cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Frailty, diabetes, and mortality in middle-aged African Americans

Older adult frail diabetics have high mortality risk, but data are limited regarding frail late middle-aged diabetics, especially for African-Americans. The aim of this study is to examine the association of diabetes with health outcomes and frailty in the African American Health (AAH) study. AAH is a population-based longitudinal cohort study. Participants were African Americans (N=998) ages 49 to 65 years at baseline. Cross-sectional comparisons for diabetes included disability, function, physical performance, cytokines, and frailty. Frailty measures included the International Academy of Nutrition and Aging [FRAIL] frailty scale, Study of Osteoporotic Fractures [SOF] frailty scale, Cardiovascular Health Study [CHS] frailty scale, and Frailty Index [FI]). Longitudinal associations for diabetes included new ADLs ≥ 1 and mortality at 9-year follow-up. Diabetics were more likely to be frail using any of the 4 frailty scales than were non-diabetics. Frail diabetics, compared to nonfrail diabetics, reported significantly increased falls in last 1 year, higher IADLs and higher LBFLs. They demonstrated worse performance on the SPPB, one-leg stand, and grip strength; and higher Tumor Necrosis Factor receptors (sTNFR1 & sTNFR2). Mortality and 1 or more new ADLs also were increased among frail compared to nonfrail diabetics when followed for 9 years. Frailty in middle-aged African American persons with diabetes is associated with having more disability and functional limitations, worse physical performance, and higher cytokines (sTNFR1 & sTNFR2 only). Middle-aged African Americans with diabetes have an increased risk of mortality and frail diabetics have an even higher risk of death, compared to nonfrail diabetics.
Expected Annual Fraction of Data Loss as a Metric for Data Storage Reliability

Several redundancy and recovery schemes have been developed to enhance the reliability of storage systems. The effectiveness of these schemes has predominately been evaluated based on the mean time to data loss (MTTDL) metric, which has been proven useful for assessing tradeoffs, for comparing schemes, and for estimating the effect of the various parameters on system reliability. In the context of distributed and cloud storage systems, for economical reasons, it is of great importance to also consider the magnitude along with the frequency of data loss. We focus on the following reliability metric: the expected annual fraction of data loss (EAFDL), that is, the fraction of stored data that is expected to be lost by the system annually. We present a general methodology to obtain the EAFDL metric analytically, in conjunction with the MTTDL metric, for various redundancy schemes and for a large class of failure time distributions that also includes real-world distributions like Weibull and gamma. As a demonstration, we subsequently apply this methodology to derive these metrics analytically and to assess the reliability of a replication-based storage system under clustered, declustered, and symmetric data placement schemes. We show that the declustered placement scheme offers superior reliability in terms of both metrics. Previous work has used simulation to evaluate the magnitude of data loss, but this is the first work to analytically assess it, and the first to present a general theoretical framework for this context.
Use of Surfactant and Micellar Systems in Analytical Chemistry

An introduction to surfactant and micellar systems is presented. The unique properties exhibited by micellar systems that are ideally suited and very useful in the field of analytical chemistry are outlined (ie. their solubilization power; their utilization as a novel reaction medium in which the rates, equilibrium position, products, and, in a few instances, stereochemistry can be affected; and their ability to greatly alter the microscopic properties and change the effective microenvironment about solubilized solutes). A summary of published work is presented in which micellar systems have been successfully utilized to either improve existing analytical methods or help overcome problems associated with the development of new analytical procedures. Specific examples of such practical and useful applications of micellar systems are given for spectral methods of analysis such as ultraviolet-visible absorption, fluorescence, and atomic absorption; for electroanalytical methods involving potentiometry and polarography; and for chemical separations including chromatographic and extraction techniques. In each case, the micellar chemistry and/or properties involved in the particular analytical application are elucidated. The advantages of these micellar-improved analytical methods are discussed. Several other miscellaneous applications as well as potential areas for future research involving micellar systems in analytical chemistry are pointed out in the overview.
Abstract 12891: Creating a Gateway Into Digital Health for Older Patients who are Technology Impaired

Introduction: Older patients with chronic disease such as hypertension (HTN) may benefit from utilizing home based technology (tech) to monitor and improve disease control, but may forgo these opportunities due to concerns and/or fears over lack of tech skills. Reducing these concerns by providing a free service where use of newer technologies can be introduced and taught may provide opportunities for better HTN management and patient engagement. Purpose: To evaluate whether tech impaired patients with uncontrolled HTN could actively participate and achieve BP control similar to those without tech limitations as part of a digital HTN program. Methods: We created a free health tech “genius bar” called the “O Bar” where patients could be taught how to use a wireless BP unit that transmitted data automatically to the electronic medical record. Patients were assessed at entry as to their tech “savviness” based on capability to email, shop on-line, and use text. All patients were instructed how to take their BP using a smartphone app as well as use of a basic patient portal app. The O Bar was available to all patients for free instruction on the use of health apps and home based monitoring. Results: Of the 247 patients enrolled into the digital HTN program, 18% (44) were labeled as tech impaired. Patients were asked to submit 3-5 BP readings per week from home and intervention consisted of lifestyle and medication management by a clinical pharmacist and a health coach. ![][1] Conclusions: 1. Tech impaired patients were older and had lower health literacy but were able to successfully submit weekly BP measurements and achieve BP control, similar to tech savvy patients. 2. Older patients with poor tech skills should not be dissuaded from enrolling into a digital tech management program provided health systems are willing to provide basic tech education. [1]: /embed/graphic-1.gif
Synoptic climatology of lake‐effect snowfall conditions in the eastern Great Lakes region

