cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Correspondence of Verbal Descriptor and Numeric Rating Scales for Pain Intensity: An Item Response Theory Calibration

tive way to ask older adults to describe their pain severity, and clinicians vary in their preferred approaches, making comparison of pain intensity scores across settings difficult. Methods. a total of 3,676 residents from 71 community nursing homes across eight states were asked about pain pres ence. The 1,960 residents who reported pain within the past 5 days (53% of total, 70% female; age: M = 77.9, SD = 12.4) were included in analyses. Those who reported pain were also asked to provide a rating of pain intensity using either a verbal descriptor scale (VDS; mild, moderate, severe, and very severe and horrible), a numeric rating scale (nRS; 0 = no pain to 10 = worst pain imaginable), or both. We used item response theory (iRT) methods to identify the correspondence between the VDS and the nRS response options by estimating item parameters for these and five additional pain items. Results. The sample reported moderate amounts of pain on average. Examination of the iRT location parameters for the pain intensity items indicated the following approximate correspondence: VDS mild ≈ nRS 1–4, VDS moderate ≈ nRS 5–7, VDS severe ≈ nRS 8–9, and VDS very severe, horrible ≈ nRS 10. Conclusion. This iRT calibration provides a crosswalk between the two response scales so that either can be used in practice depending on the preference of the clinician and respondent.
Morphing Airfoils with Four Morphing Parameters

An episodic unsupervised learning simulation using the Q-Learning method is developed to learn the optimal shape and shape change policy for a problem with four state variables. Optimality is addressed by reward functions based on airfoil properties such as lift coecient, drag coecient, and moment coecient about the leading edge representing optimal shapes for specified flight conditions. The reinforcement learning as it is applied to morphing is integrated with a computational model of an airfoil. The methodology is demonstrated with numerical examples of a NACA type airfoil that autonomously morphs in four degrees-of-freedom, thickness, camber, location of maximum camber, and airfoil angle-of-attack, to a shape that corresponds to specified goal requirements. Although nonunique shapes can satisfy the aerodynamic requirements, the results presented in this paper show that this methodology is capable of learning the range of acceptable shapes for a given set of requirements. Also shown is that the agent can use its knowledge to change from one shape to another to satisfy a series of requirements with a probability of success between 92% 96%. This ability is analogous to an aircraft transitioning from one flight phase to another.
Vasodilatory actions of the dietary peptide carnosine

Abstract The objective of this study was to test the hypothesis that the dietary dipeptide carnosine (β-alanine- l -histidine) causes direct decreases in arterial tone. Isolated descending thoracic aortic rings from male Sprague-Dawley rats were used for all studies. Preconstriction of vessels was accomplished with phenylephrine. Carnosine (0.625–20 mM) produced dose-dependent vascular relaxation ( P l -histidine did not produce any significant relaxation over the same dose range, whereas β-alanine actually produced dose-dependent vasoconstriction ( P −5 M) significantly decreased the relaxation produced by carnosine ( P −5 M resulted in a decrease in cyclic GMP levels from 65.3 ± 15.6 fmol/mg protein to 8.6 ± 0.9 fmol/mg of protein ( P = 0.001). We conclude that carnosine produces relaxation of isolated rat aorta independent of endothelium. The effect of carnosine is at least in part mediated via cyclic GMP production and is not reproduced by its constituent amino acids, l -histidine and β-alanine.
A fast and efficient topological coding algorithm for compound images

We present a fast and efficient coding algorithm for compound images. Unlike popular mixture raster content (MRC) based approaches, we propose to attack compound image coding problem from the perspective of modeling location uncertainty of image singularities. We suggest that a computationally simple two-class segmentation strategy is sufficient for the coding of compound images. We argue that jointly exploiting topological properties of image source in classification and coding stages is beneficial to the robustness of compound image coding systems. Experimental results have justified eectiveness and robustness of the proposed topological coding algorithms.
Glomerulonephritis With Anti-Glomerular Basement Membrane Antibody During Pregnancy: Potential Role of the Placenta in Amelioration of Disease

A case of rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis with glomerular deposition of anti-glomerular basement membrane (anti-GBM) antibody during pregnancy is described. Development of precipitous renal failure postpartum raised the possibility that the placenta may have served as an adsorptive surface for the autoantibody, thereby ameliorating its manifestations antepartum. Sera from the patient obtained during pregnancy contained low titers of anti-GBM immunoglobulin G. No antibody was identified in the serum from the healthy infant. Additional studies of this patient's sera, as well as sera from other patients with documented anti-GBM antibody-mediated glomerulonephritis, demonstrated that binding of anti-GBM antibody to placental membranes can occur, although it appears weaker than binding to basement membranes in renal glomeruli. We postulate that the patient's accelerated decline in renal function postpartum may have been due to removal of the ameliorating influence of the placenta.
Synthesis and characterization of polyimides endcapped with phenylethynylphthalic anhydride

