cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Adherence trajectories of buprenorphine therapy among pregnant women in a large state Medicaid program in the United States

Purpose Little is known about the longitudinal patterns of buprenorphine adherence among pregnant women with opioid use disorder, especially when late initiation, nonadherence, or early discontinuation of buprenorphine during pregnancy may increase the risk of adverse outcomes. We aimed to identify distinct trajectories of buprenorphine use during pregnancy, and factors associated with these trajectories in Medicaid-enrolled pregnant women. Methods A retrospective cohort study included 2361 Pennsylvania Medicaid enrollees aged 15 to 46 having buprenorphine therapy during pregnancy and a live birth between 2008 and 2015. We used group-based trajectory models to identify buprenorphine use patterns in the 40 weeks prior to delivery and 12 weeks postdelivery. Multivariable multinomial logistic regression models were used to identify factors associated with specific trajectories. Results Six distinct trajectories were identified. Four groups initiated buprenorphine during the first trimester of the pregnancy (early initiators): 31.6% with persistently high adherence, 15.1% with moderate-to-high adherence, 10.5% with declining adherence, and 16.7% with early discontinuation. Two groups did not initiate buprenorphine until midsecond or third trimester (late initiators): 13.5% had moderate-to-high adherence and 12.6% had low-to-moderate adherence. Factors significantly associated with late initiation and discontinuation were younger age, non-white race, residents of rural counties, fewer outpatient visits, more frequent emergency department visits and hospitalizations, and lower buprenorphine daily dose. Conclusions Six buprenorphine treatment trajectories during pregnancy were identified in this population-based Medicaid cohort, with 25% of women initiating buprenorphine late during pregnancy. Understanding trajectories of buprenorphine use and factors associated with discontinuation/nonadherence may guide integration of behavioral treatment with obstetrical/gynecological care to improve buprenorphine treatment during pregnancy.
Closed-Loop Spatial and Temporal Control of Cavitation Activity With Passive Acoustic Mapping

Ultrasonically actuated microbubble oscillations hold great promise for minimally invasive therapeutic interventions. However for their successful translation to the clinic, real-time methods to control the amplitude and type of micro-bubble oscillations (stable versus inertial acoustic cavitation) and ensure that cavitation occurs within the targeted region are needed. In this paper, we propose a real-time nonlinear state controller that uses specific frequency bands of the microbubble acoustic emissions (harmonic, ultra-harmonic, etc.) to control cavitation activity (observer states). To attain both spatial and temporal controls of cavitation activity with high signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), we implement a controller using fast frequency-selective passive acoustic mapping (PAM) based on the angular spectrum approach. The controller includes safety states based on the recorded broadband signal level and is able to reduce the sensing inaccuracy with the inclusion of multiple frequency bands. In its simplest implementation, the controller uses the peak intensity of the passive acoustic maps, reconstructed using the third harmonic (4.896 ± 0.019 MHz) of the excitation frequency. Our results show that the proposed real-time nonlinear state controller-based PAM is able to reach the targeted level of observer state (harmonic emissions) in less than 6 s and remain within 10% of tolerance for the duration of the experiment (45 s). Similar response was observed using the acoustic emissions from single element passive cavitation detection, albeit with higher susceptibility to background noise and lack of spatial information. Importantly, the proposed PAM-based controller was able to control cavitation activity with spatial selectivity when cavitation existed simultaneously in multiple regions. The robustness of the controller is demonstrated using a range of controller parameters, multiple observer states concurrently (harmonic, ultra-harmonic, and broadband), noise levels (–6 to 12 dB SNR), and bubble concentrations (0.3–180 × 103 bubbles per microliter). Under preclinical and clinical conditions, more research in this direction is warranted.
Thunderstorm charge structures producing gigantic jets

Gigantic jets are atmospheric electrical discharges that propagate from the top of thunderclouds to the lower ionosphere. They begin as lightning leaders inside the thundercloud, and the thundercloud charge structure primarily determines if the leader is able to escape upward and form a gigantic jet. No observationally verified studies have been reported on the thundercloud charge structures of the parent storms of gigantic jets. Here we present meteorological observations and lightning simulation results to identify a probable thundercloud charge structure of those storms. The charge structure features a narrow upper charge region that forms near the end of an intense convective pulse. The convective pulse produces strong storm top divergence and turbulence, as indicated by large values of storm top radial velocity differentials and spectrum width. The simulations show the charge structure produces leader trees closely matching observations. This charge structure may occur at brief intervals during a thunderstorm's evolution due to the brief nature of convective pulses, which may explain the rarity of gigantic jets compared to other forms of atmospheric electrical discharges.
Successful Percutaneous Gastrostomy Tube Placement with Fluoroscopy in ALS Patient Requiring 24/7 Ventilation (P3.430)

