 1.4 (±1.2) points (P = 0.004). All seven secondary measures also showed improvement. Breathiness was the most common side effect but was mild in intensity and of short duration. We conclude that BoNT-B is safe and effective for the treatment of adductor spasmodic dysphonia. © 2004 Movement Disorder Society
Depression After Heart Attack Why Should I Be Concerned About Depression After a Heart Attack

Depression is 3 times more common in patients after a heart attack than in the general population, with 15% to 20% of heart attack victims qualifying for a diagnosis of major depressive disorder, and a far greater proportion experiencing increased levels of depressive symptoms. This comes as no surprise, given that major life stressors are known to contribute to the development of depression, and a heart attack certainly qualifies as such a stressor. Depression after a heart attack is bad not only because of the accompanying emotional distress and suffering; it also increases one’s risk of having another heart attack or dying over the ensuing months and years. Listed in Table 1 are several characteristics that have been found in depressed persons that could account for a poorer prognosis after a heart attack. View this table: Table 1. Mechanisms Contributing to Poor Prognosis After Heart Attack On the basis of this extensive evidence that depression not only causes misery, but is also associated with a poorer prognosis after a heart attack, an American Heart Association Science Advisory panel recently recommended that patients who have had a heart attack be screened for depressive symptoms to identify those “who may require further assessment and treatment.”1 As shown in Table 2, the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders , Fourth E dition (DSM-IV) specifies depressed mood (feeling sad, “down,” unhappy, dissatisfied) and a marked reduction in interest or …
Effects of Climate Change in North America: An Overview

As forecast by many researchers, climate change can be expected to impact regions through direct effects (e.g., temperature shifts, changes in sea level, extreme weather events, and precipitation changes) and indirect effects (e.g., migrations of species and changes in ecosystems). Previous studies have reported how various regions will face challenges as to adaptations and vulnerabilities brought on by climate change differently according to their wealth. Interrelated impacts have been forecast to occur in North America stemming from variations due to climate change, including economic, ecological, environmental, and social impacts. This study overviews the effects (direct and indirect) of climate change on various sectors in North America. It concludes, along with the suggestions of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s (IPCC) Fourth Assessment Report (AR4), that future studies should focus on regional studies of climate change, impacts of extreme weather events, and in-depth integrated models for mitigation, adaptation, and impact based on future simulations of climate change.
Energized by Television Familiar Fictional Worlds Restore Self-Control

Enacting effortful self-control depletes a finite resource, leaving less self-control available for subsequent effortful tasks. Positive social interaction can restore self-control, but hurtful or effortful social interaction depletes self-control. Given this conflict, people might seek an alternative to social interaction to restore self-control. The current research examines social surrogate restoration—the possibility that people seek a social surrogate when depleted, and that seeking social surrogacy restores self-control. One experiment (Study 1) and one daily diary (Study 2) demonstrate that people seek familiar fictional worlds (e.g., a favorite television program) after exerting effortful self-control. Moreover, immersion in this familiar fictional world restores self-control. Supplementary analyses suggest that it is the social nature of this familiar fictional world that contributes to restoration.
Static endoscopic evaluation of swallowing: Transoral endoscopy during clinical swallow evaluations.

Objectives/Hypothesis To determine the sensitivity and specificity for assessing pharyngeal residue, laryngeal penetration, and tracheal aspiration when comparing findings from the Static Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing (SEES) with findings from the Videofluoroscopic Swallow Study (VFSS). Methods Retrospective study at a tertiary academic medical center. Records were reviewed consecutive outpatients who underwent both SEES and VFSS evaluations. Video segments from SEES and VFSS examinations were blindly judged by experienced clinicians on a categorical/ordinal rating form for the absence, quantitative presence, and location of postswallow residue, penetration, and aspiration. Statistical analysis was performed to identify intra- and interrater reliability and correlation between SEES and VFSS findings. Results Thirty-nine patients were identified who met the above inclusion criteria, for a total of 206 video segments. Inter- and intrarater reliability was judged by Cronbach's alpha to be good to excellent. SEES findings revealed statistically significant correlations with VFSS findings (P < 0.001) with the absence, quantitative presence, and location of thin liquid and solid swallow residue, penetration, and aspiration. In addition, SEES was more sensitive to the presence of liquid residue, penetration, and aspiration than VFSS. Conclusion SEES is an endoscopic screening procedure that strengthens the clinical swallowing evaluation by documenting the presence or absence of postswallow residue, penetration, and aspiration. Accurate identification of a patient's risk for aspiration helps to direct further workup. It is an expedient, repeatable, and clinical relevant procedure that can be easily incorporated into a clinician's practice. Level of Evidence 4. Laryngoscope, 2015
A revision of Lomachaeta Mickel, with a new species of Smicromutilla Mickel (Hymenoptera: Mutillidae)

