cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Noise in phototransistors

The investigation reported here presents both analytical and experimental results on the noise performance of phototransistors. The noise performance of phototransistors depends on fluctuations traceable to two main sources: 1) the random fluctuations in the rate of photon arrival; and 2) mechanisms inherent in the device such as fluctuations in the generation of free carriers, diffusion and recombination fluctuations, and 1/f mechanisms, to cite a few. On the basis of corpuscular arguments, it is shown that the important fluctuations may be represented by simple, partially correlated shot noise current generators in parallel with the device junctions for a wide range of frequencies. The hybrid-pi transistor model and these noise generators have been used to derive an expression for the noise current to the short-circuited output of a phototransistor. Attention has been primarily focused on the low-frequency expression since correction terms due to high-frequency effects are negligible. The output noise spectra of commercially available silicon phototransistors and silicon units fabricated at the Microelectronics Laboratory of the University of Florida have been measured. The measurements are in good agreement with the model. The current gains and beta cutoff frequencies of these devices have been computed by interpreting the measured spectra with the aid of the analytical results. Independent ac and dc measurements of these parameters are in satisfactory agreement with values determined from noise measurements. It is thereby ascertained that noise measurements on phototransistors can be used to characterize them in terms of current gain and beta cutoff frequency.
Constructing amino acid residue substitution classes maximally indicative of local protein structure

Using an information theo- retic formalism, we optimize classes of amino acid substitution to be maximally indicative of local protein structure. Our statistically-de- rived classes are loosely identifiable with the heuristic constructions found in previously published work. However, while these other methods provide a more rigid idealization of physicochemically constrained residue substi- tution, our classes provide substantially more structural information with many fewer param- eters. Moreover, these substitution classes are consistent with the paradigmatic view of the se- quence-to-structure relationship in globular proteins which holds that the three-dimen- sional architecture is predominantly deter- mined by the arrangement of hydrophobic and polar side chains with weak constraints on the actual amino acid identities. More specific con- straints are imposed on the placement of pro- lines, glycines, and the charged residues. These substitution classes have been used in highly accurate predictions of residue solvent accessi- bility. They could also be used in the identifica- tion of homologous proteins, the construction and refinement of multiple sequence align- ments, and as a means of condensing and cod- ifying the information in multiple sequence alignments for secondary structure prediction and tertiary fold recognition. 0 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
THE RACIAL STRESS OF MEMBERSHIP: DEVELOPMENT OF THE FACULTY INVENTORY OF RACIALIZED EXPERIENCES IN SCHOOLS

Research on the experience of faculty of color in predominately White independent schools (PWIS) is limited. This study explored faculty of varying racial backgrounds and their initiation of, interactions with, and stress reactions to racial conflicts within the school settings using an online survey. Several measures were developed according to the Racial/Ethnic Coping Appraisal and Socialization Theory (recast) model and administered to 339 faculty participants. Using factor analytic and correlational analyses, results from the highly reliable measures found that Black faculty show significantly less trust in schools to manage racial conflict, lower sense of school membership, greater racial stress, and more racial socialization than their White counterparts do. With reliable and valid measures on the racialized experiences of faculty in PWIS, future research can ask better questions on how much racial politics influence diversity initiatives, including faculty and student recruitment and retention, supportive racial and intellectual climate, and organizational mission and professional development. Implications for the development of racially relevant measures in schools are discussed.
Taking account of privacy when designing cloud computing services

Privacy is an important issue for cloud computing, both in terms of legal compliance and user trust, and needs to be considered at every phase of design. In this paper the privacy challenges that software engineers face when targeting the cloud as their production environment to offer services are assessed, and key design principles to address these are suggested.
β‐Carbethoxy‐γ,γ‐Diphenylvinylacetic Acid

β-carbethoxy-γ,γ-diphenylvinylacetic acid solvent: petroleum ether product: β-Carbethoxy-γ,γ-diphenylvinylacetic acid Keywords: condensation, carbonyl-active methylene condensations; tert-butyl alcohol; nitrogen, drying of; potassium metal, safe handling of; potassium tert-butoxide in tert-butyl alcohol; potassium; potassium, disposal; apparatus, for evacuating and introducing nitrogen into reaction vessels
Institutions, Emotions and Law: A Goldilocks Problem for Mechanism Design

This essay lays out a framework for thinking about institutions, emotions, and law. It combines work that links our emotions with internal, psychological commitments, and an understanding of institutions as mechanisms that re-frame the strategic landscape in a world of potential cooperation and conflict between social actors. This combination suggests a positive theory of moral sentiments, a clearer way to understand the role of emotion in law, and a reframing of the old is/ought distinction, sometimes called the naturalistic fallacy. The internal institutions created through our moral sentiments are important but limited. Our intuitive tool kit for structuring cooperative institutions, and for reacting punitively to transgressions against these institutions provides some reframing solutions. Institutions, however, can originate in many ways and can be located many media - psychology, culture, even the physical world. Law is an institution built across many of these layers, a composite that can create a more nuanced and capable set of structures and responses, leading to a better set of outcomes than would be available in an emotion-only world. The problem for the composite is getting the mix right - both too much emotion and too little can prevent us from fully capturing the expanded solution space which a rule of law can open to its adherents.
Window pains

"Window Pains" is a CG-animated comedy about an old man, his broken computer, and his despair with tech support. When you're on hold, no one can hear you scream.
Direction of attentional focus in biofeedback treatment for /r/ misarticulation.

