cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Feasibility of rainwater harvesting on Scott Laboratory

Water conservation has risen to be an important issue in today's society. We analyzed the applicability of a rainwater collection system on a major building in the north academic core of The Ohio State University. This was done by doing environmental and economic analyses on the tanks that would be placed at Scott Laboratory. The economic analysis determined the system's financial profile by comparing projected costs of utilizing varying tank sizes, while the environmental impacts were determined through use of Sustainable Minds' Life Cycle Assessment software. It was found that over the course of a year, over 1,700 lbs. of CO2 would be prevented from being released into the atmosphere and that the tanks' initial cost would break-even in less than 2 years as a result of the building's reduced water usage.
End-tidal carbon dioxide monitoring in emergency medicine, Part 1: Basic principles.

. End-tidal carbon dioxide (PetCO2) monitoring is becoming more common in both the ED and the out-of-hospital setting. Its main use has been as an aid when confirming endotracheal intubation. However, since CO2 is intrinsically coupled with states of metabolism, circulation, and ventilation, PetCO2 monitoring along with analysis of its capnographic component is becoming increasingly valuable for other uses in the ED. This article reviews the physiology of CO2, the means by which end-tidal CO2 may be monitored, and the components and analysis of the capnogram.
Behavior Therapy—Integration with Dynamic Psychiatry

Utilizing two case reports as examples, Birk proposes that behavioral techniques can be integrated with interpersonal and dynamic psychotherapy with a resultant increase in efficiency in the therapeutic process.
Pulsed plasma jet igniters: Species measurements in methane combustion

We have measured species concentration histories in the plume of a pulsed plasma jet igniter during ignition and subsequent combustion of methane/oxygen/nitrogen and methane/oxygen/argon mixtures using molecular beam mass spectrometry. Equivalence ratios of 1.0, 0.6, and 0.4 were used in the igniter cavity and in the main combustion chamber to provide both combusting and noncombusting cases. Species measurements indicate that combustion initiated by plasma jets can be divided into three time periods: a very hot initial stage, where high temperature species formed both in the plasma cavity and in the turbulent plume dominate, a second region where entrainment continues along with the production of products in the plume but not in the bulk gas mixture, and finally flame propagation through the combustible mixture. High radical concentrations characterize, the first stage; N atoms peak at a mole fraction of 0.004, and OH reaches a value of 0.007 in the stoichiometric case. The second stage involves the reactions of intermediate products such as H2, NO, and CO along with the production of final, stable products. In the final stage, CO2 and H2O concentrations rise to levels expected from complete combustion of the reactants. These measurements are used to explain how pulsed plasma jets enhance ignition in lean mixtures.
VOCs in shallow groundwater in new residential/commercial areas of the United States.

The quality of shallow groundwater in urban areas was investigated by sampling 518 monitoring wells between 1996 and 2002 as part of the National Water-Quality Assessment Program of the U.S. Geolog...
The mTOR Kinase Determines Effector versus Memory CD8+ T Cell Fate by Regulating the Expression of Transcription Factors T-bet and Eomesodermin

The mechanisms underpinning integration of instructions that program naive CD8+ T cells for effector and/or memory differentiation are not well understood. Herein, we demonstrate that interleukin-12 (IL-12) enhanced and sustained antigen and costimulatory molecule (B7.1)-induced mTOR kinase activity in naive CD8+ (OT-I) T cells via phosphoinositide 3-kinase and STAT4 transcription factor pathways. Blocking mTOR activity by rapamycin reversed IL-12-induced effector functions because of loss of persistent expression of the transcription factor T-bet. Rapamycin treatment of IL-12-conditioned OT-I cells promoted persistent Eomesodermin expression and produced memory cell precursors that demonstrated enhanced sustenance and antigen-recall responses upon adoptive transfer. The memory cell precursors showed greater tumor efficacy than IL-12-conditioned effector OT-I cells. These results identify mTOR as the central regulator of transcriptional programs that determine effector and/or memory cell fates in CD8+ T cells. Targeting mTOR activity offers new opportunities to regulate CD8+ T cell-mediated immunity.
Oral melanocytic lesions: differences in expression of HMB‐45 and S‐100 antigens in round and spindle cells of malignant and benign lesions

Immunohistochemistry and melanin bleaching were used to assess the expression of antigens identified by anti-S-100 and anti-HMB-45 antibodies on melanomas and intramucosal and blue nevi from the oral mucosa of 18 patients. Both antibodies reacted with cells in all three types of lesions, but there were differences in the expression of these antigens between the round and spindle cells within the lesions. In melanomas composed of round cells, the intensity and distribution of staining with HMB-45 was greater than with S-100. The opposite was true in melanomas composed of spindle-shaped cells, and one spindle-cell melanoma was HMB-45-negative. The round cells of intramucosal nevi expressed S-100 more intensely and more frequently than HMB-45. The spindle-shaped cells of blue nevi strongly expressed both S-100 and HMB-45. Whereas intradermal nevi from the skin do not express HMB-45, intramucosal nevi consistently express this antigen in the lesion and overlying mucosa. Oral melanomas composed of round and spindle-shaped cells show differences in their expression of S-100 and HMB-45 antigens, making the use of both antibodies complementary in the diagnosis of undifferentiated tumors.
The Surgeon General's National Action Agenda on Children's Mental Health.