Objective: Case Report: Weight loss and decreased nutrition portend worse prognosis for patients with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis(ALS). One avenue to combat weight loss in the setting of dysphagia is via gastrostomy(g-)tube nutrition. G-tube insertion techniques entail supine position and light sedation that can compromise weak respiratory function. Thus, patient’s diaphragm strength, represented by upright vs supine forced vital capacity(FVC), is considered a limiting factor for a g-tube to be inserted in ALS, to prevent procedure-associated respiratory failure. G-tubes are most often inserted in ALS patients with FVC30%, and guidelines maintain FVC>50% decreases risk of insertion-associated adverse events. Aerophagia is a common result of positive pressure ventilation(PPV) in ALS patients. Aerophagia can lead to gastric distension[6–8] which contributes to patients’ cardiopulmonary function, and can be limiting to quality of life and NIV compliance. In this case, an 82-year-old male with ALS on 24/7 ventilation, FVC unmeasurable, with dysphagia to saliva, aerophagia leading to severe bowel distension, and recent bowel obstruction, received bowel decompression and subsequent percutaneous venting g-tube placement with fluoroscopy under general anesthesia(GA). No narcotic or paralytic agents were used. Patient tolerated G-tube insertion and subsequent extubation to 24/7 non-invasive ventilation(NIV) following treatment with cough assist without complications. Subsequent lung volume recruitment increased. This case demonstrates that insertion of venting g-tube can relieve aerophagia-associated gastric distension, which can lead to altered cardiopulmonary function and patient discomfort, in patients with ALS on PPV. GA without use of narcotic and paralytic agents during g-tube insertion may aid postoperative respiratory recovery. Cough assist can be considered to aid extubation to NIV in patients on 24/7 ventilation. Percutaneous g-tube placement with fluoroscopy may be completed successfully in ALS patients on 24/7 ventilation with unmeasurable FVC, suggesting consideration be made for g-tube insertion in this population. Background: NA Design/Methods: NA Results: NA Conclusions: NA Study Supported by: NA Disclosure: Dr. Ajroud-Driss has nothing to disclose. Dr. Burian has nothing to disclose. Dr. Li has nothing to disclose. Dr. Wolfe has nothing to disclose.
Machining Process Improvement by Practical Tests in Shop Floor

The machining process optimisation always received special attention of process engineers. Nowadays however, the competitiveness increase asks for additional technologies that result in competitive capacity improvement. Good effects can be achieved when the process optimisation is accomplished in shop floor, based in technical/economical constraints, using parts that are in manufacturing. In this way, the productive line is not broke off and the machining process can be optimised. That is the conclusion of this work, which presents a practical methodology to optimize machining process in shop floor, based in the related constraints, joined with test results of turning and drilling process optimisation.
Input–Output Uncertainty Comparisons for Discrete Optimization via Simulation

Selecting the optimal policy using simulation is subject to input model risk when input models that mimic real-world randomness in the simulation have estimation error due to finite sample sizes. I...
Abstract 181: Application of the 2018 Cholesterol Guideline for Secondary Prevention in Very High-risk Patients with Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease in the United States

Background: As opposed to the prior cholesterol guideline which did not include low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) goal for secondary prevention, the 2018 American Heart Association (AHA)/...
A 0.016 mm 2 0.26- $\mu$ W/MHz 60–240-MHz Digital PLL With Delay-Modulating Clock Buffer in 65 nm CMOS

Ultra-low-power systems, such as wearables and Internet-of-Things (IoT), require power- and volume-efficient micro-controller units (MCUs) capable of operating across a wide range of frequencies under extreme power constraints. This paper presents the techniques to implement clock generators that cater to the needs of such MCUs and other similar ultra-low-power applications. RC relaxation oscillators (RCOs) are shown to achieve excellent frequency stability when generating clocks in kilohertz to megahertz range but are not very power efficient (5 $\mu \text{W}$ /MHz). Their power efficiency further degrades at higher frequencies because of additional power needed to compensate for the impact of temperature-dependent comparator’s delay on frequency stability. On the other hand, ring oscillators (ROs) can generate higher frequency and lower noise clocks more power efficiently but exhibit very poor voltage and temperature sensitivity. In view of these complementary tradeoffs offered by RC oscillator and RO, this paper seeks to combine their advantages by using a phase-locked loop (PLL) to multiply the frequency of an RC oscillator using an RO. A new type-II digital PLL (DPLL) that uses a delay-modulating clock buffer to implement the proportional control and a low-area digital-to-analog converter to implement the digitally controlled oscillator is presented. Fabricated in the 65 nm CMOS process, the prototype PLL generates 50–300 MHz output frequencies from a reference clock in the range of 0.5–5 MHz. The DPLL occupies an active area of 125 $\mu \text{m}\times125\mu \text{m}$ and achieves ±0.33% period jitter while consuming 63.5 $\mu \text{W}$ at an output frequency of 240 MHz. This translates to an excellent power efficiency of 0.26 $\mu \text{W}$ /MHz at 0.8-V supply voltage.
CIAM and Its Outcomes

