cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Sensor Optimization for Fault Diagnosis in Multi-Fixture Assembly Systems With Distributed Sensing

Sensing for the system-wide diagnosis of dimensional faults in multi-fixture sheet metal assembly presents significant issues of complexity due to the number of levels of assembly and the number of possible faults at each level. The traditional allocation of sensing at a single measurement station is no longer sufficient to guarantee adequate fault diagnostic information for the increased parts and levels of a complex assembly system architecture. This creates a need for an efficient distribution of limited sensing resources to multiple measurement locations in assembly. The proposed methodology achieves adequate diagnostic performance by configuring sensing to provide an optimally distinctive signature for each fault in assembly. A multi-level, two-step, hierarchical optimization procedure using problem decomposition, based on assembly structure data derived directly from CAD files, is used to obtain such a novel, distributed sensor configuration. Diagnosability performance is quantified in the form of a defined index, which serves the dual purpose of guiding the optimization and establishing the diagnostic worth of any candidate sensor distribution. Examples, using a multi-fixture layout, are presented to illustrate the methodology.
OPTIMIZATION OF A PASSENGER HYDRAULIC HYBRID VEHICLE TO IMPROVE FUEL ECONOMY

This paper investigates power management strategies for hydraulic hybrid passenger vehicles. Parallel, series, and power-split architectures are modeled and explored in the Matlab environment using variable efficiency hydraulic pump/motor models. Results are presented using a rule-based strategy with ad hoc selection of engine on/off setpoints for the accumulator and transmission gear shifting. The dynamic programming algorithm is then used to determine the optimal trajectories for engine/hydraulics power splitting for each of the architectures over urban and highway drive cycles. Results are then compared to baseline simulation for improvement. Using the given vehicle parameters, the parallel architecture for both the urban and highway drive cycles was shown to be best. By decreasing the volumetric displacement of the hydraulic pump/motors for the power-split configuration, fuel economy can be improved with a corresponding decrease in acceleration.
Food intake and meal patterns of weight-stable and weight-gaining persons

Background: Weight gain is a result of changes in the regulation of short-term meal-to-meal intake. An investigation of the short-term intake and activity levels of weight-gaining persons may provide insight into the nature of the cues signaling weight gain. Objective: The basic hypothesis was that the investigation of energy balance during periods of dynamic weight gain should provide clues to the regulatory differences that result in obesity. Design: The eating behavior and activity levels of 19 weight-gaining men and women and of weight-stable, matched control subjects were compared with the use of 7-d diet diaries. Participants recorded their activity levels, everything that they ate or drank, and the environmental and psychological factors surrounding each eating episode for 7 consecutive days. Results: The weight-gaining group ingested 1645 kJ/d more than did the weight-stable group because of a greater consumption of carbohydrate and fat and larger meal sizes. Conclusion: The greater food intake in the weight-gaining group did not result from environmental, social, or psychological factors, suggesting that the overeating associated with weight gain might he physiologically based.
Congress and Back Seat Driving

Few pieces of legislation in the realm of foreign policy decisionmaking have greater potential effect or are more controversial than the War Powers Resolution. The Resolution was intended originally to create greater leverage for Congress over executive use of military force. In this effort, it is widely believed that the Resolution has been ineffective. This paper uses an information theoretic model to examine the War Powers Resolution. Results of the modeling process allow for two general assertions. First, the model suggests that the Resolution is an optimal choice of procedure by the legislature. In other words, the War Powers Resolution is better for Congress than its alternatives. Second, the information theoretic approach used here seems to coincide with an anecdotal history of the war powers debate better than do alternative explanations. Indeed, the analysis helps to explain why war powers legislation was not considered seriously sooner. Though criticism of the War Powers Resolution has its merits, claims for a variety of alternative procedural systems may be open to challenge. Those wishing to establish mechanisms for curtailing executive adventurism abroad may find it more rewarding to focus efforts on the budgeting process or on the reduction of military force structures.
Armageddon Versus Extinction

Note from the Editor: Some readers may feel that topics such as politics and religion are inappropriate for a scientific journal. Our “Conservation in Context” column, however, is intended to cover the entire spectrum of the context within which the science of conservation biology must operate. Thus, we freely and openly explore topics in this column that ordinarily are not addressed in scientific journals, to better understand the real-world constraints and opportunities that define how conservation science is applied in a complex world.
Development of a Noise Prediction Model for a Cruise Friendly Circulation Control Wing

