cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Novel use of electronic whiteboard in the operating room increases surgical team compliance with pre-incision safety practices.

Background Despite evidence that use of a checklist during the pre-incision time out improves patient morbidity and mortality, compliance with performing the required elements of the checklist has been low. In an effort to improve compliance, a standardized time out interactive Electronic Checklist System [iECS] was implemented in all hospital operating room (OR) suites at 1 institution. The purpose of this 12-month prospective observational study was to assess whether an iECS in the OR improves and sustains improved surgical team compliance with the pre-incision time out. Methods Direct observational analyses of preprocedural time outs were performed on 80 cases 1 month before, and 1 and 9 months after implementation of the iECS, for a total of 240 observed cases. Three observers, who achieved high interrater reliability (kappa = 0.83), recorded a compliance score (yes, 1; no, 0) on each element of the time out. An element was scored as compliant if it was clearly verbalized by the surgical team. Results Pre-intervention observations indicated that surgical staff verbally communicated the core elements of the time out procedure 49.7 ± 12.9% of the time. After implementation of the iECS, direct observation of 80 surgical cases at 1 and 9 months indicated that surgical staff verbally communicated the core elements of the time out procedure 81.6 ± 11.4% and 85.8 ± 6.8% of the time, respectively, resulting in a statistically significant (P Conclusion Implementation of a standardized, iECS can dramatically increase compliance with preprocedural time outs in the OR, an important and necessary step in improving patient outcomes and reducing preventable complications and deaths.
Cost-Minimization and the Number Needed to Treat in Uncomplicated Hypertension

The goal of this study was to compare the direct costs associated with the prescription of thiazide diuretics, beta-receptor blockers (beta-blockers), angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEI), a-receptor blockers (alpha-blockers), and calcium channel blockers (CCB) for the prevention of stroke, myocardial infarction (MI) and premature death in uncomplicated hypertension. We performed a cost-minimization analysis based on numbers-needed-to-treat (NNT) derived from the metaanalysis of 15 major clinical trials of hypertension treatment, and the average wholesale prices of both the most commonly prescribed and the least expensive drugs in each class. The inclusion criteria for clinical trials were that they be randomized, controlled trials of drug therapy of uncomplicated mild-to-moderate hypertension with stroke, MI, or death as endpoints. The wholesale drug costs and the total direct outpatient treatment costs to prevent a stroke, MI or death among middle-aged and elderly hypertensives were our outcome measures. The estimated wholesale drug acquisition cost to prevent one major event (MI or stroke or death) ranged from $4730 to $346,236 among middle-aged patients, and from $1595 to $116,754 in the elderly; generic diuretic or beta-blocker therapy was more economical than treatment with an ACEI, alpha-blocker, or CCB. The associated 5-year NNT was 86 for middle-aged patients and 29 for elderly patients. Diuretic therapy remained more cost-effective even under the unlikely assumption that the newer drugs were 50% more effective than diuretics at preventing these major events. The costs associated with potassium supplementation did not eliminate the advantage of diuretics. Treatment costs to prevent major hypertensive complications are much lower with diuretics and beta-blockers than with ACEI, CCB, or alpha-blockers, especially in middle-aged patients.
Triazole antifungal agents drug-drug interactions involving hepatic cytochrome P450

Introduction: Triazole antifungal agents are often prescribed as first-line therapy for candidemia, in non-neutropenic hosts and invasive pulmonary aspergillosis, and in critically ill patients who receive many concomitant medications. As substrates and inhibitors of cytochrome P450 (CYP), the triazoles can interact with many drugs, which may lead to enhanced toxicity of the concomitant medication(s) or ineffective antifungal treatment. Therefore, clinicians must understand the drug interaction profile of this class. Areas covered: This manuscript reviews the role of human hepatic CYP in triazole–drug interactions, illustrates how recent discoveries in pharmacogenetics and triazole metabolism impact our understanding of these interactions, and summarizes the most clinically important triazole–drug interactions. A search of English language, original research and scholarly reviews describing interactions between triazole antifungal agents and human CYP published from 1980 to present was undertaken using Pu...
CORE BINDING ENERGIES OF SOME METAL β-DIKETONATES AND β-DIKETONES IN THE VAPOR PHASE

Abstract The vapor-phase core binding energies of some tris β-diketonates of A1(III), V(III), Cr(III), and Fe(III) and of two β-diketones have been measured. The rather large shifts observed for the A1 2p energies are believed to be caused mainly by changes in the electrostatic potential at the A1 atom due to changes in the charges of the ligand atoms. Considerable resonance relaxation energy is associated with the core ionization of the carbonyl carbon atoms and the CH carbon atoms. The data for the metal hexafluoroacetylacetonates show that the metal d orbitals are not significantly involved in the bonding and suggest that there is no strong ligand → metal donor bonding.
Multidisciplinary Management of Brain Metastases

