cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Understanding the Potential for Patient Engagement in Electronic Consultation and Referral Systems: Lessons From One Safety Net System

Objective To understand patient, primary care clinician (PCC), and subspecialist perspectives on potential, unexplored roles for patients in electronic consultation and referral (eCR) systems. Data Sources Primary focus group and survey data collected April–November 2015. Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital (ZSFG) is part of an integrated public health delivery system. Its mature eCR system was first implemented in 2005. Study Design This mixed-methods study synthesizes patient, subspecialist, and PCC perspectives through two patient focus groups in English, Spanish, and Cantonese (n = 6); subspecialist focus groups (n = 2); and an electronic survey of all PCCs (n = 222/634, 35 percent response). Data Collection/Extraction Methods Focus groups were audio-recorded and transcribed. Two researchers coded the transcripts to identify recurrent themes. Survey data were analyzed using summary and bivariate statistics. Principal Findings Patients expressed minimal desire to directly engage in eCR, instead of emphasizing their PCC's role in advocating, informing, and finding health solutions. Subspecialists requested more consistent communication to patients about the electronic consultation process. Most PCCs (52 percent) supported patient engagement in the eCR process, particularly patient ability to track consult status and securely message with subspecialists. Conclusions Results suggest a continuum of opportunities for patients and their caregivers to engage in eCR systems.
Association of Informal Clinical Integration of Physicians With Cardiac Surgery Payments

Importance To reduce inefficiency and waste associated with care fragmentation, many current programs target greater clinical integration among physicians. However, these programs have led to only modest Medicare spending reductions. Most programs focus on formal integration, which often bears little resemblance to actual physician interaction patterns. Objectives To examine how physician interaction patterns vary between health systems and to assess whether variation in informal integration is associated with care delivery payments. Design, Setting, and Participants National Medicare data from January 1, 2008, through December 31, 2011, identified 253 545 Medicare beneficiaries (aged ≥66 years) from 1186 health systems where Medicare beneficiaries underwent coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) procedures. Interactions were mapped between all physicians who treated these patients—including primary care physicians and surgical and medical specialists—within a health system during their surgical episode. The level of informal integration was measured in these networks of interacting physicians. Multivariate regression models were fitted to evaluate associations between payments for each surgical episode made on a beneficiary’s behalf and the level of informal integration in the health system where the patient was treated. Exposures The informal integration level of a health system. Main Outcomes and Measures Price-standardized total surgical episode and component payments. Results The total 253 545 study participants included 175 520 men (69.2%; mean [SD] age, 74.51 [5.75] years) and 78 024 women (34.3%; 75.67 [5.91] years). One beneficiary of the 253 545 participants did not have sex information. The low level of informal clinical integration included 84 598 patients (33.4%; mean [SD] age, 75.00 [5.93] years); medium level, 84 442 (33.30%; 74.94 [5.87] years); and high level, 84 505 (33.34%; 74.66 [5.72] years) ( P P Conclusions and Relevance Informal integration is associated with lower spending. Although most programs that seek to promote clinical integration are focused on health systems’ formal structures, policy makers may also want to address informal integration.
Knowledge of performance feedback among boys with ADHD.

Abstract Background Children with attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) often experience delays in acquiring competence completing fundamental motor skills. The effects of augmented prescriptive knowledge of performance feedback (PKP) have not been explored as a possible component solution. Aims The purpose of this study was to test the motor learning effects of KP among boys with ADHD. Methods and procedures Thirty-one boys with ADHD, randomly selected into either a treatment or a control group, completed a series of cornhole games. It was hypothesized that PKP feedback administered to treatment group participants would increase motor learning. Dependent variables included cornhole scores and quality of performance measures. Outcomes and results Both groups improved in cornhole scores and improvement was not dependent upon KP. Treatment group participants performed significantly better in quality of performance of the underhand toss compared to the control group. Conclusions and implications PKP feedback improves motor skill performance learning among children with ADHD above knowledge of results feedback only. Recreational program directors should consider using KP feedback when teaching motor skills to boys with ADHD.
Saddle embolism in an extremely premature infant.

­ A 45-day-old extremely premature infant born at 26+1 weeks of gestational age developed respiratory distress manifested by increasing oxygen requirement to maintain saturation above 90%. Echocardiogram (figure 1) was obtained and demonstrated an echogenicity extending from the right ventricular outflow tract through the pulmonary valve to the pulmonary artery bifurcation, causing partial obstruction to flow and measuring 6×18 mm. Right-sided chamber enlargement with …
Unexpected Applications of Polynomials in Combinatorics

In the last 6 years, several combinatorics problems have been solved in an unexpected way using high degree polynomials. The most well-known of these problems is the distinct distance problem in the plane.
115 Years of Communicating Astronomy: Education and Outreach at the Astronomical Society of the Pacific

For 115 years, the international Astronomical Society of the Pacific has engaged in outreach activities to amateurs and the public. Since the 1970’s the Society has also had an active program fostering improved education in Grades 3–12 and in college and university courses. This article summarizes past and current programs and provides pointers to available resources.
Changes in motor actions in the face of varying task constraints.

