cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Elimination of nitrogen interference during online oxygen isotope analysis of nitrogen-doped organics using the "NiCat" nickel reduction system.

RATIONALE Accurate online analysis of the δ18O values of nitrogen-bearing organic compounds is of interest to several emergent fields, including ecology, forensics and paleontology. During online analysis, high-temperature conversion (HTC) of nitrogen-bearing organics produces N2 gas which creates isobaric interference with the isotopic measurement. Specifically, N2 reacts with trace amounts of oxygen in the mass spectrometer source to form 14N16O (m/z 30), which prevents accurate evaluation of the sample 12C18O peak (m/z 30). METHODS We present an alternative system to the conventional HTC, which uses a nickel-catalyzed (“NiCat”) reduction furnace to convert HTC-produced CO into CO2, allowing for δ18O measurement using signal intensities at m/z 44 and 46. RESULTS This system yields identical δ18O values for nitrogen-doped and undoped sucrose and cellulose compounds up to molar yield ratios of N2:CO = 0.22. In contrast, our conventional HTC system configured to factory recommendations with the stock gas chromatography (GC) column produced a discrepancy of ~5‰ between nitrogen-doped and undoped samples. CONCLUSIONS Because of its ability to eliminate isobaric interference, the NiCat system is a viable alternative to conventional HTC for δ18O measurement, and can be constructed from relatively inexpensive and readily available materials. As an additional advantage, the CO2 analyte produced by NiCat may be cryofocused, to allow for oxygen-isotope determinations on very small amounts of sample substrate. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The Beta-Spectrum of Tritium and the Mass of the Neutrino.

A direct determination of the beta-spectrum of ${\mathrm{H}}^{3}$ has been made in a high resolution magnetic spectrometer. The experimental data are fitted by a straight line Fermi plot from 5.5 kev to the maximum energy at 17.95\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.10 kev. An upper limit of 250 volts or 0.05 percent of the mass of the electron is obtained for the rest mass of the neutrino. New estimates are obtained for the ${\mathrm{H}}^{3}$ comparative half-life, the neutron half-life, and the value of the Fermi universal constant of beta-decay.
Integrated actions of the four heads of quadriceps femoris: an electromyographic study.

From intramuscular bipolar fine-wire electrodes in the four heads of quadriceps femoris, electromyographic recordings were made (along with electrogoniometric records) in nine normal men and women during selected postures and movements of the loaded and unloaded knee. Variation between the onset and cessation of activity between the four heads and from subject to subject was found, but the vastus medialis reflected the general pattern of activity rather than acting only terminally during extension. Rectus femoris had the shortest span of activity during extension of the knee.
Shot-noise-limited performance of optical neural networks

The performance of neural networks for which weights and signals are modeled by shot-noise processes is considered. Examples of such networks are optical neural networks and biological systems. We develop a theory that facilitates the computation of the average probability of error in binary-input/binary-output multistage and recurrent networks. We express the probability of error in terms of two key parameters: the computing-noise parameter and the weight-recording-noise parameter. The former is the average number of particles per clock cycle per signal and it represents noise due to the particle nature of the signal. The latter represents noise in the weight-recording process and is the average number of particles per weight. For a fixed computing-noise parameter, the probability of error decreases with the increase in the recording-noise parameter and saturates at a level limited by the computing-noise parameter. A similar behavior is observed when the role of the two parameters is interchanged. As both parameters increase, the probability of error decreases to zero exponentially fast at a rate that is determined using large deviations. We show that the performance can be optimized by a selective choice of the nonlinearity threshold levels. For recurrent networks, as the number of iterations increases, the probability of error increases initially and then saturates at a level determined by the stationary distribution of a Markov chain.
A meta-analysis of studies of the Health Belief Model with adults

The Health Belief Model (HBM) relates a socio-psychologic theory of decision making to individual health-related behaviors. We conducted a meta-analysis of the relationships between four HBM dimensions (Susceptibility, Severity, Benefits and Costs) and health behavior on 16 studies that measured all four of the dimensions, measured a behavioral dependent variable and included some measures of reliability, minimal criteria for establishing the validity of the dimensions. Mean effect sizes were computed for all the studies, subgroupings representing studies of screening, risk reduction and adherence to medical regimen, and prospective and retrospective study designs. Of 24 mean effect sizes, 22 were found to be positive and statistically significant. The actual variance accounted for ranged from 0.001 to 0.09. Homogeneity was rejected for 15 of the 22, however, suggesting that the same underlying construct was not measured. Retrospective studies were found to have significantly large effect sizes for benefits and costs and smaller effect sizes for severity when compared to prospective studies. The weak effect sizes and lack of homogeneity indicate that it is premature to draw conclusions about the predictive validity of the HBM as operationalized in these studies. Our finding of only 16 studies meeting minimal criteria for valid representation of the HBM dimensions indicates that future studies should focus more on such issues.
Organization of mnemonic and response operations within prefrontal cortex