The Surgeon General’s National Action Agenda highlighted key issues that challenge the public health system in appropriately meeting the mental health needs of children and their families. Among these issues included the need for screening and early identification, improving access to appropriate mental health care, strengthening the infrastructure, and expanding training for providers. Two key gate-keeping systems identified as critical in this reform of mental health care for children and their families are education and primary care. This paper focuses on these two systems to illustrate problems related to these issues. Central to the Surgeon General’s call for reform is also the pressing public health responsibility to improve and use the science base by strengthening the connection between what we know from the scientific evidence base and what we do in practice. The implications of this reform for specialty mental health are discussed.
Hydroxyl radical scavenging and singlet oxygen quenching properties of polyamines

Polyamines (cadaverine, putrescine, spermidine, spermine) have been shown to be present in all prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells, and proposed to be important anti-inflammatory agents. Some polyamines at high concentrations are known to scavenge superoxide radicals in vitro. We have investigated the possible antioxidant properties of polyamines and found that polyamines, e.g., cadaverine, putrescine, spermidine and spermine do not scavenge superoxide radicals at 0.5, 1.0 and 2 mM concentrations. However, polyamines were found to be potent scavengers of hydroxyl radicals. Hydroxyl radicals were produced in a Fenton type reaction and detected as DMPO-OH adducts by electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopic technique. Spermine, spermidine, putrescine and cadaverine inhibited DMPO-OH adduct formation in a dose dependent manner, and at 1.5 mM concentration virtually eliminated the adduct formation. The *OH-dependent TBA reactive product of deoxyribose was also inhibited by polyamines in a dose-dependent manner. Polyamines were also found to inhibit the 1O2-dependent 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine N-oxy 1 (TEMPO) formation. 1O2 was produced in a photosensitizing system using Rose Bengal or Methylene Blue as photosensitizers, and was detected as TEMP-1O2 adduct by EPR spectroscopy. Spermine or spermidine inhibited the 1O2-dependent TEMPO formation maximally to 50%, whereas putrescine or cadaverine inhibited this reaction only up to 15%, when used at 0.5 and 1 mM concentrations. These results suggest that polyamines are powerful. OH scavengers, and spermine or spermidine also can quench singlet oxygen at higher concentrations.
Solution Method for Countercurrent Plug Flow Models of Multicomponent Gas Separation by Permeation

Abstract A simple solution method was developed for the countercurrent ideal plug flow model of multicomponent gas separation by permeation that is commonly applied to hollow fiber membrane modules. The solution method is independent of the number of components in the feed gas. The result is an implicit function in a single variable defined as the stage cut. The function is readily solved by the method of damped successive substitution. The method was tested for three cases from the literature and found to be insensitive to the initial guess for stage cuts less than 60%.
Molar Masses and Sizes of Starches by High-Performance Size-Exclusion Chromatography with On-Line Multi-Angle Laser Light Scattering Detection

Starch was characterized for analysis by high-performance size-exclusion chromatography (HPSEC) with detection by multiple-angle laser light-scattering and refractive index. Corn starches (amylopec...
Fluctuations in nuclear dynamics — treatment and consequences

Abstract Many macroscopic nuclear properties, both static and dynamical, can be well described on the basis on semi-classical models, in which nucleons moving in a self-consistent effective mean field experience occasional two-body scatterings. In general, and especially when instabilities are encountered, it is necessary to incorporate the stochastic character of the elementary scattering processes, thus gaining an ability to treat catastrophic developments. Some recent advances in this direction are reviewed: The Fokker-Planck treatment of the Boltzmann-Langevin theory, the equilibration dynamics and the triggering of catastrophies in nuclear matter, and the consequences for nuclear multifragmentation dynamics.
51V NMR of homogeneous multicomponent vanadium oxide solutions

Abstract There is growing interest in forming vanadium-containing mixed transition metal oxides, particularly for the preparation of oxidation catalysts. It is desirable in many cases to prepare the solid from homogeneous (stable or metastable) metal oxide solutions and gels in order to maintain the molecular-scale mixing that homogeneous solutions can provide. While this is always possible at extreme pH values, it is also desirable to use moderate pH so that the coating solution should be benign to common substrates. We provide an overview of the insight that 51 V NMR can provide into typical aqueous and alkoxide solution routes suggested by the literature for preparing multicomponent vanadium-containing solutions at moderate pH. Details of the preparation protocol can determine whether the solutions remain homogeneous; we examine the starting pH for aqueous solutions and the alcohol used for alkoxide solutions. Solution 51 V NMR shows that the vanadium speciation differs markedly between stable and unstable solutions.
Split tolerance induced by immunotoxin in a rhesus kidney allograft model