Background Maintaining an external direction of focus during practice is reported to facilitate acquisition of non-speech motor skills, but it is not known whether these findings also apply to treatment for speech errors. This question has particular relevance for treatment incorporating visual biofeedback, where clinician cueing can direct the learner's attention either internally (i.e., to the movements of the articulators) or externally (i.e., to the visual biofeedback display). Aims This study addressed two objectives. First, it aimed to use single-subject experimental methods to collect additional evidence regarding the efficacy of visual–acoustic biofeedback treatment for children with /r/ misarticulation. Second, it compared the efficacy of this biofeedback intervention under two cueing conditions. In the external focus (EF) condition, participants’ attention was directed exclusively to the external biofeedback display. In the internal focus (IF) condition, participants viewed a biofeedback display, but they also received articulatory cues encouraging an internal direction of attentional focus. Methods & Procedures Nine school-aged children were pseudo-randomly assigned to receive either IF or EF cues during 8 weeks of visual–acoustic biofeedback intervention. Accuracy in /r/ production at the word level was probed in three to five pre-treatment baseline sessions and in three post-treatment maintenance sessions. Outcomes were assessed using visual inspection and calculation of effect sizes for individual treatment trajectories. In addition, a mixed logistic model was used to examine across-subjects effects including phase (pre/post-treatment), /r/ variant (treated/untreated), and focus cue condition (internal/external). Outcomes & Results Six out of nine participants showed sustained improvement on at least one treated /r/ variant; these six participants were evenly divided across EF and IF treatment groups. Regression results indicated that /r/ productions were significantly more likely to be rated accurate post- than pre-treatment. Internal versus external direction of focus cues was not a significant predictor of accuracy, nor did it interact significantly with other predictors. Conclusions The results are consistent with previous literature reporting that visual–acoustic biofeedback can produce measurable treatment gains in children who have not responded to previous intervention. These findings are also in keeping with previous research suggesting that biofeedback may be sufficient to establish an external attentional focus, independent of verbal cues provided. The finding that explicit articulator placement cues were not necessary for progress in treatment has implications for intervention practices for speech-sound disorders in children.
The fatty acids of Euglena gracilis

The complete structures of 51 fatty acids of Euglena gracilis have been determined. These include saturated fatty acids from C9 to C19, monounsaturated fatty acids from C13 to C19, diunsaturated fatty acids from C15 to C20, tri-unsaturated fatty acids from C15 to C20, tetraunsaturated fatty acids from C15 to C22, pentaunsaturated fatty acids from C20 to C22, and one docosahexaenoic acid. No evidence was found for branched or cyclic acids. All the double bonds are of the cis-configuration, and the double bonds of polyunsaturated fatty acids are all in methylene-interrupted sequences. E. gracilis synthesizes linoleic acid and linolenic acid, as well as longer chain polyunsaturated fatty acids structurally related to each, thus demonstrating fatty acid biosynthetic mechanisms characteristic of both plants and animals.
Space, Spectacle, and Articulations of the Local and the National in Jerónimo López Mozo’s El arquitecto y el relojero

This study is inspired by Henri Lefebvre's theories on the production of space to consider the issues of geographic scale, urbanism, and historical memory in Spanish playwright Jeronimo Lopez Mozo's 1999 play El arquitecto y el relojero. In this drama, the discourses of scale and the spectacle of urban space permeate the dialogue and staging of the work while the characters confront contemporary anxieties about the spatial component of historical memory. Relying on Henri Lefebvre's tripartite theory of the production of space to explore this spatial component not only illustrates the important relationship between culture and space, but it also demonstrates how the production of space at one scale—the urban—simultaneously “articulates” (Delaney and Leitner) with the broader geography of the nation.
Ending deaths from famine. The opportunity in Somalia.

