cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
An Experimental Study of Jury Decision Rules

We present experimental results on groups facing a decision problem analogous to that faced by a jury. We consider three treatment variables: group size (three or six), number of votes needed for conviction (majority or unanimity), and pre-vote deliberation. We find evidence of strategic voting under the unanimity rule: A large fraction of our subjects vote for a decision analogous to conviction even when their private information indicates a state analogous to innocence. This is roughly consistent with the game theoretic predictions of Feddersen and Pesendorfer. Although individual behavior is explained well by the game theoretic model, there are discrepancies at the level of the group decision. Contrary to Feddersen and Pesendorfer, in our experiments there are fewer outcomes analogous to incorrect convictions under unanimity rule than under majority rule. In the case of no deliberation, we simultaneously account for the individual and group data using quantal response equilibrium.
More on nonlinear distortion correction

Further consideration is given to basic amplitude limitations which may apply to the complementary distortion method of nonlinear distortion correction. It is found, in disagreement with others, that points at which the differential gain is zero or infinite do not limit the amplitude over which complete correction is possible but that relative maxima, minima, gain zeros, and infinite-gain points in the characteristic do set limitations when the usual simply connected tandem configuration is employed. When the characteristic to be corrected is multiple valued or passes through points of zero or infinite gain within a given amplitude range, a multiply connected correction circuit must be used for perfect correction of distortion over the amplitude range in question.
Myectomy Versus Alcohol Septal Ablation: Experience Remains Key

In this issue of JACC: Cardiovascular Interventions , Steggerda et al. [(1)][1] present a single-center experience comparing alcohol septal ablation (ASA) and septal myectomy for the treatment of symptomatic patients with hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy. They present results of 102 myectomy
Dual-task performance in older adults during discrete gait perturbation

The dual-task (motor and cognitive) performance of eight older adults (72.0 ± 6.4 years; 5 female; 3 male) was evaluated. Vocal choice reaction times (cognitive task) were measured at standstill as well as during unperturbed and perturbed gait (motor task). The perturbation was administered using customized shoes instrumented to lower a small (18.4 mm high) aluminum flap suddenly under the medial or lateral forefoot during a single swing phase of 12 of 30 gait trials. The ankle inverted or everted an average of 10 or 9 degrees, respectively, depending on the flap deployed. Medial and lateral perturbations were randomized between the left and right feet. The results show that vocal choice reaction time was significantly prolonged by gait, both perturbed (614.7 ± 80.2 ms) and unperturbed (529.9 ± 119.3 ms), compared to standstill (332.8 ± 76.5 ms; p = 0.0015). Further, the prolongation associated with gait perturbation was significant, compared to that with unperturbed gait (p = 0.016). The kinematics of the first post-perturbation (recovery) step, with or without concomitant vocal choice reaction task performance, was not significantly different from those of the average step during unperturbed gait. We conclude that in healthy older adults, the requirement to respond to a gait challenge resulted in deterioration in the performance of a concurrent cognitive task as indicated by significant prolongation of response time in the vocal choice reaction task. In contrast, performance of the motor task was not adversely affected.
Biochemical Differentiation and Development of Autonomic Neurons and Synapses

The present chapter describes biochemical changes occurring during the period in which synaptic contacts are established between developing neurons and their targets. In contrast to in vitro formation of contacts between neurons or neurons and targets, in situ synaptogenesis represents a gradual, complex, and long-term process involving several phases of embryologic transformation, which continues after birth (or hatching) and sometimes prolongs itself into the adult period of life.1 Structural and biochemical modifications proceed hand in hand, and one cannot be understood without considering the other. This discussion will largely confine itself to a description of the quantitative biochemical changes related to neurotransmitter metabolism that occur during development of autonomic synapses. For comparison, a short section discusses events in neuromuscular junctions. Because of the relative simplicity of the peripheral nervous system (PNS) as compared to the central nervous system (CNS) and of the vast body of information derived from classical models of embryogenesis, such as the chick embryo, our most detailed knowledge on synaptogenesis originates from studies of this part of the nervous system.
Finding schrodinger's gun

Interactive narratives are branching stories with events that change based on feedback from participants. One method of generating interactive narratives is a plan-based process called mediation. A sub-process within mediation called accommodation creates new story content when a participant deviates from the main storyline. We show that a model of character knowledge allows accommodation to find a novel class of branching stories previously inaccessible by the algorithm.
Protecting the Wolf in Sheep's Clothing: Perverse Consequences of the McKennon Rule

Suppose an employer accused of discrimination learns during litigation that the plaintiff had fabricated a college degree, hidden a criminal conviction, or stolen confidential documents. Under the landmark case of McKennon v. Nashville Banner Publishing Co., the U.S. Supreme Court determined that such plaintiffs might obtain relief even if the "after-acquired" evidence would have led to lawful termination or lawful failure to hire if defendants had uncovered it when it occurred. Most commentators applaud McKennon but fail to acknowledge its perverse consequences in diluting the effectiveness of labor-market signaling. The unintended result may be reduced productivity, poorer matches of workers to jobs, higher turnover, and increased costs of hiring and assessment. The ruling may also increase the incidence of statistical discrimination as well as erode the benefits of acquiring human capital. In sum, despite its praiseworthy objectives, McKennon may worsen labor-market conditions for those protected by discrimination laws. This paper describes the typical scenarios that arise in after-acquired-evidence cases, reviews the law surrounding McKennon, and discusses how the economic literature on information and signaling applies to such cases.
Late-Glacial Cold-Water Marine Shells of Maine and Adjacent Regions

