cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
“Merging Yoga and Occupational Therapy (MY-OT): A feasibility and pilot study”

Abstract Objective To examine the feasibility and benefits of the Merging Yoga and Occupational Therapy (MY-OT) intervention. Design This is the primary analysis of a non-controlled pretest-posttest pilot study to understand the feasibility and impact of MY-OT on balance, balance self-efficacy, and fall risk factor management in people with chronic stroke. Setting University research laboratory. Participants People with chronic stroke were included in the study if they: had sustained a fall or had fear of falling, were able to stand, and hand impaired balance and were at risk for falls (≤46 on the Berg Balance Scale (BBS)). Interventions Individuals completed an 8 week intervention that included 16 sessions of both yoga and group occupational therapy (OT). Yoga included physical postures, breathing exercises, and meditation. OT focused on post-stroke fall risk factor management. Main outcome measures The BBS was used to assess balance, the Activities-specific Balance Confidence Scale (ABC) was used to measure balance self-efficacy. Five fall risk factor management scales were used. Results Overall, the intervention was considered feasible, as individuals were able to safely complete the intervention with little attrition and high attendance. Balance improved by 30% (p=0.002). Balance self-efficacy improved by 15% (p=0.034). Each of the five fall risk factor management scales improved, but only two significantly improved (Fall Prevention and Management Questionnaire, 29%, p=0.004 and Fall Prevention Strategy Survey, 42%, p=0.032). Conclusion The results demonstrate that MY-OT is a potential intervention to improve multiple fall related outcomes for people with stroke. Therapists may consider these interventions for people with stroke, but additional research is warranted.
Acoustic Radiation Force-based model-free viscoelastic characterization: Comparison study

Viscoelasticity can be quantified in a model-independent manner with ultrasound-based methods such as Acoustic Radiation Force Induced Creep-Recovery (ARFICR) and Attenuation Measuring Ultrasound Shearwave Elastography (AMUSE). The extent of viscoelastic characterization with ARFICR and AMUSE have not been evaluated. In this study, finite element method (FEM) simulations and tissue mimicking phantoms are used to validate and characterize the extent of viscoelastic quantification with ARFICR and AMUSE methods. The results suggest that ARFICR and AMUSE can measure material viscoelastic properties reliably in materials with dynamic viscosity of 0.5 Pa·s and greater. Moreover, the results showed a frequency-dependent storage modulus and dynamic viscosity in tissue mimicking phantoms.
TLM: a trench leakage monitor for a four megabit DRAM technology

An array of substrate-plate trench-capacitor dynamic random access memory (DRAM) cells is used for quantification of parasitic leakage mechanisms, silicon defects, and device parametrics. Parasitic devices aid process characterization, parametric cross-correlations, and technology/device design-point evaluation. Used in conjunction with a functional monitor, the trench leakage monitor, is found to be a valuable semiconductor process-development vehicle to achieve functionality and cell-retention yield for a 4-Mb DRAM CMOS technology. >
7th Edition AJCC/UICC Staging: Esophagus and Esophagogastric Junction

The concept of TNM cancer staging describing the anatomic extent of a cancer was developed by Pierre Denoix at the Cancer Institute Gustave-Roussy between 1943 and 1952. It is based on the principle that as size of an untreated primary cancer (T) increases, regional lymph node metastases (N) and then distant metastases (M) become more prevalent. Although introduced in 1953, it was not until 1968 that the first Cancer Staging Manual was published by the International Union Against Cancer (UICC).
Data analysis of step-stress accelerated life tests with heterogeneous group effects

ABSTRACTStep-Stress Accelerated Life Testing (SSALT) is a special type of experiment that tests a product′s lifetime with time-varying stress levels. Typical testing protocols deployed in SSALTs cannot implement complete randomization of experiments; instead, they often result in grouped structures of experimental units and, thus, correlated observations. In this article, we propose a Generalized Linear Mixed Model (GLMM) approach to take into account the random group effect in SSALT. Failure times are assumed to be exponentially distributed under any stress level. Two parameter estimation methods, Adaptive Gaussian Quadrature (AGQ) and Integrated Nested Laplace Approximation (INLA), are introduced. A simulation study is conducted to compare the proposed random effect model with the traditional model, which pools data groups together, and with the fixed effect model. We also compare AGQ and INLA with different priors for parameter estimation. Results show that the proposed model can validate the existence...
A Recognition cone perceptual system: brief test results

This paper presents some preliminary test results of a "recognition cone" vision system. (See 1-3 for fuller descriptions). A recognition cone uses a parallel-serial layered architecture that successively reduces the image as each layer processes it. Each layer contains a set of probabilistic "transforms" that combine diverse sources of contextually related information. Each transform looks at specified regions of the array and, if the combined weights of information found exceed the transform's threshold, then the transform implies a set of names and transforms to apply.
New Paradigms for Real-Time Database Systems

