cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Complementary structure of memristive devices based passive memory arrays

This paper introduces a complementary architecture of memristive devices based passive memories whose unit memory cell is composed of vertically stacked or horizontally placed two memristive devices. This complementary memory architecture does not require sense resistors for cell readout, and thus significantly reduces the memory design complexity by not requiring the design optimization process for the sense resistance. The complementarily written memory array exhibits data-pattern independent voltage detection performance as well as regulated much smaller current consumption compared to the conventional non-complementary passive resistive memories.
Deletion of Epstein-Barr Virus Regulatory Sequences Upstream of the EBNA Gene Promoter Wp1 Is Unfavorable for B-Cell Immortalization

Transcription of the six Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) EBNA genes is coordinately regulated, being driven by either the Cp promoter, which is encoded within the unique region just upstream of the EBV major internal repeat (IR-1), or by the Wp promoter, which is encoded within the IR-1 repeat and thus present in multiple copies. Previous analyses of Cp- and Wp-initiated transcription have identified a shared cis-regulatory element mapping to the region extending from -169 to -369 bp upstream of the Wp transcription initiation site (M. T. Puglielli, N. Desai, and S. H. Speck, J. Virol. 71:120-128, 1997). To assess the impact of this regulatory region on Cp and Wp activity in the context of the viral genome, we attempted to delete this regulatory region upstream of the first copy of Wp (Wp1). While 10 recombinant viruses were obtained in which this deletion was incorporated in the interior of the IR-1 repeat, only a single lymphoblastoid cell line (LCL) immortalized by a recombinant EBV harboring the deletion upstream of Wp1 was recovered. In contrast, using a control targeting vector in which the Wp regulatory sequences were intact but which contained a sequence tag within the W0 exon, we demonstrated that of the five recombinant viruses analyzed in which the crossover event had occurred upstream of the Wp sequence tag, four had incorporated the tagged sequences into Wp1 of the virus. Taken together, these results indicate that deletion of the regulatory sequences from -369 to -169 bp upstream of Wp1 is unfavorable for EBV-driven B-cell immortalization but is tolerated within the interior of the IR-1 repeat. Analysis of promoter usage in the clone 9-60 LCL, in which the W enhancer sequences were deleted upstream of Wp1, revealed the following: (i) the level of Cp-initiated transcription was significantly diminished compared to that of wild-type LCLs; (ii) the decreased Cp-initiated transcription was not efficiently compensated by transcription initiation from Wp1; and (iii) transcription initiation from downstream Wp promoters was detectable. This is the first report of an LCL in which transcription initiation from a Wp downstream of Wp1 has been documented.
Position-dependent encoding

In typical MC-DCT compression algorithms, up to 90% of the available bit rate is used to encode the location and amplitude information of the nonzero quantized DCT coefficients. Therefore, efficient encoding of the location and amplitude information is extremely important for high quality video compression. In this paper we describe the position-dependent encoding (PDE) approach for encoding the DCT coefficients. This method attempts to exploit the inherent differences in statistical properties of the run-lengths and amplitudes as a function of position. This paper includes preliminary comparisons between the PDE scheme and conventional coding approaches. The PDE approach can be applied in any transform/subband filtering scheme for image or video compression. >
Writing Therapeutic Letters in Undergraduate Nursing Education: Promoting Relational Skill Development

Although therapeutic letters (TLs) have been included in graduate nursing programs, studies have not examined the impact of TLs on the clinical learning of undergraduate students. This qualitative study was part of a larger project that introduced TLs into already established undergraduate clinical courses. Instructors prepared students for writing TLs by discussing their purpose and by providing a relevant article and examples. In all, 74 students participated in 12 focus group interviews. Interviews were audiotaped, professionally transcribed, and analyzed using qualitative description. Results suggest that TLs cultivate rapport building and the development of students' relational skills. Although the assignment promoted clinical learning and reflection on helping relationships for the vast majority of students, a few students treated TLs as an instrumental activity. Implications for educating health professionals are described.
Throughput analysis of a class of selective repeat ARQ with multi-copy retransmissions

This paper presents an unified approach of estimating the mean extra RTDs (round trip delay) cycles that a data block needs, for a successful transmission. Two ARQ approaches (ACK-NAK-based ARQ and NAK-based ARQ) with multi-copy retransmissions scheme are investigated. The system throughput is estimated after the mean extra RTD calculation. The performance of various ARQ schemes with multi-copy retransmissions can be estimated and compared using the unified expressions obtained in this paper.
Correlating structure and function during the evolution of fibrinogen-related domains.