The characteristics of overlying synoptic conditions play an important role in the production of lake-effect snowfall within the Great Lakes region of North America. With a synoptic climatological approach, the synoptic-scale patterns conducive to lake-effect snowfall are identified for the eastern Great Lakes region during the November–March seasons of 1950–2009. Seven synoptic types identified as lake effect are combined with daily snowfall observations to examine the role of individual synoptic types on seasonal snowfall. The types exhibit a wide range of surface and 850 hPa temperatures and winds, sea-level pressures, snowfall intensities, and inter-annual frequencies. These factors result in substantial differences in the location and magnitude of seasonal lake-effect snowfall. Recent research has revealed that snowfall within portions of the Great Lakes region subject to lake-effect snow has undergone a trend reversal, declining in recent decades. Examining the inter-annual frequency of the seven lake-effect synoptic types, a majority of types increased in frequency prior to 1980, before becoming less frequent thereafter. The variability in frequency of lake-effect synoptic types can partially be explained by relationships to large-scale atmospheric and oceanic modes of variability. The majority of lake-effect synoptic types occur in association with an upper-level trough over the eastern United States. This trough is consistent with the upper-level pattern associated with a negative phase Arctic Oscillation (AO) and North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO), or positive Pacific/North American pattern (PNA), such that when the AO, NAO, and/or PNA pattern are in those respective phases, there is a significant increase in the frequency of lake-effect synoptic types.
Singularity Blog Insights

This chapter presents four articles from the blogosphere. In the first, Eliezer Yudkowsky provides the three most commonly used meanings of the Singularity: Accelerating Change where the Singularity occurs because of exponential improvements in technology, the Event Horizon where technology will improve to the point where a human-level intelligence can’t predict what will happen, and the Intelligence Explosion in which a self-improving artificial intelligence quickly brings about a singularity. In the next essay, Stuart Armstrong, one of the editors of this book, analyzes many past predictions of AI development. In the third article Scott Siskind discusses reasons why we shouldn’t wait to research AI safety. In the final entry, Scott Aaronson discusses why he does not think that a singularity is near.
Effects of Reward Magnitude on Key Pecking and Eating by Pigeons in a Closed Economy

Three experiments examined the effects of reward magnitude on key pecking and eating by pigeons in a closed economy. In Experiment 1, one deprived pigeon and two nondeprived pigeons key pecked on increasingly higher fixed ratios to earn access to food for the remainder of the session. In Experiments 2 and 3, deprived pigeons working in a closed economy key pecked on either six fixed-ratio or two variable-interval schedules to earn access to one of three short durations of feeding. All pigeons initially key pecked more frequently as the ratio (or interval) size increased or reward magnitude decreased. In Experiments 1 and 2, the point of maximum key pecking varied directly with magnitude of reward and occurred at similar prices (number of key pecks per gram of food eaten). Key pecking on interval schedules also varied inversely with reward magnitude; however, maximum key pecking was sustained over a wider range of prices. The implications of these results for economic models and regulatory models of learned performance and the concept of ratio strain in a closed economy are briefly discussed.
Implant and root canal treatment: Survival rates and factors associated with treatment outcome

Abstract Objectives To assess and compare the survival rates of implant and root canal treatment as well as to investigate the effect of patient and tooth related variables on the treatment outcome in a large-scale population-based study. Methods Dental records of patients who received root canal treatment and implant therapy were retrieved from the electronic records of the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry. Demographic characteristics, dental insurance status, socioeconomic status as well as medical history and tobacco use were recorded. The treatment outcome was included as a binary variable (survival/failure). Results A total of 13,434 records of patients who had implant (33.6%) or root canal therapy (66.4%) were included. The survival rate analysis and Kaplan-Meier table revealed the majority of the implants were removed within the first year (58.8%), while only 35.2% of the root canal treatments failed in the same time period. The overall survival rate was significantly (p Conclusions Implant therapy exhibited significantly lower failures when compared to root canal treatment, but the selection of either treatment should be based on multiple factors. Higher age and anxiety were also significantly associated with root canal and implant treatment failure. Clinical significance Clinicians are in an increased dilemma that affects the decision-making process due to the inadequate evidence in regards to the question of retention or extraction of a tooth in the natural dentition. This study demonstrated that both root canal and implant treatments are sound options with high survival rates; however, root canal therapy exhibited a significantly higher failure rate.
Sex after divorce: older adult women's reflections.

