cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Determination of urine iron with graphite tube atomic absorption spectrometry

Objective:Establish graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry urine test methods of iron.Methods: Directly poured the diluted urine sample into graphite furnace,join ascorbic acid as a matrix modifier,dry,grey,and determinated atoms with spectrometry after compared with the standard work curve.Results: There was good linear correlation at 0 μg/L to 500 μg/L and r=0.9949-0.9993.the detect limit is 20 μg/L,the sample RSD is 2.5%~21.9%,and the recovery rate is in the range of 93.2%~103.7%.Conclusion: Samples only needed simple dilution.The method was simple,fast,highly sensitive and reproducible with good linear correlation of work curve and good recovery rate.The application of it would get satisfactory results.
Empirical Research on the Relationship between Job Satisfaction and Performance of Knowledge Workers of High Science and Technology Organization

The paper measures the talented workers' satisfaction who are from a research institute by the way of work factors general evaluation,make the performance evaluation by combining the method of grade rating,sorting and enforcement of law,analyzes and summarizes the relationship between the work performance and various satisfaction factors is analyzed.
Surgical therapy of primary varicose veins

The principle of varicose vein surgery still remains the interruption of all insufficient communications between the deep and the superficial venous system and removal of the varicosities. The basis for differentiated surgical treatment is accurate preoperative assessment. Careful dissection of the saphenofemoral junction through a suprainguinal incision, with division of all the branches and flush tie of the long saphenous vein combined with invaginated stripping of the long saphenous vein to just below the knee, appears to be the method of choice for good clinical results and a low incidence of damage to the saphenous nerve. Oesch recently introduced a new technique of perforate invaginate (PIN) stripping which gives even better cosmetic results. Regarding the short saphenous vein, preoperative localization of the exact level of the saphenopopliteal junction is of major importance in the prevention of recurrence. Simple evulsion or epifascial or subfascial ligation were the most common treatments for incompetent perforating veins for many years. In 1985 Hauer described endoscopic subfascial dissection of perforating veins (ESDP), which reduces delayed wound healing, especially in trophic skin changes. Deprivation of blood supply with a pneumatic tourniquet such as the Lofqvist roller cuff is necessary. The tributaries are removed by stab evulsion phlebectomy with specially designed hooks. This technique was originally introduced by Muller for ambulatory treatment of varicose veins. The incisions of 1-3 mm guarantee excellent cosmesis and minimal trauma. Adhesive tape is used to close the incisions. A number of alternative techniques such as cryosurgery, laser surgery, paratibial fasciotomy and the CHIVA technique (Conservative Treatment and Haemodynamics in Venous Insufficiency in Outpatient Departments) are briefly described. Complications of varicose vein surgery are rare. Minor complications are skin nerve injuries, haematomas, infections and lymphatic fistulas. Major complications such as injuries to the femoral vein or artery occur in less than 0.05%. But once it has occurred it is of paramount importance to recognize the injury at the time of initial surgery, to avoid limb loss. Provided the preoperative assessment is accurate and the principles of selective surgical treatment are followed, the surgeon is able to perform a curative operation with a low complication rate and excellent cosmetic results.
“Government Is Broken”: The Collapse of the Public Governing Capacity

Contemporary mainstream economics has been a prime factor in the degradation of the public governing capacity in the United States and other western democracies. The marketization of American government, in particular, is the chief reason for its declining ability to reliably deliver goods and services. Market advocates, exploiting neoclassical economic theory, have transformed public goods production in imitation of a market model. This has led to the evisceration of public services and the dismantling of traditions of responsible public administration. The ravaging of government has proceeded largely unhindered because we have no adequate economic theory to explain the public non-market economy, no intellectual infrastructure to explain how its purposes and processes differ crucially from those of the market, and no effective conceptual model that demonstrates why such differences matter.
Hydraulic Fracture Configuration Modeling: Numerical Evaluations

Salient features of a three-dimensional hydraulic fracture finite element simulator are identified. Selected comparisons associated with a penny-shaped model are presented.
Home- and Hospital-Based Cardiac Rehabilitation Exercise: The Important Role of Physician Recommendation

Exercise reduces morbidity and mortality for patients with heart disease. Despite clear guidelines and known benefits, most cardiac patients do not meet current exercise recommendations. Physician endorsement positively affects patient participation in hospital-based Phase II cardiac rehabilitation programs, yet the importance of physician recommendation for home-based cardiac rehabilitation exercise is unknown. A prospective observational design was used to examine predictors of both home-based and Phase II rehabilitation exercise in a sample of 251 patients with coronary heart disease. Regression analyses were done to examine demographic and clinical characteristics, physical functioning, and patient's report of physician recommendation for exercise. Patients with a strong physician referral, who were married and older, were more likely to participate in Phase II exercise. Increased strength of physician recommendation was the unique predictor of home-based exercise. Further research is needed to examine how health professionals can motivate cardiac patients to exercise in home and outpatient settings.
Evidence for microbial mediation of subseafloor nitrogen redox processes at Loihi Seamount, Hawaii

