cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Tuberculosis Treatment Outcomes and Factors Associated with Each of Them in a Cohort Followed Up between 2010 and 2014.

Tuberculosis treatment has undergone recent changes in Brazil. Objective. To assess whether favorable outcomes on tuberculosis therapy improved in recent years. Methods. Retrospective observational study, based on primary data of tuberculosis patients, followed at INI-FIOCRUZ, from January 2012 to December 2014. Results. The outcomes observed were as follows: cure (80%), default (14%), treatment failure (5%), and death (1%). HIV infection without antiretroviral therapy [OR 0.34 (0.15–0.79)], tuberculosis diagnosis based on sputum smear [OR 0.22 (0.07–0.74)], drug use [OR 0.22 (0.11–0.46)], and/or treatment interruption due to adverse reactions [OR 0.23 (0.08–0.67)] decreased the chance of cure. Predictors of default, that is, use of noninjecting drugs [OR 3.00 (95% CL 1.31–6.88)], treatment interruption due to adverse reactions [OR 6.30 (1.81–21.95)], low schooling [OR 2.59 (2.15–5.82)], higher age [OR 0.44 (0.23–0.82)], and female gender [OR 0.28 (0.11–0.71)], reduced the chance of treatment default. Tuberculosis diagnosis based on sputum smear [OR 7.77 (1.94–31.09)] and/or arterial hypertension [OR 4.07 (1.25–13.18)] was associated with treatment failure. Conclusion. Mortality and default were low considering the prevalence of HIV infection; however cure was not significantly increased.
Food, eating behavior, and self-efficacy.

The main purpose of Ecology of Food and Nutrition (EFN) is to promote scholarly debate and engagement on the holistic and cross-cultural dimensions of the study of food and nutrition. It emphasizes...
11.01 – C–C Bond Formation by Cross-coupling

Cross-coupling reactions have become a powerful synthetic tool enabling the formation of C–C bonds. While from the late 1970s to the early 1990s, research focused mainly on finding new coupling partners, especially organometallic species; research in the last 10 years has turned its focus on the development of more powerful catalysts that allow for milder reaction conditions and unprecedented substrate activations. The most significant cross-coupling reactions and recent catalyst developments and substrate activations are presented in this contribution.
Using Ecological Momentary Assessment to Identify Mechanisms of Change: An Application From a Pharmacotherapy Trial With Adolescent Cannabis Users.

Objective:The present study used youth’s in vivo reports of subjective responses to cannabis while smoking in their natural environments to identify real-world mechanisms of topiramate treatment fo...
The Agency-Last Paradigm: Free Will as Moral Ether

I argue that free will is a nominal construct developed and deployed post hoc in an effort to provide cohesive narratives in support of a priori moral-judgmental dispositions. In a reversal of traditional course, I defend the view that there are no circumstances under which attributions of moral responsibility for an act can, should, or do depend on prior ascriptions of free will. Conversely, I claim that free will belief depends entirely on the apperceived possibility of moral responsibility. Orthodoxy dictates an agency-first thesis, according to which free will is necessarily antecedent to moral responsibility. However, I present a number of arguments against this view, and in favor of an agency-last stance, according to which the concept of free will is dependent upon that of moral responsibility. I provide further support for my case in the form of new empirical evidence regarding the stable mode of inference used to attribute free will across moral contexts. These experimental results can be interpreted to imply the deflation of one of the longest-standing veridical paradoxes in experimental philosophy. Furthermore, the sole conceptual scheme found to be capable of modeling the experimental results is also capable of illuminating several classic works in the analytic philosophy of moral agency.
Riding Walter’s Wake

Young theoretical physicists or chemists nowadays cannot escape Walter Kohn’s influence. Density-functional theory, created by an almost mythical figure occasionally glimpsed by the lucky ones, is everywhere. Those of us roughly contemporaneous with Walter have been even more strongly affected. During our decades-long struggle to understand more deeply the electron theory of atoms, molecules and condensed matter and to convert that understanding into quantitative descriptive tools with predictive power, we found over and over again that it was Walter who led the way, lifting the veils and shaping our subsequent thought. It was certainly true in my case.
Dual Diagnosis of Mental Retardation and Mental Illness

The recent national movement removing the mentally retarded from institutional settings into the community has literally changed the definitions of normal and abnormal behavior in these individuals. Specifically, the impact of deinstitutionalization not only has changed the physical site of service delivery but has also dramatically altered the need for mental health services for the mentally retarded. Behaviors that were traditionally viewed as “expected” in institutionalized retarded citizens are often viewed as abnormal within the mainstream of society.1 For example, the clinical phenomena of rocking, rumination, and head banging are frequent in the institutionalized retarded; within the institutional setting, they are traditionally viewed as “expected” behaviors, and their abnormalities are tolerated. Such behaviors are rarely seen in retarded citizens raised at home. That certain behaviors occur more frequently in certain settings can be explained either by a difference in the individuals in the two settings or by an environment that promotes, allows, or expects such behavior.
Sustainable development and technology

