cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Sheriff perceptions of juvenile trafficking and juvenile trafficking services

Abstract The trafficking of juveniles has been increasing in the United States; yet, research suggests that policies and services to address juvenile trafficking are lacking. Sheriffs are uniquely positioned to help address the crime of trafficking, so their training and access to services are important. In addition, while the perceptions of those implementing policy is essential for policy integrity, little is known about sheriff perceptions of juvenile trafficking and how these relate to agency policy. Electronic surveys about juvenile trafficking were completed by 81 sheriffs in 9 states. Results indicated that sheriff perceptions of juvenile trafficking were not uniform and the perceptions had complex relationships with screening policies. In addition, relatively few officers had received trafficking training and most reported services for juvenile trafficking victims were inadequate. Implications and future research are discussed.
Diagnostic and Prognostic Role of the Modified Diamond-Forrester Model in Combination With Coronary Calcium Score in Acute Chest Pain Patients.

Background The aim of this study was to evaluate whether pretest probability (PTP) assessment using the Diamond-Forrester Model (DFM) combined with coronary calcium scoring (CCS) can safely rule out obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD) and 30-day major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) in acute chest pain patients. Methods We retrospectively evaluated consecutive patients, age ≥18 years, with no known CAD, negative initial electrocardiogram, and troponin level. All patients had coronary computed tomographic angiography (CCTA) with CCS, and our final cohort consisted of 1988 patients. Obstructive CAD was defined as luminal narrowing of ≥50% in 1 or more vessels by CCTA. Patients were classified according to PTP as low ( 90%). Results The DFM classified 293 (14.7%), 1445 (72.7%), and 250 (12.6%) of patients as low, intermediate, and high risk, respectively, with corresponding 30-day MACE rates of 0.0%, 2.35%, and 14.8%. For patients with intermediate PTP and CCS ≤10, the negative predictive value was 99.2% (95% confidence interval: 98.7-99.8) for 30-day MACE while it was 92.62% (95% confidence interval: 87.9-97.3) for patients with high PTP. Among patients with a high PTP and CCS of zero, the prevalence of 30-day MACE and obstructive CAD remained high (7.07% and 10.1%, respectively). Conclusions In acute chest pain patients without evidence of ischemia on initial electrocardiogram and cardiac troponin, low PTP by DFM or the combination of intermediate PTP and CCS ≤10 had excellent negative predictive values to rule out 30-day MACE. CCS is not sufficient to exclude obstructive CAD and 30-day MACE in patients with high PTP.
Physical discomfort, professional satisfaction, and burnout in vascular surgeons

Abstract Objective Vascular surgeons may experience physical discomfort during open and endovascular procedures. We aimed to understand and quantify the timing, severity, and location of the pain, as well as to identify how pain correlates with other factors. Methods An electronic survey was distributed to 1164 members of the Society for Clinical Vascular Surgery during the summer of 2016. There were 1089 (93.6%) surveys that were successfully delivered and 263 responses received (response rate of 24.2%). The survey was designed to quantify pain before, during, and after surgical procedures using the modified Borg scale. Questions aimed at determining surgeon workload, type of practice, burnout, and professional satisfaction were also included. Results Of the 263 total responses, 184 responders were male (82.1%). Workload data revealed that more than 87% of surgeons operate 3 or more days per week and 4 or more hours per day. Lead garments were worn by 48.4% these surgeons every day, with 91.4% wearing lead at least once per week. Pain was present in 74.7% of surgeons before beginning an operation, in 92.3% during an operation, and in 96.8% at completion. Before, during, and after surgery, 12.2% of vascular surgeons (n = 32) experience at least moderate pain. Years in practice had no effect on these results, and although not reaching statistical significance, there was a trend correlating surgeons who wear lead experiencing more pain immediately after performing an operation (P = .090). Of these surgeons, 31.4% acknowledged seeking medical help, although only 4.4% reported pain to their institutions. Professional satisfaction among vascular surgeons was inversely correlated with pain. Those expressing satisfaction with their profession had less pain before and two days after performing surgery (P ≤ .005). Self-reported burnout among surgeons positively correlated with increased pain. Burned out surgeons reported more pain while performing surgery (P ≤ .001), immediately after performing surgery (P ≤ .001), and persistent pain (P ≤ .001). Conclusions Physical discomfort during the performance of daily duties by vascular surgeons is ubiquitous. Our survey shows a correlation between self-reported workplace burnout and an increased severity of work-related pain. Additional studies are needed to determine the causality of these correlations and what potential interventions can be undertaken to decrease all work-related pain.
A Nonlinear Recursive Model Based Optimal Transmission Scheduling in RF Energy Harvesting Wireless Communications