Fibrinogen-related domains (FReDs) are found in a variety of animal proteins with widely different functions, ranging from non-self recognition to clot formation. All appear to have a common surface where binding of one sort or other occurs. An examination of 19 completed animal genomes—including a sponge and sea anemone, six protostomes, and 11 deuterostomes—has allowed phylogenies to be constructed that show where various types of FReP (proteins containing FReDs) first made their appearance. Comparisons of sequences and structures also reveal particular features that correlate with function, including the influence of neighbor-domains. A particular set of insertions in the carboxyl-terminal subdomain was involved in the transition from structures known to bind sugars to those known to bind amino-terminal peptides. Perhaps not unexpectedly, FReDs with different functions have changed at different rates, with ficolins by far the fastest changing group. Significantly, the greatest amount of change in ficolin FReDs occurs in the third subdomain (“P domain”), the very opposite of the situation in most other vertebrate FReDs. The unbalanced style of change was also observed in FReDs from non-chordates, many of which have been implicated in innate immunity.
Unbalanced cache systems

The new concept of an unbalanced, hierarchically-divided cache memory system is introduced and analyzed. This approach generalizes existing cache structures by allowing different memory references (e.g. as possibly unevenly divided within an address-space) to be subject to various levels of caching as well as varied amounts of cache at each level. Under the assumption that the total cache size at a particular level is fixed, it is easily shown that at least one divided cache structure exists for which the miss-rate is the same as a single unified cache. By using alternate implementations, however, the method may provide a significant decrease in miss-rates as is shown via simulations. Specifically, SPEC95 benchmarks are used to demonstrate that the technique is effective for general usage but it may be even more useful for embedded systems where memory access patterns can be more fully controlled (i.e. via the compiler). In addition to improved miss-rates, another advantage is that the hit-time for multiple smaller caches may be smaller than for a single larger cache. Disadvantageous, but readily surmountable, electrical aspects are also discussed.
One-way multihead writing finite automata

The family of languages recognized by one-way multihead writing finite automata is investigated. It is shown that there are languages recognized by deterministic three-head one-way nonwriting finite automata that cannot be recognized by any nondeterministic two-head one-way writing finite automaton.
Assessment of PCB pad cratering resistance by joint level testing

Cracking of the laminate under the solder connect pads, known as pad craters, is a reliability issue related to mechanical stresses generated from either mechanical or thermal loading. The current study aims to establish a mechanistic understanding of pad cratering through the use of joint-level testing techniques. Both strength and cyclic loading lifetime are considered, and the results indicate that these two loading modes are not correlated. The individual crack paths within a crater are found to differ with laminate material, glass style (if any), and micro-via details. Various degradation mechanisms are found to have a significant effect on this failure mode with both thermal and moisture exposure showing decreased laminate performance. Finally, the relationship between joint-level testing is compared to the performance in board level drop test. Here we see that joint-level testing is far more general, in terms of qualifying the robustness of the laminate.
Reply to Mounzer and DiNubile

To the Editor—Here, we discuss the residual risk of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) transmission due to intermittent HIV shedding in semen during sustained long-term suppression of plasma viremia by antiretroviral therapy (ART) and the implications for serodiscordant heterosexual couples planning to conceive a child. There are several important issues to consider in these circumstances: (1) the residual risk of transmission, (2) the global impact of seminal HIV shedding during ART, and (3) the factors related to seminal HIV shedding that can be modified to further reduce the risk of HIV transmission.
Clinical utility of cerebral angiography in the preoperative assessment of endocarditis

Cerebral angiography is an invasive procedure utilized without supporting guidelines in preoperative evaluations of infective endocarditis (IE). It is used to identify mycotic intracranial aneurysm, which is suspected to increase the risk of intracranial bleeding during cardiac surgery. Our objectives were to: (1) assess the utility of cerebral angiography by determining which subset of IE patients benefit from its performance; and (2) identify clinical and noninvasive screening tests that can preclude the need for invasive cerebral angiography. Retrospective analysis was performed of all patients treated surgically for IE from 7/2007 to 1/2012 and discharged with medical treatment for IE from 7/2007 to 7/2009 presenting to a large academic center. Of the 151 patients who underwent cerebral angiography, mycotic aneurysm was identified in seven (prevalence=4.6%; 95% CI 2.3-9.3%). Five had viridans group streptococci as the causative IE microorganism (p=0.0017). Noninvasive imaging and particularly absence of intracranial bleed on magnetic resonance imaging conveys a negative predictive value (NPV) of 0.977 (95% CI 0.879-0.996). Absence of a focal neurologic deficit or altered mental status convey a NPV of 0.990 (95% CI 0.945-0.998) and 0.944 (95% CI 0.883-0.974), respectively. Clinical suspicion for mycotic aneurysm and thus utilization of cerebral angiography is likely necessary only in the setting of acute neurologic deficits and when noninvasive imaging demonstrates acute intracranial bleed. A novel association between viridans group streptococci and intracranial mycotic aneurysm is demonstrated.
From Undemocratic to Democratic Civil Society: Japan's Volunteer Fire Departments