New aircraft concepts that are to meet challenging cruise efficiency, short field takeoff, and noise goals will have to rely on innovative high lift technology. One such technology is the Circulation Control Wing (CCW) which leverages a thin high aspect ratio jet flowing over a curved flap surface to generate tremendous lift coefficients. Of concern is the impact that this technology will have on the overall noise of the aircraft. Some acoustic studies have reported noise characterization of such a CCW with extremely thick airfoils and trailing edges. More practical CCWs must be “cruise friendly”. It is the objective of the current paper to address the noise character of such a CCW configuration and to begin to develop a noise prediction model to assess new aircraft configurations using this technology. A current NASA Fundamental Aeronautics Subsonic Fixed Wing project being conducted by Georgia Tech Research Institute (GTRI) and teammate California Polytechnic State University involves the development of a CCW integrated with engines located over the wing (OTW) to improve the powered high-lift and cruise performance of Cruise Efficient STOL (CESTOL) aircraft. As part of this program, a series of aeroacoustic tests on a 2D model scale CCW are conducted. Far field acoustic data was acquired to quantify the far field noise as a function of aft flyover angles, free stream velocity, and slot jet velocity. It is found that an asymmetrical directivity pattern emerges where higher frequency noise is shielded to observers below the bottom of the flap chord. A 5 order velocity scaling collapses spectra very well for high frequencies and a 6 order works well for lower frequencies. Finally, these data are used as a basis for predicting the community noise of a CESTOL aircraft relative to a conventional take-off and landing aircraft. It was found that using a CCW in conjunction with a STOL trajectory has the potential for reducing overall aircraft noise, however a more complete set of acoustic data on a highly fidelity test article is needed to reduce the uncertainty of the prediction.
Surgeon specialization impacts the management but not outcomes of acute complicated diverticulitis

Abstract Background The management and outcomes of patients receiving nonelective surgical treatment of acute complicated diverticulitis by surgeon specialization have received little attention. Methods A retrospective review was performed of consecutive patients with acute complicated diverticulitis who underwent surgery from 2006 to 2013. Patients were analyzed based on surgeon specialty: general surgery (GS) or colorectal surgery (CRS). Results One hundred fifteen patients met criteria for study; 62 patients in the CRS and 53 in the GS group. GS were more likely to perform Hartmann's procedures or primary anastomosis and less likely to perform primary anastomosis with diverting ileostomy than CRS. There were no differences between groups for any outcome measures on univariate analysis. CRS patients had shorter operative time ( P = .001) and length of stay ( P ≤ .001) for stoma reversal procedures. Surgeon specialization was not associated with morbidity, readmission, or length of stay on multivariate analysis. Conclusions Although surgical management differed significantly between CRS and GS, comparable outcomes were observed at the index hospital admission.
The Impact of Empowerment in Small Manufacturing Firms

Empowerment, and its resultant improvements in both personal and organizational outcomes, has generally been researched and applied in large firms. This study assessed the impact of empowerment in four small manufacturing companies. Results after one year indicate that improvements were realized in productivity, scrap loss, absenteeism, and gross profit. Employees were generally very satisfied with the culture of empowerment within the businesses. Implications for owner/managers of small firms are discussed.
Vitamin B12 Excretion as Index of Hepatic Disorders II. Correlation with Liver-function Tests

Observations on lowered excretion of vitamin B12 after intramuscular injection of 60 µg. of this vitamin in hepatic disease have been extended and confirmed. Except for some borderline cases in other diseases with possible involvement of the liver, we find low excretion in rheumatic heart disease as well as in lobar pneumonia, previously reported. The mechanism underlying the deviations from the normal situation in liver disease and rheumatic heart disease in respect to the vitamin B12 binding factor, to the serum protein composition, and the role played by the kidney is the subject of current studies.
Neurological Complications of Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma

Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) can cause neurological symptoms and complications through direct involvement of the central or peripheral nervous system, in addition to paraneoplastic disorders. This chapter covers diagnosis and treatment of direct complications of NHL, including leptomeningeal metastasis (lymphomatous meningitis), brain metastasis, spinal cord involvement/ myelopathy, radiculopathy, plexopathy, and peripheral neuropathy. Risk factors for the development of CNS involvement, as well as CNS prophylaxis in newly diagnosed NHL are also discussed.
Sex can wait, masturbate: The politics of masturbation training:

Masturbation in sexology and in sex education constitutes one of the only sanctioned sexualities for individuals with intellectual disabilities. The discourse around disease and infection prevention at times reinforces masturbation as a suitable expression of sexuality. Utilizing scenes from a 1975 American film, The ABCs of Sex Education for Trainables and other educational materials, I investigate how sexuality for individuals with intellectual disabilities is programmed, restricted and professionalized through different training methods in order to prevent the practices of public masturbation. Masturbation training for individuals with intellectual disabilities provides a unique vantage point to discuss how the sexuality of certain groups such as prisoners, people in group homes, and institutions fall under regulation and restriction of everyday life.
Axenic Culture of the Myxomycete Stemonitis Flavogenita

(1986). Axenic Culture of the Myxomycete Stemonitis Flavogenita. Mycologia: Vol. 78, No. 3, pp. 478-482.
Data Analysis of The Third National Retrospective Sampling Death Survey III:Characteristics of Death of Malignant Tumors of Hubei Population