The transmission scheduling is a critical problem in radio frequency (RF) energy harvesting communications. Existing transmission strategies are mainly based on a conventional model, in which the amount of harvested energy is modeled as predetermined random variables and the data transmission is arranged in a fixed feasible energy tunnel. In this paper, we show through the theoretical analysis and experimental results that due to the nonlinear battery charging characteristics, the harvested energy will largely depend on the transmission strategy. The bounds of feasible energy tunnel become dynamic. To describe a practical ambient energy harvesting process more accurately, a new nonlinear recursive model is proposed by adding a feedback loop that reflects the real-time influence of the data transmission on the energy harvesting process. In addition, to improve communication performance, we redesign the optimal transmission scheduling strategy based on the new model. In order to cope with the challenge of the endless loop in the new model, a recursive algorithm is developed. The simulation results reveal that the new transmission scheduling strategy can balance the efficiency of energy harvest and energy utilization regardless of the length of energy packets, thus improving the throughput performance of RF energy harvesting wireless communications.
Leadership Competencies for Construction Professionals as Identified by Construction Industry Executives

AbstractConstruction and civil engineering professionals are recognizing a growing need for increased professional development, namely, leadership development, within the industry. However, many ac...
31 – ORIGINS OF THE ULTRAMAFIC NODULES FROM SOME KIMBERLITES OF NORTHERN LESOTHO AND THE MONASTERY MINE, SOUTH AFRICA

Temperature-depth estimates for a group of lherzolite nodules from the kimberlites of northern Lesotho and the Monastery Mine, South Africa, suggest that these rocks have come from the depth interval 100–200 km. Lher-zolites coming from depths greater than about 150 km are severely deformed and have porphyroclastic or mosaic textures. The degree of deformation is progressive with depth. Sheared dunites which are believed to be cumulates and a suite of megacrysts of garnet, pyroxene, and ilmenite also appear to have come from depths below 150 km. Lherzolites originating at shallower depths have granular textures. Harzburgites and spinel peridotites also have granular textures and, on this basis, are believed to have originated with the granular lherzolites. The spinel phase in the garnet-free peridotites and harzburgites is commonly chromite rather than aluminous spinel, and thus it is difficult to be sure whether or not there is a garnet peridotite ⇄ spinel peridotite reaction in this mantle section. Evidence provided by the sheared lherzolites, the megacryst suite, and regularities in the occurrence of phlogopite suggest that the top of the low-velocity zone may have been at a depth of 150 km when these kimberlite were erupted.
Optimal Free-Return Trajectories for Moon Missions and Mars Missions

Free-return trajectories for Moon or Mars missions depart from a low Earth orbit (LEO), pass near the Moon or Mars, and then return to LEO; propulsive maneuvers are employed only at the departure from LEO and return to LEO. The assumed physical model is the restricted three-body model for Moon missions and the restricted four-body model for Mars missions. Trajectory optimization is carried out via the sequential gradient-restoration algorithm in mathematical programming format. Moon Missions. In a rotating coordinate system, the return trajectory Moon/Earth is the mirror image of the outgoing trajectory Earth/Moon with respect to the Earth-Moon axis; in an inertial coordinate system, the mirror image property still holds with respect to the Earth-Moon axis at Moon flyby. The return flight time is the same as the outgoing flight time, and the total flight time of the optimal free-return trajectory is considerably smaller than that of the minimum energy trajectory. Should a decision be made at the apex of the free-return trajectory to circularize the motion in the low Moon orbit, the total characteristic velocity of the free-return trajectory would be slightly larger than that of the minimum energy trajectory. To sum up, for Moon missions, the free-return trajectory provides an ideal protection for safe return with the added advantage of a smaller flight time, albeit at the expense of an acceptable increase in total characteristic velocity. Mars Missions. The mirror image property noted for free-return Moon missions does not apply to free-return Mars missions: indeed, the return flight time is more than three times the outgoing flight time, corresponding to the fact that the return angular travel around the Sun (more than 1.5 loops) is more than three times the outgoing angular travel (less than 0.5 loops). There is an interesting interplay between total characteristic velocity and Mars flyby altitude. Should the total characteristic velocity be optimized with respect to the Mars flyby altitude, the resulting altitude would be too high for useful observation of the Mars. On the other hand, as the Mars flyby altitude is lowered, the total characteristic velocity increases and might reach unacceptable values. To sum up, for Mars missions, the free-return trajectory is not as useful as for Moon missions; indeed, compared with the minimum energy trajectory, the free-return trajectory has the twin disadvantage of larger flight time and larger characteristic velocity.
Breast cancer treatment delays by socioeconomic and health care access latent classes in Black and White women.