How do undemocratic civic organizations become compatible with democratic civil society? How do local organizations merge older patriarchal, hierarchical values and practices with newer more egalitarian, democratic ones? This article tells the story of how volunteer fire departments have done this in Japan. Their transformation from centralized war instruments of an authoritarian regime to local community safety organizations of a full-fledged democracy did not happen overnight. A slow process of demographic and value changes helped the organizations adjust to more democratic social values and practices. The way in which these organizations have made the transition offers important lessons for emerging democracies around the world.
A covariate-matched estimator of the error variance in nonparametric regression

There are two classes of estimators for the error variance in nonparametric regression: residual-based estimators and difference-based estimators. Residual-based estimators require an estimator of the regression function and are asymptotically equivalent to the sample variance based on the actual errors. Difference-based estimators avoid estimating the regression function and are thus simpler to calculate. They also possess superior bias properties at the expense of larger variances. Muller et al. [U.U. Muller, A. Schick, and W. Wefelmeyer, Estimating the error variance in nonparametric regression by a covariate-matched U-statistics, Statistics 37 (2003), pp. 179–188.] suggested improving difference-based estimators using covariate matching. They showed that a covariate-matched version of Rice's [J. Rice, Bandwidth choice for nonparametric regression, Ann. Statist. 12 (1984), pp. 1215–1230.] difference-based estimator matches the asymptotic performance of residual-based estimators, yet still possesses the...
Tumor-Associated CSF MicroRNAs for the Prediction and Evaluation of CNS Malignancies

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is a readily reachable body fluid that is reflective of the underlying pathological state of the central nervous system (CNS). Hence it has been targeted for biomarker discovery for a variety of neurological disorders. CSF is also the major route for seeding metastases of CNS malignancies and its analysis could be informative for diagnosis and risk stratification of brain cancers. Recently, modern high-throughput, microRNAs (miRNAs) measuring technology has enabled sensitive detection of distinct miRNAs that are bio-chemicallystable in the CSF and can distinguish between different types of CNS cancers. Owing to the fact that a CSF specimen can be obtained with relative ease, analysis of CSF miRNAs could be a promising contribution to clinical practice. In this review, we examine the current scientific knowledge on tumor associated CSF miRNAs that could guide diagnosis of different brain cancer types, or could be helpful in predicting disease progression and therapy response. Finally, we highlight their potential applications clinically as biomarkers and discuss limitations.
Assessing the Needs of Training on Inclusive Education for Public School Administrators.

This study assessed the needs of urban school leaders for special education preparation in a large public school district in the USA in order to assist the school administrators with improving their knowledge and skills for providing appropriate services to students with disabilities and their families to support inclusive education. The needs survey was created based on the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC 2009) standards for school administrators in the USA and the literature in special education. The validity and reliability of the instrument were verified. The needs assessment measures 10 aspects regarding special education knowledge and skills as indicated by 10 factors in the exploratory factor analysis. Quantitative data analyses on a sample of 289 participants revealed that there were significant differences in the needs of training in special education knowledge based on the school administrators’ backgrounds. The current research supports the call for the professional development and inclus...
Challenging the First Year of College: Old Models and New Imperatives.

This chapter argues that the first year of college needs to be reconsidered. The authors offer, as an alternative, a new kind of course, one created by groups of faculty members from different campuses, multidisciplinary in focus, delivered in a blended format, focused on civic outcomes, and intended primarily for first-year students.
Nanotechnology laboratory and nanoelectronics simulation courses

Two recently developed nanotechnology courses are described in the context of university general education requirements. The senior/graduate laboratory course is primarily focused on the preparation and properties of ultra-thin vacuum-deposited discontinuous gold films on glass, (i.e. the structure-dependent electrical and optical properties,) but also includes experiments in nano-silver sintering and carbon nanotube (CNT) percolation. The junior-level nanoelectronics simulation course uses LT-SPICE and functions as both an elective for ECE majors and a general studies elective for non-majors. Simulations cover basic circuits, CNT percolation, electron tunneling, tunnel diodes, single electron transistors, quantum automata, nanosensors, and memristors.
Mycoparasitism of Dispira simplex and D. parvispora.

Physiological studies of the haustorium-producing, biotrophic mycoparasites have been limited primarily to two genera, Dispira and Piptocephalis. Ayers (1933, 1935) was a pioneer in the physiological study of this group of parasites and reported that the host range of Dispira cornuta Van Tiegh. was limited to several other species of Mucorales and that the host nutrition affected the degree of parasitism. Berry (1959), Berry and Barnett (1957), and Shigo et al. (1961) have made physiological studies of Piptocephalis virginiana Leadbeater & Mercer and P. xenophila Dobbs & English, which have a similar mode of parasitism. Two additional species of Dispira recently became available for study and physiological comparison. Benjamin (1959) described D. simplex Benjamin, but was unable to culture it with species of Mucorales. Later, he reported this fungus as a parasite on a species of Chaetomium (Benjamin, 1961). However, Indoh (1965) has reported this species from Japan growing on Mucor sp. and Circinella sp. Another species, D. parvispora Benjamin, was described and reported as a parasite on Cokeromyces recurvatus Poitras (Benjamin, 1963). The present paper deals with the mode of parasitism, host range, and axenic growth of D. simplex and D. parvispora. It is a portion of a broad study of mycoparasitism at West Virginia University.
HPLC Determination of Hydroperoxidic Products Formed in the Autoxidation of n-Hexadecane at Elevated Temperatures

