cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Managing diabetic dyslipidemia: aggressive approach

The United States is experiencing a marked increase in rates of diabetes mellitus and metabolic syndrome, almost certainly in part due to the increase in obesity rates. This phenomenon is likely to also result in an increased risk of coronary artery disease as risk factors increase exponentially. This article defines diabetic dyslipidemia, the rationale for aggressive treatment, and options for ongoing management, including nonpharmacologic therapy and medications, alone or in combination, for management of all aspects of the lipid profile.
Structural features of crystallized poly(ethylene terephthalate) polymers

Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is a widely used polymeric material. In this work, the microstructural features before and after the solid-state polymerization (SSP) of several DuPont PET products were investigated by low-voltage scanning electron microscopy (LV-SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The microstructural features on the cross section of various PET samples included crystallites, voids, boundaries, defects, and amorphous phases. The SEM images revealed layered and stepped structural features at the micron and 10-micron scales that are highly crystallized at the near-edge region of the cross section for both linear and branched PET samples after the SSP process. The AFM images demonstrate that the degree of crystallization for the linear and branched PET samples increases gradually from the central area to the edge on the cross section. The linear crystallized PET has a higher degree of orientation than the branched crystallized PET in the 10-micron to micron scales, but their crystalline structures have no significant differences in the submicron to nanometer scales. The PET crystallization process occurs when the molecular chains in the amorphous phase are aligned and folded to form straight molecular chains at the nanometer scale, and small crystallites are formed. The crystallites aggregate and align together into a polygon rod-like-shaped crystallites at the submicron scale. Finally, large crystallites at the micron size are formed that appear on the edge area of the cross section.
Enhanced formaldehyde-vapor adsorption capacity of polymeric amine-incorporated aminosilicas.

Airborne formaldehyde, which is a highly problematic volatile organic compound (VOC) pollutant, is adsorbed by polymeric amine-incorporated silicas (aminosilicas), and the factors that affect the adsorption performance are systematically investigated. Three different types of polymeric amines 1) poly(ethyleneimine) branched (PEIBR); 2) poly(ethyleneimine) linear (PEILI); and 3) poly(allylamine) (PAA) are impregnated into two types of porous silicas [SBA-15 and mesocellular foam (MCF) silicas] with systematic changes of the amine loadings. The adsorption results demonstrate that the adsorption capacity increases along with the amine loading until the polymeric amines completely fill the silica pores. This results in the MCF silica, which has a larger pore volume and hence can accommodate more polymeric amine before completely filling the pore, giving materials that adsorb more formaldehyde, with the largest adsorption capacity, q, of up to 5.7 mmolHCHO g(-1) among the samples studied herein. Of the three different types of polymers, PAA, comprised of 100 % primary amines, showed the highest amine efficiency μ (mmolHCHO/mmolN) for capturing formaldehyde. The chemical structures of the adsorbed formaldehyde are analyzed by (13)C cross-polarization magic-angle spinning (CP-MAS) NMR, and it is demonstrated that the adsorbed formaldehyde is chemically attached to the aminosilica surface, forming hemiaminal and imine species. Because the chemical adsorption of formaldehyde forms covalent bonds, it is not desorbed from the aminosilicas below 130 °C based on temperature-programed-desorption (TPD) analysis. The high formaldehyde-adsorption capacity and stability of the trapped formaldehyde on the amine surface in this study reveal the potential utility of aminosilicas as formaldehyde abatement materials.
Diagnosis of myocarditis: death of Dallas criteria.

Determining the etiology of cardiac dysfunction in patients with heart failure influences management and prognosis.1 Myocarditis, diagnosed by the current histopathological Dallas criteria, accounts for &10% of patients with new-onset cardiac dysfunction submitted to endomyocardial biopsy.1,2 Despite complete evaluation including history, physical examination, blood work, echocardiography, coronary angiography, and endomyocardial biopsy, &50% of patients with dilated cardiomyopathy have no etiology identified.1 Recent data suggest that patients in the “idiopathic” category may be suffering from myocardial inflammation due to persistent viral replication or autoimmune activation after a viral infection. These studies raise the question of whether the current histopathological criteria for myocardial inflammation (the Dallas criteria) are sensitive enough to identify the population with viral or autoimmune-related heart compromise. The Dallas criteria were proposed in 1986 and provided a histopathological categorization by which the diagnosis of myocarditis could be established. Dallas criteria myocarditis requires an inflammatory infiltrate and associated myocyte necrosis or damage not characteristic of an ischemic event. Borderline myocarditis requires a less intense inflammatory infiltrate and no light microscopic evidence of myocyte destruction.3 These criteria have been used exclusively by American investigators over the last 2 decades. Sampling error, variation in expert interpretation, variance with other markers of viral infection and immune activation in the heart, and variance with treatment outcomes all suggest that the Dallas criteria are no longer adequate. Chow et al and Hauck et al4,5 demonstrated by biopsying postmortem hearts of patients who had died with myocarditis that, from a single endomyocardial biopsy, histological myocarditis could be demonstrated in only 25% of samples. With >5 biopsies, Dallas criteria myocarditis could be diagnosed in approximately two thirds of subjects. A recent MRI study used focal imaging abnormalities to guide heart biopsy investigation of possible myocarditis. The authors showed that the earliest myocardial …
Acuity of Observation for Invariant Evolution Equations

