cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Electrical and optical characterisation of SIMOX substrates

This chapter focuses mainly on the electrical and optical characterisation of SIMOX starting material for CMOS applications. Optical characterisation is used for determining the thicknesses of the Si and BOX layers as well as their thickness uniformities. Electrical characterisation includes determining the I-V behaviour of the BOX (pinhole densities, leakage currents at high fields and breakdown voltages) and the key electrical parameters of the Si film such as mobilities, charge densities and lifetimes. Different characterisation techniques are described, especially those used most often by the author for quality control of SOI material used at IBM.
Risk Assessment of Application of Biodegradative Microorganisms for Hazardous Waste Destruction

Problems with hazardous waste sites have led to the limitation of land disposal practices for certain classes of chemicals. EPA’s National Priority List of hazardous waste sites includes 888 sites (Superfund sites) that have to be cleaned up in the near future because of their potential for human health hazards. The Office of Emergency and Remedial Response (OERR), within the Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response (OSWER), recently issued guidelines to increase the use of alternative technologies at Superfund sites. Also, in response to the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1986 (SARA), the Office of Research and Development (ORD) and OSWER have established a formal program to accelerate the development, demonstration, and use of new or innovative technologies.
Descartes's Ontology of Sensation

If we were to look caref ully at recent commentary on Descartes's theories of ideas and Sensation, we would find that a large number of commentators hold that he believes the following:. (1) Ideas are representational, (2) Sensations are ideas, (3) Sensations are not representational. This is an inconsistent triad: any two of the above claims can be true together, but they cannot all be true together. The inconsistent triad can be avoided if we reject one of the claims. Some have argued that Descartes did not hold (l).1 Some have argued that he did not hold (3). I believe that Descartes held (1) and (3), and will argue that he did not hold (2). Generally, any account of Cartesian Sensation at the very least must account for sensations in terms of the ontology. The account must say whether they are modes or not, and if modes, modes of what — mind, body, both, the union, and so on. Moreover, how sensations are cast in terms of the ontology must agree with how they are cast in terms of the epistemology.
Empirical Study of Market Conditions and IPOs Public Offerings: US Economy in Perspective

This study examines the relation between the financial market conditions (i.e. interest rates) and the initial public offering (i.e., IPO) activity. Using robust regressions and finds that the change in the level of interest rates over the previous four quarters explains the size of the offering. Firms tend to do a bigger IPO when interest rates are low compared to the rates four quarters ago. Further that the IPO market becomes more active (i.e., more firms coming to the market) when interest rates are low compared to the rates four or eight quarters ago. Finally, the long-run (i.e. up to five years) impact of IPO market timing on issuing firms’ capital structure is examined and it is found that market timing does not have a persistent impact on issuing firms’ capital structure.
Oceanic Arginine Translator: The Origin of Life and Early Evolution of the Genetic Code

Here I describe a scenario that explains how life could have originated through molecular coevolution. When the Earth was warm, organic matter partitioned into an oil slick on the ocean’s surface, an aqueous layer with low concentrations of soluble organic substances and a benthic “kerogen” layer. The interface between the oil slick and the aqueous layer is proposed to be where life began. The overlying oil slick could generate complex monomers and polymers through dehydration reactions and photochemistry. The interface between polar and hydrophobic layers would be enriched with amphiphiles that could retain biologically important molecules at the site. Environmental cycles of suitable periodicity could entrain nucleic acid replication. Peptides enriched with arginine play a pivotal role. They aggregate nucleic acids (NA), preventing dispersal and aiding replication and elongation. Furthermore, arginine’s guanidium group forms high-energy phosphate bonds able to catalyze energy transfer during NA replication and peptide synthesis. Thus, families of NAs that helped incorporate arginine into peptides comprise the core of the first living system. A specific candidate is proposed for the protobiont, based on an autocomplementary NA sequence that bears arginine’s codon and anticodon and demonstrates stereospecific affinity for this amino acid. The relationship between arginine and these NA strands represents the first step in the genetic code’s evolution. Subsequent elaboration of the code occurred through molecular coevolution, natural selection favoring the retention, and replication of NA that helped make peptides with properties useful to evolving biological systems. Early in biological evolution, there were no barriers to the free exchange of nucleic acids. Thus genetic combinations that functioned cooperatively would have easily formed, increased through natural selection, and spread throughout a global set of interactive “composomes” near the ocean’s surface.
Elastic Scattering of Deuterons by O 16

Thin targets of silicon dioxide on Formvar were bombarded with deuterons in order to study the yield of deuterons elastically scattered from ${\mathrm{O}}^{16}$. The incident deuteron energy was varied in approximately 20-kev steps from 4.6 to 7.2 Mev for observations at 130 degrees, and from 4.6 to 7.0 Mev for observations at 90 degrees. The absolute cross section was determined by comparisons with the known ${\mathrm{O}}^{16}$ elastic proton cross section. The yield shows resonant structure; in particular, at least eight maxima occur at 130 degrees, and five of these appear at 90 degrees. The resonances are not isolated but indicate overlapping levels.
Global Dynamics of the Brusselator Equations

In this work the existence of a global attractor for the solution semio w of the Brusselator equations is proved. A new decomposition method is introduced to overcome the diculties in proving the asymptotical compact- ness of the coupled reaction-diusion equations whose nonlinearity does not possess dissipative property. It is proved that the Hausdor dimension and the fractal dimension of the global attractor are nite. The existence of a global attractor with nite dimensionality is also shown by the same approach for the Gray-Scott equations, the Glycolysis equations, and the Schnackenberg equations.
Yield of F1, F2 and F3 hybrids of rice (Oryza sativa L.)