The synthesis of high glass transition temperature (Tg > 300°C), amorphous, soluble, poly-imide oligomers of controlled molecular weight endcapped with 4-phenylethynylphthalic anhydride endcapping agent is described. The 4-phenylethynylphthalic anhydride was employed to afford a higher curing temperature (380–420°C) which widens the processing window compared to unsubstituted acetylene-endcapped polyimides. The polyimides were synthesized via solution imidization techniques, using the ester-acid of various dianhydrides and aromatic diamines. A “ one-pot” procedure utilizing NMP as the solvent and o-dichlo-robenzene as the azeotroping agent reproducibly produced fully imidized, but yet soluble wholly aromatic polyimides. Thermally cured samples were prepared with gel contents of up to 98% that displayed good solvent resistance. Glass transition temperatures comparable to high molecular weight linear analogs were produced. These polyimides also show excellent thermal stability as judged by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Model phenylethynyl imide compounds were synthesized and used to follow and elucidate the nature of the products formed from the phenylethynyl curing by using high temperature magic-angle 13C nuclear magnetic resonance (MAS NMR). Preliminary results indicate that the cure reaction can be followed by MAS NMR. However, the nature of the products being formed during the curing process is difficult to determine by the solid-state MAS NMR alone. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) data clearly show that the model system does indeed melt and displays a wide window before the strong cure exotherm is observed. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Neural Sensor Fusion for Spatial Visualization on a Mobile Robot

An ARTMAP neural network is used to integrate visual information and ultrasonic sensory information on a B14 mobile robot. Training samples for the neural network are acquired without human intervention. Sensory snapshots are retrospectively associated with the distance to the wall, provided by on-board odometry as the robot travels in a straight line. The goal is to produce a more accurate measure of distance than is provided by the raw sensors. The neural network effectively combines sensory sources both within and between modalities. The improved distance percept is used to produce occupancy grid visualizations of the robot's environment. The maps produced point to specific problems of raw sensory information processing and demonstrate the benefits of using a neural network system for sensor fusion.
Localization of placental lactogen-I in trophoblast giant cells of the mouse placenta

The purpose of this investigation was to identify the cellular origin of placental lactogen-I (PL-I) expression in the mouse placenta and to cytologically define the transition from PL-I to PL-II expression during gestation. PL-I mRNA expression was assessed by in situ hybridization, and expression of PL-I and PL-II protein was determined by immunocytochemical analysis. PL-I mRNA and protein were localized to trophoblast giant cells. Trophoblast giant cells ceased producing PL-I at midgestation and began expressing PL-II. PL-I immunoreactivity was present in trophoblast giant cells on Days 9 and 10 of gestation but was not detectable in trophoblast giant cells on Day 11 of gestation. Immunoreactive PL-II-producing giant cells were detected first on Day 10 of gestation, continuing on Day 11 of gestation. Expression of PL-I and PL-II signals a significant functional transition in trophoblast giant cells of the developing mouse placenta.
Optimal attitude control parameters via Stochastic Optimization Framework for autonomous aircraft

An attitude control system based on a traditional feedback control with optimized parameters is presented. This system is part of a much larger global control structure designed for autonomous robotic aircraft. The global control structure consists of a high level structure for mission and supervision control, an intermediate structure for navigation and obstacle management, and a low level structure control, which deals with stability and attitude control. Thus is of paramount importance to have a highly efficient low level control since it affects directly the upper levels and ultimately the full aircraft operation. The solution for finding the best control parameters is found by applying a Stochastic Optimization Framework (SOF; Fink, SPIE 2008) to optimize aircraft response for low level commands, which are for the airplane the attitude angles (roll, pitch, and yaw) and the engine throttle. The basic controllers for the attitude are conventional PID controllers for each controlled variable. The SOF optimization procedure tries to find global parameters for these controllers to optimize the global performance index, i.e., to minimize the sum of the squared integration errors of all the controllers. In consequence the optimized parameters significantly improve low level control (attitude regulation and changing).
Rolling-contact fatigue resistance in ausrolled 1% C 9310 steel

Abstract Rolling-contact fatigue is a common failure mechanism for the class of machine elements that includes gears, cams, bearings and sprockets. Improved endurance through the fabrication of more durable cases in carburized steels was undertaken in the present study, with surface ausforming the fabrication technique of interest. Surface ausforming, in a rolling-deformation scheme, was applied to AISI 9310 steel, carburized to 1.0 wt% carbon to a case depth of 1 mm. Ausrolling was applied in two distinct manners, either by a line contact or a point contact die, after quenching the alloy to 235°C. Ausformed alloy evidenced the lath martensite expected for this thermomechanical processing: its depth beneath the surface depended on the forming stress, with the point contact die inducing the most extensively formed surface. In general, surface hardnesses in ausrolled samples were greater by ∼ 5.0 HRC than in control samples conventionally marquenched. Rolling-contact fatigue endurance for ausrolled microstructures was also superior to that of conventionally marquenched samples, although subsurface oxides introduced during gas carbunization degraded the performance of the more lightly ausrolled examples. Light surface grinding, which removed these artefacts, led to ausrolled surfaces that were over an order of magnitude more durable in rolling-contact fatigue loading than were those of marquenched-only materials. Ultimately, rolling-contact fatigue endurance could be correlated with surface hardness distributions for all forms of thermomechanical processing.
A gradient boosting approach for filtering de novo mutations in parent-offspring trios