Background. Renal allografts were performed in rhesus monkeys using FN18-CRM9, a potent immunotoxin capable of depleting T cells to less than 1% of baseline levels in blood and lymph nodes, as a preparative agent. We have recently reported that animals pretreated with FN18-CRM9 1 week before transplantation without further immunosuppression had prolonged graft survival time compared with control animals, and frequently became tolerant. Methods. This report examines the alloimmune responses of recipient monkeys to the donor, including cytotoxic T lymphocyte precursor (CTLp) frequency, mixed lymphocyte response, and antidonor IgG response. Results. CTLp frequencies declined significantly (P 150 days), an increase in anti-third-party CTLp was detected 1 month after grafting with third-party skin. No change was seen in the antidonor CTLp frequency after donor skin grafting, indicating that a specific defect in the antidonor CTL response had developed. Conclusions. These data suggest that FN18-CRM9 treatment of rhesus monkeys allows the development of specific down-regulation of antidonor CTL activity in renal allograft recipients.
Lack of physiological response of two corn hybrids to simulated acid rain.

Abstract Simulated acid rain has been reported to cause physiological changes in various plant species. Studies were conducted in 1983, 1984 and 1985 to determine the effect of acid rain on some physiological parameters in two corn (Zea mays L.) hybrids. Simulated rain of pH 3.0, 4.2, and 5.6 was applied throughout the growing season onto plots protected from ambient rain and grown on a Flanagan silt loam (fine, montmorillonitic, mesic Aquic Argiudoll). Individual plants were evaluated for change in leaf CO2 fixation, water potentials, chlorophyll content, and in vitro pollen germination. Rain pH did not affect any of these parameters. Within the limits of experimental error, it must be concluded that simulated acid rain of pH 3.0 did not affect the physiological parameters measured in this study.
Growth hormone-releasing hormone disruption extends lifespan and regulates response to caloric restriction in mice

There is increasing evidence that the hormonal systems involved in growth, the metabolism of glucose, and the processes that balance energy intake and expenditure might also be involved in the aging process. In rodents, mutations in genes involved in these hormone-signaling pathways can substantially increase lifespan, as can a diet that is low in calories but which avoids malnutrition. As well as living longer, such mice also show reductions in age-related conditions such as diabetes, memory loss and cancer. Many of these effects appear to involve the actions of growth hormone. Mice with mutations that disrupt the development of the pituitary gland, which produces growth hormone, show increased longevity, as do mice that lack the receptor for growth hormone. However, these animals also show changes in a number of other hormones, making it difficult to be sure that the reduction in growth hormone signaling is responsible for their increased lifespan. Now, Sun et al. have studied mutant mice that lack a gene called GHRH, which promotes the release of growth hormone. These mice, which have normal levels of all other pituitary hormones, lived for up to 50% longer than their wild-type littermates. They were more active than normal mice and had more body fat, and showed greatly increased sensitivity to insulin. Some of the changes in these mutant mice resembled those seen in animals with a restricted calorie intake, suggesting that the same mechanisms may be implicated in both. However, Sun et al. found that caloric restriction further increased the lifespans of their GHRH knockout mice, indicating that at least some of the effects of caloric restriction are independent of disrupted growth hormone signaling. The results of this study are an important step forward for understanding how growth hormone signaling and caloric restriction regulate aging, both individually and in combination. The GHRH knockout mice are likely to become an important model system for studying these processes and for understanding the complex interactions between diet and hormonal pathways.
Taste, Byron's Cookbook, and the Secret Ingredients in the English Cantos of Don Juan

The English cantos of Don Juan bring Byron's satiric wit home to his own country and his own time. As a keen student of satire generally and of Augustan satire in particular, Byron appreciates the premise that satire works best when it is possible to historicize it by connecting the figures satirized with their real-life originals. Thus satire becomes a pseudo-history that rests on a humanistic history that illustrates the vanity and frailty of humanity. This essay takes as its starting point the menu of the banquet held by the Amundevilles in Canto 15 of the poem, traced some time ago to the menus of Louis Eustache Ude, author of The French Chef and a celebrated chef in England from before the Regency period to beyond it. Ude for some time worked as Lord Sefton's chef, and the essay interrogates the similarities between the real-life Lord Sefton and Byron's Lord Henry Amundeville, concluding that while Sefton provides much of the basis for Byron's character, the rest of that basis is probably attributabl...
DNA ethylation in hamster tissues during subchronic diethylnitrosamine administration and in the hamster trachea after acute diethylnitrosamine administration