Abstract Background Walking is an everyday activity that requires modifying patterns based on constraints posed by the environment. Meeting multiple constraints at once increases the challenge of modifying motor actions. Research question We asked if adults’ strategies in adapting to spatial and temporal constraints were similar and if they would prioritize one constraint over the other when completing both. Methods Across three tasks, we investigated how adults altered their walking to cope with crossing obstacles (Task 1; N = 30), walking to a metronome beat (Task 2; N = 32), and crossing obstacles while walking to a metronome beat (Task 3; N = 30). Results Adults recalibrated to their baseline gait, but showed carryover effects after meeting a temporal constraint (allps>.05). We found an effect on the magnitude of deviation from metronome paces (F(262) = 58.86, p .01). At the slow pace, participants stepped sooner than the beat, and at the fast pace they stepped later than the beat (all ps .01). Significance Our findings show separate walking strategies in adapting to spatial and temporal constraints. The presence of more than one constraint leads to prioritizing one over the other (i.e., a spatial constraint over a temporal constraint). These findings highlight that strategies for meeting constraints are dependent upon the type and number of constraints presented.
Hybrid Perturbation Technique Applied to Stacked Patches for Circular Polarization

In this paper, a wideband circularly polarized (CP) stacked microstrip antenna is presented. CP is achieved by using hybrid perturbation technique, where positive perturbations are applied to the driven patch and negative perturbations to the parasitic patch. The axial ratio bandwidth achieved is wider than that from typical CP patch antennas. The antenna is excited by a probe-feed without requiring any complex dual feed network to generate two equal and orthogonal modes necessary for the CP generation. This reduces the system complexity and saves space in the antenna in comparison to those with dual feeds. The antenna exhibits a simulated impedance bandwidth of (for $\mathbf{S}_{11}=-10\ \mathbf{dB}$ ) 10.4%, and axial ratio (AR ∼ 3 dB) bandwidth of 2.8%. The antenna demonstrates broad axial ratio beamwidth in both planes which is useful for wide angular coverage.
Hybrid and Integrated Nuclear Power, Compressed Air Energy Storage, and Thermal Energy Storage System

Abstract While Gen-IV nuclear reactors—with their higher exit temperatures and thus higher quality of energy—are expected to convert a higher fraction of the fission (thermal) energy to electricity, both Gen-II and Gen-III reactors are largely restricted to exit temperatures that range between 290°C and 340°C. This restricts their conversion efficiencies to below 35%, and thus, a very large fraction (~ 65%) of the thermal energy produced in these plants is “wasted.” Gen-II (and to a large extent, Gen-III) reactors were designed under economic conditions in which electricity was expensive, and thus, the sale (in the form of electricity) of just one-third of the energy produced in fission was sufficient to break even. However, recent growth of shale gas, growth of (and subsidies for) solar and wind power, increase in operation and maintenance (O&M) cost of nuclear power, and constantly improving device efficiencies (that lead to slower increase in power demand) are making it necessary that for nuclear power plants (NPPs) to compete in the deregulated market place, they must be operated more efficiently. While efforts are underway on all fronts to make nuclear power more competitive, for example, by reducing the O&M cost, major advances can be made by making better use of the energy from NPPs that is currently being released into the environment. An example of such an effort is the recent study to cogenerate electricity and liquid fuels, albeit using high-temperature gas reactors.
Histopathologic Evaluation of Flexor Tenosynovium in Recurrent Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.

Background:The authors’ purpose was to evaluate the histopathology of flexor tenosynovium in true, idiopathic recurrent carpal tunnel syndrome for the presence of abnormal inflammatory or pathologic findings that might explain causation or that differ from those previously described for primary, idi
The Performance of Diagnostic Criteria for Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis in Critically Ill Patients.

Objective:The diagnostic criteria for secondary hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) have not been validated in the critically ill adult population. We set out to evaluate the performance of di...
Are you ready? A systematic review of pre-departure resources for global health electives