In a recent paper [4] we studied discrete observability for invariant evoLution equations on compact homogeneous spaces, e.g. for the heat equation on the sphere. The observations there were given by simultaneous measurements, corresponding to function evaLuations. The initial data was observed as a limit of truncations deduced from a finite number of measurements. That procedure naturally involves two types of errors. First, observations qua evaLuation functionals are restricted to a finite part of the Fourier Peter Weyl expansion; that restriction implicitly involves a convoLution. See (1.4) and (1.6) below. We think of the resulting error as the error in the head of the approximation. Second, the actual initial data minus the truncations are the usual type of error terms; we think of them as the error in the tail of the approximation. In this paper we show that the error in the head depends linearly on the error in the tail. We then investigate the extent to which smoothness of the initial data function controls the tail error through a set of Sobolev inequalities. We also investigate consequences of polynomial spectral growth conditions on the rate of vanishing of the tail error. Finally, we specialize these results to riemannian symmetric spaces.
Current management review of thoracolumbar cord syndromes.

Abstract Background context Injuries to the thoracolumbar spine may lead to a complex array of clinical syndromes that result from dysfunction of the anterior motor units, lumbosacral nerve roots, and/or spinal cord. Neurologic dysfunction may manifest in the lower extremities as loss of fine and gross motor function, touch, pain, temperature, and proprioceptive and vibratory sense deficits. Two clinical syndromes sometimes associated with these injuries are conus medullaris syndrome (CMS) and cauda equina syndrome (CES). Purpose To review the current management of thoracolumbar spinal cord injuries. Study design Literature review. Methods Index Medicus was used to search the primary literature for articles on thoracolumbar injuries. An emphasis was placed on the current management, controversies, and newer treatment options. Results/conclusions After blunt trauma, these syndromes may reflect a continuum of dysfunction rather than a distinct clinical entity. The transitional anatomy at the thoracolumbar junction, where the conus medullaris is present, makes it less likely that a “pure” CMS or CES syndrome will occur and more likely that a “mixed” injury will. Surgical decompression is the mainstay of treatment for incomplete spinal cord injury (SCI) and incomplete CMS and CES. The value of timing of surgical intervention in the setting of incomplete SCI is unclear at this time. This review summarizes the recent information on epidemiology, pathophysiology, diagnosis, and controversies in the management of thoracolumbar neurologic injury syndromes.
Studying the Cytoskeleton by Label Transfer Crosslinking: Uses and Limitations

HAHS is a new type of photoactivated crosslinking reagent that can transfer a radiolabel from an initially labeled protein to its neighbors, due to the presence of a radiolabeled phenyl azide distal to a cleavable ester bond. HAHS has identified several protein interactions in the red blood cell cytoskeleton. However, when used to study how actin binds to integral plasma membrane proteins from Dictyostelium discoideum, only actin-actin crosslinks formed; no membrane protein was identified. Several nonradioactive phenyl azide crosslinkers gave similar results. Nonspecific labeling with a water-soluble precursor of HAHS showed that proteins varied by a factor of 20 in their susceptibility to reaction with nitrenes, with actin being the most reactive protein tested. Correspondingly, amino acids vary by a factor of >105 in their reactivity, with cysteine and the aromatic residues being the most reactive. Thus, chemical reactivity of proteins, probably because of differences in exposed amino acids, may significantly bias the outcome of crosslinking experiments.
A partial wave analysis of proton-antiproton annihilation above threshold for phiphi production in the JETSET experiment

The JETSET experiment (PS202) conducted at CERN was designed to search for gluonic resonances in the mass range between 2.1 and 2.4 GeV using the channel p → . This channel is OZI suppressed, thus any observed enhancement of the cross section beyond expections of theOZI rule could indicate possible resonating gluonic degrees of freedom. Infact, the measured cross section is two orders of magnitude beyond OZI expections. Subsequent spin-parity analyses have suggested a resonance with adominant J = 2 spin component and a parity of +1. Recently, another spin-parity analysis has been performed. This analysis includes the possibility of coherent interference with a scaler background. It will be summarized that the overall fit quality improves when coherent interference is included. A dominant spin component of J = 2 still emerges but a J = 4 component is also present.
Inviting Adolescents Into Academic Communities: An Alternative Perspective on Systemic Reform