Formation of O6-ethylguanine (O6EG) in trachea DNA was measured 12 h after acute i.p. administration of 50, 100 and 200 mg diethylnitrosamine (DEN)/kg body wt to Syrian golden hamsters. Purine bases were fractionated by h.p.l.c., and ethylated guanines were quantified optically by fluorescence spectrophotometry. Significant levels of this promutagenic base were found after the various single doses of DEN. O6EG in trachea DNA was also measured at various times up to 48 h after an acute i.p. dose of 200 mg DEN/kg body wt. The maximum level of O6EG was detected 12 h after DEN treatment. A rapid decrease in O6EG concentration was seen in trachea DNA between 12 and 24 h, but only a negligible decrease was detected from 24 to 48 h post-treatment. The formation and accumulation of O6EG in trachea, liver, lung and kidney DNA were determined in hamsters treated subchronically with DEN, 20 mg/kg body wt, s.c. twice weekly up to 8 weeks. O6EG accumulated to significant levels in trachea and liver DNA. 7-Ethylguanine did not accumulate in the DNA of any of the organs studied during subchronic DEN exposure. The formation and persistence of O6EG in trachea DNA of DEN-treated hamsters correlated with the sensitivity of this tissue to the carcinogenic action of DEN.
Suicide Risk Assessment With Asian American College Students: A Culturally Informed Perspective

Scholars have based their understanding of college-student suicide in the United States largely on the study of European Americans, and therefore, its relevance to making culturally informed decisions with suicidal Asian American college students is unclear. This article explores aspects of suicide assessment potentially unique to Asian American college students and discusses possible ways to handle the process of breaking confidentiality that are more sensitive to Asian American needs. First, the authors briefly review issues of confidentiality, informed consent, and standards of care. Second, they examine several aspects of Asian American college students' experiences in the United States and of Asian cultural values. Specifically, the authors review acculturation and the experience of immigration, intergenerational relationships, collectivistic cultural values, the myth of the “model minority,” and perfectionism. Third, they offer culturally informed considerations for assessing suicidal risk and ways ...
Proton Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy and Thought Disorder in Childhood Schizophrenia

Objective Although magnetic resonance spectroscopy has identified metabolic abnormalities in adult and childhood schizophrenia, no prior studies have investigated the relationship between neurometabolites and thought disorder. This study examined this association in language-related brain regions using proton magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging (1H MRSI).
Cryptographic master-key-generation scheme and its application to public key distribution

We present a cryptographic master-key- generation scheme based on a recently developed cryptographic multi-level key generation scheme. That multilevel key generation scheme is a logical complement to the well known Akl-Taylor- MacKinnon-Meijer scheme, and is particularly efficient for hierarchical structures of limited depth, which is the case for the master-key appli- cation at hand. The master-key problem is defined in this paper and our solution is presented, and illuminated, by way of comparison with a solution presented recently by Chick and Tavares, based on a variation on the Akl-Taylor-MacKinnon- Meijer scheme. Once this master key scheme is obtained and understood, it becomes a natural step to apply it to solve the public-key-distribu- tion problem. This is achieved in a manner, which, unlike the earlier Diffe/Hellman solution, is extendible to groups of more than two users.
Spatial patterns in oxygen and redox sensitive biogeochemistry in tropical forest soils

Humid tropical forest soils are characterized by warm temperatures, abundant rainfall, and high rates of biological activity that vary considerably in both space and time. These conditions, together with finely textured soils typical of humid tropical forests lead to periodic low redox conditions, even in well-drained upland environments. The relationship between redox and biogeochemical processes has been studied for decades in saturated environments like wetlands and sediments, but much less is known about redox dynamics in upland soils. The goal of this study was to understand the spatial variability of redox sensitive biogeochemistry within and across two forest types at the ends of a high rainfall gradient (3500 to 5000 mm y−1) in the Luquillo Experimental Forest, Puerto Rico. The two sites differed significantly in average soil chemical and physical properties, but the scale of variability was similar across sites, with greater variability in soil gas concentrations than extractable Fe and P. Soil P and Fe pools and trace gas concentrations were more strongly correlated with each other and exhibited more spatial structure at the wetter site. While the within-site relationships among these redox sensitive variables were typically weak, the relationships across sites were much stronger. We provide a conceptual model that elucidates how the strength of the relationships between indicators of redox-sensitive biogeochemical processes depends on the spatial scale of analysis.
Diagnostic Cytopathology of Ocular Fluid Specimens

The brief history of the development of cytopathologic study of ocular fluids has been reviewed. The utilization of cytopathology techniques has become increasingly important with the introduction and widespread use of vitreous surgery. The cytopathologic study of ocular fluids have diagnostic value in infectious and noninfectious ocular inflammatory diseases, neoplastic lesions, some forms of secondary glaucoma, epithelial ingrowth, proliferative vitreoretinopathy, persistent hyperplastic primary vitreous and amyloidosis.
Evaluation of Factors Influencing Student Class Attendance and Performance

This study quantifies the effects of student behavior, teacher attributes, and course characteristics on class attendance and performance. Several notable factors that influence attendance and grades are motivation, prior grade point average (GPA), self-financing by students, hours worked on jobs, quality of teaching, and nature of class lectures. This study provides strong empirical evidence of the positive influence of class attendance on student performance.
Snap-Through Instability Patterns in Truss Structures