Background Breast cancer mortality is higher for Black and younger women. This study evaluated 2 possible contributors to disparities-time to treatment and treatment duration-by race and age. Methods Among 2841 participants with stage I-III disease in the Carolina Breast Cancer Study, we identified groups of women with similar patterns of socioeconomic status (SES), access to care, and tumor characteristics using latent class analysis. We then evaluated latent classes in association with treatment delay (initiation >60 days after diagnosis) and treatment duration (in quartiles by treatment modality). Results Thirty-two percent of younger Black women were in the highest quartile of treatment duration (versus 22% of younger White women). Black women experienced a higher frequency of delayed treatment (adjusted relative frequency difference [RFD], 5.5% [95% CI, 3.2%-7.8%]) and prolonged treatment duration (RFD, 8.8% [95% CI, 5.7%-12.0%]). Low SES was significantly associated with treatment delay among White women (RFD, 3.5% [95% CI, 1.1%-5.9%]), but treatment delay was high at all levels of SES in Black women (eg, 11.7% in high SES Black women compared with 10.6% and 6.7% among low and high SES White women, respectively). Neither SES nor access to care classes were significantly associated with delayed initiation among Black women, but both low SES and more barriers were associated with treatment duration across both groups. Conclusions Factors that influence treatment timeliness persist throughout the care continuum, with prolonged treatment duration being a sensitive indicator of differences by race, SES, and care barriers.
Understanding relative metal prices and availability: Combining physical and economic perspectives

Scientists typically use physical indicators, such as average crustal abundance, and energy requirements in production, as measures of the availability of mineral resources. Economists, on the other hand, typically rely on measures such as prices, and extraction costs. This study investigates the role of crustal abundance, energy requirements, and other physical indicators in determining relative metal prices. The relationship between prices, and physical indicators is estimated statistically for a sample of 22 chemical elements over the period 1970–2013 using an economic market model. The results suggest that energy requirements in production explain 43% of observed variation in metal prices, crustal abundance 21%, and other physical indicators (toxicity, native metal status, and melting point) combine to explain 12% of the observed differences in metal prices.
The 6 cm Light Curves of B0957+561, 1979-1994: New Features and Implications for the Time Delay

We report on 15 years of VLA monitoring of the gravitational lens B0957+561 at 6 cm. Since our last report in 1992, there have been 32 additional observations, in which both images have returned to their quiescent flux density levels and the A image has brightened again. We estimate the time delay from the light curves using three different techniques: the chi-squared analysis of Press, Rybicki, & Hewitt (1992a,b), the dispersion analysis of Pelt et al. (1994, 1996), and the locally normalized discrete correlation function of Leh\'ar et al. (1992). Confidence intervals for these time delay estimates are found using Monte Carlo techniques. With the addition of the new observations, it has become obvious that five observations from Spring 1990 are not consistent with the statistical properties of the rest of the light curves, so we analyze the light curves with those points removed, as well as the complete light curves. The three statistical techniques applied to the two versions of the data set result in time delay values in the range 398 to 461 days (or 1.09 to 1.26 years, A leading B), each with ~5% formal uncertainty. The corresponding flux ratios (B/A) are in the range 0.698 to 0.704. Thus, the new features in the light curve show that the time delay is less than 500 days, in contrast with analysis of earlier versions of the radio light curves. The large range in the time delay estimates is primarily due to unfortunate coincidences of observing gaps with flux variations.
Health Disparities and the Future of Environmental Justice Advocacy: Incrementalism, Punctuated Equilibrium, and the Way Forward

The unequal burden of environmental hazards in minority communities has been widely studied in environmental justice (EJ) research, mainly motivated by health disparities among minority populations...
Indigenous cultural values counter the damages of white settler colonialism

Settler colonialism is a violent process that harms all beings. We build upon environmental justice frameworks and argue for Indigenous values affirmation as a strategy for countering the violence ...
Social Media Perceptions of Legacy-Making: A Qualitative Analysis

Background: Individuals with life-limiting illnesses experience psychotherapeutic benefits of transmitting their life's history to loved ones; however, the scope and depth of what warrants preservation and who ought to undertake such activity remains less clear. Furthermore, individuals with conditions that afflict the brain face barriers regarding the timing and structure of such interventions. We analyzed data from an online social media forum to understand perceptions of legacy-making. Methods: This is a qualitative descriptive study of Slashdot, a social media website with a focus on science, technology, and politics. In August 2010, a Slashdot user inquired about a loved one with a life-limiting illness and asked for opinions on how to preserve the individual's memories. We conducted a content analysis of the individual comments related to digital legacy-making to identify common themes. Results: Slashdot users contributed 527 replies to the initial inquiry. Users often included bereaved individuals who offered input on the need to preserve information about a loved one, the modalities in which to preserve, and what type of content to preserve. Three key themes emerged related to legacy-making: (1) capture the individual's essence and avoid the minutia, (2) live for now to avoid prolonged suffering, and (3) recognize the equal benefits to all who memorialize. Conclusions: Users in a social media forum articulated the value of capturing their loved ones' essence for posterity, which many believed would help them to avoid prolonged grief. These findings have implications for the development and timing of personalized psychosocial interventions as well as informing application development of evidence-based digital legacy systems.
SOHO State of the Art Updates and Next Questions: The Past, Present and Future of Venetoclax-Based Therapies in AML