Metastatic brain tumors are the most common intracranial neoplasms in adults. The incidence of brain metastases appears to be rising as a result of superior imaging modalities, earlier detection, and more effective treatment of systemic disease. Therapeutic approaches to brain metastases include surgery, whole brain radiotherapy (WBRT), stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS), and chemotherapy. Treatment decisions must take into account clinical prognostic factors in order to maximize survival and neurologic function whilst avoiding unnecessary treatments. The goal of this article is to review important prognostic factors that may guide treatment selection, discuss the roles of surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy in the treatment of patients with brain metastases, and present new directions in brain metastasis therapy under active investigation. In the future, patients will benefit from a multidisciplinary approach focused on the integration of surgical, radiation, and chemotherapeutic options with the goal of prolonging survival, preserving neurologic and neurocognitive function, and maximizing quality of life.
Heat capacity and thermodynamic properties for coesite and jadeite, reexamination of the quartz-coesite equilibrium boundary

The heat capacities of synthetic coesite and jadeite were measured between about 15 and 850 K by adiabatic and differential scanning calorimetry. The experimental data were smoothed and estimates were made of heat capacities to 1800 K. The following equations represent our estimate of the heat capacities of coesite and jadeite between 298.15 and 1800 K: 0 22 21/2 2 62 C (coesite) 5 141.35 2 0.01514T 1 987190.7T 2 1780.5T 1 1.029 3 10 T p p Tables of thermodynamic values for coesite and jadeite to 1800 K are presented. The entropies of coesite and jadeite are 40.38 6 0.12 and 136.5 6 0.32 J/(mol·K), respectively, at 298.15 K. The entropy for coesite derived here confirms the value published earlier by Holm et al. (1967). We have derived an equation to describe the quartz-coesite boundary over the temper- ature range of 600 to 1500 K, P(GPa) 5 1.76 1 0.001T(K). Our results are in agreement with the enthalpy of transition reported by Akaogi and Navrotsky (1984) and yield 2907.6 6 1.4 kJ/mol for the enthalpy of formation of coesite from the elements at 298.15 K and 1 bar, in agreement with the value recommended by CODATA (Khodakovsky et al. 1995). Several sources of uncertainty remain unacceptably high, including: the heat capacities of coesite at temperatures above about 1000 K; the heat capacities and volumetric properties of a quartz at higher pressures and at temperatures above 844 K; the pressure corrections for the piston cylinder apparatus used to determine the quartz-coesite equilibrium boundary.
Reconfigurable optically-interconnected parallel computer architecture

Reconfigurability is desirable in parallel computer architecture to enable efficient utilization of the inherent data communication patterns to various algorithms. Previous approaches to achieve reconfigurability have considered topology embedding, multistage permutation networks, and embedded switch arrays. This paper proposes a novel reconfigurable interconnection structure based on a multiple-domain multiple-wavelength channel passive optical network. The network acts as a host to a pre-selected library of guest topologies, whose embedding requirements are derived from their adjacency matrices. Reconfiguration takes place by re-labeling processor identifiers and re-tuning receivers according to a local table at each node. >
On rights and responsibilities

Rights are commonly linked to responsibilities. One commonly hears remarks about the rights and responsibilities of teachers, parents, students, etc. This linking together of the two is the topic of this paper. The paper is divided into four sections. In the first section I distinguish three accounts of the relation between rights and esponsibilities any of which we could have in mind when linking the two together, and I single out the third account for further study. Unlike the other two, it seems to offer fresh material for the theory of rights. In the second section I develop this material. I explicate the general relation between rights and responsibilities as this third account represents it, and I specify the grounds for attributing such a relation to them. My aim here is to elucidate a conception of rights that certain legal and political rights can be taken to exemplify and that has been ignored or obscured in recent work in the theory of rights. In the last two sections I turn my attention to human rights. I argue in Section III that Locke's theory of natural rights can be interpreted as upholding the conception of rights elucidated in the preceding section, and I consider and criticize in Section IV an account of the relation between certain human rights and responsibilities that comes from Joel Feinberg's distinction between mandatory and discretionary rights. The arguments of these two sections are meant to strengthen the case for making room in the theory of rights for the conception elucidated in Section II.
Molecular Pathogenesis of Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli

Escherichia coli can cause gastrointestinal disease by a variety of mechanisms. This chapter focuses on the molecular pathogenesis of one specific category of diarrheagenic E. coli, the enteropathogenic E. coli (EPEC). It discusses the various bacterial factors and genes involved in EPEC pathogenesis as well as the specific changes that occur in the host cell in response to EPEC infection. Some studies report that the ability of EPEC to enter cell cultures exceeds that of Enteroinvasive E. coli (EIEC), but other investigators argue that the methodology of some invasion assays gives artificially elevated invasion levels for strongly adherent bacteria such as EPEC. As for many other bacterial pathogens, expression of EPEC virulence factors is regulated by a trans-acting regulator. The lack of tropomyosin accumulation with EPEC compared with the accumulation with Salmonella typhimurium suggests that the cytoskeletal rearrangement caused by EPEC forms a relatively inert, stable cytoskeletal structure that the bacterium rests on but does not promote an actin-myosin-tropomyosin-mediated event involved in mechanical bacterial uptake. Activation of protein kinase C induces rapid changes in intestinal water and electrolyte secretion in vivo and in vitro, thereby suggesting another possible intracellular mediator of the secretory response to EPEC infection. Several EPEC mutants were examined for their abilities to induce phosphorylation of Hp90. A strain cured of the 60-MDa plasmid encoding bundle-forming pilus (BFP) could still phosphorylate Hp90.
Interfacial Morphology and Autohesion of A-B-A Triblock Copolymers

The tensile-recovery response, optical transparency, and autohesion properties of an A-B-A triblock copolymer where A is polystyrene and B is polybutadiene have been analyzed in terms of the interfacial mechanisms of reversible bonding. This study indicates that cavitation and void formation accompanies the characteristic initial yielding and cold drawing of this polymer system. Tensile stress-strain curves are described by a theoretical function that defines both the loss and regain of interfacial continuity between the continuous B phase and the discrete A phase domains. The study indicates the initially formed cavities act as light scattering centers. Under prolonged tensile stress these cavities coalesce to produce visible void structures. Both types of defects disappear after sufficient recovery time to regenerate the original optical and mechanical response of the undeformed material.
Nanoindentation Method To Study Slip Planes in Molecular Crystals in a Systematic Manner

A rotating sample method has been developed to study the slip planes of succinic acid by atomic force microscopy (AFM) nanoindentation. A nonaxisymmetric cube corner indenter was utilized to generate an inhomogeneous stress field, which selectively activates different slip systems simply by rotating the sample. The slip planes identified were repeatable and frequently observed for different indentations of the single crystals using four sample rotations. By applying this rotating sample method to both (001) and (010) crystal faces, the repeatedly observed major slip planes were identified as (010) and (111) planes; these agree with the theoretical prediction. Many higher index operative slip planes were identified that were not reported previously. The rotating sample method presented herein is pragmatic and suggests that the anisotropic slip properties of single pharmaceutical crystals can be studied in a systematic manner.
A TEST FOR PROXIMITY-DEPENDENT OUTCROSSING IN THE ALPINE SKYPILOT, POLEMONIUM VISCOSUM.

Etude statistique du succes reproducteur dans des populations de plantes en fonction de la distance entre paires exogames etudie chez P. viscosum
Modal logics, justification logics, and realization

Abstract Justification logics connect with modal logics, replacing unstructured modal operators with justification terms explicitly representing interdependence and flow of reasoning. The number of justification logics quickly grew from an initial single instance to a handful to about a dozen examples. In this paper we provide very general, though partly non-constructive, methods that cover all previous examples, and extend to an infinite family of modal logics. The full range of the phenomenon is not known. The extent to which constructive methods apply is also not known, but it is related to the availability of cut-free proof methods for modal logics.
Staphylococcus aureus: Current State of Prevalence, Impact, and Vaccine Development

Staphylococcus aureus is a fastidious pathogen of global concern. S. aureus can not only cause a wide range of serious infections, but can also colonize healthy individuals. Nosocomial- associated S. aureus infection is a major concern for healthcare facilities. Recent increases in antibiotic resistance and community-acquired infection highlight the need for improved understanding for prevention and treatment of this pathogen. This minireview addresses the current state of S. aureus prevalence, correlates of immunity, and vaccine development.
Organizational Influences in Technology Adoption Decisions: A Case Study of Digital Libraries

The purpose of this study was to understand the organizational level decision factors in technology adoption in the context of digital libraries. A qualitative case study approach was used to investigate the adoption of a specific technology, XML-based Web services, in digital libraries. Rogers’s diffusion of innovations and Wenger’s communities of practice were the theories used to frame the study. The data collected through interviews were triangulated with documentary evidence and a comprehensive member check. Four organizational level influences identified when making technology adoption decisions in the context of digital libraries were organizational structure, management style, focus and direction of the program, and relationships with external entities. Attributes including program size, organizational culture and availability of financial resources contributed to these organizational level influences whereas program size did not appear to have an effect. Informal communication mechanisms were found to inform and influence the decision-making process.
Study on the Connection Mode of Power Plant to UHV Power System

