cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Photochemical treatment of a mixed PAH/surfactant solution for surfactant recovery and reuse

Because of their hydrophobic nature, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are generally thought to be unavailable to in situ remediation processes, and solubilization of PAHs by surfactants is usually recommended. However, mixed PAH/surfactant solutions are wastewaters that need a post-treatment after solubilization. In this study, mixed solutions of PAH and perfluorinated surfactant (PFS) were photochemically treated with and without hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ), and the subsequent recovery and reuse of surfactant solutions were demonstrated. Phenanthrene and pyrene were selected as representative PAHs and lithium perfluorooctanesulfonate (LiFOS) as a PFS. Direct photolysis (UV only) and UV/H 2 O 2 process enhanced the PAH degradation in LiFOS solutions compared to water. Both treatment processes selectively degraded PAHs without damaging PFS, suggesting that PFS withstands photolysis. Overall, it is demonstrated that UV and UV/H 2 O 2 processes of mixed PAH/PFS solutions are effective for surfactant recovery/reuse, as well as PAH degradation.
Social enterprises: An multi-level framework of the innovation adoption process

This paper puts forth a multi-level framework that examines the adoption process of the social enterprise innovation by existing non-profit organizations. At the organizational level, executives understanding of the complexity and disruptive nature of the social enterprise are constrained by their motivation to reduce funding uncertainty. At the intra-organizational level, culture conflicts emerge when commercial activities are brought within a non-profit’s operations, internal stakeholders may reject commercialization, and managers’ lack of for-profit experience can lead new venture uncertainty. The social enterprise innovation – a solution to funding uncertainty – may ultimately create unintended problems, uncertainties, and failure to use the innovation for its intended purpose.
Cytoskeletal signaling in TGFβ-induced epithelial–mesenchymal transition

Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a physiological process that plays an important role in embryonic development and wound healing and is appropriated during pathological conditions including fibrosis and cancer metastasis. EMT can be initiated by a variety of factors, including transforming growth factor (TGF)-β, and is characterized by loss of epithelial features including cell-cell contacts and apicobasal polarity and acquisition of a motile, mesenchymal phenotype. A key feature of EMT is reorganization of the cytoskeleton and recent studies have elucidated regulation mechanisms governing this process. This review describes changes in gene expression patterns of cytoskeletal associated proteins during TGFβ-induced EMT. It further reports TGFβ-induced intracellular signaling cascades that regulate cytoskeletal reorganization during EMT. Finally, it highlights how changes in cytoskeletal architecture during EMT can regulate gene expression, thus further promoting EMT progression.
Generating random solutions for constraint satisfaction problems

The paper presents a method for generating solutions of a constraint satisfaction problem (CSP) uniformly at random. The main idea is to transform the constraint network into a belief network that expresses a uniform random distribution over its set of solutions and then use known sampling algorithms over belief networks. The motivation for this tasks comes from hardware verification. Random test program generation for hardware verification can be modeled and performed through CSP techniques, and is an application in which uniform random solution sampling is required.
Recovery of function following severe traumatic brain injury: a retrospective 10-year follow-up

It has been widely assumed that most of the recovery following severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) occurs within the first 6 months, and that virtually all of the recovery occurs within the first 1-2 years post-injury. In an effort to evaluate the long-term recovery of patients who had sustained severe TBI, we interviewed the relatives and significant others of 20 patients who had sustained TBI at least 5 years earlier, using a modified version of the Portland Adaptability Inventory. Retrospective ratings were collected to evaluate the patients' psychosocial, cognitive, physical, and emotional status prior to their injury, and at 1, 2, 5, and an average of 10-3 years post-injury. The results indicated that TBI patients exhibit significant improvements in their social, cognitive, physical, and emotional functioning after 2 years post-injury regardless of the severity of their initial brain trauma. These data suggest that patients who sustain severe TBI continue to make gradual improvements in their functio...
A clinical evaluation of 3,500 vaginal cytologic studies

Abstract 1. Analysis has been made of 3,500 vaginal cytologic studies and of the clinical and/or tissue follow-up of these cases. Eighty-five cases of carcinoma of the uterus, cervix, vagina, or vulva were discovered. 2. In eighteen cases of adenocarcinoma there were thirteen positive smears and five negative, yielding a false negative error of 27.8 per cent. In addition, six smears were mistakenly called adenocarcinoma for a false positive error of 31.6 per cent. In sixty-seven cases of squamous carcinoma, there were four false negative smears, giving a false negative error of 5.9 per cent, and there were eleven false positive smears with an error of 14.9 per cent. 3. In all, nine smears were erroneously called negative for a total negative error of 10.6 per cent. On the other hand, seventeen smears called positive were proved incorrect for a total false positive error of 18.4 per cent. The combined error for the entire series is thus twenty-six out of 3,500 cases, or 0.74 per cent. 4. An attempt has been made to show that the statistical picture presenting the results of a controlled study of vaginal smears often falls far short of representing the true value of the technique to the clinician and the patient.
Pre-equilibrium dynamics and heavy-ion observables

