cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
*719 ACCOMMODATING RELIGION AT WORK: A PRINCIPLED APPROACH TO TITLE VII AND RELIGIOUS FREEDOM

This article examines the problem of balancing several core interests: (1) society's interest in eliminating unfair employment discrimination including discrimination on the basis of religion; (2) an employee's interest in seeking, obtaining, and holding employment free from unfair discrimination; and (3) an employer's interest in the employer's free exercise of religion, including using religious criteria for employment decisions. Also implicated are issues concerning both public and private tolerance of religion, issues concerning the relationship of the state to the individual in religious freedom, and employee interests in associating with employees with similar religious mind-sets. I suggest that most issues of this sort be resolved through a practical approach not dissimilar to that advanced for disability-related employment disputes as originally conceived under the Americans with Disabilities Act. For those issues which cannot be resolved through such pragmatic means, I propose that such problems should not be decided by relatively rigid application of formulaic rules, but rather through carefully nuanced consideration of the seemingly imprecise principle of accommodation tempered by and informed by the principles and ideals of tolerance, equality, neutrality, and inclusion.
A Brief Survey of Democracy Promotion in US Foreign Policy

Democracy promotion has been a centerpiece of US foreign policy for over half a century. This article explores the evolution of democracy promotion in US foreign relations from 1821 to 2014. While the quantity and quality of US democracy promotion policy evolved in a nonlinear fashion, US presidents varied the ways and means of democracy promotion as a way to achieve national security objectives. There is signification variation among US presidents on the specific linkages between democracy and security, resulting in divergent policy applications and technical approaches.
Military Science of Sun Tzu and Operational Command Principles of USAF

During the course of long-term war practice,USAF presents some operational command principles such as lightening attack and rapid decisive operations etc..To some extent,these principles reflect some thinking of Military Science of Sun Tzu.This thesis will interpret the operational command principles of USAF and draw some conclusions upon which accord with the soul of the thinking of Sun Tzu.It attempts to annotate and analyze the operational command principles of USAF from the point of view of traditional and oriental military science.It will be conducted from the following four aspects as accurate and timely intelligence is the important element to the success of air campaign,rapid decisive operation is one of the standards for the success of air campaign,lightening attack is the key way to succeed in a war and the force will be concentrated on the attack against the enemy.
System level challenges of THz and mm-wave imaging systems

While THz and mm-wave imaging systems provide an interesting avenue for stand-off detection of concealed weapons and other threats without the need for ionizing radiation, there are many physical and technical obstacles which still prevent these systems from becoming commercially practical. This paper introduces the major issues for active and passive imaging including background masking, specular responses, and thermal equalization. Secondly, the paper discusses the prospects of radar imaging, and tradeoffs between system parameters such as transmit power, receiver sensitivity and phase noise, and how these parameters affect corresponding physical behavior including aperture size, resolution, penetration, and stand-off distance.
Procedures for respiratory function.

SUMMARY The emergency practitioner has a wide array of procedures in his armamentarium for the diagnosis of pulmonary dysfunction. The combination of blood gas analysis, spirometry, peak expiratory measurements, and transtissue monitors, coupled with clinical and radiographic findings, can offer a concise picture of pulmonary status. Further emergency medicine research in these areas will provide exciting methods of assessing and monitoring treatment responses for patients with pulmonary dysfunction.
Fast Incremental Community Detection on Dynamic Graphs

Community detection, or graph clustering, is the problem of finding dense groups in a graph. This is important for a variety of applications, from social network analysis to biological interactions. While most work in community detection has focused on static graphs, real data is usually dynamic, changing over time. We present a new algorithm for dynamic community detection that incrementally updates clusters when the graph changes. The method is based on a greedy, modularity maximizing static approach and stores the history of merges in order to backtrack. On synthetic graph tests with known ground truth clusters, it can detect a variety of structural community changes for both small and large batches of edge updates.
Helminth-microparasite co-infection in wildlife: lessons from ruminants, rodents and rabbits

Co-infection is now recognized as the natural state of affairs in most hosts and co-infecting parasites interact in a variety of ways that can impact host health and parasite fitness. Interactions between helminths and microparasites have captured particular attention in this regard owing to the ubiquity of helminth infections in many host populations. The mechanistic underpinnings and health implications of co-infection are typically studied in laboratory and clinical settings, but recently studies of wild species have begun to tackle similar issues. Case studies from three wild mammal groups-ruminants, rodents and rabbits-serve to highlight how wild studies are contributing to the broader co-infection literature. This work suggests that wildlife research can generate new and unique insights about helminth-microparasite co-infection that are fostered in part by studying parasite interactions in a natural context. For this reason, increased integration of wild studies with research in human, laboratory and veterinary animal populations can help pave the way towards a more complete understanding of the issue of co-infection.
Graph Based Agent Oriented Model for Tunnel Simulation