Abstract Real-time database systems (RTDBS) are database systems in which transactions have timing constraints such as deadlines. Paradigms used in conventional database systems are not suitable for real-time database systems. In this paper, we present an optimistic concurrency control algorithm for real-time tran-saction scheduling and a new parallel processing paradigm for real-time database operations.
Photothermal Mirror Method for the Study of Thermal Diffusivity and Thermo-Elastic Properties of Opaque Solid Materials

We have carried out the theoretical and experimental time evolution and amplitude study of the photothermal mirror signal generated by focusing a laser beam on the surface of a suite of solid samples. Based on a theoretical model that resolves the thermal diffusivity equation and the equation for thermo-elastic deformations simultaneously, we have calculated the transient time evolution and amplitude of the signal. We observe the same time evolution pattern for samples as diverse as glass, quartz, metals, and synthetic ceramic oxides. The data have yielded a linear dependence between the time build-up of the thermal mirror and the inverse of the thermal diffusivity for all the samples. For moderate power levels, we also observe a linear behavior between the stationary value of the signal and the thermally induced phase shift value. From the calibration curves, we have determined the thermally induced phase and the thermal diffusivity coefficients of two prospective nuclear reactor control rod materials, dysprosium titanate ( $$\hbox {Dy}_{2}\hbox {TiO}_{5}$$ ) and dysprosium dititanate ( $$\hbox {Dy}_{2}\hbox {Ti}_{2}\hbox {O}_{7}$$ ) to be $$D = (7.0 \pm 0.4) \times 10^{-7} \mathrm{m^{2}\cdot s^{-1}}$$ .
Aorto-Right Ventricular Shunt after TAVR: Rare Complication of Common Procedure.

Background. The primary treatment of symptomatic aortic stenosis is aortic valve replacement. Instead of open chest surgery, transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is an alternative intervention for high-risk surgical candidates. Clinical Case. A 92-year-old male presented with progressive exertional dyspnea and recurrent syncopal attacks secondary to severe AS. The patient underwent successful transfemoral TAVR with 29 mm Edwards SAPIEN XT valve. His postoperative course was complicated by aorto-right ventricular shunt. The patient’s clinical course was followed up for one year. Conclusion. This case reports the incidence and clinical course of one of the rare complications of TAVR, aorto-right ventricular fistula. Conservative medical management is appropriate in hemodynamically stable patients with this specific complication.
Raman Scattering Study of Lattice Vibrations in the Type-II Superlattice InAs/InAs1-xSbx

InAs/In(As,Sb) type-II superlattices are of increasing interest for their practical advantages in device applications, particularly IR detection. This comparative study of highest-quality superlattices grown by different techniques and groups establishes the utility of Raman spectroscopy as an efficient, nondestructive technique for characterizing these systems. It also provides a unified understanding of the mechanism of the appearance of forbidden optical-phonon modes in four quite different categories of superlattices, and even bulk alloys with unintended structural modulations.
Arthroscopically assisted meniscal allograft transplantation with and without combined anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction

The menisci provide a vital role in load transmission across the knee joint as well as contribute to knee stability, particularly in the ACL-deficient knee. Loss of the meniscus, in part or in total, significantly alters joint function and predisposes the articular cartilage to degenerative changes, which has been well documented both clinically and radiographically. This study examined clinical and patient-reported outcomes following meniscal allograft transplantation with and without combined ACL reconstruction in a select group of 31 patients with complaints of pain and/or instability (34 meniscal allografts); 11 underwent isolated meniscal transplantation and 20 meniscal transplantation combined with ACL reconstruction. Bony fixation was performed with bone plugs for medial transplants and using a bone bridge for lateral transplants. All patients completed several knee-specific and general measures of health-related quality of life and underwent a comprehensive physical examination. Flexion weightbearing PA radiographs at latest follow-up were compared to those obtained preoperatively. Mean follow-up was 2.9 years (range 2–5.5 years). The Activities of Daily Living and Sports Activities Scale scores were 86±11 and 78±16, respectively, and the average Lysholm score was 84±14. There were no significant differences in these scores based upon which meniscus (medial or lateral) was transplanted, concurrent ACL reconstruction, or the degree of chondrosis at arthroscopy. SF-36 scores indicated that patients were functioning at a level similar to the age- and sex-matched population. Twenty-two patients stated they were greatly improved, 8 were somewhat improved, 1 was without change. All but one patient reported that knee function and level of activity were normal or nearly normal. The average loss of motion compared to the noninvolved side was 3° for extension and 9° for flexion. All but one patient had a negative or 1+ Lachman's test. The remaining patient had a 2+ Lachman's test. Assessment with the KT-1000 arthrometer revealed a side-to-side difference of 2 mm (range −2 mm to 7 mm). Average hop and vertical jump indices were both 85% of the contralateral extremity. No statistically significant joint space narrowing was observed by radiography over time. Meniscal allograft transplantation with and without combined ACL reconstruction in carefully selected patients with complaints of compartmental joint line pain and/or instability appears able to provide relief of symptoms and restore relatively high levels of function, particularly during activities of daily living.
The Changing Face of HIV-Associated Cognitive and Neuropsychiatric Disturbance

In this chapter, I have considered the neuropsychology of HIV from a historical perspective, reviewing the cognitive and neuropsychiatric disturbances that were first described prior to the availability of antiretroviral treatments through some of the major developments in the field to the present. This will be followed by discussion of some of the major factors that influence the neuropsychological symptoms of HIV, as well as how the cognitive and behavioral effects of the illness relate to associated brain changes. The chapter concludes with discussion of some potentially important considerations for the future.
TRITIUM BREEDING AND DIRECT ENERGY CONVERSION.