To bracket the importance of the pre-equilibrium stage on relativistic heavy-ion collision observables, we compare simulations where it is modeled by either free-streaming partons or fluid dynamics. These cases implement the assumptions of extremely weak vs. extremely strong coupling in the initial collision stage. Accounting for flow generated in the pre-equilibrium stage, we study the sensitivity of radial, elliptic and triangular flow on the switching time when the hydrodynamic description becomes valid. Using the hybrid code iEBE-VISHNU [1] we perform a multi-parameter search, constrained by particle ratios, integrated elliptic and triangular charged hadron flow, the mean transverse momenta of pions, kaons and protons, and the second momenthp 2 i of the proton transverse momentum spectrum, to identify optimized values for the switching time s from pre-equilibrium to hydrodynamics, the specific shear viscosity = s, the normalization factor of the temperature-dependent specific bulk viscosity (= s)(T ), and the switching temperature Tsw from viscous hydrodynamics to the hadron cascade UrQMD. With the optimized parameters, we predict and compare with experiment the pT -distributions of , K, p, , and yields and their elliptic flow coe cients, focusing specifically on the mass-ordering of the elliptic flow for protons and Lambda hyperons which is incorrectly described by VISHNU without pre-equilibrium flow.
Outcomes of complex robot-assisted extravesical ureteral reimplantation in the pediatric population.

Summary Introduction and objective While open ureteral reimplantation remains the gold standard for surgical treatment of vesicoureteral reflux (VUR), minimally invasive approaches offer potential benefits. This study evaluated the outcomes of children undergoing complex robot-assisted laparoscopic ureteral reimplantation (RALUR) for failed previous anti-reflux surgery, complex anatomy, or ureterovesical junction obstruction (UVJO), and compared them with patients undergoing open extravesical repair. Study design Children undergoing complex RALUR or open extravesical ureteral reimplantation (OUR) were identified. Reimplantation was classified as complex if ureters: 1) had previous anti-reflux surgery, 2) required tapering and/or dismembering, or 3) had associated duplication or diverticulum. Results Seventeen children underwent complex RALUR during a 24-month period, compared with 41 OUR. The mean follow-up was 16.6 ± 6.5 months. The RALUR children were significantly older (9.3 ± 3.7 years) than the OUR patients (3.1 ± 2.7 years; P Discussion Reported VUR resolution rates following robot-assisted ureteral reimplantation are varied. In the present series, children undergoing RALUR following failed previous anti-reflux surgery, with complex anatomy, or UVJO experienced a shorter length of stay but had similar analgesic requirements to those undergoing open repair. Radiographic, clinical success rates and complication risk were comparable. This study had several limitations, aside from lack of randomization. Analgesic use was limited to an inpatient setting, and pain scores were not assessed. Not all children underwent a postoperative VCUG, so the true radiographic success rate is unknown. A larger patient cohort with longer follow-up is necessary to determine predictors of radiographic and clinical failure. Conclusion Older children with a previous history of anti-reflux surgery were more likely to undergo RALUR. These children had success and complication rates comparable to younger patients following complex open extravesical reimplantation, which underscores the expanding role of robot-assisted lower urinary tract reconstructive surgery in the pediatric population.
On the Estimation of the Probability of Meeting Financial Commitments: A Behavioral Finance Perspectives Using Business Simulations

Estimating accurate probabilities of Meeting Financial Commitments is crucial for both short- and long-term decision making. It is well known, that for a variety of reasons, that individuals and teams, on average, overestimate the probability of success. In this article we discuss the results of a Prediction Market process to estimating the probability of meeting the Net Income and Cash Flow commitments in a business simulation that has been utilized with Finance majors at undergraduate and graduate courses, as well as 12 of the Dow 30 in executive education for Finance functions. Our preliminary findings indicate that the greater the initial standard deviation of individuals estimates, within a team, the higher the probability of meeting commitments. This may be consistent with the importance of having significant divergence of opinion in decision-making.
The Role of Antecedent and Procedural Characteristics in Mediation: A Review of the Research

Mediation program designers are faced with a number of decisions in their efforts to structure effective mediation programs that contribute to favorable short-term and long-term mediation outcomes. What types of disputes and disputants should be eligible for or referred to mediation? What characteristics should the mediators possess? What approach should the mediators use during mediation? What type of mediation process should the program provide? What dispute and disputant characteristics should be matched with what mediator characteristics or approach? This chapter reviews the available empirical research addressing these key questions in the context of mediation programs that operate within the courts or in their shadow. We present research findings for several mediation settings, including domestic relations, community, small claims, general jurisdiction civil, and appellate civil mediation, in order to explore the similarities and differences across these settings in the factors that contribute to effective mediation. We identify which research findings have been fairly consistent, which present a mixed picture, and which questions remain unanswered. The chapter concludes with a discussion of future research needed to provide program designers with additional information useful for structuring more effective mediation programs.
Ultrastructure of viruses of myeloblastosis and erythroblastosis isolated from plasma of leukemic chickens.