Objective To investigate the characteristics of mortality of malignant tumors and its distribution among residents in Hubei Province.Methods To analyse the age~,sex~specific and the geography distribution of mortality of malignant tumors in Hubei Province with the software provided by Ministry of Health of The People's Republic of China.Results The mortality rate of malignant tumors for male was higher than it for female,the mortality of urban residents was higher than it of rural residents.The peak age of mortality rate was the 40~75 years,with a median age of 60 years.Conclusion Liver cancer was firstly ranked among all malignant tumors.It distributed mainly in rural areas.And lung cancer mainly located in urban areas.
Impact of Depression on Health and Medical Care Utilization and Expenses in US Adults With Migraine: A Retrospective Cross Sectional Study

Background The association between migraine and depression has been extensively examined and a bidirectional hypothesis of the comorbidity between the 2 diseases has been reported. However, the economic impact of comorbid depression on migraine has not been fully explored. Objective The purpose of this study is to determine the impact of depression on medical utilization and health care expenses among subjects reporting migraine. Methods The Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS) household component longitudinal data files (2006-2012) identified subjects (≥ 18 years) with migraines. Two groups were created from all eligible subjects with migraine based on whether comorbid depression was reported or not. The major outcome measures were annualized average total and migraine-related health care expenses and medical utilization during a 2-year period. The impact of depression on health expenses was assessed by multivariable linear regression models with log transformations. Multivariable logistic regression identified factors associated with depression and examined the likelihood of emergency department (ED) visit adjusting for demographic and health-related variables. Results Among 2,400 subjects with migraine (approximate 54.3 million United States [US] individuals for years 2006-2012), 804 reported depression (representing 18.4 million individuals in the United States, 33.9%). Among migraineurs, nearly one-third received anti-migraine prescription drugs and approximately 65% with comorbid depression used antidepressants. Race (black vs white, odds ratio [OR]: 0.36, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.25, 0.52), sex (male vs female, OR: 0.67, 95% CI: 0.51, 0.87), perceived health status (fair to poor vs excellent-very good, OR: 2.58, 95% CI: 2.72. 4.71), insurance coverage (public vs private, OR: 1.59, 95%CI: 1.13, 2.24), and greater comorbidity (OR: 1.70, 95% CI: 1.28, 2.26) were significantly associated with comorbid depression in the subjects with migraine. Compared to migraine subjects without depression, the mean annual total health expenses per person ($10,012 vs. $4,740, P <.001) and mean migraine-related health expenses ($723 vs $499, P = .014) were significantly higher in those with depression. The odds of ED visit in migraineurs with comorbid depression were higher than in those without depression (OR: 1.36, 95% CI: 1.08, 1.71). Conclusion Comorbid depression in subjects with migraine was associated with higher total and migraine-related health expenses and increased likelihood of all-cause ED visits. Comorbid depression management might be incorporated into migraine intervention program to improve treatment outcomes and produce potential cost savings. Further studies are needed to assess long-term effects of depression on migraine progression and health care utilization patterns.
Controlling Nanorod Oligomer Aggregation in Solutions

Controlling the size of ordered nanorod aggregates in colloidal dispersions is a challenge. Here, we employ Brownian dynamics to explore the dependence of the nanorod aggregate size and structure on the molecular weight of a polyelectrolyte attached to one end of the nanorod and on the nature of the solvent. Upon increasing the polyelectrolyte molecular weight (the length of the polyelectrolyte), the size of the aggregates decreases because of increasing electrostatic repulsion. The critical van der Waals interaction strength for transition from individual nanorods to nanorod dimers/trimers+ (trimers and larger aggregates) increases with increasing polyelectrolyte molecular weight. In a medium with a dielectric constant of 1.0, upon increasing the van der Waals interaction between nanorods, the individual nanorods aggregate as dimers and trimers+, with approximately 50% of individual nanorods forming dimers. In a solvent with a sufficiently large dielectric constant (e.g., ≥10.0), upon increasing the van ...
Affecting the Communication of Results

This chapter discusses different kinds of intermediaries who play critical roles in the communication stage of the creative process, the flow of the communication process, the characteristics of media and messages that need to be considered for effective communication, and the adoption process and characteristics of persons who are differentially responsive to creative works. The intention is to make salient both the persons and processes involved so that the creative person will be aware of what confronts him as he presents his works to others. Lack of knowledge in this area and lack of knowledge of the resistances that might be involved and means of overcoming them can only result in wasting creative energies, in frustrations for the creative individual, and in irritations for the misused intermediaries, audience, or public. On the other hand, knowledge of others who are involved in the communication stage and what processes they may go through in the adoption of a creative work may not only free the creative person from difficulties and problems but also make the audience or public receptive to current creative works and encourage them to develop a positive environment for future creative works.
Local Flaps for Burned Face

The burned face is the single most important anatomical structure a burn surgeon is called upon to reconstruct. The face serves important function in the identification of the individual and contains organs of sight, smell, speech, respiratory exchange, and nutrition intake. Its distortion can potentially cause functional impairment and also deformities that lead to the withdrawal of the victim from society. The complex shape and form of the human face renders reconstruction difficult and the exposed position of the face allows only limited camouflage with clothing and make-up. In general, local flaps bring in tissue with similar color and texture for reconstruction and potentially achieve the most optimal result. However, in the burned patient, the usual local flaps that may be available in other traumas are not available due to concomitant damage in the burn injury.
Rapid 3D mandibular superimposition for growing patients.