Geometrically nonlinear truss structures with snap-through behavior are demonstrated by using an arc length approach within a finite element analysis. The instability patterns are equilibrium paths that are plotted throughout the snap-through event. Careful observation of these patterns helps to identify weak designs in large space structures, as well as identify desirable snap-through behavior in the miniaturization of electronic devices known as microelectromechanical systems (MEMS). Examples of highly nonlinear trusses that show snap-through behavior are examined by tracing their equilibrium paths.
Comparison of sexual function and quality of life after pelvic trauma with and without Angioembolization

Background: The aim is to study the safety of Angioembolization on long-term sexual function and quality of life. Methods: IRB approval was gained to review the prospectively collected trauma database as well as prospective questionnaires of patients at least 1 year out from pelvic fractures that occurred between 1996 and 2009. Surveys included the SF36v2, Female Sexual Function Index and the International Index of Erectile Function. Values for each domain were compared between patients treated with AE and 2:1 case-matched control patients as well as between the national norms. Values are presented as percentages or means with 95 % CI. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Thirty Seven cases and 74 matched controls were identified. 42 patients completed the survey. There were 13 cases (12 males), and 29 controls (22 males). There was a higher ISS (Injury Severity Score) (32 vs 27; p= 0.048) in the cases, but no difference in pelvic AIS (Abbreviated Injury Severity Score) (3 vs 3). Both groups scored similarly in the SF36 in all domains, but the entire cohort scored lower than the national norms in the physical functioning (41.9 (37.8–46.0) vs50), role physical (40.9 (36.2–45.7) vs50), body pain 43.8 (40.7–46.9) vs50), role emotional 46.3 (42.8–49.8) vs50), and physical composite score (42.1 (38.0–46.3) vs50). All domains of the sexual function in both questionnaires showed significant impairment in our cohort compared with norms. Male cases had similar scores to the controls. Conclusion: Pelvic fractures portend a worse long-term QOL and sexual function than the general population. AE, however, does not have an additive affect to these indices.
Fortune 500 manufacturer web sites: Innovative marketing strategies or cyberbrochures?

Abstract Forecasts for business-to-business electronic commerce over the next few years are in the trillions. Manufacturers represent a significant portion of business-to-business activity and their web sites an integral component of business-to-business electronic commerce. Should they choose to, manufacturers can use their web sites not only to conduct electronic commerce but also to engage in a wide range of marketing communications. Marketing communication activities include advertising, sales promotion, public relations, and direct marketing. The results of our content analysis of 188 Fortune 500 manufacturer web sites indicated that few manufacturers use a broad range of marketing communications activities. Analysis of differences in the use of marketing communications on web sites suggests that some aspects of web site marketing communications differ based on manufacturer characteristics such as sales, R&D to sales ratio, and net income.
Genetic cell targeting uncovers specific neuronal types and distinct subregions in the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis

The bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST) plays an important role in fear, stress, and anxiety. It contains a collection of subnuclei delineated by gross cytoarchitecture features; however, there has yet to be a systematic examination of specific BNST neuronal types and their associated neurochemical makeup. The present study focuses on improved characterization of the anterior BNST based on differing molecular and chemical expression aided by mouse genetics. Specific Cre driver lines crossed with a fluorescent reporter line were used for genetic cell targeting and immunochemical staining. Using this new approach, we were able to robustly identify specific excitatory and inhibitory cell types in the BNST. The presence and distribution of excitatory neurons were firmly established; glutamatergic neurons in the anterior BNST accounted for about 14% and 31% of dorsal and ventral BNST cells, respectively. GABAergic neurons expressing different isoforms of glutamic acid decarboxylase were found to have differential subregional distributions. Almost no parvalbumin-expressing cells were found in the BNST, while somatostatin-expressing cells and calretinin-expressing cells account for modest proportions of BNST cells. In addition, vasoactive intestinal peptide-expressing axonal plexuses were prominent in the oval and juxtacapsular subregions. In addition, we discovered that corticotropin-releasing hormone-expressing cells contain GABAergic and glutamatergic subpopulations. Together, this study reveals new information on excitatory and inhibitory neurons in the BNST, which will facilitate genetic dissection and functional studies of BNST subregions. J. Comp. Neurol. 524:2379-2399, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Toy World, Inc.: An Operations Perspective

This case allows students to apply the concept and relevant cost framework for analyzing aggregate-production-planning alternatives. An Excel spreadsheet model is available for use with this case.
A Model of the Spatial-Frequency Organization in Primate Striate Cortex

The majority of cells in area V1 of the primate visual cortex have largely been characterized as oriented, bandpass filters. That is, for any given region of visual space, one finds cells tuned to a variety of different spatial frequency bands and orientations (De Valois et al., 1982; Parker and Hawken, 1988). In order to be consistent with our perceptual capabilities, one would expect these cells to be organized in a way that yields a veridical representation of spatial structure over a range of different scales. Here, we present a model of the spatial frequency organization that would be required in primate V1 in order to form a complete representation of spatial information provided by the optic nerve.
Federally Qualified Health Center Use Among Dual Eligibles: Rates Of Hospitalizations And Emergency Department Visits