T HE CONTEMPORARY CONVERSATION about educational reform centers almost exclusively on K12 school organization and classroom instruction. However, the development of academic knowledge, skills, and dispositions probably cannot and certainly should not depend solely on work done in elementary and secondary schools. The value of certain non-school experiences is demonstrated in a summer program at the University of California at Berkeley, the Academic Talent Development Program (ATDP). As a program that aims to supplement, not supplant, school experiences, ATDP begins to reveal the potential and importance of "the relation of various educative interactions and institutions to one another and to the society at large" (Cremin, 1976, p. 24).
Diet change in the management of metabolic encephalomyopathies

Dietary treatment of mitochondrial disease caused by oxidative metabolic defects has traditionally been limited to the use of ketogenic diets for the treatment of pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH) deficiency. However, defects in mitochondrial function resulting in a failure of oxidative metabolism can result in a block in the utilization of various food substrates and dietary manipulation might be beneficial. Certain predictions might be made based on the site of particular enzymatic blocks. Some disorders primarily block a particular substrate pathway, such as PDH deficiency which predominantly affects the utilization of carbohydrates and acyl-CoA dehydrogenase deficiencies which predominantly affect fat metabolism. Defects of the terminal electron transport chain, ubiquinone to cytochrome oxidase (COX), affect the ‘final common pathway’ for energy production and might be expected to impair the utilization of all food substrates. In complex I deficiency utilization of carbohydrates which generate NADH, might be expected to be impaired. The β-oxidation of fats produces NADH, ETFred and acetyl-CoA. Reducing equivalents derived from β-oxidation enter the electron transport chain at both site 1 (complex I) and site 2 (ubiquinone). Electron transport defects involving complex I may theoretically benefit from the use of high fat diets as reducing equivalents from ETFred can be introduced through the ETF/ubiquinone pathway from the metabolism of fatty acids. In patients whose lactic acid production is increased by carbohydrate intake, fructose, which is rapidly metabolized to pyruvate, might be less well tolerated than glucose as a food source.
Tutorial on biological networks

Understanding how the functioning of a biological system emerges from the interactions among its components is a long-standing goal of network science. Fomented by developments in high-throughput technologies to characterize biomolecules and their interactions, network science has emerged as one of the fastest growing areas in computational and systems biology research. Although the number of research and review articles on different aspects of network science is increasing, updated resources that provide a broad, yet concise, review of this area in the context of systems biology are few. The objective of this article is to provide an overview of the research on biological networks to a general audience, who have some knowledge of biology and statistics, but are not necessarily familiar with this research field. Based on the different aspects of network science research, the article is broadly divided into four sections: (1) network construction, (2) topological analysis, (3) network and data integration, and (4) visualization tools. We specifically focused on the most widely studied types of biological networks, which are, metabolic, gene regulatory, protein–protein interaction, genetic interaction, and signaling networks. In future, with further developments on experimental and computational methods, we expect that the analysis of biological networks will assume a leading role in basic and translational research. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Radiology in Medical Education: A Pediatric Radiology Elective as a Template for Other Radiology Courses

Abstract Purpose Traditionally, the pediatric radiology elective for medical students and pediatric residents constituted a morning teaching session focused mainly on radiography and fluoroscopy. A more structured elective was desired to broaden the exposure to more imaging modalities, create a more uniform educational experience, and include assessment tools. Methods In 2012, an introductory e-mail and formal syllabus, including required reading assignments, were sent to participants before the start date. A rotating weekly schedule was expanded to include cross-sectional imaging (ultrasound, CT, MR) and nuclear medicine. The schedule could accommodate specific goals of the pediatric resident or medical student, as requested. Starting in 2013, an online pre-test and post-test were developed, as well as an online end-of-rotation survey specific to the pediatric radiology elective. Taking the Image Gently pledge was required. A scavenger hunt tool, cue cards, and electronic modules were added. Results Pre-test and post-test scores, averaged over 2 years, showed improvement in radiology knowledge, with scores increasing by 27% for medical students and 21% for pediatric residents. Surveys at the end of the elective were overwhelmingly positive, with constructive criticism and complimentary comments. Conclusions We have successfully created an elective experience in radiology that dedicates time to education while preserving the workflow of radiologists. We have developed tools to provide a customized experience with many self-directed learning opportunities. Our tools and techniques are easily translatable to a general or adult radiology elective.
"Los Congresos Estatales y la Política Federal en México": state legislatures and federal policymaking in Mexico