There has been an exponential increase in the offering of short-term international field experiences in recent years in response to student demands for global health opportunities. Pre-departure preparation is an essential component to equip trainees with the adequate safety, wellness, and cultural competence needed to engage in a meaningful and mutually beneficial elective. This review seeks to quantify the plethora of pre-departure preparation training available to public health, clinical, and undergraduate trainees across the continuum of education for short-term experiences in low-and middle-income countries (LMICs). We performed a systematic review of Pubmed, Embase, Web of Science, Scopus, and Ovid Global Health in February, 2018. A three-concept search was employed and included “global or international health”; “education or preparation of personnel/students”; and “field programs or travel.” The study teamed used PRISMA reporting guidelines to conduct title and full-text reviews and conduct data extraction and analysis. The search returned 2506 unique articles. Of these, 55 met inclusion criteria and were included in the final review. Ninety one percent (91%) of articles focused on pre-departure trainings for medical students and residents. Nine thematic domains for short-term international field experiences emerged; culture, safety, and project-specific knowledge were the most frequently covered domains while mentorship, professionalism, and emotional wellness and culture shock were least common. Approximately half (53.3%) of studies specifically evaluated the pre-departure component of the international experience using a survey or evaluation form. Recommendations emerged from these evaluations including early engagement with international partners, inclusion of self-reflection exercises and site-specific content, and utilization of interactive approaches in learning. Some institutions face barriers to conducting pre-departure preparation such as lack of dedicated faculty, finances, and institutional support. Interest in pre-departure training for international experiences is growing but few programs conduct and publish evaluations of these trainings. Pre-departure trainings should be developed in partnership with receiving institutions and faculty and incorporate critical self- reflection throughout the experience. In addition to the experience itself, institutions need to evaluate these curricula to better understand how they influence trainees’ capacity to effectively engage in LMIC settings.
Modeling the Influence of Emergent and Self-Limiting Phase Separations among Nascent Oligomers on Polymer Sequences Formed during Irreversible Step-Growth Copolymerizations

The sequential ordering of different monomers within synthetic copolymers is remarkably difficult to control. Our understanding of the determinants of and variations within copolymer sequences, eve...
Wnt suppressor and stem cell regulator TCF7L1 is a sensitive immunohistochemical marker to differentiate testicular seminoma from non-seminomatous germ cell tumor

Abstract The accurate classification and proper identification of testicular germ cell tumors is imperative for treatment selection and clinical prognosis. Although such distinction can often be achieved by microscopic morphology alone, ancillary tests may at times be needed. T-cell factor 7 L1 (TCF7L1, also known as TCF3), a component of the Wnt signaling pathway, plays important roles in embryonic stem cell self-renewal and lineage specification. Here we examined the immunohistochemical expression and diagnostic utility of TCF7L1 in testicular germ cell tumors. Fifty cases of testicular germ cell tumors were collected, including 23 seminomas, 6 embryonal carcinomas, 1 teratoma, 1 choriocarcinoma, and 19 mixed germ cell tumors. The components of the mixed germ cell tumors were seminoma (n = 3), embryonal carcinoma (n = 18), yolk sac tumor (n = 9), teratoma (n = 15), and choriocarcinoma (n = 4). On immunohistochemistry of TCF7L1, only nuclear staining was considered positive. Staining was graded as negative ( 50%). All non-seminomatous components (n = 54) exhibited distinct nuclear expression of TCF7L1 (54/54; 100%). In contrast, no TCF7L1 expression was detected in the majority of seminomatous tumor component (24/26; 92%). Two seminomas (2/26; 8%) exhibited minimal weak nuclear staining (5% and 10%, respectively) for TCF7L1. In conclusion, TCF7L1, highly expressed in non-seminomatous testicular germ cell tumors, might be used as a marker for diagnosis of testicular germ cell tumors, two therapeutically different entities, for better patient management.
New Standards of Civilization

This chapter explores the possibility of constraining proliferating practices of exceptionalism by insistence on standards of civilization. The exceptionalism claimed by the West through deployment of practices of stereotyping and sly civility is now gravely threatened by the power of mimesis that can empower developing countries to assert their own exceptionalism vis-a-vis the West. The exercise of mimetic maneuvers has the potential for destabilizing linear understandings of time that define progress and development in modernity. The mobilization of mimetic maneuvering and the production of exceptional exceptionalism in practices of weapons control has made it urgent that we consider contemporary revolts to reconstellate security studies and its appendage arms control and disarmament. The urgent necessity of this is emphasized as the Doomsday Clock ticks one hundred seconds closer to midnight and the disaster of a nuclear war is sought to be addressed by the illusory canon of universal human rights as a new standard of civilization in weapons control.
Integrin β3 Targeting Biomaterial Preferentially Promotes Secretion of bFGF and Proliferation of iPSC-Derived Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells

Abstract Human-induced pluripotent stem cell-derived-vascular smooth muscle cells (hiPSC-VSMC) have been shown to promote angiogenesis and wound healing. However, there is a paucity of research on how the extracellular matrix (ECM) microenvironment may impact the hiPSC-VSMC’s function. In this study, our objective was to understand the effect of specific ECM ligand-integrin interaction on hiPSC- VSMC’s paracrine secretion, cell proliferation, and morphology. We here showed a precise modulation of hiPSC-VSMC in a fibronectin functionalized fibrillar collagen scaffold by targeting their integrin β3. The secretion of proangiogenic growth factor, basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) was found to be fibronectin dependent via αvβ3 integrin interactions. Also, our data indicate the possible role of a positive feedback loop between integrin β3, bFGF, and matrix metalloproteinase-2 in regulating hiPSC- VSMC’s morphology and cell proliferation. Finally, the secretome with improved proangiogenic activity shows potential for future regenerative applications.
How Did You Get that A? Selectivity’s Role in Rising Undergraduate Grades at a Large Public University