ABSTRACT Objective: To evaluate the precision and reproducibility of a protocol to perform rapid voxel-based superimposition of the mandible in growing patients using CBCT. Materials and Methods: The sample comprised two cone-beam computed tomography scans taken at least 1 year apart from each of 24 growing patients. Voxel-based superimposition was performed by two examiners independently. The internal part of the symphysis extending to the first molar was used as the reference. The superimposition process took approximately 5 minutes. Once the mandibles were superimposed, surface models were created and root mean square (RMS) changes were obtained by means of iterative closest point. To evaluate precision, differences in three areas were measured between time point 1 (T1) and time point 2 (T2) superimposed. To evaluate reproducibility between different examiners, the distances between T2 superimposed by each operator were measured in five different areas. Descriptive statistics were used to evaluate the ...
Burden of illness and research investments in translational sciences for pharmaceuticals in metastatic cancers.

Aim: To explore whether investments in translational sciences for six metastatic cancers follow idiosyncratic returns to those investments rather than levels of burden of illness (BI). Methods: Associate the number of translational clinical trials in the USA involving oncolytic drugs approved during 2008–2013 and the level (in 2008) and changes (2002–2008 and 2008–2014) in cancer-specific years of life lost. Results: Investments in trials were positively associated only with contemporary changes in BI (2008–2014). The relationship was stronger for government-sponsored comparative-effectiveness trials than for industry. Conclusion: Translational research investments follow anticipated changes to BI levels. Systematic quantification of these expected returns from specific investments can help guide investment decisions in translational health sciences and generate productive dialogue across stakeholders.
Link between flu vaccines and narcolepsy still needs investigating.

Three years have passed since scientists from the UK1 and Sweden2 said that studies were needed to investigate whether influenza vaccines other than Pandemrix could cause narcolepsy. Pandemrix was used only in Europe in 2009-10. Two years ago the related vaccine Arepanrix …
Real-Time Robot Personality Adaptation based on Reinforcement Learning and Social Signals

Recent findings in Human-Robot Interaction (HRI) indicate that the adaptation of a robot's behaviors to the human's personality profile makes interaction more engaging, but also that it depends on the task context whether a similar or opposing robot personality is preferred. This late breaking report presents our ongoing work on an approach using Reinforcement Learning and social signals for figuring out and adapting to the human preferences, i.e. desired personality profile. Our scenario involves a "Reeti" robot in the role of a story teller talking about the main characters in the novel "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland" by generating descriptions with varying degree of introversion/extraversion. The learning process is running in real-time during the interaction and allows for simultaneous adaptation without explicitly asking the user about its preferences.
What do providers want to know about opioid prescribing? A qualitative analysis of their questions.

Background: In 2012, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) responded to the opioid crisis with a Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy, requiring manufacturers of extended-release/long-acting...
On the examination of the Darcy permeability of soft fibrous porous media; new correlations

Abstract In this paper, we report a novel experimental approach to investigate the compression-dependent Darcy permeability of soft porous media. Especially, we are proposing new correlations that describe the change of the permeability of random fibrous porous media as a function of its compression. A special device was developed that consisted of a rectangular flow channel with adjustable gap thickness ranging from 3 mm to 20 mm. Air was forced through the thin gap filled with testing fibrous materials. By measuring the flow rate and the pressure gradient, we have successfully obtained the Darcy permeability of different fibrous porous materials at different compression ratios. Theoretical or semi-empirical models have been compared with the experimental results, indicating various degrees of disagreement. The new correlations were then proposed which fit with experimental data very well. The study presented herein provides a useful approach to evaluate the change of the permeability of fibrous porous media as a function of its compression. It will be valuable for examining fluid flow in fibrous porous media where the permeability is difficult to be measured directly. This kind of porous media widely exists in biological systems.
Robot Assisted Machining of Thin-Walled Structures

Abstract This paper proposes and studies the use of industrial robot manipulators to act as an active steady rest in machining thin-walled workpieces to prevent machining chatter instability. Feedback control is applied to the robotic steady rest in contrast to the other more popular active control method where the cutting tool is controlled. The entire dynamic system model is characterized by delay differential equations with time varying interactions between the tool side and work side dynamics. Semi-discretization, finite element modeling, and model reduction are applied to obtain a lower order plant model for the feedback control design. Control design and simulation results on turning of thin-walled tubes are presented to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed modeling and control approach for the robotic active steady rest.
Modeling and Integrating Human Interaction Assumptions in Medical Cyber-Physical System Design

For a cyber-physical system, its execution behaviors are often impacted by human interactive behaviors. However, the assumptions about a cyber-physical systems expected human interactive behaviors are often informally documented, or even left implicit and unspecified in system design. Unfortunately, such implicit human interaction assumptions made by safety critical cyber-physical systems, such as medical cyber-physical systems (M-CPS), can lead to catastrophes. Several recent U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) medical device recalls are due to implicit human interaction assumptions. In this paper, we classify the categories of constraints in human interaction assumptions in the medical domain and develop a mathematical assumption model that allow M-CPS engineers to explicitly and precisely specify assumptions about human interactions. Algorithms are developed to integrate mathematical assumption models with system model so that the safety of the system can be not only validated by both medical and engineering professionals but also formally verified by existing formal verification tools. We use an FDA recalled medical ventilator scenario as a case study to show how the mathematical assumption model and its integration in M-CPS design may improve the safety of the ventilator and M-CPS in general.
Broadband CARS Microscopy

A major challenge in optical microscopy is to develop techniques with high spatial resolution, sensitivity, and chemical specificity. The latter, chemical specificity, is typically achieved through some form of labeling, which has potential to alter the nature of the sample under investigation. Raman or infrared (IR) microscopy can be utilized to image samples in their natural form using molecular vibrations as a contrast mechanism. IR microscopy suffers from spatial resolution issues, and spontaneous Raman microscopy suffers from low scattering cross-sections, so that high laser power is often required, introducing the possibility of sample photo-damage. Scattering cross-sections for Coherent Anti-Stokes Raman Scattering (CARS) are typically several orders of magnitude greater than those of spontaneous Raman Scattering. This, in addition to the high spatial resolution inherent in nonlinear optical microscopy, has led CARS microscopy to begin emerging as a powerful, noninvasive technique for biological and material imaging.
Association of health literacy and medication self-efficacy with medication adherence and diabetes control.

Introduction The exact pathway linking health literacy, self-efficacy, medication adherence, and glycemic control for type 2 diabetes remains unclear. Understanding the relationship between patient factors, medication adherence, and lower glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) may help patients better manage their disease. This study examined the association of health literacy and medication self-efficacy with self-reported diabetes medication adherence, and the association of health literacy, medication self-efficacy, and self-reported diabetes medication adherence with HbA1c of patients with type 2 diabetes. Methods This cross-sectional study utilized a face-to-face questionnaire at two family medicine clinics in a Midwestern state among 174 patients; subjects enrolled were at least 20 years old with diagnosed type 2 diabetes, prescribed at least one oral diabetes medicine, and understood English. Questionnaires were administered to assess the participants': health literacy, using the Newest Vital Sign six-item questionnaire (NVS); self-efficacy for medication use, using the 13-item Self-Efficacy for Appropriate Medication Use Scale; and self-report medication adherence, using the eight-item Morisky Medication Adherence Scale. HbA1c values were obtained from participants' electronic medical records. Multiple linear regressions were used to explore the association of health literacy and medication self-efficacy with both medication adherence and HbA1c level after controlling for all other covariates. Results Self-reported health status (β = 0.17, p = 0.015) and medication self-efficacy (β = 0.53, p < 0.001) were positively associated with diabetes medication adherence. Health literacy was neither associated with diabetes medication adherence (β = -0.04, p = 0.586) nor HbA1c (β = -0.06, p = 0.542). Lower diabetes medication adherence (β = -0.26, p = 0.008) and higher number of prescribed medications (β = 0.28, p = 0.009) were correlated with higher HbA1c. Conclusion Health literacy, as measured by the NVS, does not correlate with medication adherence or glycemic control among patients with type 2 diabetes. Interventions to improve patients' self-efficacy of medication use may improve diabetes medication adherence.
Rates, causes, risk factors, and outcomes of readmission following deep brain stimulation for movement disorders: Analysis of the U.S. Nationwide Readmissions Database.