The techno-economic performance of adopting UHV step-up transformers in power plants is emphatically analyzed.Main technical parameters of UHV step-up transformer is presented;the influence of connecting power plant to power grid via the mode of UHV step-up transformer and that via traditional two-stage step-mode on sending-out ability of electricity resource are analyzed.According to the combination modes of generators and transformers,the investments for various power sending-out projects are compared,and the measures to improve engineering economical efficiency are investigated.Such a research contributes to determine the scheme for power sending-out project reasonably and improve the operation benefits of both power plants and power grid.Results of comparative analysis show that directly connecting large-scale electricity resource base to power grid can lift the transmission capability of UHV lines,and when the development of electricity resource achieves a larger scale,a better engineering economical efficiency can be attained.
Influences of curcumin on expressions of amyloid β-protein and amyloid β oligomers in APP/PS1 double transgenic mice

Objective To observe the changes of amyloid β-protein 42(Aβ42),amyloid β-protein 40(Aβ40) and amyloid beta-derived diffusible ligands(ADDLs) by applying immunohistochemistry technique and Western blot method in APP/PS1 double transgenic mice before and after treatment with curcumin(Cur),and review the influence of Cur on Aβ cascade reactions.Methods APP/PS1 double transgenic mice(3 months old) were randomly divided into model group,rosiglitazone group,normal group,and high-dose,mid-dose and low-dose Cur groups(high-dose group,mid-dose group and low-dose group).After intragastrical administration of Cur for 3 months,the changes of protein expressions of Aβ42,Aβ40 and ADDLs were detected by using immunohistochemistry technique and Western blot method.Results The detection of immunohistochemistry showed that the positive cells of Aβ42,Aβ40 and ADDLs in hippocampus increased in model group compared with normal group.The comparison between Aβ42 and Aβ40 showed that the increase of positive cells of Aβ42 was more significant.The positive cells of Aβ42,Aβ40 and ADDLs in hippocampus decreased significantly in all intervened groups.The detection of Western blot method showed that the protein expressions of Aβ42,Aβ40 and ADDLs increased significantly in model group compared with normal group(P0.01).Compared with model group,the protein expressions of Aβ42 and Aβ40 decreased significantly in rosiglitazone group and mid-dose group(P0.01) although they decreased in all intervened groups.The protein expression of ADDLs decreased significantly in rosiglitazone group(P0.01) and in high-dose group and mid-dose group(P0.05).Conclusion Cur,after administration for 3 months,can reduce significantly the expressions of Aβ42,Aβ40(especially Aβ42) and ADDLs in hippocampus CA1 zone in APP/PS1 double transgenic mice.It depends on further studies whether the neuroprotective mechanism of Cur is due to down-regulation of Aβ42 and ADDLs,improvement of the degradation of Aβ42 and ADDLs and influence on Aβ cascade reactions.
Multinucleated rat alveolar macrophages express functional receptors for calcitonin

The fusion of mononuclear phagocytes occurs spontaneously in vivo and leads to the differentiation of either multinucleated giant cells or osteoclasts in chronic inflammatory sites or in bone, respectively. Although osteoclasts are responsible for resorbing bone, the functional role of giant cells in chronic inflammatory reactions and tumors remains poorly understood. We recently reported that the plasma membrane of multinucleated macrophages is, like that of osteoclasts, enriched in Na-K-adenosinetriphosphatases (ATPases). We also observed that the localization of their Na-K-ATPases is restricted to the nonadherent domain of the plasma membrane of cells both in vivo and in vitro, thus imposing a functional polarity on their organization. By following this observation, we wished to investigate whether these cells also expressed, like osteoclasts, functional receptors for calcitonin (CT). To this end, alveolar macrophages were fused in vitro, and both their structural and functional association with CT was analyzed and compared with those of mononucleated peritoneal and alveolar macrophages. Evidence is presented that multinucleated alveolar macrophages express a high copy number of functional receptors for CT. Our results also indicate that alveolar macrophages, much like peritoneal, express functional receptors for calcitonin gene-related peptide. It is suggested that multinucleated rat alveolar macrophages offer a novel model system to study CT receptors and that calcitonin may control local immune reactions where giant cells differentiate.
Predation and species diversity

Except for doubtful interactions with interference competition and density-dependent extinction, equivalent predation cannot increase the number of species of prey.
Systems for Exposure of Animals to Airborne Agents

This paper will introduce the reader to the inhalation exposure of animals. It is by no means complete and for more information the reader should consult more thorough reviews (1–5). This chapter will: (a) provide basic definitions for some common terms; (b) describe standard inhalation chambers and how they are operated; (c) describe the build-up and removal of pollutants in chambers; (d) briefly discuss isolation exposure systems; and (e) describe the function, applicability, advantages, and disadvantages of nose exposure systems. Other techniques which may be useful in assessing mutagenicity but which are not described here include intratracheal instillation, partial lung exposures, and exposures during bronchoscopy.
On the “Flip” Side

A dominant narrative in many films and within mass media is a fear of the urban student of Color (Kellner, 1995; Leonardo & Hunter, 2007). These narratives indicate that when innocent, well-intentioned White women enter urban schools, ridden with gangs, promiscuity, and drugs, they themselves become victims of the urban illness that plagues people of Color.
The Uremic Syndrome

