cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The thermal efficiency of a pumped supercritical helium helium refrgeration system operating below 6 K

Abstract The thermal efficiency of a pumped supercritical helium refrigeration system is calculated as a function of the heat load operating temperature and the supercritical helium pressure. The increase in the compressor power requirement caused by the pump operation over the compressor power required for a 4.5 K liquid helium refrigerator is presented. The use of reciprocating pumps is favoured over a centrifugal pump because of lower losses and its capability to operate at higher temperature during cool-down.
Platelet Glycolysis in Platelet Storage II. Levels and Turnover of Metabolic Intermediates

The metabolism of freshly collected platelets and platelets stored for three or four days at room temperature has been investigated. The levels of glycolytic intermediates were measured in platelets before and after incubation for 15 minutes in a buffered aerobic medium. Platelet intermediates were relatively well maintained, and levels of intermediates that were partially depleted, such as ATP, were restored toward normal after short term incubation even after storage for four days. Incorporation of 32PO4 into fresh and stored platelets during incubation in aerobic buffered medium was also studied. The incorporation pattern was only very modestly influenced by storage. These studies suggest that changes in glycolytic capacity do not play a major role in the loss of viability of platelets during storage at room temperature.
Relative roles of stream flow and sedimentary conditions in controlling hyporheic exchange

Hyporheic exchange is often controlled by subsurface advection driven by the interaction of the stream with sedimentary pore water. The nature and magnitude of the induced exchange flow is dependent on the characteristics of both the stream flow and the sediment bed. Fundamental hydrodynamic theory can be applied to determine general relationships between stream characteristics, sediment characteristics, and hyporheic exchange rates. When the stream bed is fine enough to allow application of Darcy’s Law, as with sand beds, the induced advective exchange can be calculated from fundamental hydrodynamic principles. Comparison with a wide range of experimental results demonstrates the predictive capability of this theory. Coarser sediments such as gravels are more complex because they admit turbulent interactions between the stream and subsurface flows, which can produce considerable exchange even when the bed surface is flat and no flows are induced by the bed topography. Even for this case, however, scaling arguments can still be used to determine how exchange rates vary with stream and sedimentary conditions. Evaluation of laboratory flume experiments for a wide range of stream conditions, bed sediment types including sand and gravel, and bed geometries demonstrates that exchange scales with the permeability of the bed sediments and the square of the stream velocity. These relationships occur due to fundamental hydrodynamic processes, and were observed to hold over almost five orders of magnitude of exchange flux. Such scaling relationships are very useful in practice because they can be used to extend observed hyporheic exchange rates to different flow conditions and to uniquely identify the role of sedimentary conditions in controlling exchange flux.
Intelligent spectroscopy techniques for gamma rays with energies above 400 keV using 3-D position-sensitive detectors

The spatial information obtained using 3-D position-sensitive detectors can be used to improve the performance of gamma-ray spectroscopy systems. With the energy and position information available for each interaction in the detector signatures of multiple interactions can be recognized and used to reconstruct initial gamma-ray energies or eliminate partial-energy tracks. Unlike a traditional spectrometer, 3-D position-sensitive spectrometers make it possible to reject single interactions, suppress Compton continua, identify and reconstruct gamma-ray energies in sequences that begin with pair production, and reconstruct gamma-ray energies in sequences of three or more events that do not include pair production. We have previously presented simulation results of two algorithms that demonstrate the capabilities of intelligent spectroscopy at high energies (>1 MeV). In the current work, we add medium energy techniques and present spectroscopy results from both simulations and measurements using a 2.25-cm/sup 3/ CdZnTe detector.
BAER Soil Burn Severity Maps Do Not Measure Fire Effects to Vegetation: A Comment on Odion and Hanson (2006)

We comment on a recent Ecosystem paper by Odion and Hanson (Ecosystems 9:1177–1189, 2006), in which the authors claim that high severity fire is rare in the Sierra Nevada under current conditions. Odion and Hanson’s results are predicated on BAER soil burn severity maps, which are based primarily on fire effects to soil, not vegetation. Odion and Hanson, and we fear others as well, are misinformed as to the nature of the BAER severity mapping process, and proper applications of BAER soil burn severity maps. By comparing the BAER soil burn severity maps to a true vegetation burn severity measure (RdNBR) calibrated by field data, we show that the area in the high soil burn severity class for the three fires analyzed by Odion and Hanson is substantially less than the area of stand-replacing fire, and that BAER maps—especially hand-derived maps such as those from two of the three fires—also greatly underestimate the heterogeneity in vegetation burn severity on burned landscapes. We also show that, contrary to Odion and Hanson’s claims, Fire Return Interval Departure (FRID) is strongly correlated with fire severity in conifer stands within the perimeter of the McNally Fire.
Small Sample Properties of the Spearman Autocorrelation Estimator