Yield and yield components of F1 hybrids were studied in three experiments at 30×30 cm spacings and in one experiment at 15×15 cm spacings. In the 30×30 cm experiments, 10 of the 41 hybrids tested significantly outyielded their high parents. However, only 2 hybrids significantly outyielded the best cultivar: one hybrid yielded 23 % and the other 16 % more than their respective check cultivars. The four hybrids in the 15×15 cm experiment yielded only 59 to 92% as much as their high parents.
Coded Encounters: Writing, Gender, and Ethnicity in Colonial Latin America

These essays discuss those on the margins of the dominant European discourse - Amerindians, Africans and women - whose experience is reflected in documents written during the early years of European rule in Latin America.
Resolution of early cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection after leukocyte transfusion therapy from a CMV seropositive donor

A 2 year and 8 month old CMV-negative boy suffering from stage III neuroblastoma underwent ABMT in first very good partial remission. He acquired early CMV infection on day +5, followed by consecutive graft failure and severe sepsis, and the clincial course deteriorated. Between days +16 and +21, he received seven leukocyte concentrates (LC) collected from a healthy, but CMV-IgG-seropositive relative stimulated with G-CSF (filgastrim, 5 μg/kg/day). A median of 5.7 × 1010 neutrophils/m2/day (range, 1.2–8.3) were transfused, corresponding to a T cell number of roughly 4 × 108 CD3+ cells/kg/day. After infusion of the LCs, PCR analysis became negative for CMV and the patient received his rescue bone marrow. One year after ABMT, he is in complete remission and in good clinical condition. Our results suggest that the T cells infused together with the irradiated leukocytes played a major role in eradicating the CMV infection in this patient.
O1-S05.05 Association between Trichomonas vaginalis and vaginal bacterial community composition among asymptomatic reproductive-age women in the USA

Background Vaginal bacterial communities are thought to prevent infection by sexually transmitted organisms. Prior work demonstrated that the vaginal microbiota of reproductive-age women in the US cluster into five groups of bacterial communities; four dominated by Lactobacillus spp . ( L iners, L crispatus, L gasseri, L jensenii ), and one lacking significant numbers of lactobacilli and characterised by higher proportions of strictly anaerobic organisms (termed group IV). We sought to compare the vaginal microbiota of T vaginalis -positive and T vaginalis -negative women using cultivation-independent methods. To our knowledge, this is the first analysis of the relationship between T vaginalis and vaginal bacterial communities characterised by molecular methodologies. Methods Self-collected vaginal swabs were obtained cross-sectionally from 396 asymptomatic US women equally representing four ethnic/racial groups. Screening for the presence of T vaginalis was performed using PCR targeting the 18S rRNA and s-tubulin genes. Vaginal bacterial composition was characterised by pyrosequencing of barcoded 16S rRNA genes. The relationship between vaginal microbiota and T vaginalis was evaluated by Fisher9s exact testing and logistic regression. Results Of the 11 T vaginalis -positive cases, 8 (72%) were classified to the low-Lactobacillus group IV, 2 (18%) and 1 (9%) with communities dominated by L iners and L crispatus , respectively (p value: 0.056). Group IV was associated with an eightfold increased odds of detecting T vaginalis compared to women with communities dominated by L crispatus (OR: 8.26, 95% CI: 1.07% to 372.65%, p value: 0.04). Other than the major bacteria dominating each cluster, none of the other observed taxa showed significant association with T vaginalis -positivity although this may reflect few observed cases rather than lack of a true association. Ten (91%) of the T vaginalis cases self-reported Black ethnicity and 1 (9%) reported Asian, (p value: 0.00002). Conclusion Molecular analyses revealed that vaginal microbiota with low proportions of lactobacilli were significantly associated with presence of T vaginalis . Longitudinal studies are needed to identify the causal nature of the relationship between vaginal bacterial communities and STI risk.
Maternal Lopinavir/Ritonavir Is Associated with Fewer Adverse Events in Infants than Nelfinavir or Atazanavir

Combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) is successfully used for prevention of perinatal HIV transmission. To investigate safety, we compared adverse events (AE) among infants exposed to different maternal cART regimens. We reviewed 158 HIV-uninfected infants born between 1997 and 2009, using logistic regression to model grade ≥1 AE and grade ≥3 AE as a function of maternal cART and confounding variables (preterm, C-section, illicit drug use, race, ethnicity, infant antiretrovirals, and maternal viremia). Frequently used cART regimens included zidovudine (63%), lamivudine (80%), ritonavir-boosted lopinavir (37%), nelfinavir (26%), and atazanavir (10%). At birth, anemia occurred in 13/140 infants (9%), neutropenia in 27/107 (25%), thrombocytopenia in 5/133 (4%), and liver enzyme elevation in 21/130 (16%). Corresponding rates of AE at 4 weeks were 59/141 (42%), 54/130 (42%), 3/137 (2%), and 3/104 (3%), respectively. Serious AE (grade ≥ 3) exceeded 2% only for neutropenia (13% at birth; 9% at 4 weeks). Compared with infants exposed to maternal lopinavir/ritonavir, infants exposed to nelfinavir and atazanavir had a 5-fold and 4-fold higher incidence of AE at birth, respectively. In conclusion, hematologic and hepatic AE were frequent, but rarely serious. In this predominantly protease inhibitor-treated population, lopinavir/ritonavir was associated with the lowest rate of infant AE.
Kinetic Parameters of a Recombinant 4-Coumarate:Coenzyme A Ligase from Populus Tomentosa

Coenzyme A ligase as a key enzyme of lignin synthesize catalyzes the forming of the corresponding CoA thioesters of cinnamate and its hydroxylated derivatives in vascular plants.Kinetic constants(Km and Vmax) for Pt4CL1 isoform were measured under the standard conditions.Research Shows:to p-coumaric,the Km(μM) of Pt4CL1 is 55.02±3.5;to caffeic,the Km(μM) of Pt4CL1 is 52.94±6;to ferulic,the Km(μM) of Pt4CL1 is 44.62±4.The Vmax(nM/S) of p-coumaric,caffeic,ferulic are 4.23±0.27,4.12±0.11,2.16±0.07.And the Kcat(1/s) of Pt4CL1 to the three substrates are 44.73×10-3,43.57×10-3,7.61×10-3;The Kenz(M-1s-1) of Pt4CL1 to the three substrates are 823,812.98,170.55.The kinetic constants show that p-coumaric have the biggest conversion efficiency when the reaction were performed with Pt4CL1,So,p-coumaric is the optimum substrate to the Pt4CL1 enzyme.
Epidemiological characteristics of measles in Qingyuan City from 2006 to 2011

Objective To analyze the epidemiological characteristics of measles in Qingyuan City. Methods Epidemiological analysis method was used to describe the situation of measles and corresponding measures for elimination of measles in Qingyuan. Results Total 1794 measles cases were reported from 2006 to 2011 with the average annual incidence of 8.67/100,000 population and the peak infection occurred in from April to July each year;the cases mainly concentrated at Qingcheng District and Qingxin County where there were more floating population;the age of measles patients mainly concentrated age groups of 0- 5 years old;scattered children and students were the high- risk population of measles. Conclusions Increasing the implementation of 2- dose measles vaccination coverage rate,carrying out supplementary immunization and timely vaccination of measles as well as improving monitoring quality and early emergency treatment are effective measures for control and elimination of measles.
Auscultation of Urinary Flow

Urinary flow in the male subject is associated with turbulence at the bladder neck. This turbulence is associated with the production of a sound in the healthy male subject, transmitted to the perineum.
A four-quadrant modulation technique for Cascaded Multilevel Inverters to extend solution range for Selective Harmonic Elimination / Compensation

One critical drawback of Selective Harmonic Elimination (SHE) and Compensation (SHC) in Cascaded Multilevel Inverter (CMI) topology is that the solution range is very limited and in an irregular shape. As a result, the compensation capacity and system parameters are hard to determine. This paper proposed a voltage phasor diagram to explain the reason of the limited solution range, proposed a four-quadrant modulation method to achieve an enlarged and regular solution range, and discussed guidelines for system parameters design. Simulation and experimental results verified the method's effectiveness.
MO-FG-CAMPUS-IeP2-03: Validation of an SSDE-To-Organ-Dose Calculation Methodology Developed for Pediatric CT in An Adult Population

Purpose: To discover if a previously published methodology for estimating patient-specific organ dose in a pediatric population (5–55kg) is translatable to the adult sized patient population (> 55 kg). Methods: An adult male anthropomorphic phantom was scanned with metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistor (MOSFET) dosimeters placed at 23 organ locations in the chest and abdominopelvic regions to determine absolute organ dose. Organ-dose-to-SSDE correlation factors were developed by dividing individual phantom organ doses by SSDE of the phantom; where SSDE was calculated at the center of the scan volume of the chest and abdomen/pelvis separately. Organ dose correlation factors developed in phantom were multiplied by 28 chest and 22 abdominopelvic patient SSDE values to estimate organ dose. The median patient weight from the CT examinations was 68.9 kg (range 57–87 kg) and median age was 17 years (range 13–28 years). Calculated organ dose estimates were compared to published Monte Carlo simulated patient and phantom results. Results: Organ-dose-to-SSDE correlation was determined for a total of 23 organs in the chest and abdominopelvic regions. For organs fully covered by the scan volume, correlation in the chest (median 1.3; range 1.1–1.5) and abdominopelvic (median 0.9; range 0.7–1.0) was 1.0 ± 10%. For organs that extended beyond the scan volume (i.e. skin bone marrow and bone surface) correlation was determined to be a median of 0.3 (range 0.1–0.4). Calculated patient organ dose using patient SSDE agreed to better than 6% (chest) and 15% (abdominopelvic) to published values. Conclusion: This study demonstrated that our previous published methodology for calculating organ dose using patient-specific SSDE for the chest and abdominopelvic regions is translatable to adult sized patients for organs fully covered by the scan volume.
Sample Preparation Report of the Fourth OPCW Confidence Building Exercise on Biomedical Sample Analysis