Description de procedes d'analyse directe des hydroperoxyhexadecanes et hexadecanones et des dihydroperoxyhexadecanes isomeres provenant de l'autooxydation de n-hexadecane a des temperatures comprises entre 120 et 180°C, par chromatographie en phase liquide a haute performance en phase normale ou inversee avec une detection UV a 254 nm
The transmission investment debacle

The numerous blackouts experienced recently in many parts of the world make amply clear the fact that the transmission network is the weakest link of the restructured electricity business. With the unbundling of the electricity industry under restructuring, new players, such as brokers, marketers and independent power producers and new structures such as the Independent Grid Operator (IGO) and have been introduced and have led to new paradigms for the operation and planning of the transmission system. The decentralized decision making in the new structure, the large number of new players, the proliferation in the number of transactions on the networks and the markedly different utilization of the transmission system than in the way it was planned and designed have all contributed to the severe stressing of the transmission grid. This has resulted in frequent congestion situations with customers competing for the scarce and heavily constrained transmission services. Moreover, despite the more intense utilization of the grid by the many established and new players, investments in the transmission network have failed to keep pace with the increasing demand for transmission services. The need for investment to improve and expand the grid and to reliably maintain the existing network has been met poorly under competitive markets, with very few exceptions. The sluggishness of transmission investment is caused by numerous factors, but a principal one is the substantial mismatches between those benefiting from the new facilities and those paying for them are often such as to prevent the investments from being made. There is an acute need to set up effective procedures to ensure the timely recovery of transmission investments. In other words, investors need appropriate market incentives to expand and improve the grid. Moreover, the need to integrate the many renewable energy projects and the various distributed energy resources, including the soon-to-grow population of battery vehicles are exerting huge pressures on the expansion of the existing grid. At the same time, the legislative and regulatory climate has been rapidly evolving to recognize the realities of the multi-faceted changes impacting the industry.
A Demand-Aware Predictive Dynamic Bandwidth Allocation Mechanism for Wireless Network-on-Chip

Long distance data communication over multi-hop wireline paths in conventional Networks-on-Chips (NoCs) cause high energy consumption and degradation in bandwidth. Wireless interconnects in the millimeter-wave band have emerged as an energy-efficient interconnection paradigm for multi-core chips interconnected with NoCs. However, spatial variations in traffic distribution and temporal variations in workloads can exert variable bandwidth demands on the NoC fabric. Wireless interconnects which do not require a physical layout of interconnects can be utilized to mitigate this issue. In order to dynamically allocate variable bandwidth to the wireless transceivers depending on the demand, the design of a dynamic and efficient Medium Access Control (MAC) mechanism to grant access to the on-chip wireless communication channel is needed. In this paper, a history based predictor, which can predict the bandwidth demand of the wireless nodes in the wireless NoC is designed. Based on these predicted demands we propose the design of two MAC mechanisms that are able to dynamically allocate bandwidth to the wireless transceivers. Through system level simulations, we show that the demand-aware MAC mechanisms are more energy efficient as well as capable of sustaining higher data bandwidth in wireless NoCs.
Persistent Diarrhea: A Clinical Review

Importance Diarrheal disease is commonly encountered in clinical practice. Persistent diarrhea (≥14 days) can be caused by pathogens that differ from those commonly seen in acute illness; proper etiologic diagnosis is important for appropriate therapeutic management. This review provides an overview of the epidemiology, etiology, diagnosis, and management of persistent diarrhea caused by infectious agents in immunocompetent individuals worldwide. Observations Much of the data on persistent diarrhea comes from studies of residents in or expatriates of developing countries and travelers to these regions where follow-up studies have been performed. Persistent diarrhea occurs in approximately 3% of individuals traveling to developing countries. Schistosoma mansoni (and rarely Schistosoma haematobium) intestinal infection is also not very common and is found only in endemic areas. The microbiologic causes of protracted diarrhea include detectable parasitic (eg, Giardia , Cryptosporidium ) and bacterial (eg, enteroaggregative Escherichia coli , Shigella ) pathogens. Available diagnostic tests include culture-dependent for bacterial pathogens and culture-independent methods for bacterial, viral, and protozoal infections (eg, polymerase chain reaction [PCR], including multiplex PCR), as well as and microscopy for protozoal infections. Antimicrobial therapy can be given empirically to patients returning from the undeveloped to the developed world. Otherwise, antibiotics should be given based on the results of laboratory testing. Conclusions and Relevance Persistent diarrhea is a poorly recognized syndrome in all populations that requires proper assessment and diagnosis to ensure that affected individuals receive the treatment needed to experience improvement of clinical symptoms.
Embedded-signal design for channel parameter estimation part I: linear embedding