CIAM, the Congres Internationaux d’Architecture Moderne, founded by a coalition of European architects in 1928, was an international forum for new ideas about the urban design of housing and cities in an emerging socialist context. Its most influential concepts were the Existenzminimum, the small family housing unit affordable on a minimum wage income and the focus on CIAM 2, 1929; the design of housing settlements of such units, the focus of CIAM 3, 1930; and the Functional City, the idea that entire cities should be designed or redesigned on this basis. This article briefly explains these ideas and considers some of their subsequent outcomes.
Neodymium isotopes track sources of rare earth elements in acidic mine waters

Abstract Acid mine drainage (AMD) has been proposed as a potential source of strategic rare earth elements (REEs) due to its high concentrations (>1000 µg/L) of dissolved REEs, as well as the middle rare earth element (MREE) enriched pattern exhibited by both coal mine- and metal mine-derived AMD, in which some of the most energy-critical REEs are significantly concentrated. However, the source of REEs and the origin of the MREE enrichment observed in AMD discharges is poorly understood; suggestions include dissolution of MREE-enriched surface coatings, fractionation by colloids, solid-liquid exchange reactions, incongruent dissolution of pyrite, and selective leaching of MREE-enriched phases. Filtration experiments on acidic to circumneutral AMD (unfiltered to
Real hardness of high-purity ultra-fine nano-polycrystalline diamond synthesized by direct conversion sintering under HPHT

Abstract Nano-polycrystalline diamond (NPD) with different grain sizes (10–1000 nm) was synthesized under ultrahigh-pressure and high-temperature conditions (16 GPa, 2200–2300 °C) starting from high-purity pyrolytic graphite having different crystallinity. The impurity content of these NPDs was 1 ppm or less, suggesting that the grain boundary of the structure has few impurities and the intergranular strength is high. These hardness characteristics were evaluated in detail by the indentation method using the super-hard (>140 GPa) Knoop indenter prepared from synthetic type IIa diamond. On ultra-fine NPD (UF-NPD) consisting of very small diamond grains of around 10 nm, it was found that the elastic recovery of the unloaded indentation impression is large and the length of the direction of the Knoop long diagonal also shrinks. Due to the shrinkage of indentation, the Knoop hardness of this UF-NPD erroneously yielded a high hardness value apparently exceeding 200 GPa. Detailed observations using high resolution FE-SEM around the unloaded Knoop indentations formed on the UF-NPD revealed line-like impressions (striations) along the outside length of the long diagonal as traces of contact with the Knoop indenter. Considering this striation length, the accurate hardness value of the UF-NPD was about 130 GPa. On the other hand the large elastic recovery of the indentation suggests that the UF-NPD has high critical tensile stress. Hertz fracture tests revealed that the crack initiation resistance (fracture strength) of NPD is improved by further grain refinement and high purification.
Policy Narratives of Accountability and Social-Emotional Learning:

The paradigm of test-based accountability has been a dominant force for decades, yet some argue that we have recently witnessed a dramatic change in the key beliefs influencing educational policy. ...
Generalized Tonnetze and Zeitnetze, and the topology of music concepts

The music-theoretic idea of a Tonnetz can be generalized at different levels: as a network of chords relating by maximal intersection, a simplicial complex in which vertices represent notes and sim...
Compositional Verification of Passivity for Cascade Interconnected Nonlinear Systems

We consider the problem of verifying passivity of a networked system comprised of dynamically coupled nonlinear subsystems affine in the control input, connected in a cascade architecture. We propose a novel verification approach, wherein the verification is carried out locally at each subsystem using only the dynamics of the particular subsystem and limited information about its coupling with the immediately preceding subsystem in the cascade. The proposed verification is compositional, that is, the addition of new subsystems does not require re-verification of the passivity of the existing network. When a new subsystem is added to the network, only the dynamics of the new subsystem and limited information about its interconnection to the existing network are used to verify passivity of the entire networked system.
Laparoscopic Liver Resection: A 7-Year Experience of 123 Resections in a Single Institution.

There has been a significant increase in the use of laparoscopic liver resection (LLR) over the past 2 decades. This study aimed to analyze the outcomes associated with LLR at a single tertiary car...
On Dynamic Noise Influence in Differential Private Learning

Protecting privacy in learning while maintaining the model performance has become increasingly critical in many applications that involve sensitive data. Private Gradient Descent (PGD) is a commonly used private learning framework, which adds noise according to the Differential Privacy protocol.Recent studies show that dynamic privacy schedules of decreasing noise magnitudes can improve loss at the final iteration, and yet theoretical understandings of the effectiveness of such schedules and their connections to optimization algorithms remain limited. In this paper, we provide comprehensive analysis of noise influence in dynamic privacy schedules to answer these critical questions. We first present a dynamic noise schedule minimizing the utility upper bound of PGD, and show how the noise influence from each optimization step collectively impacts utility of the final model. Our study also reveals how impacts from dynamic noise influence change when momentum is used. We empirically show the connection exists for general non-convex losses, and the influence is greatly impacted by the loss curvature.
A composite CO survey of the entire Milky Way.