Amongst economists, politicians, environmentalists and others a relatively new phrase has come to the fore, a new cliche´: sustainable development. Its meaning is, however, somewhat obscure, often unique to the speaker. This paper clarifies some of the ideas that surround the concept of sustainable development, the role that technology plays in the ideas and how these concepts can be best put to use in terms of policy. Often the preconceived notions of the authors are imbedded in their idea of sustainable development, sometimes explicitly and othertimes implicitly and, as a result, the policy prescriptions they espouse are also affected. The paper begins with the evolution of the concept of sustainable development, examines economists' decision rules, evaluates the role of the state vis-a`-vis technology and then attempts to ferret out the policy implications. Finally, the paper concludes that sustainability should be a goal of any development plan and should include an explicit technology policy. A range of policy options exists to help pursue these goals, some of which are discussed.
Role of DNA Repair in Mutation and Cancer Production

The somatic mutation theory of carcinogenesis was postulated long before there was knowledge of the molecular structure of genetic material, the physical, chemical and/or biological nature of carcinogens, or the nature of the interaction between cellular DNA and the carcinogenic agents (Boveri, 1929). The concept was originally introduced to account for two of the many observations of neoplastic growth; (a) the unlimited variety of tumor types, and (b) the fact that, after cell division, the daughter cells maintain their neoplastic properties.
Investigations of Hydrocarbon Soluble Difunctional Organolithium Initiators Based upon 1,3-Bis(Phenyl Ethenyl) Benzene

A difunctional anionic initiator that will polymerize vinyl and diene monomers has been an academic as well as a commercial goal in elastomer technology since pioneering work in anionic polymerization was reported 30 years ago [1–9]. The desire to prepare difunctional reactive oligomers as well as to synthesize tri- or multiblock copolymers has been an incentive to conduct this work. One advantage of using a difunctional anionic initiator is that triblock copolymers can be synthesized in two, or possibly only one monomer addition step. Thus, if the center block is prepared first, followed by the subsequent addition of a second monomer, one may prepare the two end blocks concurrently. A second feature relates to functionalization reactions, such as the reaction of the living chain ends with ethylene oxide. With proper conditions, perfectly difunctional linear (f=2.0) hydrocarbon based polyols can be produced. These polydiene oligomers can be used as “soft” segments in chain extended high molecular weight copolymers. In addition, hydrogenation can be conducted which will enhance thermal and oxidative stability. Difunctional initiators also are important where the second monomer is incapable of re-initiating the first monomer (e.g. diene or styrenic-methacrylic systems). Preparation of diene polymers displaying a high 1,4 microstructure has also emphasized the need to avoid, or at least minimize, polar additives, which might otherwise solubilize and enhance reactivity in these systems.
Complexity results for serial decomposability

Korf (1985) presents a method for learning macro-operators and shows that the method is applicable to serially decomposable problems. In this paper I analyze the computational complexity of serial decomposability. Assuming that operators take polynomial time, it is NP-complete. to determine if an operator (or set of operators) is not serially decomposable, whether or not an ordering of state variables is given. In addition to serial decomposability of operators, a serially decomposable problem requires that the set of solvable states is closed under the operators. It is PSPACE-complete to determine if a given "finite state-variable problem" is serially decomposable. In fact, every solvable instance of a PSPACE problem can be converted to a serially decomposable problem. Furthermore, given a bound on the size of the input, every problem in PSPACE can be transformed to a problem that is nearly serially-decomposable, i.e., the problem is serially decomposable except for closure of solvable states or a unique goal state.
Abstract 126: MYC-driven lymphomas suppress NK surveillance by blocking maturation of early NK cells