Abstract Objective Deep brain stimulation (DBS) surgery has proven benefit for several movement disorders and medically-refractory psychiatric conditions and is considered a fairly safe procedure. We sought to determine the national rates, causes, predictors, and outcomes associated with 30-day and 90-day readmission. Patients and Methods The Nationwide Readmissions Database was queried (January-September 2013) using ICD-9-CM codes, identifying patients who underwent DBS for movement disorder (Parkinson’s disease [PD], essential tremor [ET], or dystonia). Variables included categorical age, gender, insurance, comorbidities, type of movement disorder, length of stay (LOS), total costs, and discharge disposition. Results A total of 3392 DBS patients were identified [PD (70.7%), ET (25.6%), dystonia (3.7%)]. The mean age was 64.8 ± 0.4 years old and 37% were female. The rates of unplanned readmissions was 1.9% at 30-days and 4.3% at 90 days. The overall NRD incidence (all patient populations) of 30-day readmission is 11.6%. Readmissions most frequently resulted from surgical complications including hematoma and attention to surgical wounds. Elderly, obese, and those with comorbidities such as history of stroke or CAD are at highest risk. The average LOS, mean total cost, and rate of adverse discharge were worse for 30-day (9 days, $64,520, 71.7%) compared to 90-day readmission (6 days, $52,183, 56.5%). Conclusion All-cause, unplanned readmission for DBS was 1.9% within 30-days and 4.3% within 90-days. Risk factors for readmission in our study, such as advanced age and multiple medical comorbidities, are not unique to DBS. Unplanned readmissions are much rarer following DBS compared to most hospital discharges but can occasionally lead to additional costs and rare complications including hematoma, stroke, and wound infection. DBS should continue to be viewed as a safe and effective treatment modality for a wide range of neurological ailments.
What Works to Prevent Adolescent Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence? A Global Review of Best Practices

Abstract Intimate partner and sexual violence among adolescents is common throughout the world, with devastating effects on their physical and mental health and well-being that can last a lifetime. Until recently, virtually all of the rigorously evaluated interventions to prevent adolescent intimate partner and sexual violence (IP/SV) came from high-income countries. The majority of these interventions were conducted in schools and college campuses and largely focused on reducing perpetration and victimization among both boys and girls in dating relationships. In the last decade, a growing body of evidence has emerged in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC), which addresses other forms of violence against adolescents including early and forced marriage, sexual violence, and intimate partner violence, both in dating relationships as well as in marriage. This chapter reviews the evidence from both high- as well as LMIC regarding the effectiveness of interventions to address IP/SV among adolescents, including school and community-based approaches.
The Changing Forces of Urban Economic Development: Globalization and City Competitiveness in the 21st Century

Economic development in U.S. cities will be driven increasingly by forces of global economic interaction in the 21st century. Where the export sector is thriving, international trade and investment are creating more and better paying jobs. U.S. cities will have to adjust quickly to these and other international forces. To grow and prosper, metropolitan areas must improve their education systems to produce a highly skilled and flexible work force, improve the quality of living conditions to attract international investment, provide services and infrastructure to support globally competitive firms, and develop stronger entrepreneurial and technological capacity among small and medium-size companies. Civic leadership and community action are essential to expanding and modernizing urban infrastructure, strengthening mechanisms of community cooperation within metropolitan areas, and fostering public-private partnerships to expand opportunities for employment. Demands for integrating the inner-city poor into economic activities will require innovative policies that build on business-oriented approaches to community development.
Species Boundaries and Species Diversity in the Central Texas Hemidactyliine Plethodontid Salamanders, Genus Eurycea

Salamanders of the genus Eurycea (Plethodontidae: Plethodontinae: Hemidactyliini) are widely distributed in eastern and south-central North America, reaching their westernmost limits in the Interior Highlands of the United States and the Edwards Plateau region of central Texas. Populations of Eurycea in the latter two areas probably represent relicts of previously more widely distributed taxa that became restricted to islands of moist or aquatic habitat during periods of drying (see Chippindale, 1995; Chippindale et al., in review; Potter and Sweet, 1981; Sweet, 1977b, 1978a, 1982; and Wake, 1966, for discussions of the biogeographic history of the group). This is particularly evident in central Texas, where populations of Eurycea are widely scattered and invariably are associated with spring outflows or caves that contain water. Nearly all central Texas populations of Eurycea are obligately aquatic and perennibranchiate, retaining gills and other larval features throughout their lives. Many cave populations are known, most of which probably originated from surface dwellers that moved underground due to disappearance of surface springs or stream capture (Sweet, 1978a,Sweet 1984). Cave-dwellers in the group exhibit a spectrum of cave-associated morphological features that include varying degrees of skin pigment and eye reduction, and in some cases osteological modifications such as broadening and flattening of the skull, limb elongation, and reduction in numbers of trunk vertebrae. The two species formerly assigned to the genus Typhlomolge represent the extreme in cave-associated morphological divergence. I will refer to these species as Eurycea rathbuni and E. robusta for the remainder of this chapter, and offer a more detailed explanation below.
ENTREPRENEUR IMPROVISATIONAL BEHAVIOR AND NEW VENTURE PERFORMANCE: A SOCIAL COGNITIVE PERSPECTIVE