This paper studies the problem of waveform design for identification of communication channel parameters, when the waveform is to be embedded in a host signal. Applications of this study include watermarking and covert communications. We study a subspace-projection embedding method and a penalized nonlinear least-squares parameter estimator. The performance of the estimator is studied in an asymptotic regime. Conditions are given under which the estimator does as well as one that knows the host signal.
Development of Rigorous Fatty Acid Near-Infrared Spectroscopy Quantitation Methods in Support of Soybean Oil Improvement

The mature seeds of soybean (Glycine max L. Merr) are a valuable source of high-quality edible lipids and protein. Despite dramatic breeding gains over the past 80 years, soybean oil continues to be oxidatively unstable, due to a high proportion of polyunsaturated triacylglycerols. Until recently, the majority of soybean oil underwent partial chemical hydrogenation. Mounting health concerns over trans fats, however, has increased breeding efforts to introgress mutant and biotechnological genetic alterations of soybean oil composition into high-yielding lines. As a result, there is an ongoing need to characterize fatty acid composition in a rapid, inexpensive and accurate manner. Gas chromatography is the most commonly used method, but near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy (NIRS) can be calibrated to non-destructively phenotype various seed compositions accurately and at a high throughput. Here we detail development of NIRS calibrations using intact seeds for every major soybean fatty acid breeding goal over an unprecedented range of oil composition. The NIRS calibrations were shown to be equivalent to destructive chemical analysis, and incorporation into a soybean phenotyping operation has the potential to dramatically reduce cost and accelerate phenotypic analysis.
A META-ANALYSIS OF BIVALIRUDIN VERSUS ARGATROBAN FOR THE TREATMENT OF HEPARIN-INDUCED THROMBOCYTOPENIA

Introduction: Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) is associated with significant thromboembolic risk and reported mortality of 20%. Currently, the only FDA approved therapy for HIT is argatroban. Bivalirudin has been suggested as an alternative anticoagulant for HIT. However, studies comparing
Assessing splenomegaly: Automated volumetric analysis of the spleen

Rationale and Objectives To define systematic volumetric thresholds to identify and grade splenomegaly and retrospectively evaluate the performance of radiologists to assess splenomegaly in computed tomography (CT) image data. Materials and Methods A clinical tool was developed to segment spleens from 172 contrast-enhanced clinical CT studies. There were 45 normal and 127 splenomegaly cases confirmed by radiological reports. Spleen volumes were compared to manual measurements using overlap/error. Volumetric thresholds for mild/massive splenomegaly were defined at 1/2.5 standard deviations above the average splenic volume of the healthy population. The thresholds were validated against consensus reports. The performance of radiologists in assessing splenomegaly was retrospectively evaluated. Results The automated segmentation of spleens was robust with volume overlap/error of 95.2/3.3%. There were no significant differences ( P > .2) between manual and automated segmentations for either normal/splenomegaly subgroups. Comparable correlations between interobserver and manual-automated measurements were found ( r = 0.99 for all). The average volume of normal spleens was 236.89 ± 77.58 mL. For splenomegaly, average volume was 1004.75 ± 644.27 mL. Volumetric thresholds of 314.47/430.84 mL were used to define mild/massive splenomegaly (±18.86 mL, 95% CI). Radiologists disagreed in 23.25% ( n = 40) of the diagnosed cases. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of the volumetric criterion for splenomegaly detection was 0.96. Using the volumetric thresholds as the reference standard, the sensitivity of radiologists in detecting all/mild/massive splenomegaly was 95.0/66.6/99.0% at 78.0% specificity, respectively. Conclusion Thresholds for the identification and grading of splenomegaly from automatic volumetric spleen assessment were introduced. The volumetric thresholds match well with clinical interpretations for splenomegaly and may improve splenomegaly detection compared with splenic cephalocaudal height measurements or visual inspection commonly used in current clinical practice.
Network analysis and percolation transition in hydrogen bonded clusters: nitric acid and water extracted by tributyl phosphate