Following the successful completion of the 3rd biomedical confidence building exercise (February 2013 – March 2013), which included the analysis of plasma and urine samples spiked at low ppb levels as part of the exercise scenario, another confidence building exercise was targeted to be conducted in 2014. In this 4th exercise, it was desired to focus specifically on the analysis of plasma samples. The scenario was designed as an investigation of an alleged use of chemical weapons where plasma samples were collected, as plasma has been reported to contain CWA adducts which remain present in the human body for several weeks (Solano et al. 2008). In the 3rd exercise most participants used the fluoride regeneration method to analyze for the presence of nerve agents in plasma samples. For the 4th biomedical exercise it was decided to evaluate the analysis of human plasma samples for the presence/absence of the VX adducts and aged adducts to blood proteins (e.g., VX-butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE) and aged BuChE adducts using a pepsin digest technique to yield nonapeptides; or equivalent). As the aging of VX-BuChE adducts is relatively slow (t1/2 = 77 hr at 37 °C [Aurbek et al. 2009]), soman (GD), which ages much more quicklymore » (t1/2 = 9 min at 37 °C [Masson et al. 2010]), was used to simulate an aged VX sample. Additional objectives of this exercise included having laboratories assess novel OP-adducted plasma sample preparation techniques and analytical instrumentation methodologies, as well as refining/designating the reporting formats for these new techniques.« less
Quasiperiodic Physics in One Dimension

In my talk today, I wish to make two points. First, there are natural quasiperiodic sequences of two elements, which we call A and B, for any ratio of B’s to A’s, either rational or irrational. These sequences generalize the well-known Fibonacci lattice based on the golden mean, and are natural in the sense that they arise in many physical situations, independently of the exact nature of the interactions. Second, for these natural sequences most of the techniques based on exact scaling relations which have been developed for treating the Fibonacci lattice [1,2,3], and which have proven so powerful, can be used.
Enhancing the Nutritional Value of Canola (Brassica napus) Meal Using a Submerged Fungal Incubation Process

The aim of this study was to determine the optimal fungal culture to increase the nutritional value of canola meal so it could be used at higher feed inclusion rates, and for a broad range of monogastrics, including fish. Submerged incubation conditions were used to evaluate the performance of seven fungal cultures in hexane extracted (HE) and cold pressed (CP) canola meal. Aureobasidium pullulans (Y-2311-1), Fusarium venenatum and Trichoderma reesei resulted in the greatest improvements in protein levels in HE canola meal, at 21.0, 23.8, and 34.8 %, respectively. These fungi reduced total glucosinolates (GLS) content to 2.7, 7.4, and 4.9 μM.g -1 , respectively, while residual sugar levels ranged from 0.8 to 1.6 % (w/w). In trials with CP canola meal, the same three fungi increased protein levels by 24.6, 35.2, and 37.3 %, and final GLS levels to 6.5, 4.0, and 4.7 μM.g -1 , respectively. Additionally, residual sugar levels were reduced to 0.3-1.0 % (w/w).
The S factor--a new derived hemodynamic oxygenation parameter--a useful tool for simplified mathematical modeling of global problems of oxygen transport.

We describe a new derived hemodynamic oxygenation parameter, the S factor (S). The factor is based on oxygen delivery and oxygen consumption and can range from -3 to 1. It allows simplified mathematical modeling of clinical problems of oxygen transport and can be applied to many clinical situations.
Phase II trial of trametinib in combination with the AKT inhibitor GSK 2141795 in BRAF wild-type melanoma.

9068 Background: There is currently a lack of effective targeted therapies for BRAF wild type (WT) melanoma. We explored the combination of the MEK inhibitor trametinib with the AKT inhibitor GSK21...
Foundations of Data Center: Key Concepts and Taxonomies

Many corporations use central data centers to avoid building and maintaining a separate data center and are finding and adopting new ways to make the data centers more energy efficient. This chapter provides a relevant summary of key concepts for understanding the complexity of data centers and the types and value of data centers. Its purpose is to provide information and understanding needed to manage massive data generated every day in the era of internet technology.
ABCB1: is there a role in the drug treatment of Parkinson's disease?

Efflux proteins are a member of the ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporter superfamily, which groups various importer and exporter membrane proteins [1]. The main efflux protein is ABCB1 (alternati...
Four-laser scanning confocal system for microarray analysis.