Abstract The role of nitrogen cycling in submarine hydrothermal systems is far less studied than that of other biologically reactive elements such as sulfur and iron. In order to address this knowledge gap, we investigated nitrogen redox processes at Loihi Seamount, Hawaii, using a combination of biogeochemical and isotopic measurements, bioenergetic calculations and analysis of the prokaryotic community composition in venting fluids sampled during four cruises in 2006, 2008, 2009 and 2013. Concentrations of NH4+ were positively correlated to dissolved Si and negatively correlated to NO3− + NO2−, while NO2− was not correlated to NO3− + NO2−, dissolved Si or NH4+. This is indicative of hydrothermal input of NH4+ and biological mediation influencing NO2− concentrations. The stable isotope ratios of NO3− (δ15N and δ18O) was elevated with respect to background seawater, with δ18O values exhibiting larger changes than corresponding δ15N values, reflecting the occurrence of both production and reduction of NO3− by an active microbial community. δ15N-NH4+ values ranged from 0‰ to +16.7‰, suggesting fractionation during consumption and potentially N-fixation as well. Bioenergetic calculations reveal that several catabolic strategies involving the reduction of NO3− and NO2− coupled to sulfide and iron oxidation could provide energy to microbes in Loihi fluids, while 16S rRNA gene sequencing of Archaea and Bacteria in the fluids reveals groups known to participate in denitrification and N-fixation. Taken together, our data support the hypothesis that microbes are mediating N-based redox processes in venting hydrothermal fluids at Loihi Seamount.
Senescence Arrest of Endopolyploid Cells Renders Senescence into One Mechanism for Positive Tumorigenesis

The present chapter analyses the cellular genomic status and type of cell divisions of pre-senescent cell populations shortly before the senescent phase. The purpose was to identify cellular mechanisms contributing to genomic unstable escape cells from senescence, in likeness with cancer recurrence from dormancy/remission periods. Primary diploid, human fibroblast cells were passage-extended to dysfunctional telomere-induced senescence (TAS) during which endopolyploidization occurred shortly before senescence. These cells either reduced genomic content to unstable near-diploid cells by irregular whole complement co-segregation, perpendicularly to the cytoskeleton axis or by nuclear fragmentation into multinuclear cells. The endo-division offspring-cells acquired genomic/chromosomal instability (CIN) from inheritance of endo-division traits, and gained proliferative freedom from contact inhibition by the perpendicularity of the endo-division. Other cells during this low proliferative period showed chromosomal aberrations and mitotic restitution, before a general change to senescent cells. The senescent phase showed change to typical cytoplasmic rich, amorphous flat cells, which were beta-galactosidase positive. Several types of escape mechanisms were observed (most frequent: nuclear bud-offs) which were associated with mitotic activity, albeit with limited propagation. These cells showed slight cell-shape changes from cell polarity change – a trait caused by endo-division perpendicularity. In experiments designed to simulate tumor therapy-induced genomic damage (to kill cells) endopolyploid cycling activity was increased before change to large amorphous, senescent cells. Young senescent escape-cells used the bud-off escape route, whereas escapes from old cells showed triangular cells in close contact with the senescent cells, which grew into three dimensional (3-D) tumor-like spheres. These observations were discussed as to tumor recurrence after prolonged dormancy/remission periods.
Magnetic moment of the Λc, Ξc1+ and Ξc10

Abstract The magnetic moment of the Λc, Ξc1+ and Ξc10 vanish when the charm quark mass is taken to infinity because the light degrees of freedom are in a spin zero configuration. The heavy quark spin-symmetry violating contribution from the light degrees of freedom starts at order 1/mc, the same order as the contribution from the heavy charm quark. We compute the leading long-distance contribution to the magnetic moments from the spin-symmetry breaking Σ c ∗ −Σ c mass splitting in chiral perturbation theory. These are nonanalytic in the pion mass and arise from calculable one-loop graphs. Further, the difference between the magnetic moments of the charged charmed baryons is independent of the charm quark mass and of the subleading local counterterm.
The Clinical and Economic Effects of Targeted Bowel Preparation: Results of a Decision Analysis.

Background Colonoscopy bowel preparation failure is common, costly, and clinically harmful. Prediction models can identify patients at high risk for preparation failure, but they are rarely used. Goals To investigate the clinical and economic effects of using a more intensive preparation upfront (a "targeted" strategy) for patients identified as high risk for preparation failure. Study We developed a Markov decision analytic model to compare usual care with a targeted strategy. Usual care consisted of a 4 L preparation, followed by a 2-day preparation in the event of preparation failure. The targeted strategy consisted of a 4 L preparation for low-risk patients, and upfront 2 days preparation for high-risk patients. Base-case values were gathered from literature review. Under each strategy, we calculated days spent preparing for, or undergoing, colonoscopy (patient burden), and cost per patient (payer perspective). Sensitivity analyses were performed. Results In the base case, the targeted strategy resulted in a similar patient burden compared with usual care (2.56 vs. 2.51 d, respectively). However, it substantially reduced cost per patient ($1254 vs. $1343) by reducing the number of colonoscopies. In sensitivity analyses, the targeted strategy reduced cost across the entire plausible range of risk of preparation failure and prediction model sensitivity and specificity. The targeted strategy resulted in less patient burden than usual care when (1) preparation failure risk exceeded 20%; (2) prediction sensitivity exceeded 73%; or (3) prediction specificity exceeded 76%. Conclusions Targeted bowel preparation is likely to reduce costs associated with repeat colonoscopy with minimal effect on patient burden.
Vitality: Carnal, Seraphic Bodies