For nearly a century, pre-college standardized test scores and undergraduate letter grades have been de facto industry standard measures of achievement in US higher education. We examine a sample of millions of grades and a half million pre-college test scores earned by undergraduates between 2006 and 2019 at a large public research university that became increasingly selective, in terms of test scores of matriculated students, over that time. A persistent, moderate correlation between test score and grades within the period motivates us to employ a simple importance sampling model to address the question, “How much is increased selectivity driving up campus grades?”. Of the overall 0.213 rise in mean undergraduate grade points over the thirteen-year period, we find that nearly half, 0.098 ± 0.004, can be ascribed to increased selectivity. The fraction is higher, nearly 70%, in engineering, business and natural science subjects. Removing selectivity’s influence to surface curricular-related grade inflation within academic domains, we find a factor four range, from a low of ∼ 0.05 in business and engineering to a high of 0.18 in the humanities, over the thirteen year period.
Temporal summation of mechanical pain prospectively predicts movement-evoked pain severity in adults with chronic low back pain

Biopsychosocial factors above and beyond pathoanatomical changes likely contribute to the severity of chronic low back pain. A pro-nociceptive endogenous pain modulatory balance (↓inhibition and ↑facilitation) may be an important contributor to chronic low back pain severity and physical function; however, additional research is needed to address this possibility. The objective of this study was to determine whether quantitative sensory tests of endogenous pain inhibition and facilitation prospectively predict movement-evoked pain and cLBP severity self-reported on a validated questionnaire. One hundred thirty-four individuals with chronic low back pain were enrolled in this two-session study. During the first study session, temporal summation of mechanical pain and conditioned pain modulation were assessed at the lumbar spine to determine endogenous pain facilitation and inhibition, respectively. One week later, participants returned for a second study session whereby they reported their pain severity and pain interference using the Brief Pain Inventory-Short Form. Movement-evoked pain and physical function capacity were assessed upon completion of the balance, walking, and transition from sit to stand tests of the Short Physical Performance Battery. Temporal summation of mechanical pain, but not conditioned pain modulation, significantly and prospectively predicted greater movement-evoked pain and poorer physical function on the Short Physical Performance Battery. Neither temporal summation nor conditioned pain modulation were significantly related to self-reported pain severity or pain interference on the Brief Pain Inventory-Short Form. Findings suggest that a pro-nociceptive pain modulatory balance characterized by enhanced pain facilitation may be an important driver of movement-evoked pain severity and poor physical function in individuals with chronic low back pain.
RESEARCH ARTICLE: Awareness, knowledge and comfort of pharmacy students on pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) for HIV prevention

Introduction: Pharmacists are uniquely qualified to promote Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) and Post Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP). The objective of this study was to measure pharmacy students’ awareness, knowledge, and comfort regarding PrEP and PEP in an urban setting. Methods: A 23-point questionnaire was distributed to pharmacy students between 2 May 2019 and 31 May 2019. Results: Eighty six pharmacy students responded to the survey. Most of them correctly identified FDA-approved regimens for PrEP and PEP. Most students thought that a pharmacist or intern counselling patients on PrEP or PEP was beneficial; however, a minority felt confident counselling patients on PrEP or PEP. Students who met criteria for composite knowledge were significantly more likely to report confidence in counselling. Conclusion: Pharmacy students have strong awareness, but limited knowledge and comfort regarding PrEP and PEP. Results from the survey will be used to assess the learning needs of pharmacy students and inform future curricular changes.
Representation Learning for Online and Offline RL in Low-rank MDPs

This work studies the question of Representation Learning in RL: how can we learn a compact low-dimensional representation such that on top of the representation we can perform RL procedures such as exploration and exploitation, in a sample efficient manner. We focus on the low-rank Markov Decision Processes (MDPs) where the transition dynamics correspond to a low-rank transition matrix. Unlike prior works that assume the representation is known (e.g., linear MDPs), here we need to learn the representation for the low-rank MDP. We study both the online RL and offline RL settings. For the online setting, operating with the same computational oracles used in FLAMBE (Agarwal et.al), the state-of-art algorithm for learning representations in low-rank MDPs, we propose an algorithm REP-UCB Upper Confidence Bound driven Representation learning for RL), which significantly improves the sample complexity from $\widetilde{O}( A^9 d^7 / (\epsilon^{10} (1-\gamma)^{22}))$ for FLAMBE to $\widetilde{O}( A^4 d^4 / (\epsilon^2 (1-\gamma)^{3}) )$ with $d$ being the rank of the transition matrix (or dimension of the ground truth representation), $A$ being the number of actions, and $\gamma$ being the discounted factor. Notably, REP-UCB is simpler than FLAMBE, as it directly balances the interplay between representation learning, exploration, and exploitation, while FLAMBE is an explore-then-commit style approach and has to perform reward-free exploration step-by-step forward in time. For the offline RL setting, we develop an algorithm that leverages pessimism to learn under a partial coverage condition: our algorithm is able to compete against any policy as long as it is covered by the offline distribution.
Stochastic Control Synthesis of Systems with Structured Uncertainty