There is mounting evidence that prefrontal cortex (PFC) is activated during mnemonic operations such as working memory maintenance and also during response-related operations. In the current study, we examine the neural organization of mnemonic and response operations with respect to each other within PFC. Stimulus-evoked and sustained functional MRI activity was recorded during performance of a mental calculation task. The presence or absence of mnemonic and response demands was manipulated in a 2 x 2 factorial design with conditions requiring: (1) memory encoding and maintenance (M+); (2) response selection and execution (R+); (3) encoding, maintenance, and response execution (M+R+); (4) neither mnemonic nor response-related processes (M-R-). The first step of the analyses identified PFC voxels exhibiting differential activity during (M+) vs. (R+) trials. Within these voxels, we then examined activity during multiple phases of (M+R+) trials. Greater stimulus-evoked and sustained activity was observed within the anterior extent of dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (BA 46) during R+ vs. M+ trials. In contrast, greater activity was observed in the posterior extent of dorsolateral PFC during M+ vs. R+ trials. Importantly, both regions were activated during (M+R+) trials. Activity levels during all of these conditions exceeded levels observed during (M-R-) control trials. These results suggest that integrative functions of PFC that allow past information to guide future actions may emerge from communication between discrete subregions supporting mnemonic and response operations.
Using GIS to establish a public library consumer health collection

Learning the exact demographic characteristics of a neighborhood in which a public library serves, assists the collection development librarian in building an appropriate collection. Gathering that demographic information can be a lengthy process, and then formatting the information for the neighborhood in question becomes arduous. As society ages and the methods for health care evolve, people may take charge of their own health. With this prospectus, public libraries should consider creating a consumer health collection to assist the public in their health care needs. Using neighborhood demographic information can inform the collection development librarians as to the dominant age groups, sex, and races within the neighborhood. With this information, appropriate consumer health materials may be assembled in the public library. In order to visualize the demographics of a neighborhood, the computer program ArcView GIS (geographic information systems) was used to create maps for specified areas. The neighborhood data was taken from the U.S. Census Department's annual census and library addresses were accumulated through a free database. After downloading the census block information from http://www.census.gov/geo/www/tiger/ the data was manipulated with ArcView GIS and queried to produce maps displaying the requested neighborhood demographics to view in respect to libraries. ArcView GIS produced maps displaying public libraries and requested demographics. After viewing the maps the collection development librarian can see exactly what populations are served by the library and adjust the library's collection accordingly. ArcView GIS can be used to produce maps displaying the communities that libraries serve, spot boundaries, be it "man-made or natural," that exist prohibiting customer service, and assist collection development librarians in justifying their purchases for a dedicated consumer health collection or resources in general.
Modeling the adoption of new network architectures

We propose an economic model based on user utility to study the adoption of new network architectures such as IPv6. We use mathematical analysis and simulation studies to understand the role of various factors such as user and network benefits, switching costs, and the impact of converters on the adoption of new network architectures. In addition to corroborating various commonly held beliefs about new network architecture adoption, our analysis and simulation studies also reveal several surprising and non-intuitive results. For example, while in general, increasing the efficiency of converters hastens the adoption of new network architectures, there are cases in which more efficient converters hinder the adoption of such architectures. This and other results in the paper increase our understanding of new network architecture adoption and guide the design and implementation of mechanisms to hasten new network architecture adoption.
Synergy of activin and ciliary neurotrophic factor signaling pathways in the induction of vasoactive intestinal peptide gene expression.

Activin, a member of the transforming growth factor-β superfamily, can regulate neuropeptide gene expression in the nervous system and in neuroblastoma cells. Among the neuropeptide genes whose expression can be regulated by activin is the gene encoding the neuropeptide vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP). To investigate the molecular mechanisms by which activin regulates neuronal gene expression, we have examined activin’s regulation of VIP gene expression in NBFL neuroblastoma cells. We report here that NBFL cells respond to activin by increasing expression of VIP mRNA. Activin regulates VIP gene transcription in NBFL cells through a 180-bp element in the VIP promoter that was previously characterized to be necessary and sufficient to mediate the induction of VIP by the neuropoietic cytokines and termed the cytokine response element (CyRE). We find that the VIP CyRE is necessary and sufficient to mediate the transcriptional response to activin. In addition, ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF), a neuropoi...
Transparent modules with fully syntatic signatures