Tritium breeding and direct energy conversion are key technological problems in the development of practical fusion reactors. Lithium in some form is needed for tritium generation, but certain chemical problems must be overcome. Alternatives to lithium metal should be considered. Better methods must be developed for efficiently recovering the tritium and safely disposing of the unwanted byproducts. Separation of the fusion fuel and waste products will be especially challenging for mirror machines with direct energy conversion. Hopefully, in the long run, these machines will employ the DHe3 fuel cycle, but this will impose additional demands for efficient helium isotope separation and, possibly, tritium storage in some manner that allows for recovery of the He3 decay product.
Updated Generation IV Reactors Integrated Materials Technology Program Plan, Revision 2

The Department of Energy's (DOE's) Generation IV Nuclear Energy Systems Program will address the research and development (R&D) necessary to support next-generation nuclear energy systems. Such R&D will be guided by the technology roadmap developed for the Generation IV International Forum (GIF) over two years with the participation of over 100 experts from the GIF countries. The roadmap evaluated over 100 future systems proposed by researchers around the world. The scope of the R&D described in the roadmap covers the six most promising Generation IV systems. The effort ended in December 2002 with the issue of the final Generation IV Technology Roadmap [1.1]. The six most promising systems identified for next generation nuclear energy are described within the roadmap. Two employ a thermal neutron spectrum with coolants and temperatures that enable hydrogen or electricity production with high efficiency (the Supercritical Water Reactor - SCWR and the Very High Temperature Reactor - VHTR). Three employ a fast neutron spectrum to enable more effective management of actinides through recycling of most components in the discharged fuel (the Gas-cooled Fast Reactor - GFR, the Lead-cooled Fast Reactor - LFR, and the Sodium-cooled Fast Reactor - SFR). The Molten Salt Reactor (MSR) employs a circulating liquid fuel mixture that offers considerable flexibility for recycling actinides, and may provide an alternative to accelerator-driven systems. A few major technologies have been recognized by DOE as necessary to enable the deployment of the next generation of advanced nuclear reactors, including the development and qualification of the structural materials needed to ensure their safe and reliable operation. Accordingly, DOE has identified materials as one of the focus areas for Gen IV technology development.
The Evolution of Hearing in the Mammals

Of the many successful adaptations that characterize the living mammals and give them an advantage over ancestral forms, perhaps few are as distinctive as their sense of hearing. Although parallel developments have occurred in the living birds and in one or two of the modern reptilian orders, to some extent, in the mammals as a group, the diversity and complexity in auditory form and function, the range of hearing, and the discriminative acuity for the various parameters of acoustic signals surpasses that seen in other animals (Masterton, Heffner, and Ravizza 1969, Stebbins 1975, 1978). Clearly, in the course of mammalian evolution there have been important changes in other sensory systems such as olfaction and vision, but by comparison, the changes that have occurred in hearing have been perhaps the most dramatic. From premammalian ears, which probably functioned as substrate vibration detectors or, at best, receptors of low frequency aerial sound, have evolved such successful adaptations as the high frequency echoranging of the bats and cetacea, the almost uncanny sensitivity of the felids, and the discriminative acuity of the primates for minute changes in the amplitude and spectral composition of the acoustic waveform. It was these developments in the primates that made possible the effective resolution of one of the more complex of all periodic waveforms—human language.
MECHANISMS OF ALTERED REACTIVITY IN THE CEREBRAL MICROCIRCULATION

Complete removal of the endothelium by mechanical or chemical means is the preferred method for demonstrating endothelium-dependent responses in large vessels. Attempts to apply this technique to cerebral microvessels have not been fruitful because these vessels are thin-walled and the removal of the endothelium usually resulted in damage to the vascular smooth muscle with consequent generalized depression of all responses (Dacey and Bassett, 1987). fHowever, convincing evidence for the presence of endothelium-dependent relaxation in cerebral arterioles was obtained by selective damage to the endothelium using photochemical techniques (Rosenblum,1986; Rosenblum et al, 1987a; Rosenblum et al, 1987b). These methods rely on the intravascular administration of a dye coupled with radiation of selected vessels with ultraviolet or laser light. The dye absorbs the light and generates heat or reactive oxygen species which damage the endothelium. By appropriate selection of the duration of radiation and its intensity, the injury can be limited to the endothelium and platelet aggregation is avoided. Under these conditions there is minimal histologically demonstrable injury to the endothelium (Povlishock et al, 1983, Rosenblum et al, 1987b). In these irradiated vessels, the vasodilation from topical acetylcholine, bradykinin or the calcium ionophore A23187 is either eliminated or converted to vasoconstriction. Agents which induce dilation by acting directly on the vascular smooth muscle, like nitroprusside and papaverine, are unaffected.
Self-Disclosure in Psychotherapy and the Psychology of the Self