Abstract The use of venetoclax in combination with hypomethylating agents (HMA) has changed the paradigm for the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in elderly patients and those unfit for intensive chemotherapy. A phase 3 study has shown superior response rates and improved overall survival for patients treated with venetoclax + azacitidine compared with the previous standard of care, azacitidine alone. This success has led to multiple exciting follow-up studies, including investigations related to the discovery of predictors of response, relapse, and the mechanism of action of this therapy. While venetoclax + HMA has shown significant benefit in elderly patients unfit for chemotherapy, further questions remain as to how this therapy can be expanded into other populations including relapsed or refractory patients and younger newly diagnosed patients with adverse risk features. In this article, we discuss the clinical outcomes of AML with venetoclax + HMA, established and potential predictors of response to this regimen, its mechanisms of action, and speculate on the future of venetoclax + HMA therapy in AML.
An interprofessional activity involving pharmacy and physician assistant students aimed at reinforcing the patient care process

Abstract Background Pharmacy students should have the opportunity to practice applying the Pharmacists' Patient Care Process (PPCP) in an interprofessional environment. The purpose of this study was to compare the change in students' confidence in their ability to complete the five steps of the PPCP before and after participation in an interprofessional activity involving physician assistant (PA) students. Interprofessional education activity Second-year pharmacy students and second-year PA students completed an activity in teams of six (four pharmacy and two PA students per team) in which they applied the PPCP to a patient case to create a plan of care. Students completed a pre- and a post-survey regarding their confidence in completing the PPCP and their attitudes toward interprofessional collaboration, as well as a program evaluation after completion of the activity. Discussion There were 117 pharmacy and 58 PA students divided into 29 interprofessional teams. Of those, 99 (85%) pharmacy and 52 (90%) PA students completed both surveys. There was a statistically significant increase in confidence to perform the PPCP for all students, with a large effect size. There were no changes in attitudes toward interprofessional collaboration. Overall, the program evaluation reflected the activity was rated highly by students. Implications The interprofessional activity demonstrated a positive effect on students' self-reported confidence in their ability to complete steps of the PPCP. While the interprofessional activity did not affect student attitudes toward interprofessional collaborative practice, the activity was rated highly and most found it to be an important part of their professional development.
MLF2 modulates phase separated nuclear envelope condensates that provoke dual proteotoxicity

DYT1 dystonia is a highly debilitating neurological movement disorder arising from mutation in the AAA+ ATPase TorsinA. The hallmark of Torsin dysfunction is nuclear envelope blebbing resulting from defects in nuclear pore complex biogenesis. Whether blebs actively contribute to disease manifestation is presently unknown. We report that FG-nucleoporins in the bleb lumen undergo phase separation and contribute to DYT1 dystonia by provoking two proteotoxic insults. Short-lived ubiquitinated proteins that are normally rapidly degraded in healthy cells partition into the bleb lumen and become stabilized. Additionally, blebs selectively sequester a chaperone network composed of HSP70s and HSP40s. The composition of this chaperone network is altered by the bleb component MLF2. We further demonstrate that MLF2 is a catalyst of phase separation that suppresses the ectopic accumulation of FG-nucleoporins and modulates the selective properties and size of condensates in vitro. Our studies identify unprecedented, dual mechanisms of proteotoxicity in the context of liquid-liquid phase separation with direct implications for our understanding of disease etiology and treatment.
H.C. Ørsted-medaljen i bronze tildeles lektor Erik Schou Jensen

Selskabets direktion besluttede i forbindelse med Selskabets 180 ars jubilaeum at tildele Erik Schou Jensen H.C.Orsted- edaljen i bronze for hans mangearige kreative formidlingsindsats for naturvidenskab.
A new Bayesian recursive technique for parameter estimation

[1] The performance of any model depends on how well its associated parameters are estimated. In the current application, a localized Bayesian recursive estimation (LOBARE) approach is devised for parameter estimation. The LOBARE methodology is an extension of the Bayesian recursive estimation (BARE) method. It is applied in this paper on two different types of models: an artificial intelligence (AI) model in the form of a support vector machine (SVM) application for forecasting soil moisture and a conceptual rainfall-runoff (CRR) model represented by the Sacramento soil moisture accounting (SAC-SMA) model. Support vector machines, based on statistical learning theory (SLT), represent the modeling task as a quadratic optimization problem and have already been used in various applications in hydrology. They require estimation of three parameters. SAC-SMA is a very well known model that estimates runoff. It has a 13-dimensional parameter space. In the LOBARE approach presented here, Bayesian inference is used in an iterative fashion to estimate the parameter space that will most likely enclose a best parameter set. This is done by narrowing the sampling space through updating the “parent” bounds based on their fitness. These bounds are actually the parameter sets that were selected by BARE runs on subspaces of the initial parameter space. The new approach results in faster convergence toward the optimal parameter set using minimum training/calibration data and fewer sets of parameter values. The efficacy of the localized methodology is also compared with the previously used BARE algorithm.
Landline and Cell Phone Response Measures in Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System