Shells are found from a few feet above high water underlying the boulder drift, to several hundred feet above the sea. I found ten species named below 350 ft high. It is possible that recent fossil. shells may be found still higher in Maine. In addition to these shells, the remains of whales, large and small fish, teeth of sharks, the walrus and buffalo; and of crustaceans and radiates. Mr. Charles B. Fuller conchologist and cabinet keeper of the Portland Society of Natural History has been indefatigable in his researches for post-glacial shells embedded in the drift. Dr. Packard and True have also done a great deal in the same direction, the former of whom has made two visits I believe, to Labrador for Scientific observation in connection with the phenomena of the drift. For necessary information, I have consulted Dr. Packard’s work on the “Glacial Phenomena of Labrador and Maine” and the Geological Reports of New England and the British Provinces.
Circulating corticotropin releasing factor-like activity in man.

SummaryIn order to investigate the possible existence of corticotropin releasing factor (CRF)-like activity in human plasma, methanol extracts of plasma were incubated with rat anterior pituitary tissue in vitro and ACTH release was determined. The extracts were reconstituted so that 1.0 ml was equivalent to 20 ml of original plasma, and the following doses in 5.0-ml incubation volumes elicited a stepwise increase in ACTH release: 100, 250, 500, and 750 μ1. The 250-, 500-, and 750-μl doses resulted in a linear log dose-response. Parallel experiments with 0.5, 1, 2, 5, and 10 rat hypothalamic equivalents in 5.0-ml incubation volumes resulted in a similar stepwise increase in ACTH release. Control experiments indicated a significantly greater ACTH release when pituitary tissue was incubated with methanol extracts of rat hy-pothalami in comparison to hypothalami added directly in vitro, validating the methanol extraction technique with a known source of CRF. Ultrafiltration experiments with the human plasma ...
A Bipolar Adjective Screening Methodology

the Evaluative, Potency, and Activity factors may be used to determine the bipolar adjectives-in essence, replicate Osgood's thesaurus study. However, since Osgood reports the factor loadings for the bipolar adjectives, an alternative, to replicating Osgood's factor analysis is to select the required number of bipolar adjectives based upon the factor loadings reported in Osgood's thesaurus study. The problem with selecting bipolar adjectives in this manner is that in different research settings the semantic impact evoked by these bipolar adjectives may bear no relationship to the magnitude of Osgood's factor
Two-dimensional Fluid Model of DC and RF Plasma Discharges in Magnetic Field

*† The hydrodynamic equations of continuity and momentum for electrons and ions along with the electrostatic field equation are solved numerically using a self-consistent finite-element algorithm in the low-pressure, high frequency regime. The plasma formation over a flat plate is investigated for three different cases. The twodimensional numerical algorithm is first benchmarked with published literature for plasma formed between symmetric electrodes in nitrogen gas. Discharge characteristics of plasma for an electrode-insulator configuration are then analyzed under steady and transient conditions using argon as a working gas. The effect of magnetic field on electric potential and charge difference is studied for an infinitesimally thin electrode. The magnetic field distorts the stream-wise distribution because of strong y-momentum v×B coupling. Finally, the shape effects of insulator-conductor edge for an electrode of finite thickness have been compared using a 90 o shoulder and a 45 o chamfer. The 90 o chamfer displays a stronger body force created due to plasma in the downward and forward
The Viable but Nonculturable State for Bacteria: Status Update: This dormant form of bacteria was first appreciated in 1982; now skeptics recognize this state as a bacterial response to stress and a strategy for survival

The notion of microorganisms living in a viable but nonculturable (VBNC) state originates from studies by Rita Colwell at the University of Maryland and her collaborators, whose focus was on Vibrio cholerae. Here, I summarize the early history of this field as well as some of the later studies on the genetics of the VBNC state, the role of quorum sensing in resuscitating dormant cells, and the effect global climate change is having on the spread and incidence of pathogenic vibrios. Much of this material was discussed during the symposium, “Healthy Waters, Healthy People: A Tribute to Rita Colwell,” convened during the 2015 ASM General Meeting in New Orleans, La.
Watch and wait approach to rectal cancer: A review