As an application of graph-based agent-oriented model [1], we simulate the movement of large number of occupants inside a closed tunnel. A pedestrian tunnel provides access to people moving from one end to another and it may be few meters to few hundred meters long. Tunnels are normally accessible at few endpoints and any incident or accident in such a confined space may cause severe damage to the people. The structure of the tunnel and the volume of people present in it make the study of movement behavior inside tunnels an important research topic. Graph based agent oriented models [1] efficiently models large number of pedestrians in any structure while maintaining the heterogeneity of the pedestrians. This property of the model makes it perfect to model a tunnel and the various types of pedestrians moving through it. We model a maximum of 6000 pedestrians with different speed moving in 2D tunnel of length 1000 m and width 20 m and analyze our results.
Preparing for an international pharmacy practice experience.

This reflection seeks to provide advice to pharmacy students on how to get involved in international service, including but not limited to language preparation, travel costs, and health clearance. It also seeks to highlight the benefits of international health service through insights that I gained
Characterization of Insect Resistance Loci in the USDA Soybean Germplasm Collection Using Genome-Wide Association Studies.

Management of insects that cause economic damage to yields of soybean mainly rely on insecticide application. Sources of resistance in soybean plant introduction (PIs) to different insect pests have been reported, and some of these resistance sources, like for the soybean aphid (SBA) have been used to develop resistant soybean cultivars for soybean producers. With the availability of SoySNP50K and the statistical power of genome-wide association studies, we integrated phenotypic data for beet armyworm, Mexican bean beetle (MBB), potato leafhopper (PLH), SBA, soybean looper (SBL), velvetbean caterpillar (VBC), and chewing damage caused by unspecific insects for a comprehensive understanding of insect resistance in the United States Department of Agriculture Soybean Germplasm Collection. We identified significant single nucleotide polymorphisms for MBB, PLH, SBL, and VBC, and we highlighted several leucine-rich repeat-containing genes and myeloblastosis transcription factors within the high linkage disequilibrium region that surrounds the significant SNPs. Specifically for soybean resistance to PLH, we found the PLH locus is close but distinct to a locus for soybean pubescence density on chromosome 12. The results provide genetic support that pubescence density may not directly link to PLH resistance. This study offers a novel insight of soybean resistance to four insect pests and reviews resistance mapping studies for major soybean insects.
The pedagogical relation past and present: experience, subjectivity and failure

AbstractThe pedagogical relation, the idea of a special relationship between teacher and child, has long been a central theme or ‘problem’ in interpretive studies of education, with the term having been established in English some 25 years ago by Max van Manen. Speaking more broadly, themes of ‘student-teacher relations’ and ‘pedagogies of relation’ are common in both empirical and theoretical literature. The German educationist Herman Nohl (1879–1960) was the first to give the phrase ‘pedagogical relation’ explicit description and definition, and as I show, a steady stream of educationists have followed in his wake. Nohl’s notion has subsequently been revised and criticized by prominent continental scholars, and much from these continental conceptions—particularly the exclusive focus on the child’s experience—has been retained or strengthened in English by van Manen and others. However, in the light of ongoing adult and teacher fallibility this paper argues that the weakness, hesitation and subjectivity ...
Some Interesting Examples for Teaching Statistics.

IN THE past most attempts at teaching statistics have focused on the computa tions associated with a few formulas, like the mean, standard deviation, t confidence interval, and so on. The purpose of this note is to point out that an alternative and much more exciting approach is possi ble. The methods we propose are based on the philosophy that "statistics is the sci ence and art of obtaining, analyzing and interpreting data, and finds applications almost everywhere" (Urquhart 1971). With this view, statistics is far more than just a bunch of messy formulas. The formulas are important, but they can be introduced gradually as the students be gin to feel the need for sharper tools. All of the techniques discussed in this note hav? been successfully used at the college level. They are presented here in the belief that they may be equally effec tive at the high school, and perhaps even the junior high school level. In fact, it is our hope that even teachers who don't have the time to include a whole unit on statistics or probability will find one or more of these ideas stimulating enough to
Hemorrhagic Cystitis and Ureteritis, and Interstitial Nephritis Associated with Administration of Penicilling

Hemorrhagic cystitis and ureteritis, and interstitial nephritis developed in a patient receiving penicillin G and streptomycin as therapy for bacterial endocarditis. After therapy was changed to vancomycin there was prompt resolution of these abnormalities.
Differential Ability of Pandemic and Seasonal H1N1 Influenza A Viruses To Alter the Function of Human Neutrophils.

