cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Dumbing and Numbing of the American Electorate

The political commentator and comedian George Carlin famously ranted about how the educational system was designed to keep Americans in the dark, to create a population unaware of both how the country is being run and in whose interests, and to produce an electorate unable to critically understand the political process that makes it all possible (http://yhoo.it/1EmpvTE). A major theme of his routines was that politicians were in the pockets of the monied interests of the US (and for capitalist societies in general). This was funny in part because it was not news. The need for money to run campaigns, hold on to political dynasties, and maintain both electoral discipline and finance patronage systems has a well-rehearsed history. Corruption in local government was a prime example of this: witness New York City’s Tammany Hall and Boss Tweed during the second half of the 19th Century, and a century later Richard J. Daley’s 21-year reign (1955–1976) as boss supreme serving as Mayor of the City of Chicago. Patronage and wealth, serving the interests of investors, land developers and industrialists in these great cities, dominate local politics. National politics is not immune from this sort of patronage and graft. Now synonymous with corruption at the highest levels of government, the Teapot Dome Scandal of 1922 and 1923 embroiled the administration of President Warren G. Harding; non-competitive bids below “fair prices” for drilling leases were awarded that enriched oil companies at the “public’s expense” (interestingly, or perhaps not so surprising, the only person to be convicted of wrong-doing was then Secretary of the Interior Fall while no one from the oil companies was prosecuted for bribery). National politicians have long benefited economically from their time in the highest offices of government, and for most of the last half of the 20th century those seeking the presidency have had significant family fortunes to back their electoral aspirations. Nevertheless, politicians spend a lot of time raising funds, and the fear of undue influence is never far from the surface. The very wealthy were ever behind those proverbial closed doors, dangling support and figuring out how to turn their desires into public policy. Wealthy backers had already found a way to funnel massive amounts of support in order to influence politicians and legislation. Political Action Committees (PACs) were tools that allowed interested parties to pool resources in support of a candidate or issue. But, with the Supreme Court’s January 2010 decision on the Citizen’s United case overturning campaign contribution limits, the lid was off. Politicians could and did turn to well-healed sponsors who flagrantly (and most often anonymously) contributed massive amounts to super PACs promoting candidates sympathetic to corporate interests. Some super donors were not so shy (though anonymity kept specific amounts obscure). During the 2012 election cycle billionaire Sheldon Adelson and his wife contributed, by 609037 CRS0010.1177/0896920515609037Critical SociologyFasenfest and Simon editorial2015
Building Economic Models Corresponding to the Real World

Increasingly, there are calls to audit models used in public policy for how accurately they portray the reality facing policy makers. Although models cannot be logically verified as accurate representations of reality, past work concludes that modelers can reasonably demonstrate the degree of correspondence. How to establish real-world correspondence remains an open question. This paper outlines a framework of pre-modeling data diagnostics to provide evidence of correspondence. The scheme—based on Nonlinear Time Series Analysis—provides a rigorous benchmark for specification and testing of policy models that reduces the likelihood that a misspecified model is discredited by an unanticipated crisis.
Understanding physical activity in the group home setting: a qualitative inquiry

AbstractPurpose: Persons with intellectual disabilities have low physical activity levels and high rates of chronic disease. One predictor limitedly explored is the home environment, which could influence the type and amount of physical activity in this population. The purpose of this study is to qualitatively explore physical activity in the group home setting and determine what key stakeholders want from a physical activity programme. Method: This study adopted a qualitative descriptive design, using semistructured focus groups. Twenty stakeholders (i.e., residents with intellectual disability, support staff and programme coordinators) participated in one of three focus groups, separated by stakeholder status. Results: A number of factors emerged that would assist rehabilitation professionals in understanding physical activity within the group home setting. The following six meta-themes were identified: nature of residents’ physical activity, facilitators to physical activity, barriers to physical activ...
Elements of ancient power in the Cahokian world

Power in ancient eastern North America cannot be segregated a priori into political, social, and religious dimensions. Rather, it was a commonly dispersed attribute of human/non-human social fields...
WAIST CIRCUMFERENCE IS A STRONG PREDICTOR OF REGIONAL LEFT VENTRICULAR DYSFUNCTION IN ASYMPTOMATIC DIABETIC PATIENTS: THE FACTOR- 64 STUDY

Obesity is major health problem. Abdominal obesity is associated with the metabolic syndrome, coronary artery disease (CAD) and heart failure (HF). It is unclear if abdominal obesity is associated with left ventricular (LV) dysfunction independently of hypertension (HTN), CAD and weight among
Exploring historical and future urban climate in the Earth System Modeling framework: 1. Model development and evaluation