A chapter on the psychology of the self is particularly apropos in a book on the role of self-disclosure in psychotherapy, for how better to grasp the nature of the self that is disclosed in the act of self-disclosure than through the insights of a school of thought devoted to the systematic study of the self? Self-disclosure in psychotherapy will be examined in the light of three interrelated ideas: (1) the concept of the self as a psychological structure through which self-experience assumes its characteristic quality and enduring organization, (2) the relationship between the experiential sense of self and the verbal sense of self, and (3) the intersubjective nature of self-experience. It will be proposed that the essential process of self-disclosure in psychotherapy occurs prereflectively and at a nonverbal level and is expressed in the enduring emotional ambience in which treatment transpires. The ambience of treatment is a product of the therapeutic dyad’s unique manner of being with and handling each other over an extended period of time. Each member of the therapeutic dyad brings to the encounter his or her individualistic somato-affective presence through which each discloses some private essence of personal selfhood. Such a disclosure of self is a fundamentally intersubjective process dependent upon a capacity to evoke, register, and assimilate the self that the other is attempting to disclose.
Performance of protection relays during stable and unstable power swings

Power swings and loss of synchronism are complex events which occur during severe system disturbances. Many protection functions may respond during such events, but not always in an intended, expected, or coordinated manner. This paper aims to present an overview of the scenarios which give rise to power swings, how protection devices response, and how the implementation of protection algorithms by different manufacturers can cause similar relays functions to react in different ways.
Insights into the evolution and drug susceptibility of Babesia duncani from the sequence of its mitochondrial and apicoplast genomes.

Abstract Babesia microti and Babesia duncani are the main causative agents of human babesiosis in the United States. While significant knowledge about B. microti has been gained over the past few years, nothing is known about B. duncani biology, pathogenesis, mode of transmission or sensitivity to currently recommended therapies. Studies in immunocompetent wild type mice and hamsters have shown that unlike B. microti, infection with B. duncani results in severe pathology and ultimately death. The parasite factors involved in B. duncani virulence remain unknown. Here we report the first known completed sequence and annotation of the apicoplast and mitochondrial genomes of B. duncani. We found that the apicoplast genome of this parasite consists of a 34 kb monocistronic circular molecule encoding functions that are important for apicoplast gene transcription as well as translation and maturation of the organelle’s proteins. The mitochondrial genome of B. duncani consists of a 5.9 kb monocistronic linear molecule with two inverted repeats of 48 bp at both ends. Using the conserved cytochrome b (Cytb) and cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (coxI) proteins encoded by the mitochondrial genome, phylogenetic analysis revealed that B. duncani defines a new lineage among apicomplexan parasites distinct from B. microti, Babesia bovis, Theileria spp. and Plasmodium spp. Annotation of the apicoplast and mitochondrial genomes of B. duncani identified targets for development of effective therapies. Our studies set the stage for evaluation of the efficacy of these drugs alone or in combination against B. duncani in culture as well as in animal models.
Radio-Frequency Waveform Synthesis with the Josephson Arbitrary Waveform Synthesizer

We have measured the output power versus synthesis frequency (transfer function), up to 100 MHz, of a modified Josephson arbitrary waveform synthesizer. A $50\ \Omega$ resistor was integrated within the Josephson junction array circuit to match the nominally zero array impedance to a $50\ \Omega$ transmission line and load. The resistor significantly reduces ripple in the transfer function due to reflections from impedance mismatches, but it reduces the output voltage by a factor of two. The measured power is constant within 0.01 dB up to 10 MHz, above which it deviates by no more than 0.15 dB.
Quantum tunneling in low-dimensional semiconductors mediated by virtual photons

Quantum tunneling, a phenomenon that has no counterpart in classical physics, is the quantum-mechanical process by which a microscopic particle can transition through a potential barrier even when the energy of the incident particle is lower than the height of the potential barrier. In this work, a mechanism based on electron/hole annihilation and creation with the participation of virtual photons is proposed as an alternative to explain quantum tunneling processes in semiconductors. Finally, tunneling times are discussed within the proposed framework.
Charge Transport in Imidazolium-Based Homo- and Triblock Poly(ionic liquid)s

Ion dynamics in a series of imidazolium-based triblock copolymers (triblock co-PILs) are investigated using broadband dielectric spectroscopy (BDS) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and compared to their homopolymer counterparts (homo-PILs). Two calorimetric glass transition temperatures (Tg) are observed corresponding to the charged poly(ionic liquid) (PIL) blocks and noncharged polystyrene (PS) blocks. Varying the counterion from Br– to NTf2– decreases the Tg of the charged block by over 50 °C, thereby increasing the room-temperature ionic dc conductivity by over 6 orders of magnitude. Interestingly, for a given anion, varying the volume fraction of the charged block, from ∼0.5 to ∼0.8, has very minimal effect on the dc ionic conductivity, indicating that the choice of counterion is the key factor influencing charge transport in these systems.
Modeling the Magnetic Field Radiated from a Ferrite Rod Antenna for Mining Proximity Detection Systems