The following species of Lomachaeta are described as new: L. argenta (Utah, USA), L. chionothrix (Guatemala), L. cirrhomeris (Southwestern USA), L. crocopinna (Southwestern USA), L. hyphantria (Bolivia) and L. ptilohyalus (Mexico). Dasymutilla mickeli Manley and Deyrup, Lomachaeta coloradensis Mickel, Lomachaeta formosula Mickel, L. minutula Mickel, L. punctinota Mickel, and L. variegata Mickel are junior synonyms of L. hicksi Mickel; Lomachaeta hicksi has page priority. New distributional data are presented L. hicksi Mickel. A revised key, diagnoses for the species, and host data are provided for the species of Lomachaeta. The genus Smicromutilla is also reviewed and a new species of Smicromutilla from California is described as S. beadugrimi.
Surface modification of SnO2 photoelectrodes in dye-sensitized solar cells: Significant improvements in photovoltage via Al2O3 atomic layer deposition

We report here the exploitation of ultrathin layers of Al2O3 deposited via atomic layer deposition (ALD) on SnO2 photoanodes used in dye-sensitized solar cells featuring the I3−/I− couple as the re...
Statistics Used in Current Social Work Literature: Curricular Needs of Undergraduate Students

This study sought to identify the most commonly reported statistical methods in a section of the social work literature and demonstrate the need for including them in the statistical curricula for social work undergraduates. The authors reviewed 417 articles from Health & Social Work, Social Work, Social Work Research, and Children & Schools in 64 issues published from January 2005 to December 2008. The quantitative empirical research articles (47.9%; n=200) were then selected to ascertain the most frequently reported statistical methods, which were found to be correlation, regression, and chi procedures. This study's results may contribute to the knowledge of statistics usage in the social work literature and help to define vital emphases for undergraduate research courses in social work.
The (Half) Truth about Grief

The recent critique of the bereavement field offered by author Ruth Davis Konigsberg takes grief theorists and researchers to task for perpetuating self-serving stage-based models of mourning that ...
Evaluating Tropical Cyclone Forecasts from the NCEP Global Ensemble Forecasting System (GEFS) Reforecast Version 2

AbstractTropical cyclone (TC) forecasts from the NCEP Global Ensemble Forecasting System (GEFS) Reforecast version 2 (1985–2012) were evaluated from the climate perspective, with a focus on tropical cyclogenesis. Although the GEFS captures the climatological seasonality of tropical cyclogenesis over different ocean basins reasonably well, large errors exist on the regional scale. As different genesis pathways are dominant over different ocean basins, genesis biases are related to biases in different aspects of the large-scale or synoptic-scale circulations over different basins. The negative genesis biases over the western North Pacific are associated with a weaker-than-observed monsoon trough in the GEFS, the erroneous genesis pattern over the eastern North Pacific is related to a southward displacement of the ITCZ, and the positive genesis biases near the Cape Verde islands and negative biases farther downstream over the Atlantic can be attributed to the hyperactive Africa easterly waves in the GEFS. Th...
Modeling delamination of fire insulation from steel structures subjected to blast loading