Extraction of polar molecules by amphiphilic species results in a complex variety of clusters whose topologies and energetics control phase behavior and efficiency of liquid–liquid separations. A computational approach including quantum mechanical vibrational frequency calculations and molecular dynamics simulation with intermolecular network theory is used to provide a robust assessment of extractant and polar solute association through hydrogen bonding in the tributyl phosphate (TBP)/HNO3/H2O/dodecane system for the first time. The distribution of local topologies of the TBP/HNO3/H2O hydrogen bonded clusters is shown to be consistent with an equilibrium binding model. Mixed TBP/HNO3/H2O clusters are predicted that have not been previously observable in experiment due to limitations in scattering and spectroscopic resolution. Vibrational frequency calculations are compared with experimental data to validate the experimentally observed TBP–HNO3–HNO3 Chain structure. At high nitric acid and water loading, large hydrogen-bonded clusters of 20 to 80 polar solutes formed. The cluster sizes were found to be exponentially distributed, consistent with a constant average solute association free energy in that size range. Due to the deficit of hydrogen bond donors in the predominantly TBP/HNO3 organic phase, increased water concentrations lower the association free energy and enable growth of larger cluster sizes. For sufficiently high water concentrations, changes in the cluster size distribution are found to be consistent with the formation of a percolating cluster rather than reverse micelles, as has been commonly assumed for the occurrence of an extractant-rich third phase in metal-free solvent extraction systems. Moreover, the compositions of the large clusters leading to percolation agrees with the 1 : 3 TBP : HNO3 ratio reported in the experimental literature for TBP/HNO3/H2O third phases. More generally, the network analysis of cluster formation from atomic level interactions could allow for control of phase behavior in multi-component solutions of species with a variety of hydrogen bond types.
An Eye on the Middle: Motivation and Support for Middle Managers

While often overlooked, middle managers play an important role for organizations. Whether through communication linkages or simply by greasing the wheel of productivity, organizations with properly motivated middle managers typically have a stronger core culture and more profitable outcomes. This study seeks to identify key motivational factors for middle managers as well as the disconnect that many organizations have in properly utilizing middle management. In particular, we examine the problems stemming from the Pygmalion Effect and hypereffectivity. Our conclusions are supported with survey data and topline BLS demographic data. Using regression analysis, we show that what middle managers say motivates themselves is not always what executives believe motivates middle managers. Implications for leadership development and directions for future research are also provided.
iCharge: User-Interactive Charging of Mobile Devices

Charging mobile devices "fast" has been the focus of both industry and academia, leading to the deployment of various fast charging technologies. However, existing fast charging solutions are agnostic of users' available time for charging their devices, causing early termination of the intended/planned charging. This, in turn, accelerates the capacity fading of device battery and thus shortens the device operation. In this paper, we propose a novel user-interactive charging paradigm, called iCharge, that tailors the device charging to the user's real-time availability and need. The core of iCharge is a relaxation-aware (R-Aware) charging algorithm that maximizes the charged capacity within the user's available time and slows down the battery's capacity fading. iCharge also integrates R-Aware with existing fast charging algorithms via a user-interactive interface, allowing users to choose a charging method based on their availability and need. We evaluate iCharge via extensive laboratory experiments and field-tests on Android phones, as well as user studies. R-Aware is shown to slow down the battery fading by more than 36% on average, and up to 60% in extreme cases, when compared to existing fast charging algorithms. This slowdown of capacity fading translates to, for instance, an up to 2-hour extension of the LTE time for a Nexus 5X phone after its use for 2 years, according to our trace-driven analysis of 976 device charging cases of 7 users over 3 months.
Detecting and Addressing Frustration in a Serious Game for Military Training

Tutoring systems that are sensitive to affect show considerable promise for enhancing student learning experiences. Creating successful affective responses requires considerable effort both to detect student affect and to design appropriate responses to affect. Recent work has suggested that affect detection is more effective when both physical sensors and interaction logs are used, and that context-sensitive design of affective feedback is necessary to enhance engagement and improve learning. In this paper, we provide a comprehensive report on a multi-part study that integrates detection, validation, and intervention into a unified approach. This paper examines the creation of both sensor-based and interaction-based detectors of student affect, producing successful detectors of student affect. In addition, it reports results from an investigation of motivational feedback messages designed to address student frustration, and investigates whether linking these interventions to detectors improves outcomes. Our results are mixed, finding that self-efficacy enhancing interventions based on interaction-based affect detectors enhance outcomes in one of two experiments investigating affective interventions. This work is conducted in the context of the GIFT framework for intelligent tutoring, and the TC3Sim game-based simulation that provides training for first responder skills.
Problems With Self-Regulation, Family Conflict, and Glycemic Control in Adolescents Experiencing Challenges With Managing Type 1 Diabetes.

Objective This study explored the associations between problems with self-regulation and glycemic control (HbA1c) in teens experiencing challenges with managing type 1 diabetes by examining greater diabetes-related family conflict and poorer adherence as serial mediators of the link between greater problems with self-regulation and higher HbA1c. Methods Teens experiencing challenges with managing type 1 diabetes (n = 93, HbA1c ≥8%, 96% White, 57% male) completed an HbA1c test, and their parents completed assessments including measures of adherence and family conflict related to diabetes management during an intake for a larger Web-based intervention study or fMRI study. Teen problems with self-regulation were indexed the Child Behavior Checklist using the dysregulation profile. Results Bivariate correlations found significant associations between greater problems with self-regulation, greater family conflict about diabetes management, poorer adherence, and higher HbA1c. However, only greater family conflict, and not adherence, significantly explained the association between greater self-regulation problems and higher HbA1c. Conclusions These findings suggest that among teens experiencing challenges with managing type 1 diabetes, interventions that decrease family conflict may be critical to promoting optimal glycemic control in those teens with greater problems with self-regulation.
Couple Differentiation: Mediator or Moderator of Depressive Symptoms and Relationship Satisfaction?