As we witnessed the starvation, disease, and dying in Somalia, it was surely difficult to remember that Somalia was the site of the greatest triumph of 20th-century international public health. There, in October 1977, Ali Maow Maalin, a 23-year-old cook in the town of Merca, was identified as having “the world's last endemic case of smallpox”1. Now, more than 15 years later, Somalia may again prove to be a turning point in the much longer and larger human struggle to end deaths from famine. To understand that opportunity amid all the pain and suffering requires a sense of that . . .
The Politics of Land Use Controls: Noble Intentions Fatally Executed

The following paper was presented at the July 3, 1974 meeting of the University of Missouri (Columbia) Land Use Committee which acts as an interdisciplinary information exchange and educational conduit. While “The Politics of Land Use Controls: Noble Intentions — Fatally Executed” does not deal with Housing per se, it does deal with a basic piece of the Housing mosaic — that of land and the constant conflict over its use, type of use, and nonuse. Ballard’s paper, while referring in some cases to Missouri, has implications for the entire nation and its states. In a style reminiscent of Mark Twain he brings us face to face with the reality of power and its frequently “negative” results before he leads us to a cautious “optimism” founded on the conceptual pillars of “information” and “insulation.” The article is important to us as housing educators because it deals with power which must be faced, before practical considerations can be applied to land and housing and raising a family; and on occasion housing ...
The Application of Nonlinear Mixed Effect Model Population Pharmacokinetics of Carbamazepine in the Treatment of Epilepsy in Children

Objective Learn the population pharmacokinetics of epilepsia with CBZ by NONMEM.Methods 180 children of epilepsia from Jan 2010 to Jun 2011.Using NONMEM to estimate PPK of CBZ and conduct PPK model.Results Age,BW and DKG are influences of clearance.The model is reliable and stable through Bootstrap.Conclusion The PPK model of CBZ is successfully conducted with NONMEM.Combined with Age,BW and DKG can estimate PPK and optimize individual pharmacy.
The Resurgence of Aeolian Geomorphology

The past decade has witnessed a major resurgence of interest in aeolian geomorphology. The first thirty years following publication of The Physics of Blown Sand and Desert Dunes by R. A. Bagnold in 1941 produced few significant works in aeolian geomorphology. More recently, however, the number of papers, edited volumes and conference proceedings has been phenomenal. This ‘renaissance’ in aeolian geomorphology is attributed to a number of interrelated factors including the increased designed number of studies to confirm or refine the theoretical foundations first proposed by Bagnold, the advent of satellite imagery, interest in planetary geomorphology, advances in instrumentation, heightened concern for land degradation and desertification, recognition of ergs (sand seas) as analogs for hydrocarbon sandstone reservoirs, advances in dating methods, interest in coastal dunes and the increased encouragement by university professors in the 1980s for postgraduate studies in aeolian geomorphology.
Correlation between Real-Time Microvascular Abnormalities and Whole Blood Viscosity (WBV) in Type-2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) Patients.

Novel technologies were used to study the microvascular abnormalities in Type-2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients and to correlate these real-time pathological complications with whole blood viscosity (WBV) over a wide range of shear rates (1–1,000s−1). Computer-assisted intravital microscopy (CAIM) was used to non-invasively and objectively quantify the microvascular abnormalities in the conjunctival microcirculation in T2DM patients (n=12; age range = 45 to 68) and healthy non-diabetic control subjects, with the medical history of each subject blinded to the investigators. Fifteen recognizable microvascular abnormalities existed in T2DM patients and not in the control subjects, though not all the abnormalities were found in each patient. A severity index (SI) -- the arithmetic sum of microvascular abnormalities in each patient quantified via CAIM -- was computed to give a score to correlate with medical history, WBV and shear rates. T2DM SI (6.9±1.7) differed significantly (P<0.01) from control SI (0.6±0.7) and correlated significantly with disease severity, but not with the duration of the disease since diagnosis. The results, together with results from a previous study, lend support to the hypothesis that diabetic complications may have occurred in the pre-diabetic period; indicative of the existence of a “time window” before the onset of clinically detectable hyperglycemia. To adequately assess WBV to correlate with T2DM SI, a computer-assisted scanning capillary viscometer, the Rheolog™, was used to generate a viscosity profile for each patient or control subject over a range of shear rates (1 to 1,000s−1) using one 3-ml citrated venous blood sample from each subject. Based on the viscosity profiles generated, WBV of T2DM patients at various shear rates differed significantly from control values. For example, averaged WBV of T2DM patients at a shear rate of 300s−1 (4.01±0.33cp) differed significantly (P<0.02) from averaged WBV of control subjects (3.34±0.05cp). WBV correlated with SI of T2DM patients, disease severity and medical records. This correlation may have unique clinical implications - it can be used to study shear-stress induced pathogenesis on endothelial dysfunction in various vascular diseases and in early detection of T2DM in carriers (e.g. siblings of T2DM patients) before clinical diagnosis of T2DM during the pre-diabetic “time window” of early detection. Follow-up studies on the correlation between real-time microvascular abnormalities (SI), disease severity, WBV and shear rates in Alzheimer’s Disease patients and in early detection of T2DM are in progress.
Abdominal ectopic pregnancy after in vitro fertilization and single embryo transfer: a case report and systematic review.