This paper reflects on experiences of what i call vitality . Such experiences are neither idiosyncratic (they overlap major themes in Chinese philosophy, among other disciplines) nor mere romanticism (contemporary psychology lends credence to these accounts). Moreover, while some figures in continental philosophy do address the body—as perceiving, as sexed, as political—there has been almost no attention given to the active body of vitality . Drawing from the work of Michel Serres, this paper will uncover some of the significant features of such bodily experiences.
Non-Normality of a Class of Random Variables

Let Φ be a non-decreasing, non-positive, left continuous function defined on (0, ∞) for which $$\int_\in ^\infty {\Phi ^2 } \left( s \right)ds\, \,0.$$ (1)
Long-term live imaging of the Drosophila adult midgut reveals real-time dynamics of cell division, differentiation, and loss

Organ renewal is governed by the dynamics of cell division, differentiation, and loss. To study these dynamics in real time, here we present a platform for extended live imaging of the adult Drosophila midgut, a premier genetic model for stem cell-based organs. A window cut into a living animal allows the midgut to be imaged while intact and physiologically functioning. This approach prolongs imaging sessions to 12-16 hours and yields movies that document cell and tissue dynamics at vivid spatiotemporal resolution. Applying a pipeline for movie processing and analysis, we uncover new, intriguing cell behaviors: that mitotic stem cells dynamically re-orient, that daughter cells delay fate-determining Notch activation for many hours after birth, and that enterocytes extrude via constriction of a pulsatile cadherin ring. By enabling real-time study of cellular phenomena that were previously inaccessible, our platform opens a new realm for dynamic understanding of midgut organ renewal.
The Digital: Rhetoric Behind and Beyond the Screen

Rhetoricians first saw “the digital” flickering on screens but now feel its effects transducing our most fundamental of social practices. This essay traces digital emergence on screens and through ...
Pentecostalism as an Alternative Social Order in Africa

The main argument of this chapter is that modern society is essentially founded and built on modern rationality, a scientific worldview, and epistemology, even if the spread of these is uneven across time and place. On the other hand, even though Africa’s Pentecostals are preoccupied with becoming rich and doing so fast, their pathway to success in life is rooted in unlocking divine and supernatural keys to success and prosperity. Zalanga substantiates this claim and observation by using the teachings of the leaders of two Nigerian Pentecostal denominations as empirical case studies to represent Africa’s Pentecostalism. In conclusion, the chapter suggests certain conceptual tools that can be used to interrogate Africa’s Pentecostalism.
Mechanisms of Calcification of Tissue Valves

The use of bioprosthetic valves in children is frequently complicated by the development of calcific degeneration, which restricts leaflet motion and eventually leads to valve failure. Tissue valves placed in the aortic and mitral positions are the most vulnerable to these changes. The mechanism of pathologic calcification is not yet fully elucidated; however, evidence suggests that cellular debris and other tissue residue may act as a template for the deposition of calcium.
Extended Propagation Distances For Diffraction-Free Space-Time Light-Sheets

We synthesize propagation-invariant space-time wave packets in the form of a pulsed light-sheet of transverse spatial width ~ 200 µm and spectral bandwidth of ~2 nm, and observe its diffraction-free propagation for a record ~6 meters.
Dosage Considerations for Canakinumab in Children With Periodic Fever Syndromes.

Periodic fever syndromes are a group of rare diseases with a highly variable onset, yet limited treatment options are available for children at an early age. Canakinumab has been approved to treat patients with cryopyrin-associated periodic syndrome, a periodic fever syndrome, and systemic juvenile systemic arthritis, with age cutoffs of 4 years and 2 years, respectively. In 2016, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved canakinumab, without an age restriction, for the treatment of three conditions of periodic fever syndromes, including familial Mediterranean fever, hyperimmunoglobulin D syndrome/mevalonate kinase deficiency, and tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated periodic syndrome. This review discusses the pharmacokinetic (PK), efficacy, safety, and exposure-response relationship of canakinumab and provides the rationale for dosage recommendation in children younger than 2 years of age with the three conditions of periodic fever syndromes. The approval of canakinumab for these pediatric patients addresses a critical unmet medical need.
Use of databases in thermal analysis. Part 6

Abstract In our previous publication (Thermochim. Acta 222 (1993) 85), a computer algorithm was devised which allowed the concurrent determination of two rate constants, k1 and k2, for two consecutive irreversible first-order reactions. The Paradox 3.5 database was employed, and database analyses were carried out using both theoretical and experimental data. The k values obtained were in satisfactory agreement with assumed and observed values. In all the runs made, the values of k1 were much larger than those corresponding to k2. The preceding algorithm, however, did not hold for cases where k2 was greater than k1. The aim of the present paper is to modify the preceding script so that the resulting script will be applicable to both cases, k1 >k2 and k2 >k1. Limitations of the method will be described where applicable.
Incidence and Morbidity of Radiation-Induced Hemorrhagic Cystitis in Prostate Cancer.