Abstract This article presents a fracture mechanics-based numerical approach for quantifying delamination of spray-applied fire-resistive material (SFRM) from a steel beam–column subjected to a blast loading. In the numerical model, cohesive zone model is employed to simulate interfacial crack initiation and propagating at the interface of SFRM and steel. Three types of SFRM, widely utilized in the practice namely, mineral fiber-based, gypsum-based and Portland cement-based SFRM are considered in the analysis. The numerical model is validated against two sets of experiments; a full scale blast test on a steel beam–column and a drop mass impact test on a steel beam insulated with SFRM. The verified numerical model is subsequently utilized to carry out extensive parametric study to quantify critical factors that can influence the extent of delamination of SFRM from a steel beam–column, namely fracture energy at steel-SFRM interface, elastic modulus of SFRM, thickness of SFRM, and the level of blast overpressure. Results from parametric studies show that Portland cement-based SFRM can provide the highest level of resiliency in terms of withstanding the applied blast overpressure, while mineral fiber-based SFRM shows the lowest level of endurance. Further, the outcomes obtained from parametric study demonstrate that the extent of delamination can directly be related to blast overpressure and thickness of SFRM, whereas it can inversely be related to elastic modulus and fracture energy of SFRM. Based on the results of parametric study, a delamination characteristic parameter, which incorporates the major factors influencing the delamination, is defined and the extent of delamination is expressed as a function of this parameter.
Dysregulation of Glycogen Synthase kinase-3 in Skeletal Muscle and the Etiology of Insulin Resistance and Type 2 Diabetes

Insulin resistance of glucose transport and metabolism in insulin-sensitive tissues is a primary defect leading to the development of type 2 diabetes. While the etiology of insulin resistance is multifactorial, one factor associated with reduced insulin action is enhanced activity of the serine/threonine kinase glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK-3) in skeletal muscle, liver, and adipose tissue. GSK-3 is involved in numerous cellular functions, including glycogen synthesis, protein synthesis, gene transcription, and cell differentiation. Evidence from muscle and fat cell lines and in skeletal muscle from a variety of obese rodent models and from type 2 diabetic humans supports a role of GSK-3 overactivity in the development of insulin resistance of glucose transport and glycogenesis. Studies utilizing highly selective GSK-3 inhibitors indicate that GSK-3 overactivity in obesity is associated with enhanced IRS-1 serine phosphorylation and defective IRS-1-dependent signaling, ultimately resulting in reduced GLUT-4 translocation and glucose transport activity in skeletal muscle. A role of GSK-3 overactivity in the exaggerated hepatic glucose production of type 2 diabetes has also been reported. Recent studies have demonstrated that oxidative stress, resulting from enhanced exposure to oxidants, causes impaired insulin signaling and insulin resistance of skeletal muscle glucose transport, in part due to reduced suppression of GSK-3 activity and increased IRS-1 Ser(307) phosphorylation. The evidence to date supports an important role of GSK-3 dysfunction in the multifactorial etiology of insulin resistance in skeletal muscle. GSK-3 remains an important target for interventions designed to improve insulin action in obesity-associated insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes.
Crossed cerebellar diaschisis and loss of consciousness during temporary balloon occlusion of the internal carotid artery

We encountered a case of crossed cerebellar diaschisis during temporary balloon occlusion of the internal carotid artery in a 59-year-old woman. The rapidity of the diaschisis was unusual and SPECT scanning was adequate to show the early defect.
A Novel Framework of Multi-Hop Wireless Charging for Sensor Networks Using Resonant Repeaters

Wireless charging has provided a convenient alternative to renew nodes’ energy in wireless sensor networks. Due to physical limitations, previous works have only considered recharging a single node at a time, which has limited efficiency and scalability. Recent advances on multi-hop wireless charging is gaining momentum and provides fundamental support to address this problem. However, existing single-node charging designs do not consider and cannot take advantage of such opportunities. In this paper, we propose a new framework to enable multi-hop wireless charging using resonant repeaters. First, we present a realistic model that accounts for detailed physical factors to calculate charging efficiencies. Second, to achieve balance between energy efficiency and data latency, we propose a hybrid data gathering strategy that combines static and mobile data gathering to overcome their respective drawbacks and provide theoretical analysis. Then, we formulate multi-hop recharge schedule into a bi-objective NP-hard optimization problem. We propose a two-step approximation algorithm that first finds the minimum charging cost and then calculates the charging vehicles’ moving costs with bounded approximation ratios. Finally, upon discovering more room to reduce the total system cost, we develop a post-optimization algorithm that iteratively adds more stopping locations for charging vehicles to further improve the results while ensuring none of the nodes will deplete battery energy. Our extensive simulations show that the proposed algorithms can handle dynamic energy demands effectively, and can cover at least three times of nodes and reduce service interruption time by an order of magnitude compared to the single-node charging scheme.
A Graph-Theoretic Clustering Methodology Based on Vertex-Attack Tolerance