SummaryUltrathin sections of the pellets formed by ultracentrifugation of plasmas from birds with myeloblastosis and erythroblastosis have been examined by electron microscopy. In the material from both diseases there were observed structures of similar appearance represented by images of round or oval shape consisting centrally of a dense core of about 40 mμ diameter. These were surrounded by a less dense material and were limited by an outer membrane-like structure with a total particle diameter of about 80 mμ. In many instances the limiting membrane appeared to be double. The ultrastructure of these agents of the avian leukemic diseases was very similar, if not identical, to that of the viruses of other chicken neoplasms. No particles of these characteristics were obtained from the plasmas of apparently healthy chickens.
Protective and antioxidant effects of PPARα in the ischemic retina.

Purpose. Previous studies have demonstrated that peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-alpha (PPARα) agonists have therapeutic effects in diabetic retinopathy, although the mechanism of action remains incompletely understood. The purpose of this study was to evaluate PPARα's protective effects in the ischemic retina, and to delineate its molecular mechanism of action.
Beam displacement and distortion effects in narrowband optical thin film filters

A three-dimensional model for beam propagation through optical interference filters is presented. Results demonstrate such effects as a lateral beam displacement and beam distortion. A measurement that substantiates the displacement effect is described.
How to guide transfusion decision-making? That is the question.

Red Blood Cell (RBC) transfusion is indicated to improve oxygen (O2) delivery to tissue, and for no other purpose. Although RBC transfusion increases hematocrit (Hct) and thereby blood O2 content, it does not necessarily follow that tissue O2 delivery is likewise increased - unless blood O2 content, itself, is rate-limiting in transfer of O2 from lung to tissue. This important distinction is clearly illustrated in the paper by Fiser, et al. in the current issue of the Journal [1], in which efficacy was retrospectively evaluated for administered to 45 children on ECMO. Efficacy was defined as a 5% increase in mixed venous HbO2 % (SvO2) or in ‘tissue’ O2 saturation (near infra red spectroscopy, NIRS StO2). In this single institution retrospective analysis, 617 RBC transfusions were administered to 45 children, with a median per-individual exposure to 10.9 donor units. In this population, the median Hct maintained during ECMO was 37%. Notably, only 5% or 9% of transfusions were efficacious in improving measures of tissue oxygenation (by SvO2 or StO2, respectively); this striking lack of efficacy was uniformly observed across the full range of pre-transfusion Hct values (~ 25–45%), RBC unit storage duration (~ 0–30 days), and regardless of ECMO indication (cardiac or respiratory). As such, this paper instructs us how not to guide transfusion decision-making (assuming we wish our decisions to be efficacious > 10% of the time).
Education, Identity and Conflict in Albania and Lebanon: A Comparative Study

AbstractIt can be argued that the political landscapes of Albania and Lebanon are practically identical: both states emerged out of the collapse of the Ottoman Empire; the creation of both states was affected through the direct involvement of the great powers; both states have experienced direct outside military intervention; both states contain a Christian minority of different denominations while the Muslim majority is also diverse; both states are characterized by uneven economic development along geographic lines (plains versus mountains); the two states are comparable in size, population and geography; both states are overall ethnically homogenous (Albanians claim to be descendants of the ancient Illyrians while the Lebanese are Arabs and, or claim to be, descendants of the Phoenicians); and, finally, both states’ territory or parts of it has been or was claimed by more than one neighbouring states. One striking difference between the two countries, though, is that in the post-Second World War period...
The Flagellar Central Pair Apparatus

Publisher Summary This chapter summarizes the relationships among structural elements of the central pair. As genome sequences have become available from all branches of eukaryotic organisms, the conservation of central pair proteins, as well as central pair structure, has been broadly confirmed. Because of its dominant role in studies of central pair biology, much of what we know about the Chlamydomonas central pair has been discussed in two general reviews of this suborganellar structure that cover all work up to that time. This chapter focuses on the genetic and biochemical identification of central pair proteins and describes the mechanism through which the central pair influences axonemal motility. The entire central pair complex in Chlamydomonas has a helical conformation, best observed when the central pair has been released from the rest of the flagellum. The relationship between central pair rotation and regulation of bend formation has been partially resolved through experiments using suppressor mutations. The advances in work with Chlamydomonas show the continuing power of this organism for unraveling the complexities of flagellar mechanics and motility regulation.
The Surface “Histogen” of Living Shoot Apices