In 2014, there were an estimated 136800 new cases of colorectal cancer, making it the most common gastrointestinal malignancy. It is the second leading cause of cancer death in both men and women in the United States and over one-third of newly diagnosed patients have stage III (node-positive) disease. For stage II and III colorectal cancer patients, the mainstay of curative therapy is neoadjuvant therapy, followed by radical surgical resection of the rectum. However, the consequences of a proctectomy, either by low anterior resection or abdominoperineal resection, can lead to very extensive comorbidities, such as the need for a permanent colostomy, fecal incontinence, sexual and urinary dysfunction, and even mortality. Recently, trends of complete regression of the rectal cancer after neoadjuvant chemoradiation therapy have been confirmed by clinical and radiographic evaluation-this is known as complete clinical response (cCR). The "watch and wait" approach was first proposed by Dr. Angelita Habr-Gama in Brazil in 2009. Those patients with cCR are followed with close surveillance physical examinations, endoscopy, and imaging. Here, we review management of rectal cancer, the development of the "watch and wait" approach and its outcomes.
GRAVITY WAVES | Buoyancy and Buoyancy Waves: Optical Observations

This article is reproduced from the previous edition, volume 1, pp 323–330, © 2003, Elsevier Ltd.
Abstract A73: Racial/ethnic differences in primary central nervous system lymphoma: A SEER-based estimate of incidence and survival rates among American blacks, American whites, Asian/Pacific Islanders and American Indians/Alaskan natives

The racial and ethnic associations of PCNSL have never been determined. Our clinical impression was that PCNSL was less commonly diagnosed in American Blacks (“Blacks”) than in American Whites (“Whites”) and rarely in Asian/Pacific Islanders (A/PI) and American Indians/Alaskan natives (AI/AN). We used SEER program data to determine if there was a racial difference in incidence and survival. The data are suggestive of a racial influence on PCNSL incidence and mortality. Incident malignancies were classified using ICD-O, 2ND Edition and specified NHL morphologies and stratified to those 20–49 years of age and those over 50. Subgroup analyses reflect the four SEER racial groups. Age-adjusted incidence rates were calculated to the 2000 U.S. standard million population and reported per 100,000 person-years (SEER*Stat software). 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated based on properties of the Poisson distribution. Among Whites the PCNSL incidence rate was 0.94 per 100,000 per year (95% CI 0.90–0.98); among Blacks the incidence was 1.10 per 100,000 per year (95% CI 0.98–1.22). The other subgroups had much lower PCNSL incidence rates. In patients aged 20–49 years at diagnosis PCNSL incidence in Blacks (IR=1.43, 95% CI 1.27–1.59) was twice that of similarly aged Whites (IR=0.72, 95% CI 0.68–0.76). For those above the age of 50 years, the incidence ratio between the two racial groups was reversed; 1.30 (95% CI 1.22–1.38) in Whites and 0.56 (95% CI 0.40–0.72) among Blacks. Survival for all races and all ages at 12 months, 2 years, and 5 years was 33%, 25%, and 16% respectively. Among all persons 20 years and older, survival at 12 months, 24 months, and 60 months among Whites was significantly higher than in Blacks. When stratified into groups of those 20 to 49 and those 50 or greater, only twelve month survival and 5 year survival was statistically different in the two racial groups (p=0.03; p=0.05, respectively).
Broadening Options for Promoting Women's Participation in the Extractive Industries Sector in Africa

This publication on Broadening Options for Promoting Women’s Participation in the Extractive Industries Sector is a valuable contribution to exploring solutions for putting women at the heart of extractive industries activities and taking them to scale in Africa. This is only a beginning. The sector cannot afford to lose momentum. It must now seize the opportunity to invest in genuine solutions which put social, economic and political empowerment for women in the extractive industries at the center of overcoming the gender barriers and issues women have vehemently faced in the sector to accelerate economic development and create expanded opportunities for women’s economic empowerment.
Synoptic Characteristics of Surge-Producing Extratropical Cyclones along the Northeast Coast of the United States

AbstractExtratropical cyclones (ETCs) are responsible for most of the large storm surge events in the northeastern United States. This study uses ERA-20c reanalysis and NOAA tide gauge data to examine the local, regional, and large-scale atmospheric circulation accompanying the 100 largest ETC-driven surge events at three locations along the northeast coast of the United States: Sewells Point (Norfolk), Virginia; The Battery (New York), New York; and Boston, Massachusetts. Results from a k-means cluster analysis indicate that the largest surges are generated when slowly propagating ETCs encounter a strong anticyclone, which produces a tighter pressure gradient and longer duration of onshore winds. The strength of the anticyclone is evident in the middle and upper troposphere where there are positive 500 hPa geopotential height anomalies overlying the surface anticyclone for the majority of clusters and nearly all of the top-five surge events. Multiple clusters feature a slower than average storm and a str...
Chemical waves in cell and developmental biology

Many biological events, such as the propagation of nerve impulses, the synchronized cell cycles of early embryogenesis, and collective cell migration, must be coordinated with remarkable speed across very large distances. Such rapid coordination cannot be achieved by simple diffusion of molecules alone and requires specialized mechanisms. Although active transport can provide a directed and efficient way to travel across subcellular structures, it cannot account for the most rapid examples of coordination found in biology. Rather, these appear to be driven by mechanisms involving traveling waves of chemical activities that are able to propagate information rapidly across biological or physical systems. Indeed, recent advances in our ability to probe the dynamics of signaling pathways are revealing many examples of coordination of cellular and developmental processes through traveling chemical waves. Here, we will review the theoretical principles underlying such waves; highlight recent literature on their role in different contexts, ranging from chemotaxis to development; and discuss open questions and future perspectives on the study of chemical waves as an essential feature of cell and tissue physiology.
On process and traumatic repetition

The moderators reflect on the structure and dynamics of the conference panel, the disrupted effort to talk “about” trigger warnings, and the re-enactment of social problematics that left the group with open wounds. They ask what derailed the dialogue, and consider the effects of the panelists’ race and gender.
Hydrogen bonding geometry of a protein-bound carbohydrate from water exchange-mediated cross-relaxation.