Large-scale CO surveys of the entire Galactic plane and specific nearby clouds have been combined to produce a panorama of the entire Milky Way in molecular clouds at an angular resolution of 1/2°. Covering 10°–20° in latitude at all longitudes and all large, nearby clouds at higher latitude, the composite survey is the only molecular line survey to date with sky coverage and resolution comparable to that of the early 21 cm surveys.
Basal forebrain parvalbumin neurons modulate vigilant attention.

Summary Attention is impaired in many neuropsychiatric disorders1 and by sleep disruption, leading to decreased workplace productivity and increased risk of accidents2–4. Thus, understanding the underlying neural substrates is important for developing treatments. The basal forebrain (BF) is a brain region which degenerates in dementia5–7 and is implicated in the negative effects of sleep disruption on vigilance and cognition8,9. Previous studies demonstrated that the BF controls cortical fast oscillations that underlie attention10–12 and revealed the important role of cholinergic neurons13–15. However, the role of other neurochemically defined BF subtypes is unknown. Recent work has shown that one population of BF GABAergic neurons containing the calcium-binding protein parvalbumin (PV) control cortical fast oscillations and arousals from sleep16–19 but their role in awake behavior is unclear. Thus, here we test the hypothesis that BF-PV neurons modulate vigilant attention in mice. A lever release version of the rodent psychomotor vigilance test (rPVT) was used to assess vigilant attention as measured by reaction time. Brief and continuous low power optogenetic excitation of BF-PV neurons (1s,473nm@5mW) that preceded the cue light signal by 0.5s improved vigilant attention as indicated by quicker reaction times. In contrast, both sleep deprivation (8h) and optogenetic inhibition of BF-PV neurons (1s,530nm@10mW) slowed reaction times. Importantly, BF-PV excitation rescued the reaction time deficits in sleep deprived mice. These findings reveal for the first time a role for BF-PV neurons in attention. HIGHLIGHTS Optogenetic methods tested the neural circuitry of vigilant attention in mice Excitation of basal forebrain parvalbumin neurons quickened reaction times Sleep deprivation or inhibition of parvalbumin neurons slowed reaction times Excitation of parvalbumin neurons rescued deficits produced by sleep deprivation
Developing a Culture of Caring in Classrooms: Best Practices During a Global Pandemic and Beyond

The past year has challenged educators in all directions, from switching courses to an online format overnight to addressing student needs within and outside the classroom, and many external factors have extensively affected student performance and engagement. In the United States, the COVID-19 pandemic and a myriad other sociopolitical movements highlight the need for faculty to go beyond educating and start building deeper connections with students. This article provides a rationale for providing an intentionally supportive classroom environment for public health students and outlines the benefits not only to the students but also to the faculty and institution. Furthermore, this article identifies necessary boundaries to caring, including setting appropriate limits and maintaining professional student–educator relationships. Creating an inclusive and supportive learning environment is important not only for training future health professionals but also for cultivating a culture of caring among the profession. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] Copyright of Pedagogy in Health Promotion is the property of Sage Publications Inc. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
Creating Opportunities For Students To Show Kindness

Location: Dewberry Hall Abstract: A common quest of instructors is to design preparation activities that bridge instructional content to professional applications in their desired profession. This becomes more salient in an online learning environment. Video case studies were used to target real-world problems faced by professionals (behavior analysts) in different fields of work (i.e., teacher, community worker, systems coach). In a segment titled, Solving Everyday Problems with Everyday ABA (Applied Behavior Analysis), current behavior analysts presented practical real-world problems. Assigned to small groups, students were tasked to apply concepts learned in the course to solve the problem. A common problem in an online format is to create communities of learners where classmates are geographically scattered. Beyond the benefits of video case studies to build community and engagement, I created a social/well-being enrichment, basically a call to social action. A Kindness Challenge was presented that supported the extension of the problem. For example, a behavior analyst presented the issue of burn out and attrition of staff. The social challenge was to engage in self-care to promote their own emotional wellbeing. Lastly, students posted their “selfies” engaging in self-care on the class Padlet to showcase a gallery of their peers engaging in fun acts of kindness on themselves and others. Participants will be able to enhance instructional their own content with social and/or wellness enhancements through the use of A Kindness Challenge.
A Content Analysis of Textbooks on Criminal Investigation: An Evaluative Comparison to Empirical Research Findings on the Investigative Process and the Role of Forensic Evidence

A content analysis of textbooks on criminal investigation was carried out to determine the degree to which their coverage corresponded to empirical findings on the investigative process and the role of forensic evidence. The results showed that the texts overemphasize forensic evidence relative to its actual use. They underemphasize the role of patrol officers, detective post-arrest activities and the importance of interpersonal communication in investigations. Moreover, the texts are virtually silent on a number of key points such as detective evidence collection activities and how detectives use and give meaning to physical evidence. An analysis of material in newer texts, those available after research findings became widely known, showed little change in emphasis from older volumes. The findings are discussed in relation to training needs for those in the justice system who collect, use and make practical and policy decisions about forensic evidence and investigative outcomes.
Surveying the Precautionary Principle's Ongoing Global Development: The Evolution of an Emergent Environmental Management Tool