Theories to account for the growth of the shoot apex of vascular plants include those of the apical cell, histogens, the tunica-corpus, and the initial ring-quiescent center.
Representation and Redistribution

Using comparable measures of policy and public opinion about the progressivity of state taxes, we estimate the relationship between citizen preferences and policy both across and within US states. We show that even though policy is highly responsive to public opinion (more liberal states have more progressive taxes), citizens are not represented better by policies than they were if policies were decided by randomly selected individuals in each state. On average, the tax policies implemented in American states closely correspond to the preferences expressed by the super-rich but are far from the preferences of most citizens. The most important source of this democratic deficit is the disagreement about policy within states: heterogeneous states have a lower ceiling in terms of representation but are also served by less centrist policies. Finally, our results imply that federalism not only fails to provide efficiency gains in terms of representation, but decentralization would come with negligible improvements even if states enacted the best policies possible.
Salafism in Nigeria : Islam, Preaching, and Politics

The spectre of Boko Haram and its activities in Nigeria dominates both media and academic analysis of Islam in the region. But, as Alexander Thurston argues here, beyond the sensational headlines this group generates, the dynamics of Muslim life in northern Nigeria remain poorly understood. Drawing on interviews with leading Salafis in Nigeria as well as on a rereading of the history of the global Salafi movement, this volume explores how a canon of classical and contemporary texts defines Salafism. Examining how these texts are interpreted and - crucially - who it is that has the authority to do so, Thurston offers a systematic analysis of curricula taught in Saudi Arabia and how they shape religious scholars' approach to religion and education once they return to Africa. Essential for scholars of religion and politics, this unique text explores how the canon of Salafism has been used and refined, from Nigeria's return to democracy to the jihadist movement Boko Haram.
Data-Tech Connect: Improving Technology Training to Facilitate Competency for the Clinical Research Professional

It is without question that the technological advances that have infiltrated the clinical research industry have created efficient workflows that allow for faster reporting of data with huge cost savings. However, systems powered by technology can often be complicated to use and may require extensive training.
Memes and Cultural Viruses

The meme hypothesis posits that it is fruitful to consider particulate, culturally-transmitted units as replicators, similar to genes. Memes are conveyed among individuals by a variety of forms of social learning, and, due to their imperfect transmission, undergo processes akin to mutation. Given some correlation between the variant properties of different versions of a meme and its replication success, memes may be subject to natural selection, and could evolve adaptations if they are capable of responding effectively to selection pressure. The transmission of memes between individuals has been described by a number of mathematical models derived from population genetics and evolutionary theory. In the case of vertical cultural transmission (from parent to offspring), genetic and cultural fitness are expected to covary significantly. Thus memetic adaptations are likely to increase biological fitness, exhibiting what we might call cultural symbiosis. In cases where the mode of transmission is horizontal (among peers) or oblique (nonparental intergenerational), the reproductive success of genes and memes are not expected significantly to be positively correlated, and may show negative correlations (cultural parasitism). In these cases, the reproductive success of the meme is not dependent upon the reproductive success of its host. Cultural adaptations that evolve under circumstances of limited vertical transmission may develop self-referential adaptations which aid them in their spread through human social networks, at the expense of human biological reproductive success, much as parasites evolve adaptations which aid their spread through their host populations while causing disease and death.
Preparing 21st Century Learners: Parent Involvement Strategies for Encouraging Students' Self-Regulated Learning

Current thinking in education reform focuses on how we can prepare students to be successful in both the classroom and their professional careers. Preparing students for their lives beyond school is an important role of education, and this includes encouraging students to be independent and self-regulated learners. Cultivating an adaptive motivational foundation ideally begins in the early years of a student's academic career, and it is best achieved through a collective effort by educators and parents to support students' learning needs. This article addresses strategies for developing parent involvement activities in an environment of shared responsibility and respectful dialogue between home and school.
High density semipacked separation columns with optimized atomic layer deposited phases

Abstract This paper reports the development of a new class of high-performance microfabricated separation columns called high-density semi-packed columns (HDSPCs). These columns are realized by using a meter long and 145 μm-wide silicon microchannel design with embedded circular micropillars (15 μm diameters) and 5 μm post spacing (perpendicular to the gas flow). The HDSPCs are coated using our previously developed atomic layer deposition (ALD) based aluminium oxide and silane functionalized thin adsorbent film. Moreover, in this study we optimize both ALD deposition temperature (100 °C, 150 °C, 250 °C and 300 °C) and film thickness (10 nm, 20 nm and 30 nm) using different chromatographic parameters (plate number, peak-to-peak resolution, and separation factor). Additionally, the thermodynamic characteristics of these silane functionalized/ALD films are also studied using Van’t Hoff plots. These columns with optimized stationary phases are able to provide ≈8000 effective plates/meter and successfully separate a custom made hydrocarbon sample mixture with high peak-to-peak resolution.
Student Perceptions of a Required Information Literacy Course on Their Success in Research & Writing Intensive Criminal Justice Courses