Magnetic Proximity Detection Systems (PDSs) are widely used in the mining industry for protecting mine workers from striking and pinning injuries when they work in close proximity to heavy machines such as Continuous Mining Machines (CMMs) and mobile haulage equipment. Researchers at the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) have conducted extensive measurement-based studies to investigate the performance of PDSs. To enable further investigation of scenarios for which physical measurements are impractical, a simulation-based approach is needed. In this paper, we present the development and validation of a simulation-based approach in which FEKO is used to model the magnetic field radiated from a ferrite rod antenna used in a commercial PDS. FEKO-based simulation results are compared to both analytical results and physical measurements and show good agreement. In addition, the major factors (including current, frequency, antenna length, antenna radius, number of turns and ferrite permeability) for controlling the magnetic field and thus the performance of a magnetic PDS are analyzed. This paper confirms that FEKO can accurately model the magnetic field radiated from a PDS antenna. The findings of the paper will help researchers and PDS manufacturers to better understand the magnetic field distribution of PDSs and design optimized PDSs that are more robust to underground mining environments.
Who Speaks for (and Feeds) the Community? Competing Definitions of “Community” in the Austin, TX, Urban Farm Debate:

Alternative food supporters claim that food produced outside the corporate system can improve the wellbeing of communities. A closer look at these claims raises the question: How are members of the...
Cauchy independent measures and almost-additivity of analytic capacity

We show that, given a family of discs centered at a chord-arc curve, the analytic capacity of a union of subsets of these discs (one subset in each disc) is comparable with the sum of their analytic capacities. However, we need the discs in question to be separated, and it is not clear whether the separation condition is essential. We apply this result to find families {μj} of measures in ℂ with the following property. If the Cauchy integral operators $${C_{{\mu _j}}}$$ from L2(μj) to itself are bounded uniformly in j, then Cμ, μ = Σμj, is also bounded from L2(μ) to itself.
Exercise Testing in the Management of Arrhythmias

Atrial and ventricular arrhythmias are commonly seen with exercise stress testing (EST); these are almost always nonsustained, and the significance of those findings is, at best, modest. For patients with structurally normal hearts and combinations of isolated and repetitive ventricular ectopy, EST offers some mechanistic data and some marginal long-term prognostic data. Patients with increased ectopy during exercise or immediately post exercise deserve enhanced follow-up.
Self-reported sleep disturbances are associated with poorer cognitive performance in older adults with hypertension: a multi-parameter risk factor investigation.

OBJECTIVES Given the evidence of multi-parameter risk factors in shaping cognitive outcomes in aging, including sleep, inflammation, cardiometabolism, and mood disorders, multidimensional investigations of their impact on cognition are warranted. We sought to determine the extent to which self-reported sleep disturbances, metabolic syndrome (MetS) factors, cellular inflammation, depressive symptomatology, and diminished physical mobility were associated with cognitive impairment and poorer cognitive performance. DESIGN This is a cross-sectional study. SETTING Participants with elevated, well-controlled blood pressure were recruited from the local community for a Tai Chi and healthy-aging intervention study. PARTICIPANTS One hundred forty-five older adults (72.7 ± 7.9 years old; 66% female), 54 (37%) with evidence of cognitive impairment (CI) based on Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) score ≤24, underwent medical, psychological, and mood assessments. MEASUREMENTS CI and cognitive domain performance were assessed using the MoCA. Univariate correlations were computed to determine relationships between risk factors and cognitive outcomes. Bootstrapped logistic regression was used to determine significant predictors of CI risk and linear regression to explore cognitive domains affected by risk factors. RESULTS The CI group were slower on the mobility task, satisfied more MetS criteria, and reported poorer sleep than normocognitive individuals (all p < 0.05). Multivariate logistic regression indicated that sleep disturbances, but no other risk factors, predicted increased risk of evidence of CI (OR = 2.00, 95% CI: 1.26-4.87, 99% CI: 1.08-7.48). Further examination of MoCA cognitive subdomains revealed that sleep disturbances predicted poorer executive function (β = -0.26, 95% CI: -0.51 to -0.06, 99% CI: -0.61 to -0.02), with lesser effects on visuospatial performance (β = -0.20, 95% CI: -0.35 to -0.02, 99% CI: -0.39 to 0.03), and memory (β = -0.29, 95% CI: -0.66 to -0.01, 99% CI: -0.76 to 0.08). CONCLUSIONS Our results indicate that the deleterious impact of self-reported sleep disturbances on cognitive performance was prominent over other risk factors and illustrate the importance of clinician evaluation of sleep in patients with or at risk of diminished cognitive performance. Future, longitudinal studies implementing a comprehensive neuropsychological battery and objective sleep measurement are warranted to further explore these associations.
Exploiting Correlations between Protein Abundance and the Functional Status of saeRS and sarA To Identify Virulence Factors of Potential Importance in the Pathogenesis of Staphylococcus aureus Osteomyelitis

We used a murine model of postsurgical osteomyelitis (OM) to evaluate the relative virulence of the Staphylococcus aureus strain LAC and five isogenic variants that differ in the functional status ...
Subclinical and Overt Newborn Opioid Exposure: Prevalence and First-Year Healthcare Utilization.