We have constructed a confocal scanner suitable for routine microarray analysis from commercially available parts. We have outlined the details that should be considered when designing such an inst...
Intermittent voluntary ethanol consumption combined with ethanol vapor exposure during adolescence increases drinking and alters other behaviors in adulthood in female and male rats

Epidemiological studies suggest that binge drinking is prevalent among adolescents, and may result in neurobehavioral consequences. Animal models provide the experimental control to investigate the consequences of "binge" alcohol exposure during this neurodevelopmental epoch. The current study used an animal model that combined an intermittent pattern of alcohol vapor exposure with voluntary drinking of 20% unsweetened alcohol in adolescent male and female Wistar rats (postnatal day [PD] 22-62), in order to test for potential differences in behavioral changes, ethanol drinking, and hypocretin/orexin (Hcrt/OX) signaling associated with exposure status. Two weeks after discontinuation of the alcohol vapor exposure and drinking during adolescence, rats were tested in adulthood for anxiety-like behaviors using a modified open-field conflict task, pre-pulse facilitation of startle response, light/dark box, and marble burying test. Adolescent alcohol exposure led to overall decreased startle response and increased behavioral arousal in the light/dark chamber during adulthood. Additionally, male rats demonstrated more disinhibited behavior during the conflict task compared to females, and female rats exhibited more rearing behavior during the light/dark test. Rats were also given a 2-bottle choice test that resulted in adolescent alcohol-exposed rats drinking significantly more alcohol in adulthood. Further, female rats also consumed more alcohol in adulthood compared to males. Estrous cycle phase did not account for any of the sex differences observed in the behavioral measures. Histological results indicated that adolescent alcohol did not alter Hcrt/OX-1 or Hcrt/OX-2 receptor mRNA expression levels in adult rats compared to control adults. However, female rats expressed a higher level of Hcrt/OX-1 and Hcrt/OX-2 receptor mRNA in the frontal cortex compared to males. These data suggest that our current model of intermittent ethanol exposure in adolescence can modestly affect both behavior and future consumption of alcohol and that Hcrt/OX receptor signaling differs between males and females.
Pilose Braya, Braya pilosa Hooker (Cruciferae; Brassicaceae), an Enigmatic Endemic of Arctic Canada

Braya pilosa Hooker, Pilose Braya, has been poorly understood among North American botanists due to a paucity of fruiting specimens for study. This has resulted in confusion about the taxonomic position of the taxon within Braya , and has led to speculation about its generic status. An examination of fruiting specimens from the Royal Botanic Garden Herbarium at Kew, England reveals that B. pilosa is correctly placed in the genus Braya , and that it is a distinctive member of the genus deserving recognition at the specific level. I discuss the historical evidence that B. pilosa may not have been collected since 1850 due to its extremely restricted distribution on the Cape Bathurst Peninsula of the Northwest Territories of Canada. I also present evidence suggesting that B. pilosa is diploid and may be a parent species to some of the more widespread members of the genus, all of which are polyploid. Its closest living relative is probably B. thorild-wulffii .
Epilogue: The Church—Bigger Bangs Are Coming

The transhumanist venture brings dramatically to the forefront the matter of Christian responsibility in a techno-scientific age. From the beginning, Christians have struggled to determine the roles they are expected to play in the divine–human narrative. This tension is palpable through the refrains of prophetic and apocalyptic literature, calling for a change of heart and action on the one hand but professing on the other that, without divine intervention, no meaningful transformation is possible. If the church is to fulfill its mission, it cannot be via “business as usual,” following historic trends merely to react to exigencies of the moment. Recognizing that we are never where we are meant to be, the church has a significant opportunity to lead the way forward.
Understanding Aging in Bipolar Disorder by Integrating Archival Clinical Research Datasets.

ABSTRACT Objective Although 25% of people with bipolar disorder (BD) are over age 60, there is a dearth of research on older age bipolar disorder (OABD). This report describes an initial effort to create an integrated OABD database using the U.S. National Institute of Mental Health Data Archive (NDA). Goals were to: 1) combine data from three BD studies in the United States that included overlapping data elements; 2) investigate research questions related to aims of the original studies; and 3) take an important first step toward combining existing datasets relevant to aging and BD. Methods Data were prepared and uploaded to the NDA, with a focus on data elements common to all studies. As appropriate, data were harmonized to select or collapse categories suitable for cross-walk analysis. Associations between age, BD symptoms, functioning, medication load, medication adherence, and medical comorbidities were assessed. The total sample comprised 451 individuals, mean age 57.7 (standard deviation: 13.1) years. Results Medical comorbidity was not significantly associated with either age or functioning and there did not appear to be an association between medication load, comorbidity, age, and adherence. Men and African-Americans were significantly more likely to have poor adherence. Both BD mania and depression symptoms were associated with functioning, but this differed across studies. Conclusion Despite limitations including heterogeneity in study design and samples and cross-sectional methodology, integrated datasets represent an opportunity to better understand how aging may impact the presentation and evolution of chronic mental health disorders across the lifespan.
402 DOES BETTER OSTEOPOROSIS KNOWLEDGE MEAN BETTER HEALTH BEHAVIOR