The MYC oncogene is commonly overexpressed in hematopoietic cancers. In a transgenic mouse model of MYC-induced T-cell lymphoma, we found that there was a systemic reduction in NK cell (CD3- NKp46High) numbers and activation in lymphoid organs such as spleen and bone marrow. MYC inactivation in lymphoma-bearing MYCON mice partially restored NK cell numbers and activation. Hence, the MYC oncogene appears to suppress NK cell-mediated immune surveillance of lymphomas. We evaluated whether reduction in mature and activated NK cells (CD3- NKp46High) in MYCON mice was due to increased death of NK cells in these mice when compared to normal and MYCOFF mice. Using flow cytometry, NK cells were measured in age matched spleens and bone marrows of normal (n = 8), MYCON (n = 8), and MYCOFF (n = 8) mice. Surprisingly, we observed a significant reduction in proportions of dead NK cells (NKp46+ PI+) in spleen and bone marrow of MYCON mice, in comparison to normal and MYCOFF cohorts. Hence, the reduction in activated NK cell numbers during MYC-driven lymphomagenesis does not occur because of increased death of NK cells. Next, we investigated whether MYC arrests early NK cell development in the bone marrow of lymphoma mice, leading to systemic NK suppression. NK cell lineage specification begins with CD122 expression, that is maintained throughout NK development starting at the precursor stage. NK precursors (NKP) transition to immature NK (iNK) cells by expressing the cytotoxicity marker NKp46. iNK cells leave the bone marrow to populate peripheral lymphoid organs. We measured NKP (CD122+ NKP46-), and iNK (CD122+ NKp46+) cells in bone marrow of normal (n = 8), MYCON (n = 8), and MYCOFF (n = 8) mice. We observed no significant changes in the percentages of NKP. However, the proportions of iNK cells were significantly reduced in MYCON mice, in comparison to MYCOFF and normal mice. Our results suggest that MYC may block transition from NKP to iNK stage during early NK cell development. The reduction of iNK cells in spleens of MYCON mice was concordant with the reduction of iNK cells in bone marrow from the same mice. We conclude that MYC-induced lymphomagenesis blocks early NK cell development, thereby suppressing NK-mediated immune surveillance. Citation Format: Line D. Heftdal, Srividya Swaminathan, Dean W. Felsher. MYC-driven lymphomas suppress NK surveillance by blocking maturation of early NK cells [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2018; 2018 Apr 14-18; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2018;78(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 126.
Computational Modeling and Analysis of Murmurs Generated by Modeled Aortic Stenoses.

In this study, coupled hemodynamic-acoustic simulations are employed to study the generation and propagation of murmurs associated with aortic stenoses where the aorta with a stenosed aortic valve is modeled as a curved pipe with a constriction near the inlet. The hemodynamics of the post-stenotic flow is investigated in detail in our previous numerical study. The temporal history of the pressure on the aortic lumen is recorded during the hemodynamic study and used as the murmur source in the acoustic simulations. The thorax is modeled as an elliptic cylinder and the thoracic tissue is assumed to be homogeneous, linear and viscoelastic. A previously developed high-order numerical method that is capable of dealing with immersed bodies is applied in the acoustic simulations. To mimic the clinical practice of auscultation, the sound signals from the epidermal surface are collected. The simulations show that the source of the aortic stenosis murmur is located at the proximal end of the aortic arch and that the sound intensity pattern on the epidermal surface can predict the source location of the murmurs reasonably well. Spectral analysis of the murmur reveals the disconnect between the break frequency obtained from the flow and from the murmur signal. Finally, it is also demonstrated that the source locations can also be predicted by solving an inverse problem using the free-space Green's function. The implications of these results for cardiac auscultation are discussed.
Soil Health and Soil Fertility Assessment by the Haney Soil Health Test in an Agricultural Soil in West Tennessee

The Haney Soil Health Test (HSHT) is a recent approach to quantify soil health by focusing mostly on soil biology. It uses a new extractant (H3A) for the extraction of plant available nutrients, a ...
In-Vehicle Tactile Displays to Enhance Crew Situation Awareness and Understanding of Agents in a Simulated Driving Environment

Chen et al. (2014) proposed the situation awareness-based agent transparency (SAT) model, which is a framework for improving human situation awareness and understanding of autonomous agents’ actions, intentions, goals and reasoning. Research using the SAT model as a framework has traditionally focused on displaying transparency concept information in the visual modality. Presenting information in the visual modality exclusively can increase human operators’ cognitive load. Multiple Resource Theory suggests that offloading information to other modalities can reduce cognitive load (Wickens 2002). One such modality that can potentially reduce workload is the tactile modality. Tactile displays, which use somatosensory stimulation, have been found to be useful in improving navigation performance with spatial information and providing alerts. One of the current Army Modernization Priorities is the development of Next Generation Combat Vehicles (NGCV), which conceptually includes both manned and unmanned vehicles. Here we present our work in implementing tactile displays to enhance crew situation awareness and improve the understanding of agents in this simulated environment. The operator, through a tactile belt, will be provided spatial information for navigation as well as information for notifications and alerts about the agent’s status and actions. We hypothesize that the integration of tactile displays in the vehicle will improve crew situation awareness and their understanding of the agents for effective interaction and tasks performance.
Dissolved organic matter and trace element variability in a blackwater-fed bay following precipitation