The precautionary principle, which many trace back to German regulations promulgated in the early 1970s, has developed into an important environmental management tool. Its inclusion in numerous international treaties and agreements over the past seventeen years conarms its signiacance. Beyond international treaties, many foreign governments have explored the application of the precautionary principle to their own decisionmaking procedures. For instance, the precautionary principle has been the central focus of judicial decisions in Australia, Canada, and India. Despite this growing global acceptance and implementation of the precautionary principle, the United States has remained adamantly opposed to its introduction into domestic policy. This Note focuses on international application or non-application of the precautionary principle in order to better understand the United States’ current opposition. Ultimately, this comparative analysis should clarify, which, if any, governmental avenue will prove most effective in laying the foundation for implementation of the precautionary principle in this country.
Modeling passively mode-locked VCSELs using FDTD

This study demonstrates a new approach based on the finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) method that transcends the described modeling limitations. This approach can be used to determine both the sub-wavelength spatial features of the optical field, as well as its temporal dynamics on a sub-cycle time-scale.
Identification of a protein-binding surface by differential amide hydrogen-exchange measurements. Application to Bowman-Birk serine-protease inhibitor.

Abstract The binding surface of soybean trypsin/chymotrypsin Bowman-Birk inhibitor in contact with α-chymotrypsin has been identified by measurement of the change in amide hydrogen-exchange rates between free and chymotrypsin-bound inhibitor. Exchange measurements were made for the enzyme-bound form of the inhibitor at pH 7.3, 25 °C using fast-flow affinity chromatography and direct measurement of exchange rates in the protein complex from one-dimensional and two-dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance spectra. The interface is characterized by a broad surface of contact involving residues 39 through 48 of the anti-chymotryptic domain β-hairpin as well as residues 32, 33 and 37 in the anti-chymotryptic domain loop of the inhibitor. A number of residues in the anti-tryptic domain of the protein also have an altered exchange rate, suggesting that there are changes in the protein conformation upon binding to chymotrypsin. These changes in amide exchange behavior are discussed in light of a model of the complex based on the X-ray crystallographic structure of turkey ovomucoid inhibitor third domain bound to a α-chymotrypsin, and the structure of free Bowman-Birk inhibitor determined in solution by two-dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The chymotrypsin-binding loop of Bowman-Birk inhibitor in the model is remarkably similar to the binding loop conformation in crystal structures of enzyme-bound polypeptide chymotrypsin inhibitor-I from potatoes, turkey ovomucoid inhibitor third domain, and chymotrypsin inhibitor-II from barley seeds.
Mutagens in Cooked Foods-Metabolism and Genetic Toxicity

Recently developed in our laboratories is an efficient extraction procedure incorporating XAD resin adsorption which yields from 200°C grilled ground beef an extract containing 230 SalmonellaTA1538 revertants per g fresh weight of original ground beef. These mutagenic components are specific for frameshift-sensitive Salmonellastrains and have an absolute requirement for metabolic activation. S9 activation by cytochrome P-448 inducers, Aroclor 1254 (PCB), 3-methylcholanthrene (3-MC) and B-naphthoflavone(BNF1), resulted in the largest mutagenic response. Phenobarbital induction gave 20% of the PCB response and Pregnenolone-16a-carbonitrile and corn oil were inactive. Human liver microsomes and BNF-induced rodent intestinal S9 were also active metabolizing fractions. Normal-phase HPLC separation of methanol-extractable metabolites generated from reaction of 2-amino-3-methylimidazo [4,5-f] quinoline (IQ), a mutagenic component of broiled food, rat liver microsomes and cofactors resulted in one direct-acting mutagenic peak and a second more polar peak still requiring metabolic activation. Two potent thermally-produced bacterial mutagens, Trp-P-2 and IQ, were examined in mammalian cells. In excision repair-deficient CHO cells, Trp-P-2 exposure caused cytotoxicity, mutagenicity (thioguanine and azaadenine resistances), sister chromatid exchange, and chromosomal aberrations at concentrations more than 30-fold lower than those for IQ. In normal repair-proficient CHO cells Trp-P-2 was one-half as active and IQ was inactive. Relative to Trp-P-2, IQ is much more potent in the Salmonellabacterial system than in mammalian CHO cells.
Inert dark matter

The lightest neutral scalar in the inert Higgs doublet model is a natural candidate for weakly interacting massive particle dark matter. In this paper, we analyzed the dark matter relic density in the inert Higgs doublet model. Various theoretical and experimental constraints are taken into account. We found that there are five distinctive regions that could provide the right amount of the relic density in the Universe. Four out of those five regions have a light particle spectrum which could be studied at the Large Hadron Collider.
Unraveling metamaterial properties in zigzag-base folded sheets

