cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Pharmacological effects of epibatidine optical enantiomers

The pharmacology of synthetic D- and L-epibatidine, an alkaloid originally characterized from frog skin, were studied in different behavioral tests in mice and rats. The two enantiomers have potent antinociceptive activity in mice using the tail-flick test, with an ED50 of 6.1 and 6.6 micrograms/kg for L- and D-epibatidine respectively. Epibatidine enantiomers were 200 x more potent than L-nicotine as an antinociceptive agent in mice after s.c. administration. Their analgesic effect was blocked by mecamylamine but not naloxone, an opiate antagonist. Both D- and L-epibatidine have high affinity (Ki 54.7 and 55.0 pM, respectively) for [3H]nicotine binding site in rat brain. In addition, they reduced mice locomotor activity and body temperature in a dose-dependent manner. In rats trained with nicotine (0.4 mg/kg), epibatidine enantiomers engendered nicotine-like responding in a dose-related manner with an ED50 of 1.00 and 0.93 micrograms/kg for D and L, respectively. The discriminative effect of L- and D-epibatidine in rats was blocked by mecamylamine but not by hexamethonium. As in binding results, there was no significant enantioselectivity for these effects in our study.
Pulmonary Metabolism of Resveratrol: In Vitro and In Vivo Evidence

The role of pulmonary metabolism in trans-resveratrol (RES) pharmacokinetics was studied in a mouse model. Plasma concentrations of RES and its major metabolites trans-resveratrol-3-sulfate (R3S) and trans-resveratrol-3-glucuronide (R3G) were compared after administration of RES by intravenous (IV) and intra-arterial (IA) routes. Total area under the curve (AUC) of RES decreased by approximately 50% when RES was administered by the IV route compared with the IA route. The AUC of R3G was also significantly higher in mice administered RES by the IV route compared with the IA route. In vitro studies performed with mouse and human lung fractions confirmed pulmonary metabolism of RES. Interestingly, mouse-lung fractions gave rise to both R3S and R3G, whereas human lung fractions yielded R3S. This indicates marked interspecies variation in RES conjugation, especially in the context of extrapolating rodent data to humans. Taken together, the results presented here underline, for the first time, the impact of pulmonary metabolism on resveratrol pharmacokinetics and interspecies differences in RES pulmonary metabolism.
WAS THE INDIAN LABOR MOVEMENT EVER CO-OPTED?

ABSTRACT Despite its central importance to India's political and economic development, the organizational capacity of India's working class is poorly understood. Standard social scientific accounts portray the Indian working class as weakened by continual fragmentation and wholly dominated by political parties and the state. Social scientists therefore assume that the Indian working class is economically and politically inconsequential. This essay challenges these prominent misconceptions. Drawing on original survey data, government statistics, and a discussion of Indian industrial and labor law, the author shows that the Indian labor movement has been much more unified, much more contentious in the collective bargaining arena, and much more politically influential than previously assumed. The author speculates that the key reason social scientists have misjudged the strength of organized labor in India is that their assessments have relied too heavily on “key source” interviews with business, political a...
Coordinating motion of cooperative mobile robots through visual observation

This paper describes the development of an integrated autonomous multi-robot system, where two heterogeneous robots exhibit coordinated convoying behavior. Coordination is accomplished without any communication but by visual observation. An active perception system uses visual servoing to track the leading vehicle to determine its heading and relative distance. A fuzzy logic based real-time motion controller uses the heading to control the steering and relative distance and velocity information to adjust the speed to let the trailing robot smoothly follow the leader. A novel correlation algorithm based on minimum noise and correlation energy (MINACE) filter is used for object tracking. The MINACE based tracker is adaptive and when the tracking degrades due to the change in appearance of the leading robot a new filter is synthesized online to replace the old one. The performance and robustness of the convoying system has been verified in a series of extensive laboratory trials. >
Trade Negotiation Capacity and Health Carve-Outs in Trade Agreements

There is a dearth of scholarship on the relationship between international trade and health status in countries. This paper contributes to filling this gap by proposing a formal analytical framework to study the link between the extent of health issues carved out from trade agreements by negotiating countries and their expenditure on public health. We also examine the role played by the nature of the political and fiscal regime prevalent in the country in the securing of the carve-outs. The model predicts that a higher level of carve-outs is more likely for countries that have relatively low levels of public health spending and which tend to be more politically free and fiscally liberal. We provide anecdotal evidence that supports our findings.
Trajectory optimization estimator for impulsive data association

A new approach to multi-target data association is presented. In this new approach, the problem of correctly associating measurements to the object from which they originate is viewed as an impulse optimization. In the systems considered, a single sensor attempts to measure a pre-specified object of interest. Interpolating the discrete set of measurements, it is possible to compute a “measurement trajectory.” The action of the sensor randomly measuring a system target other than the object of interest is viewed as an impulse in the measurement trajectory. It is possible to correctly associate measurements by determining the times at which the impulses occur. The main contribution of the work presented in this paper is to provide a method for estimating the total number of impulses.
Analysis of the Asymmetric Gene Expression between the Left and Right Hemispheres of Drosophila Brain