Motivation: Whole-genome and -exome sequencing on parent–offspring trios is a powerful approach to identifying disease-associated genes by detecting de novo mutations in patients. Accurate detection of de novo mutations from sequencing data is a critical step in triobased genetic studies. Existing bioinformatic approaches usually yield high error rates due to sequencing artifacts and alignment issues, which may either miss true de novo mutations or call too many false ones, making downstream validation and analysis difficult. In particular, current approaches have much worse specificity than sensitivity, and developing effective filters to discriminate genuine from spurious de novo mutations remains an unsolved challenge. Results: In this article, we curated 59 sequence features in whole genome and exome alignment context which are considered to be relevant to discriminating true de novo mutations from artifacts, and then employed a machine-learning approach to classify candidates as true or false de novo mutations. Specifically, we built a classifier, named De Novo Mutation Filter (DNMFilter), using gradient boosting as the classification algorithm. We built the training set using experimentally validated true and false de novo mutations as well as collected false de novo mutations from an in-house large-scale exomesequencing project. We evaluated DNMFilter’s theoretical performance and investigated relative importance of different sequence features on the classification accuracy. Finally, we applied DNMFilter on our in-house whole exome trios and one CEU trio from the 1000 Genomes Project and found that DNMFilter could be coupled with commonly used de novo mutation detection approaches as an effective filtering approach to significantly reduce false discovery rate without sacrificing sensitivity. Availability: The software DNMFilter implemented using a combination of Java and R is freely available from the website at http://
Student preferences for representations of functions

Incorporating multiple representations enhanced through technology is a theme in reformed mathematics curricula. While the need for students to use and reason on multiple representations is widely accepted, the research‐based knowledge on how to best accomplish this goal is just beginning to emerge. Current cognitive theories indicate that students’ knowledge of and preference for various representations is crucial to the decision process. This project develops and validates an instrument for determining student preferences for multiple representations of functions and establishes base‐line data for future research. The results indicate that students do have preferences for representations of functions and that these preferences vary between contextualized and non‐contextualized settings. Furthermore, students’ preferences between these two settings are more similar for students in a graphics calculator‐based calculus course than for students in a traditional calculus course. If a student has a cognitive ...
Acute pericarditis after percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty

infarct artery. PTCA was successful in 11 of the 12. Our experience with PTCA in this setting is similar in terms of the good success in recanalizing the infarct artery (‘7 of our 8 patients). The greater number of total occlusions (6) in our series probably reflects our electrocardiogram entry criterion of transmural injury (ST elevations) with reciprocal depressions. We were impressed that PTCA could recanalize infarct arteries quickly; with an experienced team it averaged about 20 minutes from the time of the initial arterial puncture. Another advantage of this technique, which has great potential importance, is its avoidance of the hemostatic problems inherent to thrombolytic therapy. Although not done in these 8 patients, urgent bypass surgery could have been performed without concern for a treatment-induced bleeding diathesis. References
Circulating Currents in Paralleled Untransposed Multicircuit Lines: I - Numerical Evaluations

The current unbalance in a 50O-kV double-circuit and a 138-kV triple-circuit, paralleled and untransposed transmission line is analyzed comprehensively. This paper establishes that the magnitudes of individual circuit current unbalances due to currents circulating between the paralleled circuits are more significant than the net through system unbalance. Since the former were not considered in previous investigations, the criteria established there for proper phase configurations is shown in this paper to lead to maximum circulating current unbalance. The influence of series capacitor line compensation is also shown and the ramifications of these unbalances are discussed and evaluated on a present worth of annual loss basis.
Milling and Suspension Behavior of A12O3 in Methanol and Methyl Isobutyl Ketone

Milling and suspension behavior of Al2O3 were studied in two suspending liquids, i.e. methanol (MeOH) and methyl isobutyl ketone (MIBK). Properties were investigated for various mixed solvent ratios. Ball-milling studies were carried out on powders containing “hard” agglomerates. Agglomerate breakdown was monitored by rheology, sedimentation density, and particle size measurements and by direct microscope observations. Particle size reduction kinetics were observed to decrease at high MIBK/MeOH ratios due to increased flocculation in these suspensions. Suspension behavior of deagglomerated (by ball-milling 20 h) Al2O3 was also investigated. Rheology, sedimentation density, and sedimentation “particle” size distribution measurements demonstrated that increased flocculation occurred at high MIBK/MeOH ratios. Electrophoresis measurements indicated that this behavior was due to decreased electrostatic repulsion between particles. Suspension stability (against flocculation) was analyzed using DLVO theory.
Achievement of feeding milestones after primary repair of long-gap esophageal atresia.