Abstract Scholars in Criminal Justice have argued that students should have a stand-alone course that focuses on fostering library literacy skills for Criminal Justice students in order to improve their writing, research, and presentation skills. In 2011, a required information literacy course was implemented in one Criminal Justice program to meet this need. Building on the existing literature, the current study is the first to explore student perceptions of a required information literacy course. The results offer valuable information on how to strengthen the course moving forward and can provide useful suggestions to other Criminal Justice programs thinking about instituting a library literacy course in their curriculum.
Active and reactive power control method for three-phase PV module-integrated converter based on a single-stage inverter

The concept of the module-integrated converters (MICs) incorporated in photovoltaic (PV) has recently imbibed a significant attention due to advantages such as low cost of mass production, high efficiency, easier installation, and improved energy harvest. This paper presents the current-source inverter (CSI) with dc voltage boost capability, called single-stage power conversion system, for grid-tied three-phase PV MIC systems. A reliable control system is adopted to modulate the proposed topology in such a way that provides both active and reactive power in order to meet power system needs. To reduce the number of actives switches, the topology utilizes the modified switching pattern based on conventional space vector pulse width modulation (SVPWM) method. It is demonstrated that the injected active and reactive power can be controlled through two modulation indices introduced in the modified SVPWM switching algorithm. The proposed structure is implemented in hardware and experimentally tested with 300-W laboratory prototype. The results verify the desired performance and robustness of the proposed control scheme for exchanging of both active and reactive powers between the PV MIC and the grid within different operating conditions.
Calcium Coordination Solids for pH-Triggered Release of Olsalazine.

Calcium coordination solids were synthesized and evaluated for delivery of olsalazine (H_4olz), an anti-inflammatory compound used for treatment of ulcerative colitis. The materials include one-dimensional Ca(H_2olz)⋅4 H_2O chains, two-dimensional Ca(H_2olz)⋅2 H_2O sheets, and a three-dimensional metal-organic framework Ca(H_2olz)⋅2DMF (DMF=N,N-dimethylformamide). The framework undergoes structural changes in response to solvent, forming a dense Ca(H_2olz) phase when exposed to aqueous HCl. The compounds Ca(H_2olz)⋅x H_2O (x=0, 2, 4) were each pressed into pellets and exposed to simulated gastrointestinal fluids to mimic the passage of a pill from the acidic stomach to the pH-neutral intestines. All three calcium materials exhibited a delayed release of olsalazine relative to Na_2(H_2olz), the commercial formulation, illustrating how formulation of a drug within an extended coordination solid can serve to tune its solubility and performance.
Do sodium‐glucose co‐transporter‐2 inhibitors prevent heart failure with a preserved ejection fraction by counterbalancing the effects of leptin? A novel hypothesis

Sodium-glucose co-transporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors reduce the risk of serious heart failure events in patients with type 2 diabetes, but little is known about mechanisms that might mediate this benefit. The most common heart failure phenotype in type 2 diabetes is obesity-related heart failure with a preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). It has been hypothesized that the synthesis of leptin in this disorder leads to sodium retention and plasma volume expansion as well as to cardiac and renal inflammation and fibrosis. Interestingly, leptin-mediated neurohormonal activation appears to enhance the expression of SGLT2 in the renal tubules, and SGLT2 inhibitors exert natriuretic actions at multiple renal tubular sites in a manner that can oppose the sodium retention produced by leptin. In addition, SGLT2 inhibitors reduce the accumulation and inflammation of perivisceral adipose tissue, thus minimizing the secretion of leptin and its paracrine actions on the heart and kidneys to promote fibrosis. Such fibrosis probably contributes to the impairment of cardiac distensibility and glomerular function that characterizes obesity-related HFpEF. Ongoing clinical trials with SGLT2 inhibitors in heart failure are positioned to confirm or refute the hypothesis that these drugs may favourably influence the course of obesity-related HFpEF by their ability to attenuate the secretion and actions of leptin.
Anchote (Coccinia abyssinica): A Tuber Viewed as a Relative of Women in the Wallaga Region of Southwestern Ethiopia

This paper discusses the cultivation, harvesting and consumption of anchote and examines the social and environmental factors that frame the practice. Anchote, an indigenous tuber crop propagated b...
Left Ventricular Thrombus After Acute Myocardial Infarction: Screening, Prevention, and Treatment