The Mexican Constitution, in the Poder Legislativo, grants state legislatures the authority to introduce legislation (iniciativas de ley) in the federal congress. In this paper the authors examine this powerful mechanism through which the Mexican state legislatures can directly influence policymaking at the federal level. Using a new data set of state-led initiatives, this work: describes the frequency with which iniciativas are introduced; describes the substance, timing, and final disposition of these state-led initiatives; and explains which factors affect the probability of presenting a state-led initiative. The authors find that party competition and partisan divisions at the state and federal levels play a significant role in the use of iniciativas de los congresos estatales. The authors’ study of this peculiar authority granted to the Mexican states contributes to the rich discussion of the changing role of the states in the era of Mexico’s nuevo federalismo.
Recognizing the Limits of Risk AssessmentEditorial

The United States Environmental Protection Agency is using risk assessment procedures in environmental programs to set environmental priorities, standards, and clean-up levels.
Benzobis(silolothiophene)-Based Low Bandgap Polymers for Efficient Polymer Solar Cells†

A new type of benzobis(silolothiophene)-based low band gap copolymers PBSTBT and PBSTDTBT were developed via a facile synthetic method in high yield. The introduction of silicon atoms in the large fused rings provides new polymers with low HOMO levels and high hole mobilities up to 0.01 cm2 V−1 s−1. The results from preliminary characterization of bulk heterojuction solar cells showed PCE above 3.5% for both PBSTBT and PBSTDTBT.
The application of expert systems to process control

An expert system is a computer software technology developed from artificial intelligence research. It may be used for intelligent manufacturing process control and, when properly designed, has the capability to imitate human behavior. An expert system’s value is to assist a human in executing realtime process control decisions in a complex system. This article provides an introduction to the concepts of intelligent process control and includes a process control scenario applying an expert system as well as statistical and optimization technologies. A simple guide of how to get started and a description of expert system tools are also presented.
Developmental anomalies in Habrobracon hebetor exposed to volatilized agents

Insect anesthetics caused developmental damage during the third instar of larvae of the wasp, Habrobracon hebetor Say. Results obtained with a recently introduced agent, triethylamine (TEA), were compared with the effects of the conventional anesthetics ether and chloroform. All three compounds disturbed cocoon-spinning behavior and decreased silk production. Also, developmental delay was common. A linear relationship between the duration of exposure and survival to adulthood was demonstrated. The main effect on morphology from TEA was upon antennal length and segmentation. After exposure to ether and chloroform, anterior body segments and appendages failed to develop. In addition, microcephaly, microophthalmia, anophthalmia, and missing mouthparts were induced.
Network analysis with PubChem BioAssay: Preliminary study on drug abuse

BioAssay involves the use of live animal or plant (in vivo) or tissue or cell (in vitro) to determine the biological activity of a substance, such as hormone or drug, which plays a key role especially in evaluation of clinical efficacy for drug development. How to better utilize the biological information contained in the BioAssay for systematical identification of novel biological associations is the primary focus of this study. As one of top 10 leading cause of death, there is an urgent need to better understand the biological mechanism of drug abuse for its further prevention and management. More specifically, we developed a biological network by integrating information about chemical, gene, and disease, which are relevant to drug abuse, from PubChem BioAssay. We performed network analysis over the network to identify the high-influence nodes based on common centrality measures, and subsequently, we conducted perturbation to prioritize the final list of novel associations specific to drug abuse.
Current status of surgery for congenital heart diseases.

The present surgical treatment of patients with congenital heart disease aims at an early operative intervention and attempts at total repair of the lesion in infancy. This aggressive approach coupled with improved preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative management has provided excellent long-term results for almost all congenital cardiac lesions.
Abstract A15: Development of a multilevel human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine intervention

Purpose: New strategies to improve human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine uptake among minority and underserved adolescents are needed. The purpose of this study is to describe the development of a multi-level HPV vaccine intervention to increase adolescent HPV vaccination rates. Methods: A community-engaged process was used over a one year period. Caregivers (n=18) and providers (n=27) from a Federally Qualified Health Center participated in: 1) focus groups to better understand knowledge and acceptability of the HPV vaccine, and to generate ideas for the intervention content and format; 2) writing sessions to develop the content and intervention components; and 3) review sessions to obtain initial feedback and make revisions prior to pilot testing the intervention. Results: Intervention components developed were based on the Protection Motivation Theory and the PACE (Present the issue, Ask questions, Check understanding, and Express concerns) communication system. The intervention components developed (English and Spanish) focus on three levels: 1) Caregivers: a) an interactive computer program tailored for the adolescent9s gender, age, race/ethnicity, b) a brochure with information about additional resources, and c) a HPV vaccine comic book to assist caregivers with explaining the HPV vaccine to younger adolescents; 2) Providers: a) an automated PowerPoint presentations including current HPV vaccine initiation and completion rates, suggestions to address common barriers, and video clips demonstrating the teach-back methodology, b) current HPV vaccine scientific literature, and c) “Ask me about the HPV vaccine!” pins; and 3) Health Centers: a) posters, and b) refrigerator magnets that serve as reminders for the second and third dose of the HPV vaccine. Conclusions: Community members provided valuable input into the development of a multi-level HPV vaccine intervention. The input will make the intervention relatable and more acceptable to the priority population. Using this community-engaged approach is more complex, increases costs, and involves additional time and effort from community members and academic researchers. The value of the partnership is critical and the additional time and energy expended is important to successfully address cancer disparities among minority and underserved populations. Citation Format: Mira Lynn Katz, Paul L. Reiter, Mack T. Ruffin, IV, Electra D. Paskett. Development of a multilevel human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine intervention. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Seventh AACR Conference on The Science of Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; Nov 9-12, 2014; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2015;24(10 Suppl):Abstract nr A15.
Treatment of Infected Forearm Nonunions With Large Complete Segmental Defects Using Bulk Allograft and Intramedullary Fixation.