A number of recent studies investigated impacts of Land-Use and Land-Cover Changes (LULCC) on climate with global Earth System Models (ESMs). Yet many ESMs are still missing a representation of the most extreme form of natural landscape modification – urban settlements. Moreover, long-term (i.e., decades to century) transitions between build-up and other land cover types due to urbanization and de-urbanization have not been examined in the literature. In this study we evaluate a new urban canopy model (UCM) that characterizes urban physical and biogeochemical processes within the subgrid tiling framework of the Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory (GFDL) land model, LM3. The new model LM3-UCM is based on the urban canyon concept and simulates exchange of energy, water (liquid and solid), and carbon between urban land and the atmosphere. LM3-UCM has several unique features, including explicit treatment of vegetation inside the urban canyon and dynamic transition between urban, agricultural and unmanaged tiles. The model is evaluated using observational data sets collected at three urban sites: Marseille in France, Basel in Switzerland and Baltimore in the United States. It is found that LM3-UCM satisfactorily reproduces canyon air temperature, surface temperatures, radiative fluxes, and turbulent heat fluxes at the three urban sites. LM3-UCM can capture urban features in a computationally efficient manner and is incorporated into the land component of GFDL ESMs. This new capability will enable improved understanding of climate change effects on cities and the impacts of urbanization on climate.
Extracellular matrix: Inspired biomaterials

This chapter focuses on how the structural and functional principles derived from the native cell microenvironment, the extracellular matrix (ECM), have been applied to biomaterial design and construction. By mimicking the ECM, researchers are able to take inspiration from defined cell–matrix interfaces to subsequently control cell–biomaterial interactions. Furthermore, the hierarchical structure of ECM architecture is a desirable characteristic to incorporate into material design. ECM structural and functional features, ECM biomaterial methodologies, and recent research and medical applications of ECM-based biomaterials are covered in this chapter.
SUICIDE PREVENTION IN FINLAND

The story begins in the 1970s, when there was a Parliamentary Committee which had a focus of national health policy discussion on suicide and produced a report. In the early 1980s, the decision of the Minister of Social Affairs and Health started the planning of a nationwide suicide prevention program. The program had the research phase (1986–1991) which was coordinated by National Public Health Institute (KTL) and based on the situation analysis, detailed information, and original data on suicides. To this end, all the 1397 deaths from suicide in Finland during a period of 12 months were assessed with the psychological autopsy method which collected and analysed all the information available for each case. These data found that 93% suffered from a mental disorder and 88% had co-morbid conditions (more than one disorder at the same time), and that depressive disorders (59%), alcohol use disorders (43%) and personality disorders (31%) were the most prevalent mental disorders. The data-driven recommendations were thereafter locally applied for the implementation phase (1992–1996) which National Research and Development Centre for Welfare and Health (STAKES) coordinated. Professionals were mobilised across sectors and training was organised throughout the country. Work practices were developed and tailored to strengthen the implementation in some areas, guidebooks and good practices were produced, and the newsletter for feedback to the project was actively edited and circulated. During these years the decreasing trend in suicide mortality started, and according the internal and external evaluation the program managed A) to change work practices of professionals, especially in the primary health care, B) to change the way suicides were reported in the media, and C) to reduce suicide mortality (–11% from 1986 to 1996, or –16% from 1992 to 1996). The current situation is that the suicide mortality has thus far decreased by 51% from 1990 to 2014 (from 30.0 to 14.6 per 100,000). Today, the work continues and we need to intensify our measures for suicide prevention, and the current activities are, e.g., KiVa school which includes 90% of all the comprehensive schools and targets against bullying, Good Hunting Mate! which provides psychosocial support targeted at members of hunting clubs, and Time Out! which provides psychosocial support targeted at men exempted from military or civil service. Current Care Guidelines by the Finnish Medical Society DUODECIM which in 2013–2015 have been published for bipolar disorder, borderline personality disorder, depression, eating disorders, insomnia, post-traumatic stress disorder, and schizophrenia give support to these activities. Further support was also provided by EUGENAS which in 2012–2014 exchanged the best practices for suicide prevention and produced the general and school-based guidelines, and the toolkits for the workplace and for media professionals.
Analysis of Eddy Current Distribution and Resulting Flaw Detection Mechanism for Self-Nulling Probe

The Self-Nulling Probe developed at NASA-LaRC has been previously shown to simplify inspections and increase detectability of surface and subsurface flaws in conductive materials [1]. The operation of the probe has been explained in terms of a redistribution of the eddy currents and associated magnetic field by the presence of inhomogeneities in the test article [1, 2]. In the present work a mathematical model is introduced to calculate the eddy current flow induced by the Self-Nulling Probe in test samples containing through notch flaws. The model combines axisymmetric finite element modeling (FEM) with con-formal mapping techniques in order to calculate the stream function of the induced current flow about arbitrarily sized and positioned notches. Physical parameters such as the induced eddy current density, magnetic field normal to the surface of the sample, and probe output voltage are then calculated from the stream function of the induced current flow. Simulation results are compared with experimental measurements taken on calibration standards with good agreement.
Dealing with system design impacts of micro circuits