The small sample properties of a variant of the Spearman rank correlation coefficient applied in the time-series context were investigated through Monte Carlo methods. The rank method (r1S) has even greater bias than the highly biased conventional parametric procedure; a traditional test of H0: ρ1 = 0 based on (r1S) yields unacceptable properties. Empirical small sample distributions associated with the rank coefficient differ markedly from the distributions predicted by asymptotic theory. It is concluded that neither rank nor conventional parametric estimators and hypothesis tests are appropriate for very small samples in applications of time-series analysis that have been recommended in the behavioral and social science literature.
Simplicial systems for interval exchange maps and measured foliations

The spaces of interval exchange maps and measured foliations are considered and an alternative proof that almost all interval exchange maps and measured foliations are uniquely ergodic is given. These spaces are endowed with a refinement process, called a simplicial system, which is studied abstractly and is shown to be normal under a simple assumption. The results follow and thus are a corollary of a more general theorem in a broader setting.
“The time is now”: Integrating neuroscience into psychiatry training

This is an extraordinary time for psychiatry, as new research in neuroscience is re-defining the essence of how we conceptualize psychiatric illness. In this issue, Torous et al. (2015) have written a significant paper that captures at once the excitement of new work in the field and the importance of meaningfully incorporating this perspective into both clinical and educational settings. The authors also review some of the many challenges to doing so effectively. The authors’ work comes at a time when many academics are wrestling with this same question and the authors refer to various ongoing efforts seeking to address this practice gap. One such program is the National Neuroscience Curriculum Initiative (Ross et al., 2015; www.NNCIonline.org). The NNCI was formally launched in March of 2014 with the overarching goal of creating a set of open resources that will help improve the teaching of neuroscience in psychiatry. Similar to Torous et al.’s goal of helping trainees ‘‘bridge, in real-time, brain-symptom relationships in psychiatry’’, the NNCI sets as a central objective that ‘‘residents will incorporate a modern neuroscience perspective as a core component of every formulation and treatment plan.’’ Additional learning objectives relate to relevant knowledge, attitudes towards neuroscience, and specific behavioral skills – including that residents will be able to serve as Ambassadors of Neuroscience who can thoughtfully communicate findings from the field to different audiences. The core work of the NNCI has been the creation of educational resources that can be used as in-class teaching and learning activities for residency programs. The guiding principles for these resources are: to maintain an integrative, patient centered approach; to teach well, by applying adult learning theory; and
Creating 2+2 education pathways in cybersecurity

It is a well-documented fact that there are not enough cybersecurity students in the post-secondary pipeline to defend and protect our nation's critical information networks.
Inducing Patent Infringement

It is a fundamental principle of patent law that no one infringes a patent unless they practice the complete invention. Nonetheless, patent courts have long recognized that focusing only on the party who actually practices the invention will sometimes let off the hook the party who most deserves to be held liable. Thus, for over a century patent courts have extended liability to one who does not himself infringe, but who actively induces infringement by another. Since 1952, this principle has been enshrined in section 271(b) of the patent statute. As an idea, it has proven uncontroversial. Surprisingly, however, despite the venerable nature of inducement in patent law, the actual content of the inducement requirement has remained something of a mystery. In particular, courts have proven unable to decide two fundamental issues - what it means actually to induce infringement, and what the inducer must know and intend in order to be liable for acting. Though the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, which was created in 1982, now handles all patent appeals, it has not brought uniformity to either issue. Indeed, there are Federal Circuit opinions taking diametrically opposed positions on the law of inducement. This confusion is doubly unfortunate given that the Supreme Court has recently imported the law of inducement from patent into copyright law. Before we adopt the concept of inducement in copyright cases, it would seem helpful to know what exactly it means in patent cases. In this article, I set out the fundamental disagreements among the courts as to the conduct and intent prongs of inducement. I explore the policies behind inducement law, and suggest that these disagreements can best be resolved not by picking one side or the other, but by thinking of inducement as a sliding scale inquiry in which a more specific intent to infringe is required to find liability if the defendant's conduct is otherwise less egregious. This resolution not only makes policy sense, and integrates section 271(b) with the rest of the statute, but it may even have the virtue of explaining most of the apparently conflicting caselaw. Application of this sliding scale approach also has implications for secondary liability in copyright law.
Destruction of Aflatoxin B1 with Sodium Bisulfite: Isolation of the Major Product Aflatoxin B1S.

The reaction between aflatoxin B1 and sodium bisulfite yielded almost quantitatively a light yellow, highly fluorescent water-soluble product, aflatoxin B1S. Reverse-phase (C18) high pressure liquid chromatography (with and without the paired-ion technique), and normal- and reverse-phase thin layer chromatography revealed the ionic product at greater than 98% yield. The product's intense fluorescence, identical in color to that of aflatoxins B1 and B2, supported the conclusion that the lactone of aflatoxin B1 was not opened by bisulfite and that the reaction took place at some other location on the aflatoxin B1 molecule. The UV spectrum of aflatoxin B1S exhibited identical absorbance maxima to aflatoxin B1 and these maxima exhibited no bathochromic shift in alkaline solution. Aflatoxin B1S exhibited change to bright yellow fluorescence under 365 nm UV light after being sprayed with 20% sulfuric acid in methanol. The IR spectrum of aflatoxin B1S indicated the vinylene group of the furofuran ring system of ...
A Test-Bed for Generating Social Graphs and Recommending Named Groups from Email