Ectopic pregnancy is the leading cause of maternal morbidity and mortality during the first trimester and the incidence increases dramatically with assisted-reproductive technology (ART), occurring in approximately 1.5–2.1 % of patients undergoing in-vitro fertilization (IVF). Abdominal ectopic pregnancy is a rare yet clinically significant form of ectopic pregnancy due to potentially high maternal morbidity. While risk factors for ectopic pregnancy after IVF have been studied, very little is known about risk factors specific for abdominal ectopic pregnancy. We present a case of a 30 year-old woman who had an abdominal ectopic pregnancy following IVF and elective single embryo transfer, which was diagnosed and managed by laparoscopy. We performed a systematic literature search to identify case reports of abdominal or heterotopic abdominal ectopic pregnancies after IVF. A total of 28 cases were identified. Patients’ ages ranged from 23 to 38 (Mean 33.2, S.D. = 3.2). Infertility causes included tubal factor (46 %), endometriosis (14 %), male factor (14 %), pelvic adhesive disease (7 %), structural/DES exposure (7 %), and unexplained infertility (14 %). A history of ectopic pregnancy was identified in 39 % of cases. A history of tubal surgery was identified in 50 % of cases, 32 % cases having had bilateral salpingectomy. Transfer of two embryos or more (79 %) and fresh embryo transfer (71 %) were reported in the majority of cases. Heterotopic abdominal pregnancy occurred in 46 % of cases while 54 % were abdominal ectopic pregnancies. Our systematic review has revealed several trends in reported cases of abdominal ectopic pregnancy after IVF including tubal factor infertility, history of tubal ectopic and tubal surgery, higher number of embryos transferred, and fresh embryo transfers. These are consistent with known risk factors for ectopic pregnancy following IVF. Further research focusing on more homogenous population may help in better characterizing this rare IVF complication and its risks.
Broadband quantum cascade laser based multi-heterodyne spectroscopy for chemical detection

Mid-IR is considered a molecular fingerprint region that is particularly suitable for sensitive chemical detection in the atmosphere. In the recent years quantum cascade lasers (QCLs) and interband cascade lasers (ICLs) become semiconductor sources of choice for high resolution spectrometry in the mid-IR. An ideal spectroscopic system should provide simultaneous spectroscopic detection of large molecules with broad ro-vibrational spectra, and small molecules with well-resolved narrow spectral lines. This requires both broadband optical frequency coverage (> 50 cm−1) and high resolution (< 0.01 cm−1), which are difficult to address simultaneously in high sensitivity spectroscopic systems available today. A recent work by several groups on QCL frequency combs [1, 2] shows an excellent potential of these sources broadband high-resolution spectroscopic engines to adress this application domain. In this work a dual-FPQCL multi-heterodyne spectrometer (MHS) [3, 4] that shows promise to address this challenging spectroscopic sensing issue will be presented.
Legal Theory and the Pivotal Role of the Concept of Coercion

This paper addresses an important problem in modem legal philosophy: the problem of identifying the proper role of the concept of coercion in a general theory of the nature of law. The present state of philosophical art on this topic is the legacy of difficulties arising from a naive positivism - generally thought to have over-emphasized the role of coercive power. The resulting reaction in modem jurisprudence against the focus upon coercion reflects a failure to come to grips fully with the underlying methodological issues of descriptive legal theory.
Recreation Managers Beware! Parking Lots Are a Part of Your Responsibility

The bottom line of this case is that parking lots for public recreation facilities can leave the service provider exposed to legal liability for injuries resulting from dangerous conditions.
Delineating the relationship between Point A prescription dose and pelvic lymph node doses in intracavitary high-dose-rate brachytherapy treatment of cervical cancer for use in low- and middle-income countries.

Abstract Purpose To define the relationship between the Point A prescription dose and the dose delivered to various pelvic lymph node groups during high-dose-rate (HDR) brachytherapy treatment of cervical cancer. In less developed countries, brachytherapy is often done without three-dimensional image guidance, instead relying on plain radiography and prescription to Point A. A defined relationship between Point A dose and lymph node doses would help physicians in these health care settings to more accurately estimate nodal doses. Methods AND MATERIALS Treatment data from 50 fractions of HDR brachytherapy of cervical cancer were reviewed, the pelvic lymph nodes were contoured, and dose–volume histogram parameters were obtained. Dose–volume histogram parameters for each contour were normalized as a percentage of the corresponding Point A dose. All nodal groups were divided into left and right sides, except the presacral nodal group. Results AND CONCLUSIONS Mean Point A doses were bilateral (Bil) 5.92 Gy ± 0.58, left (L) 5.93 ± 0.59, and right (R) 5.92 ± 0.59. Mean normalized D90 values for the various lymph node groups were as follows—obturator: Bil 20.3% ± 4.5, L 20.5% ± 4.4, and R 20.2% ± 5.2; external iliac: Bil 9.5% ± 2.9, L 10.0% ± 3.1, and R 9.5% ± 3.0; internal iliac: Bil 12.2% ± 3.5, L 12.1% ± 3.4, and R 12.9% ± 4.7; common iliac: Bil 4.3% ± 1.6, L 4.3% ± 1.6, and R 4.3% ± 1.7; and presacral: 8.7% ± 3.4. These relationships can serve as a useful tool for evaluating lymph node doses during HDR brachytherapy of cervical cancer in facilities performing two-dimensional treatment planning and those with limited resources.
Sharing Audience Data: Strategic Participation in Behavioral Advertising Networks