Studying the molecular mechanism of brain asymmetry can provide important clues to understand neurological diseases and psychiatric disorders related to brain lateralization. In this paper, asymmetric gene expression in the left/right hemispheres of Drosophila brain was genome-widely analyzed to help understand the molecular mechanism of brain asymmetry. Using microarray analysis of total RNAs of the left/right brain hemispheres, thirty-eight genes were found to be differentially expressed in the left/right hemispheres. This result supports that Drosophila brain is asymmetrical at the molecular level. Among thirty-eight genes, six genes of interests were chosen for further analysis based on their protein structures or previous studies: dpr6, CG13299, CG13068, Lim3, CG43759, and Ir21a. Those six genes encode proteins that serve various functions like neural gene expression, memory control, ion channel, and membrane receptor. Surprisingly, all six genes of interests have their peak expression during the early embryonic stages, suggesting that they may play a role in the developmental stage of brain lateralization. Overall, these findings of differential gene expressions in the left/right brain hemispheres can serve as a basic foundation for further research on the understanding of the molecular mechanism of brain asymmetry.
Intimate partner violence: An application of attachment theory

ABSTRACTAttachment theory has gained increased prominence over the past several decades in the fields of psychiatry, psychology, and social work. Attachment theory, however, has not been systematically applied to intimate partner violence (IPV), a phenomenon that disproportionately affects women in poverty. This article provides an overview of IPV as a social problem, reviews existing literature related to the application of attachment theory to IPV, discusses the theory’s strengths and limitations in understanding and resolving IPV, and considers areas for future knowledge development.
Acute noncardiogenic pulmonary edema in an anesthetized Nubian goat kid.

Abstract Observations A 1-month-old Nubian goat presented for sialocyst resection. Physical examination and bloodwork were unremarkable. While pre-oxygenating, the goat was sedated with midazolam and morphine (0.1 mg kg −1 each) intravenously (IV). General anesthesia was induced 5 minutes later with 1.7 mg kg −1 propofol. Sevoflurane was administered in oxygen without assisted ventilation via a cuffed orotracheal tube. Throughout the first 85 minutes of anesthesia, the goat was well-oxygenated (SpO 2 , ≥97%), ventilating adequately (P e ′CO 2 , 36–48 mmHg), and had normal mean arterial blood pressure (MAP, 60–85 mmHg). Blood-gas values at 45 minutes were consistent with adequate ventilation on oxygen. At 75 minutes, the goat moved in response to surgical stimulation, requiring additional propofol (0.4 mg kg −1 ). After 10 minutes, MAP dropped precipitously to 40 mmHg and frequent multiform premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) were observed. Crystalloids, hetastarch, and dopamine (5 μg kg −1 minute −1 ) were administered to correct the hypotension. Arterial blood-gas analysis revealed that the goat had become hypoxemic (PaO 2 , 50 mmHg). Intermittent positive pressure ventilation (IPPV) was initiated. Subsequent blood-gas analysis did not show significant improvement in PaO 2 (53 and 56 mmHg, respectively). Occasional PVCs were observed thereafter. Surgery ended, and sevoflurane and IPPV were discontinued. The goat was extubated within 7 minutes and received 100% oxygen by mask. Diffuse crackles were ausculted over both hemithoraces. Suspecting pulmonary edema, furosemide (1 mg kg −1 ) was administered IV. Radiographs taken immediately post-operatively revealed a severe, caudodorsal airspace (alveolar) pattern, confirming the diagnosis. Respiration improved considerably within an hour with nasal oxygen and two additional doses of furosemide. Conclusions The goat developed acute, drug-induced, noncardiogenic pulmonary edema in response to the second dose of propofol.
Metrics for managing customer view of software quality

Traditional software metrics, such as code coverage, McCabe complexity, etc. address the needs of a software engineer. In contrast, managers of software development organizations face a broader set of issues. For example, an executive responsible for multiple products and releases has to understand the customer views of those products and put in place, appropriate actions across the products that will be of high business value. We present examples of data and metrics associated with service (i.e. product support) for field reported problems and customer critical situations, and customer satisfaction ratings across a comprehensive range of software product attributes. Issues arising in the data integration, analysis, and correlation of these metrics are highlighted. A systematic methodology for statistical analysis of the data that enables management to derive key, actionable drivers of change through the metrics is presented. We also present an outline of a decision support system developed at IBM for tracking and using software metrics to enable executives to make better informed decisions in supporting their products.
Use of Writing with Symbols 2000 Software to Facilitate Emergent Literacy Development

