cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Multiple prediction and subtraction from apparent slowness relations in 2D synthetic and field ocean-bottom cable data

A target-oriented algorithm is developed for the prediction of multiples recorded on ocean-bottom cables by utilizing apparent slowness relations in common-source and common-receiver gathers. It is based on combining offsets and times of direct waves and primary reflections to predict multiples by matching apparent slownesses at all source and receiver locations; all higher-order multiples can be predicted by matching apparent slownesses alternately in common-source and common-receiver gathers. No knowledge of the subsurface velocity is required. Traveltimes of the direct waves and primary reflections need to be picked from common-source gathers. The subtraction of multiples involves flattening the predicted times of the multiple events, subtracting a local spatial average trace from each trace, within a fixed time window containing the wavelet of the multiple, and then shifting the data back to its original times. Tests of synthetic and field data indicate that the proposed method predicts multiples very well and removes them from seismic data efficiently with negligible affect on the primary reflections, as long as the primary and multiple reflections do not overlap in time and slowness over substantial windows in the domain in which the removal is done.
An improved string composition method for sequence comparison

Historically, two categories of computational algorithms (alignment-based and alignment-free) have been applied to sequence comparison–one of the most fundamental issues in bioinformatics. Multiple sequence alignment, although dominantly used by biologists, possesses both fundamental as well as computational limitations. Consequently, alignment-free methods have been explored as important alternatives in estimating sequence similarity. Of the alignment-free methods, the string composition vector (CV) methods, which use the frequencies of nucleotide or amino acid strings to represent sequence information, show promising results in genome sequence comparison of prokaryotes. The existing CV-based methods, however, suffer certain statistical problems, thereby underestimating the amount of evolutionary information in genetic sequences. We show that the existing string composition based methods have two problems, one related to the Markov model assumption and the other associated with the denominator of the frequency normalization equation. We propose an improved complete composition vector method under the assumption of a uniform and independent model to estimate sequence information contributing to selection for sequence comparison. Phylogenetic analyses using both simulated and experimental data sets demonstrate that our new method is more robust compared with existing counterparts and comparable in robustness with alignment-based methods. We observed two problems existing in the currently used string composition methods and proposed a new robust method for the estimation of evolutionary information of genetic sequences. In addition, we discussed that it might not be necessary to use relatively long strings to build a complete composition vector (CCV), due to the overlapping nature of vector strings with a variable length. We suggested a practical approach for the choice of an optimal string length to construct the CCV.
Electronic and magnetic properties of rare-earth ions in REBa2Cu3O7−x (RE=Dy, Ho, Er)

Abstract Heat capacity, resistivity, and magnetic susceptability data have been obtained for the compounds REBa2Cu3O7-x, where RE = Dy, Ho or Er. Neutron diffraction data on the Ho compound show a structure identical to that of YBa2Cu3O7-x. Magnetic transitions are observed at Tm=0.95, 0.17 and 0.59 K for Dy, Ho and Er compounds, respectively. It is argued that these are due predominantly to dipolar interactions. Resistivity data show that the magnetic state is coexistent with superconductivity in all cases. From the heat capacity data, the degeneracies of the crystal field ground states are determined, and estimates are given for the magnetic moment in the ground state and the energy separation of the first excited crystal field state.
Remote sensing of ambient particles in Delhi and its environs: estimation and validation

Recent advances in atmospheric remote sensing offer a unique opportunity to compute indirect estimates of air quality, particularly for developing countries that lack adequate spatial-temporal coverage of air pollution monitoring. The present research establishes an empirical relationship between satellite-based aerosol optical depth (AOD) and ambient particulate matter (PM) in Delhi and its environs. The PM data come from two different sources. Firstly, a field campaign was conducted to monitor airborne particles≤2.5 µm and≤10 µm in aerodynamic diameter (PM2.5 and PM10 respectively) at 113 spatially dispersed sites from July to December 2003 using photometric samplers. Secondly, data on eight hourly PM10 and total suspended particulate (TSP) matter, collected using gravimetric samplers, from 2000 to 2005 were acquired from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). The aerosol optical depths were estimated from MODIS data, acquired from NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center Earth Sciences Distributed Active Archive Center from 2000 to 2005. Both the PM and AOD data were collocated by time and space: PM mass±150 min of AOD time, and ±2.5 and 5 km radius (separately) of the centroid of the AOD pixel for the 5 and 10 km AOD, respectively. The analysis here shows that PM correlates positively with the 5 km AOD; a 1% change in the AOD explains 0.52%±0.20% and 0.39%±0.15% changes in PM2.5 within 45 and 150 min intervals (of AOD data) respectively. At a coarser spatial resolution, however, the relationship between AOD and PM is relatively weak. But, the relationship turns significantly stronger when monthly estimates are analysed over a span of six years (2000 to 2005), especially for the winter months, which have relatively stable meteorological conditions.
Integration of resonant-tunneling transistors and hot-electron transistors

We have integrated a tunneling hot-electron transfer amplifier (THETA) and a novel resonant-tunneling hot-electron transfer amplifier (RTHETA) within a single epitaxial growth. At room temperature, the THETA exhibits a common-emitter current gain of greater than six and a voltage swing of 800 mV when measured in an inverter configuration. The RTHETA exhibits similar common-emitter current gain and a four-state voltage transfer characteristic with an output voltage swing of 1 V. In contrast to the resonant-tunneling hot-electron transistor (RHET), the RTHETA exhibits current gain both before and after the resonant peak voltage. From on-wafer S-parameter measurements, the current-gain cut-off frequency (f/sub T/) and the maximum frequency of oscillation f/sub max/) for both transistors are approximately 20 GHz and 9 GHz, respectively. >
Treatment of community-acquired pneumonia in the elderly: the role of cefepime, a fourth-generation cephalosporin.

In a prospective, multicentre double-blind trial, 151 patients over the age of 65 years were randomly assigned to receive either cefepime 2 g every 12 h for a minimum of 3 days and up to 14 days or ceftriaxone 1 g every 12 h for a minimum of 3 days and up to 14 days. Antibiotics were maintained until 48 h after fever had resolved; no other antibiotics were permitted. The average age in each group exceeded 77 years and significant co-morbidity was found in the majority of patients. The mean total duration of therapy was 5.8 ± 2.4 days for the cefepime group and 6.7 ± 2.7 days for the ceftriaxone group (P = 0.06). The clinical success rate at the end of therapy was 79.1% with cefepime and 75.4% with ceftriaxone (P = 0.62). At the end of follow-up, 91.7% of the cefepime-treated patients and 86.5% of the ceftriaxone patients had a satisfactory clinical response (P = 0.38). In 35 bacteriological evaluable patients, potential pathogens were eradicated in all but one patient receiving cefepime. Seven patients in each group died during the study period but in each case the death was unrelated to study drug. The commonest side-effect was diarrhoea (cefepime, five patients; ceftriaxone, two patients). The clinical and microbiological efficacy of cefepime is similar to that of ceftriaxone in elderly patients with community-acquired pneumonia requiring hospitalization. Cefepime is an appropriate choice for the treatment of community-acquired respiratory tract infections in the elderly.
Splicing factor SF2/ASF rescues IL-2 production in T cells from systemic lupus erythematosus patients by activating IL-2 transcription.

T cells from patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) produce insufficient amounts of the vital cytokine IL-2. We previously showed that SLE T cells express decreased levels of the T-cell receptor–CD3ζ chain and forced expression of CD3ζ into SLE T cells restores IL-2 production. We recently showed that the serine arginine protein splicing factor 2/alternative splicing factor (SF2/ASF) enhances the expression of CD3ζ chain by limiting the production of an unstable splice variant. Here we demonstrate that SF2/ASF levels are decreased in patients with SLE and more so in those with active disease. More importantly, we reveal a function of SF2/ASF, independent of T-cell receptor/CD3 signaling, whereby it is recruited to the IL-2 promoter, increases transcriptional activity, and enhances IL-2 production in SLE T cells. Our results demonstrate that SF2/ASF regulates IL-2 production and that decreased SF2/ASF expression in SLE T cells contributes to deficient IL-2 production.
ADJECTIVE CHECKLISTS FOR MEASUREMENT OF DEPRESSION.

The depression adjective checklists (DACL) were developed in order to fill the need for an instrument with which to measure transient depressive mood, feeling, or emotion. Instruments are available for the measurement of more chronic, enduring depression. 1,4 There are many occasions, however, when an economically administered, reliable and valid instrument for the measurement of transient depressive mood, feeling, or emotion is essential. The need for such an instrument arose when designing an investigation of mood changes during pregnancy and the postpartum period. Therefore, the first itemanalysis was conducted on female criterion groups and the derived lists were crossvalidated on both sexes. With the possibility of culturally-conditioned sex differences in self-report in mind, a separate item-analysis was conducted on male criterion groups and the derived lists were crossvalidated on both sexes. Of the several forms of instruments that have been developed
Archaeology and Cultural Lineage in Of One Blood

The racial commentary in Pauline Hopkins’ Of One Blood; or, The Hidden Self (1903) is initially explicit: as she proclaims in the title, all races are “Of One Blood,” the product of a shared history. In reality, however, Hopkins presents a far more nuanced argument about the nature of race and knowledge. Several of Hopkins’ characters explore this issue by embarking on an archeological expedition to Ethiopia that mirrors a practice of expedition common among certain Americans at the time of the novel’s publication. This expedition is interesting because of its historical and textual contextualization within a transition in the field of archaeology from an atmosphere of amateur antiquarianism to one of scientific professionalism. This positioning allows Hopkins to question the modes of knowledge that both techniques represent. In so doing, she displays what is invisible to Western ways of knowledge by exploring an Africanist approach to thought. The nature and results of the archeological expedition to Africa in Of One Blood suggest that the inclusion of African Americans in historically white intellectual spheres was inadequate without the recognition and respect of a unique African American mode of knowledge. Hopkins’s claim that humanity is “of one blood” (193) is not an argument for a desegregated western academia but for the inclusion and recognition of African American cultural lineage.
The Problem of God in Modern Thought

It is widely believed that modern philosophers have dismissed the idea of God and opted instead for a secular humanism. Challenging these stereotypes through a careful study of major philosophical texts written since the Enlightenment, Philip Clayton shows how the main thinkers of the modern period have continued to wrestle with the problem of God and to make proposals for understanding the divine.Following up on his award-winning book God and Contemporary Science, Clayton here explores the constructive resources that modern thought offers to those struggling with the notion of God as "infinite" and "perfect." He finds in the narrative of modern thought about God strong support for panentheism, the new theological movement that maintains the transcendence of God while denying the separation of God and the world.
Low-phytic-acid Grains:

As one approach to the improvement of the nutritional quality of crops for both foods and feeds, low-phytic-acid (lpa) mutants of maize and other cereals have been isolated. An important advantage ...
Social desirability factors and the Eysenck Personality Inventory.

(1968). Social Desirability Factors and the Eysenck Personality Inventory. The Journal of Psychology: Vol. 69, No. 1, pp. 75-83.
Effects of the Chemical Structure and Composition of Surrogate Gasoline Fuels on Homogeneous Charge Compression Ignition Combustion in a Single-Cylinder Engine

This paper presents the results from the studies of the combustion performance of surrogate gasoline fuels in a Ricardo Hydra single-cylinder engine under homogeneous charge compression ignition (HCCI) conditions. The studies at fixed engine speed, intake air temperature, and intake manifold pressure (900 rpm, 200 °C, and 1.8 bar, respectively) demonstrated that fuel chemistry, i.e., the chemical nature of the components and their concentration in the mixture, was strongly correlated to selected parameters of HCCI performance, such as thermal efficiency (ηf), combustion phasing (CA50), and maximum pressure rise rate (MPRR). Using a multivariate optimization method based on desirability functions, it was determined that optimal HCCI combustion performance would be obtained with mixtures rich in isooctane, methylcyclohexane, and toluene (about 30 vol % each), with minimal content of n-heptane and 1-hexene (<10%).
Demographic Statistics for the Pea Aphid (Homoptera: Aphididae) on Resistant and Susceptible Red Clovers

Life tables were constructed for pea aphid, Acyrthosiphon pisum (Harris), developing on red clover, Trifolium pretense L., in growth chambers. Demographic statistics for pea aphids on three red clovers-N-2 germplasm (pea aphid resistant), ‘Redland’ (susceptibility level unknown), and ‘Tensas’ (pea aphid susceptible)-were computed to study the influence of resistance in red clover on aphid population dynamics. Resistance in N-2 red clover causes a significantly lower instantaneous rate of increase ( r ) for the pea aphid compared with ‘Tensas’ and ‘Redland’. Net reproductive rate per generation ( R o) was significantly higher on ‘Tensas’ than on N-2. Age-specific survivorship ( l x) was significantly higher on ‘Tensas’ and ‘Redland’ than on N-2 with 16-d-old adults. Development time for the first instar was significantly longer on N-2 than on ‘Redland’ and ‘Tensas’. However, mean generation time ( T ) of the pea aphid did not differ among the three red clovers. N-2 exhibited resistance to pea aphid, which reduced aphid population growth potential. Demographic statistics are useful tools to explore the effects or influences of host plant resistance on present and future populations of a pest.
Evaluating approaches to the conservation of rare and endangered plants

Schemske, D.W., B. C. Husband, M.H. Ruckelshaus, C. Goodwillie, I.M. Parker, and J.G. Bishop. 1994. Evaluating approaches to the conservation of rare and endangered plants. Ecology 75: 584-606.
Transfusion Medicine: Treating Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura With Plasma Exchange

Plasma exchange with fresh-frozen plasma has been used for several years as therapy for thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP), among other disorders. A review of the literature describing TTP indicated successful treatment with cryoprecipitate-poor plasma in plasma exchange alone or with fresh-frozen plasma. Inquiry with our hospital's plasma supplier provided information about cryoprecipitate-poor plasma and a newly approved plasma product, solvent/detergent-treated plasma, that substantially reduces the risk for transmission of HIV or hepatitis C virus. Use of more than one plasma product can result in more effective and economic treatment than with one product alone and can provide flexibility for both the blood bank and the supplier when demand exceeds supply.
Energy resources on the Internet

Cet article propose un guide des ressources d'Internet sur la vaste discipline qu'est l'energie car il n'existait pas de stockage et de systeme de recherche des sources d'information sur l'energie, accessibles sur Internet. Sont inclus a ce guide : un repertoire d'adresses, les agences gouvernementales, les laboratoires et les instituts, et les sources de donnees
How Safe Do Majority Group Members, Ethnic Minorities, and Muslims Feel in Multicultural European Societies?

ABSTRACTLondon elected a Muslim mayor in 2016, less than a year after Germany took the lead in welcoming Syrian refugees. What accounts, then, for political leaders’ public assertions of the death of multiculturalism and the resurgence of far-right parties? We examine the possibility that some areas of multicultural policy foster a sense of discrimination on the part of majority populations and reduce their sense of safety, putting pressure on political leaders for assurances and providing the impetus for populist political party agendas, even to the point of Brexit. Data from the Banting/Kymlicka Multiculturalism Policy Index project and from the European Social Survey allow us to explore the impact of specific areas of multicultural policy on those who identify as majority group members, ethnic minorities, and Muslims in fourteen European states. We provide a quantitative multivariate analysis of the influence of key areas of state-level multicultural policy on individuals’ sense of being in a group tha...
Energy storage size and fuel consumption reduction in a microgrid using virtual droop control framework

Microgrid can provide higher reliability, resiliency, sustainability, energy security and surety. Even though there are greater benefits, maintaining stability of microgrid is a major challenge especially with high penetration of renewables into microgrid. The existing approaches to address the problem of stability is to add large energy storage and increase generation capacity. In this paper, energy storage reduction and fuel minimization in a microgrid using Virtual Droop Control (VDC) has been proposed to deal with the problem of stability. The size selection of energy storage system for microgrid to ensure proper operation during microgrid transition has been discussed in this paper. The simulation results has been presented for 24 hours load, wind and solar PV radiation profile for the studied Fort Sill microgrid system using VDC controls. The energy profile for energy storage systems and natural gas generators and fuel consumption of natural gas generators have been presented for standard droop control method and compared with VDC controls.
HIV Tat excites D1 receptor-like expressing neurons from rat nucleus accumbens

Abstract Background HIV-1 infection and drug abuse are frequently co-morbid and their association greatly increases the severity of HIV-1-induced neuropathology. While nucleus accumbens (NAcc) function is severely perturbed by drugs of abuse, little is known about how HIV-1 infection affects NAcc. Methods We used calcium and voltage imaging to investigate the effect of HIV-1 trans-activator of transcription (Tat) on rat NAcc. Based on previous neuronal studies, we hypothesized that Tat modulates intracellular Ca 2+ homeostasis of NAcc neurons. Results We provide evidence that Tat triggers a Ca 2+ signaling cascade in NAcc medium spiny neurons (MSN) expressing D1-like dopamine receptors leading to neuronal depolarization. Firstly, Tat induced inositol 1,4,5-trisphsophate (IP 3 ) receptor-mediated Ca 2+ release from endoplasmic reticulum, followed by Ca 2+ and Na + influx via transient receptor potential canonical channels. The influx of cations depolarizes the membrane promoting additional Ca 2+ entry through voltage-gated P/Q-type Ca 2+ channels and opening of tetrodotoxin-sensitive Na + channels. By activating this mechanism, Tat elicits a feed-forward depolarization increasing the excitability of D1-phosphatidylinositol-linked NAcc MSN. We previously found that cocaine targets NAcc neurons directly (independent of the inhibition of dopamine transporter) only when IP 3 -generating mechanisms are concomitantly initiated. When tested here, cocaine produced a dose-dependent potentiation of the effect of Tat on cytosolic Ca 2+ . Conclusion We describe for the first time a HIV-1 Tat-triggered Ca 2+ signaling in MSN of NAcc involving TRPC and depolarization and a potentiation of the effect of Tat by cocaine, which may be relevant for the reward axis in cocaine-abusing HIV-1-positive patients.
Expanding Operational Space in Inertial Electrostatic Confinement D-D Neutron Generators

AbstractThe University of Wisconsin–Madison inertial electrostatic confinement fusion device HOMER was used to perform current scans at low and moderate pressures, 0.3 and 1.0 mTorr of deuterium, in which the cathode voltage, current, and pressure were carefully controlled. The data was taken in short intervals to avoid the degrading effect of chamber heating on the fusion rate. Low pressure operation should harden the deuterium energy spectrum, but the low pressure also reduces target density. The results showed the fusion rates for 0.3 mTorr are about half that at 1 mTorr. Also, the 6 low pressure current scans had confirmed the approximately linear neutron production rates with respect to current. All 6 of the 1 mTorr current scans showed trends of slightly above linear neutron rates. Also, a new IEC steady state D-D neutron production record of 2.5 × 108 n/s was set at 150 kV, 100 mA, and 1.0 mTorr.
Rating Side Contractions in Open Channels

Dimensional analysis has been previously employed to develop the submerged flow discharge equation for a flat-bottomed trapezoidal flume. The general form of the submerged flow discharge equation has been verified for a flat-bottomed rectangular flume and for Parshall flumes.
Community Health Worker Support for Disadvantaged Patients With Multiple Chronic Diseases: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Objectives. To determine whether a community health worker (CHW) intervention improved outcomes in a low-income population with multiple chronic conditions.Methods. We conducted a single-blind, randomized clinical trial in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (2013–2014). Participants (n = 302) were high-poverty neighborhood residents, uninsured or publicly insured, and diagnosed with 2 or more chronic diseases (diabetes, obesity, tobacco dependence, hypertension). All patients set a disease-management goal. Patients randomly assigned to CHWs also received 6 months of support tailored to their goals and preferences.Results. Support from CHWs (vs goal-setting alone) led to improvements in several chronic diseases (changes in glycosylated hemoglobin: −0.4 vs 0.0; body mass index: −0.3 vs −0.1; cigarettes per day: −5.5 vs −1.3; systolic blood pressure: −1.8 vs −11.2; overall P = .08), self-rated mental health (12-item Short Form survey; 2.3 vs −0.2; P = .008), and quality of care (Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Pro...
How the Presence of Others Affects Desirability Judgments in Heterosexual and Homosexual Participants

Mate-choice copying is a mating strategy wherein women rely on contextual information to assist in securing accurate assessments of potential mates. Mate-choice copying has been extensively studied in non-human species and has begun to be examined in humans as well. Hill and Buss (2008) found evidence of opposing effects for men and women in desirability judgments based on the presence of other opposite-sex people. The current study successfully replicated these findings with 73 and 44 heterosexual men and women, respectively. Heterosexual men exhibited the desirability diminution effect, and heterosexual women exhibited the desirability enhancement effect. The current study also extended these findings to include 73 gay men and 32 lesbian women. Findings for gay and lesbian participants were inverted compared to heterosexual participants. Gay men exhibited the desirability enhancement effect, and lesbian women exhibited the desirability diminution effect, revealing sex differences in mate-choice copying spanning different sexual orientations.
Profiles of Emergent Writing Skills Among Preschool Children

Research suggests that considerable individual differences may exist among preschool children in terms of emergent writing performance. However, there is no study examining this variability. This research explored the patterns of within-group individual differences in the emergent writing skills of preschool children. Cluster analysis was employed to identify profiles of emergent writing skills in two independent samples (children from middle-socioeconomic status backgrounds N = 36; children from socioeconomically and racial/ethnically diverse backgrounds N = 367). Cluster analysis identified three emergent writing profiles: (1) highest emergent writing-strength in letter writing and spelling; (2) average emergent writing-strength in name writing; and (3) lowest emergent writing across skills. Children’s letter name knowledge and phonological awareness significantly predicted profile membership when controlling for age. These findings provide evidence regarding the heterogeneity of preschool children’s emergent writing skills and suggest that different profiles of emergent writing can be explained by children’s letter name knowledge, phonological awareness, and age.
A Graduate Class in Research Data Management.

A graduate elective course in Research Data Management (RDM) was developed and taught as a team by a research librarian and a research active faculty member. Co-teaching allowed each instructor to contribute knowledge in their specialty areas. The goal of this course was to provide graduate students the RDM knowledge necessary to efficiently and effectively manage the data associated with their research projects. Assessment results indicated that student knowledge was increased in all assessed areas.
Maximum Variance Correction with Application to A* Search

In this paper we introduce Maximum Variance Correction (MVC), which finds largescale feasible solutions to Maximum Variance Unfolding (MVU) by post-processing embeddings from any manifold learning algorithm. It increases the scale of MVU embeddings by several orders of magnitude and is naturally parallel. This unprecedented scalability opens up new avenues of applications for manifold learning, in particular the use of MVU embeddings as effective heuristics to speed-up A* search. We demonstrate unmatched reductions in search time across several non-trivial A* benchmark search problems and bridge the gap between the manifold learning literature and one of its most promising high impact applications.
Energy Anomaly Detection with Forecasting and Deep Learning

Monitoring energy consumption data is essential to the everyday workings of power companies; a single uncaught incident outside the standards of normal use can result in financial loss. To minimize the repercussions of an uncaught error, the utilization of forecasting and machine learning can significantly improve the detection of such anomalies in dayto-day operations. This study covers power anomaly detection with the use of deep learning algorithms that have the capability of removing seasonality and trend from data, yielding residual values that are applied in a comparison to values generated from predictive analysis using recurrent neural networks (RNN). Data for this study is provided by Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA).
Researching the Dark Side, Downside, and Destructive Side of Entrepreneurship: It is the Compassionate Thing to Do!

Many contributions to entrepreneurship scholarship have come from the perspective that entrepreneurship is a tool used for economic and social good. Future research can make important additional co...
Health Outcomes of Religious and Spiritual Belief, Behavior, and Belonging: Implications for Healthcare Professionals

Thousands of empirical studies now document that aspects of religion or spirituality are linked with desirable health outcomes. This chapter provides an overview of how religious or spiritual (R/S) beliefs, behaviors, and belonging to a faith community contribute to health outcomes. When living with a health challenge, individuals often use R/S beliefs to cope with their circumstances. These beliefs can be positive or negative; they also impact healthcare decision-making. R/S behaviors observed to be associated with health outcomes include attendance at religious services and various practices such as prayer and meditation. For those who belong within a faith community, that community may provide social support and informal caregiving. This evidence ought to prompt healthcare professionals to plan and implement care that supports R/S in an ethical manner. Indeed, there is evidence that indicates when healthcare professionals support patient R/S, it is associated with various positive outcomes.
Factors Associated with Differential Readmission Diagnoses Following Acute Exacerbations of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.

Author(s): Buhr, Russell G; Jackson, Nicholas J; Dubinett, Steven M; Kominski, Gerald F; Mangione, Carol M; Ong, Michael K | Abstract: BackgroundReadmissions after exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are penalized under the Hospital Readmissions Reduction Program (HRRP). Understanding attributable diagnoses at readmission would improve readmission reduction strategies.ObjectivesDetermine factors that portend 30-day readmissions attributable to COPD versus non-COPD diagnoses among patients discharged following COPD exacerbations.Design, setting, and participantsWe analyzed COPD discharges in the Nationwide Readmissions Database from 2010 to 2016 using inclusion and readmission definitions in HRRP.Main outcomes and measuresWe evaluated readmission odds for COPD versus non-COPD returns using a multilevel, multinomial logistic regression model. Patient-level covariates included age, sex, community characteristics, payer, discharge disposition, and Elixhauser Comorbidity Index. Hospital-level covariates included hospital ownership, teaching status, volume of annual discharges, and proportion of Medicaid patients.ResultsOf 1,622,983 (a weighted effective sample of 3,743,164) eligible COPD hospitalizations, 17.25% were readmitted within 30 days (7.69% for COPD and 9.56% for other diagnoses). Sepsis, heart failure, and respiratory infections were the most common non-COPD return diagnoses. Patients readmitted for COPD were younger with fewer comorbidities than patients readmitted for non-COPD. COPD returns were more prevalent the first two days after discharge than non-COPD returns. Comorbidity was a stronger driver for non-COPD (odds ratio [OR] 1.19) than COPD (OR 1.04) readmissions.ConclusionThirty-day readmissions following COPD exacerbations are common, and 55% of them are attributable to non-COPD diagnoses at the time of return. Higher burden of comorbidity is observed among non-COPD than COPD rehospitalizations. Readmission reduction efforts should focus intensively on factors beyond COPD disease management to reduce readmissions considerably by aggressively attempting to mitigate comorbid conditions.
Robotic transanal palliation of rectal tumors in frail patients: How i do it?

Frail patients with malignant tumors of the rectum may be candidates for palliative robotic transanal surgery, given increased risks for perioperative morbidity and mortality. We, herein, described the surgical technique of robotic transanal surgery and attempted to provide readers with a concise insight into the current state of this procedure.
A Framework for Developing and Testing Financial Capability Programs Targeted to Elementary Schools

Concerns about consumers’ ability to manage personal finances have triggered proposals for a range of solutions, including some aimed at elementary school–aged learners (ages 5–11). The goal of these approaches is to improve lifelong financial decision making, but the evidence supporting their efficacy is thin. This paper discusses the trend towards elementary financial education and proposes a framework for developing and testing evidence-based programs. We emphasize an understanding of the underlying mechanisms that facilitate the translation of student knowledge into the ability to make sound financial decisions over the life course. As educational evaluations need both outcome and impact measures, both the intended outcomes and intended impacts of a curriculum or program should be clearly and formally articulated during initial design and development. Researchers and policymakers can use this framework to examine both near-term and long-term outcomes.
Combining FDTD and Curing Kinetic Equations to Model the Degree of Conversion Evolution of UV-Curable Systems

The degree of conversion (DoC) is significantly linked with many material properties of a UV-cured resin. The current curing kinetic models provide insight into how DoC evolves with depth for a pur...
The Refugee and Immigrant Core Stressors Toolkit (RICST): Understanding the Multifaceted Needs of Refugee and Immigrant Youth and Families Through a Four Core Stressors Framework.

Research indicates that refugee and immigrant youth commonly face four core stressors during resettlement in a new country and culture: trauma, acculturative stress, resettlement stress, and isolation. This Four Core Stressors framework can be used to educate providers about these populations’ unique needs and support assessment of relevant socioecological factors influencing health. To facilitate education, training, and dissemination of this framework and complement existing provider resources, we developed the Refugee & Immigrant Core Stressors Toolkit (RICST), a free, web-based toolkit that provides an overview of the Four Core Stressors framework, assessment questions across the four domains, scaffolding to identify needs and points of triage, and recommended interventions. Public hosting of the RICST via REDCap began in March 2018. In addition to the toolkit, users are prompted to provide location of service delivery, intended purpose of use, and interface feedback. Between March 2018 and October 2020, the RICST was used over 2300 times across 6 continents. Most providers used the toolkit to learn more about the needs of refugee and immigrant youth in general, and several noted that it is a valuable educational tool for staff unfamiliar with these populations. Open-ended qualitative feedback indicated high usability. Amidst historically high levels of forced displacement, tools to support provider effectiveness in working with these populations are increasingly needed. The RICST shows promise as an educational, assessment, and treatment-planning tool for providers working with refugee and immigrant families globally. Future directions include location-specific resource mapping and culture-specific intervention strategies.
Bacteroides ovatus Promotes IL-22 Production and Reduces Trinitrobenzene Sulfonic Acid-Driven Colonic Inflammation

The intestinal microbiota influences the development and function of the mucosal immune system. However, the exact mechanisms by which commensal microbes modulate immunity is not clear. We previously demonstrated that commensal Bacteroides ovatus ATCC 8384 reduces mucosal inflammation. Herein, we aimed to identify immunomodulatory pathways employed by B. ovatus. In germ-free mice, mono-association with B. ovatus shifted the CD11b+/CD11c+ and CD103+/CD11c+ dendritic cell populations. Because indole compounds are known to modulate dendritic cells, B. ovatus cell-free supernatant was screened for tryptophan metabolites by liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry and larger quantities of indole-3-acetic acid were detected. Analysis of cecal and fecal samples from germ-free and B. ovatus mono-associated mice confirmed that B. ovatus could elevate indole-3-acetic acid concentrations in vivo. Indole metabolites have previously been shown to stimulate immune cells to secrete the reparative cytokine IL-22. Addition of B. ovatus cell-free supernatant to immature bone marrow–derived dendritic cells stimulated IL-22 secretion. The ability of IL-22 to drive repair in the intestinal epithelium was confirmed using a physiologically relevant human intestinal enteroid model. Finally, B. ovatus shifted the immune cell populations in trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid–treated mice and up-regulated colonic IL-22 expression, effects that correlated with decreased inflammation. Our data suggest that B. ovatus–produced indole-3-acetic acid promotes IL-22 production by immune cells, yielding beneficial effects on colitis.
Guanine oxidation product 5-carboxamido-5-formamido-2-iminohydantoin induces mutations when bypassed by DNA polymerases and is a substrate for base excision repair.

Guanine (G) is a target for oxidation by reactive oxygen species in DNA, RNA, and the nucleotide pool. Damage to DNA yields products with alternative properties toward DNA processing enzymes compared to those of the parent nucleotide. A new lesion, 5-carboxamido-5-formamido-2-iminohydantoin (2Ih), bearing a stereocenter in the base was recently identified from the oxidation of G. DNA polymerase and base excision repair processing of this new lesion has now been evaluated. Single nucleotide insertion opposite (S)-2Ih and (R)-2Ih in the template strand catalyzed by the DNA polymerases Klenow fragment exo–, DPO4, and Hemo KlenTaq demonstrates these lesions to cause point mutations. Specifically, they promote 3-fold more G·C → C·G transversion mutations than G·C → T·A, and (S)-2Ih was 2-fold more blocking for polymerase bypass than (R)-2Ih. Both diastereomer lesions were found to be substrates for the DNA glycosylases NEIL1 and Fpg, and poorly excised by endonuclease III (Nth). The activity was independent of...
Chemical compositions of diffuse nebulae.

Abstract Our solar system is presumed to have been formed from the interstellar medium, presumably material very similar to what is now found in diffuse nebulae such as that of Orion. The methods of abundance determination differ considerably from those employed for stars since we deal here with a gaseous material that departs drastically from thermodynamic equilibrium. Comparisons of the chemical composition of the Orion Nebula and stars presumably formed from the same material show good agreement. Unfortunately, we are restricted to lighter elements only—H, He, C, N, O, Ne, S, Cl, and Ar.
Busting the myth

The pitting and intergranular corrosion of cast aluminum alloy A356 were compared to that of aluminum alloy 6061 to test whether cast aluminum alloys can be used as a substitute for 6061 in select ocean engineering applications. Accelerated corrosion tests were conducted in a salt water and hydrogen peroxide environment at elevated temperature for over six hours. Metallographic samples were then examined for evidence of corrosion. While both aluminum samples showed some evidence of corrosion, there was no substantial difference between the corrosion of the two samples. We conclude that the viable use of certain heat-treatable cast aluminum alloys in a seawater environment has been experimentally verified.
Practical Approaches to the Light Stabilization of Polypropylene Multifilaments

The stabilization of polypropylene against the effects of ultraviolet light has been the subject of considerable research. Stabilizing polypropylene multifilament yarns is understandably more difficult than stabilizing monofilaments or molded articles. Due to the small diameters of fiber (< 50 microns), conventional uv screeners (such as the benzophenones and benzotriazoles) offer little protection from ultraviolet light. Peroxide decomposers of the dialkylthiodipropionate variety have been found to be virtually ineffective in increasing fiber lifetimes, whereas certain phosphites are quite useful. Supporting laboratory data have shown that at low temperatures phosphites decompose hydroperoxides more rapidly and more efficiently than the dialkylthiodipropionates. Nickel stabilizers appear to be considerably more effective for multifilaments than the uv screeners. Our findings indicate that the Ni compounds function as quenchers of electronically excited carbonyl groups which arise from the photolysis of c...
Hormonal Regulation of Hyaluronidase during Spermatogenesis in the Rat

Abstract Hyaluronidase activity has been studied during hormone-dependent cell differentiation of the germinal epithelium in the rat testis. Hyaluronidase in rat testis is particulate and sediments with the lysosomal fraction, but can be released by treatment with cetyltrimethylammonium bromide. Rat testicular hyaluronidase activity is undetectable until 33 to 34 days of age, at which time it appears and subsequently increases 400-fold. This rapid increase is correlated with acrosome formation in the newly formed spermatids. Hypophysectomy completely prevents the formation of spermatids and of hyaluronidase, although prolonged treatment of the hypophysectomized rats with luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone or with testosterone permits spermatid formation and restores the specific activity of hyaluronidase to normal. Hyaluronidase activity thus appears to represent an accurate biochemical marker for the biological development of testis cells at a specific, hormone-dependent transition in spermatogenesis.
Energy dependence of transient-enhanced-diffusion in low energy high dose arsenic implants in silicon