I consider the incentives of special interest websites to participate in behavioral advertising intermediaries. Participation in the intermediary reveals valuable audience data and allows the intermediary to use those data to target the site’s audience on general interest websites—thus expanding the supply of impressions and decreasing average revenue per impression. I explore monopoly and duopoly settings and highlight the trade-off between sharing audience data and displaying higher-value ads, as well as the strategic interaction between sites serving the same advertising market. The model generates empirical predictions about the choice of intermediary technologies within advertising markets. I also find that higher concentration among special interest websites benefits consumer privacy.
A Puzzle about Belief

In this paper I will present a puzzle about names and belief. A moral or two will be drawn about some other arguments that have occasionally been advanced in this area, but my main thesis is a simple one: that the puzzle is a puzzle. And, as a corollary, that any account of belief must ultimately come to grips with it. Any speculation as to solutions can be deferred.
Statistical Models and Analysis of Microbiome Data from Mice and Humans

After the initiation of the Human Microbiome Project in 2007, numerous statistical and bioinformatic tools for data analysis and computational methods were developed and applied to meet the needs of microbiome studies. One of the popular platforms is to implement the newly developed statistical and bioinformatic methods and models using R packages.
Exploring the Synergy Between Sport Education and In-School Sport Participation

One of the primary goals of physical education is for students to gain the motivation to continue to be physically active outside of curriculum time. The purpose of this study was to use a case study approach to examine elementary students’ responses to Sport Education and how it influenced their choice to participate in the same sports during lunch recess. The Trans-Contextual Model of motivation (TCM) was used as a deductive lens to qualitatively examine this synergy. Findings revealed that Sport Education was effective in satisfying the students’ basic psychological needs in physical education and specifically promoting male students’ participation in the lunch recess context. Sport Education has the potential to promote trans-contextual participation if students’ autonomy support is also facilitated within the extra-curricular sport context.
Squamous cell carcinoma and basal cell carcinoma of the ear canal and temporal bone

Squamous cell carcinoma is the most common malignant tumor of the ear canal, middle ear, and temporal bone. That said, temporal bone cancer is rare, affecting only 1–2 persons/million population/year. Hearing loss, otalgia, and otorrhea are the classic triad of symptoms, but this triad is seen in only 10% of cases. Given its rarity, squamous cell carcinoma of the ear canal is often mistaken for otitis externa or media until biopsy is performed, confirming the diagnosis. Cross-sectional imaging, either CT, MRI, or both, is required to evaluate the extent of disease. The Pittsburgh staging system is used, and it is a reliable predictor of survival. Surgery is the primary treatment for these tumors, especially for early-stage disease. Postoperative radiotherapy is indicated for tumors staged T2 and higher, recurrent lesions, and for patients with positive margins, perineural and bone invasion, and lymph node metastasis. Preoperative chemotherapy and radiotherapy (CRT) has an emerging role for late-stage (T3 and T4) disease.
Crossing Paths: Intercultural Collaborations

There are unusual elements in this essay. It is a coconstructed intercultural narrative about spaces, places, people, and ideas, about their influence on us and our academic journeys, separately an...
Using Redundancy to Speed up Disk Arrays

The rate of performance improvement for disk subsystems has been substantially below that for other parts of computer systems. In particular, access speeds have been increasing at one-fifth the rate of processor speeds and less than one half the rate of raw transfer bandwidth. Arrays of disk drives provide parallel data paths to effectively increase bandwidth. Redundancy is used in such arrays to mitigate the increased failure probabilities. This paper shows that scattering redundant blocks throughout the array can provide better average access time statistics. The redundant blocks require significant disk capacity sacrifices and impose a computational burden. However, if current technology trends continue, these costs will be substantially less than the value of improved access times.
Use of chemical upgrading (CU) in Hungary and Slovakia

In the past decade, the development of polymers and new chemical technologies has opened the way to using low doses of chemicals in wastewater treatment. “Chemical upgrading” (CU) is defined in this paper as an application of these chemical technologies to upgrade overloaded treatment systems (typically consisting of conventional primary plus biological treatment) in Central and Eastern European (CEE) countries. Although some of the chemical treatment technologies are proven ones in North America, Scandinavia, and Germany, a host of factors, for example, the variations in composition and degree of pollution, the type of technologies in use, the type and mix of industrial and domestic sewage, and the amount of surface water, had meant that the viability of using CU in CEE countries was unknown. This report describes the first jar tests of CU conducted during the summer of 1993. The experiments show CU9s ability to improve wastewater treatment plant performance and to potentially assist in the significant problem of overloaded treatment plants. Increased removal of BOD, TSS, and P in the primary stage of treatment is obtained at overflow rates above 1.5 m/h, using reasonably priced, local sources of metal salts in concentrations of 25 to 50 mg/l without polymers.
EFFECTIVENESS OF NOISE BARRIERS ON AN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY: A SUBJECTIVE AND OBJECTIVE EVALUATION