This paper outlines the use of the Writing with Symbols 2000 software to facilitate emergent literacy development. The program’s use of pictures incorporated with text has great potential to help young children with and without disabilities acquire fundamental literacy concepts about print, phonemic awareness, alphabetic principle, vocabulary development, and comprehension. The flexibility and features of the software allow early childhood professionals to create a variety of early literacy tools for the classroom, including worksheets, storybooks, and interactive activities.
Structurally Informative Tandem Mass Spectrometry of Highly Sulfated Natural and Chemoenzymatically Synthesized Heparin and Heparan Sulfate Glycosaminoglycans

The highly sulfated glycosaminoglycan oligosaccharides derived from heparin and heparan sulfate have been a highly intractable class of molecules to analyze by tandem mass spectrometry. Under the many methods of ion activation, this class of molecules generally exhibits SO3 loss as the most significant fragmentation pathway, interfering with the assignment of the location of sulfo groups in glycosaminoglycan chains. We report here a method that stabilizes sulfo groups and facilitates the complete structural analysis of densely sulfated (two or more sulfo groups per disaccharide repeat unit) heparin and heparan sulfate oligomers. This is achieved by complete removal of all ionizable protons, either by charging during electrospray ionization or by Na+/H+ exchange. The addition of millimolar levels of NaOH to the sample solution facilitates the production of precursor ions that meet this criterion. This approach is found to work for a variety of heparin sulfate oligosaccharides derived from natural sources or produced by chemoenzymatic synthesis, with up to 12 saccharide subunits and up to 11 sulfo groups.
Toward an expert system for expressive musical performance

The development and implementation of an expert system that determines the tempo and articulations of Bach fugues are described. The rules in the knowledge base are based on the expertise of two professional performers. The system's input is a numeric representation of the fugue. The system processes the input using a transition graph, a data structure consisting of nodes where data is stored and edges that connect the nodes. The transition graph recognizes rhythmic patterns in the input. Once the system identifies a pattern, it applies a specific rule or performs a procedure. System output consists of a listing of tempo and articulation instructions. To validate the expert system, its output was compared with versions of fugues edited by one of the two experts used in developing the system. In tests with six fugues, the expert system generated the same editing instructions 85 to 90% of the time. >
Longitudinal Associations Among Change in Overweight Status, Fear of Negative Evaluation, and Weight-Related Teasing Among Obese Adolescents

Objective To examine longitudinal bidirectional associations between changes in adolescents' weight status and psychosocial constructs. Method 118 obese adolescents aged 13-16 years participated in a behavioral weight control intervention. Percent overweight (OW), fear of negative evaluation (FNE), and frequency of weight-related teasing (WRT) were collected at baseline, end of intervention, and 12 and 24 months post-randomization. 3 multivariate latent change score models were estimated to examine longitudinal cross-lagged associations between: (1) OW and FNE; (2) OW and WRT; and (3) FNE and WRT. Results Decreases in OW were prospectively associated with subsequent decreases in both FNE and WRT; however, changes in FNE and WRT were not prospectively associated with subsequent change in OW. Decreases in FNE were prospectively associated with subsequent decreases in WRT. Conclusion Moderate weight loss in the context of a behavioral weight control intervention has positive long-term implications for obese adolescents' peer relations.
Preliminary Investigation of the Sources of Self-Efficacy Among Teachers of Students with Autism:

Teacher self-efficacy refers to the beliefs teachers hold regarding their capability to bring about desired instructional outcomes and may be helpful for understanding and addressing critical issues such as teacher attrition and teacher use of research-supported practices. Educating students with autism likely presents teachers with some of the most significant instructional challenges. The self-efficacy of 35 special education teachers of students with autism between the ages of 3 to 9 years was evaluated. Teachers completed rating scales that represented self-efficacy and aspects of the following 3 of Bandura’s 4 sources of self-efficacy: (1) sense of mastery, (2) social persuasions, and (3) physiological/affective states. Significant associations were observed between physiological/affective states and self-efficacy, but no associations were observed for the other sources.
Vitamin K Activity of Menadione Dimethylpyrimidmol Bisulfite in Chicks

Abstract MOST of the data presented in the literature indicate that menadione soluble compound, has more vitamin K activity than fat soluble menadione (2-methyl-l,4-naphthoquinone) or vitamin K1 Frost et al. (1956) found MSBC to be three times as effective as menadione for chicks. Perdue et al. (1957) found the activity of MSBC to be 1.5 times that of vitamin K1. Nelson and Norris (1960) reported menadione sodium bisulfite and vitamin K1 to be about equally active on a molar basis and both were 2.5 times more active than menadione. The vitamin K activity of a new water soluble analogue of menadione, menadione dimethylpyrimidinol bisulfite (MPB), was compared with that of MSBC and the results are presented in this paper. Since this study was completed, Griminger (1965) has also reported data comparing the relative vitamin K activity of these two compounds. EXPERIMENTAL Day-old male broiler type chicks, obtained from a commercial hatchery, …
A Real-Time, Mesoscale Numerical Weather-Prediction System Used for Research, Teaching, and Public Service at The Pennsylvania State University