We present heteronuclear two-dimensional methods for the analysis of the geometry of exchangeable protons on a protein-bound carbohydrate. By using a water-selective NOESY-HSQC, we observed cross-relaxation between carbohydrate hydroxyl protons and non-exchangeable ring protons in the complex of [13C6]-α-methyl-D-mannopyranoside with recombinant rat mannose binding protein. Using a simple kinetic model, we were able to explain the differences in the initial slopes of the resulting cross-relaxation buildup curves in terms of the geometry of the hydroxyl protons in the bound state. The hydroxyl rotamers consistent with our cross-relaxation data fit very well with predictions based on the crystal structure of MBP bound to a mannose-rich oligosaccharide. These methods should be applicable to other systems where both ligand exchange and water exchange are fast relative to the rate of cross-relaxation.
On the Motion of Vortex Pairs in the Anisotropic Heisenberg Model

We consider a classical 2D Heisenberg model with easy-plane symmetry. Koster-litz and Thouless1 showed that such a system has a topological phase transition: at low temperatures there exist bound vortex pairs which start to dissociate above a critical temperature T KT Just above T KT we can assume that there are only a few free vortices which move ballistically between their interactions. A model of dynamics built on such a “vortex gas” has been constructed assuming a Gaussian velocity distribution. Here we use effective equations of motion for the collective (center-of-mass) vortex variables and compare these analytical results of vortex-vortex and vortex-anitvortex interactions with molecular dynamics simulations of the full spin system.3 We investigate both ferromagnets (FM) and antiferromagnets (AFM) with an anisotropy parameter λ varying from zero to one.
Comparison of the locations where young adults smoke, vape, and eat/drink cannabis: Implications for harm reduction

Abstract Background Cannabis vaping and edible use are increasingly popular methods of cannabis use. These discreet methods could increase risk of cannabis-related problems by facilitating cannabis use in a wider range of settings. Methods A sample of 1018 college students were recruited to complete a survey about their health and behavior. Participants who used cannabis in the past year (35.1%, n = 357) answered questions about their cannabis use, including where they were the last time they smoked, vaped, or ate/drank cannabis, and their experience of cannabis-related problems. Results Compared with cannabis smoking, participants were more likely to have vaped cannabis (15.8% smoked vs. 24.6% vaped; X2 = 4.59, p = .032), and were slightly, but not statistically significantly, more likely to have used cannabis edibles (17.5% smoked vs. 24.2% used edibles; X2 = 3.57, p = .059), in locations other than a private residence. For example, participants were more likely to have vaped cannabis in a car than to have smoked cannabis in a car (8.8% vaped vs. 3.5% smoked; X2 = 4.26, p = .039). More frequent cannabis vaping was associated with driving while high on cannabis, even after accounting for overall frequency of cannabis use and other covariates (OR = 1.22, p = .047). More frequent cannabis vaping and edible use were associated with various cannabis-related problems, but, in general, these associations became statistically non-significant after accounting for overall frequency of cannabis use. Conclusions Cannabis vaporizers and edibles facilitate cannabis use in locations that require discretion. Increased availability of cannabis vaporizers and edibles could increase risk of cannabis-related problems by enabling use in more settings.
Position-based real-time simulation of large crowds

Abstract We introduce a crowd simulation method that runs at interactive rates for on the order of a hundred thousand agents, making it particularly suitable for use in games. Our new method is inspired by Position-Based Dynamics (PBD), a fast physics-based animation technique in widespread use. Individual agents in crowds are abstracted by particles, whose motions are controlled by intuitive position constraints and planning velocities, which can be readily integrated into a standard PBD solver, and agent positions are projected onto constraint manifolds to eliminate colliding configurations. A variety of constraints are presented, enabling complex collective behaviors with robust agent collision avoidance in both sparse and dense crowd scenarios.
Congenitally Corrected Transposition Presenting in the First Year of Life: Survival and Fate of the Systemic Right Ventricle.

Introduction:Knowledge gaps exist in the life expectancy and functional outcome of patients with congenitally corrected transposition (ccTGA) presenting early in life, which is relevant in the eval...
Survival Differences Between Males and Females Diagnosed With Childhood Cancer.