ML-style modules are valuable in the development and maintenance of large software systems, unfortunately, none of the existing languages support them in a fully satisfactory manner. The Official SML'97 Definition does not allow higher-order functors, so a module that refers to externally defined functors cannot accurately describe its import interface. MacQueen and Tofte [26] extended SML'97 with fully transparent higher-order functors, but their system does not have a type-theoretic semantics thus fails to support fully syntactic signatures. The systems of manifest types [19, 20] and translucent sums [12] support fully syntactic signatures but they may propagate fewer type equalities than fully transparent functors. This paper presents a module calculus that supports both fully transparent higher-order functors and fully syntactic signatures (and thus true separate compilation). We give a simple type-theoretic semantics to our calculus and show how to compile it into an Fω-like λ-calculus extended with existential types.
From War on Poverty to War on Coal: nature, capital, and work in Appalachia

The world-ecological framework has recently made innovations in the field of environmental and historical sociology. World-ecology seeks to transcend modernity’s dualism of nature and society in favor of humanity in nature. This paper seeks to contribute to the world-ecology framework by incorporating economic theories of development as a capital-state environment-making project. In doing so, I reveal the centrality of the role of experts in the production of knowledge, ideas as material force, and the control over people and places. I argue that a world-ecological reading of the modernization of Appalachia reveals three important relations. First is the contradictory relation between ideas of development and the political economy of the coal industry. Second, by placing nature at the center of analysis, I seek to illustrate how the developmental and neoliberal states were each environment-making projects with marked differences and overlapping similarities. Last, economic experts were central during peri...
Measured photoemission from electron wave packets in a strong laser field.

We present calibrated measurements of single-photon Thomson scattering from free electrons driven by a laser with intensity 1018 W/cm2. The measurements demonstrate that individual electrons radiate with the strength of point emitters, even when their wave packets spread to the scale of the driving-laser wavelength. The result agrees with predictions of quantum electrodynamics.
The direct and mediating roles of positive emotions on work engagement among postdoctoral fellows

Universities increasingly value the contribution of postdoctoral fellows (postdocs) toward organizational success, yet this group is often the most overlooked and underserved compared to others in higher education (namely, students, faculty, and staff). Despite the stressful and challenging nature of the profession, it is critical for postdocs to remain highly engaged with their work, considering the strong relationships among work engagement, individual productivity, and organizational success. Studies identified work meaningfulness and supervisor support as strong predictors of engagement; however, less is known about the influence of positive emotions. Thus, the present study (n = 200) examined if emotions contribute to engagement, beyond the effects of work meaningfulness, supervisor support, and demographic controls. Results showed that positive emotions were associated with engagement and fully mediated the link between supervisor support and engagement. To promote postdoc work engagement, superviso...
Systematic Review of Educational Interventions to Improve Glaucoma Medication Adherence: an update in 2015.

Purpose: To evaluate the current state of the research on educational interventions whose aim is to improve glaucoma medication adherence. Methods: A systematic review of Pubmed, Embase and CINAHL was conducted to identify research studies evaluating educational interventions to improve glaucoma medication adherence. Studies were included if the intervention was described, the outcomes assessed glaucoma medication adherence and the focus of the research was on adults with glaucoma. The search was conducted on June 2, 2015. Results: Seventeen studies were identified that met the inclusion criteria. These included nine randomized controlled trials and eight observational studies. Eight of the studies demonstrated an impact on glaucoma medication adherence, though their outcome measures were too heterogeneous to estimate a pooled effect size. Conclusion: The interventions that successfully improved glaucoma medication adherence used an adequate dose of face-to-face counseling to overcome barriers to health b...
Uneven Economic Growth, Systemic Challenges, and Global Wars

Chase-Dunn's (1981) recent defense of the world-system approach emphasizes the close relationship between uneven economic development, systemic challenges, and world wars. Working within an alternative perspective on the development of the world-system, Modelski's (1978) long cycle of world leadership theory, leads to markedly different although occasionally overlapping interpretations of the significance of, and circumstances leading to, systemic challenges and global wars. The differences are demonstrated by critically examining Chase-Dunn's generalizations and by proposing counter-arguments and generalizations.
The Mercantile House of McKinney & Williams, Underwriters of the Texas Revolution

From time to time historians and other recorders pursue a practice, not discouraged by business historians, of pointing out that for every Napoleon and Wellington there existed a Rothschild and Baring, and for every American Revolution—whether in the 1770's or 1860's— there lived a Robert Morris or Jay Cooke, some one person or group of persons who could supply the economic and business administrative sagacity required to keep the financial arteries of war flowing successfully. When in the 1830's the people of Texas ended their political subordination to Mexico by military revolution, the thread of this business-makes-it-possible pattern can be found to be running true. In Texas two men, unsung for military exploits, in large measure made possible the financial continuance of the Texas government and its army during a period when the stage was being set for the eventual annexation to the United States of an area roughly the size of France. Without these two men, Thomas F. McKinney and Samuel May Williams, the disputed genius of Sam Houston might not have won a decisive victory at San Jacinto, terminating the Mexican hold on Texas, for without their aid Houston's army conceivably would have lacked clothes, provisions, and most especially, arms.
Surgical anatomy of the transtemporal approaches to the petrous apex.