A mesoscale modeling system is being applied on an experimental basis at The Pennsylvania State University (Penn State) for production of real-time, high resolution, numerical weather forecasts for the northeastern United States. The initial model experimentation is being supported by Penn State. It is believed to be the first time that a real-time, three-dimensional mesoscale model has been run routinely at an American university, although mesoscale models have been run in real time in government laboratories. A version of the Penn State/NCAR mesoscale model is employed, using a two-way interacting nested grid with a fine-grid increment of 30 km, a coarse-grid increment of 90 km, and 15 computational levels. The forecast cycle is initiated automatically by the Department of Meteorology's Digital Equipment Corporation VAX 8350 system when all the required 0000 UTC surface and upper-air National Weather Service (NWS) data have been received, quality checked, and archived. Lateral boundary conditions are ex...
Budgeting Audit Time: Effects of Procedure Frame and Perceived Procedure Verifiability

Auditors must ensure that their audit plans budget sufficient time to key audit procedures. Research has shown that insufficient audit time budgets can be detrimental to audit quality. We examine whether framing audit procedures negatively (e.g., assess whether management’s assumptions are not appropriate) increases time budgets, particularly for procedures for which the auditor perceives that performance quality is less verifiable and thus most at risk of being performed with low quality. We report the results of an experiment in which 50 experienced audit managers budget time for an audit program to test a Level-3 fair value estimate, which prior research and PCAOB inspections indicate is a challenging audit area vulnerable to allegations of low audit quality. The results support our predictions. We also find that auditors are not aware of the extent to which framing affects their planning decisions. These results suggest that re-framing audit procedures negatively would increase audit time budgets, particularly for less-verifiable procedures.
ALEKS-based Placement at the University of Illinois

ALEKS is an adaptive assessment and learning mechanism used as a course companion and assessment tool. The use of ALEKS as an assessment mechanism in higher education at the level between college algebra and calculus began recently, following the work of Carpenter and Hanna which showed that ALEKS could serve as a preparedness measure (Carpenter and Hanna, 2006). This chapter investigates the use of ALEKS as part of a placement mechanism at the University of Illinois, comparing the results to the previously used mechanism based on ACT scores. The effectiveness of standardized college entrance exams as predictors of student performance has been previously investigated, particularly for the SAT (Baron and Norman, 1992). An ALEKS-based mechanism has been implemented at Boise State University (Bullock et al., 2009), using ALEKS as a course companion and as an assessment mechanism. Emulating the implementation at the University of Illinois, the Boise State Mechanism has had similar results regarding the decline of failure proportions in placement courses and enrollment changes.
ROLE OF THE "NEW" ASIAN-AFRICAN COUNTRIES IN THE PRESENT INTERNATIONAL LEGAL ORDER *

The establishment of an effective rule of law in the international society, we have been told time and again, is the only way to save the world from the danger of its plunging into the holocaust of an atomic-missile war which, if it ever comes, will mean an over-all destruction. But while the ideal is admitted, the difficulties of its achievement must not be underestimated. The road toward the sort of world legal order to which we all aspire is seriously blocked. Among the many problems that lie ahead, two are of unusual importance: first,- the problem of building an acceptable legal order in the absence of a true universal community having similar political and social values and interests; and secondly, the problem of making greater use of legal methods in the settlement of international disputes. I The present body of international rules applicable between states, socalled international law, was developed among the Western European countries during the last four centuries and is basically the outcome of, or is dominated by, their influence. Though in the beginning these rules, derived from the principles of Jus Naturale and Jus Gentium of the Roman legal system, were thought to be applicable between all the countries of the world, during the nineteenth century there developed a spirit of provincialism in Europe. Thus, while the fathers of modern international law, Vitoria, Su'arez, Gentili, Grotius, Pufendorf, Bynkershoek, Wolff and Vattel, conceived of it as a universal system, leading writers of the last century and the early years of the present century, such as Wheaton, Phillimore, Hall, Oppenheim, Fauchille, Westlake and others, declared it to be applicable only between the European Powers.' In order to bring other countries under its sway, they were required to be formally admitted to this closed group. Thus Hall said: . . .as international law is a product of the special civilization of modern Europe, and forms a highly artificial system of which the principles cannot be supposed to be understood or recognized by countries differently civilized, such states only can be presumed to be subject to it as are inheritors of that civilization. They had lived,
An Analysis of Control, Bases of Control and Satisfaction in an Organizational Setting

This study attempts to analyze the relationship between control, bases of control, and three categories of satisfaction. Data are analyzed by using both group and individual measures. A total of 22...
A strain of codling moth in California resistant to DDT