Background Males have worse survival for childhood cancer, but whether this disparity exists among all childhood cancer types is undescribed. Methods We estimated sex differences in survival for 18 cancers among children (0-19 years) in Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results 18 (2000-2014). We used Kaplan-Meier survival curves (log-rank P values) to characterize sex differences in survival and Cox proportional hazards models to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the association between sex and death for each cancer type. We used an inverse odds weighting method to determine whether the association between sex and death was mediated by stage of disease for solid tumors. Results Males had worse overall survival and a higher risk of death for acute lymphoblastic leukemia (HR = 1.24, 95% CI = 1.12 to 1.37), ependymoma (HR = 1.36, 95% CI = 1.05 to 1.77), neuroblastoma (HR = 1.28, 95% CI = 1.09 to 1.51), osteosarcoma (HR = 1.29, 95% CI = 1.08 to 1.53), thyroid carcinoma (HR = 3.25, 95% CI = 1.45 to 7.33), and malignant melanoma (HR = 1.97, 95% CI = 1.33 to 2.92) (all log-rank P values < .02). The association between sex and death was mediated by stage of disease for neuroblastoma (indirect HR = 1.12, 95% CI = 1.05 to 1.19), thyroid carcinoma (indirect HR = 1.24, 95% CI = 1.03 to 1.48), and malignant melanoma (indirect HR = 1.28, 95% CI = 1.10 to 1.49). For these six tumors, if male survival had been as good as female survival, 21% of male deaths and 13% of total deaths after these cancer diagnoses could have been avoided. Conclusions Consideration of molecular tumor and clinical data may help identify mechanisms underlying the male excess in death after childhood cancer for the aforementioned cancers.
MannInColours. The Use of Digitals to Introduce Ancient Polychromy to General Public

The National Archaeological Museum of Naples has adopted in its most recent history and post Ministry Reform a series of innovative strategies, whose purpose is physical and digital, focusing on conscious, inclusive and responsible use. The Museum’s choices respond to the need to have instruments that place it within today’s society, globalized and dynamic; thanks to technological devices that respond exhaustively to the new way of enjoying the world, the Museum sets a cultural policy that considers individual, collective, physical and economic dimensions as priorities. Mann-In-Colours is a scientific project carried out by the National Archaeological Museum of Naples in collaboration with the National Taiwan Normal University di Taipei. The project examines chromatic traces, sometimes imperceptible to the human eye but still existing on sculptures and will aim at a visual recovery that will revolutionize the aesthetic perception to which these works have accustomed people for centuries. From the scientific point of view the project includes conducting chemical and physical surveys on selected sculptures belonging to the Farnese Collection (transforming them into 3D models using photogrammetry); the analyses will allow to recompose pertinent chromatic sets. All collected data will be systematized in a database shaped for this purpose, usable by scholars; a specific selection of data will instead be offered to general public fruition. This is first database on ancient polychromy of an Italian national museum
Abstract 099: Novel Angiotensin-Converting-Enzyme 2 (ACE2) Truncates to Target the Kidney Renin-Angiotensin-System (RAS)

ACE2 is an enzyme with a molecular size of more than 100 kDa which produces Angiotensin (1-7) from Angiotensin II (1-8). Attempts to target kidney RAS using ACE2 to treat kidney disease are hampere...
Charmless Hadronic B Decays and Direct CP Violation from \(e^{+} e^{-} \)B Factories

We report a study of the decay \(B^{\pm } \rightarrow K^+ K^- \pi ^{\pm } \) (\(B^0 \rightarrow \pi ^0 \pi ^0 \)) based on a data sample that contains \(772\times 10^6\) (\(752\times 10^6\)) \(B\overline{B}{} \) events, and was collected at the \(\varUpsilon {(4S)} \) resonance with the Belle detector at the KEKB asymmetric energy \(e^{+} e^{-} \) collider. We then discuss about a Dalitz plot analysis of the decay \(B^+ \rightarrow K^0_{\scriptscriptstyle S} \pi ^+ \pi ^0 \) performed using the full BABAR data set of \((470.9 \pm 2.8)\times 10^6\) \(B\overline{B}{} \) events recorded at the \(\varUpsilon {(4S)} \) resonance. Finally, we present Belle preliminary results of the studies of \(B^0 \rightarrow \eta \eta \), \(B^0 \rightarrow K^- \pi ^+ K^0_{\scriptscriptstyle S} \), and \(B^{\pm } \rightarrow K^0_{\scriptscriptstyle S} K^0_{\scriptscriptstyle S} h^{\pm } \) (\(h=K,\pi \)) based on data sets of \(753\times 10^6\), \(772\times 10^6\), and \(772\times 10^6\) \(B\overline{B}{} \) events, respectively.
Safety and Impact of Direct Left Atrial Pressure Monitoring in Patients Undergoing Continuous-Flow Left Ventricular Assist Device Implantation