The purpose of this investigation was to determine whether differentiation at the couple level would act as a moderator or a mediator in the association between marital satisfaction and depressive symptoms over time. In a sample of 412 couples, a latent profile analysis was performed to determine how couple differentiation scores were clustered. An Actor/Partner Interdependence Model was then estimated via a group comparison procedure in structural equation modeling. There was no evidence of a moderating effect of differentiation. A mediating model was then estimated and there was evidence that differentiation mediated the association between depressive symptoms and relationship satisfaction via actor and partner effects.
Legal Issues Working with Immigrants, Refugees, and Asylees

It has been suggested that social workers concerned with immigrants and immigration have primarily focused their efforts on psychosocial issues of recent immigrants, including their needs and circumstances at different stages of the immigration process, and how best to address those needs. However, social workers may provide critical assistance to immigrants not only through the provision of psychosocial services but also by assisting with applications for immigration and other benefits. This chapter provides a brief overview of the legal parameters in which social workers function in assisting clients in their efforts to obtain immigration and public service benefits. Various roles for social workers are also explored.
Methamphetamine alters DNMT and HDAC activity in the posterior dorsal medial amygdala in an ovarian steroid-dependent manner.

Abstract Methamphetamine (Meth) is a psychomotor stimulant associated with increased sexual drive and risky sexual behaviors in both men and women. Females are comparatively understudied, despite the fact that are just as likely as men to use methamphetamine. Importantly, Meth-associated sexual behaviors put female-users at a greater risk for unplanned pregnancies, and increase the risk of psychiatric co-morbidities such as depression. Our work in a rodent model has demonstrated that in the presence of the ovarian steroids, estradiol (EB) and progesterone (P), methamphetamine facilitates the activation of neurons of in the Medial Amygdala (MePD) and Ventromedial Nucleus of the Hypothalamus (VMN), nuclei that are integral to female sexual behavior. As methamphetamine has been previously associated with epigenetic changes in males, we hypothesized that methamphetamine may facilitate sexual motivation in females by modulating the amount of epigenetic enzymatic activity in the VMN and MePD. To test this hypothesis, histone deacetylase (HDAC) and DNA methyltransferase (DNMT) activity was quantitated in both the VMN and MePD in the presence and absence of methamphetamine in femalerats who were ovariectomized (OVX), or OVXed and hormone replaced with EB + P. DMNT1 and DNMT3B protein levels were also assessed. Our results show that methamphetamine alters DNMT and HDAC activity in the MePD in an ovarian steroid-dependent fashion. Both methamphetamine alone and EB + P alone significantly reduce DNMT enzymatic activity in an OVX female, but do not further decrease activity when both are given in combination. In contrast, no changes in HDAC or DNMT activity were seen in the VMN regardless of treatment, but the amount of DNMT3b after methamphetamine was significantly altered depending on the presence or absence of ovarian steroids. Taken together, these results support the hypothesis that methamphetamine induces change on an epigenetic level in female rats in both a hormone and nucleus dependent manner, and suggests epigenetic changes may play a role in methamphetamine’s mechanism to facilitate the sexual motivation.
1.7 Geomorphology in the Late Twentieth Century

During the late twentieth century new technologies involving remote sensing, geographic information systems, digital elevation models, and global positioning systems enabled research on topics such as drainage-basin modeling, tectonic geomorphology, and regional and planetary geomorphology. Advances were made in process geomorphology and modeling of landform development. Plate tectonic theory led to a resurgence in tectonic geomorphology and long-term landscape development and relief, and controversy over the interactions between mountain range uplift and the climate system. A new thread of theory developed encompassing complexity, non-linear dynamic systems, fractals, chaos, and self-organization. Geomorphologists became more interested in connections between physical and biotic systems.
Recursive Properties of Intervals of Recursive Linear Orders

We investigate the possible recursive properties of intervals, and other suborderings, of recursive linear orders. Let A be a recursive linear order with a co-r.e. interval P. We characterize those (A, P) for which there exists a recursive linear order ℬ and an isomorphism f: ℬ ≅ A such that f -1 (P) is (a) not r.e.; (b) immune; (c) hyperimmune. We give general sufficient conditions for A and the subset P under which there exist such ℬ and f with f -1(P) exhibiting the above properties. We show, that no interval P can be hyperhyperimmune (or even strongly hyperimmune).
Transport Phenomena for Nonshock Initiation Processes