Named groups are persistent groups of contacts with whom a user may wish to share the same information. We have engineered a test-bed for evaluating algorithms that recommend such groups. It assumes that these algorithms first generate social graphs from email logs and then mine these graphs to recommend the lists. It supports a variety of mechanisms to gather user data to support users with different privacy needs. It can be attached to a variety of algorithms for mining the data collected. It accommodates different kinds of models for using named groups and offers an evaluation mechanism that requires no effort from the user. The test-bed also provides visualizations of the generated social graphs and generated lists. Thus, it frees algorithm designers from gathering data and evaluating and understanding the output. It has been used to evaluate and compare multiple algorithms for recommending contact groups.
Chapter 10 Superatoms: building blocks of new materials

Publisher Summary This chapter describes building blocks of new materials. The chapter reviews some earlier work on clusters that relates to the development of the concept. A mass spectra of the generated clusters showed that clusters containing 2, 8, 18, 20, 40, 58, atoms have been more prominent than other sizes These numbers have been called magic numbers and experiments on other alkali metals revealed similar magic species, indicating that they were not specific to sodium. As alkali atoms are monovalent, the prominence in the mass spectra could be due to either the electronic counts or other features such as special geometries at these sizes. Further experiments on the dissociation of clusters showed that the magic sizes are the favored fragmentation products and that it required more energy to fragment magic species. All these observations indicated that (1) the magic clusters are very stable species and (2) their stability is probably rooted in electronic counts. The chapter illustrates that Knight and co-workers also proposed that the stability of magic clusters can be understood within a simple jellium picture. As the concept of superatoms relies on the electronic structure and electron counts, the model is considered in detail in the chapter.
Interplanetary Logistics

The success of future manned interplanetary space ventures will depend heavily upon reliable in-flight maintenance despite the spectacular progress in spacecraft component and system reliability. The design of efficient on-board checkout equipment and the development of relatively simple automatic maintenance techniques are requisites for the security of the long-range flights now planned. This paper presents a method for increasing the reliability of space systems through on board checkout equipment and selective automatic maintenance. This concept is called CEFOAM (Checkout Equipment For On-Board Automatic Maintenance).
The Human Side of Restructures The Role of Shifting Identification

Organizational restructures have been occurring for decades but are often rife with problems. Although researchers have studied these restructures, many studies focus on financial, strategic, and integration aspects and are limited in addressing the human side of restructuring. In addition, there is little study of internal restructures involving the movement of divisions within one organization. In our inductive case study, we examine how organizational members’ identification perceptions evolve and impact an internal restructure at a large university. We present our emergent findings in a process model that illustrates how identification perceptions evolved, as well as triggers that impacted identifying and de-identifying processes. These triggers, which helped move members simultaneously from a state of identification with the former entity (pre-restructure) to both de-identification with the former entity and identification with the new one (post-restructure), included experiences and expectations inv...
ELECTROMAGNETIC WAVE ATTENUATION IN HYPERVELOCITY CHEMICALLY REACTING FLOWS

The effects of various gasdynamic phenomena on the attenuation of an electromagnetic wave propagating through the hypervelocity flow field generated by an aerodynamic body, are numerically investigated. The reacting flow field around a blunt wedge; consisting of nitric oxide ions, free electrons, and other species; is simulated using a computational fluid dynamics computer code. The computer code solves the Navier-Stokes equations including a nonequilibrium air kinetics model consisting of seven species and twenty-six reactions, using a time-marching, explicit Runge-Kutta scheme. An electromagnetic wave, originating from within the wedge, is attenuated by the free electrons (plasma) in the chemically reacting flow. Attenuation analysis is performed separately (uncoupled) from the gasdynamic analysis using a series solution of Maxwell's equations valid for a long-wavelength plane wave and a thin (i.e., in comparison to wavelength) inhomogeneous plasma layer. The results of this computational study systematically demonstrate the importance of chemical kinetics, viscosity, mass diffusion, and wall boundary conditions (adiabatic, isothermal, catalytic) for computer modeling of electromagnetic wave attenuation due to an aerodynamic plasma. Comparison is made with experimental data.
Incorporation of Aircraft Performance Considerations in Inverse Airfoil Design

Although significant advances have been made in inverse airfoil design methodology, the tailoring of an airfoil to maximize one or more aircraft performance parameters still involves cycling between airfoil design and aircraft performance computations. A design formulation is presented that incorporates aircraft performance considerations in the inverse design of low-speed laminar-flow airfoils for piston engine driven propeller-powered airplanes. Two aircraft performance parameters are considered: level-flight maximum speed and maximum range. It is shown that the lift coefficient for the lower and upper corners of the airfoil low-drag range can be appropriately adjusted to tailor the airfoil for these two aircraft performance parameters. The design problem is posed as a part of a multidimensional Newton iteration in an existing conformal-mapping based inverse design code, PROFOIL. This formulation automatically adjusts the lift coefficients for the corners of the low-drag range as required for the airfoil‐aircraft matching. The design formulation also has the capability to handle a constraint on the stall speed by automatically adjusting the wing area to account for changes to the airfoil maximum lift coefficient. Two examples are presented to illustrate the process for a general aviation aircraft, and the results are validated by comparison with results from postdesign aircraft performance computations. Nomenclature A R= wing aspect ratio b = wing span C D = aircraft or wing drag coefficient based on Sw Cd = airfoil drag coefficient based on chord CL = aircraft or wing lift coefficient based on Sw Cl = airfoil lift coefficient based on chord
Lack of Evidence Supporting the Effectiveness of Disaster Supply Kits

We reviewed the available evidence in support of the effectiveness of disaster supply kits presently used in household emergency preparedness in the United States. The expectation that people should take responsibility for their own disaster preparedness has largely not taken into account contextual influences on disaster preparedness.The efficiency of current disaster supply kits used during critical postdisaster periods has not been empirically tested. Professional recommendations regarding the composition of disaster supply kits containing at least water, food, first aid, hygiene, and clothing have not been universally defined. This lack of consensus may lead to the assembling of disaster supply kits yielding suboptimal results.The use of disaster supply kits should continue to be nationally recommended, although additional research is needed to demonstrate their beneficial impact on survival and resilience after a disaster.
Investigation on fly-breeding in food industry

Objective To investigate the composition,season-related distribution and seasonal dynamics of fly for food industry at Acheng district in Harbin and provide scientific envidence for killing flies.Methods Cage luring.Results 1 886 flies were caught which were belonged to four families,twelve genera and fourteen species.The average density were 1.69 pieces per hour.The flies included some predominant species as manure fly,mercerizing green fly,housefly,brown-tailed fly and so on.Conclusion The season-related growth and decline of fly is closely related to the variation of the weather,and so is the distribution of fly to the breeding surroundings.These provide scientific basis for the control of flies.
Kinematics and Dynamic Analysis and Simulation of Spur Gear Mechanism of Differential

During the design of differential's transmission used by mini-electric vehicle,a new type of spur gear mechanism was chosen with the aim of producing easily.Because it is hard to know the contact force accurately,we analyzed its principle including working and torque characteristic by referring to research results of the common type.According to system parameters,a geometric model was created in PRO/E,and imported into ADAMS using a seamless interface-Mech/pro.Then the simulation and analysis of its two different working conditions were carried out,and the force and angular velocity curves were acquired.Though comparing forces of simulation and the ideal situation,the way was proved of availability.The analysis of the force curve can not only provide force condition for finite element analysis of the different gear,but also supply guidance for dynamic optimization and analysis of fatigue life for the follow-up.
Treatment for early endometrial cancer. Cost-effectiveness analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the cost-effectiveness of treatment for early endometrial cancer. STUDY DESIGN: Cost-minimization type of cost-effectiveness analysis with payer costs based on CPT (physician's current procedural terminology) and DRG (disease related group) codes. The six principles of cost-effectiveness analysis were evaluated. We compared the standard treatment protocol of selected lymphadenectomy/selective teletherapy (lymphadenectomy and postoperative teletherapy administered for high-risk tumors) as performed by the majority of gynecologic oncologists vs. an alternate treatment protocol of lymphadenectomy/selective brachytherapy (lymphadenectomy for all tumors, brachytherapy for high-risk tumors and teletherapy reserved for nodal metastasis) as performed by 10-12% of gynecologic oncologists. RESULTS: In cost-minimization analysis, lymphadenectomy/selective brachytherapy was 12% less expensive than the standard treatment protocol of selective lymphadenectomy/teletherapy. CONCLUSION: Although only 10-12% of gynecologic oncologists perform lymphadenectomy on all patients, deliver brachytherapy for high-risk tumors and reserve teletherapy for lymph node metastasis, it is a cost-effective treatment strategy for early endometrial cancer.
Universal scaling in the aging of the strong glass former SiO2

We show that the aging dynamics of a strong glass former displays a strikingly simple scaling behavior, connecting the average dynamics with its fluctuations, namely, the dynamical heterogeneities. We perform molecular dynamics simulations of SiO2 with van Beest-Kramer-van Santen interactions, quenching the system from high to low temperature, and study the evolution of the system as a function of the waiting time tw measured from the instant of the quench. We find that both the aging behavior of the dynamic susceptibility χ4 and the aging behavior of the probability distribution P(fs,r) of the local incoherent intermediate scattering function fs,r can be described by simple scaling forms in terms of the global incoherent intermediate scattering function C. The scaling forms are the same that have been found to describe the aging of several fragile glass formers and that, in the case of P(fs,r), have been also predicted theoretically. A thorough study of the length scales involved highlights the importance of intermediate length scales. We also analyze directly the scaling dependence on particle type and on wavevector q and find that both the average and the fluctuations of the slow aging dynamics are controlled by a unique aging clock, which is not only independent of the wavevector q, but is also the same for O and Si atoms.
Coincident Phosphatidic Acid Interaction Restrains Drp1 in Mitochondrial Division