We consider a schema for graph-theoretic clustering of data using a node-based resilience measure called vertex attack tolerance (VAT). Resilience measures indicate worst case (critical) attack sets of edges or nodes in a network whose removal disconnects the graph into separate connected components: the resulting components form the basis for candidate clusters, and the critical sets of edges or nodes form the intercluster boundaries. Given a graph representation G of data, the vertex attack tolerance of G is τ(G) = min S⊂V |S| / |V −S−C max V −S)|+1 , where C max (V − S) is the largest component remaining in the graph upon the removal of critical node set S. We propose three principal variations of VAT-based clustering methodologies: hierarchical (hier-VAT-Clust), non-hierarchical (VAT-Clust) variations, and variation partial-VAT-Clust. The hierarchical implementation yielded the best results on both synthetic and real datasets. Partial-VAT-Clust is useful in data involving noise, as it attempts to remove the noise while clustering the actual data. We also explored possible graph representations options, such as geometric and k-nearest neighbors, and discuss it in context of clustering efficiency and accuracy.
Emergency thrombectomy for acute thrombosis of superior vena cava

A case is reported of acute thrombosis of the superior vena cava (SVC) resulting from infusion of antibiotics via a subclavian catheter with its tip in the SVC. The patient was treated by operative thrombectomy instead of thrombolytic drugs. Eight months postoperativel)’, he remains asymptomatic.
Evaluation of hand-trimming, various sanitizing agents, and hot water spray-washing as decontamination interventions for beef brisket adipose tissue

Various chemical solutions (5% hydrogen peroxide, 0.5% ozone, 12% trisodium phosphate, 2% acetic acid, and 0.3% commercial sanitizer), water (16 to 74°C) spray-washing interventions, and hand-trimming/spray-washing treatments were compared for their ability to remove fecal material and to reduce bacterial contamination on beef brisket fat samples in a model spray-washing cabinet. The samples were inoculated with 2.5 cm2 of a bovine fecal paste inoculated with Escherichia coli (ATCC 11370). Hand-trimming followed by spray-washing with plain water (16 to 74°C when it came in contact with the sample; 20.68 bar pressure; for 36 or 12 s corresponding to chain speeds of 100 or 300 carcasses per h) lowered (P < 0.05) microbiological counts, compared to the inoculated control, by 1.41 to 2.50 log colony-forming units (CFU)/cm2. Additionally, spraying with chemical solutions (16°C; 1.38 bar, 12 or 36 s), before or after spray-washing with plain water (20.68 bar) of 16°C (36 s), 35°C (12 s) or 74°C (12 s) reduced bacterial counts by 1.34 to 2.87, 1.18 to 2.86, or 0.96 to 3.42 log CFU/cm2, respectively. Reduction in counts was influenced by water temperature (16 to 74°C), type of chemical solution, and sequence of spray application. Under the conditions of this study, hydrogen peroxide and ozonated water were more effective (P < 0.05) than trisodium phosphate, acetic acid, and a commercial sanitizer when applied after first washing with plain water. Trisodium phosphate maintained its activity when used before washing with water. In general, water of 74°C caused reductions (P < 0.05) exceeding 3.0 log CFU/cm2, which were higher than those achieved by trimming and spray-washing. No spreading of bacteria in areas immediately adjacent to the inoculation site was detected following spray-washing.
Political Ethics and Public Policy