People who are eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid, known as “dual eligibles,” disproportionately are members of racial or ethnic minority groups. They face barriers accessing primary care, which in turn increase the risk of potentially preventable hospitalizations and emergency department (ED) visits for ambulatory care–sensitive conditions. Federally qualified health centers provide services known to address barriers to primary care. We analyzed 2008–10 Medicare data for elderly and nonelderly disabled dual eligibles residing in Primary Care Service Areas with nearby federally qualified health centers. Among our findings: There were fewer hospitalizations for ambulatory care–sensitive conditions among blacks and Hispanics who used these health centers than among their counterparts who did not use them (16 percent and 13 percent fewer, respectively). Use of the health centers was also associated with 3 percent and 12 percent fewer hospitalizations for ambulatory care–sensitive conditions among noneld...
Application and validation of a statistically derived risk-based sampling plan to improve efficiency of inspection and enforcement

Abstract The statistically derived risk-based sampling plan for surveillance sample assignments of chemical and biological hazards was designed using binomial probability distribution. The binomial statistics was applied to the past 3-year data to estimate a confidence interval and a sample size aiming to improve efficiency and effectiveness of the agency's sampling and inspectional activities. The accuracy of the statistical models and computed estimates were validated in the following years. The ranges of confidence interval and sample size appeared to be significantly influenced by a level of the violation rate of feed product samples, an acceptable error, a number of the analyzed samples, and a statistical significance level. The violation rates of feed products for target analytes (aflatoxins, fumonisins, Salmonella , and dioxin) in the validation data were lower than those of the average 3-year data in most feed products. Besides, the actual violation rates of the validation samples did not exactly fall within the anticipated range of the confidence interval estimates. Such a discrepancy is considered introduced by several factors such as sample size adequacy, skewed distribution of a target analyte in feed products, and unique analyte/product combination. The overall study results indicate that the risk-based plan of work would provide a more effective and efficient risk management tool to help improve the oversight of the feed industry and the compliance to feed safety standards.
Practicing Patience in Patient Centricity

This “Guest Editor’s Message” column discusses the fact that, although it may seem obvious that the ultimate goal of clinical research is to discover new treatments to improve patients’ lives, unfortunately, this patient-centric view is sometimes either overlooked or forgotten when it comes time for a trial’s actual implementation.
Late-Season Feeding and Emergence of the Tobacco Flea Beetle

Large populations of the tobacco flea beetle, Epitrix hirtipennis (Melsheimer), may severely damage maturing leaves of flue-cured tobacco in Virginia during late July and early August. The insects begin to migrate from the crop after harvest begins (Glass 1940) and continue to leave the plant as harvesting progresses. Late-season feeding and emergence studies were initiated in 1965 to provide a better understanding of the habits of the tobacco flea beetle as a contribution to the efficiency of the control program.
Just Because We Can Cut, Should We? Commentary on an article by Daniel A. Osei, MD, et al.: "Simultaneous Bilateral or Unilateral Carpal Tunnel Release? A Prospective Cohort Study of Early Outcomes and Limitations".

Although it is possible to perform innovative surgery treatment of various maladies affecting the human body, in some cases, it is not always reasonable or practical to do so. A recent example of this view is a current recommendation to perform bilateral surgical intervention for symptomatic carpal tunnel syndrome. Carpal tunnel syndrome is the most common upper-limb compressive neuropathy1, as recently reaffirmed in this study by Osei and colleagues comparing patients undergoing simultaneous bilateral carpal tunnel release and those undergoing unilateral carpal tunnel release. Many presentations of carpal tunnel syndrome, especially in patients with diabetes, hypothyroidism, and inflammatory arthritis, have bilateral involvement1,2. Since it was first described by Phalen et al. in 19503, there have been several different surgical techniques described for carpal tunnel release. The classical incision begins in the palm and crosses the wrist flexion crease4. This extended incision is recommended when there has been a distal radial fracture or when synovectomy for inflammatory arthritis or other tendinopathies is considered. Small palmar incisions (2-cm length) and even mini-incisions and endoscopic procedures can be applied to divide the transverse carpal ligament, but perhaps with less certainty as to the specific area of ligament division, especially with respect to the ulnar border of the carpal ligament adjacent to the hook of the hamate2-6. The location of the incision (more ulnar than radial) may be important to avoid a healing carpal ligament (scar) directly adjacent to the median nerve. Following surgery, there are also different opinions as to the need to immobilize the wrist to ensure ligament healing, prevent soft-tissue interposition, and provide normal tendon gliding through the palmar pulley (transverse carpal ligament). Wrist immobilization may also be of benefit to limit overuse by the patient in …
Liberal Neutrality and the Value of Autonomy

Many liberals believe that government should not base its decisions on any particular conception of the good life. Many believe, further, that this principle of neutrality is best defended through appeal to some normative principle about autonomy. In this essay, I shall discuss the prospects of mounting one such defense. I say only “one such defense” because neutralists can invoke the demands of autonomy in two quite different ways. They can argue, first, that because autonomy itself has such great value, the state can produce the best results by simply allowing each citizen to shape his own life; or they can argue, second, that even if non-neutral policies would produce the most value, the state remains obligated to eschew them out of respect for its citizens' autonomy. Here I shall discuss only the first and more consequentialist of these arguments.
Testing models of quasar hosts with strong gravitational lensing by quasar hosts