Occurrence of DDT resistance in the codling moth, Carpocapsa pomonella (L.), is briefly reviewed. A strain of codling moth from an apple orchard at Soquel, California, is shown by laboratory studies to have an LC-50 four times that of a nonresistant laboratory strain. These studies are based on the susceptibility of newly hatched larvae of each strain to initial deposits from different dosages of a DDT wettable powder on apples, using a cell technique. Well-timed applications of DDT in replicated plots in the orchard in which the resistant population occurred resulted in control failure, whereas materials not related to DDT provided excellent control.
Cynomolgus macaque neutrophils express IL-4 and IL-10 in response to Mycobacterium tuberculosis bacilli

Neutrophils are associated with increased disease severity in tuberculosis (TB) but mechanisms underlying their contribution to pathology are poorly understood. In granulomas, neutrophils localize to regions that are adjacent to macrophages, and we hypothesize that neutrophil-expressed cytokines can modify anti-mycobacterial immune responses. To investigate this, we examined pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokine production by neutrophils in Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) infected macaques, a nonhuman primate that replicates human TB. We found that intact bacteria were potent inducers of anti-inflammatory cytokine expression and viable Mtb elicited IL-10 while dead Mtb induced IL-4 expression. Bacterial stimulation and mycobacterial culture filtrate protein (CFP) induced TNF in peripheral blood neutrophils. Cytokine expression was not induced by stimulation with anti-CD3 antibody, poly I:C, or purified Mtb peptides and was independent of host infection status, suggesting this is an intrinsic property of neutrophils driven by mycobacterial TLR2/4 ligands. There was little polyfunctionality in neutrophils and most cells expressed either IL-4 or IL-10, or these cytokines in combination with TNF. Neutrophils were less efficient than T cells at cytokine production and expressed less cytokine on a per cell basis. Although there are more T cells than neutrophils in granulomas, we found similar frequencies of IL-4 or IL-10 expressing T cells and neutrophils, and identified IL-10+ neutrophils in caseum adjacent to epithelioid macrophages, a region associated with extracellular Mtb. These results suggest neutrophils are underappreciated sources of immunosuppressive cytokines that contribute to poor outcomes in TB.
Sanctions as Signals: A Line in the Sand or a Lack of Resolve?

Churchill’s sardonic comment came as the League of Nations debated continuing the economic sanctions imposed upon the Italians for their attack on Ethiopia. His remark pinpointed what was for him a crucial contradiction. On one hand, proponents emphasised the seriousness of intent behind sanctions. On the other hand, they emphasised sanctions as a ‘peaceful’ mode of coercive bargaining — that is, as an alternative to the use of force. In Churchill’s opinion, the two positions were inconsistent, and this inconsistency compromised the credibility of the League of Nations’ commitment to collective security. The Italians, faced with such a mixed message, had little reason to believe the League would take any further action to redress their invasion. They were correct, and the League’s failure to act condemned not only the Ethiopians but also ultimately the League itself.
Trigger finger in adults

The lifetime risk is about 2% to 3%, with women affected more frequently than men. The risk is as high as 10% among people with diabetes mellitus. The ring finger and thumb are most frequently affected.[1][1] Patients present with symptomatic locking during flexion and extension of the affected
Abstract 200: Time Course of Macrophages Infiltration and Apha 2 Adrenergic Autoreceptor Impairment in DOCA-salt Hypertensive Rats

The development of DOCA-salt hypertension displayed a phasic phenomenon: pre-hypertension, phase 1, phase 2 and established hypertension. We have reported that in established DOCA-salt hypertension rats there were in increased number of pro-inflammatory macrophages (Mϕ) in the mesenteric arteries (MA) adventitia, and the α2-adrenergic autoreceptor (α2AR) regulating norepinephrine (NE) release from sympathetic nerves supplying arteries is impaired. DOCA-salt rats treated with apocynin, an NADPH-oxidase inhibitor, exhibited reduced inflammation and are protected against established hypertension. The proposed studies tested the hypothesis that as blood pressure increased in DOCA-salt rats, Mϕ infiltrated into the adventitia of MA. Mϕ released O2- that disrupted α2AR function causing increased NE release and further increased in blood pressure. Using immunohistochemistry, we detected the number of Mϕ in MA adventitia of phase 1, 2 and established hypertension was 4-5 higher than control (p
Moved out, Moved On: Assessing the Effectiveness of Voter Registration List Maintenance

The quality of voter registration lists has been at the center of debates about election administration in the United States for over a decade. Lists with excessive numbers of ineligible registrants, whether due to death, mobility, or other reasons, complicate the logistical task of running elections and an easy target for those concerned with the electoral integrity or voter fraud. This paper seeks to answer two questions regarding the accuracy of voter lists. First, how well do the registration cancellation rates line up with the rates we would expect to see given demographic trends? Second, when in an electoral should we expect that voter lists will be the most reflective of the population of registered and eligible voters. Using administrative and demographic data over four two-year election cycles, we find very strong evidence that voter lists are almost entirely absent of deceased registrants. On the other hand, the data suggest that election officials have a much more difficult time removing registration records of those who have moved out of the jurisdiction. We supplement these findings with data from Florida and Virginia which allow us to explore temporal variation in removal rates. We find that the states employ two different paradigms for registration list cleaning.
Characterization of a 1- mu s, 1-MA plasma erosion opening switch