Abstract OBJECTIVE To determine if reported incidence rates of hemorrhagic cystitis after radiation therapy for prostate cancer are accurate, to investigate the effect of different radiation modalities on the development of hemorrhagic cystitis and to assess its morbidity and treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS A retrospective chart review was completed of 709 patients at 2 Detroit Medical Center hospitals who underwent radiation therapy for prostate cancer between January 2000 and September 2015. In patients who developed hemorrhagic cystitis, we analyzed the incidence, radiation modality, morbidity, treatment, and complications. RESULTS The incidence rate of hemorrhagic cystitis after radiation for prostate cancer was 11.1%. There was no significant difference between external beam and intensity-modulated radiation therapy and the development of hemorrhagic cystitis (P = .18). Patients developed hemorrhagic cystitis an average of 79.1 months (4-230 months) after radiation. The average number of admissions was 2.5 (1-9) with an average length of stay of 7.6 days (1-42 days). Fifty-two percent of patients required blood transfusion with an average of 4.3 units transfused per patient (1-33U). The most common treatment was cystoscopy with fulguration/clot evacuation in 86% of patients. Complications included urinary tract infection, acute kidney injury, urosepsis, and even death. CONCLUSION The incidence of hemorrhagic cystitis following radiation therapy for prostate cancer is under-reported in the literature. Hemorrhagic cystitis is associated with high morbidity and complications for patients, requiring multiple hospitalizations, blood transfusions, and procedures. Advances in radiation have not significantly reduced the risk of developing hemorrhagic cystitis.
The Growth of HII Regions During Reionization

Recently, there has been a great deal of interest in understanding the reionization of hydrogen in the intergalactic medium (IGM). One of the major outstanding questions is how this event proceeds on large scales. Motivated by numerical simulations, we develop a model for the growth of HII regions during the reionization era. We associate ionized regions with large-scale density fluctuations and use the excursion set formalism to model the resulting size distribution. We then consider ways in which to characterize the morphology of ionized regions. We show how to construct the power spectrum of fluctuations in the neutral hydrogen field. The power spectrum contains definite features from the HII regions that should be observable with the next generation of low-frequency radio telescopes through surveys of redshifted 21 cm emission from the reionization era. Finally, we also consider statistical descriptions beyond the power spectrum and show that our model of reionization qualitatively changes the distribution of neutral gas in the IGM.
Upper and lower bounds to atomic radial position moments

A procedure is developed to generate rigorous rough upper bounds to radial moments [r2n] with integer n ≥ − 2 for the ground and excited states of atoms and molecules. These rough upper bounds to [r2n] enable the calculation of accurate upper and lower bounds to the lesser moment [rn] through existing and new formulas that utilize a lower bound to the square overlap of a trial function and true wave function (in this case through an energy lower bound via the Eckart formula). Error bars to [r−1], [r], [r2], and [r4] are calculated for the ground state of the non-relativistic infinite nuclear mass helium atom to yield expectation values within 0.037%, 0.018%, 0.039%, and 0.24% respectively, of the true values. As a byproduct of this investigation, a new formula for the error bar to observables is derived which is a slight improvement upon similar error bars. Also Lieb’s limit on the number of electrons that an atom can bind is reproduced.
An Improved Approach for Selecting and Validating Burn Severity Indices in Forested Landscapes

Burn severity maps based on remotely sensed reflectance data provide a useful way for land managers and researchers to represent and compare spatial variation in fire effects among wildfires and pr...
H2, C I, Metallicity, and Dust Depletion in the z = 2.34 Damped Lyα Absorption System toward QSO 1232+0815*

We report the detection of strong molecular hydrogen (H2) absorption lines in the z = 2.34 damped Lyα absorber (DLA) toward QSO 1232+0815. This is the second detection in our survey for high-redshift molecules. The new ultraviolet spectrum of the QSO 1232+0815 at 0.9 A resolution, taken with the Multiple Mirror Telescope Blue Channel Spectrograph, shows the υ = 0-0 up to 10-0 Lyman bands and also the Werner υ = 0-0 band of H2 associated with the z = 2.34 DLA. We have estimated the total H2 column density in this system. It ranges from ≈3 × 1019 cm-2 to ≈3 × 1017 cm-2 depending on the Doppler parameters, b = 6 or 10 km s-1. Based on the best fit with b = 6 km s-1, the estimated kinetic temperature is TK ≈ 80 K. The measurements of the abundance of zinc and iron in the same DLA show that the metallicity measured by the relatively undepleted element zinc is [Zn/H] = -0.86, while the relative abundance ratio [Fe/Zn] is -1.04, indicating dust depletion. Combining our work with previous results on H2 and relative heavy-element depletion, we find that there is a correlation between them, which suggests that the formation of H2 on dust grains is perhaps the dominant formation process in high-redshift DLAs. Detections of strong absorption from the ground and excited states of neutral carbon (C I) in the z = 2.34 DLA are also presented. The excitation temperature between the two fine-structure levels of C I is 15.7 ± 3.5 K, an upper limit for the cosmic microwave background radiation temperature at z = 2.34. This value is consistent with the prediction by the standard big bang cosmology.
Skeletal muscle and adipose tissue changes in the first phase of treatment of pediatric solid tumors.

