cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Agent-based team aiding in a time critical task

Evaluates the effectiveness of agent-based aids in support of a time-critical team-planning task for teams of both humans and heterogeneous software agents. The team task consists of human subjects playing the role of military commanders and cooperatively planning to move their respective units to a common rendezvous point, given time and resource constraints. The objective of the experiment was to compare the effectiveness of agent-based aids for individual and team tasks, as opposed to the baseline condition of manual route planning. There were two experimental conditions: the aided condition, where a route-planning agent (RPA) finds a least-cost plan between the start and rendezvous points for a given composition of force units, and the baseline condition, where the commanders determine initial routes manually and receive basic feedback about the route. We demonstrate that the aided condition provides significantly better assistance for individual route planning and team-based re-planning.
The Argonne Superconducting Magnet FOP Polarized Proton Targets

A D. C. superconducting C-frame magnet for use with polarized proton targets has been assembled and tested at ANL. This magnet has a vertical field of 25 k Gauss, uniform to within 4 parts in 104 over a 10 cm diameter, 2 cm high cylinder located at the center of the magnet's 10 cm high room temperature air gap. The magnet consists of two sets of coils each containing a main coil and a correction coil. Each set of coils is mounted on its own coil form and in its own liquid helium dewar with only a small bellow communication line between them. The field is shimmed by adjustment of the correction coil current and by mechanical adjustment of the position of the top set of coils relative to the bottom set.
Modest alcohol consumption is associated with decreased prevalence of steatohepatitis in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)

Background & Aims Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a cardiovascular risk factor. Although modest alcohol consumption may reduce the risk for cardiovascular mortality, whether patients with NAFLD should be allowed modest alcohol consumption remains an important unaddressed issue. We aimed to evaluate the association between modest alcohol drinking and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), among subjects with NAFLD. Methods In a cross-sectional analysis of adult participants in the NIH NASH Clinical Research Network, only modest or non-drinkers were included: participants identified as (1) drinking >20g/day, (2) binge drinkers, or (3) non-drinkers with previous alcohol consumption were excluded. The odds of having a histological diagnosis of NASH and other histological features of NAFLD were analyzed using multiple ordinal logistic regression. Results The analysis included 251 lifetime non-drinkers and 331 modest drinkers. Modest drinkers compared to non-drinkers had lower odds of having a diagnosis of NASH (summary odds ratio 0.56, 95% CI 0.39–0.84, p =0.002). The odds of NASH decreased as the frequency of alcohol consumption increased within the range of modest consumption. Modest drinkers also had significantly lower odds for fibrosis (OR 0.56 95% CI 0.41–0.77) and ballooning hepatocellular injury (OR 0.66 95% CI 0.48–0.92) than lifetime non-drinkers. Conclusions In a large, well-characterized population with biopsy-proven NAFLD, modest alcohol consumption was associated with lesser degree of severity as determined by lower odds of the key features that comprise a diagnosis of steatohepatitis, as well as fibrosis. These findings demonstrate the need for prospective studies and a coordinated consensus on alcohol consumption recommendations in NAFLD.
Investigations on Mechanics-Based Process Planning of Micro-End Milling in Machining Mold Cavities

In this article, a model-based micro-end milling process planning for machining micromold cavities is proposed. The goal is to facilitate proper selections of the process parameters for a given workpiece material, cavity geometry, and micro-end mill. Specifically, the axial depth of cut and the feed per tooth are critical in achieving performance objectives in terms of low cutting forces and high surface accuracy and material removal rate. An analytical model based on process mechanics is used to select feed per tooth range in micromilling to avoid size effects. Further, a time-domain simulation model is utilized to provide predictive capability in practical micromachining performance, such as cutting forces, surface form, and surface roughness. The generalized process planning strategy consists of two steps: roughing and finishing. In roughing, the objective is to control the cutting force within a predefined threshold to prevent premature tool breakage and to maximize the material removal rate. In finishing, the primary objective is to control the form error within the tolerance and to obtain satisfactory surface roughness.
Sexually Dimorphic, Developmental, and Chronobiological Behavioral Profiles of a Mouse Mania Model

Bipolar disorders are heritable psychiatric conditions often abstracted by separate animal models for mania and depression. The principal mania models involve transgenic manipulations or treatment with stimulants. An additional approach involves analysis of naturally occurring mania models including an inbred strain our lab has recently characterized, the Madison (MSN) mouse strain. These mice show a suite of behavioral and neural genetic alterations analogous to manic aspects of bipolar disorders. In the current study, we extended the MSN strain's behavioral phenotype in new directions by examining in-cage locomotor activity. We found that MSN activity presentation is sexually dimorphic, with MSN females showing higher in-cage activity than MSN males. When investigating development, we found that MSN mice display stable locomotor hyperactivity already observable when first assayed at 28 days postnatal. Using continuous monitoring and analysis for 1 month, we did not find evidence of spontaneous bipolarism in MSN mice. However, we did find that the MSN strain displayed an altered diurnal activity profile, getting up earlier and going to sleep earlier than control mice. Long photoperiods were associated with increased in-cage activity in MSN, but not in the control strain. The results of these experiments reinforce the face validity of the MSN strain as a complex mania model, adding sexual dimorphism, an altered diurnal activity profile, and seasonality to the suite of interesting dispositional phenomena related to mania seen in MSN mice.
Cross‐cultural challenges in product placement

Purpose – The purpose of this research is to examine US and Korean college student consumers' attitudes towards product placements in three different media (films, TV shows, and songs), and product placement acceptability based on media genre and product type.Design/methodology/approach – The current study employed a self‐administered online survey of 471 college students in the USA and South Korea.Findings – Korean young adult consumers express greater ethical concerns about product placement, particularly in TV shows, and more strongly support governmental regulation than their American counterparts. In contrast, American young adults respond more favorably to product placement's enhancement of setting realism than Korean consumers. Findings also reveal cultural differences in product placement acceptability across a range of media genres and product/service types.Research limitations/implications – Only two countries were used as a proxy to characterize their respective cultural values and levels of co...
Clinicopathologic comparison of familial versus sporadic atypical teratoid/rhabdoid tumors (AT/RT) of the central nervous system†

Background Central nervous system (CNS) atypical teratoid/rhabdoid tumors (AT/RT) are aggressive tumors usually diagnosed in young children and characterized by SMARCB1 (INI1, hSNF5) gene abnormalities. Despite initial chemo-radiation responsiveness, most children die of progressive disease (PD). Little data regarding familial AT/RT clinical course exist. This study described and compared familial (F) versus sporadic (S) AT/RT and elucidated SMARCB1 mutations and inheritance patterns.
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, Hospital Visits, and Comorbidities: National Survey of Residential Care Facilities, 2010

Objective: To characterize the prevalence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) among residential care facility (RCF) residents in the United States, and to compare patterns of hospital visits and comorbidities with residents without COPD. Method: Resident data from the 2010 National Survey of Residential Care Facilities were analyzed. Medical history and information on past-year hospital visits for 8,089 adult residents were obtained from interviews with RCF staff. Results: COPD prevalence was 12.4%. Compared with residents without COPD, emergency department visits or overnight hospital stays in the previous year were more prevalent (p < .05) among residents with COPD. Less than 3% of residents with COPD had no comorbidities. Arthritis, depression, congestive heart failure (CHF), diabetes, coronary heart disease, and asthma were more common (p < .05) among residents with COPD than those without COPD, but Alzheimer’s disease was less common. Discussion: COPD is associated with more emergency dep...
The Technology of Policing: Crime Mapping, Information Technology, and the Rationality of Crime Control, by Peter K. Manning

This is a richly textured analysis of the introduction, use, and effects of crime mapping technology in three police departments—Boston, Washington, DC, and a medium-sized American city referred to...
Guidance for Guidances

MERCATUS REPORTS Guidance for Guidances │ Spectrum Commons │ COMMENTARY: The Katrina Success Story You Didn't Hear
Efficacy of a Phosphate-Charged Soil Material in Supplying Phosphate for Plant Growth in Soilless Root Media

A soil material high in crystalline Fe hydrous oxides and noncrystalline Al hydrous oxides collected from the Bw horizon of a Hemcross soil containing allophane from the state of Oregon was charged with phosphate-P at rates of 0, 2.2, and 6.5 mg·g−1, added to a soilless root medium at 5% and 10% by volume, and evaluated for its potential to supply phosphate at a low, stable concentration during 14 weeks of tomato (Solanum esculentum L.) seedling growth. Incorporation of the soil material improved pH stability, whether it was charged with phosphate or not. Bulk solution phosphate-P concentrations in the range of 0.13 to 0.34 mg·dm−3 were associated with P deficiency. The only treatment that sustained an adequate bulk solution concentration of phosphate-P above 0.34 mg·dm−3 for the 14 weeks of testing contained 10% soil material charged with 6.5 mg·g−1 P, but initial dissolved P concentrations were too high (>5 mg·g−1 phosphate-P) from the standpoint of phosphate leaching. The treatment amended with 10% soil material charged with 2.2 mg·g−1 P maintained phosphate-P within an acceptable range of 0.4 to 2.3 mg·dm−3 for 48 d in a medium receiving no postplant phosphate fertilization.
Transmission of a Nuclear Polyhedrosis Virus Isolated from Autographa californica to Alsophila pometaria, Hyphantria cunea, and Other Forest Defoliators

A nuclear polyhedrosis virus (NPV) isolated from Autographa californica (Speyer) infected a number of forest defoliators including Ennomos subsignarius (Hubner), Malacosoma americanum (F.), Eupsilia sp., Xylena curvimacula Morrison, Anisola senatoria (J. E. Smith), Alsophila pometaria (Harris), and Hyphantria cunea (Drury). Tests were conducted against all 4 larval stages of A. pometaria and against 3rd stage larvae of H. cunea . All stages of A. pometaria were susceptible to the Autographa NPV but younger instars were more susceptible than older ones. H. cunea also was susceptible to the Autographa NPV but its own NPV was more infectious. The LC50 of the Hyphantria NPV was 26 polyhedral inclusion bodies (PIBs)/mm2 compared to 1100 PIBs/mm2 for the Autographa NPV.
Free and Happy Bonds: Loving v. Virginia's Nineteenth-Century Precedent on Marriage and the Pursuit of Happiness

AbstractLoving v. Virginia declares that marriage contributes to the pursuit of happiness. It supports this claim by citing 19th century precedent, precedent which itself drew upon a longstanding view of marriage and happiness's pursuit. This article examines that view in state and federal opinions from the decades surrounding 14th Amendment ratification. The courts saw marriage as fulfilling the human need for community, thereby aiding in the private happiness of those marrying and the public happiness of the political society. Marriage supported private happiness by forming a bond that provided for physical, material, and emotional needs. Courts sought to aid these goals while also protecting spouses' rights. Marriage supported public happiness through creating and educating future citizens as well as cultivating virtuous habits among those married—goals which the courts also sought to protect. The article concludes by discussing the continuity and discontinuity between these 19th century cases, Loving,...
Uterine bleeding in the second trimester caused by abnormal placental development.

Uterine bleeding in the second trimester may result from abnormalities that are not specific to this period of gestation, but certain abnormal placental developments are more prone to produce symptoms between the twelfth and twenty-eighth weeks than at other times. The three such conditions discussed are circumvallate placenta, hydatidiform mole and choriocarcinoma.
Rational Use of Antibiotics in the Critically ILL Patient

Despite the advent of newer broad-spectrum antibiotics, infection in critically ill patients still is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. For these patients, who frequently receive inappropriate and excessive empiric antibiotic therapy, it is important to develop rational drug usage criteria. Current economic forces, including personnel shortages and the effects of diagnosis-related groups, are also a critical factor in this patient population. Criteria for rational antibiotic selection are based on patterns of infection and knowledge of the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties of individual antibiotics. The development and use of treatment protocols, or algorithms, will provide quality patient care for the lowest overall cost.
Application of participatory training in occupational health training program in jewelry enterprises

Objective To demonstrate the effectiveness of participatory training in occupational health training program in jewelry enterprises. Methods A group of 100 workers(intervention group) was trained with participatory training model,including multimedia teaching,panel discussion and practice on use of personal protective equipment,while another group of 100 workers( as control group) was trained with traditional teaching method. The score of their KAP on occupational health was compared between before and after training. Results The mean score of KAP of workers in intervention group was significantly increased from(41.29 ± 8.59)to(81.06 ± 11.78)(t = 10.11,P 0.01),while the mean score of control group workers was increased from(53.68 ± 10.58)to(61.37 ± 15.39)(t = 1.39,P 0.05). Further study showed that the characteristics of workers in intervention group,such as educational background,the employment time,and the professional qualifications,affected greatly the effectiveness of training program. Conclusion The participatory training is an effective way in occupational health training in jewelry enterprises.
First-Degree Equations and Inequalities

This chapter presents the basic steps used in solving equations. Probably the most useful tool in algebra is the ability to solve the first-degree equations in one variable. The chapter discusses the first-degree inequalities in one variable. A first-degree equation is any equation that can be put in the form: ax + b = c where a , b , and c are constants. Some examples of first-degree equations are: 5x + 3 = 2, 2x + 5 = 7, and 2x + 5 = 0. Each is a first-degree equation because it can be put in the form ax + b = c . In the first equation above, 5x , 3 , and 2 are called terms of the equation. 5x is a variable term; 3 and 2 are constant terms. The solution set for an equation is the set of all numbers that, when used in place of the variable, make the equation a true statement. In short, the solution set for an equation is all the numbers that make the equation true. Two or more equations with the same solution set are called equivalent equations. The chapter discusses the multiplication property for inequalities and solves some first-degree equations involving absolute value.
WATER AND H+ TRANSFER IN VOLTAGE GATED K+ CHANNEL FUNCTION, WITH EVIDENCE FROM QUANTUM CALCULATIONS.

Voltage gated K+ channels have been the subject of intensive study for over a half century. They are found in all cells; together with Na+ channels, they are responsible for the nerve impulse, and play a key role in other excitable tissue, particularly the heart. Malfunctions due to mutation lead to a range of diseases, referred to as channelopathies. The mechanism by which the channels open and close, called gating, has been studied extensively; there is a range of standard models. All have in common a transmembrane segment of the channel protein moving in response to depolarization of the membrane, thereby pulling open a section of the channel at the intracellular end of the membrane; this allows K+ ions into the channel pore, producing a current of ions out from the cell. The motion of the ions is preceded by a capacitative current, the gating current, which is attributed to positive charges on the putatively mobile transmembrane segment. The evidence supporting this class of models is examined and reinterpreted to show that the evidence does not require the motion of a segment of protein. This and other evidence is instead considered in terms of a model in which protons provide the gating current; when these are at the intracellular terminus of the protein, they close the channel, while the channel is open when they are at the extracellular end. This model is supported by quantum calculations that are larger than have been previously reported for a protein system. Some of the calculations include most of the voltage sensing domain, and others the pore of the channel, with the hydration and cosolvation of the ion specified.
Radiotherapy in the Management of Carcinoma of the Oral Cavity

Treatment of advanced head and neck malignancies is generally a combined modality approach, often requiring surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy to obtain the best control rates. Oral cavity cancers follow this paradigm. While certain head and neck sites (e.g., oropharynx, larynx) have experienced drastic shifts toward nonoperative management, the oral cavity largely remains a surgical disease. Radiotherapy is frequently used in the adjuvant setting, to improve both local-regional control and survival. The overarching paradigm is for surgical resection followed by adjuvant therapy based on the presence of adverse pathologic features. Not all patients, however, are able or willing to undergo surgery; consequently, certain cases may be managed with (chemo- and/or) radiotherapy alone. This chapter will briefly review the use of radiation therapy in the treatment of oral cavity cancers.
General Hospital Psychiatric Emergency Services

From humble origins in the occasional consultations provided by general hospital psychiatric departments for problems encountered in hospital wards, “acute psychiatric services,” “walk-in clinics”—call them what you will—have mushroomed in the past decade partly as a response to a growing need for emergency care and partly under the stimulus of the community movement. At the same time, the case load of these facilities has grown at a phenomenal pace … and those responsible for running psychiatric units have sometimes felt as if they were fighting the battle of the bulge as they have poured staff and residents into the breach to stem the onslaught.1 Written more than a decade ago, this editorial comment still captures the prevailing mood surrounding the astounding growth in utilization of psychiatric emergency services in general hospitals. If the expected rate of increase of total emergency room (ER) visits continues at 11% per year, then the patient volume will double every year.2–4 These trends cannot be accounted for by the increase in population and far exceed the growth in inpatient or outpatient facilities.
Radiometric Measurements in the UV-B Region of Daylight

The Smithsonian Radiation Biology Laboratory has developed a low level light-monitoring device which can be operated in the natural environment with little maintenance. Such a device has been functioning for over four years at Rockville and for about a year and a half at NASA-Langley in Virginia. The device at Rockville is an original analog version of the integrating digital unit used at Langley. These units are monitoring solar ultraviolet radiation from 280–325 nm in 5 nm bands, using interference filters in pairs. These filters are centered at 285, 290, 300, 305, 310, 315, and 320 nm.
Shape Evolution Studies in the A = 70 Region

The neutron-deficient nuclei in the mass region of A between 70 and 80 rapidly change their collective properties with proton and neutron numbers, reflecting the influence of competing gaps in the Nilsson single-particle levels. Systematic studies of nuclei in this region across long isotopic and isotonic sequences and across major shells have revealed coexisting different shapes: prolate, oblate, and triaxial at low spin; also, stabilization of the prolate shape at high spin with large deformation (β ⩾ 0.4). Many of these properties can be understood qualitatively in terms of the shell gaps in the Nilsson single-particle levels at larger deformation. A review of our knowledge of selected nuclei in this region and the recent experimental developments which offer very powerful techniques will be discussed.
Epigenetic Mechanisms of Memory Consolidation

The requirement of gene transcription for memory consolidation has been established for several decades, but not until recently has it been recognized that epigenetic mechanisms play a role in the control of gene expression that leads to memory storage. Broadly speaking, these epigenetic mechanisms encompass changes in chromatin structure, such as posttranslational histone modifications and DNA methylation. Many studies have shown that histone acetylation is dynamically regulated after experience and that it acts as a permissive switch to allow gene transcription. These studies have established a dichotomy where permissive gene transcription results in memory enhancement and restrictive gene transcription in memory impairment. Other studies have focused on DNA methylation, specifically on the promoter region of genes, where it is associated with gene inactivation. Like histone acetylation, it has been shown that DNA methylation is regulated after experience, and can be dynamically regulated, although it is thought to be a more stable mark than histone acetylation. The relationship between levels of DNA methylation and memory impairment or enhancement is unclear and will require future study. Many other chromatin modifications play a role in experience-induced gene regulation, such as histone methylation and phosphorylation, as well as substitution by histone variants. Ultimately, these modifications in chromatin structure act in concert, in a potential combinatorial code, to regulate gene-specific transcription that results in memory consolidation.
The First Record of an Alligator Snapping Turtle (Macrochelys temminckii) in Illinois in 30 Years

Abstract Macrochelys temminckii (Alligator Snapping Turtle) populations have experienced range-wide declines over the past century, and records of this species have become increasingly rare in the northern portion of its range. We report the first record of an Alligator Snapping Turtle in Illinois since 1984, only the second in the past 50 years. This individual was captured in a tributary of the undammed portion of the Mississippi River in close proximity to the last 3 published records in Illinois. It is possible that this region provides the last accessible, suitable habitat for this species in Illinois.
Millennials as Shoppers and Consumers

The focus shifts now from marketers to Millennials as shoppers and consumers. It turns out that they love diamonds and buy more diamonds than any other generation—perhaps because they are young and are getting engaged more than members of other generations. They are “core customers” of fast food restaurants but do not like Big Macs and are switching their allegiance to “fast casual” restaurants. They also like to clip coupons and show a preference for small grocery stores like Trader Joe’s instead of big box stores. They also like news but don’t wish to pay for it by purchasing newspapers. They keep up with the news by using the Internet, social media, and television news shows such as those found on CNN. They also like name brands such as Nike, Apple, Samsung and Sony. This discussion is followed by a list of their favorite brands. The preferences of Millennials are important since they spend so much money on products and services.
Particle Phase Transitions can Prevent an Initial Cosmological Singularity

The present universe has small vacuum energy density (cosmological constant) and small spatial curvature. Therefore, before symmetry breaking, it had to have huge positive vacuum energy density, significant curvature, and low entropy. Because the energy positivity condition was not then satisfied, there need not have been an initial singularity (Hot Big Bang). If the universe is spatially open or the initial entropy high enough, then before the elementary particle phase transition, it was indeed an inflecting universe with an initial singularity. But if the universe is spatially closed and of low initial entropy, it needed to be a curvature-dominated bouncing universe, with a minimum size and maximum temperature (Tepid Little Bang). The closure of the present universe will therefore determine whether or not there was an initial singularity.
Regiocontrolled Wacker Oxidation of Cinnamyl Azides.

A highly regioselective Wacker oxidation has been developed for the oxidation of cinnamyl azides. The catalytic oxidation tolerates the azide functionality, and more than 15 β-azido ketones were isolated (25–92% yield). High regioselectivity for the aryl ketone is observed in all cases. A robustness screen was conducted to determine functional group tolerance. The products of the oxidaiton can be readily diversified.
Robust multi-objective asset routing in a dynamic and uncertain environment

Routing in uncertain environments is challenging as it involves a number of contextual elements, such as different environmental conditions (forecast realizations with varying spatial and temporal uncertainty), multiple objectives, changes in mission goals while en route (e.g., training requirements, popup threats, humanitarian aid), and asset status. The United States Navy spends an estimated $35 billion per year on fuel. It is estimated that optimized weather routing can save upwards of $350 million per year solely from fuel savings. In this paper, we focus on robust planning under uncertainty by exploiting weather forecast realization information using TMPLAR, a Tool for Multi-objective PLanning and Asset Routing in the context of 3D and 4D navigation. Our overall approach includes computing R-best shortest paths for each weather forecast realization via Murty's search space partitioning strategy, and treat the mean, variance, and signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of the paths as part of the cost function by considering all forecast realizations. We pick the robust path that minimizes the root mean square (RMS) value (or) maximizes the SNR, given the possible forecast realizations. We demonstrate their utility via application to a real-world shipping tragedy using weather forecast realizations available prior to the event.
Patch-Specific Variation in Drift Density of Baetis

We examined spatial variation in daytime drift density of Baetis larvae collected from 42 habitat patches in Clearwater Creek, southwest Washington, USA. Drift density ranged between 22 and 525 100 m-3. Variation in drift density appeared to be inversely related to current velocity, although only weakly. Drift density showed no relationship with substrate size, time of day (daylight hours only), length of sampling interval, or size of substrate patch sampled. Although significant variation in drift density can occur within relatively short reaches of stream the mechanisms promoting observed variation are not well understood.
Promoción de la Responsabilidad Social en las Pymes: Análisis de las herramientas de autoevaluación (Promotion of Corporate Social Responsibility in SMEs: Analysis of Self-Evaluation Tools)

Spanish Abstract: Este articulo analiza herramientas de autoevaluacion (cuestionarios y guias) sobre RSE para PyMEs, que en general tienen como objetivo el identificar brechas en las practicas responsables respecto a algun ideal, explicito o implicito, y en consecuencia estimular acciones para su mejora. Se analizan las caracteristicas y el contenido de once herramientas producidas por diferentes instituciones en America Latina, Espana y por organismos multilaterales, se tipifica su contenido, se evalua su idoneidad para las PyMEs y se hacen recomendaciones sobre como mejorarlas para promover la adopcion de practicas responsables. Tambien se discuten los riesgos de adoptar un esquema de plantilla uniforme para todo tipo de empresas y contextos y aconsejar, implicita o explicitamente, a las empresas que tengan practicas responsables en todas las areas, lo que puede conducir a frustraciones y desenganos.English Abstract: This article includes a study of the self-evaluation CSR tools (questionnaires, guides) that have been developed for SMEs, which in general are designed to identify the gaps in their responsible practices as assessed against some ideal, implicit or explicit, an as a result to stimulate actions to improve them. The characteristics and content of eleven tools produced by different institutions in Latin America, Spain and multilateral organizations are analyzed. Their content is typified, the suitability for SMEs in evaluated and recommendations are made for improving the tools to increase their effectiveness in the promotion of responsible practices. It also discusses the risks of using a uniform template for all types of enterprises and contexts and advice, implicitly or explicitly, that companies undertake responsible practices on all areas, that can lead to frustrations and disappointments.
Information Literacy: Writing Based Research

The theme “our readers as writers” has frequently re-occurred in this column, including the last column on “research based writing.” This column twists the theme to consider “writing based research.” Whereas reflections of “research based writing” consider what writers do with the results of their reading and study of information resources, reflections on “writing based research” consider how writers’ research activities contribute to the larger writing process. More importantly for theological librarians, can librarians and writers learn from each other about the practice of research?1
Basic Measures of Disease Frequency

Measures of disease frequency quantify the burden and development of disease in populations. Two common measures of disease frequency are prevalence and incidence.
Higher intraoperative plasma transfusion volumes are associated with inferior perioperative outcomes.

BACKGROUND Intraoperative plasma transfusion is common, yet little is known regarding its effects on perioperative coagulation tests or clinical outcomes. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS This is a retrospective cohort study of adults receiving intraoperative plasma transfusion at a single center from 2011 to 2015. Relationships between plasma transfusion volume, changes in coagulation test values, and clinical outcomes, including a primary outcome of early postoperative red blood cell (RBC) transfusion, were assessed with multivariable regression analyses. Secondary outcomes included hospital mortality, intensive care unit (ICU)- and hospital-free days, intraoperative RBC transfusions, and estimated blood loss. RESULTS A total of 3393 unique patients were included, with median (IQR) transfusion of 2 (2-4) units. In multivariable analyses, higher plasma volumes were associated with worse outcomes, with each 1 mL/kg increase associated with increased odds for postoperative (1.02 [1.01-1.03], p < 0.001) and intraoperative RBCs (1.17 [1.16-1.19], p < 0.001) and fewer ICU- and hospital-free days (mean difference [95% CI], -0.08 [-0.12 to -0.05], p < 0.001; and -0.09 [-0.13 to -0.06], p < 0.001, respectively). Greater decreases in international normalized ratio (INR) following plasma transfusion were associated with decreased odds of postoperative RBCs (0.35 [0.25-0.47], p < 0.001), decreased mortality (0.50 [0.31-0.83], p = 0.007), and increased mean ICU- (1.31 [0.41-2.21], p = 0.004) and hospital-free days (1.15 [0.19-2.10], p = 0.018). CONCLUSION In patients receiving intraoperative plasma transfusion, higher transfusion volumes were associated with inferior clinical outcomes; however, greater improvements in INR were associated with improved outcomes. Future prospective studies are necessary to better define these relationships and to explore plasma transfusion triggers beyond the limitations of INR.
Effect of β-Lactam Plus Macrolide Versus Fluoroquinolone on 30-Day Readmissions for Community-Acquired Pneumonia.

BACKGROUND Antibiotic therapy with a macrolide and β-lactam or a fluoroquinolone for the empirical treatment of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) in an inpatient non-intensive care setting is recommended per guidelines. Studies show that these treatments have similar outcomes, including death, adverse effects, and bacterial eradication. However, a comparison of 30-day readmission rates between these treatments is limited. STUDY QUESTION To determine whether 30-day readmissions for patients treated for CAP in a regional hospital differed between a fluoroquinolone monotherapy and a β-lactam plus macrolide combination therapy. STUDY DESIGN Retrospective cohort study of patients aged ≥18 years with a CAP diagnosis who were admitted to the same regional hospital from December 1, 2011, through December 1, 2016. MEASURES AND OUTCOMES Patients receiving a third-generation cephalosporin plus macrolide were compared with those receiving a respiratory fluoroquinolone. Exclusion criteria were concurrent or recent use of the study antibiotics; death, transfer, or transition to hospice; and diagnosis of hospital-acquired pneumonia or health care-associated pneumonia. The collected data were 30-day readmission rates, antibiotic regimens, demographic characteristics, and pneumonia severity index and comorbidity scores. Association between treatment group and readmissions was assessed with logistic regression. Association between readmissions and individual data points between the 2 treatment groups was calculated with multivariate regression and odds ratio (95% confidence interval). RESULTS Of 432 patients, 171 met inclusion criteria (fluoroquinolone group, n = 101; β-lactam plus macrolide group, n = 70). Thirty-day readmissions were not significantly different between the fluoroquinolone group and β-lactam plus macrolide group (P = 0.58). Increased 30-day readmissions were independently associated with male sex and hospital length of stay (P < 0.05). Length of stay was approximately 3 days and did not differ between treatment groups. CONCLUSIONS No difference was seen in 30-day readmissions between CAP patients who received fluoroquinolone monotherapy and those who received β-lactam plus macrolide combination therapy.
How do you spell “freedom”? Narratives about the 25 April 1974 Revolution in the Brazilian press

This paper proposes a recomposition of the intrigue of journalistic narratives on the Revolution of April 25, 1974 in Portugal based on the coverage of two Brazilian newspapers: O Estado de S. Paulo and Jornal do Brasil. The journalistic narrative is understood as a time orderer in the contemporaneity, expressing a “generalized circulation of historical perception” (Nora, 1979, p. 180), mobilized by the emergence of a new phenomenon: the event. The unusual coup d’etat in Portugal stirred the world’s political imagination, reviving confrontations between left and right. At that moment, in Brazil, the military dictatorship completed 10 years and the fourth president of the Armed Forces was beginning its mandate. Narratives are analyzed from different points of view: the organization of facts in time, the construction of characters, projections for the future, or the re-signification of the past.
IR absorption spectra for chlorinated ethenes in water, calculated using density functional theory

Calculations are presented of vibration absorption spectra for tetrachloroethene (PCE), trichloroethene (TCE), dichloroethene (DCE) and vinyl chloride (VC) molecules in water, using density function theory (DFT). DFT can provide interpretation of absorption spectra with respect to molecular structure for excitation by electromagnetic waves at frequencies within the IR range. The DFT-calculated absorption spectrum corresponding to vibration excitation states of these molecules in continuous water background provides quantitative estimates that can be correlated with additional information obtained from laboratory measurements. This case study provides proof of concept for using DFT-calculated spectra to construct templates, which are for spectral-feature comparison and, thus, detection of spectral-signature features associated with target materials.
Association of Complete Radiologic and Pathologic Response following Locoregional Therapy before Liver Transplantation with Long-Term Outcomes of Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Retrospective Study.

Abstract Purpose To evaluate long-term outcomes of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) who show a complete response (CR) vs non-CR on pretransplantation imaging studies or pathologic evaluation of liver explants after locoregional therapy (LRT) before liver transplantation. Materials and Methods Patients listed for liver transplantation for HCC (March 1998 to December 2010) undergoing LRT with available multiphase MR/CT imaging before transplantation were included. Pathologic response was evaluated based on liver explant pathology. A total of 108 patients (17 women; 16%) met the inclusion criteria. Results Radiologic CR was achieved in 65 patients (60%) vs non-CR in 43 (40%), and pathologic CR was achieved in 36 patients (33%) vs non-CR in 72 (67%). Mean 5-year overall survival (OS) from the time of listing and recurrence-free survival (RFS) after liver transplantation were significantly better for patients with pathologic CR vs non-CR on explant pathology (OS, 83.3% vs 65.2% [28% difference; P = .046]; RFS, 80.6% vs 62.5% [29% difference; P = .045]). Mean 5-y OS and RFS were not significantly different between patients with radiologic CR or non-CR on pretransplantation imaging (OS, 75.4% vs 65.1% [P = .12]; RFS, 74% vs 62.8% [P = .17]). Conclusions Achievement of a pathologic CR vs non-CR in response to LRT before liver transplantation for HCC is associated with improved OS from time of listing and improved RFS after liver transplantation. However, current imaging paradigms fall short of accurate delineation of response to LRT, resulting in poor correlation of outcomes between pathologic and radiologic CR.
Synthesis of Directional Wave Packets from Shot Records

Using directional waves is advantageous in subsurface seismic imaging because such waves are localized in space and time. Hence, the recorded data contain information mostly about the illuminated targets. However, most seismic field data are physically generated by point sources that excite wavefield propagating into all directions and interact with all parts of the medium. How to convert point-source wavefields into a wavefield due to a directional wave packet without physically exciting it, is the subject of investigation here. In particular, we investigate the Gaussian wave packet (GWP) which is a directional wave packet localized in space and time. GWP is an exact solution of the wave equation and it differs from the widely used asymptotic solutions such as Gaussian Beams or Gaussian Packets. The spatial localization and propagation direction of GWP are controlled by parameters chosen by users. We propose a method to synthesize GWP field data in complex media using recorded shot records of point sources based on the reverse-time concept. To assess the quality of the synthesized GWP data, we study the influences from point-source wavelets and the spatial interval between point sources. Finally, we present the constructed GWP fields in two numerical examples. We also show one application of the GWP data in seismic imaging using multiples.
Opioid overdose prevention education for medical students: Adopting harm reduction into mandatory clerkship curricula.

Background: Opioid overdose deaths constitute a public health crisis in the United States. Strategies for reducing opioid-related harm are underutilized due in part to clinicians’ low knowledge abo...
White Student Comfort and Conflict in Experiential Racial Dialogues

Background: White students are both curious and sometimes apprehensive about engaging in dialogues about race. Purpose: We investigate white university students’ experience of comfort and conflict ...
Inflammatory Responses Reprogram T REGS Through Impairment of Neuropilin-1.

Chronic inflammatory insults compromise immune cell responses and ultimately contribute to pathologic outcomes. Clinically, it has been suggested that bone debris and implant particles, such as polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA), which are persistently released following implant surgery evoke heightened immune, inflammatory, and osteolytic responses that contribute to implant failure. However, the precise mechanism underlying this pathologic response remains vague. TREGS, the chief immune-suppressive cells, express the transcription factor Foxp3 and are potent inhibitors of osteoclasts. Using an intra-tibial injection model, we show that PMMA particles abrogate the osteoclast suppressive function of TREGS. Mechanistically, PMMA particles induce TREG instability evident by reduced expression of Foxp3. Importantly, intra-tibial injection of PMMA initiates an acute innate immune and inflammatory response, yet the negative impact on TREGS by PMMA remains persistent. We further show that PMMA enhance TH17 response at the expense of other T effector cells (TEFF), particularly TH1. At the molecular level, gene expression analysis showed that PMMA particles negatively regulate Nrp-1/Foxo3a axis to induce TREG instability, to dampen TREG activity and to promote phenotypic switch of TREGS to TH17 cells. Taken together, inflammatory cues and danger signals, such as bone and implant particles exacerbate inflammatory osteolysis in part through reprogramming TREGS.
Current Workflows for Computer-Aided Implant Surgery: a Review Article

Implant dentistry is a fast-evolving field and the computer-aided implant placement is becoming an inseparable part of it. There is a vast variety of techniques, workflows, and software making it hard for the dental practitioner to know which technique to apply to which clinical scenario. Therefore, the purpose of this review is to classify and describe current techniques and compare advantages and disadvantages of different methods. Workflows for various clinical scenarios are also presented to guide a clinician in decision-making. Static computer-aided implant surgery offers safe and prosthetically driven implant placement and gives the possibility for flapless surgery to reduce postoperative healing time and the number of appointments. However, appropriate training is mandatory even if fully computer-aided implant placement is being done. Based on current trends, it is obvious that further digitization and automatization are inevitable for the academic and the private dental environments. However, one should realize that major safety screenings are yet to be conducted for newly introduced methods.
Salt Marsh Ecosystem Support of Marine Transient Species

One of the most important reasons stated in legislation for protecting salt marshes is their support of commercially and recreationally important nekton (fish and crustaceans). Yet, there is a surprising level of uncertainty among scientists regarding the role of salt marshes in supporting secondary production. The emphasis has been on “marine transient” species (in earlier literature often referred to as “estuarine dependent”) because they have life histories that seem designed to place young-of-the-year or juveniles in marsh habitats and because these species are often of commercial or recreational value. Salt marshes are believed to provide: 1) trophic support resulting in high growth rates, 2) increased survivorship due to lowered mortality, and 3) a suitable physico-chemical environment for development of young fishes. In this paper, we consider the evidence for each of these, with an emphasis on the trophic and survivorship aspects. The seasonally warmer temperatures of estuaries and salt marsh creeks apparently provide a metabolic advantage that supports high growth rates. The influence of marsh-derived organic matter in estuarine food webs is apparent, and its importance to marine transient fishes is supported by dietary, behavioral, and isotopic evidence. The major pathways by which marsh organic matter is transferred to fish are largely indirect, through microbial and invertebrate intermediaries. Invertebrates are the primary link to fish consumers of marsh-associated production, transforming microphytes, organic detritus, and microbial detrital heterotrophs into available biomass. Although most detrital organic carbon entering salt marsh systems, mainly from emergent grasses, is apparently respired by heterotrophs, the support of consumers by marsh plant detritus and microalgae can be equally important. The use of salt marsh detritus in food webs usually occurs in close proximity to the salt marsh indicating that outwelling of salt marsh organic matter offshore is not the dominant way that salt marshes support offshore fisheries. Salt marsh support of offshore fisheries is more probably by direct export of juvenile fish biomass and a trophic relay involving ontogenetic and cyclic migrations of nekton species, rather than export of organic detritus. Understanding the controls on marine transient fish mortality is probably the most problematic and least studied aspect of their ecology. The few estimates of mortality rates of fishes in estuaries are as high as, or higher than, mortality rates of fishes in other marine and freshwater ecosystems. However, because of faster growth rates, fish spend less time in the small stages with the higher mortality rates. Within estuaries, mortality rates for some species, but not all, are lower in marsh creeks compared to more open areas. The value of marshes as refuge habitat is probably due to the interaction of temperature, turbidity, and vegetative structure in restricting the foraging of piscine predators.