Landline RDD surveys are facing a coverage problem due to increasing cell phone only households in the US. To address this issue, the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) included cell phone samples in 2009. BRFSS landline and cell phone data for 2009 were used to examine the differences between landline and cell phone data in several response measures, which included: response and cooperation rates, percent completed screening question, percent completed interview and percent refusal/break-off the interview. The completion rates and refusal/break-off rates are estimated overall and among those completed screening questions, for the total sample and by state. Cell phone samples were less likely to be answered than landline samples. The dispositions of cell phone calls were more likely to be noted as answering devices/voicemail, no response or refusal/break-offs. Cell phone respondents were also less likely to complete screening questions. However, among respondents who completed screening questions, cell phone respondents were more likely to complete the survey and less likely to refuse or break-off, a pattern which was noted in the majority of states. Also, response and cooperation rates show different pictures in the landline and cell phone samples, where landlines had higher response rate than cell phones, and cell phones had higher cooperation rates than landlines. The results provide valuable information on the importance of pursuing better strategies to overcome barriers to higher completion of screening questions and success at the initial stage of the interview. Such effects could improve the overall response rate and under coverage bias in the landline.
The Role of Information Asymmetry and Financial Reporting Quality in Debt Trading: Evidence from the Secondary Loan Market

I explore which firm and loan characteristics decrease or exacerbate information asymmetry in the trading of private debt. I find that loans of public firms, loans with an available credit rating, loans of profit firms and loans syndicated by more reputable arrangers are traded at lower bid-ask spreads, while revolvers, distressed loans and loans issued by institutional investors are associated with higher information costs. I also find that timely loss recognition reduces the bid-ask spread. This finding suggests that conservative reporting decreases information asymmetry regarding a borrower and increases the efficiency of the secondary trading of debt securities.
Intercontinental Longitude Differences of Tracking Stations as Determined from Radio-Tracking Data ∗

Radio tracking of artificial satellites has provided longitude differences between stations on different continents to 10 m. An accuracy of 1 m in the future is expected.
Barriers to AEM: Contamination and Etching

Contamination and etching are terms used quite negatively by the analytical electron microscopist. The mental “images” evoked are of a loss of resolution, a decrease in signal/noise ratio, destruction of the microstructure, etc. Yet more propitious results may be achieved by using our empirical understanding of the phenomena to manufacture microcircuits, measure foil thickness, or to preferentially etch microstructures. For the most part, however, the effects of rapid contamination buildup or the local loss in specimen mass are viewed as worse than annoying. They are, in fact, significant barriers to continued advances in true microchemical and high-resolution microstructural analyses. This chapter attempts to summarize our understanding of the physical processes contributing to each phenomenon, to illustrate their effects on AEM, to describe some working cures (and even a few applications), and to project some avenues for further improvement.
LIPA rSNPs (rs1412444 and rs2246833), Transcriptional Factor Binding Sites and Disease

Background: The lysosomal acid lipase A ( LIPA ) gene transcribes the lysosomal acid lipase (LAL) which hydrolyzes cholesteryl esters and triglycerides in the cell lysosome thereby generating free cholesterol and fatty acids. Two LIPA single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs, rs1412444 and rs2246833) found to be associated with coronary artery disease (CAD) and myocardial infarction (MI) were analyzed with respect to alterations in transcriptional factor binding sites (TFBS) created by the SNP alleles. Materials & Methods: The JASPAR CORE and ConSite databases were used to identify the TFBS. The Vector NTI Advance 11.5 computer program (Invitrogen, Life Technologies) was used to identify TFBS in the LIPA gene. Results: These regulatory (r) SNPs in intron one (rs2246833) and intron two (rs141244) which are in linkage disequilibrium were found to alter TFBS resulting in potential changes in LIPA regulation. The rs2246833 common LIPA -C allele creates three unique punitive TFBS for the FOXC1, SP2 and ZNF143 transcriptional factors (TFs), while the minor LIPA -T allele creates one unique punitive TFBS for the MZF1 TF. The rs1412444 common LIPA -C allele creates five unique punitive TFBS for the ELF1, ETS1, GABPA, HOXA5 and SPI1 TFs, while the minor LIPA -T allele creates twelve unique punitive TFBS for the FOXA1, FOXL1, FOXO3, HNF1B, MEF2A, NFIC, NFKB1, PAX2, SOX6, SOX9, SRY and THAP1 TFs. Conclusion: The changes created by LIPA rs1412444 and rs2246833 SNP alleles provide alternative TFBS for TFs that would affect LIPA regulation which in turn can be associated with human disease. Between the two LIPA rs141244 alleles there are a total of 43 potential TFBS which suggests that this is prominent binding site for TFs involved with LIPA gene regulation.
Sensitivity to $Z$-prime and nonstandard neutrino interactions from ultralow threshold neutrino-nucleus coherent scattering