The objective of this study was to determine the actual and perceived effectiveness of noise barriers along interstate highways. Using a 5-mile section of Interstate 71 in the greater Cincinnati area as the study area, traffic noise readings and opinions of residents living along the sections of the highway were recorded. Noise readings were taken before and after the noise barriers were erected. A questionnaire was designed to elicit noise-related annoyance of the residents in the areas adjoining the highway. The results indicated that, in general, noise barriers were effective as indicated by a reduction in noise levels by as much as 11 dBA. The barriers, however, failed to bring noise levels for locations closer to the highway within the levels desired by the government (67 dBA). Most residents living right next to the highway were very satisfied with the installation of noise barriers. In general, these individuals felt that the quality of life improved with the noise barrier installation. The same, however, was not true of residents living a few blocks away from the highway--they felt the noise barriers were a waste of money. There was no significant difference in traffic noise pattern during the weekdays or weekends. Noise readings taken in two different locations were observed to be similar.
Inverse and Optimal Design Problems for Imaging and Diffractive Optical Systems

Historically, the general problem of optimal design in optics has been concerned primarily with traditional imaging optical systems found, for example, in cameras, telescopes, and microscopes. In recent years the area has been broadened both by the need for improved, more efficient nonimaging optical systems, such as illuminators and backlights, and by the infusion of a new technology to fabricate diffractive phase structures. The design problem for nonimaging optical systems offers it own set of special challenges for mathematicians to such a degree that for many years engineers had to rely on empirical and simple analytical approaches. More recently, however, progress has been made in more rigorous mathematical approaches for the nonimaging problem, and these are described by Maes18 in another article in this Proceedings. This paper addresses the need for optimal design of imaging and diffractive optical systems from the engineering viewpoint and the author’s view of fruitful ground for applied mathematicians to explore.
Using BioDepot-workflow-Builder to Create and Execute Reproducible Bioinformatics Workflows

Reproducibility is essential for the verification and advancement of scientific research. It is often necessary, not just to recreate the code, but also the software and hardware environment to reproduce results of computational analyses. Software containers like Docker, that distribute the entire computing environment are rapidly gaining popularity in bioinformatics. Docker not only allows for the reproducible deployment of bioinformatics workflows, but also facilitates mix-and-match of components from different workflows that have complex and possibly conflicting software requirements. However, configuration and deployment of Docker, a command-line tool, can be exceedingly challenging for biomedical researchers with limited training in programming and technical skills. We developed a drag and drop GUI called the Biodepot-Workflow-Builder (Bwb) to allow users to assemble, replicate, modify and execute Docker workflows. Bwb represents individual software modules as widgets which are dragged onto a canvas and connected together to form a graphical representation of an analytical pipeline. These widgets allow the user interface to interact with software containers such that software tools written in other languages are compatible and can be used to build modular bioinformatics workflows. We will present a case study using the Bwb to create and execute a RNA sequencing data workflow.
Mobile Health Technologies for Older Adults with Cardiovascular Disease: Current Evidence and Future Directions

This review documents the most promising domains of mobile health (mHealth) use in cardiovascular disease, current barriers to mHealth adoption in older adults, and future directions of mHealth utilization that may increase engagement in this population. Mobile health technologies are being rapidly adopted as smartphones and wearable biometric devices enable increasingly sophisticated health monitoring. Cardiovascular disease management is particularly conducive to mobile health utilization, as many mobile platforms currently support software capable of sophisticated cardiovascular data collection. While cardiovascular disease most commonly affects older adults, these individuals also have the greatest barriers to mHealth adoption, limiting the potential for current technologies to achieve benefit. Recent studies investigating mHealth interventions for older adults with cardiovascular disease have yielded mixed results. More work is needed to create engaging mHealth platforms that provide the necessary level of support to create sustained behavioral change. Addressing specific motivational, physical, and cognitive barriers to mHealth adoption among older adults may increase utilization of future interventions.
Impact of a multi-component immunization intervention on pneumococcal and herpes zoster vaccinations: A randomized controlled trial of community pharmacies in 2 states.