Summary form only given. The availability of reasonably priced high-density application-specific integrated circuits has allowed system developers to overcome the cost, power, and physical size problems associated with products containing hundreds of thousands or even millions of logic gates. The author has examined several factors which require careful attention to assure the success of using micro circuits in such large projects. Organizational and technical considerations related to the execution and verification of the design were also examined. >
Adaptive RAKE-blind source recovery algorithms for 3GPP UMTS/WCDMA downlink receivers

Wideband code division multiple access (WCDMA) is the dominant air interface for the Universal Mobile Telephone Services (UMTS) frequency domain duplex (FDD) mode and for future IMTS wireless networks. The transmitted CDMA signals from based station (BS) propagate through noisy multipath fading communication channels before arriving at the receiver of the mobile station (MS). In contrast to classical single-user detection (SUD) algorithms, which do not provide the requisite performance for modern high data rate applications, optimal multi-user detection (MUD) approaches require a lot of a-priori information not available to the user equipment (UE). We propose two adaptive approaches namely Rake-blind source recovery (RAKE-BSR) and RAKE-principal component analysis (RAKE-PCA) that fuse an info-theoretic stage into a standard RAKE receiver. This results in robust detection algorithms with performance exceeding the standard LMMSE detectors for WCDMA systems under conditions of congestion, imprecise channel estimation and unmodeled multiple access interference (MAI).
Seeing single photons

The decades-old question of whether humans can see individual photons is on the brink of being answered thanks to advances in quantum optics. A positive result would let us use human observers as "detectors" to explore quantum effects such as entanglement, as Rebecca Holmes explains
High-Toughness Polycation Cross-Linked Triblock Copolymer Hydrogels

Poly(methyl methacrylate)–poly(methacrylic acid)–poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA–PMAA–PMMA) triblock copolymers can self-assemble into well-defined elastic hydrogels in water by forming glassy PMMA micelle cores connected with PMAA bridges. The stiffness and toughness of these hydrogels are enhanced substantially by introducing partially quaternized poly(4-vinylpyridine) (QVP) into the system. Interactions between the QVP and PMAA molecules provide an energy dissipation mechanism, with fracture energies in excess of 1000 J/m2 obtained in some cases. The materials are fully self-assembled and are formed by exposing liquid solutions in DMSO to small amounts of water. The simplicity of gel formation, and the ability to adjust the chemical and physical characteristics of these materials over a wide range, make them excellent model systems for fundamental investigations of the mechanical response of ion-containing gels.
Formation of Dendrimer Nanoassemblies by Oligomerization-Induced Liquid-Liquid Phase Separation.

Dendrimers are hyperbranched macromolecules with applications in host–guest chemistry, self-assembly, nanocatalysis, and nanomedicine. We show that dendrimer-based globular nanoparticles are formed by using dendrimer oligomerization to isothermally induce liquid–liquid phase separation (LLPS). We first determined that LLPS of aqueous mixtures of the fourth-generation amino-functionalized poly(amido amine) dendrimer is observed by lowering temperature in the presence of sodium sulfate. In relation to LLPS, we experimentally characterized the effect of salt and dendrimer concentrations on the LLPS temperature and salt-dendrimer isothermal partitioning. Our results were theoretically examined using a two-parameter thermodynamic model. We then showed that the addition of a small amount of glutaraldehyde, which leads to the formation of soluble dendrimer oligomers by chemical cross-linking, increases the LLPS temperature. This implies that a dendrimer aqueous mixture, which is initially homogeneous at room tem...
Partnering for Technology-Led Innovation to Deliver Enterprise Service Innovation: Ultra High Resolution Seismic Sensing Solution

Many clients are looking to technology partners or suppliers to help them innovate. They believe that, with their in-depth technology and industry expertise, vendors should proactively offer them innovation services that will help them succeed in business. HP’s converged approach to innovation is unified, client-focused and aligned to business strategies that achieve outcomes that matter most to our customers. Central to this approach is our ability to help clients explore, evaluate and leverage HP’s innovation assets—including our partners and industry best practice—to apply the right technology and solutions. One such example of this successful partnership approach to innovation is with one of HP’s global energy clients and the application of HP’s ultra high resolution Seismic Sensing Solution.
Determining a Solubility Product Constant by Potentiometric Titration to Increase Students' Conceptual Understanding of Potentiometry and Titrations.