This paper presents a study on the design of robust controllers by using random variables to model structured uncertainty for both SISO and MIMO feedback systems. Once the parameter uncertainty is prescribed with probability density functions, its effects are propagated through the analysis leading to stochastic metrics for the system's output. Control designs that aim for satisfactory performances while guaranteeing robust closed loop stability are attained by solving constrained non-linear optimization problems in the frequency domain. This approach permits not only to quantify the probability of having unstable and unfavorable responses for a particular control design but also to search for controls while favoring the values of the parameters with higher chance of occurrence. In this manner, robust optimality is achieved while the characteristic conservatism of conventional robust control methods is eliminated. Examples that admit closed form expressions for the probabilistic metrics of the output are used to elucidate the nature of the problem at hand and validate the proposed formulations.
Radiation Dose Redux

Recently, major developments have occurred involving organized radiology and the public with respect to the topic of radiation. This renewed interest has stemmed from general awareness of the putative effects of dose. A report issued at the National Council of Radiation Protection and Measurements, which met in Arlington, VA in April of 2007, has fueled the discussion. The author of the report, Dr. Fred Mettler, emeritus professor of Nuclear Medicine at the University of New Mexico made the pronouncement that the estimated collective dose the US population receives from diagnostic imaging procedures in 1980 was 0.54 mSv per capita. However, 26 years later, that total has increased to 3.2 mSv per annum per capita, a more than sixfold increase [1].
ViMbot: Design and control of a new magnet robot actuated by an external vibrating magnetic field

This paper presents a design, a control scheme, and experiments for a new vibrating magnet robot (ViMbot). Permanent magnets in the new robot vibrate due to an external vibrating magnetic field. The vibration motion of the robot induces the locomotion of the robot. The vibratory dynamic response of the ViMbot is heavily dependent on the frequency of the vibration. This paper shows that the direction of the robot locomotion can be controlled by the vibration frequency of the external magnetic field. To achieve the distinct dynamic responses depending on the vibration frequency, three acrylic plates with different torsional stiffness are attached at three sides of the triangle-shaped ViMbot and then a magnet is attached to each plate. A strategy to find the special frequencies inducing locomotion and associated experiments with the ViMbot are presented. Control experiments for the ViMbot using the special frequencies are also presented. Because the proposed robot is actuated by an external energy source, the robot can move without traditional actuation components such as motors with batteries. This new design concept allows us to miniaturize the proposed robot.
Cocaine-associated rhabdomyolysis causing renal failure in pregnancy.

Background : Cocaine use is known to have multisystemic effects. Recently, acute renal failure as a result of rhabdomyolysis has been described as a complication of cocaine use. During pregnancy, cocaine is associated with abruptio placentae. A patient presenting with both complications is described. Case : A 25-year-old multiparous woman at 34 weeks' gestation developed abruptio placentae approximately 18 hours after using cocaine alkaloid. Six hours later, a cesarean delivery was performed after she presented with vaginal bleeding and fetal bradycardia. Oliguria was present from admission and persisted despite aggressive fluid hydration, dopamine infusion, and intravenous administration of furosemide. Serum creatinine phosphokinase and urine myoglobin were both elevated at 558 IU/L and 432 ng/mL. Hemodialysis was required for presumed cortical necrosis. Conclusion : Rhabdomyolysis, as indicated by elevated creatinine phosphokinase and the presence of myoglobin in the urine, suggests that nephrotoxicity from myoglobinuria may contribute to acute renal failure in cases of cocaine mediated abruptio placentae.
The Healthy Jew: From Ghetto to Jungle: Darwinism, Eugenics, and the Reinterpretation of Jewish History

How to account for survival and preeminence in civilization? How to account for empires, and how to ensure their survival? Is every nation and empire akin to an individual, fated to be born, grow, and then inevitably decline and die? Or is the easy analogy a mistake; is intervention possible, decline and death avoidable? Such questions preoccupied nationalist, racialist, and eugenic thinkers at the turn of the twentieth century. At the other end of the spectrum, at the level of local communal existence, the questions were equally pressing: what sort of environment was most conducive to individual and communal health and survival? What effect did urban life have on individuals physically and mentally? And how did this translate into the health of the nation, the Volk , the ethnos or race? For many who considered such questions, the millennia-long survival of the Jews as a collective – a race, a Volk , a nation – along with their purported longevity and health as individuals, provided a key. Structurally, the narrative on the Jews and survival mirrors in important ways the apologetic discourse on the contribution of Jews to medicine and civilization. Both reify the collective, and both depend on a notion of agency that credits “the Jewish people” with particular achievements – the translation of texts, transmission of knowledge, survival over millennia. The notion of agency, of course, does not really mesh with a strict Darwinian explanation of survival and transmutation based on natural selection.
Combining Traditional Cyber Security Audit Data with Psychosocial Data: Towards Predictive Modeling for Insider Threat Mitigation