ABSTRACT Neutrophils are essential cells of host innate immunity. Although the role of neutrophils in defense against bacterial and fungal infections is well characterized, there is a relative paucity of information about their role against viral infections. Influenza A virus (IAV) infection can be associated with secondary bacterial coinfection, and it has long been posited that the ability of IAV to alter normal neutrophil function predisposes individuals to secondary bacterial infections. To better understand this phenomenon, we evaluated the interaction of pandemic or seasonal H1N1 IAV with human neutrophils isolated from healthy persons. These viruses were ingested by human neutrophils and elicited changes in neutrophil gene expression that are consistent with an interferon-mediated immune response. The viability of neutrophils following coculture with either pandemic or seasonal H1N1 IAV was similar for up to 18 h of culture. Notably, neutrophil exposure to seasonal (but not pandemic) IAV primed these leukocytes for enhanced functions, including production of reactive oxygen species and bactericidal activity. Taken together, our results are at variance with the universal idea that IAV impairs neutrophil function directly to predispose individuals to secondary bacterial infections. Rather, we suggest that some strains of IAV prime neutrophils for enhanced bacterial clearance. IMPORTANCE A long-standing notion is that IAV inhibits normal neutrophil function and thereby predisposes individuals to secondary bacterial infections. Here we report that seasonal H1N1 IAV primes human neutrophils for enhanced killing of Staphylococcus aureus . Moreover, we provide a comprehensive view of the changes in neutrophil gene expression during interaction with seasonal or pandemic IAV and report how these changes relate to functions such as bactericidal activity. This study expands our knowledge of IAV interactions with human neutrophils.
Timing of blood transfusion and oncologic outcomes in patients treated with radical nephroureterectomy for upper tract urothelial carcinoma.

To evaluate the impact of timing of blood transfusion in patients with upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) treated with radical nephroureterectomy (RNU). Outcomes of consecutive patients with UTUC treated with RNU were analyzed. Clinicopathologic factors were compared using Fisher’s exact test or the Wilcoxon rank-sum test between patients who received any transfusion and no transfusion, and between patients receiving intraoperative transfusion only and patients receiving no transfusion. Cancer-specific and overall survival were estimated and multivariable analyses were performed to assess the impact of timing of transfusion on clinical outcomes. Among 402 patients included in this study, 71 (17.6%) patients received a transfusion at any point and 27 (6.7%) patients received an intraoperative blood transfusion. Transfusion at any time, patient comorbidity, high grade, advanced stage, positive surgical margins, low preoperative hemoglobin, longer operative duration, and increased blood loss were significantly associated with cancer-specific survival (DSS) on univariable analysis (HR 1.85, 95% CI 1.20–2.85, p < 0.005). In the multivariable analysis, transfusion at any point was not a prognostic factor (HR 1.00, 95% CI 0.60–1.68, p = 0.99). When examining intraoperatively transfusion only, transfusion was significantly associated with DSS (HR 1.91, 95% CI 1.01–3.59, p = 0.045) but no longer significant in multivariable analysis (HR 0.72, 95% CI 0.32–1.65, p = 0.440). Our study indicates that the administration of blood transfusion either intraoperatively or postoperatively is not associated with clinical or oncological outcomes in patients with upper tract urothelial carcinoma when adjusted for other factors in multivariable analysis. Further study is required.
Testing patterns for genetically triggered aortic and arterial aneurysms and dissections at an academic center

Abstract Objective The contemporary practice of testing for genetically triggered aortic and arterial aneurysms and dissections is not well described. This study aimed to describe this practice at a tertiary care academic center and to ascertain the yield of testing in establishing the diagnosis in patients referred on the basis of clinical suspicion. Methods This is a retrospective cohort study of patients referred for vascular genetic testing at an academic medical center between 2010 and 2015. Patients were identified by Current Procedural Terminology diagnostic codes 81405, 81408, and 81479 for genetic testing (Marfan syndrome, Loeys-Dietz syndrome, aneurysms-osteoarthritis syndrome, COL3A1 , and familial thoracic aortic aneurysm panel [ ACTA2 , COL3A1 , TGFBR1 , TGFBR2 , SMAD3 , TGFB2 , MYLK , MYH11 , and PRKG1 genes]) and by review of the collagen vascular laboratory database for genetic testing results. Data abstracted included demographics, clinical history, reason for referral, family history, referring provider type, and outcomes of genetic testing. Results Ninety-six patients (44.3% male; median age, 40.8 years) were referred for suspected genetic vascular disease. Genetic testing was performed in 75 cases thought to have heritable mutations related to aortic or arterial aneurysms and dissections. The most common reason for genetic testing was a personal history of aortic or arterial aneurysms and dissections (62.3%; mean age, 45.8 ± 11.1 years), followed by a family history of aortic or arterial aneurysms and dissections without a personal history (26.6%; age, 28.8 ± 17.9 years). The most common genetic testing performed was a familial thoracic aortic aneurysm gene panel (44%), followed by single gene testing for vascular Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (33.3%). Genetic testing identified a pathogenic mutation in 36% of the cases. The highest likelihood of identifying a pathogenic mutation was in those who had a family history with an already diagnosed mutation (57.1%), followed by patients with aortic root and ascending aortic aneurysm or dissection (42.3%). Conclusions In patients with suspected genetically triggered vascular disease, the yield of clinical vascular genetic testing is reasonable when selective genetic testing is performed on the basis of personal or family history. These tests should be obtained with appropriate expertise in genetic counseling and interpretation of genetic testing results. Negative genetic test results in the setting of a positive family history demonstrate the limits of testing and known mutations leading to genetically triggered aortic and arterial aneurysms and dissections and support the need for novel gene discovery.
Circadian rhythms in cockroaches