Abstract Background The purpose of this study was to assess the impact of the We Immunize Program on structures, processes, and outcomes of pneumococcal and herpes zoster pharmacy-based immunization services. Methods Pharmacy-technician pairs from 62 Alabama and California community pharmacies participated in a 6-month randomized controlled trial (intervention = 30/control = 32). All received immunization update training; intervention participants also received practical strategies training and monthly telephonic expert feedback. Completion of immunization service structure and process activities were analyzed using Fisher's Exact and one-way Mann-Whitney U tests. The primary outcome, change in number of pneumococcal, herpes zoster, and total vaccine doses administered, was assessed using one-way Wilcoxon signed rank and Mann-Whitney U tests. Associations between program and vaccine doses across time were explored using generalized estimating equations (GEE). Results Intervention pharmacies completed more structure (median 12.00 versus 9.00, p = 0.200) and process activities (median 8.00 versus 7.00, p = 0.048) compared to control. Statistically significant increases in the median number of pneumococcal vaccine doses (7.50–12.00 doses, p = 0.007), and total vaccine doses (12.50–28.00 doses, p = 0.014) were seen from baseline to post-intervention within the intervention group. However, these changes were not statistically significant when compared to the control group (pneumococcal p = 0.136, total p = 0.202). Changes in median herpes zoster vaccine doses did not reach significance among intervention (8.50–9.00, p = 0.307) or control (9.00–13.00, p = 0.127) pharmacies. Conclusions Practical strategies training combined with tailored expert feedback enhanced existing pneumococcal immunization services in community pharmacies. Clinical trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02615470 .
Quantitative Image Analysis of Traumatic Brain Injury Induced Aspiration Pneumonia Treatment

Infection of the patient is one of the greatest risks inherent to surgical transplants. While great effort is taken to minimize this risk; variables outside of surgeon control can still result in t...
Anthony N. (Tony) Maluccio: A Tribute

ABSTRACTA tribute to one of child welfare’s major contributors -Anthony Maluccio- by one of his long time colleagues, Jim Whittaker.
Root Pruning Red Maple and Washington Hawthorn Liners Does Not Affect Harvested Root Length After Two Years of Field Production

Abstract Root pruning field-grown trees during production can increase harvested root length, but it is a time consuming and expensive practice. Root pruning before lining out instead of during pro...
GeoAI at ACM SIGSPATIAL: progress, challenges, and future directions

Geospatial artificial intelligence (GeoAI) is an interdisciplinary field that has received tremendous attention from both academia and industry in recent years. This article reviews the series of GeoAI workshops held at the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM) International Conference on Advances in Geographic Information Systems (SIGSPATIAL) since 2017. These workshops have provided researchers a forum to present GeoAI advances covering a wide range of topics, such as geospatial image processing, transportation modeling, public health, and digital humanities. We provide a summary of these topics and the research articles presented at the 2017, 2018, and 2019 GeoAI workshops. We conclude with a list of open research directions for this rapidly advancing field.
Absolute and Body Mass Index Normalized Handgrip Strength Percentiles by Gender, Ethnicity, and Hand Dominance in Americans

Background: Gender and ethnicity are factors which influence strength, and hand dominance could be a critical component of handgrip strength (HGS) testing. Providing such HGS percentiles across the lifespan may help to identify weakness-related health concerns. We sought to generate growth charts and curves for HGS by gender and ethnicity in a nationally-representative sample of Americans aged 6–80 years. Methods: Data from 13,617 participants in the 2011–2012 and 2013–2014 waves of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey were analyzed. HGS was measured with a handgrip dynamometer. Age, gender, ethnicity, and hand dominance were self-reported. Body Mass Index (BMI) was calculated from height and body mass. Measures of absolute HGS and HGS normalized to BMI were separately included in parametric quantile regression analyses for determining the 10th–90th percentiles across ages by gender and ethnicity. Similar models were also conducted by hand dominance. Results: Differences in absolute HGS and HGS normalized to BMI quantiles across ages existed for each ethnicity regardless of gender. In men, absolute HGS generally increased until about 25 years of age, began to decline around age 30 years, and regressed into older adulthood. In women, absolute HGS appeared to rise starting at age 6 years, peaked between 20 and 30 years of age, but was maintained into mid-life before declining in older adulthood. Similar results were found for HGS normalized to BMI. Conclusions: Our findings provide percentile charts for HGS capacity that could be utilized for comparing individual measures of HGS to those from a United States population-representative sample.
A bio-degradable synthetic membrane to treat superficial and deep second degree burn wounds in adults and children – 4 year experience

Abstract Introduction A new bio-degradable synthetic membrane was recently introduced to treat second degree burns in adults and pediatric patients. Objective To assess complications and outcomes using this absorbable synthetic membrane to treat second degree burns. Methods 229 burn patients, 138 pediatric, with superficial and deep second -degree wounds, treated with the absorbable synthetic membrane (Suprathel®, Polymedics, Denkendorf, Germany) were included in this study. Patients were treated under anesthesia or moderate sedation. The wound bed was prepared by using either rough debridement or dermabrasion excision. After hemostasis, the membrane was applied to the wound with an outer layer dressing of fatty gauze, bridal veil, absorptive gauze and an ACE® wrap. The outer dressing was removed every one to four days, depending on exudate, in order to closely follow the wound through the translucent membrane and fatty gauze layers. After complete epithelialization, the dressing separated and could be removed. The study focused on the need for subsequent grafting, healing time, patient pain level, hypertrophic scarring and rate of infection. Results All wounds in this study that were treated with Suprathel® healed without grafting. The average TBSA (Total Body Surface Area) was 8.9% (1%-60%). Average time to healing was 13.7 days for ≥ 90% epithelialization with 11.9 days for pediatric patients versus 14.7 days for adults. Throughout the treatment period, the average pain level was 1.9 on a 10-point scale. 27 patients developed hypertrophic scarring in some areas (11.7%). Average Length of stay (LOS) was 6.9 days. The rate of infection was 3.8% (8/229). Failure or progression to full thickness in part of the wounds was 5.2% (12/229). Conclusion In treating second degree burn wounds, this membrane provides a simple, effective solution alternative with good outcomes and less pain than conventional and previously studied treatment options in the same institution. Fewer dressing changes and easier overall management of the wounds contribute to its favorable profile.
Interpretation of the Area Under the ROC Curve for Risk Prediction Models