We perform a statistical analysis of strong gravitational lensing by quasar hosts of background galaxies, in the two competing models of dark matter halos of quasars, HOD and CS models. Utilizing the BolshoiP Simulation we demonstrate that strong gravitational lensing provides a potentially very powerful test of models of quasar hosting halos. For quasars at $z=0.5$, the lensing probability by quasars of background galaxies in the HOD model is higher than that of the CS model by two orders of magnitude or more for lensing image separations in the range of $\theta\sim 1.2-12~$arcsec. To observationally test this, we show that, as an example, at the depth of the CANDELS wide field survey and with a quasar sample of $1000$ at $z=0.5$, the two models can be differentiated at $3-4\sigma$ confidence level.
Premature emphysema and a suspicious family history.

(1984). Premature Emphysema and a Suspicious Family History. Hospital Practice: Vol. 19, No. 11, pp. 140-142.
Immunotherapy-responsive allodynia due to distal acquired demyelinating symmetric (DADS) neuropathy

Introduction: Distal acquired demyelinating symmetric (DADS) neuropathy is a distal variant of chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy. It is characterized by chronic distal symmetric sensory or sensorimotor deficits. Sensory ataxia is a common clinical presentation. Nerve conduction studies typically show markedly prolonged distal motor latencies. Methods: We report 2 patients with chronic progressive generalized pain and fatigue, with normal neurological examinations except for allodynia. Results: Nerve conduction studies were typical of DADS neuropathy. Monoclonal protein studies were negative. Cerebrospinal fluid protein levels were elevated. Sural nerve biopsies revealed segmental demyelination and remyelination. One biopsy had marked endoneurial and epineurial lymphocytic infiltration. Immunomodulatory therapy alleviated the pain and fatigue and markedly improved distal motor latencies in both patients. Conclusions: DADS neuropathy can present with pain and a normal neurological examination apart from allodynia. Nerve conduction studies are necessary for diagnosis. These patients respond to immunotherapy better than typical DADS neuropathy patients with sensory ataxia. Muscle Nerve 54: 973–977, 2016
Congenital Megalourethra: Report of a Unique Case

Abstract Congenital megalourethra is a rare clinical entity of mesodermal origin. A unique case is presented, which demonstrates features of a fusiform and scaphoid megalourethra.
Male Breast Cancer.

Objectives: A clinicopathologic study with an emphasis on tumor immunohistochemical profile is presented. Methods: Sixty-one cases of male invasive breast cancers were studied. Median age of the cohort was 65 years. Results: Ninety-seven percent were estrogen receptor positive+ and 10% human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 positive. The individual diagnostic marker positivity was 98% for GATA-binding protein 3, 95% for androgen receptor, 90% for progesterone receptor, 88% for deleted in pancreatic cancer 4, 75% for gross cystic disease fluid protein 15, 72% for cytokeratin 7, 55% for mammaglobin, and 15% for vimentin and Wilms tumor protein 1. Caudal type homeobox 2 protein, cytokeratin 20, Napsin A, paired box gene 8, prostate-specific antigen, thyroid transcription factor 1, and uroplakin II were negative in all cases. Survival analyses showed tumor stage, receptor status, and Nottingham prognostic index to be prognostic. The overall survival was 70%, but the breast cancer–specific survival was 92% (mean follow-up, 59 months); 33% developed second malignancy. The immunohistochemistry profile was similar to female breast cancers. Conclusions: The second malignancies in this cohort affected overall survival and suggest the possibility of other germline mutations in addition to BRCA2 in male patients with breast cancer.
The Struggle of Indigenous Americans: A Socio-Historical View

This chapter traces out the origins of Indigenous Peoples in the Americas, their struggles to survive and resist during European and American conquest and domination over the continent, and the nature of contemporary conflicts and revitalization strategies. We will cover four thematic/historical periods, including the origins of indigenous peoples, along with definitions used as political identifies, historically and current socio-political usage; conflicts of “American Indians” in terms of nations and struggles over sovereignty; larger Indigenous struggles in Latin America with a focus on the three modern states of North America; and anti-globalization and cultural contestation conflicts over Indigeneity, autonomy and the nature of community. The work concludes analyzing indigenous peoples in the Americas, partly explaining a great diversity of cultures, experiences, histories and even names, through the contemporary conflicts at Standing Rock and over natural resources around the globe.
Decisions by Default: Incomplete and Contradictory MOLST in Emergency Care