This chapter begins with the premise that societies have the ability to choose the characteristics of their governments. It is not an analysis of the public choice process, however, but a discussion about how individuals within a society would determine what governmental characteristics are desirable — that is, what characteristics they should want to choose. As a starting point, individuals will desire institutions that benefit them, and if social interaction were a zero-sum game, politics would simply amount to trying to balance the interests of some against the interests of others. But social interaction is not a zero-sum game, and productive institutional structures can generate benefits for everyone. The challenges are to identify productive institutional changes, and to identify ways to get them implemented.
The Elements of Diagnosis

So far, we have been considering the concept of disease and the classification of diseases largely from a metaphysical standpoint. I have argued that diseases are socially constructed, but that this does not mean diseases are merely made up to suit our present fancy. Diseases, and biomedical problems in general, are constructed from facts and from values. We have looked at various ontological conceptions of disease and various nosologies. We have seen that foundational values are essential parts of the facts that constitute them, conceptual values are essential parts of our understanding of the concept of disease, and nosological values are necessary to classify various collections of facts as different kinds of diseases. Hence, in any biomedical problem there is an intimate connection between fact and value.
News Stories of Intimate Partner Violence: An Experimental Examination of Participant Sex, Perpetrator Sex, and Violence Severity on Seriousness, Sympathy, and Punishment Preferences.

ABSTRACTThis study experimentally examines the effects of participant sex, perpetrator sex, and severity of violence on perceptions of intimate partner violence (IPV) seriousness, sympathy toward the victim, and punishment preferences for the perpetrator. Participants (N = 449) were randomly assigned to a condition, exposed to a composite news story, and then completed a survey. Ratings of seriousness of IPV for stories with male perpetrators were significantly higher than ratings of seriousness for stories with female perpetrators. Men had significantly higher sympathy for female victims in any condition than for male victims in the weak or strong severity of violence conditions. Men’s sympathy for male victims in the fatal severity of violence condition did not differ from their sympathy for female victims. Women had the least sympathy for female victims in the weak severity condition and men in the weak or strong severity conditions. Women reported significantly higher sympathy for female victims in th...
The effect of a multidisciplinary palliative care initiative on end of life care in gynecologic oncology patients

Abstract Objectives To evaluate the effect of palliative care (PC) consultation on hospice enrollment and end-of-life care in gynecologic oncology patients. Methods A retrospective chart review of gynecologic oncology patients who died 1year before and after 2014 implementation of a PC initiative for patients at a single NCI-designated comprehensive cancer center. Patient demographics, admission and procedural history, anti-cancer therapy, and end-of- life care were collected retrospectively. Data was analyzed using Student's t -test, Mann-Whitney U test, Chi-Square test, or Fisher's exact test. Results We identified 308 patients. Median age at death was 63years (range 17 to 91). Most patients were white (78.2%), married (47.4%), and had ovarian (35.7%) or uterine cancers (35.4%). Introduction of the PC initiative was associated with increased PC consultations (40%, 53%, p =0.02), increased hospice enrollment (57%, 61%, p =0.29), and fewer procedures in the last 30days of life (44%, 31%, p =0.01). The rate of enrollment to inpatient hospice doubled from 12.5% to 25.7% ( p =0.02) while time from inpatient hospice enrollment to death increased from 1.9 to 6.0days ( p =0.02). Time from outpatient hospice enrollment to death increased from 26.2 to 35.4days ( p =0.18). PC consultation was associated with a doubling of outpatient (40%) and inpatient (80%) hospice enrollment. Conclusions The PC quality improvement initiative was associated with more palliative care consults, increased rates of inpatient and outpatient hospice utilization, increased time on hospice, and fewer procedures in the last 30days of life, although most women were not enrolled until the last days of life.
Electronic Etiquette: A Curriculum for Health Professionals

As more and more individuals from the connected generation brought up interacting with their personal electronic devices (PEDs) enter medicine, we must bring to their attention the issues of electronic distraction and proper technology interfacing. We must educate them in appropriate human interaction with patients in this wired world. Real patients need to be at the core of health care, not the i-Patients that exist in the electronic medical record. Institutions and professional schools must develop curricula to address the important subject of electronic etiquette. This chapter should be a springboard for the development of such programs.
Empirical correlations from waste grout formulation data