Purpose The purpose of this study is to report the results of a series of infected forearm nonunions treated from 1998 to 2012 using a staged reconstruction technique. Methods At a median of 42 months follow-up, 7 patients who had an average segmental defect of 4.9 cm (range, 2.3–10.4 cm) were available for clinical and radiographic evaluation. Treatment consisted of serial debridement, implantation of an antibiotic cement spacer, and staged reconstruction using a bulk radius or ulna allograft with intramedullary fixation. Results All 7 patients ultimately achieved solid bone union, although 4 patients (57%) required additional surgery, consisting of autologous bone grafting and plating, to achieve healing at 1 of the allograft-host junction sites. No patient had recurrence of infection, and all reported substantial improvement with increased function and decreased pain. Conclusions Our approach ultimately resulted in a 100% union rate without recurrence of infection, although many patients may require additional surgery to attain healing at both allograft-junction sites. Using bulk allograft provides the ability to span a large defect while reconstituting the forearm anatomy. Type of study/level of evidence Therapeutic V.
Integration and Its Disappointments

By the early twentieth century, alongside the comfort that many Black teachers and others took in the existence of a separate system of schooling that was, to some extent at least, theirs to control and to derive material benefits and status from, there was a growing demand on the part of some Black leaders and intellectuals for elimination of official segregation of schools, and “the idea of a voluntary Negro community virtually disappeared from respectable discussion.”1 This derives in part from decades of experience that “Black” schools would always be neglected and provided with inadequate resources. In 1915, William Pickens wrote an overview of “the Negro question” for the National Conference of Charities and Correction, arguing that the Negroes in Northern communities are generally opposed to the separate school idea and face the usual accusation that they “do not want to associate with their own people,” which ignores the more positive reason which the Negro himself advances—the universal temptation and tendency of the school authorities to degrade the Negro schools wherever they have been successfully segregated…whenever retrenchment was necessary the Negro’s share was always trimmed down first.…[The Negro] knows that where Black and White attend the same school this discrimination is forever impossible.…Cincinnati, Washington and St. Louis have the best separate schools for the Negro in the United States, and it is significant that the percentage of attendance of colored children at these schools is lower than at the mixed schools of Boston, Cleveland and New York.2
Fracture Analysis of Microcrack Induced Delaminations in Composite Laminates

A critical failure mode in laminated composite structures is the delamination between composite layers. The phenomenon of edge delamination typically occurs at the junction of the 90 degree and angle plies. This form of delamination starts as a minuet split between the plies and rapidly grows along the lengthwise loading direction towards the center of the laminate. The other form of delamination is the transverse-crack-tip, which occurs across the width of the ply. This typically occurs at the matrix crack tip where the complex interlaminar stresses exist at the ply interfaces. Delaminations could arise anywhere along the matrix crack tips, join together, and cause a global delamination. These global delaminations would ultimately cause fracture of the fiber in the primary load carrying plies, resulting in failure of the composite. The edge and transverse crack delaminations reduce the stiffness and strength of the overall composite matrix. This reduction in stiffness and strength can be calculated by a simple and accurate analytical methodl or by finite element method.
Personal Jurisdiction for Alleged Intentional or Negligent Effects, Matched to Forum Regulatory Interest

This Article discusses how the Walden Court may have mischaracterized the effects test of Calder, and it explores how Calder's effects test should be applied. This Article argues that personal jurisdiction should be based primarily on forum regulatory interest, and it uses this link to apply effects test analysis in defamation situations, then in other contexts unexplored by the Walden opinion. Dram-shop liability and products-liability cases are explored as situations where personal jurisdiction should be upheld, similarly to Calder, on the basis of a plaintiffs good-faith allegation that a defendant intentionally acted to create foreseeable forum effects. To the extent courts are uncomfortable applying such effects analysis, and instead insist on additional defendant forum conduct, this Article suggests such action may be in response to the reality that a plaintiffs jurisdictional allegations almost always involve factually contested matters that, unlike a defendant's presence, cannot be determined apart from the merits of the case. This Article urges courts, however, to resist importing defendant presence-based considerations into modem personal jurisdiction analysis. Instead, courts should allow a plaintiffs good-faith allegations of defendant-initiated effects to support jurisdiction. Such an approach is the best way to fully implement the minimum contacts approach required by International Shoe.
General health status in army personnel: relations with health behaviors and psychosocial variables.