Abstract Objectives What patients intend when they make health care choices and whether they understand the meaning of orders for life-sustaining treatment forms is not well understood. The purpose of this study was to analyze the directives from a sample of emergency department (ED) patients' MOLST forms. Procedures MOLST forms that accompanied 100 patients who were transported to an ED were collected and their contents analyzed. Data categories included age, gender, if the patient completed the form for themselves, medical orders for life-sustaining treatment including intubation, ventilation, artificial nutrition, artificial fluids or other treatment, and wishes for future hospitalization or transfer. Frequencies of variables were calculated and the associations between them were determined using chi-square. An a priori list of combinations of medical orders that were contradictory was developed. Contradictions with Orders for CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) included the choice of one or more of the following: Comfort care; Limited intervention; Do Not Intubate; No rehospitalization; No IV (intravenous) fluids; and No antibiotics. Contradictions with DNR orders included the choice of one or more of the following: Intubation; No limitation on interventions. Contradictions with orders for Comfort Care were as follows: Send to the hospital; Trial period of IV fluids; Antibiotics. The frequencies of coexisting but contradictory medical orders were calculated using crosstabs. Free text responses to the “other instructions” section were submitted to content analysis. Results Sixty-nine percent of forms reviewed had at least one section left blank. Inconsistencies were found in patient wishes among a subset (14%) of patients, wherein their desire for “comfort measures only” seemed contradicted by a desire to be sent to the hospital, receive IV fluids, and/or receive antibiotics. Conclusions Patients and proxies may believe that making choices and documenting some, but not all, of their wishes on the MOLST form is sufficient for directing their end-of-life care. The result of making some, but not all, choices may result in patients receiving undesired, extraordinary, or invasive care.
ARC flash mitigation for 1500 substations: A corporate approach

Locations with excessive arc flash incident energy are discovered after conducting arc flash hazard assessment studies for equipment rated 38 kV and below for very large Oil & Gas company. After conducting many studies of power distribution systems for various plants (e.g. refineries, gas plants, gas oil separation plants, natural gas liquid plants, etc.), it was realized that dangerous locations (greater than 40 calories per square centimeter-cal/cm2) are somewhat consistent among various plant types. Consequently, planning and budgeting for implementing arc flash mitigation becomes predictable from a corporate perspective. Furthermore, specific arc flash mitigation techniques can be imbedded in the specifications of new projects as well as company material standards to avoid unnecessary retrofit activities after installation. More importantly, maintenance personnel can be effectively trained on arc flash mitigation and safe work practices when not too many solutions are utilized. This paper demonstrates a systematic approach to address dangerous arc flash locations for corporate planning purposes and provides practical mitigation solutions that can be applied at many company facilities.
The Reaction Mass Biped: Geometric Mechanics and Control

Inverted Pendulum based reduced order models offer many valuable insights into the much harder problem of bipedal locomotion. While they help in understanding leg behavior during walking, they fail to capture the natural balancing ability of humans that stems from the variable rotational inertia on the torso. In an attempt to overcome this limitation, the proposed work introduces a Reaction Mass Biped (RMB). It is a generalization of the previously introduced Reaction Mass Pendulum (RMP), which is a multi-body inverted pendulum model with an extensible leg and a variable rotational inertia torso. The dynamical model for the RMB is hybrid in nature, with the roles of stance leg and swing leg switching after each cycle. It is derived using a variational mechanics approach, and is therefore coordinate-free. The RMB model has thirteen degrees of freedom, all of which are considered to be actuated. A set of desired state trajectories that can enable bipedal walking in straight and curved paths are generated. A control scheme is then designed for asymptotically tracking this set of trajectories with an almost global domain-of-attraction. Numerical simulation results confirm the stability of this tracking control scheme for different walking paths of the RMB. Additionally, a discrete dynamical model is also provided along-with an appropriate Geometric Variational Integrator (GVI). In contrast to non-variational integrators, GVIs can better preserve energy terms for conservative mechanical systems and stability properties (achieved through energy-like lyapunov functions) for actuated systems.
Urban and Regional Ozone

This chapter presents the US National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) for ozone and the problem of ozone attainment in regions with significant oil and gas development. Examples of ozone nonattainment areas are the Dallas–Fort Worth (DFW) region atop the Barnett Shale, and Wyoming’s Upper Green River Basin encompassing the Jonah–Pinedale Anticline natural gas field. The DFW area illustrates the typical problem of urban nonattainment compounded by increasing regional background ozone due to long range transport of pollution and local emissions of ozone precursors due to shale petroleum mining. The Upper Green River Basin, on the other hand, illustrates the phenomenon of rural wintertime ozone, a problem that also occurs in the Uinta Basin of Utah. The relative importance to ozone photochemistry of nitrogen oxides (NO x ), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and radical precursors such as formaldehyde is discussed based on urban and regional air quality studies.
The 3D Printing Era: A Conceptual Model for the Textile and Apparel Industry

Based on examining existing literatures, this paper proposes a conceptual model that summarizes the potential impacts of 3DP technology on the big landscape of the TA industry. The intention is also to provide a valuable framework for the TA academic discipline to proactively think about the opportunities and challenges of integrating 3DP technology in the TA industry and how to effectively incorporate 3DP into the future research and teaching agendas.