Creating complex spatial objects from a flat sheet of material using origami folding techniques has attracted attention in science and engineering. In the present work, we use the geometric properties of partially folded zigzag strips to better describe the kinematics of known zigzag/herringbone-base folded sheet metamaterials such as Miura-ori. Inspired by the kinematics of a one–degree of freedom zigzag strip, we introduce a class of cellular folded mechanical metamaterials comprising different scales of zigzag strips. This class of patterns combines origami folding techniques with kirigami. Using analytical and numerical models, we study the key mechanical properties of the folded materials. We show that our class of patterns, by expanding on the design space of Miura-ori, is appropriate for a wide range of applications from mechanical metamaterials to deployable structures at small and large scales. We further show that, depending on the geometry, these materials exhibit either negative or positive in-plane Poisson’s ratios. By introducing a class of zigzag-base materials in the current study, we unify the concept of in-plane Poisson’s ratio for similar materials in the literature and extend it to the class of zigzag-base folded sheet materials.
Innertron: New Methodology of Facial Recognition, Part II

The first part of the Innertron methodology for facial recognition, presented in [1], removes those faces that certainly do not fall within the constraints of the nose domain with an upper limit at (2.0, −1.5) to (−2.0, −1.5) and a lower domains at (3.0, −7.5) to (−3.0, −7.5). The 300 square pixels will contain the nose of the subject sought. The second part of the Innertron methodology, presented in this paper, in essence knows that the subject sought is somewhere close by and now starts looking at features such as the eyebrows, angles of the eyes, thickness of the nose, shape of the nostril. Seven regions are distinguished that take into account the ability to lift eyebrows and most importantly the ability to cover portions of the face and still garner a hit in the database.
Quantitative determination of d- and l-threo enantiomers of methylphenidate in brain tissue by liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry

Methylphenidate, a psychostimulant used for the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and narcolepsy, is administered as a 50:50 racemic mixture, despite the fact that d-methylphenidate has been shown to have greater pharmacologic activity. This paper presents a validated LC-MS/MS approach to separation and quantification of methylphenidate enantiomers using a vancomycin column and triethylammonium acetate to enhance the chiral separation. The method is applicable to the monitoring of these enantiomers in mouse brain, with a limit of detection of 0.5 ng/mL and a lower limit of quantification of 7.5 ng/mL. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Simulation in Anesthesiology

The specialty of anesthesiology has been at the forefront of healthcare simulation from its development and early applications to pioneering simulation for residency training requirements and maintenance of specialty board status. As such, the specialty of anesthesiology has a rich and mature experience with simulation. In this chapter we will explore the application of simulation to the field of anesthesiology with regard to training, assessment, and maintenance of competence. Given the specialty’s extensive experience, much of the chapter will be devoted to the “art” of simulation with a detailed discussion of scenario, course, and curricular development.
Cortical spreading depolarization: Pathophysiology, implications, and future directions.

Cortical spreading depolarization (CSD) is a spreading loss of ion homeostasis, altered vascular response, change in synaptic architecture, and subsequent depression in electrical activity following an inciting neurological injury. First described by Leao in 1944, this disturbance in neuronal electrophysiology has since been demonstrated in a number of animal studies, and recently a few human studies that examine the occurrence of this depolarizing phenomenon in the setting of a variety of pathological states, including migraines, cerebrovascular accidents, epilepsy, intracranial hemorrhages, and traumatic brain injuries. The onset of CSD has been demonstrated experimentally following a disruption in the neuronal environment leading to glutamate-induced toxicity. This initial event leads to pathological changes in the activity of ion channels that maintain membrane potential. Recovery mechanisms such as sodium-potassium pumps that aim to restore homeostasis fail, leading to osmolar shifts of fluid, swelling of the neuron, and ultimately a measurable depression in cortical activity that spreads in the order of millimeters per minute. Equally important is the resulting change in vascular response. In healthy tissue, increased electrical activity is coupled with release of vasodilatory factors such as nitric oxide and arachidonic acid metabolites that increase local blood flow to meet increased energy expenditure. In damaged tissue, not only is the restorative vascular response lacking but a vasoconstrictive response is promoted and the ischemia that follows adds to the severity of the initial injury. Tissue threatened by this ischemic response is then at elevated risk for CSD propagation and falls into a vicious cycle of electrical and hemodynamic disturbance. Efforts have been made to halt this spreading cortical depression using N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antagonists and other ion channel blockers to minimize the damaging effects of CSD that can persist long after the triggering insult.
A 21-Year-Old Woman With Cystic Fibrosis, Abdominal Pain, and Recent Weight Loss