Objectives To categorize newborn infants in Hamilton County, Ohio by late pregnancy fetal opioid exposure status and to assess their first-year healthcare utilization. Study design We used a population-based cohort of 41 136 live births from 2014-2017 and analyzed healthcare encounters in the first year of life from electronic health records. We prospectively assessed for the presence of opioids in maternal urine collected at delivery and for a diagnosis of newborn neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS). At birth, infants were classified as unexposed to opioids, exposed to opioids and diagnosed with NAS, or subclinically exposed to opioids (exposure that did not result in NAS). Results The prevalence of newborn opioid exposure was 37 per 1000 births. The duration of the hospital birth encounter was significantly longer for infants with subclinical exposure compared with unexposed infants (10% increase; 95% CI, 7%-13%). However, duration for infants with subclinical exposure was shorter compared to those with NAS. Neither subclinical exposure nor NAS was associated with total emergency department visits. Subclinical exposure was associated with increased odds of having at least 1 hospitalization in the first year. However, the total length of stay for hospitalizations was 82% that of the unexposed group (95% CI, 75%-89%). Infants with NAS had a 213% longer total length of stay compared with the unexposed group (95% CI, 191%-237%). Conclusions Subclinical and overt opioid exposure among newborn infants was associated with increased first-year healthcare utilization. From 2014 to 2017, this cost the Hamilton County healthcare system an estimated $1 109 452 for longer birth encounters alone.
Alternatives to Acid Suppression Treatment for Laryngopharyngeal Reflux.

Objective:Laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) and associated symptoms can be refractory to treatment with acid suppressing medication. We investigated the role and evidence for complementary and alterna...
Individual differences in accumbofrontal tract integrity relate to risky decisions under stress in adolescents and adults

Psychosocial stress increases risky decision-making (DM). It is widely accepted that individual variation in neural phenotypes underlie variability in this behavioral tendency in adults, but is less examined in adolescents. Our goal was to test the hypothesis that the relation between neural phenotypes and stress-related risky DM is better characterized by individual variation than by age. Using diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) tractography to characterize the accumbofrontal tract, we determined if it uniquely moderated how stress affects risky DM, over and above age. A daily diary design monitored participants' daily stress for two weeks. Participants completed a DTI scan and performed a task in which decisions varied by expected value, once each on a day when they endorsed feeling higher (and lower) than usual levels of stress. Multilevel logistic regression analyses revealed that all participants were more likely to take risks as expected reward value increased; this behavior was greater under high versus low stress for individuals with low accumbofrontal tract integrity, whereas DM was less influenced by stress for individuals with high accumbofrontal tract integrity, regardless of age. Results suggest that individual differences in brain structure may be more germane to characterizing risky decisions in adolescents, rather than ontogeny.
Paleomagnetism and 40Ar/39Ar chronology of ignimbrites and lava flows, Central Volcanic Zone, Northern Chile

Abstract New 40Ar/39Ar ages and paleomagnetic data are presented from a wide range of ignimbrites and lava flows from the region east of the Atacama Desert in the northern Chilean part of Central Volcanic Zone of the Andes. Eight dacitic to rhyolitic ignimbrites, 12 lava flows and one shallow intrusion were dated by the 40Ar/39Ar incremental heating method, and are the first 40Ar/39Ar ages reported for these units. Ignimbrites range in age from 4.2 Ma to 0.5 Ma, with the ~100 km3 Puripicar ignimbrite dated at 4.18 ± 0.02 Ma, the ~2500 km3 Atana ignimbrite, one of the largest ignimbrites in the world, at 3.99 ± 0.02 Ma, and the Purico ignimbrite at 0.99 ± 0.03 Ma. The new 40Ar/39Ar ages fall within the uncertainty limits of published K-Ar dates for the Purico, Patao and Puripicar tuffs but are different at the 95% confidence level for Atana and Talabre tuffs. Isochron ages from the 12 lava flows range from 3.5 Ma to 0.1 Ma, with 11 of the flows younger than 2.5 Ma. One lava sample and the shallow intrusion are from the Plio-Pleistocene magnetite-rich El Laco volcanic complex, and give ages of 2.18 ± 0.03 Ma and 1.83 ± 0.09 Ma respectively. Paleomagnetic directions from 49 sites (23 ignimbrites and 26 lava flows) provide a mean direction of I = −43.8°, D = 352.7° with α95 = 10.0°, and a corresponding mean pole position of −81.1° and 179.1°. Normal directions are predominantly from lava flows and have steeper than expected inclinations (ΔI = 15.3°) whereas reverse sites are mostly ignimbrites and yield directions close to the geo-axial dipole field (ΔI = −3.6°). Paleosecular variation studies on a selection of 39 sites yield an angular standard deviation of site poles about the mean pole of 18.5°, considerably larger than predicted by current models of magnetic field variation with latitude.
The effects of ride-hailing services on bus ridership in a medium-sized urban area using micro-level data: Evidence from the Lane Transit District