Background Osteoporosis is a significant public health problem affecting 55% of women age 50 or older. The purpose of this study is to examine if the level of osteoporosis knowledge predicts DEXA screening behavior in at-risk women. Methods Women were recruited from internal medicine clinics as part of multi-institutional prospective cohort study examining the effect of patient and physician education on osteoporosis screening rates. Women were eligible to participate if (1) they were age 65 years or older as of June 1, 2004, and (2) were established patients with the respective clinics. Participants completed a 77-item questionnaire, of which 28 items covered their knowledge of osteoporosis and its risk factors. The answers were dichotomized to “know” or “don9t know,” and respondents were given 1 point for each correct answer and 0 points for incorrect or “don9t know” answers. An osteoporosis knowledge score was calculated. Results Preliminary results from the first six sites and 137 cases are presented. Fifty-four percent of women were African American and 44% were white. The mean age of the sample was 74.5 (SD 6.35), and the mean knowledge score was 15.6 (SD 6.45). Patients who were educated by their doctor about protecting their bones (p = .0072) or who were diagnosed with osteoporosis (p = .0138) had higher knowledge scores. Higher knowledge score was associated with osteoporosis prevention behaviors, such as increased exercise frequency (p = .007) and taking calcium supplements (p = .0004). There was no association between osteoporosis knowledge scores and smoking cessation, reduced caffeine consumption, or DEXA scan screening rates (p > .05). Conclusion Osteoporosis knowledge is associated with some prevention behaviors. The more addictive behaviors appear more difficult to curtail. Nevertheless, interventions that involve doctors and other educational providers could potentially improve behaviors that lead to fracture prevention.
Development and in vitro evaluation of an abuse-deterrent formulation based on a crosslinked starch derivative

Abstract An innovative abuse-deterrent composition was developed to deter the most dangerous route of drug abuse, the intravenous route. The composition is based on a crosslinked sodium starch glycolate (X-SSG) that can effectively complex with cationic drugs in aqueous solutions and minimize the amount of the free drug available for extraction. Furthermore, the crosslinked polymer swells in and entraps a portion of the drug solution by which it reduces the available volume for syringing and subsequent injection. Two deterrent compositions were prepared, a drug-polymer physical blend and a drug-polymer chemical complex. The composition in its complexed form showed greater deterrence capacity than the physical blend except in solvents with ionic moieties, where the deterrence remained almost the same. The studies revealed that the complexation with the drug played a major role in total drug entrapment. Tablets prepared from the drug-polymer complex showed a complete and immediate drug release in 0.1 N HCl within the first 15 min. Moreover, the dissolution studies in the simulated intestinal media ruled out the re-complexation potential between the drug and the polymer. The proposed X-SSG composition provides a desirable drug release in the gastric and intestinal media under the legitimate use while deterring an intravenous abuse.
Too Much Technology (?): Pre-service Teachers' Perceptions, Concerns, and Interest in CS Education

The purpose of this presentation is to report K-5 pre-service teachers' perceptions, concerns, and interest in computer science (CS) education. To help pre-service teachers prepare for the new Alabama technology Standards, CS education activities and resources were integrated into a stand-alone technology integration course. A total of 68 pre-service teachers majoring in early childhood and elementary education participated in the study. Before CS lessons, participants completed a pre-survey examining their perceptions and interest in teaching CS in their future classrooms. During classes, participants were introduced various CS resources including CS Unplugged, code.org, Ozobot, and Scratch. Participants were asked to create a story using Scratch and reflect on their programming experiences. A post-survey including questions similar to the pre-survey was distributed at the end of the course. The analysis of pre-survey presented that while participants shared positive views on teaching CS, they had concerns about too much emphasis on technology in K-5 classrooms. About 27% of participants disagreed with teaching CS in their future classrooms due to their concerns of excessive technology reliance. Over 36% of participants shared a lack of confidence in teaching CS before they learned CS lessons. The analysis of post-survey and reflections revealed that class activities helped participants develop positive perspectives on CS education and boost their confidence in teaching CS. While participants shared increased interest and confidence in teaching CS, the findings showed that only 17% of participants felt very confident in teaching CS, suggesting a need to provide additional trainings to help future teachers' CS teaching.
Pharmacogenomics in pregnancy.

Abstract Pregnant women frequently take prescription and over the counter medications. The efficacy of medications is affected by the many physiological changes during pregnancy, and these events may be further impacted by genetic factors. Research on pharmacogenomic and pharmacokinetic influences on drug disposition during pregnancy has lagged behind other fields. Clinical investigators have demonstrated altered activity of several drug metabolizing enzymes during pregnancy. Emerging evidence also supports the influence of pharmacogenomic variability in drug response for many important classes of drugs commonly used in pregnancy. Prescribing medications during pregnancy requires an understanding of the substantial dynamic physiologic and metabolic changes that occur during gestation. Pharmacogenomics also contributes to the inter-individual variability in response to many medications, and more research is needed to understand how best to manage drug therapy in pregnant women.
Comparison of DEKA Arm and Body-Powered Upper Limb Prosthesis Joint Kinematics.