Si wafers were implanted with As at energies ranging from 10-50 keV to a constant dose of 5e15/cm/sup 2/ and annealed at 700C for various times to study transient-enhanced-diffusion of arsenic and its correlation to the defect microstructure. The results showed that the diffusion enhancement was maximum after a 30 keV implant and anneal. The defect microstructure consisted of only end of range damage in the 10 and 20 keV specimens while the 30, 40 and 50 keV implanted/annealed specimens contained both end of range and projected range defects. An explanation for these observations is suggested, after taking into account a combination of factors that include arsenic precipitation, arsenic clustering and point defect annihilation at the surface.
Entrance channel limit on the fusion of 28Si with 12C at high energy.

Cross sections for the fusion of $^{28}\mathrm{C}$ have been measured at center of mass bombarding energies of 39, 43.5, 48, and 54 MeV. Velocity and energy spectra of reaction products having charge Z\ensuremath{\ge}12 and mass number A\ensuremath{\ge}24 were studied at several angles between ${\mathrm{theta}}_{\mathrm{lab}=2\mathrm{\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}}}$ and 13\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}. Separation of fusion from other processes was made by comparison of kinematic calculations to measured spectra. The extracted critical angular momentum (${l}_{\mathrm{cr}{}^{\mathrm{fus})}}$ of 22\ensuremath{\Elzxh} indicates the existence of an entrance-channel-imposed limit on the high energy fusion cross section. More symmetric systems forming the same compound nucleus, $^{40}\mathrm{Ca}$, have considerably larger limiting angular momenta. This result is consistent with the previous observation of a maximum angular momentum of 22\ensuremath{\Elzxh} (relative to the entrance channel) for the orbiting dinuclear complex found in studies of back-angle deeply inelastic scattering of $^{28}\mathrm{Si}$ and $^{12}\mathrm{C}$.
Biosynthesis, Immunological Specificity, and Intracellular Distribution of the Simian Virus 40-Specific Protein Induced by the Nondefective Hybrid Ad2+ND1

Abstract Ad2+ND1, a nondefective hybrid virus containing a segment of the early region of simian virus 40 (SV40) DNA covalently inserted into the human adenovirus 2 genome, enhances the growth of human adenoviruses in simian cells and induces the SV40 U antigen. This hybrid previously has been shown to code for a 28,000 (28K) molecular weight protein not present in wild-type adenovirus 2-infected cells. By radioimmunoprecipitation using sera from hamsters bearing SV40-specific tumors, we have established that the Ad2+ND1-induced 28K protein is SV40-specific. This Ad2+ND1-induced protein is synthesized as a 30K molecular weight precursor, which is detectable only when infected cells are pulse-labeled in the presence of the protease inhibitor tosylamino phenylethyl chloromethyl ketone. Upon fractionation of labeled cell extracts, about 80% of the 28K protein is found in the plasma membrane fraction, whereas the remaining 20% is associated with the outer nuclear membrane. This protein is not detectable either in the nucleus or in the cytoplasm. Blockage of proteolytic cleavage by tosylamino phenylethyl chloromethyl ketone did not alter the topographic distribution of this SV40-specific protein, although the amount of the precursor protein in the outer nuclear membrane increased fourfold while that in the plasma membrane was proportionately decreased. This result suggests that the 28K protein is transferred from the outer nuclear membrane to the plasma membrane after posttranslational cleavage of the 30K precursor polypeptide. These data offer further support to the proposal that the 28K protein contains the determinants for SV40 U antigen and is responsible for SV40 enhancement of adenovirus growth in simian cells.
The do-it-yourself health care consumer: preliminary identification and marketing implications.

Although the presence of do-it-yourself (DIY) segments in some service-markets have long been taken for granted (e.g., home improvement and auto repair), the recent emergence of DIY segments in law, health, and other service-m,arkets has been surprising to many observers. This paper examines the DIY segment in the health service market. The emergence of a DIY segment may be misconstrued by some service-marketers as being synonymous with lost clientele. This paper (1) explains some of the marketing implications of a DIY health services segment and (2) provides a brief profile of the DIY health services consumer. The paper concludes that the DIY segment represents new opportunity rather than lost clientele to service-marketers.
Delaunay tetrahedralization in a 3-D free-lagrangian multimaterial code

A Delaunay tetrahedralization technique for tesselating space, without any multimaterial tetrahedra for a given mass-point distribution, in a three-dimensional, multimaterial, free-Lagrangian code is described. The approach involves first connecting only the points that do not result in degeneracies, and adding the degenerate points later on, so that the degeneracies affect the mesh only locally. First, the entire Delaunay tetrahedral mesh is generated disregrading multiple materials. The multimaterial tetrahedral connections are then broken by adding new points at the multimaterial connections. The technique inherently involves O(n2) arithmetic operations, where n is the number of mass points; however, we have reduced it to O[nlog(n)] operations by utilizing a “binning” approach. The algorithm is fully vectorized on the Cray family of supercomputers