Mitochondria divide to control their size, distribution, turnover, and function. Dynamin-related protein 1 (Drp1) is a critical mechanochemical GTPase that drives constriction during mitochondrial division. It is generally believed that mitochondrial division is regulated during recruitment of Drp1 to mitochondria and its oligomerization into a division apparatus. Here, we report an unforeseen mechanism that regulates mitochondrial division by coincident interactions of Drp1 with the head group and acyl chains of phospholipids. Drp1 recognizes the head group of phosphatidic acid (PA) and two saturated acyl chains of another phospholipid by penetrating into the hydrophobic core of the membrane. The dual phospholipid interactions restrain Drp1 via inhibition of oligomerization-stimulated GTP hydrolysis that promotes membrane constriction. Moreover, a PA-producing phospholipase, MitoPLD, binds Drp1, creating a PA-rich microenvironment in the vicinity of a division apparatus. Thus, PA controls the activation of Drp1 after the formation of the division apparatus.
Cell Assignability on Random Paths in CDMA Networks

As mobiles move along a trajectory in a wireless cellular network, they select base stations out of a list of eligible cells which can provide the required radio link quality. We partition the space of the processed signal strength into two complementary regions in which the cells are assignable or unassignable to a mobile. By using this approach, we develop an approximate model to assign the identified base stations to mobiles in CDMA cellular systems. In particular, we show the effect of the drop timer parameter of the soft handoff algorithm on the control traffic overhead of the IS-95 like system.
Data Authorship as an Incentive to Data Sharing

One way to provide academic credit to investigators who gather data in clinical trials would be to create a designation of “data author.” This Sounding Board article explores this idea.
Youth Voice, Civic Engagement and Failure in Participatory Action Research

In this article, we tell the story of a changing urban landscape through the eyes of the youth we work with in an ongoing after-school program and community-based research project rooted in Photovoice methodology. In particular, we focus on the work that, over the 6 years of our time with youth, has “ended up on the cutting room floor” (Paris and Winn (eds) Humanizing research: decolonizing qualitative inquiry with youth and communities. SAGE Publications, Thousand Oaks, 2014, p. xix). This attention to the work that has fallen through the cracks is a move to engage the central tenets of Humanizing Research, but it’s also a call to think critically with and through the failures that emerge in work with youth. We attend specifically to an ongoing failure in our work as a way to think about the kinds of promises that are often made and broken in participatory action research. In doing so, we tease out the implications of our work with youth and the steps community-based researchers can take to navigate the challenges that can impede the goals of fostering meaningful change.
Thermal spreading analysis of a transversely isotropic heat spreader

Abstract An analytical solution for the steady-state temperature distribution in a transversely isotropic (TI) heat spreader is provided and validated using three-dimensional finite element (FE) analysis. The dimensionless maximum temperature and corresponding thermal spreading resistance were determined for various Biot numbers, dimensionless heat spreader thicknesses, source-to-spreader area ratios, and thermal conductivity ratios (ratio of out-of-plane to in-plane thermal conductivities). The heat spreader investigated consists of uniformly-distributed fibers/channels aligned in the heat spreader's thickness direction. Solutions are presented graphically for various geometric, material, and operating mode combinations. The analytical solutions differ by less than 1% from the FE solutions, indicating that the analytical solution, with cosine solution form, is both effective and accurate in predicting the thermal spreading resistance of a TI heat spreader for many parameter combinations. These results can aid the design or analysis of non-traditional media for thermal spreading, including polymer composites, metal matrix composites, nanocomposites, heat pipes and electronics packaging materials with uniformly-distributed thermal vias.
Gamma tocopherol-enriched supplement reduces sputum eosinophilia and endotoxin-induced sputum neutrophilia in volunteers with asthma.

Background We and others have shown that the gamma tocopherol (γT) isoform of vitamin E has multiple anti-inflammatory and antioxidant actions and that γT supplementation reduces eosinophilic and endotoxin (LPS)-induced neutrophilic airway inflammation in animal models and healthy human volunteers. Objective We sought to determine whether γT supplementation reduces eosinophilic airway inflammation and acute neutrophilic response to inhaled LPS challenge in volunteers with asthma. Methods Participants with mild asthma were enrolled in a double-blinded, placebo-controlled crossover study to assess the effect of 1200 mg of γT daily for 14 days on sputum eosinophils, mucins, and cytokines. We also assessed the effect on acute inflammatory response to inhaled LPS challenge following γT treatment, focusing on changes in sputum neutrophilia, mucins, and cytokines. Mucociliary clearance was measured using gamma scintigraphy. Results Fifteen subjects with mild asthma completed both arms of the study. Compared with placebo, γT notably reduced pre-LPS challenge sputum eosinophils and mucins, including mucin 5AC and reduced LPS-induced airway neutrophil recruitment 6 and 24 hours after challenge. Mucociliary clearance was slowed 4 hours postchallenge in the placebo group but not in the γT treatment group. Total sputum mucins (but not mucin 5AC) were reduced at 24 hours postchallenge during γT treatment compared with placebo. Conclusions When compared with placebo, γT supplementation for 14 days reduced inflammatory features of asthma, including sputum eosinophils and mucins, as well as acute airway response to inhaled LPS challenge. Larger scale clinical trials are needed to assess the efficacy of γT supplements as a complementary or steroid-sparing treatment for asthma.
QTc Prolongation in Patients Receiving Triazoles and Amiodarone.