Abstract Objectives To determine the pattern of feeding milestones following primary repair of long-gap esophageal atresia (EA). Method A questionnaire based upon well established feeding milestones was used. Children after long-gap EA repair, n = 40, were compared from after primary repair to healthy children from birth, n = 102. Results The age when surveyed of the EA group and controls was different: 6.2 ± 4.7 (mean ± standard deviation) years, range 1.1–20.9, versus 2.5 ± 2.4 years, range 0.0–12.1, p = 0.00. The esophageal gap length in the EA group was 5.1 ± 1.2 cm and age at repair was 5.5 ± 5.0 months. There was no statistically significant difference between the atresia group and controls for feeding milestones; Self feeding finger foods approached significance. There was, however, greater variability in the timing of milestones in the atresia group compared to controls. Feeding milestones were negatively correlated with age at primary repair: drinking with a covered sippy cup, ρ = − 0.51, p = 0.01 and self feeding finger foods, ρ = − 0.36, p = 0.04 were statistically significant. Drinking from a cup correlated with gestational age, ρ = 0.38, p = 0.04, and negatively correlated to esophageal gap length, ρ = − 0.45, p = 0.01. Conclusions Despite delayed onset of feeding, major milestones after EA repair occurred in similar pattern to normal infants. An early referral for primary repair is beneficial for earlier acquisition of milestones for infants with long-gap EA.
Holographic Complexity Equals Bulk Action

We conjecture that the quantum complexity of a holographic state is dual to the action of a certain spacetime region that we call a Wheeler-DeWitt patch. We illustrate and test the conjecture in the context of neutral, charged, and rotating black holes in anti-de Sitter spacetime, as well as black holes perturbed with static shells and with shock waves. This conjecture evolved from a previous conjecture that complexity is dual to spatial volume, but appears to be a major improvement over the original. In light of our results, we discuss the hypothesis that black holes are the fastest computers in nature.
Classifying Lean Production: A Review of Empirical Research

Lean production has been studied extensively during the past few decades. Many authors agree that Western production techniques are outdated and that there is a significant shift towards the “Lean” production philosophy. The purpose of this paper is to review and classify the lean production empirical research, identify well-traveled paths, and offer suggestions for future research. Articles were collected from the premier refereed journals in the fields of Supply Chain and Operations Management. Classification of the articles utilizing a “SPOT” model based on four fundamental lean production principles is presented in the paper. A majority of the articles included in this review concentrate on an operations or elimination of waste element. Future research paths, including “Sustainable” lean production are discussed.
Abstract TP40: Does The Middle Cerebral Artery Territory Have An Anatomically Defined Ischemic Core?

Background: In this study, we sought to determine whether an anatomically-defined ischemic core exists in patients with complete MCA territory ischemia; and whether the depth of ischemia, probabili...
Biological basis for mass propagation of Catolaccus grandis (Hymenoptera : Pteromalidae) : effects of parasitoid densities and host-parasitoid ratios

We studied the effects of densities of ectoparasitoids (per liter of cage volume) and host-parasitoid ratios on the reproductive potential of parasitoid females. Ectoparasitoid, Catolaccus grandis (Burks), densities were varied from 3.8 to 37.7 females per liter volume of oviposition cages (petri dishes). Host-parasitoid ratios ranged from 0.2 to 20 3rd instars of the boll weevil, Anthonomus grandis grandis (Boheman), per parasitoid female per days. Fecundity of C. grandis females was not affected by changes in the density of female adults in oviposition cages. However, adult mortality increased when female parasitoid density exceeded 15 females per liter of cage volume. Mean percentage of parasitism of the boll weevil hosts decreased from 100 to 33% when the host-parasitoid ratio increased from 0.2 to 20.0 weevil larvae per C. grandis female per day. Parasitoid fecundity was inversely proportional to the percentage of parasitized host larvae. A higher proportion (69-75%) of fertilized eggs were oviposited when host-parasitoid ratios were between 1 and 20 host larvae per C. grandis female than when ratios were <1 host per female (40-41%). Low host-parasitoid ratios reduced the rate of reproduction in C. grandis, whereas high parasitoid densities increased intraspecific competition and parasitoid mortality. Under laboratory conditions, the most efficient host-parasitoid ratio was 5-15 host larvae per female parasitoid per day.
Reexamination of the Early Central California Culture

The Early Central California assemblage was described on the basis of four sites in the delta region of California's central valley. The original reports interpret the sites as residential villages with associated cemeteries. In this discussion I argue that the evidence for residential occupation is very weak and that the sites are specialized mortuary mounds. The implications for California archaeology are discussed.
Abnormal seismological and magmatic processes controlled by the tearing South American flat slabs