Potentiometric titrations are widely taught in first-year undergraduate courses to connect electrochemistry, stoichiometry, and equilibria and to reinforce acid–base titrations. Students perform a potentiometric titration that is then analyzed to determine analyte concentrations and the solubility product constant of the solid species.
Responses to Uncontrollable Outcomes: An Integration of Reactance Theory and the Learned Helplessness Model

Publisher Summary This chapter investigates how individuals react when they are unable to exert control over their environment—when they are unable to have options or reach goals that are important to them, or when they are forced to endure outcomes that they would not voluntarily choose. It reviews a number of theories that have focused on the importance of control over one's environment. Some investigators have suggested that the perception of inability to exert control over one's environment can even result in sudden death from coronary disease or other factors. Furthermore, feelings of lack of control have also been viewed as a cause of many types of antisocial behaviors. There are two theories that make rather specific predictions concerning reactions to lack or loss of control: Brehm's theory of psychological reactance and Seligman's learned helplessness model. The chapter discusses these theoretical orientations in some detail. Because these two formulations appear to make contradictory predictions, it attempts to integrate them into a single theoretical statement. The chapter also reviews the relevant evidence, and discusses a number of unresolved theoretical problems.
BridgeDex : Proposed Web GIS Platform for Managing and Interrogating Multiyear and Multiscale Bridge-Inspection Images

AbstractCurrent bridge inspectors commonly collect high-definition digital photographs of bridge members and connections at different scales when performing inspections over multiple years. Metric ...
Boulder Atmospheric Observatory: 1977–2016: The End of an Era and Lessons Learned

CapsuleThis Essay summarizes the nearly 40 year history of the Boulder Atmospheric Observatory and its contributions to the research community. Ground-breaking experiments are discussed along with lessons learned.
Differential Phagocytic Properties of CD45low Microglia and CD45high Brain Mononuclear Phagocytes—Activation and Age-Related Effects

In the central nervous system (CNS), microglia are innate immune mononuclear phagocytes (CNS MPs) that can phagocytose infectious particles, apoptotic cells, neurons, and pathological protein aggregates, such as Aβ in Alzheimer's disease (AD). While CD11b+CD45low microglia account for the majority of CNS MPs, a small population of CD11b+CD45high CNS MPs is also recognized in AD that surround Aβ plaques. These transcriptionally and pathologically unique CD45high cells have unclear origin and undefined phagocytic characteristics. We have comprehensively validated rapid flow cytometric assays of bulk-phase and amyloid β fibril (fAβ) phagocytosis and applied these to study acutely isolated CNS MPs. Using these methods, we provide novel insights into differential abilities of CD11b+ CD45low and CD45high CNS MPs to phagocytose macroparticles and fAβ under normal, acute, and chronic neuroinflammatory states. CD45high CNS MPs also highly upregulate TREM2, CD11c, and several disease-associated microglia signature genes and have a higher phagocytic capacity for Aβ as compared to CD45low microglia in the 5xFAD mouse model of AD that becomes more apparent with aging. Our data suggest an overall pro-phagocytic and protective role for CD11b+CD45high CNS MPs in neurodegeneration, which if promoted, could be beneficial.
Average Common Submatrix: A New Image Distance Measure

A new information-theoretic distance measure for images is proposed. The measure is based on the concept of average common sub-matrix by considering the pixel matrices associated with the images. An algorithm to compute such a value is described, and its computational complexity analyzed. Experimental results show that the measure is able to discriminate images by correctly reflecting human perception. Furthermore, comparison with state-of-the-art information-theoretic measures, points out that the new measure outperforms these measures in terms of retrieval precision.
Exceptional subgenome stability and functional divergence in allotetraploid teff, the primary cereal crop in Ethiopia

Abstract Teff (Eragrostis tef) is a cornerstone of food security in the Horn of Africa, where it is prized for stress resilience, grain nutrition, and market value. Despite its overall importance to small-scale farmers and communities in Africa, teff suffers from low production compared to other cereals because of limited intensive selection and molecular breeding. Here we report a chromosome-scale genome assembly of allotetraploid teff (variety ‘Dabbi’) and patterns of subgenome dynamics. The teff genome contains two complete sets of homoeologous chromosomes, with most genes maintained as syntenic gene pairs. Through analyzing the history of transposable element activity, we estimate the teff polyploidy event occurred ∼1.1 million years ago (mya) and the two subgenomes diverged ∼5.0 mya. Despite this divergence, we detected no large-scale structural rearrangements, homoeologous exchanges, or bias gene loss, contrasting most other allopolyploid plant systems. The exceptional subgenome stability observed in teff may enable the ubiquitous and recurrent polyploidy within Chloridoideae, possibly contributing to the increased resilience and diversification of these grasses. The two teff subgenomes have partitioned their ancestral functions based on divergent expression patterns among homoeologous gene pairs across a diverse expression atlas. The most striking differences in homoeolog expression bias are observed during seed development and under abiotic stress, and thus may be related to agronomic traits. Together these genomic resources will be useful for accelerating breeding efforts of this underutilized grain crop and for acquiring fundamental insights into polyploid genome evolution.
Challenging 30-day mortality as a site-specific quality metric in non-small cell lung cancer.