The driving oscillator, which mediates circadian locomotor rhythms in cockroaches, appears to reside in the protocerebrum of the brain. The evidence indicates that the optic lobes are crucial elements in this circadian system, and that control of rhythmicity is mediated through electrical, rather than hormonal, channels. Lesions were placed at various sites within the optic lobes in order to localize the areas controlling rhythmicity. It appears that the two innermost synaptic areas (the lobula and the medulla) constitute the crucial optic lobe elements. The outer synaptic area of the optic lobe (the lamina) is not necessary for the expression of rhythmicity, but does function as a coupling through which light cycles, transduced by the compound eyes, entrain the circadian clock.
Reynolds Number Dependencies in Boundary Layer Axial Stress and Scalar Variance Transport

Boundary layer axial stress, (u 2), and scalar variance, (c 2), transport were investigated using custom hot-wire/photoionization probes. The probes allow instantaneous measurement of all the terms in the evolution equations for (u 2) and (c 2), excluding molecular diffusion and pressure-strain. Of particular interest are the dominant length scales participating in the transport. Turbulent transport in the wall normal direction was found to prevail over other terms in the evolution equations. Independent of Reynolds number, the peak in the spectra of the turbulent transport term was found to occur near λu, the Taylor microscale associated with u.
Electrical measurement of internal information processing during silent reading and listening.

When one listens, one “says what one hears.” In reading, one “says what one sees,” following which, one “hears what one says.” The processes of intermodal transfer and of phonetic coding to achieve lexical-semantic processing are hypothesized. The technologic consequence is that covert oral behavior (subvocalization) during silent reading is beneficial to children and should not be tampered with by the teacher.
Aflatoxin cross‐contamination during mixing of shelled almonds

Reports indicate that aflatoxin contamination in almonds comprise a few highly contaminated kernels among a much larger bulk with low concentrations, hypothetically due to cross‐contamination during processing. To test this, kernels exhibiting this distribution were generated by distributing 141.5 µg of aflatoxin between 20 almonds (approximately 7 µg each) which were then mixed with 5 kg (approximately 4,000 kernels) of local raw unroasted almonds for 20 min using an industrial mixer. A second 5 kg lot of noncontaminated kernels was marked for later identification then similarly mixed with the contaminated group. The groups were re‐separated and aflatoxin content was measured using High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) analysis. Twenty‐three micrograms of aflatoxin was recovered from the initially noncontaminated group, indicating cross‐contamination during mixing. Approximately 0.10 µg of aflatoxin was recovered from equipment surfaces. The results emphasize the need to reduce the potential for cross‐contamination between nuts by removing contaminated nuts and routinely cleaning processing equipment. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Shelled almonds have an atypical aflatoxin distribution that appears consistent with a combination of two distributions: first, infrequent highly contaminated nuts and second, a uniform low‐level aflatoxin contamination. This second distribution appears to come from cross‐contamination during postharvest processing, but this has not been previously tested. Results of this study confirmed that aflatoxin can transfer between contaminated nuts and uncontaminated nuts via simple mechanical mixing contact, as would occur during postharvest processing. Almond producers will want to take this finding into account when reviewing their processing and cleaning procedures and reduce any opportunity for nut to nut cross‐contamination by removing contaminated nuts as early as possible and routinely cleaning processing equipment.
The Jonas Scholars Program-Evaluation of a decade-long program to advance doctoral-prepared nurses.