We discuss prospects for probing $Z$-prime and nonstandard neutrino interactions using neutrino-nucleus coherent scattering with ultralow energy ($\ensuremath{\sim}10\text{ }\text{ }\mathrm{eV}$) threshold Si and Ge detectors. The analysis is performed in the context of a specific and contemporary reactor-based experimental proposal, developed in cooperation with the Nuclear Science Center at Texas A University, and referencing available technology based upon economical and scalable detector arrays. For expected exposures, we show that sensitivity to the $Z$-prime mass is on the order of several TeV and is complementary to the LHC search with low-mass detectors in the near term. This technology is also shown to provide sensitivity to the neutrino magnetic moment, at a level that surpasses terrestrial limits, and is competitive with more stringent astrophysical bounds. We demonstrate the benefits of combining silicon and germanium detectors for distinguishing between classes of models of new physics and for suppressing correlated systematic uncertainties.
Resonant optical modulators beyond conventional energy- efficiency and modulation frequency limitations

Modulator designs are proposed that can employ arbitrarily high-Q resonators to simultaneously achieve high energy efficiency and distortionless modulation at all (low/high) frequencies by completely decoupling optical cavity dynamics from the modulation frequency response.
Tumoral calcinosis mimicking recurrent osteosarcoma

We report a case of a tumoral calcinosis mimicking the appearance of recurrent osteosarcoma of the left femur and tibia in a 29-year-old woman with a history of osteosarcoma and chronic renal failure. Both processes can appear radiographically and histologically similar. Due to loosening of the orthopedic hardware, our patient underwent surgical revision and biopsy. We review the imaging appearances of both entities as well as the underlying mechanism of tumoral calcinosis secondary to renal disease. We also discuss how PET and CT imaging can aid in differentiation of these processes and possibly prevent surgical biopsy in other cases.
Optimizing Bi-Objective Imperfect Preventive Maintenance Model for Multi-Component System Using a Proposed Improved PSO Algorithm

This study aims to establish a bi-objective imperfect preventive maintenance (BOIPM) model in which the total maintenance cost and the mean system reliability are optimized by determining the maintenance periods and maintenance activities simultaneously. To efficiently solve the established BOIPM model, this study proposes an improved particle swarm optimization (IPSO) algorithm. The IPSO extends the practicability of the conventional PSO originally designed to solve an optimization problem with continuous decision variables. Furthermore, time-varying mechanisms associated with search parameters of the PSO are utilized to enhance the particles search capability. An adjustment mechanism addressing the issue of particles falling into the infeasible area is constructed to enhance the exploring ability of the IPSO. A case verifies the effectiveness of the proposed approach.
Diagramming Design Research

This paper proposes a diagramming method to help conceptualize and structure design research. In addition, it shows how the method is useful in situating the design process into larger interdisciplinary bodies of knowledge. The paper begins by defining design and research with consideration of the difference between research and fact-finding. It then outlines common ways human beings come to know the world; these ways of knowing supply material to devise the proper research diagram for any particular topic. The paper then shows how research from the existing literature can be diagrammed, thus supplying students with a new analytical tool. Following this, several examples from student work in diagramming design research are outlined and analyzed. The conclusion considers how the diagramming method serves as a bridge to research nomenclature in other disciplines. Far from taking anything away from the design process, the use of the diagramming tool strengthens design itself as a form of inquiry. In short, the diagramming tool not only integrates design with research, it also promotes a more systematic interdisciplinary understanding of the design process.
AIDS and the eyes

Summary The eye is affected in 50-75% of adult AIDS patients. This rate of ocular involvement is much higher than that in symptom-free HIV-seropositive patients, and seems to increase in incidence with severity of disease. These observations indicate that regular screening of HIV-positive patients is warranted to allow early identification of potential vision and life threatening disease.
Channel pattern and river-floodplain dynamics in forested mountain river systems

Channel pattern effectively stratifies the dynamics of rivers and floodplains in forested mountain river systems of the Pacific Northwest, USA. Straight channels are least dynamic, with relatively slow floodplain turnover and floodplains dominated by old surfaces. Braided channels are most dynamic, with floodplain turnover as low as 25 years and predominantly young floodplain surfaces. Island-braided and meandering channels have intermediate dynamics, with moderately frequent disturbances (erosion of floodplain patches) maintaining a mix of old and young surfaces. Return intervals for the erosion of floodplains increase in the order of braided, island-braided, meandering, and straight (8, 33, 60, and 89 years, respectively). A threshold for the lateral migration of a channel occurs at a bankfull width of 15–20 m. The most likely mechanism underlying this threshold is that larger channels are deep enough to erode below the rooting zone of bank vegetation. Above this threshold, channels not confined between valley walls exhibit channel patterns distinguishable by slope and discharge, and slope–discharge domains can be used to predict channel patterns. Meandering and braided patterns are most consistently identified by the model, and prediction errors are largely associated with indistinct transitions among channel patterns that are adjacent in plots of slope against discharge. Locations of straight channels are difficult to identify accurately with the current model. The predicted spatial distribution of channel patterns reflects a downstream decline in channel slope, which is likely correlated with a declining ratio of bed load to suspended load. Ecological theory suggests that biological diversity should be highest where the intermediate disturbance regime of island-braided channels sustains high diversity of habitat and successional states through time.
Low-frequency modes of molecular crystals. XVI - Oxamide and dithiooxamide