Purpose Hemodynamic monitoring plays a critical role in the perioperative management of patients supported by continuous-flow left ventricular assist devices (CF-LVAD). Data published on left atrial pressure monitoring (LAPm) in patients with CF-LVAD support is limited. Our primary aim was to examine the safety and impact of direct LAPm in patients undergoing CF-LVAD implantation. Methods Retrospective data on demographics, LAPm, hemodynamics, and endpoints were extracted on patients at our institution with CF-LVAD implants from January 2017-June 2019. The decision to use a LAPm is based on institutional standards related to right ventricular failure risk and/or presence of severe pulmonary hypertension. The primary safety endpoint of LAPm was a composite of mediastinal bleeding requiring transfusion, cardiac tamponade, and LA thrombus. Secondary endpoints were LAPm device malfunction leading to premature LAPm removal and lack of hemodynamic trends, air embolism, surrogates of left ventricular (LV) unloading, inhaled epoprostenol use, and post-implant ICU and hospital length of stay (LOS). Statistical analyses were by two-tailed Student's t-test or chi-square tests (SAS, version 9.4). Results Of the 242 patients (mean age 58.1 ± 11.0 years), 88.4% had durable centrifugal pumps for destination therapy (58.3%). Most had Intermacs status 2-4 (95.5%) at implant. One hundred fifty-three patients (63.2%) had LAPm for a median of 20h. Prior to LAPm explant, 90.2% had an LAP Conclusion Use of LAPm to guide management is both safe and feasible in patients requiring CF-LVADs. In the vast majority of this cohort, we were able to achieve optimal LV unloading. Future analyses are warranted to better understand the clinical outcomes’ associations of LAPm on CF-LVAD parameters.
Price and Volatility Spillovers between European Stock and Foreign Exchange Markets

This paper investigates for the existence of price and volatility spillovers between European stock and foreign exchange markets. This is done using a multivariate extension of Nelson’s EGARCH (1991). Before specifying the model long-run (cointegration) relationships between these markets are also examined. Each multivariate model includes a local market (e.g. France or Germany), two regional markets (i.e. EMU and the U.K.) and a trade-weighted exchange rate. These issues are investigated during two sub-periods, the first is from 1/1/1999 to 3/23/2004 and the second is from 3/24/2004 to 6/12/2009. The results show that there have been extensive price and volatility spillovers between the investigated markets. Significant volatility spillovers are found in both directions between the local stock markets and the foreign exchange market. This is contrary to earlier studies that have found the relationships to be significant only in the direction from the stock markets to the foreign exchange market.
Ratemyprofessors.com evaluations affect academically entitled intentions and expectations

This study investigated if Ratemyprofessors.com evaluations’ valence influences students’ academically entitled intentions to request course policy exceptions and lower their evaluation of professo...
Construction of a social welfare function under consideration of conditional self-interest

Welfare functions have largely been constructed on the assumption that individuals' utilities can be aggregated into collective utility. This paper considers an alternative approach providing implications for the definition of social values and the understanding of welfare. The conditional self-interest will be juxtaposed the consideration of moral sense and benevolence. This will inform further on the limitations of utilitarian assumptions. A kinder approach to human nature generates varied assumptions and an alternative understanding of social phenomena. A de-individualised redefinition of social states is necessary to arrive at a true set of social options. We will demonstrate by parameterising the societal welfare function as a continuous functional relationship whose input variables are society individuals and whose actions or contributions are constrained by intrinsic societal factors. The analysis of the resultant welfare function shows that consideration for others and constrained self-interest will act to enhance societal benefit.
Multi-decadal shifts in the distribution and timing of Pacific herring (Clupea pallasii) spawning in Prince William Sound, Alaska

The location and timing of spawning play a critical role in pelagic fish survival during early life stages and can affect subsequent recruitment. Spawning patterns of Pacific herring (Clupea pallas...
Domain-Specific Neural Architectures

The discussion in the previous chapter introduces generic forms of neural architectures. These architectures are fully connected and layered, in the sense that the computational units are layered and each unit in a particular layer is connected to a unit in the next layer. However, these types of architectures are not well suited to domain-specific settings, where there are known relationships among the attributes.
Cultivating safe and stable spaces: Reflections on a campus-based support program for foster care alumni and youth experiencing homelessness

Abstract Foster care alumni and youth experiencing homelessness face similar challenges within higher education, including housing instability, food insecurity, as well as low levels of social, emotional and financial support — all of which contribute to poor rates of persistence and graduation. Given the intersecting challenges and needs of foster care alumni and youth experiencing homelessness, many college campuses have established formal support programs to meet the needs of these student populations. This study explores the implementation and administration of Alabama REACH, a campus-based support program for foster care alumni and youth experiencing homelessness who attend the University of Alabama. Through analysis of narratives elicited through three focus groups with program volunteers and staff, this study presents insights into program strengths and challenges, including the importance of social support, challenges of stigma and shame in program recruitment and service provision, and the need to prioritize stability and sustainability throughout program planning efforts.
Role of f-electrons in determining insulator to metal phase transitions of Ca(La1−xCex)2S4 (0 ≤ x ≤ 1) solid solution: A DFT + U study