Abstract The influence of flat slab subduction on the formation of intra-slab earthquakes, volcanic activities and mantle seismic velocity anomalies remains unclear. We attempt to better understand these processes by simulating the two flat slabs in Peru and Chile using data-orientated geodynamic models. Our results successfully reproduce the observed flat slabs as mainly due to two subducting aseismic ridges. In contrast to the traditional view of flat-slab subduction, we find that these slabs are internally torn, as is due to the 3D nature of the subducting buoyancy features. This broken slab configuration, confirmed by regional tomography, naturally explains the abnormal distribution of and stress regimes associated with the intermediate-depth earthquakes. We further show that the slab tearing process could also better explain the formation of adakitic and ore-forming magmatism, the evolution of the magmatic arc, and the enigmatic mantle seismic structures beneath these regions. We propose that slab tearing may represent a common result of buoyancy feature subduction and that the resulting mantle processes could affect the long-term geodynamic evolution of continents.
UV and 532 nm Photo-Dissociation of 2-Nitrotoluene: Observation of Electronically-Excited NO; Emission from Carbon (I); N 2 –NO Energy Transfer; and Stabilization of 2-Nitrotoluene-Ar Clusters

2-nitrotoluene is a taggant used in explosive compounds and also often used as a simulant for nitro-based high explosives. Various spectroscopic techniques focus on the detection of vibrationally excited NO as an indicator for the presence of explosives. We report on the photo-dissociation of 2-nitrotoluene using UV and 532 nm wavelengths. We not only observe vibrationally excited NO in its electronic ground state, but also vibrationally excited NO in its electronic excited state. The photo-dissociation of 2-nitrotoluene leads to the formation of atomic carbon and its emission, overlapping the NO emission, is observed. Energy transfer from laser-excited nitrogen to NO leads to NO emission with long lifetimes. Argon atoms stabilize 2-nitrotoluene molecules and delay their photo-dissociation.
Cross-Cultural Encounters: Gadamer and Merleau-Ponty

The chapter deals with the relevance of hermeneutics and phenomenology for cross-cultural studies, with an emphasis on the works of Gadamer and Merleau-Ponty. In the literature, hermeneutics is often defined as the theory of textual interpretation—which is a very limited view. In the treatment of Gadamer, hermeneutics has always been closely linked with practical “application” in such fields as theology, jurisprudence, and literature. The chapter at this point focuses on the connection between hermeneutics and ethics (in the Aristotelian sense). Beyond these traditional fields of application, Gadamerian hermeneutics also plays an important role in cross-cultural encounters aiming at mutual understanding. In order to avoid a “mentalist” or idealist construal of hermeneutics, the chapter turns to Merleau-Ponty’s phenomenology which alerts us to the affective and “inter-corporeal” character of cross-cultural dialogue and encounter.
Flat electron beam sources for DLA accelerators

Abstract In this paper we discuss the application of the flat beam transform to generate beams suitable for injection into slab-symmetric dielectric laser-driven accelerators (DLAs). A study of the focusing requirements to keep the particles within the tight apertures characterizing these accelerators shows the benefits of employing ultralow beam emittances. The slab geometry of the many dielectric accelerating structures strongly favors the use of flat beams with large ratio between vertical and horizontal emittances. We employ particle tracking simulations to study the application of the flat beam transform for two injector designs, a DC non relativistic photogun and a 1.6 cell S-band RF photoinjector, obtaining in both cases emittance ratios between the horizontal and vertical plane in excess of 100 in agreement with simple analytical estimates. The 4 MeV RF photoinjector study-case can be directly applied to the UCLA Pegasus beamline and shows normalized emittances down to 3 nm in the vertical dimension for beam charges up to 20 fC, enabling a two-stage DLA experiment.
Race, Place, and Capital Charging in Georgia

The U.S. Supreme Court has identified three types of constitutionally impermissible errors in the administration of capital punishment: arbitrariness, discrimination, and disproportionality. In this essay, I describe an empirically-anchored analytical framework for defining, identifying, and measuring these concepts. I then illustrate the usefulness of the framework by examining prosecutors' death penalty charging decisions in Georgia over an eight-year period. The results strongly suggest that prosecutorial decision-making in Georgia continues to be plagued by the very errors that led the Court to invalidate Georgia's capital punishment system forty years ago.
Intracranial pressure monitoring alone: Not an absolutely reliable tool after decompressive craniectomy for traumatic acute subdural hematoma

Introduction: The monitoring of intracranial pressure (ICP) in traumatic brain injury (TBI) is important for postoperative care. In our clinical practice, we have found that neurological deterioration because of contralateral epidural hematoma (EDH) occurs despite normal ICP in patients who have undergone decompressive craniectomy (DC). This study was performed to elucidate the dilemmas associated with ICP monitoring after DC and the possible complementary role of intraoperative and immediate postoperative imaging studies. Methods: Patients who had received DC due to TBI during a 7-year period were retrospectively identified from our database and evaluated. Logistic regression analyses were used to evaluate the associations between patients. Results: Twenty patients had contralateral skull fractures. Five patients (5 of 10, 50%) who developed EDH on the ipsilateral side of the skull fracture underwent operations for EDH evacuation due to the deterioration of their clinical condition. The ICP was significantly lower (P = 0.016) in these patients compared with patients who did not undergo secondary surgery due to EDH. Conclusions: ICP monitoring alone cannot absolutely ensure early detection of contralateral space-occupying lesion after DC due to improvement in cerebral compliance. Imaging studies using brain computed tomography is beneficial for early detection of delayed EDH after DC in a high-risk skull fracture with contralateral acute subdural hematoma patients.
Organizational response to adversity: Fusing crisis management and resilience research streams