Abstract Background The Jonas Scholars Program of Jonas Nursing & Veterans Healthcare aims to advance the pipeline of doctoral-prepared, research-focused, and practice-focused faculty via student financial support and leadership training. Purpose Program evaluation of the Jonas Scholars Program. We describe the reach of the program over time, scholar characteristics, and report on graduated scholars that are currently employed in faculty and clinical positions. Method Retrospective analysis of administrative records from the Jonas Scholars Program spanning 2008 to 2016. Findings The Jonas Scholars Program has grown substantially since its inception. From 2008 to 2016, a total of 1,032 doctoral students at 174 universities across the United States have received financial support through the program. Scholars have a mean age of 38 and nearly two-thirds are enrolled in a research-focused PhD program. Most graduated scholars for which data are available are primarily faculty in nursing schools 185 (30.7%), providing direct patient care 171 (28.4%), or conducting research 118 (19.8%). Discussion The Jonas Scholars Program supports the pipeline of a younger generation of doctoral-prepared nurses that are faculty in schools of nursing, providing direct patient care and conducting research.
No More Magic Mirrors: Performing Intercultural Communication in a (Post?) Fairy Tale World

A poetic performative script is offered in this piece to highlight through critical playful speech the metaphoric, archetypal, and narrative forms of habituation and scripting that lay powerfully i...
Examining social determinants in use of assistive technology for race/ethnic groups of older adults

OBJECTIVE Assistive technologies (AT) can compensate for activity limitations and loss of physical functioning. Little is known regarding how minority older adults differ in AT use as they age. This study examined race and ethnic differences in AT use among a nationally representative sample of older adults in the United States. DESIGN Weighted logistic regression analyses were conducted using the 2012 Behavioural Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS), collected annually by the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The study sample included 282,825 non-Hispanic White, African American, Asian and non-White Hispanic older adults. Activity limitation, health care access, overall health status and sociodemographic characteristics were included as variables in the analysis. Interaction analyses were conducted to examine the moderating effect of race/ethnicity on social determinants with AT use. RESULTS Results indicated that 13.5% of older adults reported the use of an AT. African American older adults had the highest percentage of AT use (21.0%), and Asian older adults had the lowest (5.1%). Those who were 85 years and older, reported an activity limitation, were unmarried and in poor health were most likely to use an AT. Having health insurance was significantly associated with higher AT use for non-Hispanic Whites (OR = 1.66, p < 0.001) and non-White Hispanics (OR = 1.98, p < 0.01), but not African Americans and Asians. CONCLUSION Health professionals can promote access and address barriers in AT use, particularly in regard to accessibility and acceptability among minority older adults.Implications for rehabilitationAfrican-Americans older adults were most likely to use ATs, and Asian older adults the leastOlder adults who were 85 years and older, reported an activity limitation, were unmarried and in poor health were most likely to use an ATDifferent social determinants to AT use were found among race/ethnic groups, highlighting the need to promote access and address barriers to health care utilization.
Promoting Reading Achievement in Children with Developmental Language Disorders: What Can We Learn from Research on Specific Language Impairment and Dyslexia?.

Purpose Specific language impairment (SLI; see also developmental language disorder) and dyslexia are separate, yet frequently co-occurring disorders that confer risks to reading comprehension and academic achievement. Until recently, most studies of one disorder had little consideration of the other, and each disorder was addressed by different practitioners. However, understanding how the two disorders relate to each other is important for advancing theories about each disorder and improving reading comprehension and academic achievement. The purpose of this clinical focus article is to integrate research on SLI and dyslexia as well as advocate for the consideration of comorbidities in future research and clinical practice. Method The first section reviews definitions as well as inclusionary and exclusionary criteria for SLI and dyslexia. The second section reviews research demonstrating that SLI and dyslexia are different disorders that often co-occur. Studies examining language, working memory, and academic achievement in children with separate versus co-occurring SLI and dyslexia are reviewed. The final section compares and contrasts school identification frameworks for children with SLI and dyslexia and considers the potential benefits of incorporating broad language skills into response to intervention (RTI) assessment frameworks. Conclusions Children with weak language skills are at a high risk of experiencing reading problems, but language difficulties are often hidden from view. Directly addressing language skills within school RTI frameworks can help improve the identification and treatment of children with SLI and dyslexia as well as support improved reading comprehension and academic achievement for all students. Presentation Video https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.13063793.
Discrete-Event Simulation with Consideration for Patient Preference When Scheduling Specialty Telehealth Appointments

Healthcare providers have begun providing care to patients via remote appointments using web-based, synchronous video visits. As this appointment modality becomes increasingly prevalent, decision-makers must consider how to incorporate patient preference for an in-person versus virtual care modality when scheduling future visits. We present a discrete-event simulation that models several potential policies that these decision-makers could use to schedule patients, and demonstrate this simulation in the clinical context of patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease. This simulation provides key metrics for decision-makers, including provider utilization, patient lead time, and proportion of appointments that satisfy patients’ preferences for appointment modality.
Surgical management of a giant congenital left ventricular aneurysm in a 2-month-old infant

A congenital left ventricular aneurysm is very rare. Clinical presentation varies from absence of symptoms to ventricular arrhythmias, heart failure or even sudden death. The optimal management is controversial and the surgical technique is not defined. A left ventricular aneurysm was diagnosed on prenatal echocardiography at 33 weeks gestation. After birth, initial transthoracic echocardiography confirmed the diagnosis. Two months later, the infant was taken to surgery for aneurysm repair using the Dor procedure with cardiopulmonary bypass. This technique eliminates the need for external prosthetic materials and produces a more physiologic left ventricular geometry. Transthoracic echocardiography performed at 6-month follow-up showed an ejection fraction of 66%.
Electroosmotic Mixing of Non-Newtonian Fluid in a Microchannel with Obstacles and Zeta Potential Heterogeneity

This paper investigates the electroosmotic micromixing of non-Newtonian fluid in a microchannel with wall-mounted obstacles and surface potential heterogeneity on the obstacle surface. In the numerical simulation, the full model consisting of the Navier–Stokes equations and the Poisson–Nernst–Plank equations are solved for the electroosmotic fluid field, ion transport, and electric field, and the power law model is used to characterize the rheological behavior of the aqueous solution. The mixing performance is investigated under different parameters, such as electric double layer thickness, flow behavior index, obstacle surface zeta potential, obstacle dimension. Due to the zeta potential heterogeneity at the obstacle surface, vortical flow is formed near the obstacle surface, which can significantly improve the mixing efficiency. The results show that, the mixing efficiency can be improved by increasing the obstacle surface zeta potential, the flow behavior index, the obstacle height, the EDL thickness.
Hepatitis C infection and complication rates after total shoulder arthroplasty in United States veterans

Background Few studies have evaluated the effect of hepatitis C (HCV) on primary total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA). Our purpose was to determine if HCV infection is associated with increased complication rates after TSA in United States (US) veterans and, secondarily, to determine if preoperative HCV treatment with direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) affects postoperative complication rates. Methods US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) data sets were used to retrospectively identify patients without HCV, patients with untreated HCV, and patients with HCV treated with DAAs who underwent TSA from 2014 to 2019. Medical and surgical complications were assessed using International Classification of Diseases codes. Complication rates between patients with HCV (treated and untreated) and patients without HCV and between HCV-treated patients and HCV-untreated patients were compared at 90 days and 1 year after surgery. Results We identified 5774 primary TSAs that were performed at VA hospitals between 2014 and 2019. A minority (9.5%) of TSA patients had HCV, 23.4% of whom were treated preoperatively with DAAs. On multivariate analysis, HCV patients had increased odds of 1-year medical complications (odds ratio, 1.39; 95% confidence interval, 1.06-1.81, P = .016), when compared with patients without HCV. No statistically significant difference in complication rates was observed between HCV-treated and HCV-untreated patients. Discussion US veterans with a history of HCV are at an increased risk of developing medical but not surgical complications within the first year after TSA. Larger studies are necessary to evaluate the effects of DAA treatment on complication rates.
A Tale of Two Falsities: Objective Falsity and Common-Law Falsity in the False Claims Act

On February 22, 2021, the Supreme Court of the United States issued an order list denying certiorari in two cases below seeking to define truth. There exists within the False Claims Act (“FCA”) context a question of whether the statutory element of “falsity” in making out an FCA claim extends to medical “opinions.” Some courts have adopted the objective-falsity standard, which posits that only hard indicia, such as empirical data, are subject to falsifiability. Other courts have adopted legal, or common-law, falsity which includes objective falsity but adds liability for misrepresented legal compliance. Unsurprisingly, this is a niche issue with virtually no scholastic development. The manuscript makes the following findings: (1) the common law clearly supports that medical opinions are subject to falsifiability on broader grounds than objective falsity posits; (2) medical “opinions” are actually more characteristic of statements of fact; (3) comparative litigation in other realms of medicine routinely invite the falsifiability of medical opinions by factfinders; and (4) that advocates’ concerns of legal falsity increasing liability under the FCA thus amounting to nonstop bet-the-business litigation are unfounded. The Supreme Court must eventually provide guidance, and given the high stakes of FCA litigation, the few parties who do go to trial are heavily incentivized to appeal ad infinitum. This area of law is scholastically anemic, and this manuscript seeks to end that by walking through the required path of the law for judges, practitioners, and would-be defendants to ensure greater congruence between conduct and the rule of law.
Spin determinations from the reaction at 80 MeV

Vector analyzing power angular distributions for the 58Ni(d→,a)56Co reaction have been measured at 80 MeV bombarding energy. They exhibit large differences between the possible transferred total angular momenta J=L+1, J=L and J=L − 1, thus allowing unique spin determinations of the levels in the residual nucleus 56Co. This has led to new spin assignments for the following high-spin states in 56Co: 3.54 MeV, 7+; 4.44 MeV, 7+; 5.14 MeV, 5+.
Pitfalls in Erythrocyte Protoporphyrin Measurement for Diagnosis and Monitoring of Protoporphyrias