Body composition is increasingly recognized as an important factor in cancer outcomes. Use of computed tomography (CT) in cancer care provides the opportunity to accurately quantify whole-body lean and adipose tissues from images at the third lumbar spine. We sought to substantiate the use of routinely captured, single-slice chest CT images at the thoracic level for evaluation of skeletal muscle, residual lean tissue, and adiposity among pediatric solid tumor patients. We performed a retrospective analysis among children who underwent treatment for a solid tumor at Columbia University Irving Medical Center. Skeletal muscle (SM), residual lean tissue (RLT), and adipose tissue cross-sectional areas (cm2 ) were analyzed at diagnosis and at first follow-up for disease evaluation (6-14 weeks). Imaging analysis was performed utilizing slice-O-matic image analysis software. Of the 57 patients identified, 39 had chest CT imaging that included intervertebral level T12-L1, and 22 also had concurrent imaging at L3. Correlation coefficients between body composition variables at T12-L1 and L3 were strong (r = 0.93-0.98). Paired t-test showed a significant decrease in SM (-4.2 ± 8.12, p = 0.003) and RLT (-10.7 ± 28.5, p = 0.025) as well as a trend toward a significant increase in visceral adipose tissue (3.10 ± 9.65, p = 0.052). Univariable analysis demonstrated a significant association between increasing age and increased SM loss (β = -0.496 with SE = 0.194, p = 0.011), and a lack of association between body mass index and body composition changes. We provide the first line of evidence that single-slice images from routinely obtained chest CT scans provide a simple, readily available mechanism for assessing body composition in pediatric solid tumor patients. Adverse body composition changes were observed, particularly among adolescents and young adults. Precis: Changes in body composition can be detected via routine CT images in pediatric patients undergoing treatment for solid tumors.
Deficiencies with the Use of Prescription Drug Monitoring Program in Cancer Pain Management: A Report of Two Cases

Background: Prescription drug monitoring programs (PDMPs) help maintain electronic records of controlled substances and are a resource to help direct patient care. As the use of these electronic programs expands, limitations of their use are becoming more apparent. We present two cases that illustrate the effects and the need to interpret the PDMPs with caution. Cases Description: Case 1: A male in his 60s presented with metastatic lung cancer who was being managed by our team for pain management along with oncology for cancer directed care. The PDMP erroneously reported that he had filled methadone, thereby impacting the provider-patient relationship. The second case was a female patient in her 40s who had metastatic lung cancer currently receiving cancer directed therapy and also followed with the Supportive Care Clinic for the management of cancer associated pain. The patient had demonstrated nonmedical opioid use behaviors in past visits so a careful monitoring approach had been implemented by the clinic to help safely prescribe opioids. The patient was wearing a fentanyl patch that was found only on physical examination during a clinic visit, because it was not noted in the PDMP. Conclusion: The PDMP has been found to assist physicians in decision making but there are limitations with its use. Enhanced real-time reporting of opioid prescribing information, increased integration into electronic health systems, and universal interstate sharing of prescribing data are some of the ways to improve their effectiveness. More research is needed to further examine the deficiencies and improve on its utility in routine chronic opioid therapy.
Solar Cells with Built-in Cascade of Intrinsic Regions

Following the first principles of solar cell it is clear that the most efficient generation of electron-hole pairs happens by sunlight in intrinsic regions of any p-i-n photodiodes. In this excitement of junction there is most no electron/hole recombination. The unintentional doping in these intrinsic areas is minimal and electron-hole pairs are instantly separated by built in electric field in p-n junction. With that in mind we analyzed intensity flow photons in sun spectra selecting three stripes of color with average wavelengths λ 1 = 512nm, λ 2 = 596nm, λ 3 =712nm. Using this analysis we designed heterostructured solar cell p-n junction CdS/CdSe with three intrinsic layers using mix of compound materials with energy gap E 1 =2.42eV, E 2 =2.08eV, E 3 =1.74eV. Thus, the structure consists of top layer p-type CdS with concentration Na= 2×1018cm−3 followed by intrinsic 2µm thick layer i 1 , 0.7µm thick i 2 , 1.3µm thick i 3 . Located at the bottom is 0.1µm thick n-type layer of CdSe with concentration Nd= 1×1018cm−3. Using Silvaco design software we reached efficiency of the heterostructure to be 21.2%. Such efficiency combined with low cost of used materials present good option for manufactures to create profitable production.
Effects of High- versus Low-Intensity Clinician Training on Implementation of Family-Focused Therapy for Youth with Mood and Psychotic Disorders.