Abstract Dissolved organic matter (DOM) often forms complexes with trace metals. The main objective of this study was to identify the sources of trace elements to a coastal bay that is fed by two blackwater rivers using DOM compositions. Surface water samples from twelve sites in Weeks Bay, Alabama were collected during four field trips and a bottom sediment sample was collected during one of the trips. Spectroscopic measurements in tandem with parallel factor analysis and multivariate statistics were used to derive DOM compositions and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry was used for determining trace metal concentrations. DOM chemistry and trace element concentrations together with precipitation and discharge, watershed land use and land cover data, and physicochemical parameters were used to determine the source of trace elements in the adjoining areas of the watershed to the bay and finally settling into the bay sediments. Arsenic, copper, and uranium fluxes increased while fluxes of mercury, zinc, manganese, and iron decreased following precipitation events. Concentration of all trace elements analyzed were 10,000 times higer in the bay botton sediments than their concentrations in the water colunmn. Microbially reprocessed and soil derived DOM components increased along with the trace elements and nutrients in the bay as a result of precipitation whereas concentration of terrestrial humic-like DOM component remained the same during both dry (spring) and wet (summer and fall) periods. Principal component analysis revealed significant correlations between microbially reprocessed DOM and the trace elements including arsenic, copper and uranium indicating urban, pasture, and agricultural areas in the watershed were the sources for these trace metals. On the other hand, multiple sources were identified for manganese, zinc, and iron. Overall it was found that DOM compositions are useful for inferring the possible sources and mobility of trace elements in aquatic systems.
The long conversation: Reflections on science librarianship

As you read this column, feel free to get up and move around. Make access for yourself. We are in dialogue, and we should all be comfortable to nurture this conversation. As an early career science librarian, it can be challenging to incorporate the ACRL Framework for Information Literacy for Higher Education into my work. In the STEM fields (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, Medicine) students, faculty, and staff are pressed for time and are focused on skills, data, and gaining familiarity with specific resources. In this column, I reflect on the frame Scholarship as Conversation, and draw on it for inspiration and guidance in my practice. I highlight examples of this discussion with this frame and how it informs my instruction, collection development, and outreach efforts.
Optical bright and dark soliton solutions for coupled nonlinear Schrödinger (CNLS) equations by the variational iteration method

Abstract This paper studies optical bright and dark soliton solutions for coupled nonlinear Schrodinger (CNLS) equations in the anomalous and dispersive regimes. We operate the variational iteration method (VIM) to derive a set of diverse types of bright and dark optical soliton solutions. The VIM gives the solution in a rapidly convergent series without any need for physical restrictions or changing the nonlinearity issue. The presented analysis shows the pertinent features of the VIM method in handling nonlinear evolution equations.
Contaminant-induced endocrine disruption in wildlife.

Summary Environmental contaminants have posed a threat to the health of wildlife since the onset of the industrial age. Over the last four decades, much concern has focused on the lethal, carcinogenic and/or extreme teratogenic manifestations of environmental pollution. During the last decade, evidence suggests that the disruption of normal endocrine signalling by environmental contaminants is a mechanism that must also be examined. Man-made chemicals, known as xenochemicals, released into the environment can act as hormone agonists or antagonists and thereby disrupt hormone synthesis, action and metabolism, that is, act as endocrine-disrupting contaminants. Our recent studies show that reptiles living in contaminated environments exhibit: (1) population declines due to the lethal and reproductive effects of the contaminants on embryos, juveniles or adults; (2) developmental abnormalities of embryos, including subtle effects in the reproductive system of alligators; and (3) abnormalities of the endocrine system. Numerous studies now demonstrate that any environmental pollutant that disrupts the normal steroid milieu of the developing embryo will have significant lifelong consequences on sex determination and on the organization and function of the reproductive and endocrine systems. @ 2000 Harcourt Publishers Ltd
Analysis of epidemiological characteristics of imported malaria cases in Chongqing Municipality in 2015

Objective To analyze the laboratory diagnosis results and epidemiological characteristics of imported malaria cases in Chongqing Municipality in 2015. Methods According to the Standard Operating Procedures of Malaria Diagnosis Reference Laboratory Manual, all the blood samples collected from the imported malaria patients were detected by microscopy, RDT and nest PCR. Meanwhile, the epidemiological data of the malaria cases were collected from the Parasitic Diseases Information Management System and analyzed. Results Totally 31 cases of imported malaria were reported in Chonqing Municipality in 2015, among which, there were 2 vivax malaria cases (6.45%), 23 falciparum malaria cases (74.19%), 5 ovale malaria cases (16.13%), 1 malariae malaria case (3.22%). For the 5 ovale cases, three of them were confirmed as Plasmodium ovale wallikeri infection. Among all the cases, 30 cases (96.77%) were from African countries, 1(3.33%) was from Southeast Asia. Thirty patients were male, and 1 was female. All the patients were aged from 23-61 years. There was no obvious seasonality in the case distribution. Both the medians of duration from malaria attack to first visiting a doctor and from first visiting a doctor to diagnosis were 2 days. The medical care units that the patients first visited were mainly county-level units, while those that made the diagnosis were mainly provincial level institutes. Conclusions All the malaria cases in Chongqing in 2015 are imported, no local cases have been found, which suggests that this municipality still maintain the malaria elimination state. However, the monitoring and management of imported malaria cases as well as the training on malaria control for related medical staff still need to be strengthened.
Matched retrospective study of infective endocarditis among solid organ transplant recipients compared to non-transplant: Seven-year experience in a US Referral Center.

Background Infective endocarditis (IE) is a rare complication following solid organ transplant (SOT); data on the clinical features and outcomes of IE in SOT recipients in the modern era are limited. Methods We conducted a single-center retrospective cohort study of IE diagnosed from 1/2008-12/2014 in SOT recipients, who were matched by age and microorganism to cases of IE in non-SOT, to describe the clinical features and outcomes. Results There were 14 cases of IE identified in SOT recipients matched to 56 non-SOT controls. Median time from transplant to IE was 1017 days (IQR 379-1830). Compared to non-SOT patients, SOT patients were more likely to be undergoing current hemodialysis (16% vs 36%) and to possess indwelling central venous catheters within the 30 days prior to diagnosis of IE (27% vs 50%). No SOT patients had documented drug use as a risk factor for IE whereas 6 (11%) non-SOT did. Enterococcus was the most common etiologic agent and was isolated in 50% of cases; only one fungal infection was identified, a mixed infection with Candida. Thirty-day mortality was 14% in SOT patients, significantly higher versus no deaths in non-SOT (P = .037). Conclusions The present study illustrates a change in epidemiology of IE in SOT patients characterized by IE that generally occurs more than one-year post-transplant, is due to bacterial infection rather than fungus, and appears to be health care associated. Multicenter studies are merited to explore transplant-specific risk factors for IE in the special population of SOT patients.
Schutz’s Theory of Economics

Economics is the social science about which Schutz actually has the most elaborate theory. Relevant passages are brought together here to show how the “postulates” or “rules for scientific procedure” of economics specify the postulates of the cultural sciences in general and of the social sciences specifically, how economics is a theoretical science, and how it has at least the schools of thought within it of classical economics or utilitarianism as well a modern economics, which is based on the principle of marginal utility and which Schutz supported.
Teacher perceptions of externalizing behaviour subtypes in preschool: considering racial factors

Growing evidence demonstrates associations between child race, teacher–child race match, and teacher ratings of externalizing behaviour problems in the early years of school. The present study deep...
The Association between Ranitidine Use and Gastrointestinal Cancers

N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) is a carcinogen in experimental animals. It has been classified a probable human carcinogen and has been found in ranitidine. This study sought to evaluate the association between ranitidine use and cancer of the gastrointestinal system. Events reported to the FDA Adverse Events Reporting System that were associated with the use of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) and H2 antagonists were selected. Proportionate reporting ratios (PRRs) and associated 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated to compare the proportion of all reported adverse events that were for gastrointestinal system cancers among adverse event reports for ranitidine to adverse event reports for other H2 antagonists. The proportion of adverse events for any gastrointestinal system cancer relative to all other events was elevated for ranitidine compared to PPIs and other H2 antagonists (PRR 3.66, 95% CI 3.19-4.20). Elevated and significant PRRs were observed for pharyngeal (PRR 9.24), esophageal (PRR 3.56), stomach (PRR 1.48), colorectal (PRR 16.31), liver (PRR 2.64), and pancreatic (PRR 2.18) cancers. The PRRs for anal (PRR 4.62) and gallbladder (PRR 4.62) cancer were also elevated though not statistically significant. In conjunction with a large body of epidemiologic and human and animal basic science research, the study results support the hypothesis that NDMA-contaminated ranitidine increases the risk of cancer and supports the withdrawal of these medications from the market.
Studies on polynucleotides: LXXI. Sedimentation and buoyant density studies of some DNA-like polymers with repeating nucleotide sequences☆☆☆

Abstract The properties of the following DNA-like polymers with repeating sequences were studied by ultraeentrifugation: poly dA:dT, poly dTG:dCA, poly dTC:dGA, poly dTTC:dGAA, poly dTTG:dCAA, poly dTAC:dGTA, poly dATC:dGAT, poly dTATC:dGATA and poly dTTAC:dGTAA. Sedimentation velocity experiments indicated the following molecular weight values for the polymers: poly dA:dT, at least 4 × 106; the two repeating dinucleotide polymers (poly dTC:dGA and poly dTG:dCA), approximately 5 × 105; the four repeating trinucleotide polymers, approximately 2·5 × 105; and the two repeating tetranucleotide polymers, approximately 1 × 105. The buoyant densities of the DNA-like polymers were studied by cesium chloride density-gradient centrifugation, The polymers, except for the two repeating tetranucleotide polymers, gave single symmetrical bands by this technique. The two repeating tetranucleotide polymers failed to band in either cesium chloride or cesium sulfate density-gradients. The density values of the DNA-like polymers were not as would be predicted from previously established relations correlating the base composition of naturally occurring DNA's and bouyant density values. Also, heat treatment of the polymers did not cause a uniform increase in the densities, as had been previously found for naturally occurring DNA's; but instead, no density change was found for four polymers, a density decrease was found for poly dTC:dGA and density increases were found for poly dATC:dGAT and poly dTTG:dCAA. The restricted base composition of the DNA-like polymers permitted separation of the individual strands in some cases by centrifugation in alkaline cesium chloride solution. The four single-stranded polydeoxyribonucleotides poly dA, poly dT, poly dTG and poly dAC were isolated by this technique on a preparative scale and their spectral properties are recorded.
Influence of Dimensions of the Center-cracked Tension Specimen on K c

The fracture resistance of three high strength aluminum alloys, two titanium, and one steel alloy has been investigated with a center-cracked tension specimen. Specimen geometric dimensions such as width, thickness, and crack length, together with yield strength were studied to ascertain their influence on the K sub c parameter. The specimen thicknesses ranged from 1/16 to 1/18 in., width from 3 to 12 in., and crack length from 0.5 to 7 in. The K sub c parameter has been found to be unaffected by specimen width and crack length provided the width dimension is sufficient and the crack length/width ratio is within the range of 0.15 to 0.5. The fracture resistance is dependent upon sheet thicknesses and inversely proportional to yield strength. /Author/
Development of a self-stressing NiTiNb shape memory alloy (SMA)/fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) patch

The objective of this research is to develop a self-stressing patch using a combination of shape memory alloys (SMAs) and fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) composites. Prestressed carbon FRP patches are emerging as a promising alternative to traditional methods to repair cracked steel structures and civil infrastructure. However, prestressing these patches typically requires heavy and complex fixtures, which is impractical in many applications. This paper presents a new approach in which the prestressing force is applied by restraining the shape memory effect of NiTiNb SMA wires. The wires are subsequently embedded in an FRP overlay patch. This method overcomes the practical challenges associated with conventional prestressing. This paper presents the conceptual development of the self-stressing patch with the support of experimental observations. The bond between the SMA wires and the FRP is evaluated using pull-out tests. The paper concludes with an experimental study that evaluates the patch response during activation subsequent monotonic tensile loading. The results demonstrate that the self-stressing patch with NiTiNb SMA is capable of generating a significant prestressing force with minimal tool and labor requirements.
Personality-Based Profile Matching in Personnel Selection: Estimates of Method Prevalence and Criterion-Related Validity

Profile matching refers to selection based on applicant similarity to a pre-specified pattern of standing across several mutually considered personality dimensions. Although many investigations support the use of personality data through univariate, linear-based selection methodologies, there is no evidence within the literature that supports (or refutes) the use of profile matching. Regardless, a phone survey revealed that 62 per cent of consultative vendor organisations implement some form of profile matching. The current study addresses this scientist–practitioner void by investigating the broad, cross-organisational viability of three different profile matching strategies (profile band specification, profile similarity estimation, and configural scoring). Although some specifications of profile matching came close (empirically) to challenging linear regression cross-validation estimates, the profile matching strategy is considered to be burdened with additional conceptual concerns (primarily resulting from a lack of formal model specification) as well as practical limitations (for example, the likely creation of an artificial predictor ceiling). Linear regression is presented here as the more effective use of multi-trait information; however, if practitioners continue to utilise profile matching, it is suggested that they consider either adopting a configural scoring approach or referencing an index of profile similarity rather than retaining and applying desired profile bands.
The Union as It Wasn’t and the Constitution as It Isn’t: Section Five and Altering the Balance of Powers

In addition to its well-recognized changes to individual rights and federal-state powers, the Fourteenth Amendment also effectuated a change, practically and ideologically, in the former balance among the three branches of national power. The framers created both a Union that had not yet been fashioned, and a Constitution that is dramatically different in where and how it strikes the balance of power on behalf of liberty. This article argues that in reconstituting that Union, the 39th Congress and the Fourteenth Amendment, of necessity and by understanding, recast the original structural alignment of national powers and the boundaries of their respective spheres. Recent decisions have revitalized scholarship on the original and historical meaning of the Section Five grant of power. This article aims to contribute to that conversation by looking at historical, philosophical, legal and pragmatic sources to illuminate the purposes of the amendment with respect to the balancing the powers among the respective spheres of the branches of national government. Legal and political theory about the appropriate role of Congress with respect to identifying, protecting and enforcing personal liberties changed significantly from the time of the original framing in 1787 to the time of the framing of the Reconstruction Amendments. The original framers feared Congress as a potential predator on personal rights, and thus adopted a legal regime of enumerated powers, coupled with rights provisions to negate Congressional power. For the framers of the Fourteenth Amendment, Congress was seen as necessary to recognizing and enforcing rights, and was affirmatively granted a positive power to do so through the operation of Section Five. Consistent with Republican legal and political ideology of the time, the necessity of Congressional power and an affirmative grant of that power infused the amendment from its inception. Legal and political realities of the time support this reconception of Congress and significant grant of additional powers. The framing of the Fourteenth Amendment proceeded at a time when the Executive was seen as affirmatively interfering with the work and goals of Reconstruction. The Supreme Court’s role in stripping Congress of any power to enforce rights was much on the minds of the framers of Section One and the empowerment clause of Section Five. Thus, Congress provided to itself the Constitutional power to protect rights and guard against misconstruction. Whether or not the framers focused upon the exact new parameters of relative powers, it cannot be denied that they did focus on the need to enhance Congressional powers. That enhancement, into arenas not before recognized as belonging to Congress, of necessity altered the balance among the national powers.
Slice Compression Tests Versus Fiber Push-In Tests

Both the fiber push-in and the slice compression tests have been used to evaluate the interfacial properties of fiber-reinforced ceramic composites. Mechanics of sliding at the fiber-matrix interface obtained with these two tests are compared in the present study. While the interfacial radial stress induced by Poisson's effect is always compressive for the push-in test, it is tensile for the slice compression test when the fiber is stiffer than the matrix. This difference in Poisson's effect results in different interfacial frictional resistance between these two tests. Compared to the push-in test, the slice compression test produces a lower frictional resistance along the debonded interface. The interfacial frictional stress during unloading is lower than that during loading for the push-in test, but this trend is reversed for the slice compression test.
Dosimetric performance of the new high-definition multileaf collimator for intracranial stereotactic radiosurgery

The objective was to evaluate the performance of a high-definition multileaf collimator (MLC) of 2.5 mm leaf width (MLC2.5) and compare to standard 5 mm leaf width MLC (MLC5) for the treatment of intracranial lesions using dynamic conformal arcs (DCA) technique with a dedicated radiosurgery linear accelerator. Simulated cases of spherical targets were created to study solely the effect of target volume size on the performance of the two MLC systems independent of target shape complexity. In addition, 43 patients previously treated for intracranial lesions in our institution were retrospectively planned using DCA technique with MLC2.5 and MLC5 systems. The gross tumor volume ranged from 0.07 to 40.57 cm3 with an average volume of 5.9 cm3. All treatment parameters were kept the same for both MLC-based plans. The plan evaluation was performed using figures of merits (FOM) for a rapid and objective assessment on the quality of the two treatment plans for MLC2.5 and MLC5. The prescription isodose surface was selected as the greatest isodose surface covering >or= 95% of the target volume and delivering 95% of the prescription dose to 99% of target volume. A Conformity Index (CI) and conformity distance index (CDI) were used to quantifying the dose conformity to a target volume. To assess normal tissue sparing, a normal tissue difference (NTD) was defined as the difference between the volume of normal tissue receiving a certain dose utilizing MLC5 and the volume receiving the same dose using MLC2.5. The CI and normal tissue sparing for the simulated spherical targets were better with the MLC2.5 as compared to MLC5. For the clinical patients, the CI and CDI results indicated that the MLC2.5 provides better treatment conformity than MLC5 even at large target volumes. The CI's range was 1.15 to 2.44 with a median of 1.59 for MLC2.5 compared to 1.60-2.85 with a median of 1.71 for MLC5. Improved normal tissue sparing was also observed for MLC2.5 over MLC5, with the NTD always positive, indicating improvement, and ranging from 0.1 to 8.3 for normal tissue receiving 50% (NTV50), 70% (NTV70) and 90% (NTV90) of the prescription dose. The MLC2.5 has a dosimetric advantage over the MLC5 in Linac-based radiosurgery using DCA method for intracranial lesions, both in treatment conformity and normal tissue sparing when target shape complexity increases.
What Effect Does CS0 Have On CS1 Performance And Major Retention

Three years ago, due to a lower than desired success rate in our first major course, Introduction to Computer Programming (CS1), and a lower than desired proportion of students in CS1 selecting Computer Science or Computer Information Systems as their major, we introduced a new course, Introduction to Computer Science (CS0), and made it a prerequisite for CS1. It was therefore required of all prospective Computer Science majors and Computer Information Systems majors. Our intention was to improve the subsequent performance of students in CS1, to reduce the proportion of students who withdrew from CS1, and to increase the proportion of CS1 students who became Computer Science or Computer Information Systems majors. This paper reports our progress on these measures. Our results show that after CS0 was introduced, students performed better in CS1 than before CS0 was introduced, and that this difference is statistically significant. The withdraw rate from CS1, among students who completed CS0, has been reduced. The proportion of students who performed well (earned a grade of A or B) in CS1 has been raised among students who completed CS0, and this difference is statistically significant. A higher proportion of students who completed both CS0 and CS1 declared Computer Science or Computer Information Systems majors, than before CS0 was introduced, and this difference is statistically significant. The proportion of students who performed well in CS1 and who declared Computer Science or Computer Information Systems majors was substantially raised, and this difference is statistically significant. We compare these results with previous papers on this topic, and conclude that the results are consistent, and the statistical significance of the results is improved by the larger sample sizes being analyzed.
High power InGaAsP/InP broad-waveguide single-mode ridge-waveguide lasers