Data correlations have demonstrated systematic relationships between important variables in hydrofracture grout formulation. The data are taken from an investigation to determine conditions for eliminating drainable water from the grout system. The two most important variables affecting drainable water are the amounts of Attapulgite-150 clay in the dry-solids blends and the ratios in which the blends are mixed with the waste. Empirical equations were developed relating (a) volume percent of drainable water, (b) time for free water adsorption, (c) weight percent of clay, (d) dry-blend liquid-waste mix ratio, (e) compressive strength, (f) weight percent of fly ash, and (g) pumping flow rate required for turbulent flow through 51-mm-i.d. pipe. The equations allow predictions of properties within the compositional range of the investigation from which the data were obtained. They also provide a relatively simple method that can be used to improve future test design, eliminate superfluous testing, decrease costs, and increase overall efficiency of individual investigations.
Design and Analysis of Embedded I&C for a Fully Submerged Magnetically Suspended Impeller Pump

Improving nuclear reactor power system designs and fuel-processing technologies for safer and more efficient operation requires the development of new component designs. In particular, many of the ...
Using Neurosociology and Evolutionary Sociology to Explain the Origin and Evolution of Religions

Religion emerged as a cognitive capacity and behavioral propensity by virtue of Darwinian natural selection on hominins and then humans to become more social and group oriented. The capacity to be religious is only a modest extension of the Darwinian selection on cognitive, emotional, and interpersonal propensities of all great apes and, hence, early hominins. However, other forms of natural selection need to be added to the explanation of why religion became institutionalized in early human societies, why religious organizations arise and die from competition, and why violence is so often a part of religious revolution. These additional types of natural selection do not obviate Darwinian selection on the human brain, but they become a necessary supplement to Darwinian analysis if the early institutionalization and subsequent evolution of religion are to be more fully explained.
Ethnomathematics as a Fundamental of Instructional Methodology

Over the past two or three decades, various political, cultural, and educational forces have brought ethnomathematics and multiculturalism in general into widespread use. Thus, it is important to include ethnomathematical studies in teaching methodology and especially teacher education programs.
The Sandwich Generation: Dependency, Proximity, and Task Assistance Needs of Parents

This study was designed to determine the extent of “sandwiched” families and the impact of dependency and proximity to task assistance provided to parent(s). Data were collected in Idaho, Oregon, Utah, and Michigan from a random sample of 40–65-year-old respondents. Fifteen percent are sandwiched between needs of aging parents and financially dependent children. Respondents are much more likely to be providing assistance to mothers than fathers. Parents are most likely to live near, but not necessarily with, the respondent. Spouses and partners' parents, however, are likely to live farther away. Task assistance provided most often to aging parent(s) includes help with transportation and shopping; financial assistance was reported least often. Income of respondent and dependency and proximity of parents are significantly related to providing assistance to parents. This study offers a unique glimpse at the relationships between personal characteristics, dependency, proximity, and task assistance issues as they pertain to the sandwich generation.
FIRST HEART SOUND ALTERNANS IN MASSIVE PERICARDIAL EFFUSION.

First heart sound alternans in the absence of pulsus alternans, or variation in heart rate (i.e., variation in PR interval), occurring in a patient with massive neoplastic pericardial effusion is described. The mechanism appears to be similar to that in electrical alternans and is shown by echocardiography to be related to the cardiac position within the pericardium, with the first heart sound intensity varying according to the distance of the heart from the chest wall. First heart sound alternans, electrical alternans, and alternating cardiac motion within the pericardium disappeared following pericardiocentesis.
Optimising Outcomes in Secondary Prevention of Coronary Heart Disease

Atherosclerosis is a diffuse disease of arteries. It cannot be definitively treated by procedures such as bypass surgery or angioplasty which correct only discrete anatomical lesions. The only definitive treatments for atherosclerosis are medical. In both men and women with coronary disease, treatment includes interventions such as smoking cessation, lipid management and blood pressure lowering, restriction of dietary calories, fat, and salt, increased physical activity, body weight reduction, β-adrenoceptor blocking drugs during the first 6 to 12 months or so after an infarct, and, in patients with congestive heart failure, the use of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors.
Incidence and Clinical Significance of Posterior Glenoid Deficiency in Patients with Posterior Glenohumeral Instability

Objectives:Posterior glenohumeral instability accounts for 10-40% of instability repairs yet the degree posterior bone deficiency contributing to labral repair failure is unclear. The purpose of th...
Social Status and Suicidal Activity Among Psychiatric Patients: Moderating Effects of Gender, Race and Psychiatric Diagnosis.

The relationship between suicide and social class has proved to be complex. Durkheim predicted suicide rates would increase with social status, while others thought the opposite. Results have been ...
Surface Motion of Tympanic Membrane in a Chinchilla Model of Acute Otitis Media

The conductive hearing loss caused by acute otitis media (AOM) is commonly related to a reduction of the tympanic membrane (TM) mobility in response to sound stimuli. However, spatial alterations of the TM surface motion associated with AOM have rarely been addressed. In this study, the TM surface motion was determined using scanning laser Doppler vibrometry (SLDV) in a chinchilla model of AOM. The AOM was established by transbullar injection of nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae. The TM surface vibration was measured in control (uninfected) animals and two AOM groups of animals: 4 days (4D) and 8 days (8D) post inoculation. To quantify the effect of middle ear pressure in those infected ears, the SLDV measurement was first conducted in unopened AOM ears and then in middle ear pressure released ears. Results showed that middle ear infection generally reduced the TM displacement across the entire surface, but the reduction in the umbo displacement over the time course, from 4 to 8 days post inoculation, was less than the reduction in the displacement at the center of each quadrant. The presence of middle ear fluid shifted the occurrence of traveling-wave-like motion on the TM surface to lower frequencies. The observation of the spatial variations of TM surface motion from this study will help refine our understanding of the middle ear sound transmission characteristics in relation to AOM.
Emergency general surgery procedures in hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients.

Abstract Background Outcomes of emergency general surgery (EGS) procedures on hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HST) recipients have not been defined in a large, national database. Whether EGS during HST engraftment admission, or in HST patients with graft versus host disease (GVHD) results in worse outcomes is unknown. Methods The National Inpatient Sample (NIS) was examined for patients with a history of BMT between 2001 and 2014. Results There were 520,000 HST admissions meeting inclusion criteria, of which, 14,143 (2.7%) required EGS. Of those requiring EGS, 378 (2.7%) were during engraftment admission and 13,765 (97.3%) on subsequent admission. For those requiring EGS during subsequent admission, 9,920 (72.1%) had a history of GVHD and 3,845 (27.9%) did not. On multivariate analysis, requirement of EGS was associated with mortality (OR: 1.71, 95%CI: 1.47–1.99, p Conclusions While EGS results in worse survival for the HST population, patients in their engraftment admission do not appear to be at increased mortality risk. In addition, GVHD does not worsen survival.
Wnt/PCP Signaling Contribution to Carcinoma Collective Cell Migration and Metastasis.

Our understanding of the cellular mechanisms governing carcinoma invasiveness and metastasis has evolved dramatically over the last several years. The previous emphasis on the epithelial–mesenchymal transition as a driver of the migratory properties of single cells has expanded with the observation that carcinoma cells often invade and migrate collectively as adherent groups. Moreover, recent analyses suggest that circulating tumor cells within the vasculature often exist as multicellular clusters and that clusters more efficiently seed metastatic lesions than single circulating tumor cells. While these observations point to a key role for collective cell migration in carcinoma metastasis, the molecular mechanisms driving collective tumor cell migration remain to be discerned. Wnt/PCP (planar cell polarity) signaling, one of the noncanonical Wnt signaling pathways, mediates collective migratory events such as convergent extension during developmental processes. Wnt/PCP signaling components are frequently dysregulated in solid tumors, and aberrant pathway activation contributes to tumor cell migratory properties. Here we summarize key studies that address the mechanisms by which Wnt/PCP signaling mediate collective cell migration in developmental and tumor contexts. We emphasize Wnt/PCP component localization within migrating cells and discuss how component asymmetry may govern the spatiotemporal control of downstream cytoskeletal effectors to promote collective cell motility.
The Impact of Gender and Introductory Communication Course Type on Public Speaking Performance.