The current study uses a national (United States) random sample of 201 lead entrepreneurs to examine the interactive effects of entrepreneurs’ improvisational behavior with key individual (i.e., optimism) and environmental (i.e., industry dynamism) variables on firm performance (i.e., lagged measures of revenue and employment growth). Results indicate that these factors moderate the effects of entrepreneurs’ improvisational behavior; in fact, a three-way interaction between improvisational behavior, optimism, and environmental dynamism was observed with respect to firm performance. Consistent with predictions, in dynamic environments, the effects of entrepreneurs’ improvisational behavior on firm performance were positive when combined with moderate optimism, but non-significant when combined with high optimism. In stable environments, the effects of improvisational behavior were relatively weak, and were not moderated by optimism. Overall, results suggest that improvisational behavior can be an effective form of entrepreneurial action within rapidly and unpredictably shifting environments, but only when coupled with realistic levels of optimism.
Application of γ-Cyclodextrin for the Stabilization and/Or Dispersion of Vegetable Oils Containing Triglycerides of Polyunsaturated Acids

To improve the storage stability of instable vegetable oils with a high content of polyunsaturated fatty acid triglycerides, these essential compounds can be complexed with native cyclodextrins. Only with γ-CD a nearly complete complexation of the oils was achieved as shown by complexation kinetics measurements. Storage trials of the insoluble CD-complexes followed by the determination of the peroxide value of the oils indicated that the best stabilization against autoxidation is obtained with γ-CD. An additional benefit of the complexation of triglycerides of polyunsaturated fatty acids with γ-cyclodextrin is the formation of stable dispersions of these oils in aqueous media.
Psychosocial Correlates of Frailty Among HIV-Infected and HIV-Uninfected Adults

Frailty is a geriatric condition characterized by increased vulnerability to physical impairments and limitations that may lead to disabilities and mortality. Although studies in the general popula...
A Fully-Integrated, Single-Element CMOS Anemometer

Miniaturized flow rate sensors are increasingly utilized for in situ gas and liquid sensing, where small size, low cost, and robust operation are critical. Many flow rate sensors utilize two sensor elements, a heater, and a downstream temperature sensor, for measurement of mass flow rate. In this article, a single-element flow rate sensor architecture is presented, in which the sensor element and measurement electronics are integrated into a silicon complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) integrated circuit (IC) substrate. The architecture uses a single, resistive transducer element defined in top-metal CMOS layers, which requires no postfabrication or postprocessing. The design is implemented in a general purpose 0.18 $\mu$ m CMOS process, and a two-phase control and measurement scheme is used to alternately heat and cool the sensor. Experimental results demonstrate the feasibility of the fully integrated CMOS anemometer for measuring air flow rate, and the complete sensor occupies less than 0.065 mm $^2$ IC chip area.
Nicotine excites VIP interneurons to disinhibit pyramidal neurons in auditory cortex

Nicotine activates nicotinic acetylcholine receptors and improves cognitive and sensory function, in part by its actions in cortical regions. Physiological studies show that nicotine amplifies stimulus-evoked responses in sensory cortex, potentially contributing to enhancement of sensory processing. However, the role of specific cell types and circuits in the nicotinic modulation of sensory cortex remains unclear. Here, we performed whole-cell recordings from pyramidal (Pyr) neurons and inhibitory interneurons expressing parvalbumin (PV), somatostatin (SOM), and vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) in mouse auditory cortex, in vitro. Bath application of nicotine strongly depolarized and excited VIP neurons, weakly depolarized Pyr neurons, and had no effect on the membrane potential of SOM or PV neurons. The use of receptor antagonists showed that nicotine's effects on VIP and Pyr neurons were direct and indirect, respectively. Nicotine also enhanced the frequency of spontaneous inhibitory postsynaptic currents (sIPSCs) in Pyr, VIP, and SOM, but not PV, cells. Using Designer Receptors Exclusively Activated by Designer Drugs (DREADDs), we show that chemogenetic inhibition of VIP neurons prevents nicotine's effects on Pyr neurons. Since VIP cells preferentially contact other inhibitory interneurons, we suggest that nicotine drives VIP cell firing to disinhibit Pyr cell somata, potentially making Pyr cells more responsive to auditory stimuli. In parallel, activation of VIP cells also directly inhibits Pyr neurons, likely altering integration of other synaptic inputs. These cellular and synaptic mechanisms likely contribute to nicotine's beneficial effects on cognitive and sensory function.
Evaluating the efficacy of point-of-use water filtration units in Fiji

To develop and evaluate a strategy for reducing the prevalence and impact of waterborne disease, a water quality intervention was developed for Fiji by Give Clean Water, Inc. in partnership with the Fiji Ministry of Health. Residents were provided and trained on how to use a Sawyer® PointONE™ filter, while also being taught proper handwashing techniques. At the time of the filter installation, all households were surveyed inquiring about the prior 2- to 4-week period. Households were measured a second time between 19 and 225 days later (mean = 66 days). To date, five economic and health outcomes have been tracked on 503 households to evaluate the efficacy of the intervention. When comparing baseline to follow-up among the 503 households, the 2-week diarrhea prevalence decreased in households from 17.5% at baseline to 1.8% at follow-up. Also, the 2-week prevalence of severe diarrhea decreased per household from 9.7% at baseline to 0.6% at follow-up. Finally, monthly diarrhea-related medical costs reduced by an average of Fijian (FJ) $3.54 per person, and monthly water expenses reduced by FJ $0.63 per person. All estimated values are obtained from general linear and logistic mixed-effect models, which adjusted for location, season, time to follow-up, household size, water source, and respondent changing. Changes in economic and health outcomes from installation to follow-up were statistically significant (p < 0.05) in all cases, in both unadjusted and adjusted models. The installation of water filters shows promise for the reduction of diarrhea prevalence in Fiji, as well as the reduction of diarrhea-related medical costs and water expenses. Future work entails evaluation in other countries and contexts, long-term health monitoring, and comparison to alternative water quality interventions.
Performing Rhythms of the Brazilian Bateria