Uremia is the syndrome attributable to kidney failure. The causes of many of the most prominent signs and symptoms of uremia are poorly understood. Furthermore current dialysis therapy mitigates many but not all of these disabilities. The persistent illness with standard care probably derives at least in part from the failure of dialysis to replace normal kidney functions. Dialysis is particularly deficient in removing certain classes of molecules that are well cleared by the normal kidneys. These include small proteins, protein-bound solutes, intracellular sequestered compounds and those which undergo high rates of active secretion by the normal tubule. The sources of these retained solutes are varied but include diet, enhanced production from human metabolism and retention of metabolites originating from gut microbes. Recent approaches have begun to identify toxic compounds by epidemiologic studies and animal and cellular experiments, but clinical trials to more specifically remove or reduce production of candidate toxins are still wanting.
The Clinical Neuropsychiatry of Stroke: Prevalence of depressive disorders

The prevalence of poststroke depression has been assessed in a large number of patients who have been examined in various settings throughout the world. Since the first edition of this text, large numbers of patient populations have been added to the literature and pooling of the data has provided prevalence rates based on more than 6000 patients. There are at least three factors which have complicated the determination of prevalence rates. The first is the setting in which patients were examined. Community studies have generally reported somewhat lower prevalence rates than studies done in hospital outpatient settings. Community studies have generally included many patients who had very mild or frequently no motor sensory or other neurological symptoms associated with their stroke. Thus, some of these patients have such minimal brain injury that they would not be expected to have stroke-induced depression. On the other hand, patients with more severe motor sensory or other physical symptoms of stroke who have been hospitalized would be expected to have more severe brain damage and higher rates of depression reflecting the association between severity of depression and severity of physical impairments associated with stroke. The second factor which has complicated prevalence studies of poststroke depression is the number of patients who are excluded from studies of poststroke depression.
Repair of 50-75% full-thickness lower eyelid defects: Lateral stabilization as a guiding principle

Introduction: Repair of large defects of the lower eyelid can be difficult. A common procedure performed to address these defects is a Hughes flap. This procedure has a number of disadvantages: The eye is closed postoperatively, a second stage is required, and the edge of the flap is often erythematous. The purpose of this paper is to describe a one-stage procedure for the repair of large full-thickness defects of the lower lid as an alternative to a Hughes flap. Materials and Methods: This is a retrospective study of patients who underwent the described procedure. The procedure employs lateral stabilization of the posterior lamella with a periosteal strip, medial transposition of the lateral posterior lamella for central and medial defects, and a myocutaneous advancement flap to stabilize the anterior lamella. Results: A total of 38 patients underwent the procedure to reconstruct full-thickness defects of the lower lid ranging from 50% to 75%. All patients underwent previous Mohs excision of a skin cancer. The average follow-up was 5.6 months. Eleven patients (29%) had postoperative sequelae, but only two patients (5%) required additional treatment. Conclusion: Lateral stabilization with a periosteal strip and myocutaneous advancement flap is an excellent one-step procedure that avoids many of the complications seen with the Hughes procedure and is comparable to other techniques used for the reconstruction of subtotal, full-thickness lower lid defects.
Comparing anticholinergic persistence and adherence profiles in overactive bladder patients based on gender, obesity, and major anticholinergic agents

Aims Overactive bladder (OAB) is highly prevalent particularly among obese patients and significantly impacts quality of life. Anticholinergics are the first-line treatment. The effect of obesity on medication compliance has not been studied. Our study evaluated gender- and obesity-specific adherence and persistence of anticholinergic medications in OAB. We also compared adherence and persistence on solifenacin to oxybutynin, tolterodine, and all anticholinergics combined. Methods Truven Marketscan Commercial Claims and Encounter database from 2005 to 2013 was used. OAB patients aged 18-65 continuously enrolled for ≥12 months pre- and post-index were identified. Adherence was assessed by medication possession ratio (MPR) and proportion of days covered (PDC). Persistence was defined as number of days from anticholinergic initiation to discontinuation, switch, or end of study. Statistical analyses were performed using SAS 9.3. Results Among 122 641 OAB patients, most common comorbidities were hypertension, depression, and diabetes; patients with these conditions were more compliant. Obese patients were 7% less likely to adhere and 6% more likely to become non-persistent on anticholinergics compared to non-obese. Males were 20% more likely to adhere to anticholinergics compared to females. Oxybutynin, solifenacin, and tolterodine were the most common anticholinergics. Solifenacin demonstrated higher adherence and persistence compared to all anticholinergics combined. The proportion of patients still on solifenacin at 1 year was 17.11%, compared to 12.64% for all anticholinergics combined. Conclusions Men are more likely to be adherent to anticholinergics than women. Obese patients are less likely to be compliant to medications, possibly related to severity of symptoms. Solifenacin had the highest rates of patient compliance.
Cranial Foramina of Rodents