For efficient usage of the rare earth-based materials in electronic or optoelectronic applications, their 4f electrons' behaviors must be understood properly. We have presented Hubbard U corrected density functional theory (DFT+U) study of structural, magnetic, electronic, and optical properties of a rare-earth chalcogenide system, Ca(La1−xCex)2S4 (0 ≤ x ≤ 1). A unique site selection technique based on local magnetic moment arrangements was applied to build the atomic arrangements for a Ce doped Ca(La1−xCex)2S4 solid solution. The incorporation of f-electrons by Ce doping modifies the properties of the parent compound, CaLa2S4. In conjunction with the DFT + U method, we applied spin–orbit coupling to determine the magnetic ground state. The inclusion of 25% Ce transforms the non-magnetic parent compound to an antiferromagnetic (AFM) compound, and AFM magnetic ordering remains unaltered throughout the whole solid solution series. In addition, these compounds also undergo insulator to semiconducting to metallic phase transitions as Ce concentration increases. While CaLa2S4 is an insulator, Ca(La1−xCex)2S4 with x = 0.25 and 0.50 are n-type semiconductors, and on the other hand, compounds with x = 0.75 and 1.0 are found to have metallic band structures. The Ce atoms in these materials were found to be in a mixed valence state, Ce3+/4+. We explained these phase transitions from the calculated electronic structures. In addition, we have presented an explanation for the experimentally observed red-orange colors of Ca(La0.25 Ce0.75)2S4 and CaCe2S4 compounds.
Community-Onset Oxacillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Infection

The osteomyelitic lesions of Egyptian mummies, the wound infections of medieval soldiers, and contemporary outbreaks of neonatal sepsis all point to one fact: Staphylococcus aureus is as old as medicine and is an extremely successful pathogen, capable of causing invasive disease at all stages of life. The genotypic changes responsible for the S. aureus confer cross-resistance to virtually all beta-lactam antimicrobials, including oxacillin and the other antistaphylococcal beta-lactams that are now most often prescribed. The recent whole-genome sequencing of S. aureus strongly supports the concept that horizontal gene transfer is a common evolutionary mechanism in S. aureus, even though staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec (SCCmec) transfer itself may only rarely occur; hence, horizontal transfer of mecA or SCCmec is a plausible hypothesis to account for emergence of community-acquired oxacillin-resistant S. aureus (ORSA) isolates that are dissimilar to health care setting acquired isolates. The clinical implications are obvious: treatment failure with accompanying complications or death may result if an antistaphylococcal beta-lactam antibiotic is used for serious infections and the infecting strain proves to be resistant; infections caused by oxacillin-resistant strains may be more difficult to manage or more expensive to treat, in part because vancomycin is inherently less efficacious; and the increasing prevalence of ORSA will inevitably increase vancomycin use, adding further to the problem of antimicrobial-resistant gram-positive bacteria. Immediate and widespread action to reduce vancomycin use can halt the emergence of fully resistant strains, increasing prevalence of the strains in health care settings, and then their eventual emergence in community settings.
Sub-channel grouping and statistical water-filling for MIMO-OFDM systems

This paper studies the power control schemes for MIMO-OFDM systems assuming that perfect channel state information is available to both transmitter and receiver sides. Suppose M is the minimum of the transmit/receive antenna numbers, N is the number of subcarriers, we propose a sub-channel grouping technique which groups the MN space-frequency sub-channels into M grouped channels. Three power control schemes are then proposed to allocate the transmission powers over the grouped channels. The proposed schemes perform water-filling over M dimensions rather than MN dimensions, thus they have reduced computation and implementation complexity. Computer simulations are given to evaluate and to compare the capacities achieved by different schemes.
A pharmacoeconomic analysis of neuromuscular blocking agents in the operating room

A cost-minimization analysis was performed to compare the direct costs of various neuromuscular blocking agents (NMBAs) in procedures of specific durations. Secondary objectives were to review the role of the NMBAs studied with respect to their place on our hospital formulary, and to develop a pharmacoeconomic methodology to be applied to other formulary decisions. Patients were stratified according to estimated length of surgical procedure; group 1 (55 patients) included surgeries estimated to take less than 2 hours, and group 2 (55 patients) included those estimated to be 2-4 hours long. Patients were then randomized to one of three intermediate-acting NMBAs: atracurium, vecuronium, or rocuronium. Anesthesia records were used to obtain all anesthetic agents administered in the operating room, and drug costs were calculated from hospital drug acquisition costs as of December 1994. Postanesthesia care unit (PACU) costs were estimated from patient charges and converted to costs using our hospital's cost-to-charge ratio. Costs that were common to all study treatments or unrelated to the use of NMBAs were excluded from the analysis. Two time-adjusted costs were calculated to determine the cost of neuromuscular blockade/hour and the total anesthesia drug costs/hour. In group 1 there were no statistical differences in NMBA cost/hour, anesthesia cost/hour, or PACU times or costs. In group 2, a significant difference was found in NMBA cost/case between atracurium ($54.23 +/- 41.26, mean +/- SD) and vecuronium ($31.95 +/- 15.33, p = 0.046). Atracurium was also significantly more costly than either vecuronium or recuronium/hour ($21.95 +/- 7.42 vs $14.39 +/- 7.02 and $16.07 +/- 8.15, respectively, p = 0.011) and anesthesia cost/hour ($28.77 +/- 7.43 vs $ 22.82 +/- 7.46 and $23.32 +/- 6.54, respectively, p = 0.03). There were no differences in PACU times or costs. Based on these results, vecuronium or rocuronium is preferred over atracurium in procedures with an estimated duration of 2-4 hours. In the patient population evaluated, there were no significant cost differences among the three NMBAs in surgeries with an estimated duration of less than 2 hours.
7 Text comprehension in bilinguals: Integrating perspectives on language representation and text processing