Single-mode broad-waveguide separate confinement ridge-waveguide InGaAsP/InP diode lasers emitting in 1500 nm wavelength range have realized cw output power levels in excess of 400 mW. The high-power broad-waveguide structure design and ridge-waveguide fabrication technology along with device operational performance parameters will be discussed.
ROBUST POSITIONING OF LASER BEAMS USING PROPORTIONAL INTEGRAL DERIVATIVE AND BASED OBSERVER-FEEDBACK CONTROL

High-precision positioning of laser beams has been a great challenge in industry due to inevitable existence of noise and disturbance. The work presented in this study addresses this problem by employing two different control strategies: Proportional Integral Derivative (PID) control and state feedback control with an observer. The control strategies are intended to stabilize the position of a laser beam on a Position Sensing Device (PSD) located on a Laser Beam Stabilization (or, laser beam system) system. The laser beam system consists of a laser source, a Fast Steering Mirror (FSM), a PSD and a vibrating platform to generate active disturbance. The traditional PID controller is widely used in industry due to its satisfactory performance, various available tuning methods and relatively straightforward design processes. However, design of filters to obtain the derivative signal is challenging and can unexpectedly distort the dynamics of the system being controlled. As an alternative, use of an Observer-Based State Feedback (OBSF) method is proposed and implemented. The state-space model of the laser beam system is utilized and an observer is applied to estimate the state of the system, since all the state variables cannot be measured directly. For observer design, eigenvalue assignment and optimal design methods are used and compared in terms of system performance. Also a comparative analysis between the PID and OBSF controllers is provided. Simulations and experimental results show that the OBSF controller rejects disturbance better and has a simpler design procedure.
Spiritual beliefs and barriers among managed care practitioners.

Purpose: Ninety percent of American adults believe in God and 82% pray weekly. A majority wants their physicians to address spirituality during their health care visit. However, clinicians incorporate spiritual discussion in less than 20% of visits. Our objectives were to measure clinician beliefs and identify perceived barriers to integrating spirituality into patient care in a statewide, primary care, managed care group. Methods: Practitioners completed a 30-item survey including demographics and religious involvement (DUREL), spirituality in patient care (SPC), and barriers (BAR). We analyzed data using frequencies, means, standard deviations, and ANOVA. Findings: Clinicians had a range of religious denominations (67% Christian, 14% Jewish, 11% Muslim, Hindu or Buddhist, 8% agnostic), were 57% female and 24% had training in spirituality. Sixty-six percent reported experiencing the divine. Ninety-five percent felt that a patient’s spiritual outlook was important to handling health difficulties and 68% percent agreed that addressing spirituality was part of the physician’s role. Ninety-five percent of our managed care group noted ‘8lack of time’ as an important barrier, ‘lack of training’ was indicated by 69%, and 21% cited ‘fear of response from administration’. Conclusions: Managed care practitioners in a time constrained setting were spiritual themselves and believed this to be important to patients. Respondents indicated barriers of time and training to implementing these beliefs. Comparing responses from our group to those in other published surveys on clinician spirituality, we find similar concerns. Clinician education may overcome these barriers and improve ability to more fully meet their patients’ expressed needs regarding spirituality and beliefs.
Treatment of osteoporosis: Current status and recent advances

With the advent of new treatment choices, osteoporosis should no longer be considered an inevitable part of aging but rather a disease that can be treated. This article provides an overview of recent advances in treatment of osteoporosis.
Silent Synapses in a Thalamo-Cortical Circuit Necessary for Song Learning in Zebra Finches

Developmental changes in synaptic properties may act to limit neural and behavioral plasticity associated with sensitive periods. This study characterized synaptic maturation in a glutamatergic tha...
"We're just targeted as the flock that has HIV": health care experiences of members of the house/ball culture.

The house/ball community is an understudied sub-group of young Black men who have sex with men and transgender persons in urban centers of the United States who affiliate in social structures called houses and gather at elaborate dance and performance events called balls. In Charlotte, North Carolina, 12 house/ball members were interviewed about their experiences with health care providers and their assessment of any barriers to care due to their affiliation with the rather clandestine house/ball sub-culture. Additionally, HIV-specific health care providers were interviewed, to assess their knowledge of the sub-culture. House/ball members reported both positive and negative perceptions of treatment by their health care providers with respect to their house/ball involvement. Some reported feeling stigmatized, especially around HIV status. Results showed that increased knowledge about the house/ball community could improve practitioners’ cultural competence, thereby reducing stigma-related barriers to care.
PTSD presenting as an eating disorder

Although the incidence of eating disorders has been on the rise in the past decade, their etiology is still obscure and their treatment still unsatisfactory, with a relatively high mortality rate. This article describes a special subgroup of patients with an eating disorder whose underlying illness was a previously undiagnosed post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Once the proper diagnosis was made and the therapy was focused on the proper resolution of the trauma and its effects, the patients showed improvement in their overall state of mind, including the eating disorder symptoms. It is hoped that this article will heighten the clinicians' awareness of this subgroup of eating disorder patients and improve the treatment outcome.