Abstract Most of the current literature on transportation network companies (TNCs) or ride-hailing services (e.g., Uber, Lyft) has focused on major metropolitan areas, though TNCs are currently extending their services to smaller cities. This point is particularly salient when examining their impacts on alternative transportation modes, such as public transit which operates very differently in small or medium-sized cities (e.g., less frequent services, shorter routes). This study is the first to use micro-level public transit data to examine the effects of Uber on bus ridership in a medium-sized urban area. Uber entered the neighboring cities of Eugene and Springfield, Oregon on July 23, 2014, but abruptly stopped operating on April 5, 2015 after being sued by the City of Eugene. Consequently, this study leverages a natural experiment since the period during which Uber was active is plausibly exogenous to other factors that affect bus ridership. Results show that when Uber operated in treatment cities, bus ridership reduced by 5.4 percent (p
Interpreting SARS-CoV-2 Diagnostic Tests: Common Questions and Answers

SARS-CoV-2 is the novel coronavirus that causes COVID-19. The spectrum of asymptomatic, presymptomatic, and symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 transmission presents challenges for evaluating SARS-CoV-2 test performance for diagnostic or screening purposes and for interpreting test results. Molecular and antigen tests can detect current SARS-CoV-2 infection and are used to diagnose COVID-19. Clinicians should consider a test's characteristics, test timing in relation to symptom onset, and the pretest probability of disease when interpreting results. Molecular and antigen SARS-CoV-2 tests both have high specificity. However, antigen tests generally have lower sensitivity and thus greater potential for false-negative results. Pretest probability of disease should be based on a patient's exposure to someone with a confirmed or probable case, signs or symptoms of COVID-19, local or population-specific COVID-19 prevalence, and presence of an alternative diagnosis. Using a leaf plot is an efficient way to visualize posttest probability of disease based on estimated pretest probability and the test's sensitivity and specificity. A negative molecular or antigen test result might not rule out SARS-CoV-2 infection when pretest probability is high, depending on the test's sensitivity. A symptom-based approach is preferred over a test-based approach for discontinuing isolation precautions for most patients with COVID-19 because prolonged shedding of viral RNA does not necessarily correlate with infectivity. Antibody tests might help identify past SARS-CoV-2 infection if performed two to four weeks after symptom onset; however, because of uncertainty about the extent and durability of postinfection or vaccine-induced immunity, they should not yet be used to infer immunity or guide discontinuation of personal protective measures.
FlowPrior: Learning Expressive Priors for Latent Variable Sentence Models

Variational autoencoders (VAEs) are widely used for latent variable modeling of text. We focus on variations that learn expressive prior distributions over the latent variable. We find that existing training strategies are not effective for learning rich priors, so we propose adding the importance-sampled log marginal likelihood as a second term to the standard VAE objective to help when learning the prior. Doing so improves results for all priors evaluated, including a novel choice for sentence VAEs based on normalizing flows (NF). Priors parameterized with NF are no longer constrained to a specific distribution family, allowing a more flexible way to encode the data distribution. Our model, which we call FlowPrior, shows a substantial improvement in language modeling tasks compared to strong baselines. We demonstrate that FlowPrior learns an expressive prior with analysis and several forms of evaluation involving generation.
Thyroid Cancer: Global Burden and Trends

The incidence of thyroid cancer continues to increase, representing the 5th most common cancer type in the USA today (Sherman, Lancet 361(9356):501–11, 2003). The current study sought to analyze the global burden of thyroid cancer utilizing the publicly accessible GLOBOCAN database. An estimated 586,202 cases of thyroid cancer were reported in 2020, making thyroid cancer the 10th most common cancer worldwide. The majority of thyroid cancer cases occurred in countries with a high or very high Human Development Index (HDI), accounting for 91% of new cases. With respect to the World Health Organization (WHO) regions, the Western Pacific had the highest incidence of thyroid cancer accounting for 47.6% of cases despite representing only 25.4% of the world’s population. Thyroid cancer incidence and mortality are expected to increase by 29.9% and 67%, respectively, by the year 2040. The African region is projected to experience the highest increase in both incidence (84.3%) and mortality (100.3%) over this time period. The results of our study demonstrate that the incidence and mortality of thyroid cancer vary by the geographic location and socio-economic status. Although the incidence was noted to be the highest in very high HDI countries and the Western Pacific region, mortality was noted to be disproportionately higher in the low HDI countries and African region. This may be due to discrepancies in access to care and/or environmental exposures such as ionizing radiation and iodine deficiency. Further measures are required to improve the outcomes from thyroid cancer regardless of the geographic location or socio-economic status.
Energetics of Free-Ranging Seabirds