Abstract Objective The objective of this project was to assess the best measure for postoperative outcomes by comparing 30-day and 90-day mortality rates after surgery for non–small cell lung cancer using the National Cancer Database. Secondarily, hospital performance was examined at multiple postoperative intervals to assess changes in ranking based on mortality up to 1 year after surgery. Methods Patients who had undergone surgery for non–small cell lung cancer between 2004 and 2013 were identified in the National Cancer Database. Mortality rates at 30 days and 90 days were compared after adjusting for several patient characteristics, tumor variables, and hospital procedural volume using generalized logistic mixed models. Subsequently, mixed model logistic regression models were employed to evaluate hospital performance based on calculated mortality at prespecified time points. Results A total of 303,579 patients with non–small cell lung cancer were included for analysis. The 90-day mortality was almost double the 30-day mortality (3.0% vs 5.7%). Several patient characteristics, tumor features, and hospital volume were significantly associated with mortality at both 30 days and 90 days. Hospital rankings fluctuate appreciably between early mortality time points, which is additional evidence that quality metrics need to be based on later mortality time points. Conclusions Thirty-day mortality is the commonly accepted quality measure for thoracic surgeons; however, hospital rankings may be inaccurate if based on this variable alone. Mortality after 90 days appears to be a threshold after which there is less variability in hospital ranking and should be considered as an alternative quality metric in lung cancer surgery.
Oxidant aggregate-induced porosity in vapour-deposited polymer films and correlated impact on electrochemical properties

Persistently doped conjugated polymers are integral for energy storage, flexible electronics, and biosensors due to their unique ability to interact with both ionic and electronic currents. To maxi...
The inseparability of human agency and linked lives

Abstract The notion that people make choices and take actions that determine the outcomes of their lives – human agency – is a central principle of the life course paradigm. Unfortunately, conceptualizations of agency, like larger developmental and sociological theories, often assume that agency is limited to individuals who are “developmentally normal.” We draw upon the thought of social scientists and disability scholars, as well as the life history of a woman with intellectual disability, to address the logical, ethical, and empirical flaws of this assumption. To rectify these problems, life course theory and research should pay greater attention to how agency is interwoven with another central principle of the life course paradigm: linked lives. This principle is that an individual’s life cannot be understood in isolation of their interdependencies with other persons. Although human agency and linked lives are discussed as separate principles of the life course, they are not separate in lived experience. We demonstrate that, for all people and at all times in life, human agency is dependent upon interpersonal relationships. It is therefore imperative to examine intersections of agency and linked lives in order to more fully and accurately understand life course dynamics in diverse populations. Human agency is profoundly affected by interpersonal relationships and other social factors. Because agency and linked lives are inseparable, agency cannot be conceptualized as an individual characteristic of ‘independent’ actors. We conclude by discussing how life course research can more fully attend to the relationship between agency and linked lives.
Augmentations in the Palace of Culture: Animate Soundscapes at the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh

Collectively referred to as the Palace of Culture, the Carnegie Library and Museums of Pittsburgh, PA are among the United States’ oldest philanthropic cultural institutions, housing some of the most significant and varied public collections endowed by industrialist, Andrew Carnegie [1]. The institution’s diverse cultural offerings include Carnegie Museum of Art, Carnegie Music Hall, Carnegie Museum of Natural History, and a renowned public library. Nearly 125 years after the institution’s founding in 1895, the Carnegie Public Library of Pittsburgh has endured generations of transformation. Specifically the library, as an architectural site for learning, has evolved its facilities and collections in response to periods of war, local socio-economic changes, and global shifts in industry and technology. Despite such transformation, the library remains steadfastly adjacent to the Carnegie Museum of Art, the Museum of Natural History, and the Carnegie Music Hall, committed to offering full service cultural experiences to the public, free of charge. As the library expands its collections to reach a digitally native public with expanded offerings, including electronic music instruments and digital media collections, we ask how user experience might be specifically impacted by animated virtual media augmentations that bridge the library’s historic and new media collections.
Visual Cortex Gains Independence from Peripheral Drive before Eye Opening.

Summary Visual spatial perception in the mammalian brain occurs through two parallel pathways: one reaches the primary visual cortex (V1) through the thalamus and another the superior colliculus (SC) via direct projections from the retina. The origin, development, and relative function of these two evolutionarily distinct pathways remain obscure. We examined the early functional development of both pathways by simultaneously imaging pre- and post-synaptic spontaneous neuronal activity. We observed that the quality of retinal activity transfer to the thalamus and superior colliculus does not change across the first two postnatal weeks. However, beginning in the second postnatal week, retinal activity does not drive V1 as strongly as earlier wave activity, suggesting that intrinsic cortical activity competes with signals from the sensory periphery as the cortex matures. Together, these findings bring new insight into the function of the SC and V1 and the role of peripheral activity in driving both circuits across development.
In the room where it happens: do physicians need feedback on their real-world communication skills?