People who divorce experience a number of negative impacts, and yet divorce also offers opportunities for growth and transformation. This qualitative study of older adult women offers the possibili...
In the Journey of User Center Design for the Virtual Environment

Research of interactions in virtual systems, including the value for customers considering engagements, usability testing experiences, and the work processed in virtual environments (including in academic environments and transactional workflows) build up the motivation for this research. With digitization rising, our dependency on virtual or on-line interactions continues expanding. According to Internet World State (2017), there are over 3.4 billion worldwide web users, and English is the most common language (26%), followed by Chinese (21%), and then by Spanish (7.7%). More and more parts of our daily life experiences are becoming digital, and promising integration of virtual environments are motivating further growth. Such context is driving significant changes in our human life ecosystems. The International Ergonomics Association (2017) and ISO 6385:2016 (2016) characterize Ergonomics as a discipline committed to understand the human interactions in a system. With application of principles, theory, design methods, and data analyses a vision with primary focus on the human experiences and well-being should be further embraced, considering alternatives to optimize performance of the hosting digital system as well. The insights from software developers on practices and challenges addressing customer experience (including scenarios when customer may not explicitly communicate his/her expectations), coupled with experience using on line education systems and other virtual services are analyzed. In support of this study, over 500 web sites representing variety of organizations are explored with the goal of finding opportunities to improve the overall user’s experience. Through the study we identify factors driving web site performance from the users’ perspective; web designers and architectures should consider these factors to drive excellence in the experience of the virtual journey.
Single-embryo and single-blastomere immunoblotting reports protein expression heterogeneity in early-stage preimplantation embryos

Abstract Understanding how a zygote develops from a single cell into a multicellular organism has benefitted from single-cell tools, including RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) and immunofluorescence (IF). However, scrutinizing inter- and intra-embryonic phenotypic variation is hindered by two fundamental limitations; the loose correlation between transcription and translation and the cross-reactivity of immunoreagents. To address these challenges, we describe a high-specificity microfluidic immunoblot optimized to quantify protein expression from all stages of mouse preimplantation development. Despite limited availability of isoform-specific immunoreagents, the immunoblot resolves inter-embryonic heterogeneity of embryo-specific isoforms (i.e., DICER-1). We observed significantly higher DICER-1 isoform expression in oocytes when compared to two-cell embryos, and further find that protein expression levels follow the same trend as mRNA for both the full-length and truncated DICER-1 isoforms. At the morula stage, we assayed both whole and disaggregated embryos for loading controls (β-tubulin, GAPDH) and markers that regulate cell fate decisions (CDX-2, SOX-2). In disaggregated morula, we found that cell volume showed positive, linear correlation with expression of β-tubulin and SOX-2. In dissociated two-cell and four-cell blastomeres, we detect significant inter-blastomeric variation in GADD45a expression, corroborating suspected cellular heterogeneity even in the earliest multicellular stage of preimplantation embryos. As RNA-Seq and other transcript-centric approaches continue to further probe preimplantation development, the demand for companion protein-based techniques rises. The reported microfluidic immunoblot serves as an essential tool for understanding mammalian development by providing high-specificity and direct measurements of protein targets at single-embryo and single-blastomere resolution.
On the Transfer of Energy between Widely Spaced Modes in Structures

An experimental and theoretical study of the response of aflexible cantilever beam to an external harmonic excitation nearthe beam's third natural frequency is presented. For a certain range ofthe excitation frequency, we observed experimentally that the responseincludes a large contribution due to the first mode of the beamaccompanied by a slow modulation of the amplitude and phase of the thirdmode. In addition, we noted that the energy transfer between the thirdand first modes is very much dependent upon the closeness of themodulation (or Hopf bifurcation) frequency to the first-mode naturalfrequency. In earlier studies by Nayfeh and coworkers, the modulationfrequency was close to the first-mode natural frequency, and thereforelarge first-mode swaying was observed. But for higher forcingamplitudes, the present experiments show that the modulation frequencytends to shift away from the first-mode natural frequency, andsubsequently very little swaying is observed. We also developed areduced-order analytical model by discretizing the integralpartial-differential equation of motion, derived by Crespo daSilva and Glenn, using the Galerkin procedure with a four-modeapproximation. The reduced-order model demonstrates the energy transferfrom the third mode to the first mode.
THE PACE OF TECHNOLOGICAL INNOVATION IN ARCHITECTURE, ENGINEERING, AND CONSTRUCTION EDUCATION: INTEGRATING RECENT TRENDS INTO THE CURRICULA

The U.S. AEC industry is faced with the ever-increasing challenge of managing the public and private facilities and infrastructure to support the accomplishment of its economy. The increasing global emphasis on sustainable approaches and the need to increase efficiency and improve cost over the lifecycle of projects, demand new approaches to architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) education. This study was initiated to look for insight into the current educational environment and to provide a baseline for possible solutions to cope with the complexity of the challenge. This paper examined 101 U.S. AEC programs focusing on emerging subject areas of Building Information Modeling (BIM) and sustainability, and reviewed how educational innovations of distance learning, multidisciplinary collaboration, industry collaborations, are incorporated to develop core competencies in those two subject areas. The researchers reviewed and categorized the AEC disciplines based on the respective accrediting bodies of ABET, NAAB, and ACCE, and surveyed the internal factors (e.g., program resources, expertise, etc.) and external factors (e.g., accreditation requirements, sustainability initiatives, etc.) that affect the pedagogical approaches. This study illustrates the challenges incorporating new knowledge areas into constrained curricula and the various approaches that the university programs are undertaking. A comparative analysis also reveals the similarities and differences and specific advantages and disadvantages of particular approaches across the AEC programs. The findings reinforce the notion that there are disparities in these educational programs, which need realignment to develop the workforce of the future that will lead the AEC industry transformations.
The Influence of the Holocaust

Sarah was born in Poland. She married her husband in 1933 and moved to Mexico with him. When World War II broke out and she realized that her family was in danger, she tried to obtain Mexican visas to get them out of Poland. She was able to obtain only one visa. Her brother was married and had a young child and therefore needed three visas to help his family flee. Thus, Sarah’s unmarried sister was given the only visa.
A Simple Unified Model for Generic Operation of Dual Active Bridge Converter

This paper presents a simple and generic model of a dual active bridge converter valid throughout its range of operation. It is suitable for all operating modes and modulation strategies such as phase-shift, extended phase-shift, dual phase-shift, or triple phase-shift modulation. It hypothesizes that any mode of its operation characterized by the duty ratios ( $d_1$ , $d_2$ ) of the two full-bridge converter ac voltages and the phase shift ( $\phi$ ) between them can be decomposed into four parallel dual active bridge circuits operating in simple phase-shift modulation. The hypothesis is proven mathematically; the average and small-signal models are derived and validated through simulations and experiments on a hardware prototype.
How should we diagnose and manage checkpoint inhibitor-associated colitis?

Rule out infection, especially Clostridium difficile , then order colonoscopy or computed tomography.
REFUGEE MENTAL HEALTH AND HEALING: UNDERSTANDING THE IMPACT OF POLICIES OF RAPID ECONOMIC SELF-SUFFICIENCY AND THE IMPORTANCE OF MEANINGFUL WORK.

Although refugees who are accepted for resettlement in a third country are guaranteed certain rights and experience safety from war and persecution, they face many mental health challenges. Using qualitative methods and constructivist grounded theory, we explored culturally specific perspectives on trauma and recovery among Burundian, Congolese, and Iraqi refugees resettled in the USA. Eighteen semi-structured interviews provided extensive data on the meaning of productivity and work, the ways in which they index normalcy and self-sufficiency, and how they create security that facilitates the healing process. Our inductive analyses revealed that participants emphasized the relationship between productivity and healing when they described recovery from trauma. Participants also discussed individual and structural facilitators and barriers to work. Finally, prominent themes emerged around gendered roles and expectations and the ways these function in refugee resettlement contexts that are shaped by policies that demand rapid economic self-sufficiency. Taken together, these findings suggest that policies that promote underemployment and foreclose opportunities for education and professional development may contribute negatively to refugee mental health, as well as keep refugees in poverty.
Unsuspected primary malignancy in the setting of elevated serum alpha-fetoprotein.

Hepatocellular carcinoma is the most common solid liver cancer and is screened for with serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) in patients with chronic hepatitis or cirrhosis. However, other tumors can produce AFP, and one of these is the “hepatoid” adenocarcinoma, arising in extrahepatic sites. We present a patient with chronic hepatitis C, multiple liver tumors, and a marked elevation in AFP who was mistakenly thought to have hepatocellular carcinoma, but primary hepatoid adenocarcinoma arising at the gastroesophageal junction was discovered at autopsy.
The function and therapeutic use of exosomes in bacterial infections

Abstract Exosomes and other extracellular vesicles (EVs) play a fundamental role in intracellular communication during bacterial infections. EVs can carry both host and bacterial components that upon uptake by target cells can induce a host protective response or further the survival and spread of the bacterial pathogen. However, despite significant work on the content and function of EVs, we still have only a limited understanding of how these vesicles modulate the immune response in vivo. Nevertheless, in recent years we have seen a significant increase in publications on EVs during bacterial infections; the results of which are highlighted in this chapter.
NMR line-broadening and transverse relaxation time measurements support a di-radical intermediate for the reaction of chlorosulfonyl isocyanate with electron-rich alkenes

Abstract Line-broadening by NMR is an easy and fast method to detect radical intermediates in solution. Chlorosulfonyl isocyanate reacts with electron-rich alkenes via a Single Electron Transfer pathway to give 1,4-diradical intermediates. The Triplet 1,4-diradical can change to the Singlet species at lower temperatures. Less reactive alkenes proceed via a concerted pathway.
High-Performance, UV-Curable Cross-Linked Films via Grafting of Hydroxyethyl Methacrylate Methylene Malonate

Thermoset coatings have been used extensively to protect and enhance the appearance of substrates for industrial maintenance and architectural applications. Here, we demonstrate that anionic polyme...
Vibration-powered pressure sensor

We propose a new concept of vibration-powered pressure sensor that enables pressure monitoring for downhole applications at multiple locations using optical interrogation. The sensor utilizes ambient mechanical energy to excite a resonating silicon structure that consists of a doubly supported beam with a proof mass at the center. One support of the beam is attached to a pressure diaphragm. The pressure-induced bending of the diaphragm produces an axial force in the beam, which alters the stiffness, and hence the resonant frequency. This results in a modulation of the resonant frequency by the input pressure. The frequency responses of the sensor driven by white- and colored-noise excitations are simulated numerically using a lumped model and by solving stochastic differential equations. The fmite element method is used for mechanical analyses. Simulations show that the highest sensitivity (330Hz/bar) is achieved when the beam support on the diaphragm is located at a distance of 0.6 times the radius from the diaphragm center. The sensitivity is approximately zero when the beam support is located at the diaphragm center. The induced principal stresses are below 400 MPa. The sensor does not require electrical power.
Projection of COVID-19 Cases and Deaths in the US as Individual States Re-open May 4,2020

Abstract In March and April 2020, control measures enforcing social distancing and restricting individual movement and contact were adopted across the United States in an effort to slow the spread and growth of COVID-19. However, a number of states have now begun to ease these restrictions. Here, we evaluate the effects of loosening stay-at-home orders on COVID-19 incidence and related outcomes. We use a metapopulation model applied at county resolution to simulate the spread and growth of COVID-19 incidence in the United States. We calibrate the model against county-level daily case and death data collected from February 21, 2020 to May 2, 2020, and project the outbreak in 3,142 US counties for 6 weeks into the future. Projections for daily reported cases, daily new infections (both reported and unreported), new and cumulative hospital bed demand, ICU bed and ventilator demand, as well as daily mortality, are generated. We observe a rebound in COVID-19 incidence and deaths beginning in late May, approximately 2 to 4 weeks after states begin to reopen. Importantly, the lag between infection acquisition and case confirmation, coupled with insufficient broader testing and contact tracing, will mask any rebound and exponential growth of the COVID-19 until it is well underway.
Plasmonic nanocomposites of zinc oxide and titanium nitride

The authors produce plasmonic ZnO-TiN nanocomposite films by depositing plasma-synthesized ZnO nanocrystals onto a substrate and then by infilling the nanocrystal network's pores with TiN via remote plasma-enhanced atomic layer deposition (PEALD). This ZnO-TiN nanocomposite exhibits a plasmonic resonance that is blueshifted compared to planar titanium nitride thin films. The authors study the effects of PEALD conditions and the ZnO film thickness on the plasmonic response of these nanocomposites and exploit the optimized film in a device that generates photocurrent at zero bias.
Brain PUFA Concentrations Are Differentially Affected by Interactions of Diet, Sex, Brain Regions, and Phospholipid Pools in Mice.

Background PUFAs play vital roles in the development, maintenance, and functioning of circuitries that regulate reward and social behaviors. Therefore, modulations in PUFA concentrations of these brain regions may disrupt reward and social circuitries contributing to mood disorders, developmental disabilities, and addictions. Though much is known about regional and phospholipid-pool-specific PUFA concentrations, less is known about the effects of dietary interventions that concurrently lowers n-6 PUFA and supplements n-3 PUFA, on brain PUFA concentrations. There is even less knowledge on the effects of sex on brain PUFA concentrations. Objective This study aimed to comprehensively examine the interaction effects of diet (D), sex (S), brain regions (BR), and phospholipid pools (PL) on brain PUFA concentrations. Methods Male and female C57BL/6J mice were fed 1 of 4 custom-designed diets varying in linoleic acid (LNA) (8 en% or 1 en%) and eicosapentaenoic acid/docosahexaenoic acid (EPA/DHA) (0.4 en% or 0 en%) concentrations from in utero to 15 weeks old. At 15 weeks old, the prefrontal cortex, dorsal striatum, and cerebellum were collected. Fatty acids of 5 major PL were quantified by GC-flame ionization detection. Repeated measures ANOVA was used to test for differences among the groups for D, S, BR, and PL. Results No significant 4-way interactions on PUFA concentrations. DHA, predominant n-3 PUFA, concentrations were dependent on significant D × BR × PL interactions. DHA concentration was not affected by sex. Arachidonic acid (ARA; predominant n-6 PUFA) concentrations were not dependent on 3-way interactions. However, significant 2-way D × PL, BR × PL, and D × Sinteractions affected ARA concentrations. Brain fatty acid concentrations were differentially affected by various combinations of D, S, BR, and PL interactions. Conclusion Though DHA concentrations are not affected by sex, ARA concentrations are affected by interactions of the 4 variables examined. This study provides comprehensive references in the investigation of complex interactions between factors that affect brain PUFA concentrations in mice.
Recovering the Irrecoverable: “The Memory of What Matters” in Three Works by Paco Roca

If not all memories are equally important, then it seems that not all efforts to recover memory are equally fruitful. Batista examines how Paco Roca, Spain’s best-selling graphic novelist, tries to recover the absent memory of certain individuals by recounting episodes that at times serve to re-establish and reconstruct a shared memory, and at other times act as a traumatic reminder of the irrecoverable. By focusing on graphic language, visual metaphors, and symbolic color schemes in three of Roca’s most popular works, Arrugas, Los surcos del azar, and La casa, Batista demonstrates how Roca paints an intimate and personal picture of aging, remembering, and familial connections.
Intellectual Functioning and Sexual Crime: A Historical Context

This chapter describes the historical context of sexual crimes committed by those with extreme intellectual functioning. Following definitions of intellectual functioning, it will explore historical understandings of sexual violence perpetrated by those with low intellectual functioning and, uniquely, high intellectual functioning. Indeed, whilst there is a growing body of literature concerning sexual violence committed by those with low intellectual functioning (encompassing those with intellectual disabilities), little attention has been paid to those with high intellectual functioning who commit sexual offences, or comparisons between these two groups. The chapter will offer some discussion as to why this has been the case, as well as considering theoretical links between extremes of intellectual functioning and the commission of sexual crime.
Prognostic Impact of High-Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein in Patients Undergoing Percutaneous Coronary Intervention According to BMI.

Abstract Objectives The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and prognostic implications of elevated high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) according to body mass index (BMI). Background Whereas elevated hsCRP predicts adverse clinical outcome after PCI in the general population, the impact of BMI on its prognostic utility remains unclear. Methods Data from 14,140 patients who underwent PCI between January 2009 and June 2017 at a large tertiary care center were analyzed. Patients were divided into 4 BMI categories: normal (BMI 18.5 to 3 mg/l. The primary endpoint of interest was the occurrence of major adverse cardiac events (MACE; defined as death, myocardial infarction, or target vessel revascularization) within 1 year after PCI. Results Elevated hsCRP was present in 18.9%, 23.6%, 33.3%, and 47.7% of the normal, overweight, obese, and severely obese groups, respectively. MACE rates were consistently higher in patients with elevated hsCRP across all BMI categories (normal, 13.4% vs. 8.3%; overweight, 11.2% vs. 7.2%; obese, 10.6% vs. 7.5%; severely obese, 11.9% vs. 6.5%; p Conclusions Among patients undergoing PCI, the prevalence of hsCRP elevation progressively increased with higher BMI. Measurement of hsCRP facilitates prognostic risk assessment for adverse outcome after PCI across a broad range of BMI.
Electronic Cigarettes: Smoke-Free Laws, Use Restrictions, and the Public Health

Consumer use of e-cigarettes is rising despite a lack of rigorous safety testing, manufacturing controls, and a well-understood risk profile. Many states and municipalities have prohibited e-cigarette sale to minors or amended their smokefree laws to restrict public use. I discuss the public health impact of e-cigarettes and the current lack of Food and Drug Administration regulation, and advocate that states and localities reexamine their smoke-free laws and sale restrictions to appropriately regulate public use and youth access.
Racial Disparities in Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Mortality Are Driven by Unequal Infection Risks.

Background As of 1 November 2020, there have been >230 000 deaths and 9 million confirmed and probable cases attributable to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in the United States. However, this overwhelming toll has not been distributed equally, with geographic, race/ethnic, age, and socioeconomic disparities in exposure and mortality defining features of the US coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) epidemic. Methods We used individual-level COVID-19 incidence and mortality data from the state of Michigan to estimate age-specific incidence and mortality rates by race/ethnic group. Data were analyzed using hierarchical Bayesian regression models, and model results were validated using posterior predictive checks. Results In crude and age-standardized analyses we found rates of incidence and mortality more than twice as high than for Whites for all groups except Native Americans. Blacks experienced the greatest burden of confirmed and probable COVID-19 (age-standardized incidence, 1626/100 000 population) and mortality (age-standardized mortality rate, 244/100 000). These rates reflect large disparities, as Blacks experienced age-standardized incidence and mortality rates 5.5 (95% posterior credible interval [CrI], 5.4-5.6) and 6.7 (95% CrI, 6.4-7.1) times higher than Whites, respectively. We found that the bulk of the disparity in mortality between Blacks and Whites is driven by dramatically higher rates of COVID-19 infection across all age groups, particularly among older adults, rather than age-specific variation in case-fatality rates. Conclusions This work suggests that well-documented racial disparities in COVID-19 mortality in hard-hit settings, such as Michigan, are driven primarily by variation in household, community, and workplace exposure rather than case-fatality rates.
“A Program, Not the Projects”: Reentry in the Post-Public Housing Era:

Prisoner reentry is widely recognized as a hybrid project of poverty governance situated at the intersection of the welfare state and penal state. Numerous scholars have examined the devolved terra...
Internet Survey of Participant Demographics and Risk Factors for Injury in Competitive Agility Dogs

Objective The aim of this study was to identify risk factors for an agility dog becoming injured during its career. We hypothesized that certain factors involved with the training, competition, age, sex, age of neuter, body condition, and management could be associated with the risk for injury. Study Design The outcome of interest in this cross-sectional survey design was injury versus no injury, and an initial univariable analysis screening was performed. All variables with a p-value of less than 0.20 in univariable analysis were entered into a multivariable logistic regression model. Manual backward stepwise removal was performed until remaining variables had a p-value of less than 0.05. Results Five-hundred responses were included in the analysis. In the final multivariable model adjusting for all other variables, breed, age, age at neuter, and level of competition remained associated with injury in the study population. Conclusion These findings support existing literature on the predispositions for injury with certain breeds and competition level. Our study further suggests, however, that there is a need to better understand how health decisions earlier in life may affect the prevalence for injury in the agility competitor, particularly regarding age at neutering and age of the competitor.
Does Protest Against Police Violence Matter? Evidence from U.S. Cities, 1990 through 2019:

An underlying premise of democratic politics is that protest can be an effective form of civic engagement that shapes policy changes desired by marginalized groups. But it is not certain that this ...
Decision Support for Airline Schedule Planning

Since the 1950s, the operations research community has developed a large number of computer models to aid in the solution of airline scheduling problems. One notable characteristic of these contributions is that each algorithm was developed with its own input and output structures, user interface, and hardware and software requirements. The result is that many of these contributions are under-utilized because they are cumbersome to use, not integrated with the other airline's systems, and not connected across all functions of the airline (from planning to operations control). What was needed to make these contributions effective was a scheduling “environment” with a systematic interaction between the human, standardized databases across all functions of the airline, powerful desktop workstations for decision support, a standardized interactive graphical user interface for schedule editing, and the operations research techniques for optimization. This paper reports on the application of the integration of computer science and operations research in a decision support system for airline schedule planning. The application integrates a graphical user interface and the database with the schedule optimization algorithms.
Testing a modified perceived exertion scale for Alzheimer's disease

Standardized methods for prescribing and monitoring exercise intensity are needed to advance exercise research in Alzheimer's disease (AD). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the concurrent validity of a modified 1-10 Rating of Perceived Exertion (RPE) scale against heart rate (HR) in older adults with mild-to-moderate AD (N = 8, age 77-87 years). RPE and HR were assessed every 5 min during each exercise session with 3,988 data pairs. Pearson and Spearman correlations and mixed models for correlated data were used for analysis. Results show the correlation between RPE and HR and between RPE and change in HR from resting was -.11 (SE = .15) and -.31 (SE = .17), respectively. The proportions of variance explained by RPE overall, RPE within participant, and RPE within session were only 4.0, 5.3, and 6.7%, respectively. We conclude that the modified 1-10 RPE scale did not show concurrent validity to HR, with large between-individual variability.
Mission 59 to survey earth with multiband radar

The preparations for Space Shuttle Mission 59 are described, as are the planned mapping operations of the Space Imaging Radar C (SIR-C). Crew tasks and shuttle maneuvers during the 18 million square mile Earth mapping mission are also outlined.
The Gram-Negative Rod: Escherichia coli

A century ago Dr. Escherich was searching for the organism that caused cholera. He found an organism that today is called Escherichia coli. Later it was believed that E. coli was the major one present in mammalian fecal matter. This was because microbiologists could not grow the anaerobes. Since E. coli was rapidly lost in soil and water, its presence was used as a measure of fecal contamination in water quality assessment. The fact that it could utilize lactose went along with the idea that it was associated with mammals that fed their young with lactose-containing milk. It was for these reasons that selective and enrichment methods were developed for it. In addition to the ability to ferment lactose, some tests depended on the ability of the organism to grow at 45°C and some on its ability to resist the action of bile salts. Both qualities would be expected for an organism whose major habitat was the mammalian intestine. Technical improvements, such as the development of Eosin Methylene Blue agar, were made for these public health purposes. Later these techniques became major tools in the development of molecular biology.
Precautionary storage of refinery products: The case of distillate fuel oil