Bateria (bah-teh-REE-ah) means drum set in Portuguese. In terms of Brazilian samba music, the bateria is the percussion ensemble driving the groove of the whole samba band. Organizing a batucada (b...
Recent advances in liquid-crystal polarization volume gratings

Volume Bragg gratings (VBGs) have many applications including filters, wavelength multiplexing devices, and seethrough displays. As a kind of VBGs, polarization volume gratings (PVGs) based on liquid crystal polymer show the advantages of nearly 100% efficiency, large deflection angle and unique polarization selectivity. Previous studies of transmissive and reflective PVGs are based on a planar architecture. In this work, we introduce slanted configuration, i.e. slanted cholesteric liquid crystals. The optical properties of these two different-type PVGs are investigated and compared. Specifically, we emphasize on the diffraction efficiency and polarization state of the diffracted light. Through comparing the experimental results with simulations, the existence of slanted PVGs is validated. We further report a stretchable, flexible, and rollable PVG film with high diffraction efficiency. Previously reported PVGs are of high diffraction efficiency but with fixed diffraction angles. By transferring PVGs onto a flexible and stretchable substrate, the obtained PVG films exhibit high diffraction efficiency, tunable periodicity, and excellent flexibility. The PVG films offer tunable diffraction angles and Bragg reflection bands by mechanical stretching. Stretch-release cycles test is also performed to ensure the mechanical robustness and reliability. This PVG film is especially useful for laser beam steering and augmented reality (AR) waveguide coupler.
Implementation and Evaluation of Videoconferencing for Forensic Competency Evaluation.

Background: The demand for court-ordered pretrial forensic evaluations has increased substantially in the United States and has resulted in long waitlists for services. This has caused concerns abo...
Sensorimotor experience remaps visual input to a heading-direction network.

In the Drosophila brain, ‘compass’ neurons track the orientation of the body and head (the fly’s heading) during navigation 1,2. In the absence of visual cues, the compass neuron network estimates heading by integrating self-movement signals over time3,4. When a visual cue is present, the estimate of the network is more accurate1,3. Visual inputs to compass neurons are thought to originate from inhibitory neurons called R neurons (also known as ring neurons); the receptive fields of R neurons tile visual space5. The axon of each R neuron overlaps with the dendrites of every compass neuron6, raising the question of how visual cues are integrated into the compass. Here, using in vivo whole-cell recordings, we show that a visual cue can evoke synaptic inhibition in compass neurons and that R neurons mediate this inhibition. Each compass neuron is inhibited only by specific visual cue positions, indicating that many potential connections from R neurons onto compass neurons are actually weak or silent. We also show that the pattern of visually evoked inhibition can reorganize over minutes as the fly explores an altered virtual-reality environment. Using ensemble calcium imaging, we demonstrate that this reorganization causes persistent changes in the compass coordinate frame. Taken together, our data suggest a model in which correlated pre- and postsynaptic activity triggers associative long-term synaptic depression of visually evoked inhibition in compass neurons. Our findings provide evidence for the theoretical proposal that associative plasticity of sensory inputs, when combined with attractor dynamics, can reconcile self-movement information with changing external cues to generate a coherent sense of direction7–12. Visual inputs to compass neurons can reorganize over minutes as a fly explores an altered virtual-reality environment.
Searching FOIA Libraries for government information

Abstract FOIA Libraries are the repositories for many documents released under the FOIA 1 (Freedom of Information Act), i.e., “responsive documents,” by federal agencies and their sub agencies. Awareness of search terminology for FOIA Libraries or electronic reading rooms can assist the public and researchers to locate publicly available government information, including responsive documents. Responsive documents are the responses to FOIA requests that can be posted (in full or with redactions) by federal agencies. FOIA responses may not be easily findable by major web search engines. The goal of this article is to educate readers about government and non-government FOIA resources and declassified document repositories for discovery. It is important for researchers, journalists and citizens to use “FOIA Libraries,” “Electronic Reading Room,” or “FOIA tag” to search for documents concerning government activities and operations that are released under the FOIA on the web. In addition to aiding in the research process, access to responsive documents information furthers democratic goals of transparency and supports findability of government information by the public.