The implementation of evidence-based psychotherapies often requires significant commitments of time and expense from mental health providers. Psychotherapy protocols with rapid and efficient training and supervision requirements may have higher levels of uptake in publicly funded clinics. Family-focused therapy (FFT) is a 4-month, 12-session treatment for bipolar and psychosis patients consisting of psychoeducation, communication training, and problem-solving skills training. In a pilot randomized trial, we compared two methods of training community clinicians in FFT: (a) high intensity (n = 24), consisting of a 6-hour in-person didactic workshop followed by telephone supervision for every session with training cases; or (b) low-intensity training (n = 23), consisting of a 4-hour online workshop covering the same material as the in-person workshop followed by telephone supervision after every third session with training cases. Of 47 clinician participants, 18 (11 randomly assigned to high intensity, 7 to low) enrolled 34 patients with mood or psychotic disorders (mean age 16.5 ± 2.0 years; 44.1% female) in an FFT implementation phase. Expert supervisors rated clinicians' fidelity to the FFT manual based on taped family sessions. We detected no differences in fidelity scores between clinicians in the two training conditions, nor did patients treated by clinicians in high- versus low-intensity training differ in end-of-treatment depression or mania symptoms. Levels of parent/offspring conflict improved in both conditions. Although based on a pilot study, the results suggest that low-intensity training of community clinicians in FFT is feasible and can result in rapid achievement of fidelity benchmarks without apparent loss of treatment efficacy.
Progress of the Delta variant and erosion of vaccine effectiveness, a warning from Utah

Since the emergence of SARS-CoV-2, vaccines have been heralded as the best way to curtail the pandemic. Clinical trials have shown SARS-CoV-2 vaccines to be highly efficacious against both disease and infection. However, those currently in use were primarily tested against early lineages. Data on vaccine effectiveness (VE) against variants of concern (VOC), including the Delta variant (B.1.617.2), remain limited. To examine the effectiveness of vaccination in Utah we compared the proportion of cases reporting vaccination to that expected at different VEs, then estimated the combined daily vaccine effectiveness using a field evaluation approach. Delta has rapidly outcompeted all other variants and, as of June 20th, represents 70% of all SARS-CoV-2 viruses sequenced in Utah. If we attribute the entire change in VE to the Delta variant, the estimated vaccine effectiveness against Delta would be 82% (95% CI: 78%, 85%). We show a modest reduction in vaccine effectiveness against COVID-19 in Utah corresponding to the expansion of the Delta lineage in the state. This reduction in the effectiveness of available vaccines correlated with the arrival of novel VOCs, rather than waning immunity, is highly concerning.
Parathyroid Gland Fluorescence Imaging

The ability to identify parathyroid glands (PGs) is a fundamental component of successful thyroid and parathyroid surgery. Historically, the ability to recognize, preserve, and then assess the viability of the PGs relied fully on the skill and judgment of the surgeon. Recently, technologies have emerged that appear to provide surgeons with an intraoperative tool to aid in these steps of surgery. These technologies, which utilize near-infrared imaging with endogenous PG autofluorescence or with the aid of indocyanine green (ICG), are early in their development. While the precise role of these technologies in clinical care has yet to be determined, it does appear that in the future, they will become an essential component of both thyroid and parathyroid surgeries.
Wearable Sensor for Multi-wavelength Near-Infrared Spectroscopy of Skin Hemodynamics Along with Underlying Muscle Electromyography

Intermittent claudication in peripheral arterial disease (PAD) may be monitored with near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) of an exercising muscle and skin; however, skin NIRS data in conjunction with electromyography (EMG) of muscle activation has not been investigated. This paper presents the development of a wearable skin NIRS sensor to determine the changes in the blood oxygenation and blood volume of the skin tissue overlying the calf muscle in response to underlying muscle EMG activation during exercise. Skin NIRS sensor was based on the optode sensor configuration found using Monte Carlo-based simulations with a skin tissue model, that was compared with a state-of-the-art device frequency-domain NIRS system. A proof of concept experiment on a healthy volunteer showed promising results with future applications in monitoring critical limb ischemia in PAD during calf muscle exercise.
Nuclear Criticality Calculations with Monte Carlo

In order to address multiplying assemblies we must include fission events. The time-dependent, homogeneous transport equation (eqn 3.11) can be expressed in operator notation by $$ \frac{{\partial \Psi }} {{\partial t}} = L\Psi $$ (8.1) where Ψ(r,Θ,E,t) is the neutron angular density of eqn 3.6 and $$ L = - v\Omega \bullet \nabla - v\Sigma _t + v\smallint \Sigma ^* (r;\Omega ',E' \to \Omega ,E)d\Omega 'dE' $$ (8.2) Here Σ* is the total cross section for neutron transfer from Ω’,E’ to Ω,E, including fission events. Eqn 8.1 has solutions of the form $$ L = - v\Omega \bullet \nabla - v\Sigma _t + v\smallint \Sigma ^* (r;\Omega ',E' \to \Omega ,E)d\Omega 'dE' $$ (8.3) where αis an eigenvalue of eqn 8.1.
Effect of hypervolemia and elevated arterial pressure on circulatory dynamics of pregnant animals.