Purpose Poor self-rated health (SRH) is linked to an increased risk of injury, future healthcare services utilization, and morbidity and mortality. This study aimed to identify correlates of a single-item measure of health in 8070 US Army personnel.
The evolution of bowel preparation for gastrointestinal surgery

Abstract Mechanical and antibiotic bowel preparation have swung in and out of favor among gastrointestinal surgeons. The evidence is reviewed for mechanical and antibiotic bowel preparation, respectively. However, the emerging microbiome science represents an opportunity to view bowel preparation differently. The role of the microbiome on the gastrointestinal tract in both health and disease is briefly reviewed. A better understanding of the complexity of the microbiome may provide the impetus to improve and evolve current bowel preparation practices.
Accuracy of ab initio electron correlation and electron densities in vanadium dioxide

Diffusion quantum Monte Carlo results are used as a reference to analyze properties related to phase stability and magnetism in vanadium dioxide computed with various formulations of density functional theory. We introduce metrics related to energetics, electron densities and spin densities that give us insight on both local and global variations in the antiferromagnetic M1 and R phases. Importantly, these metrics can address contributions arising from the challenging description of the $3d$ orbital physics in this material. We observe that the best description of energetics between the structural phases does not correspond to the best accuracy in the charge density, which is consistent with observations made recently by Medvedev et al. [Science 355, 371 (2017)] in the context of isolated atoms. However, we do find evidence that an accurate spin density connects to correct energetic ordering of different magnetic states in ${\mathrm{VO}}_{2}$, although local, semilocal, and meta-GGA functionals tend to erroneously favor demagnetization of the vanadium sites. The recently developed SCAN functional stands out as remaining nearly balanced in terms of magnetization across the M1-R transition and correctly predicting the ground state crystal structure. In addition to ranking current density functionals, our reference energies and densities serve as important benchmarks for future functional development. With our reference data, the accuracy of both the energy and the electron density can be monitored simultaneously, which is useful for functional development. So far, this kind of detailed high accuracy reference data for correlated materials has been absent from the literature.
Improving the Usability of Survey Project Websites

Survey datasets have great potential value. However, much of this potential may not be realized if the data and relevant documentation are not made available in a user-friendly way on the Internet. Even among some of the best-funded survey projects in the world, the quality and usability of the website interfaces for finding and accessing datasets vary widely. This chapter discusses the goals of website usability in the context of hosting archival data and documentation and highlights best practices for how to design such websites. Some of the websites of the largest ongoing survey research and survey data archiving projects in the United States are presented as case studies to give examples of what is done well and what needs improvement for each respective website.
Improving the vibration damping capacity of cement

Cement pastes containing latex (20–30% by weight of cement), methylcellulose (0.4–0.8% by weight of cement) and silica fume (15% by weight of cement, either as received or acid treated) were compared in terms of the dynamic flexural mechanical properties, as expressed by the loss tangent (damping capacity), storage modulus and loss modulus at 0.2–2 Hz (loading frequency) and 30–150 °C. Treated silica fume and latex are by far the most effective admixtures for enhancing the loss tangent (up to 0.18, an increase of up to 390%). Silica fume (whether as received or treated) is the most effective admixture for enhancing the storage modulus (up to 15 GPa). Latex tends to give a high loss modulus (up to 0.18 GPa) at 2 Hz; silica fume tends to give a high loss modulus (up to 2.2 GPa, an increase of up to 2200%) at 0.2 Hz.
Non-Psychrophilic Methanogens Capable of Growth Following Long-Term Extreme Temperature Changes, with Application to Mars

Although the martian environment is currently cold and dry, geomorphological features on the surface of the planet indicate relatively recent (<4 My) freeze/thaw episodes. Additionally, the recent detections of near-subsurface ice as well as hydrated salts within recurring slope lineae suggest potentially habitable micro-environments within the martian subsurface. On Earth, microbial communities are often active at sub-freezing temperatures within permafrost, especially within the active layer, which experiences large ranges in temperature. With warming global temperatures, the effect of thawing permafrost communities on the release of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide and methane becomes increasingly important. Studies examining the community structure and activity of microbial permafrost communities on Earth can also be related to martian permafrost environments, should life have developed on the planet. Here, two non-psychrophilic methanogens, Methanobacterium formicicum and Methanothermobacter wolfeii, were tested for their ability to survive long-term (~4 year) exposure to freeze/thaw cycles varying in both temperature and duration, with implications both for climate change on Earth and possible life on Mars.
Synthesis and Characterization of Tris(trimethylsilyl)siloxide Derivatives of Early Transition Metal Alkoxides That Thermally Convert to Varied Ceramic–Silica Architecture Materials