Evidence suggests that the quality of a doctor’s communication, including non-verbal interaction, data-gathering skills, levels of empathy, ability to summarise and clarify, information sharing and interactive patient educational strategies, is associated with positive patient health outcomes.1–4 In this issue, Amelung et al 5 contribute to this evidence using observational data combined with in-depth qualitative analysis to explore how misalignment and misunderstanding in the doctor–patient interaction can lead to negative ‘interim’ outcomes critical to patient safety. This accumulation of evidence provides even clearer targets for the education of physicians. Our medical education research group has called for the identification and definition of Educationally Sensitive Patient Outcomes (ESPOs)—those interim outcomes that can be maximised through education and training of physicians and that are critical to ultimate health outcomes.6 7 Having the skills to ensure that a patient is fully informed and activated to act in his or her own best interest is an ESPO—an outcome directly attributable to physician practices, at least in part, that we as educators can teach and measure. Amelung and colleagues found that a failure to achieve consensus at the end of the care visit often manifested as a ‘false’ sense of concordance between physician and patient, leading to lack of patient follow-through and/or dissatisfaction.5 This finding illustrates the critical importance of patient education, an essential aspect of the Calgary/Cambridge model8 that often gets short shrift in the broader communication literature. Teach-back is the simplest and most commonly used core skill in patient education. It is effective in creating dialogue that facilitates trust, shared understanding, accurate information gathering and most importantly patient activation—patients who are empowered to and engaged in actively managing their health.6 9 Our work, using standardised performance-based assessment of medical students and residents, has consistently shown that (1) patient education …
Rapid Naloxone Administration Workshop for Health Care Providers at an Academic Medical Center

Introduction Opioid overdose is a growing problem in the US. Often, residents are first responders to community and in-hospital opioid overdoses, and so, hands-on naloxone administration education ...
Distributed and Mediated Ethos in a Mental Health Call Center

This pilot study of a mental health call center clinician’s workplace tools, processes, and organizational structures proposes a preliminary theory of “distributed and mediated ethos.” A distributed and mediated ethos refers to how an organization uses various resources—artifacts, technologies, and processes—situated across dis­parate locations in order to expand and control their identity in the service of extend­ing their reach and capacity to render essential services. An analysis of a participant clinician’s rhetorical context flowcharts and network pictures shows how an agency’s ethos is mediated through various technologies. Findings suggest that a distributed ethos (1) projects the impression of being “always there”; (2) relies on dexterity across several human and nonhuman actors; and (3) necessitates targeted tasks from branches that extend ethos farther from the organization. This pilot study, thus, provides researchers of rhetoric of health and medicine (RHM) with a new tool for exploring the intricate and complex nature of health at a distance and other complicated 21st century healthcare delivery formats.
Advanced Heart Failure: Epidemiology, Diagnosis, and Therapeutic Approaches.

In broad terms, "advanced" heart failure describes a clinical syndrome characterized by persistent or progressive symptoms and ventricular dysfunction despite guideline-directed medical therapy. Clinically the definition is often dependent upon iterative and integrated clinical assessments to identify patients with worsening status and reliance on specific therapies. This review examines current consensus definitions, highlights strategies for risk stratification and prognostication, and examines short- and long-term treatment strategies. Lastly, this paper explores future directions of research and development for the field.
The Evolving Approach to Treating Syndesmotic Injuries in the Elite Athlete: An International Perspective:

Objectives:There exists little consensus regarding optimal treatment protocols for syndesmotic injuries. Orthopaedic clinicians have implemented a variety of treatment strategies, ranging from immo...
Plasma proteomic profile of frailty.

Frailty is a state of decreased physiological reserve and increased vulnerability to adverse outcomes in aging, and is characterized by dysregulation across various biological pathways. Frailty may manifest biologically as alteration in protein expression, possibly regulated at genetic, transcriptional and epigenetic levels. In this study, we examined the proteomic profile associated with frailty defined by an established cumulative frailty index (FI). Using the SomaScan® assay, 4265 proteins were measured in plasma, of which 55 were positively associated and 88 were negatively associated with the FI. The proteins most strongly associated with frailty were fatty acid-binding proteins, including fatty acid-binding protein (FABP) (p = 1.96 × 10-19 ) and FABPA (p = 8.10 × 10-16 ), leptin (p = 1.43 × 10-14 ), and ANTR2 (p = 7.95 × 10-20 ). Pathway analysis with the top 143 frailty-associated proteins revealed enrichment for proteins in pathways related to lipid metabolism, musculoskeletal development and function, cell-to-cell signaling and interaction, cellular assembly, and organization. Frailty prediction model constructed with elastic net regression utilizing 110 proteins demonstrated a correlation between predicted frailty and observed frailty (r = 0.57, p < 2.2 × 10-16 ). Predicted frailty was also more strongly correlated with chronological age (r = 0.54, p < 2.2 × 10-16 ) than observed frailty (r = 0.37, p = 1.2 × 10-15 ). This study identified novel proteins and pathways related to frailty that may offer improved frailty phenotyping and prediction.
How could we strengthen social support for food gardening