Abstract Objectives To study the effects of advancements in upper-limb prosthesis technology on the user through biomechanical analyses at the joint level to quantitatively examine movement differences of individuals using an advanced upper-limb device, the DEKA Arm, and a conventional device, a body-powered Hosmer hook. Design Clinical measurement. Setting Laboratories at the United States Food and Drug Administration. Participants Convenience sample of participants (N=14) with no upper limb disability or impairment. Interventions All participants were trained on either an upper limb body-powered (n=6) or DEKA Arm (n=8) bypass device. Main Outcome Measures Participants completed the Jebsen-Taylor Hand Function Test (JHFT) and targeted Box and Blocks Test within a motion capture framework. Task completion times and joint angle trajectories for each degree of freedom of the right elbow, right shoulder, and torso were collected and analyzed for range of motion, mean angle, maximum angle, and angle path length during each task. Results Significant differences between devices were observed across metrics in at least one task for each degree of freedom. Completion times were significantly higher for DEKA users (eg, 30.51±19.29s vs 9.30±1.44s) for JHFT–simulated feeding. Some kinematic measures, such as angle path length, were significantly lower in DEKA users, with the greatest difference in the right elbow flexion path length during JHFT–Page Turning (0.29±0.14 units vs 0.11±0.04 units). Conclusions Results from this work elucidate the effect of the device on the user’s movement approach and performance, as well as emphasizing the importance of capturing movement quality into the assessment of function for advanced prosthetic technology to fully understand and evaluate potential benefits.
Facing the Planetary: Entangled Humanism and The Politics of Swarming

William Connolly (2017). Facing the Planetary: Entangled Humanism and The Politics of Swarming, Duke University Press, 240 pp., $25.95 paperback (ISBN 978-0822363415). This review examines the major concepts and contributions of William Connolly’s Facing the Planetary: Entangled Humanism and The Politics of Swarming. This book explores Connolly’s understanding of human impacts on the earth, the interdependence of all species, and how to improve social movements concerning environmental issues. After clarifying the book’s main arguments, this review discusses the effectiveness of Connolly’s writing and whether the issues are presented in a manner that allows for a deeper understanding of environmental politics in the 21st century.
Coping in a Group of Expectant Adolescent Fathers

Adolescents represent a special subgroup of fathers who risk having parenting difficulties because of several situational and developmental factors.1 Few studies have explored these factors in a group of expectant adolescent fathers. Although research has begun on the special needs and concerns of these young men,2–5 few, if any, studies have been concerned with how adolescent fathers deal with the transition to parenthood. Since a significant number of these young fathers continue to be involved with their children,6 investigations into how they cope with this new role are needed.
An overview of the tumors affecting the spine-inside to out

Spine tumors may arise within or surrounding the spinal cord and/or vertebral column. Spinal tumors can be benign or malignant. Based on their epicenter, they may be classified as intradural-intramedullary, intradural-extramedullary, or extradural. Of these, extradural lesions are the most common, and are typically metastatic. Primary bone tumors of the spinal column comprise 5% of all primary skeletal tumors. The majority of primary spinal column tumors are benign, with malignant tumors comprising only 20%. Overall, spine metastases are the most common malignant spine tumor, and these usually arise from primaries such as lung, breast, and prostate cancers. The advent of improved systemic therapies leading to improved survival and the frequent use of imaging has positioned metastatic spine disease as the new epidemic in oncology. For spine tumors, establishing the correct diagnosis is heavily reliant on magnetic resonance imaging and histological confirmation. In this review, we will provide an overview of the epidemiology, radiological and histopathological features, and the natural history of key primary (benign and malignant) spinal cord and column tumors and metastatic spine tumors. Treatment principles for primary spinal cord or column tumors are aimed toward curative resection, whereas palliative resection forms the treatment principle for most metastatic tumors.
Neurofeedback as an Intervention to Improve Reading Achievement in Students with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Inattentive Subtype

Author(s): La Marca, Jeffry P; O'Connor, Rollanda E | Abstract: Research consistently demonstrates that attention deficits have a deleterious effect on academic achievement. Impairments in attention, and not hyperactivity/impulsivity, are associated with learning difficulties and academic problems in students with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). To date, most studies have focused on symptoms of hyperactivity/impulsivity, with little research being conducted on interventions for students with ADHD, inattentive subtype. This study examines the use of neurofeedback as an intervention to improve reading achievement in a public school setting. A multiple-baseline-across-participants single-case model was used to assess five fourth-grade students who received 40 daily sessions of neurofeedback. Following the intervention, improvements were observed on objective measures of attention: a continuous performance test (Integrated Visual and Auditory Continuous Performance Test [IVA+Plus]) and/or a testof shifting attention (CNS Vital Signs, Shifting Attention Test [CNS-VS, SAT]). Results on tests of reading fluency revealed little change, although participants demonstrated gains on a measure of reading comprehension (Gray Oral Reading Tests–Fifth Edition [GORT-5]). Results suggest that neurofeedback helped participants to become more accurately engaged with the text with more focused attention to content. Thus, neurofeedback may be a viable option to assist children with attention deficits for improving both attention and reading achievement.
Insights on SARS-CoV-2's Mutations for Evading Human Antibodies: Sacrifice and Survival