Abstract In an attempt to gain insight into some of the mechanisms which may underlie the changes in the circulatory system that accompany pregnancy, the effect of hypervolemia and elevated arterial pressure on the mean circulatory pressure was studied. There was a linear relationship between mean circulatory pressure and blood volume and the mean circulatory pressure increased when the arterial pressure was elevated. These data indicate that hypervolemia is responsible for some of the hemodynamic alterations which accompany pregnancy.
Multi Positive Feedback vibration attenuation in distributed parameter resonant structures

Multi Positive Feedback (MPF) control is proposed in this paper for simultaneous resonant vibration displacement and velocity suppression in flexible distributed parameter structures. Two separate sets of control patches are used in the MPF control design, as one set is fed by vibration displacement and the other by vibration velocity. The aggregate applied control output using this approach is non-zero, due to the phase difference between displacement and velocity feedbacks. As a result, more effective suppression using the available control patches is achieved. Two norm minimization approaches are used to optimize the controller gains, and the controller is verified through numerical and experimental investigations. The results demonstrate the advantages of the MPF controller to the prior method, i.e., Modified Positive Position Feedback (MPPF), as the vibration amplitude is reduced to a much lower level. The MPF controller in simultaneous multimode suppression provides a high level of suppression for both vibration displacement and velocity at the same time. Average suppression by 80% of the uncontrolled amplitude is achievable using this method for both vibration displacement and velocity.
Learning skills in reinforcement learning using relative novelty

We present a method for automatically creating a set of useful temporally-extended actions, or skills, in reinforcement learning. Our method identifies states that allow the agent to transition to a different region of the state space—for example, a doorway between two rooms—and generates temporally-extended actions that efficiently take the agent to these states. In identifying such states we use the concept of relative novelty, a measure of how much short-term novelty a state introduces to the agent. The resulting algorithm is simple, has low computational complexity, and is shown to improve performance in a number of problems.
Variability in quantitative and qualitative analysis of intravascular ultrasound and frequency domain optical coherence tomography.

Background Frequency-domain optical coherence tomography (FD-OCT) is an intravascular imaging technique now available in the United States. However, the importance of level of training required for analysis using intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) and FD-OCT is unclear. The aim of this study was to evaluate inter- and intra-observer variability between expert and beginner analysts interpreting IVUS and FD-OCT images. Methods and Results Two independent expert analysts and two independent beginner analysts evaluated a total of 226 ± 2 stent cross-sections with IVUS and 232 ± 2 stent cross-sections with FD-OCT in 14 patients after stenting. Inter- and intra-observer variability for determining stent volume index (VI), as well as identifying incomplete stent apposition and dissection were assessed. The inter- and intra-observer variability of stent VI was minimal for both beginner and expert analysts regardless of imaging technology (random variability: 0.38 vs. 0.05 mm3/mm for IVUS, 0.26 vs. 0.08 mm3/mm for FD-OCT). Although qualitative IVUS analysis at the patient level revealed no significant difference between beginners and experts, this was not the case for FD-OCT. The number of overall qualitative findings noted by beginner and expert analysts were more variable (overestimated or underestimated) with FD-OCT. Conclusion Despite varying levels of training, the increased resolution of FD-OCT compared to IVUS provides better detection and less variability in quantitative image analysis. On the contrary, this increased resolution not only increases the rate but also the variability of detection of qualitative image analysis, especially for beginner analysts. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Measurements of Reynolds Analogy for a Hypersonic Turbulent Boundary Layer on a Nonadiabatic Flat Plate

The purpose of the described experiment was to obtain simultaneous measurements of skin friction and heat transfer at hypersonic Mach numbers, especially with conditions of considerable heat transfer. The experiment was conducted in air in the Ames Hypersonic Wind Tunnel, in which cold air was passed through an alumina storage heater system and heated to total temperatures ranging from about 670 to 1170 K. The nozzle was contoured to produce a flow at Mach 7.4. Thin-skin heat-transfer gauges were placed at equal intervals along the centerline of a sharp-edge flat plate, which was used as the model. A skin-friction balance and a boundary-layer pitot-pressure rake were mounted on each side of the centerline at a certain distance from the leading edge.
A Statistician’s Viewpoint of Responders in the Treatment of Neuropathic Pain

In many clinical studies, the efficacy of a new drug is measured by the mean difference in primary endpoint between the new drug and an active control drug or between the new drug and the placebo. Clinicians sometimes do not believe that the mean difference in primary endpoint between two treatments is clinically meaningful for some drug indications, such as a drug for neuropathic pain associated with diabetic peripheral neuropathy. They prefer to investigate the difference between responder rates. The responder for a treatment for neuropathic pain is defined as a patient who experiences a specific level, often at least 50% in pain reduction from baseline. In this article, the disadvantages of using such a definition are discussed. Some new ideas of defining a responder are proposed. This is illustrated with a real data example. Upon completion of this article, participants should be able to This article is designed for clinicians who are interested in responder analysis.
Timely Revolutions: On the Timelessness of the Unconscious