The area under the curve (AUC) of the receiver operating characteristics curve (ROC) evaluates the separation between patients and nonpatients or discrimination. For risk prediction models these risk distributions can be derived from the population risk distribution so are not independent as in diagnosis. A ROC curve AUC formula based on the underlying population risk distribution clarifies how discrimination is defined mathematically and that generation of the equivalent c-statistic effects a Monte Carlo integration of the formula. For a selection of continuous risk distributions, exact analytic formulas or numerical results for the ROC curve AUC and overlap measure are presented and demonstrate a linear or near-linear dependence on their standard deviation. The ROC curve AUC is also shown to be highly dependent on the mean population risk, a distinction from the independence from disease prevalence for diagnostic tests. The converse of discrimination, overlap, has been quantified by the overlap measure, which appears to provide equivalent information. As achieving wider population risk distributions is the goal of risk prediction modeling for clinical risk stratification, interpreting the ROC curve AUC as a measure of dispersion, rather than discrimination, when comparing risk prediction models may be more relevant.
Corporate-Farming Measures in a Post-Jones World

Corporate-farming laws represent a collective statement about what producers are best for production agriculture. This collective statement and its underlying rationales have been cast aside, or perhaps found wanting, in recent litigation under the Dormant Commerce Clause (DCC) doctrine. This Article explores the continued validity of corporate-farming restrictions after Jones v. Gale, a recent Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals decision striking down Nebraska’s restriction under the DCC doctrine. Elsewhere, I have explained why Jones was a difficult case and why corporate-farming measures may not be discriminatory for purposes of the DCC doctrine. Here, I take Jones at face value, and evaluate the balance of state corporate-farming laws for discrimination. In so doing, I provide a helpful synthesis of corporate-farming measures, which should allow policymakers to see how these laws differ from state to state. This should inform the necessity of amendments, provide some examples of amendments that may satisfy the DCC doctrine in the wake of Jones, and provide guidance to those interpreting and applying existing restrictions.While there are broader overviews of how corporate-farming measures resemble one another, no article as of this writing provides an analysis of the common traits of corporate-farming measures with the DCC doctrine’s concept of discrimination in mind. This is likely because every commentator to consider the question concluded that corporate-farming measures were not discriminatory under the DCC doctrine. Post-Jones, however, discrimination has placed these laws in serious question. In order to understand which laws might be discriminatory, a new look at how corporate-farming laws operate is necessary.This Article also uses Nebraska’s experience after Jones to provide an example of amendments that could bring a state’s corporate-farming measure into compliance with the DCC doctrine. The upside of engaging in these efforts is renewed attention to the various underlying rationales for corporate-farming restrictions. Nebraska’s experience also offers some short-term evidence of the sort of debate ensuing in the wake of Jones.
Output derivative estimation and disturbance attenuation using PI observer with application to a class of nonlinear systems

High-gain observers have been used to estimate derivatives of the output in different applications. These observers have shown great advantages in the design of nonlinear output feedback control of nonlinear systems. However, when disturbances and/or noises are present in the systems, the performance of high-gain observers is degraded. We try to overcome this deficiency by investigating the applicability of proportional integral (PI) observers. A PI observer has successfully been used in LTR design and it has shown the ability of simultaneous estimation of states and disturbances. This paper proposes a new output derivative estimation using a PI observer for certain classes of nonlinear systems. Simulation results demonstrate the robustness of PI observers.
Advertising, Visibility, and Stock Turnover

We further the understanding of cross-sectional differences in trading activity. Specifically, we link a firm’s visibility, as measured by advertising, to its stock turnover. First, we suggest three mechanisms (beyond simple awareness) capable of explaining how the repeated and consistent ads from well-known firms in the marketplace are linked to turnover. Second, using a data base of firms reporting advertising between January 1971 and December 2007, we regress average daily turnover within a year on annual ad spending for the year and find a positive and significant coefficient after controlling for extant determinants of turnover. Third, using a twenty year Super Bowl advertising event study, we again document a positive relationship between advertising and turnover.