Importance Left ventricular (LV) thrombus is a complication of acute myocardial infarction (MI) and is associated with systemic thromboembolism. With randomized clinical trials investigating the optimal antithrombotic regimen in patients with MI who require concomitant chronic anticoagulation and with the emergence of the direct-acting oral anticoagulants, treatment options for post-MI LV thrombus have become more complicated. Herein, we review the epidemiology, pathogenesis, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of LV thrombus after acute MI. Observations Contemporary epidemiologic data suggest the incidence of LV thrombus, detected using optimal imaging modalities, may be as high as 15% in patients with ST-segment elevation MI and up to 25% in patients with anterior MI. While a standard transthoracic echocardiogram is commonly used for screening, it is limited by low sensitivity for LV thrombus detection, necessitating the addition of contrast (unless contraindicated) and/or use of cardiac magnetic resonance imaging when pretest probability is high. To our knowledge, there are no existing randomized clinical trials evaluating the safety and efficacy of anticoagulation in the prevention or treatment of LV thrombus after MI, and clinicians must rely on available epidemiologic and trial-generated data from related entities to guide treatment. Randomized clinical trials have confirmed that triple therapy increases bleeding rates compared with less potent antithrombotic regimens after MI, and observational data suggest that triple therapy regimens may not prevent LV thrombus formation. On the other hand, if an LV thrombus is detected, anticoagulation is essential to prevent systemic thromboembolism. We offer 1 approach to treatment, grounded in the best available data. Conclusions and Relevance Uncertainties remain regarding the optimal screening pathway, frequency of follow-up imaging, candidate selection for thromboprophylaxis, and treatment strategies for post-MI LV thrombus. Ongoing studies from related therapeutic areas of varying antithrombotic regimens will continue to inform the optimal approach to treatment; however, more dedicated study of this clinical conundrum is also needed.
Classical Control Theory: Analysis

The exploitation of feedback was fundamental to many engineering breakthroughs of the twentieth century. Although feedback was certainly manifested well before that, such as in Watt’s steam engine governor, it was the need for and development of feedback amplifiers in the first half of the century that drove the development of the theory and analysis that made the use of feedback of general utility.
On the execution of high level formal specifications

Executable specifications can serve as prototypes of the specified system and as oracles for automated testing of implementations, and so are more useful than non-executable specifications. Executable specifications can also be debugged in much the same way as programs, allowing errors to be detected and corrected at the specification level rather than in later stages of software development. However, existing executable specification languages often force the specifier to work at a low level of abstraction, which negates many of the advantages of non-executable specifications. This dissertation shows how to execute specifications written at a level of abstraction comparable to that found in specifications written in non-executable specification languages. The key innovation is an algorithm for evaluating and satisfying first order predicate logic assertions written over abstract model types. This is important because many specification languages use such assertions. Some of the features of this algorithm were inspired by techniques from constraint logic programming.
Measurement of neutron multiplication in lead assemblies

Measurements of 14-MeV neutron leakage multiplication in lead are performed by the total absorption method. A polyethylene sphere is used as the neutron moderator and total absorber. Results from a [sup 235]U fission chamber and a [sup 6]Li glass detector are analyzed. The measurements are 7% lower than ANISN calculations using ENDF/B-VI. 6 refs., 4 figs., 3 tabs.
Verifying system integrity by proxy

Users are increasingly turning to online services, but are concerned for the safety of their personal data and critical business tasks. While secure communication protocols like TLS authenticate and protect connections to these services, they cannot guarantee the correctness of the endpoint system. Users would like assurance that all the remote data they receive is from systems that satisfy the users' integrity requirements. Hardware-based integrity measurement (IM) protocols have long promised such guarantees, but have failed to deliver them in practice. Their reliance on non-performant devices to generate timely attestations and ad hoc measurement frameworks limits the efficiency and completeness of remote integrity verification. In this paper, we introduce the integrity verification proxy (IVP), a service that enforces integrity requirements over connections to remote systems. The IVP monitors changes to the unmodified system and immediately terminates connections to clients whose specific integrity requirements are not satisfied while eliminating the attestation reporting bottleneck imposed by current IM protocols. We implemented a proof-of-concept IVP that detects several classes of integrity violations on a Linux KVM system, while imposing less than 1.5% overhead on two application benchmarks and no more than 8% on I/O-bound micro-benchmarks.
The Use of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles for Sloped Roof Inspections – Considerations and Constraints

Abstract Building roof inspections should be performed periodically to ensure repairs and replacements are done in a timely manner. These inspections get neglected on sloped roofs due to two factor...
"I Try Not to Even Think About My Health Going Bad": a Qualitative Study of Chronic Kidney Disease Knowledge and Coping Among a Group of Urban African-American Patients with CKD.