AbstractBackground Prolonged QT interval may lead to ventricular arrhythmias, torsade de pointes and sudden death. Triazole antifungals are often administered to inpatients with cardiac disease and with other QT prolonging drugs. Amiodarone is a commonly used antiarrhythmic that can prolong QT and be proarrhythmic but safety of co-administering these agents in the clinical setting is not known.Methods We conducted a retrospective, observational cohort study of adult inpatients at Duke University Medical Center who received concomitant systemic azoles and amiodarone from 2007 to 2013. Included subjects had ≥1 electrocardiogram (EKG) performed while receiving either agent alone within 1 month of starting concomitant therapy (baseline, BL) and ≥1 follow-up (FU) EKG after ≥2 days of concomitant therapy. A paired t-test was used to assess the maximum change in corrected QT interval (QTc, Bazett’s correction) from BL to FU. Logistic regression was used to evaluate predictors of FU QTc ≥500 ms (age, race, gender, and BL QTc ≥500 ms). Patient discharge diagnoses of ventricular arrhythmias or other cardiac events were reviewed to assess clinical outcome.ResultsOf 816 subjects identified, 252 had EKG results eligible for analysis. Azoles received were fluconazole (86.5%), voriconazole (11.5%), posaconazole (1.6%) or itraconazole (0.4%). Subjects were a median of 65 (IQR 25–88) years of age, 64.3% male and 78.6% Caucasian. Median duration of concomitant therapy was 7 days (IQR 4–11 days). Mean maximal change in QTc was +32 ms from BL (95% CI 26.2–38.6, P < 0.0001). 25.4 and 48.8% of subjects had a BL and FU QTc ≥500 ms, respectively. BL QTc ≥500 ms but not age, race, or gender was associated with FU QTc ≥500 ms (OR 6.32 95% CI 3.21–12.43). Thirty-day all-cause mortality was 26.2%. No cardiac events were apparent in relation to concomitant azole-amiodarone therapy.Conclusion Prolongation of the QTc interval was frequently observed in this cohort of patients receiving azoles and amiodarone. Clinical impact is challenging to assess in this critically ill, complex patient population but appears to be limited. Additional analyses are needed to further evaluate safety of azoles in the setting of other QTc prolonging agents.Disclosures All authors: No reported disclosures.
Near-Surface Electronic Contribution to Semiconductor Elasticity

Micro- and nanoelectromechanical systems (MEMS and NEMS) have clear advantages for space-based sensing and timing applications, but their operation in the face of strong radiation is not well understood. This work describes a mechanism whereby space radiation can impact a semiconductor's elasticity, and hence an electromechanical device's operation. It is shown that radiation-induced changes in carrier concentration at the surface result in long-term modification of the material's mechanical constants---an important source of error for MEMS or NEMS resonators operating in high-radiation environments.
Data mining based on DC Bias on-line monitoring system of Shanghai power grid

DC Bias is one of the main reasons for the increase of transformer's vibration and noise. A DC Bias on-line Monitoring System is built in Shanghai power grid. The system consists of front-end monitoring units, data acquisition servers and master station servers. The neutral point dc, vibration and noise signals are collected through sensors. In this paper, DC Bias monitoring data are analyzed to acquire features when DC Bias phenomena happen. The k-means algorithm is firstly used to classify the DC bias monitoring data, which can improve the efficiency to find abnormal values and help engineers judge whether DC bias phenomena happen more quickly.
Simultaneous Risk Factor Control Using Telehealth to slOw Progression of Diabetic Kidney Disease (STOP-DKD) study: Protocol and baseline characteristics of a randomized controlled trial.

Abstract Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is the leading cause of end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) in the United States. Multiple risk factors contribute to DKD development, yet few interventions target more than a single DKD risk factor at a time. This manuscript describes the study protocol, recruitment, and baseline participant characteristics for the S imultaneous Risk Factor Control Using T elehealth to sl O w P rogression of D iabetic K idney D isease (STOP-DKD) study. The STOP-DKD study is a randomized controlled trial designed to evaluate the effectiveness of a multifactorial behavioral and medication management intervention to mitigate kidney function decline at 3 years compared to usual care. The intervention consists of up to 36 monthly educational modules delivered via telephone by a study pharmacist, home blood pressure monitoring, and medication management recommendations delivered electronically to primary care physicians. Patients seen at seven primary care clinics in North Carolina, with diabetes and [1] uncontrolled hypertension and [2] evidence of kidney dysfunction (albuminuria or reduced estimated glomerular filtration rate [eGFR]) were eligible to participate. Study recruitment completed in December 2014. Of the 281 participants randomized, mean age at baseline was 61.9; 52% were male, 56% were Black, and most were high school graduates (89%). Baseline co-morbidity was high- mean blood pressure was 134/76 mmHg, mean body mass index was 35.7 kg/m2, mean eGFR was 80.7 ml/min/1.73 m2, and mean glycated hemoglobin was 8.0%. Experiences of recruiting and implementing a comprehensive DKD program to individuals at high risk seen in the primary care setting are provided. Trial Registration: NCT01829256 .
U.S. Weather Highlights 2017: An Historic Hurricane and Wildfire Season

Following the disastrous hurricane and wildfire season of 2017, it was reasonable to expect 2018 to bring a measure of relative calm. Indeed, 2018 did see the fewest tornado deaths in decades (10) ...
The Impact of Dementia Special Care Units on Quality of Care: An Instrumental Variables Analysis.

Objective To compare the quality of care following admission to a nursing home (NH) with and without a dementia special care unit (SCU) for residents with dementia. Data sources/study setting National resident-level minimum dataset assessments (MDS) 2005-2010 merged with Medicare claims and provider-level data from the Online Survey, Certification, and Reporting database. Study design We employ an instrumental variable approach to address the endogeneity of selection into an SCU facility controlling for a range of individual-level covariates. We use "differential distance" to a nursing home with and without an SCU as our instrument. Data collection/extraction methods Minimum dataset assessments performed at NH admission and every quarter thereafter. Principal findings Admission to a facility with an SCU led to a reduction in inappropriate antipsychotics (-9.7 percent), physical restraints (-9.6 percent), pressure ulcers (-3.3 percent), feeding tubes (-8.3 percent), and hospitalizations (-14.7 percent). We found no impact on the use of indwelling urinary catheters. Results held in sensitivity analyses that accounted for the share of SCU beds and the facilities' overall quality. Conclusions Facilities with an SCU provide better quality of care as measured by several validated quality indicators. Given the aging population, policies to promote the expansion and use of dementia SCUs may be warranted.
Neurobiological Basis of Brain Blood Oxygenation Responses Correlated with Cognitive Stroop Task Performance Before and After an Acute Bout of Aerobic Exercise

Cardiovascular activities may increase the brain blood flow improving neural activities leading to improved cognition. Consequently, the effects of an acute bout of moderate intensity aerobic exercise on cortical brain blood oxygenation and its correlation with cognitive color-word Stroop task performance were tested. The Stroop tasks were congruent (color matches word) and incongruent (color does not match word). Prefrontal (PFC) and motor cortex (MC) blood flow was recorded by fNIRS (functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy) while the human subjects performed the Stroop tasks before and after 30 minutes of exercise or equivalent time of rest (controlling for practice effect of repeating the Stroop task multiple times). It was predicted that PFC blood flow increase after exercise will correlate with increased Stroop interference and decreased cognitive flexibility after an acute bout of aerobic exercise at 70% of maximal Heart Rate (HR). We observed that Stroop interference in aerobic exercise and practice alone (rest) were not significantly (p>0.6) different indicating that exercise did not improve cognition above the learning effect. Increase in blood flow (both neurovascular and neurometabolic coupling) in previously deactivated PFC channels was positively correlated (p<0.05) to increased Stroop interference (worse cognitive speed and accuracy) after an acute bout of aerobic exercise.
Use of Labeled Nonmetabolized Amino Acids in Biochemical Research

The biochemical investigator usually is pleased to find that a large quantity of C14 or other tracer atom has been transferred from his starting compound to another substance. This article will consider a group of compounds for which metabolic modification to other substances can scarcely be detected, and the experimental applications which this property may permit.
Changes in myoblast responsiveness to TNFα and IL-6 contribute to decreased skeletal muscle mass in intrauterine growth restricted fetal sheep.

National Institute of General Medical Sciences [1P20GM104320]; Nebraska Agricultural Experiment Station; Hatch Act [NEB-26-224]; Hatch Multistate Research capacity funding program through the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture [NEB-26-226, NEB-26-225]
Book Review: Bess, James. (Ed.). (1996) - Teaching Well and Liking it: Motivating Faculty to Teach Effectively

One measure of a good book is its ability to stand the test of time. Although published in 1997, James Bess’ edited volume ‘Teaching Well and Liking It’ continues to maintain its relevance for students, faculty, and academic leaders who are interested in the motivational aspects of high-quality instruction in higher and postsecondary education.
Impacts of Change Orders on Cost and Schedule Performance and the Correlation with Project Size of DB Building Projects

AbstractFew studies have been conducted to evaluate change orders in design-build (DB) projects, examining their impacts on cost and schedule performance, and their relationship with project size. ...
Trade Disputes in Practice

This paper discusses WTO's trade dispute settlement procedure. It also discusses NAFTA's unique dispute settlement system that subjects antidumping and countervailing duty determinations to binational panel reviews instead of the more conventional judicial reviews. The paper then studies seven notable trade dispute cases. It analyzes the key sources of these disputes, some from conflicts between national laws and the WTO rules, some from special interest groups' actions, and some from special treatments for the less-developing countries. The paper cautions that the WTO rulings are often met with delayed implementation or non-implementation on one pretext or another, particularly by the majors. This could undermine the future effectiveness of the WTO.
Adverse Effects of Radiotherapy and Chemotherapy for Common Malignancies: What Is the Quality of Information Patients Are Finding Online?

Little is known about the availability of high-quality online health information (OHI) for adverse effects (AEs) of radiotherapy (RT) and chemotherapy (CHT). Optimal search strategies for gaining access to high-quality OHI for these topics are not well-established. This study explores the quality of, potential disparities in, and possible search strategies for OHI pertaining to AEs of RT and CHT. One hundred twenty phrases on generalized and malignancy site-specific AEs of RT and CHT were searched on Google. The Health on the Net Foundation (HONcode) framework was applied to assess the quality of the first 100 websites for each search phrase. Comparisons of the availability of high-quality OHI were made between different languages, malignancy sites, and treatment modalities (RT vs CHT). Of the 12,000 RT and CHT AE websites analyzed, approximately half of the first 10 websites returned for each search were HONcode-accredited; approximately a fifth of the first 100 websites returned were HONcode-accredited. Such low availability of high-quality OHI persisted throughout different languages (English, French, Spanish) and common malignancy sites (breast, prostate, lung), with some variations between languages, malignancy sites, and RT vs CHT. Despite the important role of OHI in cancer patients’ approach to health information gathering and decision-making, the availability of high-quality OHI for the AEs of common oncologic treatments, RT and CHT, is low across different languages and common malignancy sites. Our findings demonstrate the need for improvement in the availability of high-quality OHI. Therefore, providers should take an active stance in directing patients to high-quality OHI.
On the Feasibility of Attribute-Based Access Control Policy Mining

As the technology of attribute-based access control (ABAC) matures and begins to supplant earlier models such as role-based or discretionary access control, it becomes necessary to convert from already deployed access control systems to ABAC. Several variations of this general problem can be defined, some of which have been studied by researchers. In particular the ABAC policy mining problem assumes that attribute values for various entities such as users and objects in the system are given, in addition to the authorization state, from which the ABAC policy needs to be discovered. In this paper, we formalize the ABAC RuleSet Existence problem in this context and develop an algorithm and complexity analysis for its solution. We further introduce the notion of ABAC RuleSet Infeasibility Correction along with an algorithm for its solution.
Writeback-Aware Caching (Brief Announcement)

Motivated by emerging memory technologies and the increasing importance of energy and bandwidth, we study the Writeback-Aware Caching Problem. This problem modifies the caching problem by explicitly accounting for the cost of writing data to memory. In the offline setting with maximum writeback cost omega > 0, we show that the writeback-oblivious optimal policy is only (omega+1)-competitive for writeback-aware caching, and that writeback-aware caching is NP-complete and Max-SNP hard. In the online setting, we present a deterministic online replacement policy, called Writeback-Aware Landlord, and show that it obtains the optimal competitive ratio. Finally, we perform an experimental study on real-world traces which shows that Writeback-Aware Landlord outperforms state-of-the-art cache replacement policies when writebacks are costly.
Trends in MitraClip, mitral valve repair, and mitral valve replacement from 2000 to 2016.

Abstract Objective The dissemination of mitral valve repair as the first-line treatment and the introduction of MitraClip for patients who have a prohibitive risk for surgery have changed the landscape of mitral valve intervention. The aim of this study is to provide current and generalizable data regarding the trend of mitral valve interventions and outcomes from 2000 to 2016. Methods Patients ≥18 years of age who underwent mitral-valve interventions were identified using the National Inpatient Sample database. National estimates were generated by means of discharge weights; comorbid conditions were identified using Elixhauser methods. All trends were analyzed with JoinPoint software. Results A total of 656,030 mitral valve interventions (298,102 mitral valve replacement, 349,053 mitral valve repair, and 8875 MitraClip) were assessed. No changes in rate of procedures (per 100,000 people in the United States) were observed over this period (annual percent change, −0.4; 95% confidence limit, −1.1 to 0.3; P = .3). From 2000 to 2010, the number of replacements decreased by 5.6% per year (P Conclusions Over a 17-year period, mitral-valve interventions were associated with improved outcomes despite being applied to an increasingly sicker population.
A PECULIAR CASE OF PULMONIC VALVE ENDOCARDITIS

Pulmonic valve endocarditis is a rare entity, accounting for less than 2% of all endocarditis cases, with Staphylococcus and Streptococcus species being the most common culprits. We present a patient with native pulmonic valve Aerococcus urinae endocarditis who originally presented with pneumonia