BACKGROUND: Laboratory diagnosis of erythropoietic protoporphyria (EPP) requires a marked increase in total erythrocyte protoporphyrin (300–5000 μg/dL erythrocytes, reference interval <80 μg/dL) and a predominance (85%–100%) of metal-free protoporphyrin [normal, mostly zinc protoporphyrin (reference intervals for the zinc protoporphyrin proportion have not been established)]; plasma porphyrins are not always increased. X-linked protoporphyria (XLP) causes a similar increase in total erythrocyte protoporphyrin with a lower fraction of metal-free protoporphyrin (50%–85% of the total). CONTENT: In studying more than 180 patients with EPP and XLP, the Porphyrias Consortium found that erythrocyte protoporphyrin concentrations for some patients were much higher (4.3- to 46.7-fold) than indicated by previous reports provided by these patients. The discrepant earlier reports, which sometimes caused the diagnosis to be missed initially, were from laboratories that measure protoporphyrin only by hematofluorometry, which is intended primarily to screen for lead poisoning. However, the instrument can calculate results on the basis of assumed hematocrits and reports results as “free” and “zinc” protoporphyrin (with different reference intervals), implying separate measurements of metal-free and zinc protoporphyrin. Such misleading reports impair diagnosis and monitoring of patients with protoporphyria. SUMMARY: We suggest that laboratories should prioritize testing for EPP and XLP, because accurate measurement of erythrocyte total and metal-free protoporphyrin is essential for diagnosis and monitoring of these conditions, but less important for other disorders. Terms and abbreviations used in reporting erythrocyte protoporphyrin results should be accurately defined.
Tests for Deoxyribonucleic Acid Synthesis in Toluenized Bacillus subtilis Cells

Several tests were devised to further characterize deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) synthesis in toluenized Bacillus subtilis cells. Vigorous agitation of toluenized cells (localization test) demonstrated that the DNA replication is exclusively a cell-associated process. A DNA "repair" condition was also applied to toluenized cells and shown to be distinct from DNA replication in its DNA polymerase I dependency and its ability to synthesize DNA on template which is either cell associated or free, outside the cell. This repair condition was used in conjunction with the localization test to demonstrate the penetration of deoxyribonuclease I and possibly DNA polymerase I into toluenized cells. Therefore, we suggest that the localization test can be used to test the penetration of proteins into toluenized cells for both the DNA repair and replication processes.
Effect of prescription drug coverage on health of the elderly.

In 2003, the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act (MMA) established a prescription drug benefit for the Medicare population. The program, which started in January 2006, provides prescription drug insurance through privately sponsored insurance plans with varying levels of cost sharing depending on a person's income and expenditures for prescription drugs (CCH 2003). While political objectives were an important part of the explanation of the passage and design of the MMA, creation of the MMA was also motivated by a desire to improve the health of the elderly. Technological advances in both pharmaceutical and medical treatments had increased the importance of prescription drugs for maintaining good health, particularly for the elderly. Costs of prescription drugs had also increased significantly over time and studies had indicated that the elderly often skip doses, and that some do not fill prescriptions due to cost (Steinman, Sands, and Covinsky 2001; Kitchman et al. 2002; Saver, Doescher, and Jackson 2004; Soumerai et al. 2006). Thus, by lowering the cost of prescription drugs, the MMA would improve health by stimulating use of prescription drugs. While plausible, there is relatively little evidence to support the presumed causal relationships underlying the MMA. There have been relatively few studies of the effect of prescription drug insurance on use of prescription drugs by the elderly, and even fewer that examined a nationally representative sample (Goldman, Joyce, and Zheng 2007). Estimates of the effect of insurance coverage on use of prescription drugs from these studies varies significantly from small effects, which would imply few health benefits, to large effects, which would suggest greater improvements in health. The literature on the effects of prescription drug insurance on health of the elderly is even smaller. In short, there is insufficient research available to inform policy makers as to the likely effects of the MMA. The purpose of this study is to add to this literature by examining the relationship between prescription drug insurance and the health of the elderly population. While an evaluation of the MMA itself would be preferable, such analyses are still hampered by data availability. It will be several years before large-scale studies can be undertaken. Here we provide evidence that will be informative and serve as a bridge until more explicit evaluations of MMA can be conducted. Our analyses are based on a nationally representative sample from the Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey (MCBS) from the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services (CMS) for years 1992–2000, and we paid particular attention to the nonrandom nature of prescription drug coverage and the selection bias caused by it. The goal of the study was to obtain estimates of the effect of prescription drug coverage on elderly health that can plausibly be given a causal interpretation.
Treatment of Hepatitis C in the Patient with Decompensated Cirrhosis