Research on crisis management and resilience has sought to explain how individuals and organizations anticipate and respond to adversity, yet—surprisingly—there has been little integration across t...
The Medical Treatment of Vitiligo: An Historical Review

Discolorations of the skin, such as vitiligo, were recognized thousands of years ago. White spots caused by vitiligo and other disorders have caused significant social opprobrium to those disfigured by these pigmentary disorders, throughout history and still in the present day. Treatments have been desperately sought with only partial success. Recent advances suggest that vitiligo and other pigmentary disorders might soon be curable.
Media Presentation of Breastfeeding Beliefs in Newspapers.

ABSTRACTDespite numerous health benefits for babies and mothers, many women do not either initiate or continue breastfeeding for the recommended duration, and increasing breastfeeding is a national priority. It is important to understand media messages on the topic, given that breastfeeding is influenced by many environmental factors and that perceived norms, social support, and perceptions of difficulties predict breastfeeding. The current study analyzes how media covers (1) breastfeeding in general, (2) public breastfeeding, and (3) extended breastfeeding (past 1 year). Guided by the theory of planned behavior, this study analyzes 318 news articles sampled from 10 of the most commonly read mainstream newspapers from 2008–2013. This sample covers a wide range of topics related to breastfeeding, including health benefits, societal reform efforts, social/human interest stories, parenting choices, and stories about pumped breast milk and formula. The results indicate approving social norms by public health ...
RIVALRY DETERRENCE IN INTERNATIONAL MARKETS: CONTINGENCIES GOVERNING THE MUTUAL FORBEARANCE HYPOTHESIS.

The mutual forbearance hypothesis proposes that multiple contacts with rivals deter competitive aggressiveness. In this study we examine some of the contingencies governing the mutual forbearance h...
Livelihood Diversification as a Form of Resilience? An Ethnographic Account of Artisanal Fishers in Chile’s Lakes Region

Artisanal fishers worldwide face a variety of challenges to their way of life, including declining fish populations, poor resource governance, and climatic and ecological change. To manage these risks and maintain their ties to fishing, many of them diversify their livelihood strategies. This chapter, based on fieldwork in Chile’s Lakes Region in 2016, presents an ethnographic and empirical analysis of fishers’ livelihoods, their perceptions of social and ecological change, and the importance, but limitations, of diversified livelihood strategies. I focus my analysis on fishers’ responses to the 2016 red tide and salmon-dumping crisis that resulted in the closure of all wide-caught fisheries and aquaculture exports in Chiloe. While fishers waited for environmental conditions to improve, they were left to cope without their main source of income, dealing a significant blow to their economic and social well-being and testing their strategy of diversified livelihoods.
Thermodynamic Properties of Strong Electrolyte — Strong Polyelectrolyte Mixtures at 25°C [1]

Isopiestic vapor pressure comparison measurements were performed with aqueous mixtures of sodium chloride (B) with sodium polystyrenesulfonate, NaPSS, (C) and with polyvinylbenzyltrimethyl ammonium chloride, PVR4NCI, (C) to determine molal osmotic coefficients, φ, for typical strong electrolyte-strong polyelectrolyte systems. The McKay-Perring method was applied to compute the stoichiometric mean molal activity coefficients, γ B, of NaCl and γ′C of NaPSS or PVR4NCI, respectively, in the mixtures as a function of the osmolal concentration, m, and of the osmolal fraction of polyelectrolyte, γ C.
Deep Modeling of Human Age Guesses for Apparent Age Estimation

In this paper we propose a unique deep learning formulation of the apparent age estimation problem, using the APPA-Real dataset. APPA-Real is a dataset containing 7, 591 face images, where each image is labeled by a set of approximately 38 guesses of the facial age. All guesses are collected from human labelers. In our approach, we first generate per-image label distributions from the human guesses, and then learn label distributions with convolutional neural networks and the KL-divergence loss function. We provide comparisons to models trained with other objective functions. We achieve state-of-the-art results for apparent age estimation on the APPA-Real dataset with a mean absolute error of 3.688, outperforming other methods using the same dataset.
Keynes's Application of Virtue Ethics in the General Theory in Chapter 9