Abstract The infrared spectra of oxamide and dithiooxamide have been reexamined and the low frequency limit extended to 33 cm−1. The Raman spectrum of oxamide has likewise been studied in the low-frequency range. Assignments have been made for two infrared bands and three of the four Raman bands previously unobserved. The Raman spectum of dithiooxamide, a red solid, has been reported for the first time, and assignments have been made for the fundamental vibrations of this molecule. In addition, the external modes of both molecules have been studied. The three predicted intermolecular fundamentals were observed in the Raman spectrum of oxamide. The three translational and five of the six librational modes were observed in the far infrared and Raman spectra, respectively, of dithiooxamide. Ranges for the intermolecular force constants have been calculated.
EVALUATION OF PDE10A INHIBITORS IN MODELS OF THE POSITIVE, NEGATIVE AND COGNITIVE DOMAINS OF SCHIZOPHRENIA AND ADVANCES IN THE UNDERSTANDING OF THE MECHANISM AND BIOLOGY OF THIS APPROACH

The glutamate hypothesis of schizophrenia suggests that NMethyl-D-Aspartic acid (NMDA) receptor function is dysfunctional in schizophrenia and may be responsible for the positive, negative and cognitive symptoms found in the disorder. One approach to modulate glutamate function is via activation of mGlu5 receptors which enhances NMDA receptor function. mGlu5 positive allosteric modulators enhance the potency of glutamate for the orthosteric site in the mGlu5 receptor subtype and are active in animal models of positive and negative symptoms. Moreover these molecules increase the cortical and hippocampal expression of proteins related to synaptic plasticity and reverse cognitive deficits induced by NMDA receptor antagonists. This overall preclinical profile suggests that mGlu5 positive allosteric modulators may be beneficial across all symptom domains in schizophrenia.
Radiology Residents Rounding With the Clinical Teams: A Pilot Study to Improve the Radiologist's Visibility as a Consultant

DESCRIPTION OF THE PROBLEM One would be hard pressed to debate radiology’s important and dynamic role in health care. Although the field of radiology will continue to shine thanks to advances in technology and research, the future of radiologists is less certain. Declining reimbursements, longer hours, and busier shifts are the new norm and are likely here to stay, if not get worse. Although we have all felt the impact of these changes, they pale in comparison with the real problem of commoditization. Commoditization is a sobering reality that has led to new questions. What matters more: the radiologist or the radiology report? Is the radiologist simply a name on a report, without a face or identity? Has the radiology report become equivalent to a complete blood count in the clinician’s eyes? These questions, which may seem flippant, pose real dangers that need to be faced. A major factor that has propelled the commoditization frenzy is simply the lack of communication between radiologists and clinicians [1]. In the PACS era, clinicians more readily interpret their own studies [2]. Meanwhile, radiologists have decreased their education to clinicians on image interpretation, appropriateness, and the effects of radiation [2]. Whether it has been naivete or neglect, radiologists have not ameliorated the issue but continued with their de facto response: generate more relative value units. This pervasive apathetic approach to the problem, and failure to focus on a “service first” mentality, propels commoditization and is often the root cause of losing a hospital contract [3,4]. If radiologists are not ingrained during their training to be helpful consultants, they may learn when it is already too late.
BIOFEEDBACK AND RATIONAL‐EMOTIVE THERAPY IN THE MANAGEMENT OF MIGRAINE HEADACHE

Twenty-four migraine patients were randomly assigned to one of four conditions: (a) self-monitoring of headache activity (waiting list), (b) frontalis EMG biofeedback, (c) digit temperature biofeedback, and (d) digit temperature biofeedback plus Rational-Emotive Therapy (RET). Bidirectional control over the target physiological response was assessed through a reversal design in each session. Following at least a four-week baseline, the three biofeedback groups received 8 to 10, 30-minute sessions of bidirectional biofeedback training, scheduled twice a week. Subjects in the combined digit temperature biofeedback plus RET group received three 40-minute sessions of RET as an addition to the third, fifth, and seventh biofeedback sessions. Records of daily home practice were kept throughout treatment and three-month followup. Subjects on the waiting list monitored headaches for at least five months, corresponding to "baseline", "treatment", and three-month followup. Digit temperature biofeedback alone and in conjunction with RET did not prove to be more effective than the control conditions. All the EMG subjects reduced headache activity to two-thirds or less of the baseline level by the third month of followup. Bidirectional digit temperature performance did not improve with training, was demonstrated in only 33% of the biofeedback sessions, was not maintained over time, and was unrelated to improvement in headache activity. EMG subjects reported biofeedback performance to be an easier task and met the performance criterion on 85% of the sessions. The frequency of home practice contributed over 55% of the variance in retrospective estimates of headache improvement but was not related to changes in daily records of headache activity.
Determination of elastic constants of generally anisotropic inclined lamellar structure using line-focus acoustic microscopy.