In an effort to generate single-source precursors for the production of metal–siloxide (MSiOx) materials, the tris(trimethylsilyl)silanol (H-SST or H-OSi(SiMe3)3 (1) ligand was reacted with a serie...
Perspectives on the New ISSCR Guidelines for Stem Cell Research and Clinical Translation

This review seeks to highlight key elements of the ISSCR 2016 Guidelines for Stem Cell Research and Clinical Translation, describe apparent influences on the Guidelines, provide an analysis of the utility and the potential impact of the Guidelines on the field of stem cell research, and propose considerations for the future versions of the Guidelines. Part ethical code of conduct, part “how-to” instructions, and part policy declaration, this version of the Guidelines forms ISSCR’s most up-to-date recommendations and guidance on the topic of stem cell clinical translation. In the revised set of Guidelines, ISSCR has asserted the imperative of maintaining the highest ethical standards for clinical translation of stem cell research. The Guidelines set a sound foundation for self-regulation, not only communicating the Society’s position on what is legitimate stem cell research/treatment and what is not, but also fulfilling ISSCR’s mission of providing professional (and public) education regarding the specific steps that should be taken to translate basic research findings to the clinic. Future versions would benefit from more extensive references, including hyperlinks to regulatory authority guidance documents; and improved clarity of the writing style, including avoidance of vague descriptions and the addition of flow charts and/or tables.
Resource Allocation for Wireless Power Transmission Over Full-Duplex OFDMA/NOMA Mobile Wireless Networks

The current wireless networks have been designed solely for data communication purposes, imposing many new challenges when supporting both power and information transmissions simultaneously. One of these main challenges lies in resource allocations. To overcome these difficulties, we propose the resource allocation schemes to efficiently support wireless power transmission over a relay-assisted full-duplex (FD) wireless network, where the access point (AP) conducts wireless information and power transfer (WIPT) to multiple mobile users in the downlink (DL), and in the meantime, mobile users transmit information to the AP via relays’ assistances in the uplink (UL). Under DL WIPT, each mobile user uses the power splitting technique to harvest energy and receive data simultaneously. Aiming at maximizing the minimum (max–min) sum of DL and UL transmit rates among all mobile users, our proposed schemes jointly optimize the allocation of subcarriers and powers, and the selection of relays and power splitting ratios. Also, our proposed schemes consider two scenarios, where the network employs either orthogonal frequency-division multiple access (OFDMA) or non-orthogonal multiple access (NOMA) taking into account both perfect channel state information (CSI) estimation and imperfect CSI estimation cases. We first approximate the formulated non-convex max–min optimization problems as convex optimization problems. Then, we develop an asymptotically optimal algorithm and a suboptimal algorithm for OFDMA case and NOMA case, respectively. Finally, we validate and evaluate the performances of our proposed schemes through numerical analyses.
A Sleep Medicine Curriculum for Pulmonary and Pulmonary/Critical Care Fellowship Programs: A Multisociety Expert Panel Report.

Background Pulmonary medicine specialists find themselves responsible for the diagnosis and management of patients with sleep disorders. Despite the increasing prevalence of many of these conditions, many sleep medicine fellowship training slots go unfilled, leading to a growing gap between the volume of patients seeking care for sleep abnormalities and the number of physicians formally trained to manage them. To address this need, we convened a multisociety panel to develop a list of curricular recommendations related to sleep medicine for pulmonary fellowship training programs. Methods Surveys of pulmonary and pulmonary/critical care fellowship program directors and recent graduates of these programs were performed to assess the current state of sleep medicine education in pulmonary training, as well as the current scope of practice of pulmonary specialists. These data were used to inform a modified Delphi process focused on developing curricular recommendations relevant to sleep medicine. Results Surveys confirmed that pulmonary medicine specialists are often responsible for the diagnosis and treatment of a number of sleep conditions, including several that are not traditionally considered related to respiratory medicine. Through five rounds of voting, the panel crafted a list of 52 curricular competencies relevant to sleep medicine for recommended inclusion in pulmonary training programs. Conclusions Practicing pulmonary specialists require a broad knowledge of sleep medicine to provide appropriate care to patients they will be expected to manage. Training program directors may use the list of competencies as a framework to ensure adequate mastery of important content by graduating fellows.
The “Violence” of the Canon: Revisiting Contemporary Notions of the Canonical

The historical conditions surrounding the processes of forming a canon (its canonicity) are rarely examined directly, yet it is these processes which govern over the realm of (religious) representations and identity constructions. In light of several recent publications which have directly criticized the explicitly monotheistic scriptures, it has become imperative to address theologically the role which the canon plays within religious tradition. By focusing on the role of the canonical form in the works of Jan Assmann and Rene Girard, for example, this essay will demonstrate the cultural necessity of canonical forms despite their ‘monotheistic tendency’ to subdivide the world into binary divisions. In this regard, it is by utilizing a scale of violence to determine the impact of the canonical form upon culture that this essay seeks to provide an account of canons and their role in forming religious identities over and beyond the violence they are said to provoke in our world. Through a clarification of the violence which a canon is capable of promoting within societies, another alternative perspective of canons can emerge. Such an alternative moreover serves to reveal the violence at the core of cultural-canonical norms, thus providing a valuable distinction between differing (violence-concealing or violence-revealing) canonical forms.
Drug rebates in Medicare Part D: Excess patient costs in the case of hepatitis C treatments.

Abstract Background Medicare Part D was implemented as a prescription drug benefit in 2006. Since then, high-cost new therapies have emerged, resulting in large increases in prices for pharmaceutical products, share of government spending from pharmaceutical products, and patient out of pocket costs. Objectives The objectives of this study were to: 1) evaluate the role of pharmacy benefit managers who are intermediaries in the processing and payment of prescription drug plans, and 2) to analyze the formulary selections of Medicare Part D plans in the context of differing wholesale acquisition costs, list prices and potential rebates, while building on prior work on the out of pocket costs associated with rebates. Methods Hepatitis C was used as a case study to compare the list prices, clinical merits, and preferred drug coverage frequency of select pan-genotypic direct acting agent Hepatitis C treatments. The treatments were then put through a hypothetical 2018 Medicare Part D standard cost structure to illustrate differences in out-of-pocket costs to consumers at various list prices among treatments. Results Hepatitis C treatments with lower list prices were offered as covered benefit less frequently than high list price treatments, despite being clinically superior and lower out-of-pocket cost. Conclusions Consumers, regulators and policy advocates need to work to limit the impact of financial conflicts of interest and perverse incentives of pharmaceutical rebates in drug selection. This is especially true for high-cost treatments with substantial out-of-pocket cost implications for consumers, which also prevent widespread access, hindering public health goals.
Rugged landscapes: complexity and implementation science

Mis-implementation—defined as failure to successfully implement and continue evidence-based programs—is widespread in public health practice. Yet the causes of this phenomenon are poorly understood. We develop an agent-based computational model to explore how complexity hinders effective implementation. The model is adapted from the evolutionary biology literature and incorporates three distinct complexities faced in public health practice: dimensionality, ruggedness, and context-specificity. Agents in the model attempt to solve problems using one of three approaches—Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA), evidence-based interventions (EBIs), and evidence-based decision-making (EBDM). The model demonstrates that the most effective approach to implementation and quality improvement depends on the underlying nature of the problem. Rugged problems are best approached with a combination of PDSA and EBI. Context-specific problems are best approached with EBDM. The model’s results emphasize the importance of adapting one’s approach to the characteristics of the problem at hand. Evidence-based decision-making (EBDM), which combines evidence from multiple independent sources with on-the-ground local knowledge, is a particularly potent strategy for implementation and quality improvement.
Borealis Suites: The Cartwell Tours Contract Negotiation

These cases follow Peter Wong, general manager of Borealis Suites in Niagara Falls, and Susan Vanderpole, contract negotiator at Cartwell Tours, as they attempt to negotiate doing business together during the next tourist season. Students are tasked with stepping into the role of one of the parties, and analyzing the data provided to approach the meeting and come away with the best possible contract for their needs. Excerpt UVA-QA-0916 Oct. 1, 2020 Borealis Suites: The Cartwell Tours Contract Negotiation Introduction Peter Wong, general manager of the Borealis Suites (Borealis) hotel in Niagara Falls, Canada, was preparing for an upcoming negotiation with Susan Vanderpole, his contact at Cartwell Tours (Cartwell). It was May 6, 2015, and the magnolia trees were in full bloom along the Niagara Parkway. Spring was the beginning of the busy tourist season, but Wong was thinking ahead to the Cartwell negotiations for the upcoming 2016 season. He expected to raise prices and thereby increase the profitability of the Cartwell account. Last year, he had agreed to hold prices at the previous year's levels, but only because he anticipated that extensive renovations and improved service levels would soon justify a significant increase in prices. At this point, not only were renovations complete, but Cartwell's own surveys indicated that Borealis's service levels had improved substantially. . . .
Skeletal Muscle Index's Impact on Discharge Disposition After Head and Neck Cancer Free Flap Reconstruction.

ObjectiveTo determine the role of skeletal muscle index (SMI) in the assessment of frailty and determination of discharge to post–acute care facilities (PACF) after head and neck cancer free flap r...