The purpose of this chapter is to motivate the combination of traditional cyber security audit data with psychosocial data, to support a move from an insider threat detection stance to one that enables prediction of potential insider presence. Twodistinctiveaspects of the approach are the objectiveof predicting or anticipating potential risksandthe useoforganizational datain additiontocyber datato support the analysis. The chapter describes the challenges of this endeavor and reports on progressin definingausablesetof predictiveindicators,developingaframeworkfor integratingthe analysisoforganizationalandcyber securitydatatoyield predictions about possible insider exploits, and developing the knowledge base and reasoning capabilityof the system.We also outline the typesof errors that oneexpectsina predictive system versus a detection system and discuss how those errors can affect the usefulness of the results.
Retaking the SAT

Using data on applicants to three selective universities, we analyze a college applicant’s decision to retake the SAT. We model this decision as an optimal search problem, and use the model to assess the impact of college admissions policies on retaking behavior. The most common test score ranking policy, which utilizes only the highest of all submitted scores, provides large incentives to retake the test. This places certain applicants at a disadvantage: those with high test-taking costs, those attaching low values to college admission, and those with ‘‘pessimistic’’ prior beliefs regarding their own ability.
Embolization of experimentally created aneurysms with intravascular stent devices.

PURPOSE To assess the effectiveness of self-expanding, cobalt-alloy stents in the treatment of aneurysms in a canine model and to observe the pattern of blood flow and formation of fibrotic scar tissue. METHODS Porous metallic stents were endovascularly placed across the necks of experimentally created side aneurysms in the carotid arteries of three dogs; aneurysms were also created in the opposite carotid arteries in these animals to serve as controls. RESULTS Before stent placement, angiography of the carotid arteries demonstrated whirl-like, vortex flow of blood within the lumens of the aneurysms. Inflow was seen along the distal aneurysm wall; outflow was demonstrated along the proximal wall; slower vortex flow was present in the central lumen. Immediately after stent placement there was disruption of the usual vortex flow with stasis of contrast media and blood within the lumen. Inflow and outflow patterns were no longer seen. Complete ablation of these aneurysms was evident at follow-up angiographic studies--1 week, 1 month, and 2 months after stent placement. The stented carotid arteries remained widely patent; control aneurysms and carotid arteries were patent and unchanged. Histopathologic analysis revealed fibrotic reactive scar tissue completely filling the stented aneurysm pouches. CONCLUSION Treatment of selected intracranial aneurysms via an endovascular approach has merit and could supplant more invasive, risky, and costly surgical procedures in some cases.
Assessing near infrared optical properties of ceramic orthodontic brackets using cross-polarization optical coherence tomography.

Secondary decay (caries) under ceramic orthodontic brackets remains a significant dental problem and near infrared cross-polarization optical coherence tomography (CP-OCT) has the potential to detect underlying demineralization. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of crystalline structure and chemical composition of ceramic brackets on CP-OCT imaging. Four ceramic brackets types, which were divided into monocrystalline and polycrystalline, were examined using CP-OCT. The results of this study demonstrated that the crystallinity of the ceramic brackets affected the 1310 nm CP-OCT imaging with the greatest attenuation seen in polycrystalline alumina brackets. The alumina polycrystalline bracket materials had significantly higher attenuation and scattering than alumina monocrystalline brackets (p < 0.05, ANOVA, Bonferroni). Additionally, bracket base morphology and composition affected NIR light attenuation. There was considerable attenuation in bracket bases that contained additive zirconium spheres (∼30 µm) and this alteration was significantly greater than the jagged alumina crystallographic alterations found in the other bracket systems (p < 0.05, ANOVA, Bonferroni). Noninvasive, near infrared (NIR) cross-polarization optical coherence tomography (CP-OCT) has potential to effectively image through portions of ceramic brackets; however, further investigation into the optical effects of resin integration in the base portion of the brackets is warranted. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 102B: 516–523, 2014.
125I-labeled α-bungarotoxin and [3H]quinuclidinylbenzilate binding to rat brain membranes. Effects of physical, chemical and enzymatic treatments

Abstract The effects of various physical, chemical and enzymatic treatments of rat brain membranes were investigated with respect to 125I-labeled α-bungarotoxin ([125I]αBuTx) and [3H] quinuclidinylbenzilate ([3H]QNB) binding. Binding appeared relatively stable to autolysis, mechanical shearing, freeze-thawing, and divalent cation addition (Sr2+) or removal (EGTA, EDTA). Binding for [125I]-αBuTx was slightly reduced by trypsin digestion of the membranes while both [125I]αBuTx and [3H]QNB binding were reduced by phospholipase A2 digestion (Crotalus adamantus phospholipase A2 and β-bungarotoxin). Treatment of the membranes with the disulfide reducing agent, dithiothreitol, resulted in additional [125I]αBuTx binding but showed little effect on [3H]QNB binding. Binding of the cholinergic agonists, nicotine and carbamylcholine, was studied by observing their concentration-dependent ability to inhibit [125I]αBuTx and [3H]QNB binding, respectively. Membrane sulfhydryl group reduction and endogenous cation removal by EGTA or EDTA resulted in a lowered affinity for nicotine binding. Alkylation of membranes with N- ethylmaleimide resulted in an increase in carbamylcholine affinity. Other treatments had little or no effect on nicotine or carbamylcholine binding.
The persistence of implicit behavioral associations for moms and dads