I have chosen to address three major areas in the energetics of free-ranging adult seabirds: basal metabolism, locomotion, and energy budgets. More information is available on basal metabolism than on the other major areas of this chapter, a reflection both of the type of information most often collected in the past and of the difficulties inherent in working with pelagic birds. Basal metabolism not only provides a baseline and starting point for a discussion on free-ranging energetics, but it also has certain interesting ecological correlates that may help elucidate the energetics of seabirds. One such correlate involves plumage color and has thermoregulatory implications (treated by Lustick in a separate chapter), especially for birds of low (warm) latitudes. Such other correlates of basal metabolism as climate and flight and foraging behaviors are also discussed; these correlates may suggest to readers possible avenues for future research.
Cognitive Psychology of Moral Intuitions

Moral intuitions operate in much the same way as other intuitions do; what makes the moral domain so distinctive is its foundations in the emotions, beliefs, and response tendencies that define indignation. The intuitive system of cognition, System I, is typically responsible for indignation; the more reflective system, System II, may or may not provide an override. Moral dumbfounding and moral numbness are often a product of moral intuitions that people are unable to justify. An understanding of indignation helps to explain the operation of many phenomena of interest to law and politics: the outrage heuristic, the centrality of harm, the role of reference states, moral framing, and the act-omission distinction. Because of the operation of indignation, it is extremely difficult for people to achieve coherence in their moral intuitions. Legal and political institutions usually aspire to be deliberative, and to pay close attention to System II; but even in deliberative institutions, System I can make some compelling demands.
Counterexample guided invariant discovery for parameterized cache coherence verification

We propose a heuristic-based method for discovering inductive invariants in the parameterized verification of safety properties. The promise of the method stems from powerful heuristics we have identified for verifying the cache coherence of directory based protocols. The heuristics are based on syntactic analysis of counterexamples generated during verification, combined with simple static analysis of the predicates involved in the counterexamples to construct and refine inductive invariants. The heuristics were effective in filtering irrelevant predicates as well as keeping the sizes of the generated inductive invariants small. Contributions are: (i) the method is an efficient strategy for discovering inductive invariants for practical verification; (ii) the heuristics scaled smoothly from two small to one large cache coherence protocol (of complexity similar to commercial cache coherence protocols); (iii) the heuristics generate relevant auxiliary invariants which are easily verifiable in few seconds; and (iv) the method does not depend on special verification frameworks and so can be adapted for other verification tools. The case studies include German, FLASH, and a new protocol called German-Ring. The properties verified include mutual exclusion and data consistency.
Auger decay of the photoexcited 2p-1nl Rydberg series in argon

Photoionization of the rare gases has provided a convenient testing ground for atomic many-body theory due to the wealth of experimental measurements available @1‐3#. Among the various methods at the forefront of theoretical photoionization studies are those based on the close-coupling expansion @4#, for instance, the widely used R-matrix method @3,5#. In this approach, the scattering wave function is necessarily expanded in terms of a finite basis. Most photoionization studies using close-coupling methods have focused on outer-shell processes, due to restrictions on the size of the basis set. An excited state with a hole in an inner shell can often decay into an infinite number of open channels via Auger decay, and all of these channels cannot be included within an explicit close-coupling expansion. The purpose of the present study is to treat the resonance region in argon where there is a hole in the 2 p shell. We combine optical potential considerations and multichannel quantum defect theory ~MQDT!, within R-matrix calculations, to overcome the difficulties associated with the infinite number of open channels.
Gradiometer antennas for detection of long subsurface conductors

The use of gradiometer antennas for detection of long conductors in tunnels is analyzed. For reception in vertical boreholes, the gradiometer consists of two vertical magnetic dipoles with a vertical separation. The source is a vertical magnetic dipole located in an adjacent vertical borehole. Both sum and difference responses are useful, but the difference response has the potential advantage of suppressing the primary field and making the scattered field easier to detect. The difference response is most effective in suppressing the primary field for a parallel scan where the transmitting antenna and receiving gradiometer are always at the same height.
Lack of coagulation defect after terminating second-trimester pregnancy by the catheter technique.

Abstract Second-trimester abortion was performed by the extraovular insertion of a Foley catheter in 7 patients. There was no change in any of the parameters of the coagulation system present, in contrast to those which were previously observed in patients after the intrauterine instillation of hypertonic salt. Fibrin monomers became positive and fibrin (ogen) derivatives increased when hypertonic saline was instilled after a failed catheter technique. Based on the negative results with the catheter technique, a second-trimester pregnancy was terminated uneventfully in a patient with idiopathic thrombocytopenia. These data are suggestive that salt is an essential factor for the development of the consumptive coagulopathy during second-trimester abortion. This is supported by experimental animal data which indicate that disseminated intravascular coagulation develops in the rat if an endotoxin infection is followed by an infusion of saline, whereas the infusion of glucose is inert.