Recent mutations on the receptor binding domain (RBD) of the SARS-CoV-2s spike protein have been manifested as the major cause of the wide and rapid spread of the virus. Especially, the variant B.1.351 in South Africa with the hallmark of triple mutations (N501Y, K417N and E484K) is worrisome. Quickly after the outbreak of this new variant, several studies showed that both N501Y and E484K can enhance the binding between RBD and the human ACE2 receptor. However, the mutation K417N seems to be unfavorable because it removes one interfacial salt-bridge. So far, it is still not well understood why the K417N mutation is selected in the viral evolution. Here, we show that despite the loss in the binding affinity (1.48 kcal/mol) between RBD and ACE2 the K417N mutation abolishes a buried interfacial salt-bridge between RBD and the neutralizing antibody CB6 and thus substantially reduces their binding energy by 9.59 kcal/mol, facilitating the variants to efficiently elude CB6 (as well as many other antibodies). Thus, when proliferating from person to person the virus might have adapted to the human immune system through evasive mutations. Taking into account limited and relevant experimental works in the field, we show that our theoretical predictions are consistent with existing experimental findings. By harnessing the revealed molecular mechanism for variants, it becomes feasible to redesign therapeutic antibodies accordingly to make them more efficacious. O_FIG O_LINKSMALLFIG WIDTH=200 HEIGHT=118 SRC="FIGDIR/small/430088v1_ufig1.gif" ALT="Figure 1"> View larger version (52K): org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@1ce030eorg.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@2a9f85org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@4f1265org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@140c0be_HPS_FORMAT_FIGEXP M_FIG C_FIG
The Cardboard Boxes

During World War I, the British sent many care packages — including the famous "Prince Mary Christmas gift" tins — to those serving in the war. But sending such things to spies and other secret agents would have been too risky. This paper suggests an alternative means of sending good wishes that the British might have employed for those in secretive service.
Attacker Dispersal Surface in the Turret Defense Differential Game

Abstract The characteristics for the solution to the Turret Defense Differential Game are explored over the parameter space. We collapse the five natural parameters of capture radius, attacker speed, turret turn rate, time penalty constant, and look-angle penalty constant into two composite parameters in order to facilitate the analysis. There exist three singular surfaces in the game, two of which have an analytic form, and one which can only be obtained numerically. We focus on the latter: the Attacker Dispersal Surface, wherein the attacker can choose between an indirect or direct route to capture. For certain parameter settings, the Attacker Dispersal Surface is present, while for others, the surface is absent. These regions in the parameter space are identified, and the numerical procedures to do so are detailed. Backwards shooting of the optimal state and adjoint dynamics features prominently in the procedures. Two pieces of numerical evidence are utilized to indicate the presence or absence of the Attacker Dispersal Surface.
Symbolism and Statuary in the Context of Historically Exclusionary Institutions (Presentation Slides)

Overview • Why am I interested in this topic? • History of Memorials, Key Organizations, and Manufacturers • The University of Texas as a Case Study in Neo-Confederate Memorials • The Current Context and Present Day Concerns • Questions to Ask about Confederate Memorials • An Exemplar? The Davis Statue at the Briscoe Center for American History • Closing and Dialogue
Team Scaffolds: How Mesolevel Structures Enable Role-Based Coordination in Temporary Groups

This paper shows how mesolevel structures support effective coordination in temporary groups. Prior research on coordination in temporary groups describes how roles encode individual responsibilities so that coordination between relative strangers is possible. We extend this research by introducing key tenets from team effectiveness research to theorize when role-based coordination might be more or less effective. We develop these ideas in a multimethod study of a hospital emergency department ED redesign. Before the redesign, people coordinated in ad hoc groupings, which provided flexibility because any nurse could work with any doctor, but these groupings were limited in effectiveness because people were not accountable to each other for progress, did not have shared understanding of their work, and faced interpersonal risks when reaching out to other roles. The redesign introduced new mesolevel structures that bounded a set of roles rather than a set of specific individuals, as in a team and gave them collective responsibility for a whole task. We conceptualized the mesolevel structures as team scaffolds and found that they embodied the logic of both role and team structures. The team scaffolds enabled small-group interactions to take the form of an actual team process with team-level prioritizing, updating, and helping, based on newfound accountability, overlapping representations of work, and belonging-despite the lack of stable team composition. Quantitative data revealed changes to the coordination patterns in the ED captured through a two-mode network after the team scaffolds were implemented and showed a 40% improvement in patient throughput time.
PROBLEMS OF DIFFERENTIATION OF THE POETIC "PESENKA" GENRE AND THE SPECIFICS OF ITS RECONSTRUCTION BY MEANS OF THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE (BASED ON B. OKUDZHAVA’S POETRY)

Основополагающими задачами исследования явилось изучение жанрообразующих критериев песенки, рассмотрение отдельных стихотворений Б. Окуджавы, относящихся к данному жанру, на предмет соответствия обозначенным авторами критериям. В статье также проводится всесторонний компаративный лингвостилистический анализ «Песенки веселого солдата» Б. Окуджавы и семи ее англоязычных версий. Авторы исследования приходят к выводу, что в отличие от самого оригинала, который отвечает всем критериям жанра песенки в полном объеме, англоязычные варианты исходного текста претерпели значительные изменения в ходе перевода, что привело к потере ключевых жанрообразующих элементов. На практике результаты исследования можно использовать при критическом анализе и выявлении адекватных иноязычных воплощений текстов жанра песенки.