Abstract While the concept of the “new involved father” has gained popularity in the media and academic circles, it is unclear to what extent behavioral expectations of moms and dads today reflect gender equality. Using a Go/No-Go Task, Study 1 examined implicit associations between behavioral images indicative of childcare versus the professional world with (a) parent roles (dads versus moms) and (b) gender categories (males versus females). Both evidenced strong persistence of traditional stereotypes. Moreover, females were more strongly associated with the role mom than males were with dad . In Study 2, individual variation in the strength of these implicit associations predicted differences in judgments of how best to resolve work—family conflicts along traditional stereotypic lines. Implicit associations tying mom to childcare and dad to the professional world likely contribute to greater experienced conflict for women than men in striving to be both a parent and a professional.
Impact of display modulation transfer function on the quality of sampled imagery

This paper discusses the impact of display pixel shape, size and spacing on displayed image quality. The application of FOurier transforms to sampled imagery is described. A characterization function for sampled imagers is derived by examining the image formation of a point source. Misapplication of the sampling theorem is also discussed.
Rathke's Cleft Cyst: Computed Tomographic and Magnetic Resonance Imaging Appearances

A case of symptomatic Rathke's cleft cyst was studied preoperatively with x-ray computed tomographic and magnetic resonance imaging. A Rathke's cleft cyst may be differentiated from other cystic-appearing sellar masses.
Biogeochemical cycling in an organic rich coastal marine basin—II. Nutrient sediment-water exchange processes

The release of remineralized N and P from the organic-rich anoxic sediments of Cape Lookout Bight is controlled by processes occurring within the sediment column and at the sediment-water interface. The relatively rapid rates of temperature dependent microbial degradation of organic matter support seasonally varying nutrient fluxes ranging from 20 to 1200 μmol·m−2·hr−1 for dissolved ammonium and from − 20 to 120 μmol·m−2·hr−1 for total dissolved phosphate (measured in situ over the period October, 1976 to October, 1978). Molecular diffusion along steep vertical pore water concentration gradients measured simultaneously cannot explain the high fluxes observed during warmer months. Gradients for ammonium and phosphate ranged from 0.33 to 1.10 and from 0 to 0.29 μmol·cm−3pw·cm−1s respectively. These high summertime fluxes appear to result from increased sediment-water transport associated with bubble tubes created and maintained by low-tide methane gas bubble ebullition. When these tubes are present, apparent bulk sediment diffusivities calculated from concurrent studies of methane and radon-222 sediment-water exchange are 1.0–3.1 times greater than molecular diffusivities. Nutrient fluxes calculated via Fick's first law taking into account this enhanced transport and the differential diffusive mobilities of dissolved ammonium, phosphate and phosphate ion pairs indicate that removal by aerobic adsorption and/or biological uptake at the sediment-water interface plays an important role in controlling nutrient exchange in these sediments.
Error Quantification for Hurricane Storm Surge Simulations along the Coasts of North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia

This paper describes the development of a procedure to quantify errors in hurricane storm surge simulations using a decoupled wind-surge model. The state-of-the-art storm surge simulation program, advanced circulation (ADCIRC), and the Georgiou's wind-field model were used to simulate the storm surge heights associated with 169 historical hurricanes from 1922 to 2011 along the coasts of North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia. The storm surge modeling errors were quantified by comparing the measured with the simulated annual maximum surge heights at nine water-level observation stations maintained by the Center for Operational Oceanographic Products and Services (CO-OPS). The simulated surge heights consisted of both systematic and random errors. A power equation was used to adjust the systematic errors in the simulated storm surge heights. The random errors, which are defined as the ratio of the measured to the systematic error-adjusted simulated annual maximum surge heights, were found to follow a lognormal distribution. To confirm the validity of the error quantification methodology, the simulated annual, 5-year, and 10-year maximum surge heights were adjusted using the modeling errors quantified for each of the nine CO-OPS water stations and compared with the actual storm surge observations. Good agreements were observed between the actual measurements and the error-adjusted surge elevations. The proposed methodology for quantifying modeling errors can be applied to adjust for storm surge predictions of longer return periods and can be used to develop design surge hazard maps.
Mechanically regulated rotation of a guest in a nanoscale host.