Widespread hunger in the world is due mainly to the fact that people don’t care enough about one another’s well-being. Caring can be increased by encouraging social interaction. This can be done in many different ways, but the core idea here is to help people produce food for themselves. Many people who produce food in their own gardens gladly share it with their neighbors. They also share their knowledge and enthusiasm for gardening. This is a huge underutilized resource. The project proposed here is intended to facilitate that sharing.
2.3 kV 4H-SiC Planar-Gate Accumulation Channel Power JBSFETs: Analysis of Experimental Data

Experimental results obtained for 2.3 kV SiC planar-gate power JBSFETs with different cell topologies are analyzed in this article using analytical models and numerical simulations. All the accumulation-channel devices were simultaneously manufactured in a 6-inch commercial foundry with channel length of 0.5 $\mu \text{m}$ and gate oxide thickness of 55 nm. The Schottky contact width was chosen to achieve an on-state voltage drop of below 2.8 V in the 3rd quadrant for the integrated JBS diodes. Lower specific on-resistance of the Hexagonal and higher values for the Octagonal cell topologies compared with the conventional Linear cell design were experimentally observed. New analytical models developed for the various cell topologies reveal that these differences arise from changes in the relative contributions from the N+ source contact, channel, and accumulation region resistances. The analysis reported in this article provides new insight on the importance of the accumulation layer resistance to the Octagonal cell topology. Numerical simulation reveal that the measured leakage current behavior correlates with the electric field observed at the Schottky contact within the 2.3 kV JBSFET cell structures. The leakage current begins to rise rapidly when the electric field exceeds 1.5 MV/cm due to Schottky barrier lowering and enhanced tunneling. The reverse transfer capacitance and gate charge were found to correlate with the JFET region density within the different cell topologies. The measured on-state voltage drop in the third quadrant was found to correlate with the JBS diode density in the cell topologies. A new high-frequency figure-of-merit [ $\text{V}_{\mathrm{ f3Q}}*Q_{\mathrm{ gd,sp}}$ ] is proposed for SiC JBSFETs. The Octagonal cell designs are found to be the most suitable for high frequency applications of 2.3 kV JBSFETs based on the HF-FOMs [ $\text{R}_{\mathrm{ on}}*Q_{\mathrm{ gd}}$ ] and [ $\text{V}_{\mathrm{ f3Q}}$ *Q $_{\mathrm{ gd,sp}}$ ].
Efficient Light Harvesting in the Nanotextured Thin Film Solar Cells

Nanostructures have a great role for boosting the efficiency of the photovoltaic devices by trapping the light beams and increasing the absorption as well as carrier collection. This chapter summarizes the most recent light management approaches in the thin film solar cells. First, the effects of various nanostructures in terms of geometry, pitch size, and aspect ratio on the optoelectronics properties of devices are discussed in detail. Later, the applications of the nanostructures as anti-reflection layers and device substrates in the solar cells are explained. Then, their advantages and possible mechanisms are discussed to have a better understanding from the nanostructured-based devices. Additionally, the issues induced by nanostructures and the possible solutions for addressing these shortenings are proposed in this chapter.
Academic development of multimodal learning analytics: a bibliometric analysis

Multimodal Learning Analytics (MMLA) has huge potential for extending the work beyond traditional learning analytics for the capabilities of leveraging multiple data modalities (e.g. physiological ...
Head and Neck Reconstruction in Patients with Polycythemia Vera: Case Series and Literature Review

Background Polycythemia vera (PV) is a myeloproliferative disease with overproduction of erythrocytes, leukocytes, and platelets causing an increased risk of both thrombosis and hemorrhage. There are limited reports and no established guidelines for managing such patients undergoing reconstructive surgery. Methods We present four patients with PV and head and neck cancer who required reconstruction after resection and provide a review of the current literature. Results Preoperatively, patients on cytoreductive therapy continued with their treatment throughout their hospital course and had hematologic parameters normalized with phlebotomy or transfusions if needed. Two patients who underwent free flap surgery (cases 1 and 2) had postoperative courses complicated by hematoma formation and persistent anemia, requiring multiple transfusions. Cases 3 and 4 (JAK2+ PV and JAK2− PV, respectively) underwent locoregional flap without postoperative complications. Conclusion Concomitant presentation of PV and head and neck cancer is uncommon and presents unique challenges for the reconstructive surgeon. Overall, we recommend that patients should have hematologic parameters optimized prior to surgery, continue ruxolitinib or hydroxyurea, and hold antiplatelet/anticoagulation per established department protocols. It is essential to engage a multidisciplinary team involving hematology, head and neck and reconstructive surgery, anesthesia, and critical care to develop a standardized approach for managing this unique subset of patients.
Taking superintelligence seriously: Superintelligence: Paths, dangers, strategies by Nick Bostrom (Oxford University Press, 2014)