African-Americans with chronic kidney disease (CKD) are more likely to progress to end-stage renal disease (ESRD). However, African-Americans are less likely to receive care to delay progression of their CKD and to prepare for ESRD treatment. The objectives of the study are to understand knowledge among urban, African-American patients diagnosed with CKD and to discover ways they managed their illness and prepared for kidney disease progression. A qualitative study was conducted using structured interviews. Thematic analysis was used for data interpretation. All 23 participants identified as African-American and had CKD but had not yet reached ESRD requiring renal replacement therapy (RRT). Over half of the participants were women (57%), and the mean age was 53 years old. Three themes emerged from the data. African-Americans often did not know the severity of their CKD. They struggled to complete all of the diet, exercise, and medication tasks recommended to manage their health conditions, including CKD. Finally, participants, even those with stage 5 CKD, viewed progression to RRT in the next 12 months as unlikely. African-Americans face many barriers to CKD self-care and preparation for ESRD. Improving outcomes requires clinicians to help patients understand the severity of their CKD, to make informed choices about their care, all the while motivating patients to take actions to prevent CKD progression.
Landscape heterogeneity is key to forecasting outcomes of plant reintroduction

Conservation and restoration projects often involve starting new populations by introducing individuals into portions of their native or projected range. Such efforts can help meet many related goals, including habitat creation, ecosystem service provisioning, assisted migration, and the reintroduction of imperiled species following local extirpation. The outcomes of reintroduction efforts, however, are highly variable, with results ranging from local extinction to dramatic population growth; reasons for this variation remain unclear. Here, we ask whether population growth following plant reintroductions is governed by variation at two scales: the scale of individual habitat patches to which individuals are reintroduced, and larger among-landscape scales in which similar patches may be situated in landscapes that differ in matrix type, soil conditions, and other factors. Quantifying demographic variation at these two scales will help prioritize locations for introduction and, once introductions take place, forecast population growth. This work took place within a large-scale habitat fragmentation experiment, where individuals of two perennial forb species were reintroduced into eight replicate ~50-ha landscapes, each containing a set of five ~1-ha patches that varied in their degree of isolation (connected by habitat corridors or unconnected) and edge-to-area ratio. Using data on individual growth, survival, reproductive output, and recruitment collected one to two years after reintroduction, we developed models to forecast population growth, then compared forecasts to observed population sizes, three and six years later. Both the type of patch (connected and unconnected) and identity of the landscape to which individuals were reintroduced had effects on forecasted population growth rates, but only variation associated with landscape identity was an accurate predictor of subsequently observed population growth rates. Models that did not include landscape identity had minimal forecasting ability, revealing the key importance of variation at this scale for accurate prediction. Of the five demographic rates used to model population dynamics, seed production was the most important source of forecast error in population growth rates. Our results point to the importance of accounting for landscape-scale variation in demographic models and demonstrate how such models might assist with prioritizing particular landscapes for species reintroduction projects.
Building Capital at the Library: Financial Literacy Programming and Partnerships

Lack of personal financial knowledge negatively affects both individual and collective economic vitality, making financial literacy programming an important way that libraries can contribute to strong communities. Financial literacy is one of five essential 21st century literacies identified and supported by PA Forward, an initiative of the Pennsylvania Library Association to support libraries in their literacy efforts. Offering these events and workshops is a daunting task, but connecting libraries with partners who are trustworthy financial literacy experts can ease the difficulties. Using examples from public and academic libraries in Pennsylvania, this article will discuss PA Forward Financial Literacy partners, illustrate a variety of programming opportunities, and highlight best practices for library financial literacy programs.
'I Can't Believe I Didn't Learn This in School': 'Refusing Secondly' as an Anti-Racist English Education Framework.

This study examines the responses of pre-service teachers (PSTs) to the young adult novel All American Boys in light of their viewing the 2016 documentary 13th. In this paper, I use anti-racist Eng...
Pathways to Publication in Pediatric Hospital Medicine Educational Research

OBJECTIVES: Dissemination of rigorous, innovative educational research is key to inform best practices among the global medical education community. Although abstract presentation at professional conferences is often the first step, journal publication maximizes impact. The current state of pediatric hospital medicine (PHM) educational scholarship dissemination via journal publication has not been well described. To describe educational research dissemination after PHM conference abstract submission, we identified the publication rate, median time to publication, and median publishing journal impact factor of abstracts submitted over 4 years. METHODS: Abstract data were obtained from the 2014–2017 PHM conferences and organized by presentation type (oral, poster, rejected). PubMed, MedEdPORTAL, and Google Scholar were queried for abstract publication evidence. We used logistic regression models, Kaplan-Meier survival curves and Kruskal-Wallis tests to determine the association of presentation type with the odds of publication, time to publication, and publishing journal impact factors. RESULTS: Of 173 submitted educational research abstracts, 56 (32%) were published. Oral abstracts had threefold greater and fivefold greater odds of publication compared to poster and rejected abstracts, respectively (odds ratio 3.2; 95% confidence interval 1.3–8.0; P = .011; odds ratio 5.2; 95% confidence interval 1.6–16.7; P = .003). Median time to publication did not differ between presentation types. The median journal impact factor was >2 times higher for published oral and poster abstracts than published rejected abstracts. CONCLUSIONS: Because abstract acceptance and presentation type may be early indicators of publication success, abstract submission to the PHM conference is a reasonable first step in disseminating educational scholarship.
Abstract 281: The Association of Left and Right Atrial Volume Indices on Survival Time Post-cardiac Arrest

Introduction: Left and right atrial volume indices (LAVI and RAVI) are markers of cardiac remodeling. LAVI and RAVI are associated with worse outcomes in other cardiac conditions. This study aimed ...
Prevalence of Informal Caregiving in States Participating in the US Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act Balancing Incentive Program, 2011-2018.