A paleontologist does not have the luxury of designing experiments to test hypotheses; the experiments, termed evolution, have already occurred. It is the job of the paleontologist to use the sparse evidence of fossil remains, along with the surviving results of evolution, in order to discover the experiments. Any aspect of morphology, from molecules to entire animals, can yield valuable evidence.
Low-power pulse width modulation (PWM) for high-frequency DC–DC converters

A low-power pulse width modulation (PWM) control circuit for high-frequency switching direct current (DC)–DC converters based on a one-shot circuit is proposed. The proposed PWM control circuit eliminates the use of a high-power comparator and ramp generator that is conventionally used to generate the PWM waveform. The design is validated through simulation in a 0.13-μm process. The proposed circuit operating at 20 MHz demonstrates greater than 20× reduction in power consumption compared with the conventional PWM circuit over a duty-cycle range of 10–90%.
Playing it Safe: Toy Safety and Conformity Assessment in Europe and the United States

Do similar standards of product safety lead to similar levels of consumer safety? In 2007, more than 19 million toys worldwide were recalled for violations of applicable safety standards. Following these recalls, both the EU and the US instituted new policies governing children’s products: the US Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008 (CPSIA) and EU 2009 Toy Safety Directive. The relevant toy safety standards that emerged from this legislation, such as ISO (ISO 8124), US (ASTM F963), and EU (EN 71) standards are comparable in terms of their language but not their results. Using a data set profiling implementation of EU and US conformity assessment systems for determination of product safety for toys manufactured in China, we find that weighted recall totals for violative products are between 10 and 20 times higher in the EU than the US. This suggests that differences in the implementation of global standards result in more unsafe products initially reaching consumers in some locations.Points for practitionersGovernment officials should avoid assuming that safety begins and ends with international standards. The process for verifying that products meet established standards is as important as the standards themselves, and it can have significant economic and safety impacts The choice of conformity assessment system for a given product or market is driven by many considerations, including appetite for risk, political institutions and practice, and variations in national-level administrative capacity. Discussions on the merits of any conformity assessment system for a given market, or product, should incorporate all of these factors.
Prime ideals in power series rings

In this paper we wish to briefly review some known results concerning the ideal structure of the formal power series ring R[[X]]. As the title indicates, primary consideration will be given to prime ideals in R[[X]]. We begin by discussing some of the basic difficulties which arise in relating the ideal structure of R[[X]] with that of R. We then consider the Krull dimension of R[[X]] and, finally, we review some results on valuation overrings of D[[X]], where D is an integral domain.
Data on multi-actor parameter design tasks by engineering students with variable problem size, coupling, and team size.

Abstract The experiment studies the effect of technical and social sources of complexity on effort required to complete abstracted design tasks. Parameter design tasks define a set of input design parameters and functional requirements modeled with a linear coupling matrix. Selecting design variables to meet all functional requirements within error limits completes a task. Technical complexity arises from the number and degree of coupling between design parameters. Social complexity arises from the number of designers involved in a task. The experiment includes 10 sessions with between 19 and 24 rounds of randomly generated parameter design tasks each having between two and six design variables and one, two, or three designers. Designers completed individual tasks in parallel during rounds. This article contains raw and post-processed data from 374 completed tasks ranging in effort from a few seconds for simple tasks to more than 15 min for complex ones.
Computation in Early Mesopotamia

The history of Mesopotamian mathematics begins around 3300 BCE with the development of written systems for recording the control and flow of goods and other economic resources such as land. Numeration was bound up with measurement and was a collection of concrete systems. One of the key developments over the subsequent thousand years or so was the gradual rationalization of these complex concrete systems and the consequent emergence of an abstract conception of number and techniques of computation that applied regardless of metrological category. Throughout their history Mesopotamian scribes organized knowledge in the form of lists. In mathematics there were also lists, but along with lists came metrological and mathematical tables, two-dimensional arrays of data that organized information both vertically and horizontally. A key example is tables giving lists of lengths of sides of square or rectangular fields, along with their areas; the problem of computation of areas remained a constant concern throughout the period covered here. In this chapter, we cover the development of Mesopotamian computation from the archaic period up to the edge of the emergence of the fully abstract sexagesimal computational system for which they are renowned, tracing, as far as can be seen with currently available sources, the long developmental process.
Trafficking American Exceptionality

In From Trafficking to Terror: Constructing a Global Social Problem, Pardis Mahdavi elucidates the discursive fusion of the wars on human trafficking and terrorism in anti-trafficking campaigns, su...
Integration of health and social care services for persons in opioid substitution therapy – results of a case study in Austria