Hypothesis: This study was undertaken to compare the subcochlear and infralabyrinthine approaches to the petrous apex. Background: Both approaches are advocated to drain cholesterol granuloma or biopsy lesions of the petrous apex. There is little data directly comparing these approaches. Methods: Anatomic dissections were performed on 20 preserved temporal bones. The anatomic distances were measured to the nearest quarter millimeter using a two-point needle caliper. Measurements were repeated three times and averaged. Results: The average window created through the subcochlear approach was 9.41 x 7.33 mm. The approach is performed between the carotid artery, jugular bulb, and basal turn of the cochlea, and gives a roughly triangular window in most cases. The cochlear aqueduct and glossopharyngeal nerve may be exposed during this approach. The subcochlear approach provided a more consistent exposure (SD of 3.5 x 1.9) and was always possible. Still, the exposure obtained through this approach may be limited if the hypotympanic air cell tract is sclerotic. The infralabyrinthine approach gave adequate exposure in most cases, but a high-lying jugular bulb obstructed this approach completely in eight of 20 cases. The average window created was 4.99 x 7.23 mm (SD 4.4 x 1.3). Conclusions: The availability of a particular approach to the petrous apex and the exposure obtained varies considerably in individual cases. The choice of a surgical approach to the petrous apex should be influenced by the location of disease, the type of disease, the existing anatomy, and the experience of the surgeon.
Shooting Fish in a Barrel? Experiential Learning, Civic Engagement and the 2012 Election

This project attempts to study the effect of experiential learning activities on civic engagement in context of the 2012 election on two sets of students, in two different sets of classes (one upper level class, one introductory class), at two different colleges, one in Massachusetts and one in Wisconsin. We wanted to learn whether participation in these activities make students more likely to register to vote or to vote? Did participation in these activities make students more interested in the electoral process? We hope to show that experiential learning activities have a significant effect on students’ civic participation and determine if there is a difference on the effect based on the type of activity being offered.
Porphyria cutanea tarda. Diagnosis, management, and differentiation from other hepatic porphyrias

Porphyria cutanea tarda is a photocutaneous syndrome characterized clinically by cutaneous fragility, bullae, hypertrichosis, pigmentary changes, and sclerodermoid plaques and characterized biochemically by hepatic overproduction and storage of excessive amounts of porphyrins. Porphyria cutanea tarda, the most common disorder of porphyrin metabolism, must be differentiated from variegate porphyria, hereditary coproporphyria, bullous dermatosis of hemodialysis, and drug-related pseudoporphyria.
Mesoderm, Cooked Up Fast and Served to Order

New sequencing technologies have made it possible to interrogate with unprecedented depth the intrinsic changes experienced by cells as they transit the arena of development. Recently in Cell, Loh, Chen, and colleagues investigated early lineage-restricted human mesoderm cell types and their precursors going back to pluripotency (Loh et al., 2016).
On routing algorithms for open marketplaces of path services

Open marketplaces of path services are the next step towards realizing “routing-as-a-service.” Such marketplaces will enable users to select from a set of path services offered by multiple competing network providers so as to construct customized end-to-end paths for their applications. This is analogous to online travel marketplaces that allow users to explore travel options and book their travel. We review the requirements for path planners to assist users in stitching together available path services. We define the problem of finding multi-criteria time-constrained paths in this context, and present a dynamic programming algorithm that constructs Pareto-optimal paths.
Metastatic giant condyloma acuminata (Buschke-Löwenstein Tumor)

INTRODUCTION Giant condyloma acuminata (GCA), also knownbytheeponymBuschke-Lowenstein tumor, is a human papillomavirus (HPV) –associated verrucous carcinoma of the anogenital region. GCAs have a welldifferentiated squamous histology and a slow growth pattern characterized by local invasion. Despite frequent malignant transformation and recurrence after local therapy, they have been reported to have a low metastatic potential. Here we report the case of a patient with metastatic GCA treated with systemic chemotherapy including the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitor cetuximab.
Drug Classification and Drug Disposition Prediction

A drug’s disposition depends upon the processes of absorption from a dosing site, distribution to target and other peripheral and systemic tissues, and elimination by either metabolism or excretion of unchanged drug. These processes interact to characterize drugs by their pharmacokinetic profile as observed in a plasma concentration–time curve. The pharmacokinetic profile and alterations of this profile can impact the safety and efficacy of a drug. Pharmaceutical scientists have therefore developed methods to predict absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion of unchanged drug as well as understand when each of these processes may be altered and by what mechanisms. In this article, we discuss our current understanding and challenges in predicting these processes. We focus on the Biopharmaceutics Classification System (BCS) and the Biopharmaceutics Drug Disposition Classification System (BDDCS). The BCS, developed by Amidon and coworkers in 1995, is used primarily to understand absorption and grant biowaivers to drugs using permeability and solubility parameters. The BDDCS, developed by Wu and Benet in 2005, is used to qualitatively predict drug disposition and understand whether metabolizing enzymes and/or transporters will impact drug disposition. Here, we discuss the rationale, development, classification, predictive utilities, limitations, and possibilities of these approaches.
Response to Endurance Exercise Training in Older Adults with Heart Failure with Preserved or Reduced Ejection Fraction.

Objectives To systematically examine the relative magnitude and predictors of responses to exercise training in older adult with heart failure (HF) with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF), and preserved EF (HFpEF). Design Secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial. Setting Outpatient cardiac rehabilitation program. Participants Individuals with HF (24 HFrEF, 24 HFpEF) who underwent supervised exercise training. Measurements The study included individual-level data from the exercise training arms of a randomized controlled trial that evaluated the effect of 16 weeks of supervised moderate-intensity endurance exercise training in older adults with chronic, stable HFpEF and HFrEF. Changes in peak oxygen uptake (VO2peak) in response to supervised training in individuals with HFpEF were compared with that of individuals with HFrEF. The significant clinical predictors of changes in VO2peak with exercise training were assessed using univariate and multivariate regression models. Results Training-related improvement in VO2peak was higher in participants with HFpEF than in those with HFrEF (change: 18.7 ± 17.6% vs −0.3 ± 15.4%, P < .001). In univariate analysis, echocardiographic abnormalities in left ventricular structure and function and lower body mass index were associated with blunted response of VO2peak with exercise training. In multivariate regression analysis using stepwise selection, submaximal exercise systolic blood pressure, and resting early deceleration time were independent predictors of change in VO2peak. Conclusion The change in VO2peak in response to endurance exercise training in older adults with HF differs significantly according to HF subtype, with greater VO2peak improvement in HFpEF than HFrEF. These results suggest that the current Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services policy excluding individuals with HFpEF from reimbursement from cardiac rehabilitation may need to be revisited.
Recent Trend of Layer-to-Layer Insulation Resin for High Frequency Package

Build-up process is a highly effective method for miniaturization and high density integration of printed circuit boards. Along with increasing demands for high transmission speed of electronic devices with high functionality, packaging substrates installed with semiconductors in such devices are strongly required to reduce the transmission loss. We report our insulation materials used in a semi-additive process (SAP) with low dielectric loss tangent, smooth resin surface after desmear, and good insulation reliability. We actually measured the transmission loss of strip line substrates using our materials. Furthermore, we introduce low dielectric molding film with low coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) and low Young's modulus.
Social Antibodies: Paranoid Impulses in Nativist Educational Reform

In this chapter, we examine the resurgence of nativist educational policy reforms across the United States and corresponding public discourses that position immigrants as invaders of a foreign body. We describe the ways in which social paranoia thrives under notions of scarce resources where immigrants are portrayed as taking jobs and public resources. Employing Arizona as a limit case study, we illustrate how social paranoia over immigration manifests in successive attempts by government leaders to mask historical trauma. We note that the fact that the United States is made up of largely unceded territories is lost on a nation that continuously equates immigration control with the war on terror. We describe how this continuous denial of a colonialist history results in bizarre paranoid fantasies about immigrants and the cover up of the fact that the majority of US citizens are themselves immigrants. We speak to the history of nativist ideologies and their connections to a wider geopolitical struggle for wealth and resources and transformation of democratic impulses toward isolationism and hierarchy. We end with a call for epistemological studies of ignorance and the use of decolonial pedagogies, and offer comunalidad as a tactic for finding voice and community.
ON RICH WORDS

Publisher Summary This chapter focuses on rich words. A structure consists of a set, called the universe of the structure, together with some relations, operations, and distinguished elements or constants from that set. The term structure is from model theory. A substructure of a structure A is a structure whose universe is a subset of the universe of A and whose relations, operations, and constants agree with those of A on this subset. A logic is a model of mathematical language. The sentence of each logic is composed of two types of symbols: (1) those that correspond to the various constants, relations, and operations within a class of structures; and (2) those particular to the logic—the logical symbols. Every shift invariant Borel set is meager or comeager. Fraisse–Ehrenfeucht games are used to determine whether two structures satisfy the same sentences of a given quantifier rank. The chapter discusses the monadic second-order theory of rich words. The first-order theory of algebraically closed fields, although not complete, possesses a property closely related to completeness.
AN AMS CONTINUING SERIES: GLOBAL CHANGE--AMIP: The Atmospheric Model Intercomparison Project

The Atmospheric Model Intercomparison Project (AMIP) is an international effort to determine the systematic climate errors of atmospheric models under realistic conditions, and calls for the simulation of the climate of the decade 1979–1988 using the observed monthly averaged distributions of sea surface temperature and sea ice as boundary conditions. Organized by the Working Group on Numerical Experimentation as a contribution to the World Climate Research Programme, AMIP involves the international atmospheric modeling community in a major test and intercomparison of model performance; in addition to an agreed-to set of monthly averaged output variables, each of the participating models will generate a daily history of state. These data will be stored and made available in standard format by the Program for Climate Model Diagnosis and Intercomparison at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. Following completion of the computational phase of AMIP in 1993, emphasis will shift to a series of diagnosti...
Getting Smarter: Definition, Scope, and Implications of Smart Libraries

The term "smart library" was coined by Aittola, Ryhanen, and Ojala in 2003, and librarians have been striving to implement smart libraries in different ways ever since. However, in the 15 years that have passed, no definitive explanation of a smart library has emerged, and it seems unclear what technologies or services truly make a library "smart." In a world of smartphones, smartwatches, and even smart homes, innovative librarians want to move toward creating next generation smart libraries, but how? Because the majority of studies relevant to smart libraries take a qualitative approach, a meta-synthesis of existing qualitative research on smart libraries has been conducted and analyzed. Three time-periods have been identified to demonstrate the transition of technology changing to meet users' needs.
Atrial defibrillation with a transvenous lead: a randomized comparison of active can shocking pathways.

Abstract OBJECTIVES The purpose of this study was to compare transvenous atrial defibrillation thresholds with lead configurations consisting of an active left pectoral electrode and either single or dual transvenous coils. BACKGROUND Low atrial defibrillation thresholds are achieved using complex lead systems including coils in the coronary sinus. However, the efficacy of more simple ventricular defibrillation leads with active pectoral pulse generators to defibrillate atrial fibrillation (AF) is unknown. METHODS This study was a prospective, randomized assessment of shock configuration on atrial defibrillation thresholds in 32 patients. The lead system was a dual coil Endotak DSP lead with a left pectoral pulse generator emulator. Shocks were delivered either between the right ventricular coil and an active can in common with the proximal atrial coil (triad) or between the atrial coil and active can (transatrial). RESULTS Delivered energy at defibrillation threshold was 7.1 ± 6.0 J in the transatrial configuration and 4.0 ± 4.2 J in the triad configuration (p CONCLUSIONS These results indicate that low atrial defibrillation thresholds can be achieved using a single-pass transvenous ventricular defibrillation lead with a conventional ventricular defibrillation pathway. These data support the development of the combined atrial and ventricular defibrillator system.
Model checking LTLR formulas under localized fairness

Many temporal logic properties of interest involve both state and action predicates and only hold under suitable fairness assumptions. Temporal logics supporting both state and action predicates such as the Temporal Logic of Rewriting (TLR) can be used to express both the desired properties and the fairness assumptions. However, model checking such properties directly can easily become impossible for two reasons: (i) the exponential blowup in generating the Buchi automaton for the implication formula including the fairness assumptions in its condition easily makes such generation unfeasible; and (ii) often the needed fairness assumptions cannot even be expressed as propositional temporal logic formulas because they are parametric, that is, they correspond to universally quantified temporal logic formulas. Such universal quantification is succinctly captured by the notion of localized fairness; for example, fairness localized to the parameter o in object fairness conditions. We summarize the foundations and present the language design and implementation of the new Maude LTLR Model Checker under localized fairness. This is the first tool we are aware of which can model check temporal logic properties under parametric fairness assumptions.
Child Protection Policy and Practice at Century's End

This essay reviews how federal laws, such as the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act and the Adoption Assistance and Child Welfare Act/Adoption and Safe Families Act, have led to improvements in state laws and local court practices. It discusses how the intended impact of some reforms have yet to be adequately achieved, and where additional legal action is needed in the new century to address child abuse and neglect more effectively, including aid to victimized youth now denied adequate protection of the laws.
Interval valued entropies for Dempster–Shafer structures

Abstract We first describe the basic ideas associated with the Dempster–Shafer belief structure and note its role in modeling uncertainty that manifests both imprecision and randomness. The inherent imprecision requires the use of intervals in expressing the associated probabilities. The ideas of plausibility and belief are introduced to provide upper and lower bounds on these interval-valued probabilities. We turn to the question of formalizing the entropy for these belief structures. As was the case with the associated probabilities the imprecision mandates the use of an interval-valued formulations for entropy. We suggest both Shannon type and Gini type formulations of interval-valued entropy for D–S belief structures. Here we make use of the classic scalar formulations of the D–S entropy introduced by Hoehle and Yager to provide the bounds for this interval-valued formulation. We discuss a more general type of belief structure in which our underlying uncertainty, while still manifesting imprecision, is based on a measure instead of a probability distribution. We show how to formulate entropy for these measure-based belief structures.
Exemplary Models of Faculty-Driven Transformative Diversity Education Initiatives: Implications for Metropolitan Universities.

Diversity and diversity education are driving forces in metropolitan universities that seek stronger alignment with nearby metropolitan statistical areas. As a result, many metropolitan universities wish to engage in diversity efforts; however, they often lack the resources for doing so. In addition, institutional efforts are often the result of administrative-originated programs of diversity impact rather than faculty-driven curricular and co-curricular efforts (Scott & Sims, 2016). In this case study, the authors offer two faculty-driven diversity programs with a proven record of accomplishment as models of transformative learning practice for faculty and institutions to replicate. The programs have been in existence for more than 10 years and have benefited both the students and universities alike.
Predictors and patterns of portal use in patients with multiple chronic conditions.

ObjectiveTo explore predictors of portal use by patients (registered portal users) with multiple chronic conditions according to demographic characteristics and use of specific features hypothesize...
Mr. Song's Cheeses: Southern China, 1368–1644

This article documents the presence of cheese in the culinary traditions of southeast China between the fourteenth and seventeenth centuries through a close analysis of a single recipe collection, Mr. Song9s Book of Nourishing Life. It opens by examining Mr. Song9s techniques for cheesemaking, exploring his many culinary applications for cheese, and situating his interest in dairy within the broader tradition of cheesemaking of his place and time. By reconstructing the flavors of centuries past, this article recovers a forgotten tradition of cheesemaking in southern China and challenges popular stereotypes about traditional Chinese cuisine being dairy-free.
A preliminary investigation of the role of slow-wave activity in modulating waking EEG theta as a marker of sleep propensity in major depressive disorder

Abstract Background Both EEG slow-wave activity (SWA) during sleep and EEG theta activity during waking have been shown to increase with extended waking, and decrease following sleep, suggesting that both are markers of sleep propensity. In individuals with major depressive disorder (MDD), however, altered patterns of SWA have been noted, suggesting that sleep homeostasis is dysregulated. This study aimed to examine if slow-wave disruption would alter sleep propensity differently in healthy controls (HC) and those with MDD. Methods 25 individuals (13 diagnosed with MDD and 12 HC) participated. Following one night of adaptation sleep, participants underwent one night of baseline sleep, and one night of selective slow-wave disruption by auditory stimuli. In the evening, before sleep, and in the morning following sleep, waking EEG was recorded from participants in an upright position, with eyes open. Results Repeated measures ANOVA revealed a significant three-way interaction, such that AM theta activity was significantly lower following slow-wave disruption in those with MDD, but not in HC. Additionally, SWA was not correlated with theta activity in MDD. Limitations These data are based on a relatively small sample size of unmedicated individuals with MDD. Conclusions These data may suggest that SWA plays a differential role in the homeostatic regulation of sleep in HC, and in MDD, and provide additional evidence that the presence of SWA may be maladaptive in MDD.
Integration of Chlorpyrifos Acetylcholinesterase Inhibition, Water Temperature, and Dissolved Oxygen Concentration into a Regional Scale Multiple Stressor Risk Assessment Estimating Risk to Chinook Salmon