Keynes carefully and methodically devoted chapter nine of the General Theory to a detailed discussion of Virtue Ethics which is related to Adam Smith’s discussion in The Theory of Moral Sentiments. Both Virtues and Vices were considered by Keynes. The four main virtues in the Greek version of virtue ethics, as enunciated by Plato(Socrates) and Aristotle, were Prudence, Temperance, Justice and Courage or Fortitude. Temperance and Courage can be combined, as done by Adam Smith in The Theory of Moral Sentiments into the virtue of self command. Adam Smith’s and Keynes’s explicit use of an Aristotelian, Virtue ethics approach contrasts with the economic profession’s explicit reliance on utilitarian ethics only. It is not possible to create a synthesis between the two different approaches to ethics. Keynes and Smith agree with Aristotle that the primary, major problem at the macro level for an economy is the existence of a major sub group of upper income class individuals that Smith appropriately identified as projectors, imprudent risk takers and prodigals. These individuals violate the primary virtue of prudence by activities that can cause negative effects that impact the entire society. Smith proposes that this behavior be neutralized or mitigated by imposing restrictions on their ability to obtain bank credit and loans. Smith also believed that at the macro level the number of sober people (frugal, parsimonious, circumspect, careful) will significantly outnumber the projectors, imprudent risk takers and prodigals, so that their impact on the macro economy would be limited. This, of course, is similar to Keynes’s point that “Speculators may do no harm as bubbles on a steady stream of enterprise.” However, this all changes if enterprise and speculation switch places, so that “…the position is serious when enterprise becomes the bubble on a whirlpool of speculation. When the capital development of a country becomes a by-product of the activities of a casino, the job is likely to be ill-done.” This is precisely the problem that has arisen in the American and world economies since the late 1970’s. Thus, speculation can be regarded as a vice and enterprise can be regarded as virtue. The point can be made even more directly. A world dominated by George Romney type investors leads to growth and prosperity, while a world dominated by Mitt Romney types, Bain Capital private equity firms, hedge funds, financial speculators and stock market manipulators leads to economic downturn and stagnation.
3D printing and characterization of hydroxypropyl methylcellulose and methylcellulose for biodegradable support structures

Abstract The currently available support materials used with 3D printing technology have challenges of poor dissolvability in chemical solution and difficulty to be removed from the finished part. Current support materials are usually petroleum based which has a negative impact on the environment. The goal of the project is to identify a suitable biomaterial for support structures that will eliminate the challenges of poor dissolvability and toxic waste generated by the current material. In this study, three biodegradable cellulose derivatives of methylcellulose (MC) and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC), with different degree of substitution of hydroxyl group were used. We investigated the effect of concentrations (8, 10, and 12% w/v) of various cellulose derivatives on the rheological properties for understanding their printability. The rheological analysis revealed that all hydrogels exhibit shear-thinning properties with relatively low yield stress. Effects of printing parameters (extrusion rate, nozzle diameter, and printing speed) were optimized to obtain the desired three-dimensional structures. The water dissolution of the MC and HPMC hydrogels allowed easy removal of the support structures from the build material. Biopolymers like MC and HPMC help in moving closer towards sustainable manufacturing.
Posttraumatic stress disorder is associated with altered gut microbiota that modulates cognitive performance in veterans with cirrhosis.

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in veterans with cirrhosis was associated with poor cognitive performance. This was associated with lower gut microbial diversity in PTSD with higher pathobiont...
Cold Thermal Energy Storage for Reliable Ship Cooling Under Thermal Cycling and Cooling Loss

We evaluated the viability of integrating a cold thermal energy storage (CTES) into an all-electric ship to mitigate the aftermath of thermal cycling and cooling loss by providing additional thermal damping. 1D dynamic CTES and counterflow heat exchanger (HX) models were developed and solved in dimensionless forms to assess the proposed cooling configuration based on the following: (1) the impact of chiller HX (evaporator) design on thermal damping without the CTES; and (2) the effects of adding a CTES next to the chiller as a complementary thermal damper (HX + CTES). Numerical results demonstrate the higher sensitivity of the damping effect to the total number of transfer units (N) than the HX mass, and the required N to achieve the same damping effect reduces nonlinearly with increasing HX mass. Furthermore, the HX + CTES outperforms the HX of the same total mass at higher N when the effect of heat transfer overcomes that of thermal inertia, and its merit becomes more evident when we compare the operation of these two configurations. This work thus reveals the potential of HX + CTES as a practical approach for improving the overall ship cooling reliability.
Insomnia symptoms predict the development of post‐traumatic stress symptoms following an experimental trauma

Insomnia symptoms prior to traumatic event exposure predict the development of post-traumatic stress symptoms. However, potential mechanisms underlying the association between insomnia and risk for post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms have not been prospectively tested. The current study used the trauma film paradigm to test whether insomnia symptoms prior to analogue trauma exposure predict subsequent analogue post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms, and potential mediators of this relationship, among an at-risk sample of 108 participants. Results indicated that, after covarying for negative affectivity, insomnia symptoms in the 2 weeks prior to analogue trauma exposure significantly predicted increased post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms 3 days and 1 week post-exposure. Moreover, distress immediately after exposure and post-traumatic avoidance mediated the association between insomnia symptoms and post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms 1 week after exposure. Effect sizes were small. The current study uses an analogue trauma and analogue post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms to model clinical symptoms, includes an additional intervention prior to analogue trauma, and lacks a control film. Findings suggest increased reactivity to trauma exposure and subsequent reminders, and attempts to suppress trauma memories may be mechanisms in the association between insomnia symptoms and risk for post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms.
Surface emitting characteristics of silicon waveguides