The spinning rate of an encapsulated cyclophane guest is affected by the “size” of the coguests.
The relation of new knowledge of the gingiva to crown and bridge procedures

Abstract Certain recent research on the gingiva that has a practical application to crown and bridge prosthesis is presented. The investigations discussed provide a concept which endows the free gingiva with physiologic attributes common to mucous membranes found elsewhere in the human body. These attributes are manifested by the ability of the gingiva to remove injurious agents from the subgingival areas, by its ability to repair injured and lost parts following operative trauma or infection, and by its ability to heal physiologic readaptation of the new gingival tissue to the tooth surfaces following complete removal of all injurious agents. This biologic concept supports accepted clinical practices and provides the practitioner with basic scientific guides to successful treatment.
EFFECTS OF COUPLED EXTENSIONAL-TORSIONAL OSCILLATIONS IN WIRE ROPE DURING OCEAN SALVAGE AND CONSTRUCTION OPERATIONS

It is well established, and intuitively clear from the geometry of a wire rope, that a tensile load produces not only an extension but also a rotation of the rope (or a torque if both ends of the rope are prevented from rotating). This property of a wire rope leads, in a dynamic situation, to coupling of the extensional and rotational waves propagating through the rope. Classically, this coupling has been neglected, and only extensional waves treated, when analyzing the dynamic behavior of wire ropes used as lifting lines. Here, the effects of including the coupled oscillations in the dynamic analysis of lifting lines are considered, and the results are compared to those generated by the classical technique. Significant differences in the predicted dynamic response of the lifting line are found. A comparison of the predictions with experimental data also shows the importance of considering coupled extensional-torsional oscillations for obtaining an accurate description of lifting line dynamics.
The Effects of Caption Rate and Language Level on Comprehension of a Captioned Video Presentation

The purposes of this study were (a) to explore the effect of caption rate on comprehension and (b) to assess the effect of varying caption language level on comprehension. One hundred eighty-seven students, enrolled in three elementary and secondary schools for the deaf, viewed a one-half hour commercial television program captioned at 60, 90, or 120 words per minute and at increasing levels of linguistic complexity. The students were tested on explicit, inferential, and global comprehension items. Caption rate did not appear to affect comprehension. The language level of the captions influenced explicit and inferential comprehension, with subjects performing significantly better with lower, than with higher language level captions. This effect was particularly noticeable with poorer readers. Directions for further captioning research are discussed.
Sequence and Structure of the Tobacco Hornworm, Manduca sexta, Transhydrogenase Gene

The reversible mitochondrial transhydrogenase in Manduca sexta has been characterized and is involved with endocrine-mediated post-embryonic larval development in this model insect. While biochemical in vivo and in vitro studies have been accomplished, robust molecular studies of the transhydrogenase have not been possible due to deficient genomic data. In the present study, using a combination of degenerate oligonucleotide primers and raw genomic data, we have determined the structure and sequence of the transhydrogenase gene from the model insect Manduca sexta. The encoded protein is highly similar to other transhydrogenase proteins and this sequence is the first lepidopteran sequence reported to date.
Intramolecular perturbations and collisional energy transfer: Classical and quantum theory

Abstract The effect of resonant intramolecular interactions upon vibrational energy transfer is studied using classical and quantum perturbation theory. It is shown that cancellations attributed previously to quantum interference may equally well be ascribed to a classical mechanism.
Parallel thalamocortical pathways for echolocation and passive sound localization in a gleaning bat, Antrozous pallidus.

We present evidence for parallel auditory thalamocortical pathways that serve two different behaviors. The pallid bat listens for prey-generated noise (5–35 kHz) to localize prey, while reserving echolocation [downward frequency-modulated (FM) sweeps, 60–30 kHz] for obstacle avoidance. Its auditory cortex contains a tonotopic map representing frequencies from 6 to 70 kHz. The high-frequency (BF > 30 kHz) representation is dominated by FM sweep-selective neurons, whereas most neurons tuned to lower frequencies prefer noise. Retrograde tracer injections into these physiologically distinct cortical regions revealed that the high-frequency region receives input from the suprageniculate (SG) nucleus, but not the ventral division of the medial geniculate body (MGBv), in all experiments (n = 9). In contrast, the low-frequency region receives tonotopically organized input from the MGBv in all experiments (n = 16). Labeling in the SG was observed in only two of these experiments. Both cortical regions also receive sparse inputs from medial (MGBm) and parts of the dorsal division (MGBd) outside the SG. These results show that the low- and high-frequency regions of a single tonotopic map receive dominant inputs from different thalamic divisions. Within the low-frequency region, most neurons are binaurally inhibited, and an orderly map of interaural intensity difference (IID) sensitivity is present. We show that the input to the IID map arises from topographically organized projections from the MGBv. As observed in other species, a frequency-dependent organization is observed in the lateromedial direction in the MGBv. These data demonstrate that MGBv-to-auditory cortex connections are organized with respect to both frequency and binaural selectivity. J. Comp. Neurol. 500:322–338, 2007. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc.