cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Lighting the match:using haiku to teach about aging.

Abstract The purpose of this article is to describe an innovative teaching method in which American undergraduate students were asked to write haiku-a Japanese poetry formabout the lives of nursing home residents. Drawing on both their own experiences and May Sarton's novel As We Are Now, class members created poems about institutionalization that exhibited descriptive, analytic and reflective qualities. Since Sarton's central character, Caroline Spencer, eventually burns down the facility where she has been consignedsetting what she herself calls a “cleansing holocaust”-students were also asked to address the question: Did she have the right to do it? Their responses expressed themes of compassion, condemnation, and moral ambiguity. Numerous examples of the poems produced by the students are provided to show how they struggled with and used the concise framework of haiku to explore their own insights, emotions, and ethical values about aging, power and institutionalization.
Bidirectional reflectance study on dry, wet, and submerged particulate layers: effects of pore liquid refractive index and translucent particle concentrations

We performed extensive bidirectional reflectance measurements on dry, wet, and submerged particulate layers with various albedos to investigate the darkening effect caused by wetting with fluids. It was found that, in addition to the reduction of the refractive index contrast when there is a pore liquid (wetted), the concentration of translucent grains in a particulate layer and the surface roughness conditions of the individual grains make important contributions to the wetting-induced darkening effect. Reflectance measurements on glass-sediment mixtures confirmed that, as the concentration of translucent particles increases, the reflectance of the dry layers increases while that of the wetted layers decreases. Measurements indicate that neither the prediction made by the theory of Twomey et al. [Appl. Opt. 25, 431 (1986)] nor that of Lekner and Dorf [Appl. Opt. 27, 1278 (1988)] is sufficient.
Neutrino mass and the SU(2)(R) breaking scale

The neutrino sector in a left-right extension of the standard model depends on how ${\mathrm{SU}(2)}_{R}$ is broken. I list all possible scenarios, including the ones where the Majorana ${\ensuremath{\nu}}_{R}$ mass is naturally much smaller than the ${\mathrm{SU}(2)}_{R}$ breaking scale, which is desirable for generating the proper baryon asymmetry of the Universe. The best such choice is identified and discussed.
Color Stability of Apple and Pear Juices Blended with Fruit Juices Containing Anthocyanins

Apple and pear juices blended with anthocyanin pigmented juices developed haze and color stability during commercial marketing. To determine factors contributing to these problems, juice from apple and d'Anjou pear (prepared from whole fruit) and‘Bartlett’pear (peels and cores) were blended with 5, 10, 20%‘Concord’grape,‘Bing’cherry, or red or black raspberry juice. During storage at 25°C for up to 48 wk, turbidity, polymeric color, and % color due to tannin increased, while anthocyanin concentration decreased. As % anthocyanin pigmented juice increased, turbidity and polymeric color increased and % color due to tannin decreased. Within a given base juice, turbidity was highly correlated with polymeric color (r = 0.78 to 0.97).
Research subsidies population control policies and growth.

Several R&D-based growth models without scale effects claim that subsidies to R&D are not conductive for economic growth while a faster growing population is. Yet, in an effort to maintain high growth rates, most OECD countries continue to subsidize R&D, while several developing countries are trying to control the size of their population. Are these countries misguided? This study introduces an R&D-based growth model that is characterized by complementarities between technology and human capital. The model is free of scale effects and consistent with the above-mentioned policies. By applying the model to US data the study uncovers a possible explanation for the productivity slowdown.
Center-of-pressure parameters used in the assessment of postural control

Objective: To define the numerous center-of-pressure derivatives used in the assessment of postural control and discuss what value each might provide in the assessment of balance. Data Sources: MEDLINE and SPORTDiscus were searched with the terms balance, postural control, postural sway, and center of pressure. The remaining citations were collected from references of similar papers. A total of 67 references were studied. Conclusions: Understanding what is represented by each parameter used to assess postural control is crucial. At the present time the literature has failed to demonstrate how the variables reflect changes made by the postural-control system. Until it can be shown that the center of pressure and its derivatives actually reveal changes in the postural-control system, the value of using these measures to assess deficits in postural control is minimized.
An efficient well-specified check

A long-standing problem with generalized stochastic Petri nets and extensions is that of what to do when more than one zero-timed event is scheduled to occur at the same time. If the order is left unspecified, it could lead to ambiguity that affects reward variables. Stochastic activity nets (SANs) have used the well-specified condition to avoid this problem. However, the existing algorithm to perform the well-specified check is computationally complex, proportional to the number of paths through unstable markings. We provide some theoretical results that allow us to make use of a much more efficient algorithm, with complexity proportional to the number of arcs between unstable markings.
Lyapunov Exponents and Distributions of Magnetic Fields in Dynamo Models

Two dynamo models for magnetic field generation in a random flow are studied. The first is a “one-component model” with a given δ-correlated random potential of the Anderson type; the second “vector model” includes all components of magnetic field in a given matix potential of the white noise type. It is shown that a magnetic diffusivity is necessary for magnetic field generation in the first model, however, the moments of the field have Lyapunov exponents (rates of magnetic field growth) which are uniformly positive for small magnetic diffusivity. The vector model is an example of the “kinematic fast dynamo.” In this case not only the Lyapunov exponents for moments are positive, but also the almost sure Lyapunov exponent is positive in the limit of small magnetic diffusivities. The stationary distribution function for the magnetic field is found in this model for the nonlinear case.
First-principles Calculation of Electron Mobilities in Ultrathin SOI MOSFETs

Ultrathin silicon-on-insulator (UTSOI) technology1 has emerged as a key candidate for sub-100nm gate length CMOS devices. Recent experiments have characterized MOSFETs with silicon channels as thin as 1nm (four atomic layers of silicon),2,3 and found them to be well-behaved electrically. Quantum effects are important to the electron transport in such devices, and the penetration of the electron wavefunction into the gate oxide introduces new scattering mechanisms. We introduce here a novel method for first-principles calculation of electron mobilities in ultrathin SOI channels, including surface roughness and defect scattering. The electronic structure and scattering potentials are calculated with Density Functional Theory in the Local Density Approximation (DFT-LDA), and the mobility is calculated through Green's functions. The method requires little computational effort beyond that of the DFT-LDA calculations, and allows the calculation of temperature- and carrier concentration-dependent mobilities. Since the silicon-oxide interface is treated at the atomic-scale, the mobility contributions of different defects (e.g. suboxide bonds, oxide protrusions) and impurities (e.g. nitrogen, hydrogen) can be calculated separately, giving a precise physical picture of channel electron transport.
Learning to track: conceptual manifold map for closed-form tracking

Our objective is to model the visual manifold of object appearance corresponding to geometric transformation. We learn a generative model for object appearance where the appearance of the object at each new frame is a function that maps from a conceptual representation of the geometric transformation space into the visual manifold. By learning such generative model we can infer the geometric transformation (track) directly from the tracked object appearance. As a result tracking can be achieved in a closed form and therefore can be done very efficiently.
A Simultaneous Equation Model of the Economic-Ecologic System in Citrus Groves *

In 1964, 89 percent of the citrus acreage in the of an economic-ecologic system thus places emphasis U.S. was treated with pesticides. The percentage on the interrelationships of economic plants and increased to 97 percent in 1966. Total expenditures animals with their environment. In a citrus grove, the for pesticides during the two years were 13.8 and living organisms include the citrus trees, insects, 21.3 million dollars, respectively. Expenditures on a disease pathogens, and plants. Organisms included in per acre basis were $12.74 and $18.82, respectively, this study were the citrus tree and insects thought to in these years [9, p. 9]. The trend in pesticide use on be of economic consequence. Emphasis was placed on citrus pest control has been upward. the insect populations and the yield of citrus trees. The increased usage indicates that pesticides are The structural form of this system can be written as: recognized by growers as important inputs to increase Citrus production = f (physical attributes of the output and/or improve fruit quality. The negative grove, weather conditions,
Dislocation subgrain structures and modeling the plastic hardening of metallic single crystals

A single crystal plasticity theory for insertion into finite element simulation is formulated using sequential laminates to model subgrain dislocation structures. It is known that local models do not adequately account for latent hardening, as latent hardening is not only a material property, but a nonlocal property (e.g. grain size and shape). The addition of the nonlocal energy from the formation of subgrain structure dislocation walls and the boundary layer misfits provide both latent and self-hardening of a crystal slip. Latent hardening occurs as the formation of new dislocation walls limits motion of new mobile dislocations, thus hardening future slip systems. Self-hardening is accomplished by an evolution of the subgrain structure length scale. The substructure length scale is computed by minimizing the nonlocal energy. The minimization of the nonlocal energy is a competition between the dislocation wall energy and the boundary layer energies. The nonlocal terms are also directly minimized within the subgrain model as they affect deformation response. The geometrical relationship between the dislocation walls and slip planes affecting the dislocation mean free path is taken into account, giving a first-order approximation to shape effects. A coplanar slip model is developed due to requirements while modeling the subgrain structure. This subgrain structure plasticity model is noteworthy as all material parameters are experimentally determined rather than fit. The model also has an inherit path dependence due to the formation of the subgrain structures. Validation is accomplished by comparison with single crystal tension test results.
Design of suboptimal regulators for nonlinear systems

An optimal feedback control law is preferred for the regulation of a deterministic nonlinear system. In this paper, a practical, iterative design method leading to a sequence of suboptimal control laws with successively improved performance is presented. The design method requires the determination of an upper bound to the performance of each successive control law. This is obtained by solving a partial differential inequality by means of a linear programming technique. Robustness properties and the application of the design method to the control of a robot manipulator arm are also presented.
Reaction to Dr. Nicoll's Response

This reaction by J. Brien O'Callaghan is a commentary on William G. Nicoll's response to his article "School-Based Collaboration With Families: An Effective Model for a Society in Crisis. " Both O'Callaghan's article and Nicoll's response are published in the October 1994 issue of The FamilyJournal: Counseling and Therapy for Couples and Families.
Neuroimaging for psychotherapy research: Current trends

AbstractObjective: This article reviews neuroimaging studies that inform psychotherapy research. An introduction to neuroimaging methods is provided as background for the increasingly sophisticated breadth of methods and findings appearing in psychotherapy research. Method: We compiled and assessed a comprehensive list of neuroimaging studies of psychotherapy outcome, along with selected examples of other types of studies that also are relevant to psychotherapy research. We emphasized magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) since it is the dominant neuroimaging modality in psychological research. Results: We summarize findings from neuroimaging studies of psychotherapy outcome, including treatment for depression, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), and schizophrenia. Conclusions: The increasing use of neuroimaging methods in the study of psychotherapy continues to refine our understanding of both outcome and process. We suggest possible directions for future neuroimaging studies in psychotherapy research.
Carotid endarterectomy in older women and men in the United States: trends in ethnic disparities.

Trends in utilization of carotid endarterectomy (CEA) among elderly ethnic minorities have received little attention. Data from the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services were examined for the years 1990 through 2000. In women and men, the rate of CEA per 100,000 non-HMO beneficiaries aged ≥65 years increased in African Americans and in European Americans between 1990 and 1995, with only small changes thereafter. Between 1990 and 2000, the ratio of rates in European Americans to those in African Americans have decreased slightly, i.e., in women from 2.63 in 1990 to 2.24 (15%) in 2000 and in men from 3.94 to 3.39 (14%). Large ethnic differences in utilization of CEA persist in the elderly requiring further evaluation.
Macroevolutionary Immunology: A Role for Immunity in the Diversification of Animal life

An emerging picture of the nature of immune systems across animal phyla reveals both conservatism of some features and the appearance among and within phyla of novel, lineage-specific defense solutions. The latter collectively represent a major and underappreciated form of animal diversity. Factors influencing this macroevolutionary (above the species level) pattern of novelty are considered and include adoption of different life styles, life histories and body plans; a general advantage of being distinctive with respect to immune defenses; and the responses required to cope with parasites, many of which afflict hosts in a lineage-specific manner. This large-scale pattern of novelty implies that immunological phenomena can affect microevolutionary processes (at the population level within species) that can eventually lead to macroevolutionary events such as speciation, radiations, or extinctions. Immunologically-based phenomena play a role in favoring intraspecific diversification, specialization and host specificity of parasites, and mechanisms are discussed whereby this could lead to parasite speciation. Host switching - the acquisition of new host species by parasites - is a major mechanism that drives parasite diversity and is frequently involved in disease emergence. It is also one that can be favored by reductions in immune competence of new hosts. Mechanisms involving immune phenomena favoring intraspecific diversification and speciation of host species are also discussed. A macroevolutionary perspective on immunology is invaluable in today’s world, including the need to study a broader range of species with distinctive immune systems. Many of these species are faced with extinction, another macroevolutinary process influenced by immune phenomena.
Dynamic Bayesian Networks for Brain-Computer Interfaces

We describe an approach to building brain-computer interfaces (BCI) based on graphical models for probabilistic inference and learning. We show how a dynamic Bayesian network (DBN) can be used to infer probability distributions over brain- and body-states during planning and execution of actions. The DBN is learned directly from observed data and allows measured signals such as EEG and EMG to be interpreted in terms of internal states such as intent to move, preparatory activity, and movement execution. Unlike traditional classification-based approaches to BCI, the proposed approach (1) allows continuous tracking and prediction of internal states over time, and (2) generates control signals based on an entire probability distribution over states rather than binary yes/no decisions. We present preliminary results of brain- and body-state estimation using simultaneous EEG and EMG signals recorded during a self-paced left/right hand movement task.
Drug metabolizing systems in homogenates of human immature placentas.

Abstract Homogenates of human placental tissue obtained during therapeutic abortion at 9 to 12 weeks' gestation were investigated with regard to their capacity to metabolize a variety of drug substrates. Activities of NADPH and NADH-dependent reduction reactions were demonstrated employing several different nonendogenous compounds as substrates. Mechanisms for the reduction of aromatic nitro radicals and for the oxidative metabolisms of drugs, however, appeared to be lacking. Acetylation of p-aminobenzoic acid (PABA) was apparent in placental homogenates but acetylation of isoniazid could not be demonstrated. Catalysis of certain other conjugation reactions involving drug substrates also appeared to be deficient in early human placentas.
A Scale for the Measurement of Attitude toward Candidates for Elective Governmental Office.

The approach of another presidential campaign should bring with it a renewal of plans for the study of the election process by a number of students of parties and of public opinion. An important instrument for use in any such investigation would be a scale for the measurement of attitude toward candidates for elective governmental office. The writer considers it timely, therefore, to release for possible use a candidate scale which has undergone considerable testing during the past four years. The psychophysical methods adapted to the use of scale construction by Professor Thurstone have been employed in the production of this scale.
The Balanced Ideological Antipathy Model Explaining the Effects of Ideological Attitudes on Inter-Group Antipathy Across the Political Spectrum

We introduce the balanced ideological antipathy (BIA) model, which challenges assumptions that right-wing authoritarianism (RWA) and social dominance orientation (SDO) predict inter-group antipathy per se. Rather, the effects of RWA and SDO on antipathy should depend on the target's political orientation and political objectives, the specific components of RWA, and the type of antipathy expressed. Consistent with the model, two studies (N = 585) showed that the Traditionalism component of RWA positively and negatively predicted both political intolerance and prejudice toward tradition-threatening and -reaffirming groups, respectively, whereas SDO positively and negatively predicted prejudice (and to some extent political intolerance) toward hierarchy-attenuating and -enhancing groups, respectively. Critically, the Conservatism component of RWA positively predicted political intolerance (but not prejudice) toward each type of target group, suggesting it captures the anti-democratic impulse at the heart of authoritarianism. Recommendations for future research on the relationship between ideological attitudes and inter-group antipathy are discussed.
Rectangular Sets of Probability Measures

In this paper we consider the notion of rectangularity of a set of probability measures from a somewhat different point of view. We define rectangularity as a property of dynamic decomposition of a distributionally robust stochastic optimization problem and show how it relates to the modern theory of coherent risk measures. Consequently, we discuss robust formulations of multistage stochastic optimization problems in frameworks of stochastic programming, stochastic optimal control, and Markov decision processes.
Ventilator Auto-Triggering in a Patient with Tuberculous Bronchopleural Fistula

We report a case of ventilator auto-triggering resulting from tuberculous bronchopleural fistula being managed with chest tube suction. Early recognition of bronchopleural fistula-related auto-triggering is extremely important. Auto-triggering can lead to serious adverse effects, including severe hyperventilation and inappropriate escalation of sedatives and/or neuromuscular blockers (administered to reduce spontaneous breathing efforts). Auto-triggering was confirmed in our patient when tachypnea persisted despite pharmacologic neuromuscular paralysis. Auto-triggering can be reduced or eliminated by decreasing ventilator trigger sensitivity or by decreasing the air leak flow by reducing the degree of chest tube suction.
Spectral Analysis of Dike‐induced Earthquakes in Afar, Ethiopia

Shallow dike intrusions may be accompanied by fault slip above the dikes, a superposition which complicates seismic and geodetic data analyses. The diverse volcano-tectonic and low-frequency local earthquakes accompanying the 2005-2010 large-volume dike intrusions in the Dabbahu-Manda Hararo rift (Afar), some with fault displacements of up to 3m at the surface, provide an opportunity to examine the relations among the earthquakes, dike intrusions, and surface ruptures. We apply the frequency index (FI) method to characterize the spectra of swarm earthquakes from six of the dikes. These earthquakes often have broad spectra with multiple peaks, making the usual peak frequency classification method unreliable. Our results show a general bimodal character with high FI earthquakes associated with deeper dikes (top 3 km subsurface) and low FI earthquakes associated with shallow dikes, indicating that shallow dikes result in earthquakes with more low-frequency content and larger-amplitude surface waves. Low FI earthquakes are more common during dike emplacement, suggesting that interactions between the dike and faults may lead to lower FI. Taken together, likely source processes for low FI earthquakes are shallow hypocenters ( 3 km) possibly with surface rupture, slow rupture velocities, and interactions with dike fluids. Strong site effects also heavily influence the earthquake spectral content. Additionally, our results suggest a continuum of spectral responses, implying either that impulsive volcano-tectonic earthquakes and the unusual, emergent earthquakes have similar source processes or that simple spectral analyses, such as FI, cannot distinguish different source processes.
The Individual Political Economy of Federal Tax Policy

Public policies are the product of conflicting demands within society. These demands are both collective in nature and the product of individual interests. Individuals must balance these conflicting interests in developing their policy preferences. We estimate the role of collective and individual interests in preference formation, using tax policy as a substantive example. Survey data are used to estimate the model for evaluations of several tax policies debated during consideration of the 1978 Tax Revenue Act. Our analysis indicates that individual preferences for tax policies are greatly affected by attitudes towards collective issues-particularly redistribution attitudes-and by self-interest considerations. We also find that aggregate variables measuring individuals' local economies have significant effects on symbolic and selfinterest preferences.
BIOCHEMICAL SIGNIFICANCE OF SERUM GLYCOPROTEINS. 3. HEPATIC PRODUCTION OF A1 AND A2 GLOBULINS RESPONDING TO INJURY.

SummarySeromucoid fraction of rat serum was shown by immunoelectrophoresis to contain albumin (a trace), 2 α1-globulins, including the α1 of Darcy, 3 α2 and 1 βglobulin. The changes in serum levels of the α1-globulin of Darcy and haptoglobin (an α2-globulin) were compared with the seromucoid fraction in rats 24 hours following laparotomy and partial hepatectomy. Both proteins, as well as the seromucoid fraction itself, were elevated following injury; these increases were either abolished or considerably reduced by partial hepatectomy. These observations are consistent with the concept that the liver is the major source of the α-globulins produced in response to injury.We wish to express our gratitude to Dr. Douglas A. Darcy, Chester Beatty Research Institute, London, England, for a generous supply of anti α1 rabbit serum and for determination of the ai-globulin level in a standard serum sample.
The Value of a Custom Transfer Order Set and Discharge Instructions for Patients with Neurological Disorders (P1.359)

OBJECTIVE: To design a transfer order set and discharge instructions that will provide specific, organized and comprehensive information about a neurologic patient to improve continuity of care and minimize medical error upon transfer of care to another healthcare facility. BACKGROUND: A large variety of neurological disorders result in significant debility which requires a comprehensive treatment approach to improve physical, emotional, and psychological impairments. About 50[percnt] or more of these patients are discharged either to skilled nursing facilities, inpatient rehabilitation or long term acute care facilities. Transferring patients to a facility from the hospital is a common task. For this process to be safe and effective, a comprehensive set of documents is required. A customized transfer order set and discharge instructions will likely improve continuity of care and minimize medical error. This project is designed to establish such documents to facilitate the management of neurologic patients when transferring from the UNM Hospitals to another healthcare facility. METHODS: Quality Improvement (QI) project. RESULTS: With this QI project, we are able to make essential changes in the generic hospital medicine transfer order set and discharge instructions. We designed a customary form which is aimed to improve the quality of transfer of patient information to healthcare providers at outside facilities. Secondary outcomes include educating community healthcare providers about the common sequelae of neurological disease processes, and better understanding of the common instructions we provide to our patients on their discharge. This will also help outside facilities to plan the necessary medical follow-up. CONCULSIONS: A custom transfer order set and discharge instructions, specific for neurological disorders, has been designed to help the Departments of Neurology and Neurosurgery in transitioning patient care to other healthcare facilities to improve continuity of care, understanding of the unique needs of patients with neurological disorders and to minimize medical error. Disclosure: Dr. Zubairi has nothing to disclose. Dr. Berezovsky has nothing to disclose. Dr. Jillella has nothing to disclose. Dr. Deligtisch has nothing to disclose.
Improvement of Earned Value Management in Engineering Management

This text points out the shortage of Earned Value Management′s(EVM),only controls and analyses the cost and progress,which are two of the three key elements of project management(cost,progress,and quality). Because of that insufficience,quality cost is introduced into earned value management,and forms the comprehensive control systematic analytical method of the cost,progress,and quality.
Patient-initiated e-mails to providers: associations with out-of-pocket visit costs, and impact on care-seeking and health.

OBJECTIVES To understand when patients use secure e-mail messaging with healthcare providers across several types of questions or concerns, associations between out-of-pocket costs for in-person visits and use of secure messaging, and to examine patient-reported impacts on care-seeking behavior and overall health. STUDY DESIGN Cross-sectional survey of patients in an integrated healthcare delivery system, with access to a patient portal to send secure e-mail messages to providers at no out-of-pocket cost. METHODS The study included patients with a chronic condition (N = 1041). We described patient-reported preferences for contacting providers and patient-reported impact of e-mail use on phone calls, in-person visits, and overall health. We used multivariate analyses to examine patient characteristics associated with using e-mail as a first contact method, and effects on care-seeking and health. RESULTS Overall, 56% of patients sent their provider an e-mail within 1 year, and 46% reported e-mail as their first method of contact for 1 or more types of medical concerns. After adjustment, higher out-of-pocket costs for in-person visits were significantly associated with choosing e-mail as a first method of contact (P < .05). Among patients who had e-mailed their provider, 42% reported that it reduced their phone contacts, 36% reduced in-person office visits and 32% reported e-mailing improved their overall health. CONCLUSIONS Patients reported using e-mail broadly to initiate conversations with their providers, and patients with higher out-of-pocket costs for in-person visits were more likely to choose e-mail as a first contact method. Use of secure e-mails reduced patients' use of other types of healthcare and resulted in improved overall health.
An observational study of compliance with North Dakota's smoke-free law among retail stores that sell electronic smoking devices.

Objective To determine whether retail stores selling electronic smoking devices or liquid nicotine were compliant with North Dakota9s smoke-free law. Methods During June 2015, retail stores selling electronic smoking devices or liquid nicotine (n=16), but not legally required to be licensed to sell tobacco products, were assessed for compliance with North Dakota9s smoke-free law by observing for smoking or e-smoking, or evidence of such, in prohibited areas and for the presence of required no-smoking signs. Results Use of e-cigarettes, or evidence of use, was observed inside 8 (50%) stores required to be smoke-free. On the basis of all indicators of compliance assessed, compliance with the state9s smoke-free law was low, with only 6% and 44% of stores compliant with all indoor and outdoor requirements, respectively. Conclusions To the best of our knowledge, this is the first U.S. study assessing retail stores selling electronic smoking devices or liquid nicotine for compliance with the smoke-free law. The use of e-cigarettes, or evidence of use, occurred in the stores where it is prohibited by law. Overall compliance with the smoke-free law was low. These stores should be licensed by the state, as are other tobacco retailers, because this may assist in education, enforcement and compliance with the law and increase public health protection.
Omega-3 and Omega-6 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids in Bipolar Disorder: A Review of Biomarker and Treatment Studies.

Objective There is growing evidence that inflammation is an important mediator of pathophysiology in bipolar disorder. The omega-3 (n-3) and omega-6 (n-6) polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) metabolic pathways participate in several inflammatory processes and have been linked through epidemiologic and clinical studies to bipolar disorder and its response to treatment. We review the data on PUFAs as biomarkers in bipolar disorder and n-3 PUFA used as treatment for bipolar disorder. Data sources PubMed and CINAHL were searched for articles on PUFA and bipolar disorder published in the English language through November 6, 2013, with an updated search conducted on August 20, 2015. Keywords searched included omega 3 fatty acids and bipolar disorder, omega 3 fatty acids and bipolar mania, omega 3 fatty acids and bipolar depression, omega 3 fatty acids and mania, omega 3 fatty acids and cyclothymia, omega 3 fatty acids and hypomania, fatty acids and bipolar disorder, essential fatty acids and bipolar disorder, polyunsaturated fatty acids and bipolar disorder, DHA and bipolar disorder, and EPA and bipolar disorder. Study selection Studies selected measured PUFAs as biomarkers or introduced n-3 PUFA as treatment. Results We identified 17 relevant human clinical articles that either compared PUFA levels between a bipolar disorder group and a control group or used a PUFA intervention to treat depression or mania in bipolar disorder. Human studies suggest low n-3 red blood cell PUFA concentrations and correlations with clinical severity in studies of plasma concentrations in symptomatic bipolar disorder. Results of published n-3 PUFA dietary supplementation trials for bipolar disorder indicate efficacy in treatment for mania or depression in 5 of 5 open-label trials, efficacy in treatment of depression in 1 of 7 randomized controlled trials, and a signal for treatment of depression in 1 meta-analysis. Conclusions Biomarker studies of PUFA and treatment studies of n-3 PUFA in bipolar disorder show promise for indicating a way forward in the study of PUFA in bipolar disorder. Investigation of the intake and metabolism of the n-3 and n-6 PUFA when supplementation is provided in treatment trials might offer clues for identification of when and how PUFA may be important for treatment in bipolar disorder.
Solvent Chemistry in the Electronic Cigarette Reaction Vessel

Knowledge of the mechanism of formation, levels and toxicological profiles of the chemical products in the aerosols (i.e., vapor plus particulate phases) of e-cigarettes is needed in order to better inform basic research as well as the general public, regulators, and industry. To date, studies of e-cigarette emissions have mainly focused on chromatographic techniques for quantifying and comparing the levels of selected e-cigarette aerosol components to those found in traditional cigarettes. E-cigarettes heat and aerosolize the solvents propylene glycol (PG) and glycerol (GLY), thereby affording unique product profiles as compared to traditional cigarettes. The chemical literature strongly suggests that there should be more compounds produced by PG and GLY than have been reported in e-cigarette aerosols to date. Herein we report an extensive investigation of the products derived from vaporizing PG and GLY under mild, single puff conditions. This has led to the discovery of several new compounds produced under vaping conditions. Prior reports on e-cigarette toxin production have emphasized temperature as the primary variable in solvent degradation. In the current study, the molecular pathways leading to enhanced PG/GLY reactivity are described, along with the most impactful chemical conditions promoting byproduct production.
Methods of dealing with the challenged patient in the nuclear medicine department

1963 Learning Objectives We discuss the importance of training the staff and physicians in the nuclear medicine department to activity deal with the various challenged individual who present to nuclear medicine for care. We discuss how the ability to communicate with challenged indiviudals is actually a skill that can be developed over time with practice. Some challenges are visible and readily apparent.Others may present to the department with mobility impairments often use wheel chairs, walkers, crutches, or other assistive devices. Patients may present who are blind or visually impaired but challenges may appears invisible, such as deafness, hard of hearing, mental illness, autism, heart or respiratory conditions, etc. We discuss the various types of challenges that can be encountered in daily practice, methods to recognize these issues and techniques to deal and assist the patient for optimal patient care. In the busy practice of nuclear medicine, the staff and physicians will encounter a variety of challenged individuals on a daily basis. The ability to communicate with people is essential especially those whose speech is limited by mental deficiency. It is especially important to communicate the various nuclear procedures, many which require patient preparation and following of commands for performance of the examination. We discuss the interactions with a variety of individual including mentally challenged, emotionally disturbed, aggressive and emotional patients, patients with difficulty of expression, intimidating patients and others with complex problems as well as conflicting messages from other health care professionals. Some issues may also be conflicted with language barriers or be manipulative. There is actually a skill to communicate with these individuals that can be developed over time with practice. We discuss various methods to deal with these issues to promote patient care.
Pancreatoduodenectomy with Concomitant Vascular Resection for Pancreas Cancer

Due to the pancreas’ intimate relationship with multiple critical vascular structures, patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma often present with vascular involvement. Since resection of the primary tumor and regional lymph nodes is a prerequisite for cure, attempts to extend the criteria for surgical resection to patients with vascular involvement have long been of interest. Today, pancreatectomy with complex venous, and even arterial, resection and reconstruction is routinely performed at major referral centers with reasonable rates of morbidity, mortality, and survival. In this chapter, we review the indications, technical details, and outcomes of concomitant vascular resection with pancreatoduodenectomy with a special emphasis on arterial resection and reconstruction.
Framing Monitoring Needs to Detect Leakage from Wells to the Overburden

Abstract In this study we correlate monitoring thresholds and chemical changes in underground sources of drinking water chemistry from the leakage of storage reservoir fluids using synthetic data. The geologic scenario is based on geology and legacy well locations near Kimberlina California, USA. The modeled scenario is an ideal site for potential CO2 storage in many respects because the legacy well is significantly far from the injection location, and the simulated leakage produces modest volumes of impacted groundwater. We assess the sensitivity of magnetotellurics (MT) to changes in groundwater chemistry as a function of depth and plume volume. The results show the importance of monitoring all permeable units to increase the likelihood of detecting and mitigating a leak as soon as possible, rather than monitoring only above the cap rock. Sensitive methods would be needed to detect the modest plumes that were simulated based on the Kimberlina geology, however MT could be used to detect more aggressive leaks with much higher TDS changes and larger volumes.
The Physiology of Cochlear Presbycusis

The effects of pure aging on the physiology and morphology of the human peripheral auditory system are difficult to study given the variability inherent in genetics and the environment with which the system must cope. Environmental exposures accumulated over a lifetime often combine mild, continuous noise exposures occurring daily, with occasional punctate episodes of very high decibel trauma associated with loud music, power equipment, and small arms fire. Moreover, the human experience includes many drugs that often have unintended side effects on the auditory periphery. Some drugs have well-known ototoxic properties; others are more insidious, like the continuous high-level use of some narcotics. Noise and drug injuries tend to preferentially damage the hair cells in the cochlea.
New strategies for an old rivalry? China–Russia relations in Central Asia after the energy boom

ABSTRACTChina and Russia both have interests in bordering Central Asia. China's thirst for energy has seen its footprint expand rapidly in the region relative to that of Russia, Central Asia's historical hegemon. With the two powerful neighbors’ history of competition and conflict, the shift in relative influence between them risks a resurgence of bilateral rivalry. Referencing the scholarly literature on strategic rivalry, this article examines how energy relations have helped shaped the trajectory of China-Russian relations in Central Asia, particularly after the shock that came with the collapse of oil and gas prices in 2008–2009.
Two degree-distance based topological descriptors of some product graphs

Abstract The adjacent-eccentric distance sum and the eccentric-adjacency index are two newly defined degree-distance based topological descriptors. In this paper, we compute these topological descriptors of the join and corona products of graphs.
Toward precise semantics of actions

Action is the fundamental unit of behavioral specification in models. We propose the use of Discrete EVent System Specification (the DEVS formalism) to specify the semantics of actions. Then, coupling is used to form different kinds of behavioral models. The statecharts and activities are two different approaches by which the system behavior can be described. Actions are at the core of these two approaches and therefore their specifications can collectively serve as a significant part of the overall behavior alongside with behavior of other parts such as control. Thus, we propose an approach introducing the concepts of time and state as defined in DEVS for actions; these serve as an abstraction for modeling a wide range of systems.
Demonstration of a low cost, high temperature elemental sulfur thermal battery