ABSTRACTThe purpose of this study was to find out whether the previously identified gender gap in public speaking anxiety and self-perceived communication competence was also evident in student spe...
Validation and Optimization Framework for Indoor Navigation Systems Using User Comments in Spatial-Temporal Context

In this paper we introduce the first spatial-temporal-textual framework that can facilitate the validation and optimization of indoor navigation systems using trial participants continuously recorded feedback. The proposed framework enables us to pinpoint specific areas of improvement such as which part of the user interface requires changes, what areas in the environment necessitate modifications in the localization algorithm, and/or which instructions should be improved. Conventional evaluation of such systems is based on collecting users' feedback after the trials in the form of interviews and/or questionnaires. This form of evaluation while necessary and important, it provides a summary of the users' view of the system. In contrast, the proposed framework provides a significant improvement by refining the user feedback resolution by continuously collecting the following information in a spatial-temporal context during the trials: user comments, user interface interactions, and navigation instructions. The framework includes the following four main components: 1) trial data preprocessing; 2) comments textual analysis; 3) spatial/temporal/instructions analysis, and 4) results visualization. We introduce a case study that illustrates the use of the framework using PERCEPT indoor navigation system for blind and visually impaired users.
Brushless Fast Starter for Automotive Start/Stop Application

In this paper, a low-cost 48V, 4kW brushless fast starter system for automotive Start/Stop (S/S) applications is presented. The design and analysis of the machine, inverter, controller and control algorithm are discussed in detail. The inverter and motor are integrated within the same assembly housing as the original brush-type starter to enable a drop-in replacement. Simulation models were used to assess the performance benefits of the brushless drive during engine AutoStart events and were compared to the conventional starting system with brush-type dc motors. Simulation results showed superior engine AutoStart performance due to lower inertia, higher torque and wider power band capability of the brushless motor, especially at higher speeds. Performance was also improved due to significantly lower rotor inertia. Finally, a prototype brushless fast starter system was built and tested and found to meet the cost, performance and packaging requirements.
Nanoscale Chromatin Imaging and Analysis (nano-ChIA) platform bridges 4-D chromatin organization with molecular function

In eukaryotic cells, chromatin structure is linked to transcription processes through the regulation of genome organization. Extending across multiple length-scales - from the nucleosome to higher-order three-dimensional structures - chromatin is a dynamic system which evolves throughout the lifetime of a cell. However, no individual technique can fully elucidate the behavior of chromatin organization and its relation to molecular function at all length- and time- scales at both a single-cell and a cell population level. Herein, we present a multi-technique nanoscale Chromatin Imaging and Analysis (nano-ChIA) platform that bridges electron tomography and optical superresolution imaging of chromatin conformation and transcriptional processes, with resolution down to the level of individual nucleosomes, with high-throughput, label-free analysis of chromatin packing and its dynamics in live cells. Utilizing nano-ChIA, we observed that chromatin is localized into spatially separable packing domains, with an average diameter of around 200 nm, sub-Mb genomic size, and an internal fractal structure. The chromatin packing behavior of these domains is directly influenced by active gene transcription. Furthermore, we demonstrated that the chromatin packing domain structure is correlated among progenitor cells and all their progeny, indicating that the organization of chromatin into fractal packing domains is heritable across cell division. Further studies employing the nano-ChIA platform have the potential to provide a more coherent picture of chromatin structure and its relation to molecular function.
Extracting Cell Level Characteristics from Photovoltaic Module Electroluminescence Images

Electroluminescence (EL) images are obtained to examine photovoltaic (PV) modules. EL images are typically utilized for qualitative analysis. This work presents a quantitative analysis technique for extracting cell level characteristics from calibrated module level EL images. Cell dark current-voltage (IV) data are extracted from EL images at various injection levels. Challenges are discussed along with actual and potential solutions to further improve the method’s accuracy and precision. It has been shown that the EL sweep results are in relative agreement with cell measurements; however, improvements are in progress.