Importance The Balancing Incentives Program (BIP), established under the 2010 Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act provided federal funding for states to shift long-term care out of institutional settings and into the home. However, the association of its implementation with informal caregiving is not known. Objective To evaluate the association between BIP participation and the prevalence and frequency of informal caregiving and socioeconomic disparities among caregivers. Design, setting, and participants The cohort study included respondents to the 2011-2018 American Time Use Survey in BIP-adopting states and non-BIP-adopting states. Exposure Living in a state that had implemented the BIP after program implementation had begun (April 2012 to April 2018). Main outcomes and measures Prevalence of caregiving among all respondents, frequency of caregiving, and minutes of daily sleep, a marker of well-being. Differences-in-differences (DID) regression analysis was used to compare these outcomes between BIP-adopting states and non-BIP-adopting states. Results The study included 38 343 respondents in BIP-adopting states (median age, 47 years [interquartile range (IQR), 31-61 years]; 51.9% women), of whom 7428 were caregivers (median age, 51 years [IQR, 37-61 years]; 55.6% women), and 26 437 respondents in non-BIP-adopting states (median age, 48 years [IQR, 32-62 years]; 52.7% women), of whom 5527 were caregivers (median age, 52 years [IQR, 38-62 years]; 57.9% women). There was no change in the prevalence of caregiving between BIP-adopting and non-BIP-adopting states after program implementation (DID, 0.00%; 95% CI, -0.01% to 0.01%). Caregivers in BIP-adopting states were more likely to provide daily care after implementation (DID, 3.2%; 95% CI, 0.3%-6.0%; P = .03) and report increased time sleeping (DID, 15.6 minutes; 95% CI, 4.9-26.2 minutes; P = .005) compared with caregivers in non-BIP-adopting states. This association was more pronounced among caregivers with more education (DID, 25.1 minutes; 95% CI, 6.5-43.8 minutes; P = .01) and higher annual family income (DID, 16.9 minutes; 95% CI, 5.9-27.9 minutes; P = .004) compared with caregivers in non-BIP-adopting states who had the same education and income levels, respectively. Conclusions and relevance In this cohort study, the BIP was associated with increased daily caregiving and improved caregiver well-being. However, it may have disproportionately benefited caregivers of higher socioeconomic status, potentially exacerbating disparities in caregiver stress. Future policies should aim to mitigate this unintended consequence.
Energetics and kinematics of undercooled nonequilibrium interfacial molten layer in cyclotetramethylene-tetranitramine crystal

Abstract The main objective of this work is to investigate the energetics and kinematics of non-equilibrium interfacial nanoscale melt, hundreds of degrees below melting temperature during thermally activated β → δ phase transformation in cyclotetramethylene-tetranitramine. The analytical solutions for energy, width, and mobility are derived in detail for each of the propagating solid-melt and solid-solid interfaces which can be used to calibrate and characterize interface material properties. Additionally, an approximate expression for energy and equilibrium width of solid-melt-solid interface has been proposed. Different parametric studies on the energy, width, and mobility of propagating interfacial melt have been explored. It is found out that for some specific limit of these parameters, mobility of solid-melt-solid interface can be higher than pure dry solid-solid interface. The present study reveals different scale effects of interface interactions and nontrivial phase transformation mechanisms.
Animal Models of Diabetic Retinopathy

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is one of the most common complications associated with chronic hyperglycemia seen in patients with diabetes mellitus. While many facets of DR are still not fully understood, animal studies have contributed significantly to understanding the etiology and progression of human DR. This review provides a comprehensive discussion of the induced and genetic DR models in different species and the advantages and disadvantages of each model. Rodents are the most commonly used models, though dogs develop the most similar morphological retinal lesions as those seen in humans, and pigs and zebrafish have similar vasculature and retinal structures to humans. Nonhuman primates can also develop diabetes mellitus spontaneously or have focal lesions induced to simulate retinal neovascular disease observed in individuals with DR. DR results in vascular changes and dysfunction of the neural, glial, and pancreatic β cells. Currently, no model completely recapitulates the full pathophysiology of neuronal and vascular changes that occur at each stage of diabetic retinopathy; however, each model recapitulates many of the disease phenotypes.