Abstract Elemental sulfur is a low-cost energy storage media suitable for many medium to high temperature applications, including trough and tower concentrated solar power (CSP) and combined heat and power (CHP) systems. In this study, we have demonstrated the viability of an elemental sulfur thermal energy storage (SulfurTES) system using a laboratory-scale thermal battery. The SulfurTES battery design uses a shell-and-tube thermal battery configuration, wherein stationary elemental sulfur is isochorically stored in multiple stainless steel tubes and a heat transfer fluid (air) is passed over them through the surrounding shell. The safe and reliable operation was demonstrated for twelve thermal charge–discharge cycles in the temperature range of 200–600 °C, during which the SulfurTES battery stored up to 7.6 kW h of thermal energy with volumetric energy density range up to 255 kW h/m3. Furthermore, the SulfurTES battery is operated in a hybrid thermal charging mode to demonstrate its ability to store surplus electrical energy. The present study establishes the feasibility of SulfurTES as a concept that could provide attractive system cost and volumetric energy density for a wide range of thermal energy storage applications.
The Ethics of Quality: Problems and Preconditions

A number of advocates for TQM contend that firms who embrace TQM will automatically and naturally act in ethically sound ways (Roth, 1993; Pace, 1999; Steeples, 1994). This claim is a strong one. This paper assesses its truth. We consider the many ways in which quality initiatives, if undertaken in good faith, can foster sound ethics. We explore the various ways in which TQM presupposes, and thus cannot engender, ethical behavior. And, finally, we identify some of the ethical blind spots in quality initiatives and TQM. We propose that if TQM is undertaken by thoughtful people who take steps to correct its ethical blind spots and who understand the need for an ethical underpinning, then TQM and ethics will prove mutually reinforcing.
Complement: a nostalgic journey The Hans J. Müller-Eberhard Memorial Lecture, Honolulu, June 14, 2004.

The scientific career and research contributions of Hans J. Muller-Eberhard to the field of complement research are presented in historical context, and interpreted with regard to the state of the field and the research technologies available when the contributions were made.
Moral Dimensions of Deceptive Communication

This chapter explores the moral dimensions of human deception in a variety of contexts: business, industry, professional life, public relations, advertising, and interpersonal relations. In Lying: Moral Choice Public and Private Life, Sissela Bok (1999) says: “If there is no confidence in the truthfulness of others, is there any way to assess their fairness, their intentions to help or to harm? How, then, can they be trusted. Whatever matters to human beings, trust is the atmosphere in which it thrives” (p. 31). So, when it comes to deceptive communication, the stakes are very high. Successfully navigating one’s way through these murky waters is, she shows, fraught with moral challenges.
Wire-Speed Multirate Accelerator for Aggregation Operations on Sorted Data

We present an accelerator architecture for wire-speed aggregation of sorted key-value pairs on a wide datapath, in a bump-in-the-wire fashion. The presented accelerator is capable of maintaining wire-speed regardless of data distribution, even when (1) the aggregation function has multiple-cycle latency, and (2) the input stream is multi-rate, i.e., multiple elements arrive every cycle. To the best of our knowledge, it is the first accelerator architecture that satisfies both properties.
Sharing your work by self-archiving: encouragement from the Journal of the Medical Library Association

Self-archiving offers opportunities for authors to more broadly disseminate their work—both in pre-print form before its submission to a journal and in post-print form after its acceptance and publication in a journal. This editorial provides authors with guidance in navigating the rapidly changing options for self-archiving and affirms that the Journal of the Medical Library Association encourages authors to self-archive their work to boost its reach and impact.
Does Private Equity Investment in Healthcare Benefit Patients? Evidence from Nursing Homes

The past two decades have seen a dramatic increase in private equity investment in healthcare, a sector in which intensive government subsidy and market frictions could lead high-powered for-profit incentives to be misaligned with the social goals of quality care at a reasonable cost. This paper studies the effects of private equity ownership on patient welfare and spending at nursing homes. With administrative patient-level data, we use a within-facility instrumental variables strategy to address both non-random targeting of facilities and non-random matching of patients into nursing homes. The estimates show that private equity ownership increases short-term mortality by 10%, which implies about 21,000 lives lost due to private equity ownership over our sample period. Private equity ownership also increases spending by 19%, the vast majority of which is billed to taxpayers. We observe several channels that help explain the increase in mortality: declines in patient-level health measures, such as worsening mobility and elevated use of anti-psychotic medications; declines in nurse availability per patient; and declines in compliance with federal and state standards of care.