We estimated the risk to populations of Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) due to chlorpyrifos (CH), water temperature (WT), and dissolved oxygen concentration (DO) in 4 watersheds in Washington State, USA. The watersheds included the Nooksack and Skagit Rivers in the Northern Puget Sound, the Cedar River in the Seattle-Tacoma corridor, and the Yakima River, a tributary of the Columbia River. The Bayesian network relative risk model (BN-RRM) was used to conduct this ecological risk assessment and was modified to contain an acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibition pathway parameterized using data from CH toxicity data sets. The completed BN-RRM estimated risk at a population scale to Chinook salmon employing classical matrix modeling runs up to 50-y timeframes. There were 3 primary conclusions drawn from the model-building process and the risk calculations. First, the incorporation of an AChE inhibition pathway and the output from a population model can be combined with environmental factors in a quantitative fashion. Second, the probability of not meeting the management goal of no loss to the population ranges from 65% to 85%. Environmental conditions contributed to a larger proportion of the risk compared to CH. Third, the sensitivity analysis describing the influence of the variables on the predicted risk varied depending on seasonal conditions. In the summer, WT and DO were more influential than CH. In the winter, when the seasonal conditions are more benign, CH was the driver. Fourth, in order to reach the management goal, we calculated the conditions that would increase juvenile survival, adult survival, and a reduction in toxicological effects. The same process in this example should be applicable to the inclusion of multiple pesticides and to more descriptive population models such as those describing metapopulations. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2019;00:1-15. © 2019 SETAC.
Association of Aortic Aneurysms and Dissections With Subarachnoid Hemorrhage

Background It is uncertain whether aortic diseases, such as aneurysm and dissection, are associated with intracranial aneurysm formation and aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). Methods and Re...
Crossing Khorgos: Soft power, security, and suspect loyalties at the Sino-Kazakh boundary

Abstract As China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) development projects deepen connections across Eurasia, the Sino-Kazakh border has been rematerialized in a manner that complicates the exercise of Chinese BRI soft power. On the one hand, the border city of Khorgos is being rebuilt as a bridgehead to facilitate trade and development between the countries; new infrastructure and spectacle at Khorgos and beyond works to entice Kazakhs to cross the border in pursuit of economic opportunities. At the same time, recent crackdowns on Muslims in China's Xinjiang Province has led to the detention and harassment of cross-border migrants with differentiated migrant statuses. Chinese security forces' continued anxieties about separatism in its borderlands imperil the developmental horizons the BRI project uses to entice Kazakhs. It also threatens the translocal development that a border conductive to mobility has provided for Kazakhs over the past thirty years. I argue that the BRI in northwest China fuses soft power rhetoric with territorial security practices in a way that is proving to be counter-productive. This is because border hardening can reactivate borders as “difference condensers” that draw from imperial and national legacies to reinscribe the othering of spaces and peoples beyond the border.
In-vacuum performance of a 3D-printed ion deflector

Abstract Using conductive and non-conductive source materials, an ion deflector plate was fabricated by fused filament fabrication. The fully vacuum-compatible design was tested by measuring the voltage-dependent deflection of Rb+ ions, and the results, which are ion energy dependent, are consistent with predicted kinematics for the ions. The results also compare well with a metal plate of similar dimensions and with an ion trajectory simulation.
Drain-Source Synchronous Rectification Efficiency and Light-Load Stability Improvement through Multi-Level Turn-Off for LLC-based DC-DC Converters

Drain-source voltage-sensed synchronous rectification (SR) is a technique used that can be used to reduce the secondaryside diode conduction loss of an LLC converter. In drain-source SR, an early SR-switch turn off issue is observed due to parasitics present in the power path of the rectifier drain-source sensing loop. In rectifiers with parallel switches, sequential parallel switching (SPS) can be utilized to increase the drain-source signal integrity near turn off. In rectifiers where a single SR switch is used, multilevel turn-off can be used to reduce the parasitic effects and allow for a more accurate SR turn-off. By reducing the gate voltage prior to SR turn-off, the drain-source voltage signal near the turn-off moment can be boosted to minimize the parasitic drain-source phase shift effect, extending the total SR conduction time. Multi-level turn off also reduces the amount of turn-off edge jitter experienced, which can start an internal unstable resonance at light-load conditions. By increasing the SR conduction time, multilevel turn-off can decrease body or antiparallel diode conduction loss in the LLC rectifier. This results in a net increase in total converter efficiency, despite a small increase in the SR FET channel conduction loss from the prolonged channel conduction time. A discrete three-level multilevel gate driver is built to test this concept, simulations are in the process of being run, and verification with silicon carbide SR FETs is performed on a 2.5kW LLC-DCX module.
In AI We Trust? Factors That Influence Trustworthiness of AI-infused Decision-Making Processes.

Many decision-making processes have begun to incorporate an AI element, including prison sentence recommendations, college admissions, hiring, and mortgage approval. In all of these cases, AI models are being trained to help human decision makers reach accurate and fair judgments, but little is known about what factors influence the extent to which people consider an AI-infused decision-making process to be trustworthy. We aim to understand how different factors about a decision-making process, and an AI model that supports that process, influences peoples' perceptions of the trustworthiness of that process. We report on our evaluation of how seven different factors -- decision stakes, decision authority, model trainer, model interpretability, social transparency, and model confidence -- influence ratings of trust in a scenario-based study.