A methodology for measuring elastic constants of different phases in materials with lamellar microstructure by line-focus acoustic microscopy is developed. The material microstructure investigated is modeled by generally anisotropic multilayers arbitrarily inclined to the sample surface on which acoustic microscopy measurements are performed. To calculate surface acoustic wave (SAW) propagation in such structures quasi-static effective elastic constants are determined and compared with calculated frequency-dependent constants. As a model material, practically important, Ti–6Al–2Sn–4Zr–2Mo alloy is selected. Time-resolved line-focus acoustic microscopy experiments are performed on a Ti-6242 α/β single colony (Ti–6Al–2Sn–4Zr–2Mo alloy) and on a Ti–6Al α-phase single crystal for which elastic constants of different phases are determined using inversion of measured SAW velocities. To validate the experimental methodology, SAW velocities in an X-cut quartz crystal are measured as a function of sample orientati...
Tenant-based subsidized housing location planning under uncertainty

Abstract Subsidized housing policy in the United States must increasingly account for a greater use of tenant-based housing subsidies in place of traditional high-rise public housing. This paper focuses on design of policies to assist families relocating from high-rise public housing to rent-subsidized market-rate housing that, in principle, offers more flexibility in consumption and mobility. These policies must incorporate uncertainty in the residential choices of families already using tenant-based subsidies. A multi-objective stochastic integer program for relocation planning is formulated where it is shown that the model can be made linear and solved using chance-constrained programming. Preliminary computational results show that this model, while requiring significant amounts of information on housing mobility and housing markets, can be solved in a straightforward way. Model outputs clearly display tradeoffs between competing objectives and provide decisionmakers with more realistic alternatives for policy development.
Anterior Chamber Depth Measurement Using the Slit-Lamp Microscope

I devised a new and simple method to measure the anterior chamber depth that requires only a Haag-Streit 900 slit lamp. Viewing the anterior chamber at 45 degrees and matching the height of the corneal slit beam to the depth of the anterior chamber enables the observer to calculate the anterior chamber depth by multiplying the measured slit height by 1.4 or, more accurately, by use of the table provided. The accuracy over the range of clinically encountered depths of the anterior changer is +/- 0.2 mm relative to standard pachometry.
A Professional Response to Demands for Accountability: Practical Recommendations Regarding Ethical Aspects of Patient Care

Forceful new demands for accountability in medicine are arising from many interested parties. To maintain professional standards, physicians need to establish which demands are desirable and which are not. We adopt a model of stratified accountability that includes three major components: the accountable parties, the subject matter, and the processes for accountability. To begin describing the model, we focus on physicians and health care institutions. We focus on the ethical dimensions of medical practice, both because the difficulty of measuring such behaviors makes this a test case for accountability and because of the importance of ethical standards in maintaining patient trust. We first identify eight widely endorsed content areas for accountability in ethical conduct: medical decision making, confidentiality, fiduciary obligations (including conflicts of interest), responsibilities arising from patient vulnerability, personal standards, equity among patients, cultural representation, and procedures for resolving dilemmas. We then identify the currently most valid and reliable methods for assessing conduct: surveys among all involved parties, testing methods used for accreditation, limited audits, publication of policy, and careful use of report cards. A prototypical survey and report card are illustrated. However, we also note the need for improved accountability assessment methods. We next identify mechanisms for taking responsibility: sharing information, exchanging perspectives, making adjustments, and enforcing standards when necessary. Finally, because this report only begins to describe a small part of the accountability model, we urge explicit identification and development of professional standards for accountability in the many other areas of medicine.
Exact solutions for the transient response of symmetric cross-ply laminates using a higher-order plate theory

Abstract The methods of the orthogonality of principal modes and the state variables technique are used to investigate the dynamic response of symmetric cross-ply laminated composite plates by solving the equation of a higher-order shear deformation plate theory. Exact solutions of simply supported rectangular plates are presented for various loadings. The results obtained using the higher-order theory (HSDT) are compared with those obtained by the Reissner-Mindlin shear deformation plate theory (FSDT) as well as the classical laminate theory (CPT).
EFFECT OF PSEUDOMONAS PSEUDOMALLEI ENDOTOXIN ON RESPONSE TO CHOLINERGIC STIMULI IN THE RABBIT.

SummaryPseudomonas pseudomallei endotoxin induced in rabbits, after a latent period, an increased response of pulmonary cholinergic vasoconstrictor mechanisms to intravenous injection of acetylcholine. This effect was not found either in rats or guinea pigs. An increased response of cholinergic vasodilator mechanisms in the major circulation to AC was not clearly demonstrated. Cardiac rate and rhythm, central venous pressure, portal pressure and resistance in the respiratory passages were not significantly affected by injection of AC either before or after administration of endotoxin. Endotoxin did not alter the response to stimulation of parasympathetic nerves in any of the cholinergic structures investigated. Only low doses of endotoxin and AC were required to produce the observed phenomenon. The possible role of endotoxin in sensitizing cholinergic mechanisms to AC in the pathogenesis of endotoxin shock in rabbits is discussed.