A 21-year-old woman with cystic fibrosis (CF) was seen in the pulmonary clinic complaining of abdominal pain. Her past medical history included bilateral lung transplantation for CF pulmonary disease 26 months previously, as well as gastroesophageal reflux disease and pancreatic insufficiency. Her baseline weight was 49.1 kg (BMI, 19.4 kg/m2).
T-Site-Trapped Molecular Hydrogen in a-Si:H

Proton-29Si double resonance NMR measurements on high quality plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition a-Si:H deposited from SiH4 show that more than one third of the contained hydrogen is present as H2 molecules residing in the amorphous equivalent of T sites. The NMR signal from these trapped H2 appears in the narrow 4 kHz proton line, which arises from the less clustered hydrogen population. Very little of the molecular component is in the broad ~24 kHz line, which arises mostly from clustered hydrogen tightly bonded to silicon.
PUT‐CALL SYMMETRY: EXTENSIONS AND APPLICATIONS

Classic put-call symmetry relates the prices of puts and calls at strikes on opposite sides of the forward price. We extend put-call symmetry in several directions. Relaxing the assumptions, we generalize to unified local/stochastic volatility models and time-changed Levy processes, under a symmetry condition. Further relaxing the assumptions, we generalize to various asymmetric dynamics. Extending the conclusions, we take an arbitrarily given payoff of European style or single/double/sequential barrier style, and we construct a conjugate European-style claim of equal value, and thereby a semistatic hedge of the given payoff.
Electric dipole intensity parameters for Pr3+ in LiYF4☆

Abstract Intensity data for transitions between the 4f 2 crystal-field levels of Pr 3+ in LiYF 4 are parameterized. The results are consistent with an electrostatic model for f-f electric dipole intensities which includes both static crystal-field effects and dynamic ligand-polarization effects. They are also consistent with the superposition model for lanthanide-ligand interactions in lanthanide compounds.
Electroretinogram a-wave slope as a measure of photoreceptor activity

Investigators have used the slope of the a wave of the electroretinogram (ERG) as a measure of photoreceptor-response magnitude, but an examination of the factors affecting this response attribute is lacking. Previous evidence demonstrates that the cones’ temporal sensitivity varies with the state of adaptation, which makes the cone a -wave slope a complex measure of both amplitude and adaptation-level-dependent temporal sensitivity. Here I consider the influence of the rod photoreceptor temporal sensitivity on the slope of the a wave. The present study of the rod local ERG of the primate indicates that the rods are temporally invariant, suggesting that the rod a-wave slope may be used as a relative measure of the amplitude of the rods’ late-receptor potential.
Theoretical perspectives accounting for adolescent homosexuality.

Abstract Few topics in sexology elicit such a diversity of opinions and emotions as the question of etiology of homosexuality. Views frequently carry with them implicit or explicit messages concerning the psychologic of this sexual orientation. Theories of sexual usually portray adolescence as a critical time in the life course because of changes in: 1) anatomy and physiology; 2) psychologic functioning: the reawakening, renewal, and reliving of previously established sexual relations and drives; and/or 3) social conditions: an increased exposure and adherence to societal messages concerning appropriate and inappropriate social sexual behaviors and relationships. This paper provides a brief overview of several major theories—evolutionary biology, psychoanalysis, and social processes—as they relate to the development of sexual orientation. In addition, an ethologic perspective that synthesizes various etiologic theories, as they relate to homosexuality during adolescence, is briefly reviewed. In these discussions, the issue of whether homosexuality is a normal or abnormal developmental state during adolescence is also addressed.
Rule extraction from expert heuristics: A comparative study of rough sets with neural networks and ID3

Abstract The rule extraction capability of neural networks is an issue of interest to many researchers. Even though neural networks offer high accuracy in classification and prediction, there are criticisms on the complicated and non-linear transformation performed in the hidden layers. It is difficult to explain the relationships between inputs and outputs and derive simple rules governing the relationships between them. As alternatives, some researchers recommend the use of rough sets or ID3 for rule extraction. This paper reviews and compares the rule extraction capabilities of rough sets with neural networks and ID3. We apply the methods to analyze expert heuristic judgments. Strengths and weaknesses of the methods are compared, and implications for the use of the methods are suggested.
Effect of echocardiographic contrast on velocity vector imaging myocardial tracking.

Background Two-dimensional speckle tracking is an evolving ultrasound technology that allows objective evaluation of left ventricular function. The effect of echocardiographic contrast with 2-dimensional speckle tracking image processing is poorly defined. Methods A total of 11 patients undergoing clinically indicated transthoracic echocardiography who also required echocardiographic contrast for left ventricular endocardial border enhancement were prospectively studied. Offline velocity vector imaging analysis was performed to calculate global and regional longitudinal strain from the apical 4-chamber view while corresponding circumferential strain was obtained from the parasternal short-axis view at the papillary muscle level. Images were isochronally normalized and the systolic phase was studied precontrast and postcontrast opacification. Results Intraclass correlation coefficients were high for global circumferential strain in the short-axis view (0.77) and global longitudinal strain in the apical 4-chamber view (0.87) precontrast and postcontrast. Significant regional variability was present, more pronounced in the apical 4-chamber view (intraclass correlation coefficient 0.24-0.64) versus short-axis view (intraclass correlation coefficient 0.64-0.68). Conclusions Velocity vector imaging is able to quantify global and regional strain with and without contrast. There is, however, wide interindividual variability in regional strain quantification with and without contrast, potentially limiting the clinical applicability.
INSECURITY, IMMORALITY, AND FEDERAL BUDGET DEFICITS

Introduction It is the purpose of this paper to examine the issue of federal deficits from a general, and thus, a broader perspective than is traditionally employed. It is maintained in this paper that the deficit is not simply a “government” problem — because a representative government can do little to balance the budget if the people are doing all they can, not only to reduce their tax liabilities but also to demand a continuous increase of benefits from government. The deficit should thus be considered as a problem of the entire society and analysed accordingly. Also, it is not merely an economic problem, but also a moral problem. More specifically, from a general equilibrium viewpoint (i.e. both the public and the private sectors are considered), the federal budget deficit can be regarded as a consequence of a society that places a high value on individual economic freedom, economic efficiency, as well as on competition for economic success. This is the case because economic freedom and competition tend to create economic insecurity and immorality, both of which incline to cause government expenditures to increase, taxes to decrease, or both. Hence, a long term solution for budget shortfalls would depend upon the possibility of whether the society as a whole can be made more economically secure and moral without the unnecessary encroachment upon individual liberty and upon the opportunity for competitive success.
A warning-sign and safety-interlock system for an NEC 5SDH accelerator☆

Abstract In this paper, we describe a system we have designed and assembled which is intended to protect users of a small tandem accelerator from serious exposure to ionizing radiation. This goal is complicated by the fact that our accelerator, target area, control console and data acquisition area are all contained in a single room. In our system, commercially available gamma and neutron monitors, illuminated warning signs and magnetic door switches are combined with a custom-built interlock chassis and a simple modification to the accelerator's chain motor power contactor. A key switch prevents unauthorized persons from energizing the chain. Warning signs above the entrances to the accelerator lab indicate one of three operating conditions: accelerator off, chain power on, and radiation warning (radiation levels above 0.1 mR/h). If radiation levels in the lab exceed 2 mR/h, power to the c motor is cut off. Chain power is also cut off when one of the lab doors is opened, unless the operator deliberately and temporarily overrides the system to permit entrance or exit.
SECURITIES INVENTORIES AND EXCESS RETURNS

In this paper, the inventory positions of government security dealers are analyzed for signs of their superior information relative to other participants in the market. Testing the 1966–1980 period on a monthly basis, it does not appear that information on the maturity composition of dealers' positions can be used, either concurrently or when it becomes publicly available, to earn excess returns.
A non-destructive method for estimating the water content of filters containing activated carbon

Abstract A non-destructive test for determining the water content of activated carbon in assembled vapour filters has been developed. It involves positioning the filter inside a moisture barrier, then measuring the temperature and dew point of the air within the enclosed space. Typically, approximately 20 minutes equilibration time is necessary before the measurements stabilise. The water content of the carbon is then estimated by reference to a predetermined water sorption isotherm for the relevant carbon. The main limitation of the technique and the likely sources of error are discussed. The method is most suitable for ensuring that newly manufactured filters contain an acceptable quantity of adsorbed water, and for monitoring filters during storage. It has been successfully applied to different sized filters of axial and radial flow configuration containing just a carbon element or both a carbon and a particulate element (composite filter).
IPO Underpricing and Audit Quality Differentiation within Non‐Big 5 Firms

The choice of a non-Big 5 audit firm is optimal for some IPO companies. The choice of audit firm is important because auditor reputation may influence the pricing of the offering. This paper investigates the relationship between IPO underpricing and auditor compensation and proxies for non-Big 5 audit quality. We develop a continuous measure of auditor reputation based on factor analysis. This measure of auditor reputation is associated with lower IPO underpricing and higher auditor compensation, suggesting that auditor quality is an important determinant for firms hiring non-Big 5 auditors. We also examine the underlying constructs for auditor quality to determine their separate effects on IPO underpricing and auditor quality. Non-Big 5 national firms are associated with lower underpricing and higher auditor compensation, suggesting that these firms are perceived to be quality differentiated from non-national firms. SEC experience for non-national firms is associated with higher audit fees, suggesting this experience is perceived to be valuable.
Acceptable Testing of VLSI Components Which Contain Error Correctors

If a VLSI chip is partitioned into functional units (FU's) and redundant FU's are added, error correcting codes may be employed to increase the yield and/or reliability of the chip. Acceptable testing is defined to be testing the chip with the error corrector functioning, thus obtaining the maximum increase in yield afforded by the error correction. The acceptable testing theorem shows that the use of coding and error correction in conjunction with acceptable testing can significantly increase the yield of VLSI chips without seriously compromising their reliability.