Abstract The short-run behaviour of prices for petroleum products is sensitive to adjustments in inventories. For many products, a large portion of the month-to-month variation in stock levels is due to non-price considerations. Yet the mathematical theory of non-speculative storage is poorly developed. This paper considers the problem of specifying functions that represent the convenience yield from precautionary storage of refinery products. One specification is tested using data from the distillate market of the eastern USA, with encouraging results. This may point the way to use of richer supply of storage relations in short-run market analysis.
Playing the Second World War: Call of Duty and the Telling of History

Through its interactive representation of the Second World War, the Call of Duty series is emblematic of a contemporary form of historical remembrance. This article analyzes the ways in which the series' cut scenes and game play interrelate and represent history, warfare, and traumatic violence. Using Marita Sturken’s discussion of screen memories as sites of negotiation between differing conceptions of the past, the essay positions Call of Duty as a digital screen memory that actively produces multiple, competing understandings of historical warfare.
Tracheal aspirate Gram stain has limited sensitivity and specificity for detecting Staphylococcus aureus.

Background and objective: The increasing incidence of respiratory infections due to methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus has resulted in increased empirical use of antibiotics active against this pathogen. There are limited data available as to whether the Gram stain of respiratory tract secretions accurately predicts growth of S. aureus. We theorized that the distinctive morphology of S. aureus would allow rapid, accurate identification of the organism in respiratory secretions. Methods: The authors reviewed all available Gram stains of tracheal aspirates sent to our hospital's microbiology laboratory between 1 April 2008 and 31 October 2008, while blinded to the culture result, and recorded the presence or absence of organisms with a morphology consistent with S. aureus. These results were correlated with the semiquantitative culture result. Results: Among 136 tracheal aspirates studied, 50 (37%) grew S. aureus. The Gram stain was read as positive for organisms consistent with S. aureus in 34 of these. Among 86 samples that did not grow S. aureus, the Gram stain was read as negative in 62. Therefore, the Gram stain had a sensitivity of 68%, a specificity of 72%, a negative predictive value of 80% and a positive predictive value of 59% for culture of S. aureus. False negative Gram stains were more likely when the culture revealed only rare or small growth of S. aureus (P = 0.01). Conclusions: In this study, the tracheal aspirate Gram stain read by an experienced clinician who was not a microbiologist, was not accurate enough to reliably predict the growth of S. aureus.
Adult and Pediatric Cochlear Implant Programs at the University of Michigan

The Cochlear Implant Program at the University of Michigan has evolved over the past several years and is strongly dependent on a team approach to clinical care. Members of the team work closely to...
Photovoltaic Power System for Satellite Earth Stations in Remote Areas: Project Status and Design Description

A photovoltaic power system will be installed at a remote location in Indonesia to provide power for a satellite earth station and a classroom for video and audio teleconferences. The earth station may also provide telephone service to a nearby village. This activity is being implemented in support of the Agency for International Development's Rural Satellite Program. The purpose of this program is to demonstrate the use of satellite commnunications for development assistance applications. The purpose of the photovoltaic power system project is to demonstrate the suitability of a hybrid photovoltaic diesel generator power system for remote satellite earth stations. This paper discusses the Indonesian Rural Satellite Project and describes the photovoltaic power system.
Effect of Absence of Developing Grain on Carbohydrate Content and Senescence of Maize Leaves

In maize (Zea mays L.) grown under normal conditions in Rhodesia, prevention of pollination or removal of the ears after flowering caused premature senescence of the leaves above the ear, preceded by the appearance of a purplish red color. In plants from which the ears had been removed the concentration of sugars and starch increased markedly in both upper and lower leaves, the increase being greater in the upper leaves.
Synthesis and Extraction of Monodisperse Sodium Carboxymethylcellulose-Stabilized Platinum Nanoparticles for the Self-assembly of Ordered Arrays

This paper presents a facile and effective nanoparticle synthesis approach based on aqueous sodium carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) solutions coupled with an organic phase extraction to yield dodecanethiol-capped Pt nanoparticle dispersions with narrow size distribution (using 0.15 wt % CMC in the system the average diameter = 3.9 nm, the standard deviation = 0.40 nm, and the relative standard deviation = 10.2%). CMC has been demonstrated by Fourier transform IR (FT-IR) spectra to anchor to the Pt particle surface via both −COO and −OH groups, thereby suppressing the growth and agglomeration of the particles. These CMC-stabilized Pt nanoparticles could be extracted from the aqueous solution to the hexane phase using dodecanethiol as an extractant with the assistance of concentrated HCl to adjust the pH of the solution. The concentrated monodisperse Pt nanoparticle dispersions within the hexane were subsequently self-assembled into closely packed and ordered arrays (or 2-D superlattices) by simply evaporating ...