Abstract A new book by Nick Bostrom, Superintelligence: Paths, Dangers, Strategies, is reviewed. Superintelligence explores the future of artificial intelligence and related technologies and the risks they may pose to human civilization. The book ably demonstrates the potential for serious thinking aimed at the long-term future. Bostrom succeeds in arguing that the development of superintelligent machines will, if not properly managed, create catastrophic risks to humanity. The book falls short in some respects, and some sections are more compelling and novel than others. Overall, however, Bostrom’s book succeeds in demolishing the “null hypothesis” according to which the possibility and risks of superintelligence can continue to be ignored, and is a must-read for those interested in the long-term future of humanity.
Encyclopedia of Urban Legends

Reviewed Medium: book Authors: Jan Harold Brunvand Year: 2002 Pages: xxxiv + 525 Publisher: W.W. Norton Prices: $19.95
Analysis of the exochelin locus in Mycobacterium smegmatis: biosynthesis genes have homology with genes of the peptide synthetase family.

ABSTRACT Mycobacteria secrete the siderophore exochelin when grown under iron-limiting conditions. In order to understand iron uptake mechanisms in mycobacteria, we have taken a genetic approach to identify those genes involved in exochelin biosynthesis and transport in Mycobacterium smegmatis. Of the 6,000 chemically mutagenized clones of M. smegmatismc2155 screened on agar plates containing chrome azural S, 19 mutants that had lost the ability to produce or secrete exochelin were identified. Thirteen of these mutants were complemented by a single M. smegmatis cosmid. Sequence analysis of this cosmid revealed nine open reading frames, three of which are homologous to genes encoding transporter proteins, which are likely involved in exochelin transport. Complementation and Tn10 mutagenesis analysis identified two new genes,fxbB and fxbC, which are required for exochelin biosynthesis. The fxbB andfxbC genes encode large proteins of 257 and 497 kDa, respectively, which are highly homologous to peptide synthetases, indicating that exochelin biosynthesis occurs by a nonribosomal mechanism.
Measurement of park and recreation environments that support physical activity in low-income communities of color: highlights of challenges and recommendations.

Abstract The capacity of public parks and recreation environments to promote physical activity for low-income communities of color is receiving increased attention from researchers and policymakers. As a result, several systems to measure park and recreation environments have been recently developed. Developing measures is important because they are critical to establishing key correlates and determinants that drive physical activity and inform intervention strategies. This paper briefly reviews recently developed approaches for measuring physical environments within public parks and recreation areas. It critiques the capacity of these approaches to advance an understanding of how parks and recreation settings contribute to physical activity in low-income communities of color. Residents of low-income communities of color are usually found to have lower physical activity, and this may be due partly to a disparity in access to parks and other recreation environments. Three primary recommendations are presented. First, future measurement tools should explicitly reflect inequality in the built environment in terms of availability and quality of parks and recreation areas. Second, measurement strategies should incorporate research on recreation activity and setting preferences important in low-income communities of color. Finally, the perceptions of residents of low-income communities of color should be reflected in measurement approaches. One strategy for incorporating the perceptions is community-based participatory research. The rapid development of high-quality tools for measuring parks and recreation environments is encouraging. However, existing measures should be tested and refined in varying social–ecologic conditions, and new tools should be developed specifically for nuances associated with low-income minority communities.
Regulation of Adult Neurogenesis

Several neuronal populations in the mammalian central nervous system (CNS) continue to be generated from dividing precursor cells well into adulthood. A large number of factors regulating adult neurogenesis have now been identified, including specific experiences, as well as hormones, neurotransmitters, and growth factors. Distinct factors control neuronal precursor proliferation and survival of the young neurons, and distinct, though somewhat overlapping, factors control these processes in the dentate gyrus and olfactory bulb. Although no coherent picture has emerged to connect all of the regulatory factors, there appears to be a direct relationship between the ability to increase neurogenesis in the dentate gyrus and anti-depressant properties, either in humans or animal models. This review discusses the large number of factors currently known to regulate cell proliferation and survival of young neurons in the dentate gyrus and olfactory bulb. Keywords: neurogenesis; granule cell; hippocampus; dentate gyrus; subventricular zone; olfactory bulb; cell birth; cell death; survival; antidepressants