Summary form only. Experiments have been carried out to characterize the conduction phase of the plasma erosion opening switch (PEOS) driven by a fused capacitor bank. Initial experiments with a PEOS cathode (anode) radius of 5 cm (8.9 cm) used magnetic probes to determine the PEOS current distribution and collimated, visible light detectors and Faraday cups to detect the presence of plasma. Results of these preliminary measurements suggest that non-current-carrying plasma is accelerated ahead of the PEOS current channel, in the direction of the load. This plasma must be accounted for when computing the PEOS center-of-mass displacement and may also have some effect on the load performance. >
Changes in Spending and Service Use After a State Autism Insurance Mandate

Almost all states have insurance coverage mandates for childhood autism spectrum disorder treatment, yet little is known about how mandates affect spending and service use. We evaluated a 2011 Kans...
Development of alternative payment models for surgical care

Abstract Alternative Payment Models (APMs) have been of growing importance in the Medicare Program for several years. Recently passed laws have created additional incentives for the creation of, and participation in APMs that meet certain requirements related to quality, risk, and use of certified EHR technology. The American College of Surgeons has undertaken an effort to develop an APM that recognizes the importance of team-based, patient-centered care and surgeon leadership in improving outcomes and patient experience while allowing surgeons to share in savings from reductions in cost.
CRA fraction intervention for fifth-grade students receiving tier two interventions

Students must leave elementary school with a firm understanding of fractions and decimals in order to make satisfactory progress in advanced mathematics. Firm understanding includes manipulation of...
Unsupervised learning of functional network dynamics in resting state fMRI

Research in recent years has provided some evidence of temporal non-stationarity of functional connectivity in resting state fMRI. In this paper, we present a novel methodology that can decode connectivity dynamics into a temporal sequence of hidden network "states" for each subject, using a Hidden Markov Modeling (HMM) framework. Each state is characterized by a unique covariance matrix or whole-brain network. Our model generates these covariance matrices from a common but unknown set of sparse basis networks, which capture the range of functional activity co-variations of regions of interest (ROIs). Distinct hidden states arise due to a variation in the strengths of these basis networks. Thus, our generative model combines a HMM framework with sparse basis learning of positive definite matrices. Results on simulated fMRI data show that our method can effectively recover underlying basis networks as well as hidden states. We apply this method on a normative dataset of resting state fMRI scans. Results indicate that the functional activity of a subject at any point during the scan is composed of combinations of overlapping task-positive/negative pairs of networks as revealed by our basis. Distinct hidden temporal states are produced due to a different set of basis networks dominating the covariance pattern in each state.
Trends in the accumulation of net foreign reserves since World War II

Abstract. Taking a historical perspective, this paper observes the trend in net foreign reserves by examining data that extend as far back as 1948. It looks broadly at how reserve coverage has changed over time and the benefits and costs of holding such reserves. Moreover, it studies which countries are the biggest holders of reserves and how much they have as well as the reasons why they hold these amounts. An accompanying spreadsheet workbook contains the data for the graphs and analysis of this paper. Data come mainly from the International Monetary Fund’s International Financial Statistics database, supplemented in some cases by national sources. Keywords. Foreign reserves, Gold, Monetary base, Imports, Reserve adequacy. JEL. E58, F31.
Development, validation, and potential applications of the hepatitis C virus injection-risk knowledge scale (HCV-IRKS) among young opioid users in New York City

Abstract Background Hepatitis C virus (HCV) incidence has increased dramatically in the United States in recent years and is associated with the opioid epidemic due to high HCV transmission risk among people who inject drugs (PWID). HCV transmission knowledge is difficult to ascertain given the lack of psychometrically-tested measures. We developed and validated an HCV injection-risk knowledge scale. Methods Analyses used data from 539 New York City opioid users ages 18-29 recruited via respondent-driven sampling in 2014–16. Blood samples yielded HCV antibody status. Principal components analysis (PCA) of nine knowledge items answered true, false, or don’t know identified useful scale items. We evaluated internal consistency with the Cronbach’s alpha coefficient and assessed construct validity by comparing knowledge levels with those from a previously validated general HCV knowledge scale and by comparing key sub-group knowledge levels. Results PCA identified one component with five items that explained 45% of the total variance and had high internal consistency (alpha=0.91). All items referred to transmission through drug-injection equipment and practices: sharing cookers, cottons, diluting water, water containers, and cleaning syringes with water. The mean percent correct was 75%, and as expected, was moderately correlated with general HCV knowledge (Spearman’s rho=0.55). As hypothesized, knowledge levels were highest for those previously tested for HCV, those with HCV antibody-positive status, PWID, and those who had received harm reduction information in various settings. Conclusions The 5-item, validated HCV Injection-Risk Knowledge Scale (HCV-IRKS) may provide educators, care providers, and researchers with critical information for reducing HCV among PWID.
Characterization of Metastatic Sternal Lesions on Dynamic Contrast-Enhanced Breast MRI in Women with Invasive Breast Cancer.

Rationale and Objectives Detecting sternal lesions is not the purpose of breast MRI, but diagnosing metastasis has major clinical implications. Our purpose was to determine the breast MRI features of sternal metastases detected on PET-CT and bone-scan. Materials and Methods Between 01/2010-09/2018, 379 patients with breast cancer had sternal findings on PET-CT or bone-scan, 21 of which underwent breast MRI within 100 days. Sternal lesions were considered metastatic if (1) biopsy demonstrated metastasis, (2) the lesion had similar appearance to synchronous sites of biopsy-proven osseous metastases, or (3) there were numerous suspicious lesions in which widespread osseous metastasis was presumed. Four radiologists reviewed the MR images to determine if metastases were retrospectively detectable. MRI reports were reviewed to determine if lesions were prospectively described. MRI features of metastatic sternal lesions were compared to benign controls. Results Fourteen sternal metastases met inclusion criteria. Lesions were retrospectively detectable on breast MRI by all radiologists in 86% (12/14) of cases, but prospectively reported in 57%. Of the 12 MRI-detectable metastases, mean maximum dimension was 33 mm, 7 had >1 lesion, all were T1-hypointense, 11 were T2-hyperintense, 11 were noncircumscribed, 6 extended beyond cortex, 11 enhanced heterogeneously, and 11 demonstrated washout. Heterogeneous enhancement (p = 0.002), noncircumscribed margins (p 1 cm (p Conclusion Most sternal metastases (86%) were retrospectively detectable on breast MRI, but only 57% were prospectively reported, emphasizing the importance evaluating the sternum on breast MRI. Certain MRI features may raise suspicion for metastasis.
An Assessment of Fluoride Related Posts on Instagram

Background: Social media is a driving force in the sharing of information. The purpose of this study is to describe fluoride related content on Instagram, a popular social media platform. Methods: Content categories were created and coded to better describe the nature of the posts.Data collection occurred in three sessions, two months apart. Only relevant posts that included images and had text written in the English language were included. Results: The most common topics were conspiracy theory, contained in 37.3% of posts, followed by dangers of fluoride to health (30.3%) and benefits of fluoride to teeth (28.7%). Of the posts reviewed, 96/300 (32.0%) contained pro-fluoride content while 139/300 (63.0%) posts featured anti-fluoride content. Content varied significantly between pro- and anti-fluoride posts. Conclusion: Our review of Instagram posts revealed that there were approximately 300 posts focused on fluoride related content. Of these posts, there was a higher number of anti-fluoride related content compared to pro-fluoride related content. With accessibility comes the potential for misinformation. Future efforts from medical providers need to focus on educating consumers about reliable sources for health information on the internet.
G-OnRamp: a Galaxy-based platform for collaborative annotation of eukaryotic genomes

Summary G-OnRamp provides a user-friendly, web-based platform for collaborative, end-to-end annotation of eukaryotic genomes using UCSC Assembly Hubs and JBrowse/Apollo genome browsers with evidence tracks derived from sequence alignments, ab initio gene predictors, RNA-Seq data and repeat finders. G-OnRamp can be used to visualize large genomics datasets and to perform collaborative genome annotation projects in both research and educational settings. Availability and implementation The virtual machine images and tutorials are available on the G-OnRamp web site (http://g-onramp.org/deployments). The source code is available under an Academic Free License version 3.0 through the goeckslab GitHub repository (https://github.com/goeckslab). Supplementary information Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
When manufacturers compete with their channel members: An experiential learning project for marketing channels students

This paper describes an experiential learning project for students enrolled in a Marketing Channels course. Students conducted small scale research studies involving manufacturers and their channel...
Estuarine Distribution of Nonconservative Substances

Various mathematical analyses and methods are presented to define water quality and pollution conditions in a one-dimensional estuary, which is characteristic of many of the estuaries on the eastern coast of the United States. Three common coordinate systems are used to describe the geometry of the various estuarine systems. Different types of spatial and temporal pollutional loadings are included in the analysis. The final equations are used to define the longitudinal distribution of various pollution parameters in the estuaries of the Delaware, the East and the James Rivers. Data from both model tests and field surveys are available for comparison with the predicted profiles.
Trauma and referentiality in Bhabani Bhattacharya’s famine novels:

Bhabani Bhattacharya’s novels, So Many Hungers! and He Who Rides a Tiger, provide an epistemological alternative to imperial narratives about the Bengal famine of 1943, that aligns with the concept...
A Novel Tool to Facilitate Communication of Pain Quality: “Pain Blocks”

Abstract Purpose Assessment of pain is difficult for many reasons, including the inability of patients to translate a subjective experience into words, and it is challenging for health care providers to create a shared understanding of what is being described. Physical representations exist to facilitate the objective scaling of “severity” or “intensity” of pain, but none exist to enable communication of pain quality. The objective of this proof-of-concept study was to develop, introduce, and evaluate consistency of participant interpretation of a novel kinesthetic tool set (Pain Blocks) that was designed to represent qualities of pain. Methods A prospective convenience sampling of participants approached in nonmedical settings over 9 months was queried to assess 6 randomly ordered Pain Blocks during structured interviews. The subjects were directed to associate each Pain Block with a pain quality from a list of 12 suggestions or use a free-text area for “other” descriptors. During the study, Pain Blocks were removed and replaced based on consistency of response at interval assessments. In part 2, participants were asked if any of the Pain Blocks accurately characterized the quality of their last severe pain. Findings A convenience sample of 220 participants was enrolled in the study and assessed 6 Pain Blocks. They interpreted and applied a pain quality to each of the blocks. Using interval assessments, a final selection of 6 Pain Blocks was derived that had consistent high association with specific pain qualities, either individually or with synonyms: Block 1 (stretching and tearing), 81.8%; Block 3 (crampy and throbbing), 90.4%; Block 4 (sharp and stabbing), 99.1%; Block 6 (crushing and dull), 94.1%; Block 7 (twisting), 95.8%; and Block 8b (burning), 100%. There were no differences in consistency of block interpretation between sexes or in terms of past experience of pain. Implications We were able to create a group of physical objects (Pain Blocks) that were consistently and persistently interpreted, with a high degree of reliability, to represent specific pain qualities across ages and sexes. Although this proof-of-concept article was limited by the inclusion of English-speaking patients only and voluntary participants not currently in pain, the results support further investigation into tools to create a shared understanding of pain sensations between provider and participant.
Do Peak Times Exist for Sudden Cardiac Arrest

Sudden cardiac arrest remains an unexpected and dynamic cardiovascular disease process that continues to present challenges for accurate risk prediction and prevention. The notion of a circadian pattern in the occurrence of sudden cardiac arrest had long been supported by the presence of an early morning peak; however, more recent studies are calling this observation into question. This likely paradigm shift in the presentation and mechanisms of sudden cardiac arrest has major implications and needs to be carefully considered. In this review, we present the current state of the science of circadian and septadian trends in sudden cardiac arrest through an in-depth analysis of the published literature.
Loop quantum ontology: spacetime and spin-networks

It is standardly claimed in loop quantum gravity (LQG) that spacetime both disappears, fundamentally, and emerges from spin-networks in the low energy regime. In this paper, I critically explore these claims and develop a variety of substantival and relational interpretations of LQG for which these claims are false. According to most of the interpretations I consider, including the “received interpretation", it is in fact false that spacetime emerges from spin-networks. In the process of supporting these claims, I also explain why spacetime is thought to be missing from the theory’s fundamental ontology and demonstrate how this conclusion depends on our interpretation of the theory. In fact, I will argue that for a variety of interpretations spacetime survives quantization just as the electromagnetic field survives quantization. The upshot of the following analysis is a much needed clarification of the ontology of LQG and how it relates, or fails to relate, to the spacetime of general relativity.
Planning in L1 and L2 writing: Working memory, process, and product

The study of planning in second language (L2) writing research is heavily influenced by two research domains: (a) early research on cognition in first language (L1) composing processes and (b) second language acquisition (SLA) research. The first research domain has been instrumental in determining the specific systems and processes involved in composing and has led to widely accepted models of L1 writing (Bereiter & Scardamalia, 1987*; Flower & Hayes, 1980*; Hayes, 1996, 2012) as well as a widely accepted model of the interaction between working memory and L1 writing systems (Kellogg, 1996*; Kellogg, Whiteford, Turner, Cahill, & Mertens, 2013). The influence of these early studies is still felt in process approaches to composition instruction commonly implemented in L1 and L2 writing classes. The second research domain—SLA and more specifically task-based language teaching/learning—has come to view planning as a feature of task complexity that can be manipulated to facilitate the production of language that is complex (syntactically and/or lexically), accurate, and/or fluent (Robinson, 2011*; Skehan, 1998*; Skehan & Foster, 2001). This research timeline traces the study of planning in L2 writing in each of these domains by reviewing key L1 and L2 writing research over the last 30-plus years and by highlighting each study's findings. Prior to presenting the timeline, the following sections provide backgrounds in each of the domains noted above and situate planning within those domains.