Cirrhosis due to the hepatitis C virus (HCV) is increasing in prevalence and is the leading indication for liver transplantation in the United States. Current FDA-approved treatment for HCV includes peginterferon/ribavirin alone (all HCV genotypes (GT)) or with boceprevir or telaprevir (GT1). Decompensated patients tolerate interferon-based treatment poorly and only ~25 to 40 % with HCV GT1 and ~30 to 50 % with non-1 GTs achieve a sustained viral response. Emerging direct-acting antivirals (DAAs), which are more potent and have less toxicity, used in interferon-free multi-DAA combinations will enhance the tolerability of treatment and should improve outcomes for patients with decompensated cirrhosis.
A Pure Sertoli Cell Tumor of the Ovary in a 10-Year-Old Female

Abstract Study objective To document an unusual presentation of a pure Sertoli Cell tumor. Design Case report. Results We present a 10-year-old female who presented with abdominal pain and diarrhea with no symptoms of puberty. Surgical exploration revealed a metastatic pure Sertoli Cell tumor, which was treated with resection and chemotherapy. Conclusion Sertoli cell tumors are rare occurrences and should be considered in the differential diagnosis for a prepubescent girl with an abdominal mass.
Rational interpolation and the Euclidean algorithm

Abstract A general framework, leading to a parametrization of all rational functions which interpolate a given set of pairs of points, is investigated. This framework is based on the Euclidean algorithm. The resulting parametrization has the property that it keeps track of the complexity of both the numerator and of the denominator polynomials of the interpolating functions. The Cauchy interpolation problem and the related Pade approximation problem can be treated within this framework.
Behavioral intervention for siblings of children with autism: A focus on skills to enhance play

This study assessed the effectiveness of a treatment program to teach siblings to use three sets of behavioral skills while playing with their brother or sister with autism. It was predicted that siblings could acquire behavioral skills, that these skills would maintain over time, and that the skills would generalize to untrained contexts. Three sibling pairs participated in a multiple-baseline design across three sets of skills. Siblings were trained to elicit play and play-related speech, to praise play behaviors, and to prompt the child with autism when he or she failed to respond. Clear differences supporting the hypotheses were noted between baseline and posttraining sessions across all targeted behaviors for all three dyads. Generalization and follow-up probes indicated that the siblings were able to generalize the skills to a novel toy, and maintain the skills at 3-week, 6-week, and 16-week follow-ups. Ratings by naive undergraduates of baseline and post-training segments documented the social validity of the behavior changes and showed positive changes in the siblings' playtime experiences. These findings support the hypothesis that siblings can learn behavioral skills for use during cooperative play with their brother or sister with autism.
Quality management practice in highway construction

This paper describes the quality management function as practiced in highway construction. This function is displayed as an interrelated system, which identifies the main quality activities. Documents and records used in these activities are also reviewed. A model for multilevel quality management involvement is defined, encompassing contractors, engineers, and managers. The model describes the quality management tasks and the roles assumed in a scheme relating construction quality control, quality assurance, and the interface between them. The scheme can be applied to any construction domain and quality management organizational structure. The study advances the understanding of how quality management is performed and engages participants at several management levels.
Flexible distributed lag models using random functions with application to estimating mortality displacement from heat-related deaths

Changes in the distribution of ambient temperature, due to climate change or otherwise, will likely have a negative effect on public health. Characterizing the relationship between temperature and mortality is a key aspect of the larger problem of understanding the health effect of climate change. In this article, a flexible class of distributed lag models are used to analyze the effects of heat on mortality in four major metropolitan areas in the U.S. (Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles, and New York). Specifically, the proposed methodology uses Gaussian processes to construct a prior model for the distributed lag function. Gaussian processes are adequately flexible to capture a wide variety of distributed lag functions while ensuring smoothness properties of process realizations. The proposed framework also allows for probabilistic inference of the maximum lag. Applying the proposed methodology revealed that mortality displacement (or, harvesting) was present for most age groups and cities analyzed suggesting that heat advanced death in some individuals. Additionally, the estimated shape of the DL functions gave evidence that highly variable temperatures pose a threat to public health. This article has supplementary material online.
A case study of two‐robot‐arm workcell material handling

More problems are involved in collaborating multi-robot-arm systems than in single robot arms. These problems stem from mutual dynamic and kinematic effects between the arms. This work is confined to only the kinematics of two robot arms; other problems like control, force distribution, and so on are not addressed here. A particular case of a material handling problem with two collaborating robot arms loading/unloading long objects from a conveyor is studied. The feasibility of the task from a kinematics point of view, and the necessary conditions and constraints for the relative set-up of the two manipulators are discussed. These conditions originate from the working envelope of the two arms which depends on three factors: the working envelope of each individual arm, the spacing between them, and the dimensions of the workpiece. To assist this study, an efficient algorithm for determining the two-dimensional contours of the workspace of a single arm is included.