Julia Kristeva’s work on the concept of revolt is marked by a temporal analysis that takes revolt to be a movement of return into the past that makes possible change, rebirth, and an open future. Such temporal revolt is, according to Kristeva, intimate, in that it touches on unconscious psychic structures and operates on the level of thought and creativity. But Kristeva simultaneously inherits Freud’s notion that the unconscious is timeless. How, I ask, can revolt be defined as a temporal movement of return while at the same time being rooted in timelessness? I examine both Freud’s and Kristeva’s discussions of the timelessness of the unconscious and suggest that it needs to be understood not as non-temporal or outside of time, but rather as a temporal structure that challenges traditional philosophical conceptions of time. As such, the timelessness of the unconscious is far from being yet another instantiation of metaphysical presence. Rather, I see it as offering a challenge to both metaphysical presence and linear time, and indeed as making possible the retrospective movement of return that revolt for Kristeva must be.
Mutagenesis of Active-Site Histidines of Listeria monocytogenes Phosphatidylinositol-Specific Phospholipase C: Effects on Enzyme Activity and Biological Function

Listeria monocytogenes, a gram-positive facultative intracellular pathogen, produces two distinct phospholipases C. PC-PLC, encoded by plcB, is a broad-range phospholipase, whereas PI-PLC, encoded by plcA, is specific for phosphatidylinositol. It was previously shown that PI-PLC plays a role in efficient escape of L. monocytogenes from the primary phagosome. To further understand the function of PI-PLC in intracellular growth, site-directed mutagenesis of plcA was performed. Two potential active-site histidine residues were mutated independently to alanine, serine, and phenylalanine. With the exception of the activity of the enzyme containing H38F, which was unstable, the PI-PLC enzyme activities of culture supernatants containing each mutant enzyme were <1% of wild-type activity. In addition, the levels of expression of the mutant PI-PLC proteins were equivalent to wild-type expression. Derivatives of L. monocytogenes containing these specific plcA mutations were found to have phenotypes similar to that of the plcA deletion strain in an assay for escape from the primary vacuole, in intracellular growth in a murine macrophage cell line, and in a plaquing assay for cell-to-cell spread. Thus, catalytic activity of PI-PLC is required for all its intracellular functions.
Polymorphisms in a pseudogene highly homologous to PMS2

PMS2 is one of a complex of genes encoding DNA repair proteins that includes MSH2, MLH1, MSH6 and MSH3. Mutation of any of these DNA mismatch repair genes leads to impairment of DNA repair and can lead to tumorigenesis. Germline mutation of PMS2 has been reported as a rare cause of hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC) and Turcot's syndrome. The PMS2 gene is located on chromosome 7p22 and consists of 15 exons. Within exon 11 of PMS2 is a coding repeat of eight adenosines. This study reports on the finding of a nonexpressed pseudogene that is highly homologous to the PMS2 gene in this region. The pseudogene is polymorphic for two alterations in the repeat region: a 3 bp delAAA at a site corresponding to nucleotide 1231 in PMS2; and an AA-->GG change at nucleotide 1238. Due to the high homology in both intronic and exonic sequences, polymorphisms in this pseudogene could be mistaken for mutations in the PMS2 gene and erroneously thought to be a cause of HNPCC and/or Turcot's syndrome.
Solving large-scale semidefinite programs in parallel

We describe an approach to the parallel and distributed solution of large-scale, block structured semidefinite programs using the spectral bundle method. Various elements of this approach (such as data distribution, an implicitly restarted Lanczos method tailored to handle block diagonal structure, a mixed polyhedral-semidefinite subdifferential model, and other aspects related to parallelism) are combined in an implementation called LAMBDA, which delivers faster solution times than previously possible, and acceptable parallel scalability on sufficiently large problems.
Receipt of diabetes preventive services differs by insurance status at visit.

Background Lack of insurance is associated with suboptimal receipt of diabetes preventive care. One known reason for this is an access barrier to obtaining healthcare visits; however, little is known about whether insurance status is associated with differential rates of receipt of diabetes care during visits. Purpose To examine the association between health insurance and receipt of diabetes preventive care during an office visit. Methods This retrospective cohort study used electronic health record and Medicaid data from 38 Oregon community health centers. Logistic regression was used to test the association between insurance and receipt of four diabetes services during an office visit among patients who were continuously uninsured ( n =1,117); continuously insured ( n =1,466); and discontinuously insured ( n =336) in 2006–2007. Generalized estimating equations were used to account for within-patient correlation. Data were analyzed in 2013. Results Overall, continuously uninsured patients had lower odds of receiving services at visits when due, compared to those who were continuously insured (AOR=0.73, 95% CI=0.66, 0.80). Among the discontinuously insured, being uninsured at a visit was associated with lower odds of receipt of services due at that visit (AOR=0.77, 95% CI=0.64, 0.92) than being insured at a visit. Conclusions Lack of insurance is associated with a lower probability of receiving recommended services that are due during a clinic visit. Thus, the association between being uninsured and receiving fewer preventive services may not be completely mediated by access to clinic visits.