The objective of the present paper is to demonstrate surface emitting characteristics of silicon waveguides in the millimeter-wave frequency band. Waveguides used in the experiment are rectangular slabs of high resistivity silicon ( 30,000 ohm.cm). A series of perturbations on the silicon waveguide are required to provide a radiating surface. The second Bragg frequency is fixed at 90 GHz from which the grating period, height and the duty cycle were calculated. A rectangular grating with period A = 1.08 mm, height = 0.35 mm, and duty cycle = 0.46 was etched on the surface of the silicon slab. The ends of the waveguide were tapered for efficient coupling of power to and from the metallic waveguides. Experiments are performed to measure the attenuation, dispersion and the radiation characteristics of the said waveguides. The test setup was' used to monitor the frequency, radiation angle, and the radiated power. Measurements are made over a band of frequencies around the second Bragg frequency. We have scanned the detector from 88-95 GHz and were able to observe the change in the attenuation constant, dispersion relation and the far-field radiation pattern. The observed experimental results are found to be in good agreement with their theoretical counterparts. From these results we were able to verify the grating theory.
Intensity Mapping across Cosmic Times with the Lyα Line

We present a quantitative model of Lyα emission throughout cosmic history and determine the prospects for intensity mapping spatial fluctuations in the Lyα signal. Since (1) our model assumes at z > 6 the minimum star formation required to sustain reionization and (2) is based at z < 6 on a luminosity function (LF) extrapolated from the few observed bright Lyα emitters, this should be considered a lower limit. Mapping the line emission allows probes of reionization, star formation, and large-scale structure (LSS) as a function of redshift. While Lyα emission during reionization has been studied, we also predict the postreionization signal to test predictions of the intensity and motivate future intensity mapping probes of reionization. We include emission from massive dark matter halos and the intergalactic medium (IGM) in our model. We find agreement with current, measured LFs of Lyα emitters at z < 8. However, diffuse IGM emission, not associated with Lyα emitters, dominates the intensity up to z ~ 10. While our model is applicable for deep-optical or near-infrared observers like the James Webb Space Telescope, only intensity mapping will detect the diffuse IGM emission. We also construct a three-dimensional power spectrum model of the Lyα emission. Finally, we consider the prospects of an intensity mapper for measuring Lyα fluctuations while identifying interloper contamination for removal. Our results suggest that while the reionization signal is challenging, Lyα fluctuations can be an interesting new probe of LSS at late times when used in conjunction with other lines, e.g., Hα, to monitor low-redshift foreground confusion.
Hubble Space Telescope Observations of the Central-Cusp Globular Cluster NGC 6752: the Effect of Binary Stars on the Luminosity Function in the Core

We consider the effect of binary stars on the main-sequence luminosity functions observed in the core of globular clusters, with specific reference to NGC 6752. We find that mass segregation results in an increased binary fraction at fainter magnitudes along the main sequence. If this effect is not taken into account when analyzing luminosity functions, erroneous conclusions can be drawn regarding the distribution of single stars and the dynamical state of the cluster. In the core of NGC 6752, our Hubble Space Telescope data reveal a flat luminosity function (LF), in agreement with previous results. However, when we correct for the increasing binary fraction at faint magnitudes, the LF begins to fall immediately below the turnoff. This effect appears to be confined to the inner core radius of the cluster.
Advancing Health Care the Old-Fashioned Way

Though cutting-edge technology serves as the foundation for modern American healthcare, an accurate measure of progress must consider the occasional conflict between society and science. Even as yesterday’s medical miracles give way to what are now considered “state of the art” practices, it is the duty of health care providers to remain mindful of both sides of the equation, balancing the capabilities of today’s technologies with the needs of today’s patient.
Evaluation of Cognitive Routing for the Interplanetary Internet

The results from an experimental evaluation study of cognitive network routing applied to the transmission of a scientific dataset and assuming a delay-tolerant space communications context are reported in this paper. The routing method that was tested relies on a spiking neural network (SNN) both to encode network performance predictions and to select the optimal outbound link for each data bundle. By defining an adaptive approach to bundle routing, the method can cope with changes in both the network congestion levels and the availability of redundant paths. Repeatable experiments were carried out using a laboratory network testbed to characterize the average routing performance. The reference implementation of Contact Graph Routing from the Interplanetary Overlay Network (ION) distribution was used to obtain the baseline performance of the current state of practice in space network routing. The results demonstrate the performance advantages of the cognitive networking approach to bundle routing when the network is being affected by different kinds of impairments, such as channel losses and link disruptions.
Doing it for Culturally Responsive School Leadership: Utilizing Reflexivity from Preparation to Practice:

To collectively engage future administrators in reforming culturally responsive practices that have been traditionally understood from socially just approaches, principal preparation programs must ...