Introduction: Severe drug addiction can in general not be regarded as an isolated condition, but is typically associated with various other health and social problems. Drug users might therefore particularly benefit from care approaches that integrate services across different sectors and disciplines, such as the Sociomedical Centre Liebenau (SMC). The SMC is a bottom-up pioneer model providing health and social care predominantly to vulnerable groups in a socioeconomically deprived district in Graz, Austria. The study aims to perform a multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) of the SMC, investigating whether the services provided by the SMC for drug users in the context of opioid substitution therapy are associated with improved health and well-being, improved care experience and reduced costs in comparison to standard care. The study is one of 17 case studies conducted in the course of the Horizon2020-funded project SELFIE (Sustainable intEgrated care modeLs for multi-morbidity: delivery, FInancing and performancE). Methods: The MCDA is conducted as part of a cross-sectional and quasi-experimental controlled study. The two data sources used are questionnaire data collected at one point in time and administrative claims data linked to the questionnaire data. Propensity score matching is used to improve comparability between intervention group (persons receiving substitution therapy at the SMC) and control group (persons receiving substitution therapy in facilities in Graz other than the SMC). Performance is measured with respect to ten outcomes pertaining to one of the three domains of the triple aim – i.e. health/well-being, experience of care and resource utilization/costs. Results: A first analysis based on the data that are currently available yields the following results. The estimation of treatment effects indicates that care experience, measured by person-centeredness and continuity of care, is significantly better in the SMC compared to the control group. While most parameters pertaining to health and well-being do not show significant effects, enjoyment of life and self-sufficiency of patients appear to be poorer in the SMC compared to the control group. Data on costs will mostly be derived from administrative claims data and are yet to be retrieved. Discussion/Conclusion: Preliminary results suggest that care experience for persons receiving substitution therapy is better in the integrated care approach of the SMC than in standard care. For health and well-being, results are currently inconclusive. Results are expected to be subject to change when additional data are available. Final results are expected for the end of 2018.
Wettability of ultra-small pores of carbon electrodes by size-asymmetric ionic fluids.

Recently, we studied the phase behavior of ionic fluids under confinement using the classical density functional theory within the framework of the restricted primitive model. The theoretical results indicate that narrowing the pore size may lead to a drastic reduction in the electric double layer capacitance, while increasing the surface electrical potential would improve the ionic accessibility of micropores. In this work, we extend the theoretical investigation to systems containing size-asymmetric electrolytes that may exhibit a vapor-liquid like phase transition in the bulk phase. The effects of pore size and surface electric potential on the phase diagram and microscopic structures of the confined electrolytes were studied over a broad range of parameters. We found that decreasing the pore size or increasing the surface potential could destabilize the liquid phase in micropores, and capillary evaporation could occur regardless of the size asymmetry between cations and anions. Compared to that in a symmetric ionic system, the vapor-liquid phase separation is more likely to take place as the size asymmetry becomes more pronounced. The phase transition would alter the “accessibility” of ions to micropores and lead to coexisting micropores with different surface charge densities as identified by Monte Carlo simulation.
Operating Room Staffing and Scheduling

Problem definition: We consider two problems faced by an operating room (OR) manager: (1) how many baseline (core) staff to hire for OR suites, and (2) how to schedule surgery requests that arrive ...
Motion Correction for Simultaneous PET/MR Brain Imaging Using a RF-Penetrable PET Insert

Here, we individually study two components required to properly track and correct for subject motion with the intention of integrating the methodology into a radiofrequency penetrable brain dedicated PET insert for MRI. The motion tracking component of the work studied the accuracy of a camera-based approach in which a checkerboard marker was mounted on a stage with three degrees of freedom. Fixed translational and rotational inputs were provided and compared to the estimates derived from the optical tracking of the checkerboard reference. The motion correction step implemented the multiple acquisition frames (MAF) method by using a set of three-point sources which were precisely translated to three positions and rotated to a final position for a total four separate data points. Each position was reconstructed separately and integrated to produce the MAF correction. The 3D FWHM and CNR for each individual frame and MAF output were calculated. The MAF method provided a minimum CNR gain of ~3 when compared to any single frame.
Tough Love or Laissez-Faire? Exploring the Feeding Styles of Urban Preschool Teachers and Associations with Nutrition-Focused Professional Development

The majority of children aged three to five in the U.S. attend childcare or preschool, where they may consume up to two-thirds of their daily calories and nutrition. Teachers at preschools serving low-income families are responsible for guiding children in their food choices. Feeding style, or caregivers’ overall emotional tone and approach at mealtimes, is believed to influence children’s food choices and acceptance. While there is some research on parent feeding styles, there is little on preschool teachers’ feeding styles. This causal-comparative study, using the Caregiver Feeding Style Questionnaire, examined the feeding styles of 660 teachers at New York City preschools serving low-income families, comparing feeding styles of teachers at preschools who received Eat Well Play Hard in Child Care Settings (EWPH) professional development (school response rate 90.4%) and those at preschools that did not (57.1%). Descriptive statistics, ANOVAs and Chi-Square tests were performed. Feeding styles were calculated using a typological method. Teachers evenly spanned the four feeding style categories: authoritarian, authoritative, permissive, and uninvolved. There was no significant relationship between race/ethnicity and feeding style. However, there were significant associations between years of teaching and whether teachers were parents and feeding style. EWPH training was not associated with feeding style. Professional development interventions may more effectively target specific nutrition-related beliefs and practices than the broader concept of feeding styles, which, as prior research suggests, may remain mostly static over time.
Lead Health Fairs: A Community-Based Approach to Addressing Lead Exposure in Chicago.

Lead exposure has been linked to neurological, reproductive, and developmental effects, and approximately 3.5% of Chicago children under the age of 3 years have elevated blood lead levels. The aim ...
Why Civil Wars are Fought By Extremists: Polarization, Abstention and the Cost of Participation

Why are civil wars fought by extremists rather than moderates? The median voter theorem holds that organizations contesting for power will shift to the center of the ideological spectrum to maximize their support. Such models assume that supporting means voting and that it is relatively costless. When it is costly for individuals to support organizations contesting for power, such as in civil war contexts, the central tendency is constrained by the cost of participation. In equilibrium, those to either extreme are more likely to participate, moderates tend to abstain. The range of moderates who abstain grows larger the more costly participation becomes. I develop a spatial model of participation that exhibits these features and discuss its implications in the case of the civil wars in Central American in the 1970s and 1980s and Syrian Civil War.
Dysregulated Metabolism in the Pathophysiology of Non-Allergic Obese Asthma

Asthma is an obstructive airway disease that is characterized by reversible airway obstruction and is classically associated with atopic, TH2 driven inflammation. Landmark studies in the second half of the twentieth century identified eosinophils as a key mediator of inflammation and steroids, both inhaled and systemic, as a cornerstone of therapy. However, more recently other phenotypes of asthma have emerged that do not respond as well to traditional therapies. In particular, obese patients who develop asthma as adults are less likely to have eosinophilic airway inflammation and do not respond to traditional therapies. Obese patients often have metabolic comorbidities such as impaired glucose tolerance and dyslipidemias, also known as metabolic syndrome (MetS). The unified pathophysiology of metabolic syndrome is not known, however, several signaling pathways, such as the neuropeptide glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and nitric oxide (NO) signaling have been shown to be dysregulated in MetS. These pathways are targeted by commercially available medications. This review discusses the potential roles that dysregulation of the GLP-1 and NO signaling pathways, along with arginine metabolism, play in the development of asthma in obese patients. GLP-1 receptors are found in high density in the lung and are also detectable in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. NO has long been associated with asthma. We hypothesize that these derangements in metabolic signaling pathways underpin the asthmatic phenotype seen in obese patients with non-eosinophilic airway inflammation and poor response to established therapies. While still an active area of research, novel interventions are needed for this subset of patient who respond poorly to available asthma therapies.
The Propeller Perforator Flap

The propeller flap has been recently been defined by the Tokyo consensus in 2011 as: “ an islanded flap that reaches the recipient site through an axial rotation of ≥ 90 degrees.” The propeller flap is similar to the propeller of a boat with two blades moving around a pivot point. The first authors to describe the use of a propeller flap were Hyakusoku et al. in 1991. Hallock et al. in 2006 combined the terms “propeller” and “perforator” flaps to describe a flap of the posteromedial thigh to cover an ischial pressure sore. The flap used a single perforator and was rotated around 180 degrees to cover the defect. Since its conception, propeller flaps have gained popularity and have become a reasonable option for reconstructing limb defects, especially lower third leg defects. Traditionally, due to the paucity of soft tissue in the distal third of the lower leg, the reconstructive options are limited to free tissue transfer or, more recently, to the use of a propeller flap, when free tissue transfer and long operative times are not advised. However, propeller flaps are based on defined angiosomes associated with named fasciocutaneous perforators and can be used to cover defects of the head, torso, or limbs depending on the reconstructive needs of the patient. There are more than 500 perforating vessels in the body, with the upper limb averaging about 48 perforators and 15 vascular territories and the lower limb averaging 93 perforators and 21 territories. There are several advantages when a propeller perforator flap is employed: the main axial vessel that provides arterial blood supply to the limb is preserved, the dissection is faster and less complicated compared to a free flap, and the defect is reconstructing with neighboring soft tissue, aiding in reconstructing “like with like” in terms of skin texture, thickness, pigmentation, and other skin qualities. Because the propeller flap does not have a specific flap design, the rest of this chapter focuses on discussing important principles that will aid in the flap design, perforator selection, flap dissection and inset that may be applied in any perforator propeller flap anywhere around the body.