A useful explosive material is, of course, stable under reasonable environmental conditions. It will neither release energy nor produce gas without some kind of thermal stimulus. The possible stimuli include impact, spark, friction, boundary heat, or shock. These processes raise the temperature of the explosive material, either in a localized volume, or throughout its entire volume, to a point where the exothermic, gas-producing reaction becomes self-sustaining (ignition). We refer to the events leading to self-sustaining reaction as the preignition regime, and the behavior after self-sustaining reaction commences as the post-ignition regime. We further generally characterize the post ignition regime by either laminar nonviolent deflagration; violent, convectively driven explosion; or the process may undergo a transition to detonation (DDT).
Forest Management and Climate Change

Climate change may alter the productivity of forests, shifting resource management, economic processes of adaptation, and ultimately forest-product harvests both nationally and regionally. In regions where climate change reduces timber growth, smaller timber volumes will be available for harvest in both existing forest stands and those regenerated in the future, putting upward pressure on timber prices. The reverse would be true in regions experiencing increased timber growth. Forest-yield changes and alterations in output and price would affect the welfare of producers and consumers, with marked economic welfare shifts between producers and consumers. Adaptation options in the forest sector include regional migration of production, substitution in consumption between wood and nonwood products and between sawtimber and pulpwood products, altering the intensity of forest management among owners and regions, and land-use shifts. Substantial uncertainty surrounds the effect of climate change on forests, including how it may modify the growth and geographic distribution of United States forests. The specific forest changes at regional or local scales are highly uncertain. A response-function approach could aid in evaluating the consequences of forest climate-change scenarios and would need to be updated as new findings on climatic effects became available.
Toward an Improved Multi-Criteria Drug Harm Assessment Process and Evidence-Based Drug Policies.

Drug scheduling within the international system of drug control and national legislation has been recently criticized as having insufficient footing in scientific evidence. The legal harms related to non-medical uses of certain drugs (e.g., cannabis) have arguably exceeded their physiological and social harmfulness compared to legally available substances (e.g., tobacco), which prompted some states to explore alternative regulation policies, similar to the drug regime in the Netherlands. Other legally prescribed drugs (e.g., stimulants) created a surge of interest for “better than well” uses, while yet others (e.g., opioids) caused an epidemic of dramatic proportions in North America. The evidence-based Multi-Criteria Drug Harm Scale (MCDHS) has been proposed as a way of grounding policy in the actual degree of harmfulness of drugs. Indeed, the scale has had great ramifications in several areas of policy, and it has been used extensively in distinct lines of interdisciplinary research. However, some aspects of MCDHS remain disputed. For example, the way the data has been generated has been criticized as suffering from "expert bias.” This article reviews strengths and weaknesses of evidence provided with the use of MCDHS. Furthermore, the author argues that the shortcomings of MCDHS can be resolved by offering methodological improvements. These include 1) dissociating the harms of use from harms of abuse, 2) adding the perspectives of people who use drugs, pharmacists, and general medical practitioners along with the expert assessments, and 3) focusing on subsets of drugs to allow for comparison without mixing different social contexts of drug use. The paper concludes with outlines of substance subset-specific extensions of the MCDHS and related policy proposals in the four areas identified as generating the most controversy: nonmedical use of opioids, "study aid" uses of stimulants, shifting trends in nicotine containing products, and regulation of medical and recreational uses of cannabis.
Joy in Work: a Systems-Based Approach

Purpose of review Healthcare provider burnout profoundly affects not only individual providers, but also negatively impacts patient safety and outcomes. Traditional approaches to mitigate burnout focus on the individual healthcare provider rather than the environment and healthcare system. In 2017, the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI) published the White paper “IHI Framework for Improving Joy in Work” recommending combating burnout by increasing joy in work.
33 The Demography of Obesity

A steady rise in obesity prevalence over several decades has led to considerable scholarly interest in its causes and consequences. Demographers have contributed a great deal to this body of research by examining variations within and across populations, establishing its link to mortality and morbidity, providing forecast and projections of future levels, and considering how its’ presence is variable by demographic characteristics. This chapter begins with a review of overall global trends in obesity and a discussion of the evolution of research on this topic – including background on the measures used to track obesity prevalence. Next, it offers a summary of how obesity varies by key demographic variables, followed by a discussion of its health and social consequences. Population shifts that contribute to increased obesity prevalence are considered next. The chapter concludes with methodological approaches and challenges, as well as future research directions.
Epigallocatechin Gallate Protects against TNFα- or H2O2- Induced Apoptosis by Modulating Iron Related Proteins in a Cell Culture Model

Abstract. Oxidative stress, iron dysregulation, and inflammation have been implicated in the pathogenesis of Parkinson’s disease (PD). Considering the entwined relationship among these factors, epi...