cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A systematic review of music-based interventions for procedural support.

Background: Individuals undergoing medical procedur es frequently experience pain and anxiety. Music-based interventions have the potential to help alleviate these symptoms. Objective: This r eview investigated the effects of music-based interventions (music therapy and music medicine) on pain and anxiety in children and adults undergoing medical procedures. Methods: This systematic r eview examined randomized controlled trial music intervention studies to manage patient-reported pain and/or anxiety during medical procedures. All studies were published in English and peer-reviewed journals. Quality and risk of bias were assessed using criteria from the Checklist to Evaluate a Report of a Nonpharmacological Trial (CLEAR-NPT). Results: Fifty studies met inclusion criteria, the majority of which (84%) had a high risk of bias. It was not possible to perfor m a meta-analysis because studies varied greatly in terms of medical procedure and intervention type. Results varied across studies, with approximately half (48%) indicating less anxiety for music intervention participants; fewer studies (36%) reported less pain for music intervention participants. Conclusions: Ther e is a need to clearly define and differentiate between music therapy and music medicine interventions in procedural support research. Further research is necessary to determine which patients would benefit most from music interventions during medical procedures, and which interventions are most beneficial. To improve research quality and reduce risk of bias, when designing studies investigators need to carefully consider factors related to design, including randomization, treatment allocation concealment, blinding outcome assessors, and intention-to-treat analysis. In addition, more detailed intervention reporting is needed when publishing results.
Body Fat as an Indicator of Nutritional Condition for the Brown Lemming

Our laboratory studies show that brown lemmings ( Lemmus sibiricus ) have the capacity to store large amounts of fat (> 40% of body mass) and that the amount of fat stored is directly related to food intake. Nevertheless, lemmings and other microtine rodents maintain relatively low fat deposits in the field (often ≤5% of body mass). Apparently, they have not evolved to allocate much energy to fat reserves under natural conditions. Fat content of microtine rodents generally differs little between sexes, but in the field it does differ between seasons. Fat deposits tend to increase during the nonbreeding season, which is generally a time with low availability of high-quality food. Thus, body fat is not clearly related to nutritional condition in the field, except that starved animals have low fat reserves at death (>3% of wet body mass). Our experimental results indicated that high body fat in the laboratory can be accounted for by higher digestibility of energy in laboratory diets and lower levels of activity in cages.
Insect Management and the Pesticide Syndrome

Pest management, as a philosophy of pest control, has to displace the pesticide approach to pest problem solving in most agricultural production systems. Progress, to date, has been slow. The existence and maintenance of pesticide addiction has inhibited the acceptance of pest management philosophy by corn producers. Pesticide addiction has been supported by the agricultural establishment in various ways, including use of worst-case data, unjustifiable extrapolation of small plot data, unrealistic loss summation for various pests, and selective data use. Pest managers must understand the forces that directly or indirectly oppose establishment of the pest management philosophy to be able to promote its use.
Genome and Gene Structure

Genome of somatic and germ line cells is transferred from a cell to its progeny through a tightly regulated process called as DNA replication. Genetic information is expressed by transcription by which RNA is synthesized from DNA. Upon transport of RNA to cytoplasm, it undergoes translation on ribosomes to form specific proteins dictated by the three letter genetic code. Variation in the genome occurs mainly by single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) or copy number variants (CNV).
An Essay in Honors of Alex Michalos: Finding Community in Quality of Life

Community is a nebulous concept in many aspects, as is quality of life and related concepts. At the same time, there are several aspects that cross between these areas, and are mutually supportive. Given the need and importance of community, it is tied intricately to well-being and quality of life, and especially at the level of community well-being. This essay provides a look at some foundational concepts, and relates community to quality-of-life dimensions.
Effect of Different Temperature on the Activity of Protective Enzymes of Carposina niponensis

In order to explore the effects of temperature on the growing development and reproduction of the C.niponensis,the activity of protective enzymes inside the adult C.niponensis was determined respectively by ELIASA.The results showed that: There was a protective enzyme system which could clear free radicals in adult of C.niponensis and different temperature had different effects on the activity of protective enzymes.The differences of the activity of Superoxide dismutase(SOD) were significant.The activity of SOD was the lowest at 22℃ and the highest at 28℃.It descended fast at 34℃.The activity of peroxidase(POD) and Catalase(CAT) were lower than SOD.It showed upward trend in general after the first decline.The activity of POD and CAT was the highest at 28℃.
Utility of Bronchodilation test during tidal breathing in diagnosis of infants with bronchiolitis

Objective To explore the value of bronchodilation test during tidal breathing in the diagnosis of infants with bronchiolitis. Methods A total of 60 infants with bronchiolitis were involved in the study from January of 2009 to December of 2010. The tidal breathing parameters were measured before and after a bronchodilation test. The changes of VT /kg,TEF 25,TPEF /TE and PEF were recorded,and their improvement ratios were compared. The changes of tidal breathing flow volume( TBVF) loops before and after the inhaled bronchodilators were also observed. Results 1 The average of VT /kg,TEF 25,TPEF /TE and PEF increased after inhaling bronchodilator,but the difference were not significant( P 0. 05). 2 The improvement ratio of TPEF /TE was low as compared with other parameters,the positive rate was 20%,and there were significant difference among them. 3TBFV loops showed forced expiratory curve graphic before the inhaling,but the slope of descending branch of the TBFV loop was depressed,the capacity curve broadening,tidal volume increased,and the expiratory peak backwards after inhaling bronchodilator. Conclusion The bronchodilation test during tidal breathing in the diagnosis of infants with bronchiolitis can be referenced. TPEF /TE has its limitations in diagnosis and treatment,and should be read in conjunction with the clinical.
Transmission network expansion planning based on improved particle swarm optimization

Transmission network expansion planning is a complicated, nonlinear and large-scale combinatorial optimized problem.This paper proposes an Improve Particle Swarm Optimization(IPSO) which is applied to this problem.To deal with the disadvantages of PSO,by iterative strategy,initialization particles strategy and adaptive adjustment of inertia-weighted value,also according to simplex method which promotes the performance of PSO and prevents to get into local optimum area,IPSO is adopted to transmission network expansion planning.The algorithm has been successfully applied to Garver-6 system and a 18-bus system,and the numerical simulation results demonstrate the feasibility and efficiency of this method.
Source analysis of the new smear positive tuberculosis patients in Quanzhou city(2005-2010)

Objective To analyze and understand the smear positive tuberculosis patients source distribution, in order to further enhance the standard of diagnosis for smear positive case tuberculosis. Method 2005-2010 smear positive case of TB patients of Quanzhou were collected for the comprehensive analysis of the source of paitents. Results From 2005 to 2010 16 976 cases of smear positive of pulmonary tuberculosis were found in Quanzhou city and its source from referral was 64.7%,medical consultance 34.2%,referral because other disease 0.5% and other 0.6%.Referral and medical consultance has become main source of new outpatients of the tuberculosis prevention department, accounting for 98.9% of all patients with smear positive cases.The number of smear positive case found in the referral patients was significantly higher than other sources(χ2=1022.0,P0.01).The detection rate of new smear positive patients in the referral patients was 30.0%,significantly higher than the detection rate of new smear positive in three other sources(χ2=3320.8,P0.01).Conclusions Hospital referral is the major source of finding smear positive cases of tuberculosis in Quanzhou city.Implement of the centralized administration for tuberculosis,strengthen the cooperation between clinicians and prevention center and improve the referral rate are important to increase the diagnosis rate for the tuberculosis.
Forage Nutritive Value and Herbage Mass Relationship of Four Warm-Season Grasses

To provide animals with high quality forage, practical methods are needed to estimate nutritive value to optimize harvest timing. The objective of this study was to develop such models to estimate warm-season forage nutritive value in the southeastern United States. The experiment was conducted at the University of Tennessee Plateau AgResearch and Education Center in Crossville, TN, from 2013 to 2015. Four warm-season forages were evaluated separately, each in a randomized complete block design and, each for 2 yr: switchgrass [Panicum virgatum (L.) ‘Alamo’- a lowland variety from Texas with high forage quality and biomass production], sorghum–sudangrass [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench ×Sorghum sudanese (P.) Stapf, ‘FSG208BMR’- a vigorous, drought tolerant variety with improved digestibility], bermudagrass [Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers. ‘Vaughn’s # 1’- a cold tolerant, upright variety] and crabgrass [Digitaria sanguinalis (L.) ‘Quick-N-Big’- a fast germinating variety with a quick growth rate]. Monthly initiations were established based on cutting timing, in which a single cut was made at the beginning of the assigned month with nutritive value and herbage mass (HM) of the regrowth observed in the following weeks. Results determined that HM was influential on crude protein (CP) and neutral detergent fiber digestibility (NDFD) for all species tested, except crabgrass. Based on differences in nutritive value and morphological composition by maturity, as well as the successful prediction of CP and NDFD from HM through linear regression, it was determined that June and July initiations are preferred for switchgrass and bermudagrass, while July initiation is preferable for sorghum–sudangrass.
A Ramp to Mothering

The inspiration for the title “A ramp to mothering” comes from a 1992 court hearing on discrimination against parents with disabilities. In her testimony, Leigh Campbell-Earl, the disabled mother of a non-disabled infant, equated assistance with child-care for parents with disabilities to a ramp. She noted: “Just as a ramp (to the court house) enables me to exercise my civic rights today, I need a ramp to parenting — a ramp to enable me to exercise my human rights and to fulfill the responsibilities that go along with parenting” (Disability Rag & Resource, 1993, p. 11).
Using graph clustering to locate sources within a dense sensor array

We develop a model-free technique to identify weak sources within dense sensor arrays using graph clustering. No knowledge about the propagation medium is needed except that signal strengths decay to insignificant levels within a scale that is shorter than the aperture. We then reinterpret the spatial coherence matrix of a wave field as a matrix whose support is a connectivity matrix of a graph with sensors as vertices. In a dense network, well-separated sources induce clusters in this graph. The geographic spread of these clusters can serve to localize the sources. The support of the covariance matrix is estimated from limited-time data using a hypothesis test with a robust phase-only coherence test statistic combined with a physical distance criterion. The latter criterion ensures graph sparsity and thus prevents clusters from forming by chance. We verify the approach and quantify its reliability on a simulated dataset. The method is then applied to data from a dense 5200 element geophone array that blanketed 7km10km of the city of Long Beach (CA). The analysis exposes a helicopter traversing the array and oil production facilities.
A Multiple Replication Examination of Distal Antecedents to Alcohol Protective Behavioral Strategies.

Objective:In the present study, we examined whether we could replicate previous findings that use of protective behavioral strategies (PBSs) mediates the associations between distal antecedents and alcohol-related outcomes in an independent sample. Further, we examined a more comprehensive model to determine which constructs uniquely (i.e., controlling for other distal antecedents) relate to PBS use and alcohol-related outcomes.Method:Participants were recruited from a psychology department participant pool at a large, southwestern university in the United States (N = 628). The majority of participants identified themselves as being either Hispanic (n = 334, 53.18%) or White, non-Hispanic (n = 212, 33.78%), were female (n = 386, 61.5%), and reported a mean age of 20.30 (SD = 3.80) years.Results:Across five replication attempts in separate models, we found significant indirect associations of age at first use, self-regulation, impulsivity-like traits, depressive symptoms, and conscientiousness on alcohol-r...
Evidence for Ecological Flexibility in the Cosmopolitan Genus Curtobacterium .

Assigning ecological roles to bacterial taxa remains imperative to understanding how microbial communities will respond to changing environmental conditions. Here we analyze the genus Curtobacterium as it was found to be the most abundant taxon in a leaf litter community in southern California. Traditional characterization of this taxon predominantly associates it as the causal pathogen in the agricultural crops of dry beans. Therefore, we seek to conduct a broad investigation into this genus to ask whether its high abundance in our soil system is in accordance with its role as a plant pathogen or if alternative ecological roles are needed. By collating >24,000 16S rRNA sequences with 120 genomes across the Microbacteriaceae family, we show that Curtobacterium has a global distribution with a predominant presence in soil ecosystems globally. Moreover, this genus harbors a high diversity of genomic potential for the degradation of carbohydrates, specifically with regards to structural polysaccharides. We conclude that Curtobacterium may be responsible for the degradation of organic matter within litter communities.
The Rise and Decline of Select Committees in Congress

We examine the development of the committee system of the U.S. House of Representatives from the 1st to 20th Congress (1789–1829), focusing on the select committee system. The First Congress did not have any legislative standing committees, but relied instead on a series of ad hoc select committees. Across the period covered in this paper, select committees were replaced by standing committees, measured by the number of committees appointed and the percentage of House members appointed to the two types of committees. However, we find that, although membership on standing committees did not become universal until the 1820s, even by 1800 most legislative business brought before the House was removed from the select committees and channeled to standing committees. We also find, contrary to claims that the early Congress was characterized by strong norms of legislator equality, select committee appointments were more likely to be given to veteran House members, majority party members, and members with a college education. This preliminary paper reopens a strand of analysis that has gone dormant for nearly two decades about how the House eventually settled on a legislative process dominated by standing committees.
Genoppi: a web application for interactive integration of experimental proteomics results with genetic datasets

Summary: Integrating protein-protein interaction experiments and genetic datasets can lead to new insight into the cellular processes implicated in diseases, but this integration is technically challenging. Here, we present Genoppi, a web application that integrates quantitative interaction proteomics data and results from genome-wide association studies or exome sequencing projects, to highlight biological relationships that might otherwise be difficult to discern. Written in R, Python and Bash script, Genoppi is a user-friendly framework easily deployed across Mac OS and Linux distributions. Availability: Genoppi is open source and available at https://github.com/lagelab/Genoppi Contact: aprilkim@broadinstitute.org and lage.kasper@mgh.harvard.edu
Biosafety Guidelines for Working with Small Mammals in a Field Environment

Discussions of biosafety in the laboratory setting can be found in numerous texts, including other chapters in this book. Several published guidelines exist, with the Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories (BMBL) (1) text serving as the general authority. There are a wealth of guidelines available for biosafety in the laboratory, but only a handful of references exist regarding biosafety considerations for individuals performing fieldwork, i.e., work done outside a laboratory with materials containing or potentially containing infectious agents, and there is no formal text describing structured risk assessment strategies for fieldwork that either incidentally or intentionally involves contact with zoonotic agents that have pathogenic potential. This text is meant to serve as a reference for existing guidelines, as well as a tool that can be used to help determine what risk levels exist for a planned field activity and how those risks may be mitigated. Protection of fieldworkers should be the prime focus of both supervisor and the workers themselves.
Dyakonov waves in biaxial anisotropic crystals

We present the general analytical theory for Dyakonov surface waves at the interface of a biaxial anisotropic dielectric with an isotropic medium. We demonstrate that these surface waves can be divided into two distinct classes, with qualitatively different spatial behavior. We obtain explicit expressions for the Dyakonov waves' dispersion and the parameter ranges for their existence.
An Electrophysiological Study of Cognitive and Emotion Processing in Type I Chiari Malformation

Type I Chiari malformation (CMI) is a neurological condition in which the cerebellar tonsils descend into the cervical spinal subarachnoid space resulting in cervico-medullary compression. Early case-control investigations have indicated cognitive deficits in the areas of attention, memory, processing speed, and visuospatial function. The present study further examined cognitive and emotional processing deficits associated with CMI using a dual-task paradigm. Nineteen CMI patients were recruited during pre-surgical consultation and 19 matched control participants identified emotional expressions in separate single and asynchronous dual-task designs. To extend earlier behavioral studies of cognitive effects in CMI, we recorded event-related potentials (ERPs) in the dual-task design. Though response times were slower for CMI patients across the two tasks, behavioral and ERP analyses indicated that patients did not differ from matched controls in the ability to allocate attentional resources between the two tasks. P1 ERP component analyses provided no indication of an emotional arousal deficit in our CMI sample while P3 ERP component analyses suggested a CMI-related deficit in emotional regulation. P3 analysis also yielded evidence for a frontalization of neurophysiological activity in CMI patients. Pain and related depression and anxiety factors accounted for CMI deficits in single-task, but not dual-task, response times. Results are consistent with a dysfunctional fronto-parietal attentional network resulting from either the indirect effects of chronic pain or the direct effects of CMI pathophysiology stemming from cervico-medullary compression.
Edward Wheeler Scripture, Phonetician

The writer is tempted to say that he is naming a new rhetorical device, “successive augumentation,” and is illustrating it in this chapter. Scripture ended his autobiography (1936) with the cryptic sentences: I notice a paucity of personal details in my account. I have forgotten most of them and I am not interested in the rest; I do not think the reader would be interested either. In order to be dated and placed I have to state that I was born in 1864 in a village in New Hampshire, U.S.A. (p. 261)
RECEPTOR-MEDIATED BINDING AND INTERNALIZATION OF PSEUDOMONAS EXOTOXIN A AND DIPHTHERIA EXOTOXIN BY MAMMALIAN CELLS

ABSTRACT The uptake of diphtheria toxin (DE) or Pseudomonas exotoxin A (PE) by toxin-sensitive cultured cell lines was studied. At 4C, DE binding increased with time to a steady state; autoradiographic studies demonstrated that the label was distributed randomly at or on the plasma membrane. At 37C, the binding kinetics followed a biphasic pattern, reaching a maximum at 1-2h and subsequently decreasing. Assays were developed to measure toxin internalization and degradation and the effects of drugs on these processes are described. Concanavalin A prevented DE internalization, while chloroquine, a potent lysosomotropic agent, blocked DE degradation and/or excretion. Both compounds protected cells from the cytotoxic effects of DE. At 4C, radiolabeled PE binding to L929 cells increased with time and was blocked 30-40 per cent by excess unlabeled PE. At 37C, uptake was much greater and more specific. Immunochemical and autoradiographic studies demonstrated that at 4C, PE was localized at or on the plasma membrane in regions identified as “coated pits”.
Bed Assignment and Bed Management

Beds are a critical resource for serving patients in hospitals, but also provide a place where patients queue for needed care. Bed requirements result from medical needs along with the hospital’s effectiveness at reducing average length of stay and hospitalization rates. Hospitals can reduce the need for beds by reducing the unproductive portion of the patient’s stay (e.g., waiting for a test) and by reducing the portion of time when beds are unoccupied. Hospitals must also synchronize discharges with admissions to minimize time of day and day of week variations in bed occupancy levels. Finally, beds must be managed as part of the overall hospital system so that shortages do not cause delays or cancellations in the emergency department or surgery.
Ileal-pouch anal anastomosis in pediatric NSQIP: Does a laparoscopic approach reduce complications and length of stay?

Abstract Purpose The purpose of this study was to determine if a laparoscopic approach reduces complications and length of stay (LOS) after total proctocolectomy with ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (TPC-IPAA) in pediatric patients using a multicenter prospective database. Methods The American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Project Pediatric database from 2012 to 2015 was used to identify patients with a diagnosis of chronic ulcerative colitis (CUC) or familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) undergoing TPC-IPAA. Major complications, minor complications, and prolonged LOS were compared based on laparoscopic versus open approach. Results 195 (108 female) patients underwent TPC-IPAA at a median age of 14 years (IQR: 11–16) for CUC (N = 99) or FAP (N = 96). Two-thirds of cases were laparoscopic. A laparoscopic approach was not associated with major complications, but lower odds of minor complications were observed. A reduced LOS was seen in laparoscopic versus open surgery (median LOS 6 vs 8 days, p 9 days) in the FAP cohort (OR 4.0, 95% CI 1.1–14.0). Conclusion A laparoscopic approach was not associated with increased major complications but was associated with lower odds of minor complications and shorter LOS. The laparoscopic approach should continue to be preferred for pouch procedures in pediatric patients. Type of study Treatment; retrospective study. Level of evidence Level III.
Sentryn Acts with a Subset of Active Zone Proteins To Optimize the Localization of Synaptic Vesicles in Caenorhabditis elegans

Synaptic vesicles (SVs) transmit signals by releasing neurotransmitters from specialized synaptic regions of neurons. In the synaptic region, SVs are tightly clustered around small structures called active zones. The motor KIF1A transports SVs outward through axons until they are captured in the synaptic region. This transport must be guided in the forward direction because it is opposed by the dynein motor, which causes SVs to reverse direction multiple times en route. The core synapse stability (CSS) system contributes to both guided transport and capture of SVs. We identified Sentryn as a CSS protein that contributes to the synaptic localization of SVs in Caenorhabditis elegans Like the CSS proteins SAD Kinase and SYD-2 (Liprin-α), Sentryn also prevents dynein-dependent accumulation of lysosomes in dendrites in strains lacking JIP3. Genetic analysis showed that Sentryn and SAD Kinase each have at least one nonoverlapping function for the stable accumulation of SVs at synapses that, when combined with their shared functions, enables most of the functions of SYD-2 (Liprin-α) for capturing SVs. Also like other CSS proteins, Sentryn appears enriched at active zones and contributes to active zone structure, suggesting that it is a novel, conserved active zone protein. Sentryn is recruited to active zones by a process dependent on the active zone-enriched CSS protein SYD-2 (Liprin-α). Our results define a specialized group of active zone enriched proteins that can affect motorized transport throughout the neuron and that have roles in both guided transport and capture of SVs.
Abstract 5228: Acute depletion of CTCF disrupts enhancer-promoter regulation ofMYCin B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), including B-ALL and T-ALL, is the most common childhood cancer and the leading cause of cancer death in children and young adults. Comprehensively genomic sequencing strategies have successfully sub-classified ALL based on genetic alterations including chromosomal rearrangement and aberrant gene mutations, of which frequent coding mutations of CTCF were discovered. However, the function of CTCF in ALL was not clearly defined yet. In a cohort of 264 human pediatric B-ALL patients, particularly in those carrying CTCF loss-of-function mutations, we identified a positive correlation of mRNA expression between CTCF and MYC. Then we integrated the miniAID-mClover3 cassette to the both alleles of endogenous human CTCF locus, which allows acute auxin-mediated degradation of the CTCF protein in a human pediatric B-ALL cell line. By employing combination strategies including whole transcriptome analysis and Capture-C, we discovered that only small number of genes were differentially expressed in CTCF depleted cells, among which MYC and it9s downstream genes, not other B-ALL associated oncogenes, were specifically enriched. Mechanically, chromatin interaction capture assay reveals that acute depletion of CTCF primarily disrupted direct interaction between MYC promoter and its distal enhancer residing ~1.8 Mb downstream, subsequently down-regulating target genes in human B-ALL cancer cells. Thus, CTCF/MYC regulation axis is essential in B-ALL development. Citation Format: Chunliang Li, Yang Zhang. Acute depletion of CTCF disrupts enhancer-promoter regulation ofMYCin B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2019; 2019 Mar 29-Apr 3; Atlanta, GA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2019;79(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 5228.
The Future Shape of Insurance and Risk Management in the Cyber-Physical Space

For years, the insurance industry was essentially about mathematical quantification and financial transformation of physical risks. But our world has become more interconnected with the advent of the internet, blockchain etc.: as a consequence, cyber risk is expanding rapidly. Here, Prof. W. Jean Kwon looks at how the insurance industry will adapt to the “cyber-physical” world order. These ideas were presented by the author at the 8th World Pensions Forum, held in Brussels, 23 & 24 May 2019.
Socrates, Democracy, and the End of History

This article explores the importance of the Socratic turn to Hegel’s conception of reason in the Philosophy of History. In the “Introduction” to his work, Hegel initially argues that Socrates advan...
PARALYSIS, CRUTCHES, WINGS: ITALIAN FEMINISMS AND TRANSCULTURATION

A discussion of the way in which recent feminist writing on the body as a site of ideology enforces a rethinking of translation practices. Questions of translation and transculturation in Italian studies, with reference to feminist praxis.
Trump and Us: What He Says and Why People Listen

Why did 62 million Americans vote for Donald Trump? Trump and Us offers a fresh perspective on this question, taking seriously the depth and breadth of Trump's support. An expert in political language, Roderick P. Hart turns to Trump's words, voters' remarks, and media commentary for insight. The book offers the first systematic rhetorical analysis of Trump's 2016 campaign and early presidency, using text analysis and archives of earlier presidential campaigns to uncover deep emotional undercurrents in the country and provide historical comparison. Trump and Us pays close attention to the emotional dimensions of politics, above and beyond cognition and ideology. Hart argues it was not partisanship, policy, or economic factors that landed Trump in the Oval Office but rather how Trump made people feel.
Impact of superimposed nephrological care to guidelines-directed management by primary care physicians of patients with stable chronic kidney disease: a randomized controlled trial

Optimal clinical care of patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) requires collaboration between primary care physicians (PCPs) and nephrologists. We undertook a randomised trial to determine the impact of superimposed nephrologist care compared to guidelines-directed management by PCPs in CKD patients after hospital discharge. Stage 3b-4 CKD patients were enrolled during a hospitalization and randomised in two arms: Co-management by PCPs and nephrologists (interventional arm) versus management by PCPs with written instructions and consultations by nephrologists on demand (standard care). Our primary outcome was death or rehospitalisation within the 2 years post-randomisation. Secondary outcomes were: urgent renal replacement therapy (RRT), decline of renal function and decrease of quality of life at 2 years. From November 2009 to the end of June 2013, we randomised 242 patients. Mean follow-up was 51 + 20 months. Survival without rehospitalisation, GFR decline and elective dialysis initiation did not differ between the two arms. Quality of life was also similar in both groups. Compared to randomised patients, those who either declined to participate in the study or were previously known by nephrologists had a worse survival. These results do not demonstrate a benefit of a regular renal care compared to guided PCPs care in terms of survival or dialysis initiation in CKD patients. Increased awareness of renal disease management among PCPs may be as effective as a co-management by PCPs and nephrologists in order to improve the prognosis of moderate-to-severe CKD. This study was registered on June 29, 2009 in clinicaltrials.gov (NCT00929760) and adheres to CONSORT 2010 guidelines.
Patient-Reported Outcome Measures (Pain, Function, and Quality of Life) After Aseptic Revision Total Knee Arthroplasty.

Background Despite the growing frequency of revision total knee arthroplasty (rTKA), there is limited information regarding patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) after that procedure. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine (1) PROM improvements in pain, function, quality of life (QOL), and global health and (2) predictors of PROMs for patients undergoing aseptic rTKA as determined using a multilevel model with patients nested within surgeons. Methods A prospective cohort of 246 patients who underwent aseptic rTKA from January 2016 to December 2017 and had baseline and 1-year postoperative PROMs were analyzed. The most common surgical indications were aseptic loosening (n = 109), instability (n = 73), and implant failure (n = 64). The PROMs included in this study were the Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS)-Pain, -Physical Function Short Form (PS), and -Quality of Life (QOL) as well as the Veterans Rand-12 (VR-12) Physical Component Summary (PCS) and Mental Component Summary (MCS). Multivariable linear regression models with patients nested within surgeons were constructed for predicting change in PROMs from baseline to 1 year. Results The mean 1-year postoperative improvements in the KOOS-Pain and PS PROMs were 30.3 and 19.15 points, respectively, for the overall rTKA series. Improvement in the KOOS-Pain was associated with older age, baseline arthrofibrosis, lower baseline pain, and non-Medicare/Medicaid insurance and worsening of the scores was associated with multiple prior surgical procedures and instability. Improvement in the KOOS-PS was associated with baseline arthrofibrosis and female sex and worsening was associated with limited baseline function, an instability diagnosis, multiple prior surgical procedures, and increased hospital length of stay (LOS). Overall, the mean KOOS-QOL improved by 29.7 points. Although the mean VR-12 PCS improved, 54.9% of the patients saw no clinical improvement. Additionally, only 31.3% of the patients reported improvements in the VR-12 MCS. A multilevel mixed-effects model with patients/operations nested within surgeons demonstrated that the differences in the surgeons' results were minimal and explained only ∼1.86%, ∼1.12%, and ∼1.65% of the KOOS-Pain, KOOS-PS, and KOOS-QOL variance that was not explained by other predictors, respectively. Conclusions Overall, patients undergoing aseptic rTKA had improvements in pain, function, and QOL PROMs at 1 year. Although overall QOL improved, other global-health PROMs remained unchanged. The associations highlighted in this study can help guide the preoperative clinical decision-making process by setting expectations before aseptic rTKA. Level of evidence Therapeutic Level IV. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
Training-Free Uncertainty Estimation for Dense Regression: Sensitivity as a Surrogate

Uncertainty estimation is an essential step in the evaluation of the robustness for deep learning models in computer vision, especially when applied in risk-sensitive areas. However, most state-of-the-art deep learning models either fail to obtain uncertainty estimation or need significant modification (e.g., formulating a proper Bayesian treatment) to obtain it. Most previous methods are not able to take an arbitrary model off the shelf and generate uncertainty estimation without retraining or redesigning it. To address this gap, we perform a systematic exploration into training-free uncertainty estimation for dense regression, an unrecognized yet important problem, and provide a theoretical construction justifying such estimations. We propose three simple and scalable methods to analyze the variance of outputs from a trained network under tolerable perturbations: infer-transformation, infer-noise, and infer-dropout. They operate solely during inference, without the need to re-train, re-design, or fine-tune the model, as typically required by state-of-the-art uncertainty estimation methods. Surprisingly, even without involving such perturbations in training, our methods produce comparable or even better uncertainty estimation when compared to training-required state-of-the-art methods.
Hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction as a regulator of alveolar-capillary oxygen flux: A computational model of ventilation-perfusion matching

The relationship between regional variabilities in airflow (ventilation) and blood flow (perfusion) is a critical determinant of gas exchange efficiency in the lungs. Hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction is understood to be the primary active regulator of ventilation-perfusion matching, where upstream arterioles constrict to direct blood flow away from areas that have low oxygen supply. However, it is not understood how the integrated action of hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction affects oxygen transport at the system level. In this study we develop, and make functional predictions with a multi-scale multi-physics model of ventilation-perfusion matching governed by the mechanism of hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction. Our model consists of (a) morphometrically realistic 2D pulmonary vascular networks to the level of large arterioles and venules; (b) a tileable lumped-parameter model of vascular fluid and wall mechanics that accounts for the influence of alveolar pressure; (c) oxygen transport accounting for oxygen bound to hemoglobin and dissolved in plasma; and (d) a novel empirical model of hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction. Our model simulations predict that under the artificial test condition of a uniform ventilation distribution (1) hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction matches perfusion to ventilation; (2) hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction homogenizes regional alveolar-capillary oxygen flux; and (3) hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction increases whole-lobe oxygen uptake by improving ventilation-perfusion matching.
Characteristics of Adults Who Use Both Marijuana and E-Cigarette, or Vaping, Products : A Cross-Sectional Study, Utah, 2018.

ObjectivesAmong young people, dual use of marijuana and e-cigarette, or vaping, products (EVPs) is linked with using more inhalant substances and other substances, and poorer mental health. To unde...
Low-Voltage, High-Brightness Silicon Micro-LEDs for CMOS Photonics

Silicon photonics realized in CMOS processes has transformed computing, communications, sensing, and imaging. Although silicon is an indirect bandgap material prohibiting efficient light generation, considerable work has been conducted in the field of silicon p-n junctions emitting broadband visible light when operating in the high-voltage reverse breakdown avalanching mode. Here, we demonstrate high-brightness near-infrared (NIR) light emission for forward-biased silicon micro-light emitting diodes (micro-LEDs) realized in an open-foundry microelectronic CMOS process—55 BCDLite—with zero modification. Under room-temperature continuous-wave operation, the external light emission intensity of over 40 mW/cm $^{{2}}$ at a central wavelength of 1020 nm is achieved for a 4- $\mu \text {m}$ -diameter device at below 2.5 V. This is realized by adopting a deep vertical junction with guard ring designs that ensure carrier transport away from the device surface and material interfaces where nonradiative recombination usually dominates. Here, we also demonstrate a complete chip-to-chip communication link using only standard multimode fiber and monolithically integrated CMOS micro-LEDs and detectors.
Why Calls for Shifting to Brandesian Economic Theory is Flawed: An Evaluation of the U.S. and E.U's Approach to Vertical Mergers and why Consumer Welfare Should be Retained by U.S. Regulators

The tech industry has exploded over the last few decades and progressive are advocating a shift in antitrust review of vertical mergers in the United States. The overall thrust of these positions advocated seek a modified economic theory based on the writings of the late Justice Louis Brandeis (Brandeisian economic theory) to control the vertical expansion of dominant tech firms such as Amazon. On a broad level, this position advocates a shift of US antitrust regulatory review towards the European Union application of antitrust regulation. In my view, this would not increase consumer welfare in the way these populists and Brandesian economists theorize it would. This article provides a review of both US and EU vertical merger theory and Chicago school economic theory while comparing and contrasting US and EU review of certain business practices to conclude Brandesian economics will not achieve the goal advocated and consumers will be worse off. This paper concludes with support for a proposal to modify and strengthen consent decrees following merger review in order to us a scalpel — rather than a sledgehammer — to adapt to the changes in the technological environment. Most importantly, this proposal would actually protect consumers, not competitors in the marketplace.
Characterization of Vancomycin Resistance in Staphylococcus Aureus

CHARACTERIZATION OF VANCOMYCIN RESISTANCE IN STAPHYLOCOCCUS A UREUS By Paige McCarthy Fox A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy at Virginia Commonwealth University. Virginia Commonwealth University, 2006 Major Director: Gordon L. Archer, M.D. Associate Dean for Research Professor, Division of Infectious Diseases Departments of Medicine and Microbiology and Immunology In the past decade, Staphylococcus aureus has developed two distinct vancomycin resistance mechanisms. First, the bacterium is capable of generating a thickened, poorly crosslinked cell wall that creates false targets. These targets cause vancomycin to bind at the periphery of the thickened peptidoglycan, allowing normal cell wall formation to continue at the cell membrane. Second, S. aureus has acquired genes from Enterococcus
Adaptive noise cancelling with systolic arrays

The QR decomposition with systolic array realization is compared to the LMS algorithm. The LMS algorithm proves to be less complex, very efficient under finite precision, and compatible in terms of speed (it can achieve the same speed at signal-to-noise ratio expense). In terms of misadjustment the LMS always produces self noise, whereas the QR decomposition with systolic array can give an optimum solution. >
Cervantes's Quixote and the Arbitrista Reform Project

Abstract This article examines the representation of peasant women in the Quixote, specifically Aldonza Lorenzo, and its relationship to the discourses that argued for a return to an agrarian economy made by many of the reformers or arbitristas of the period. The article considers the ways in which the relationship Aldonza-Dulcinea has been studied in order to propose a new avenue for the interpretation of the labradora turned idealized princess upon which Alonso Quijano constructs his medieval knight fantasy. I conclude that what has typically been seen as a humorous parody of courtly love conventions can also be read as a textual space where the productivity and dignity of those who work are given their due.
Ford three-way catalyst and feedback fuel control system

A three-way catalyst with feedback control monitors the exhaust oxygen concentration and controls the fuel flow to produce a stoichiometric exhaust mixture. The control loop consists of zirconium dioxide exhaust sensor to indicate oxygen concentration, an electronic control unit, a vacuum regulator to proportion a vacuum signal to the carburetor, and a feedback controlled carburetor with vacuum modulated main fuel system. Not only does the system pass the 50K emission and durability testing, but it has excellent deterioration factors. Fuel economy was improved as compared with other conventional California emission systems: 14% metro-highway advantage for automatic transmission applications and 7% advantage for manual transmission applications. Driveability is improved because exhaust gas recirculation rates are significantly reduced, more than offsetting the leaner air/fuel ratio. Wide open throttle performance is equal to that of conventional systems; idle quality is not depreciated. Major developmental issues are idle system control, feedback carburetor diaphragm development, exhaust gas oxygen sensor, ramp rate, and control hydrocarbons emissions.
A new interpretation of translation invariant image denoising

Translation invariant (TI) image denoising outperforms orthogonal wavelet thresholding by averaging a collection of denoised estimates from different orthogonal bases. This paper proposes a new perspective of TI processing as an average of a collection of cyclic-basis frame reconstructions, each a stationary signal estimate, contrasting with the nonstationary estimates of orthogonal wavelet thresholding. This viewpoint clarifies that certain characteristics of TI (i.e. reduced edge contour artifacts) are inherited from each cyclic-basis reconstruction, rather than from the process of averaging. We relate performance advantages of TI in smooth areas of images to statistical relationships of the cyclic- basis reconstructions. In edge regions, the quality of cyclic-basis reconstructions varies significantly with pixel position relative to the edge contour. These differences couple with convexity arguments to explain large performance gains of TI in edge regions. They also suggest an improved approach to frame reconstruction, based on estimating relative location information, and identifying the best cyclic-basis reconstruction for the estimated pixel location.
Declining Productivity Revisited: Secular Trends or Cyclical Losses?

Dickens (1982) argued that the productivity slowdown since the mid 1960s is cyclical and not a long-term trend. This letter tests the robustness of Dickens' conclusion, specifically with respect to labor productivity.
Development and integration of an extended embryo culture program.

Abstract Objective: To study and evaluate a sequential, extended embryo culture system. Design: Prospective study. Setting: University-affiliated IVF clinic. Patient(s): All couples who were treated between October 1997 and July 1998. Intervention(s): A standard human tubal fluid plus 10% serum substitute supplement (SSS) culture medium was used. The embryos were transferred to extended culture medium (S 2 or G 2 ) on day 3. Main Outcome Measure(s): Blastocyst formation and implantation and pregnancy rates. Result(s): Forty percent of the 20 donated cryopreserved embryos progressed to the blastocyst stage by day 6. Clinically, 7 (5.6%) of the 125 cycles did not result in a transfer. Blastocyst formation rates ranged from 33%–63% in the five study groups. Implantation rates ranged from 15%–52% and pregnancy rates ranged from 37%–75%. Conclusion(s): Extended culture to day 5 or 6 results in acceptable blastocyst formation rates, implantation rates, and pregnancy rates.
“My Eyes were Opened”: Tracing the Conceptual Change of Pre-Service Teachers in a Special Education/Multicultural Education Course

As the number of culturally and linguistically diverse (CLD) learners with disabilities increases in the United States, many educators and policymakers purport that teacher education programs (TEPs) must incorporate multicultural education more substantively. However, we know very little about the impact of multicultural education on the thinking and actions of preservice teachers. Moreover, we know very little about how changes in content and format affect their outcomes on evaluative measures. This study traces the conceptual change of 26 preservice teachers enrolled in an introductory special education course with a multicultural component. Concept mapping and comparative essays were used to analyze quantitatively and qualitatively which concepts the preservice teachers found most salient and specific. Results indicated statistically significant changes in the concepts the students' deemed most central and specific. Also, qualitative analysis revealed that students' post-maps were more complex than the...