Abstract This chapter explores the relation between models of bilingual language representation and text comprehension. Two issues are addressed. The first is whether the processes used when reading in one language are the same as the processes used in a second language. The second is whether the verbatim wording, the meaning of words, and the situation described by the text are represented distinctly in memory. Based on research using bilingual and monolingual readers, we conclude that (a) similar processes are used when reading in each language, but reading strategies vary both as a function of the reader's fluency level and of the characteristics of the text, and (b) words and their meanings are represented separately in memory, and the meanings of words are interpreted in terms of the reader's background knowledge. Bringing together research on bilingual language representation and text comprehension enhances our understanding of bilingual reading.
A Light Review of Data Security and Privacy Approaches Applicable to E-Health Systems

While e-health sounds as a promising future for healthcare and medicine, it still is far from being integrated into our day-to-day lives. While interoperability and data link reliability are important issues that need to be addressed, designing successful security and privacy approaches can prove to be the first stepping stone in integrating wireless communication techniques with e-health applications. Approaches such as trust negotiations can help build the trust of customers in e-health applications by providing secure access to their Electronic Health Records (EHR). On the other hand, approaches like Information Accountability (IA) can ensure the privacy of the customers. This paper will review data security and privacy approaches that can enable successful integration of wireless communication with e-health applications.
Can We “Snowfall” This?: Digital longform and the race for the tablet market

The New York Times’ 2012 publication of John Branch’s “Snow Fall: The Avalanche at Tunnel Creek” reinvented the template for digital longform articles designed for the tablet and inspired other media outlets to create similar products. This essay uses three case studies—a legacy newspaper (New York Times), a sports media outlet (ESPN), and a legacy magazine (Sports Illustrated)—to illuminate how different companies use digital longform to build their brands and compete for market share in the wake of “Snow Fall.” Special attention is given to how these companies deploy “Snow Fall’s” signature elements to distinguish their brand identities in the race for the growing demographic of tablet users. As an emblem of its company’s efforts to build journalistic prestige, each work functions as a “cognitive container” in which media add-ons work to hold reader attention rather than scatter it to external Web sources. These examples suggest digital journalism represents an important development in convergence cultu...
Multicultural Assessment Perspectives for Professional Psychology

Preface 1. Psychological Services for Multicultural Populations 2. African Americans 3. Asian Americans 4. Hispanic Americans 5. Native Americans 6. Assessment Issues 7. Moderator Variables and Assessment 8. Assessment I: An Emic Perspective 9. Assessment II: An Etic Perspective 10. Multicultural Assessment Practice Indexes
Molecular dynamics study of creep mechanisms in nanotwinned metals

Abstract Nanotwinned structures have shown great promise as optimal motifs for evading the strength–ductility trade-off. In this paper, we present a study of high temperature creep in polycrystalline nanotwinned face-centered cubic metals using molecular dynamics. The simulations reveal that the nanotwinned metals exhibit greater creep resistance with decreasing twin boundary spacing over a large range of applied stresses. The findings also indicate that the presence of twin boundaries entails higher stress for the onset of power-law creep compared to the nanocrystalline counterparts. Nanotwinned metals with very high density of twin boundaries exhibit a new creep deformation mechanism at high stresses governed by twin boundary migration. This is in contrast to nanocrystalline and nanotwinned metals with larger twin spacing, which exhibit a more conventional transition from grain boundary diffusion and sliding to dislocation nucleation.
A technique for evaluating track condition using railcar vibrations

Rail track roughness and irregularities evaluation by railcar vibration measurements, using portable LF low amplitude acceleration measuring and recording system
Tutorial: Developmental highlights and present applications of cardiac ultrasound

This section deals with areas of great cur-rent interest. Ultrasound provides an excellent framework for observing the interaction of users and developers of technical advances. The major medical uses of ultrasound have appeared within the last 20 years, with exponential growth in the last five to seven years. This paper reviews in a broad sense current applications of ultrasound for cardiac imaging. It will attempt to highlight the need for the amazing devices described in the papers that follow and will mention some areas that await further major advances.
Effect of Extrusion Route on Grain Refinement during ECAP Process

The effect of the extrusion route (A, C and BC) on grain refinement during ECAP process in 99.9995% (5N5) high pure aluminum using a die with a channel-intersection angle 90° was investigated. It was found through experiment that, the grain was very coarse in the cast ingot of 5N5 high pure aluminum, and the average grain size is about 50~60mm. After two ECAP passes, the average grain size is 300μm, 550μm and 200μm respectively with the extrusion route of Route A, C and BC. After eight ECAP passes, the average grain size is 100μm, 100μm and 30μm respectively with the extrusion route of Route A, C and BC. It indicates that the route BC is more effective than Route A and C. TEM micrograph of 5N5 high pure Al with different ECAP pass under Route BC was studied.