cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Baseline Serum Cholesterol Is Selectively Associated With Motor Speed and Not Rates of Cognitive Decline: The Women's Health and Aging Study II

MIDLIFE hypercholesterolemia is a recognized risk factor for cardiovascular disease, cerebrovascular disease, and mortality. Although this risk relationship has been extended to late life, research indicates that this may not be warranted. For example, several studies have suggested that high cholesterol in midlife (1,2), but not late life (3,4), is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. This conflicting research on mid- versus late life hypercholesterolemia also extends to dementia, such that hypercholesterolemia in midlife (5–7), but not late life (8,9), has been a suggested risk factor for subsequent dementia. In fact, recent research raises the question as to whether high cholesterol in late life might even be protective (10,11). Given the high percentage of elderly persons taking lipid-lowering drugs, additional research into the possible benefits or risk of higher cholesterol in late life is clearly warranted. An extension of this research is to examine cholesterol in relation to cognition in healthy, nondemented individuals. This is important because examining domain-specific declines in cognition, rather than dementia, may be more sensitive and may help to elucidate the effects of cholesterol on brain integrity and function. Thus far, few longitudinal studies have assessed the relationship between cholesterol and cognition in the elderly population. One study reported that high total and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol were associated with poorer cognitive functioning (12), whereas another did not find an association (13). In contrast, two studies reported that high total and non-high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol were associated with better overall cognitive performance (14) and performance in specific cognitive abilities, including attention and word fluency (15). Importantly, some of these studies assessed cognition at follow-up in the absence of baseline values (12,15), so it is difficult to discern the temporality of the cholesterol–cognition relationship. Other studies have been restricted to the assessment of global cognition, or have focused on one or two cognitive abilities (12,14). We sought to build on this literature by examining the association between baseline levels of serum total, HDL, total-to-HDL cholesterol ratio, and change in multiple cognitive domains in the Women's Health and Aging Study II (WHAS II), a population-based study of high-functioning older women. Participants were followed-up six times over 9 years and were administered a neuropsychological test battery at each follow-up, allowing for better assessment of the longitudinal relationship between baseline cholesterol and specific cognitive abilities. We hypothesized a priori that low, not high, baseline cholesterol would be associated with worse performance, particularly on speed of processing measures. Cholesterol is a key component of myelin, which is essential for speeded transmission in neurons, and degrades with age.
Radioprotectant and Radiosensitizer Effects on Sterility of γ-irradiated Bone

Gamma radiation is widely used to sterilize bone allografts but may impair their strength. While radioprotectant use may reduce radiation damage they may compromise sterility by protecting pathogens. We assessed the radioprotective potential of various agents (L-cysteine, N-acetyl-L-cysteine, L-cysteine-ethyl-ester and L-cysteine-methyl-ester) to identify those which do not protect spores of Bacillus subtilis. We hypothesized charge of these agents will affect their ability to radioprotect spores. We also determined ability of these radioprotectants and a radiosensitizer (nitroimidazole-linked phenanthridinium) to selectively sensitize spores to radiation damage by intercalating into the nucleic acid of spores. Spores were treated either directly in solutions of these agents or treated after being embedded and sealed in bone to assess the ability of these agents to diffuse into bone. L-cysteine and L-cysteine-ethyl-ester did not provide radioprotection. Positively charged L-cysteine-methyl-ester protected the spores, whereas positively charged L-cysteine-ethyl-ester did not, indicating charge does not determine the extent of radioprotection. The spores were sensitized to radiation damage when irradiated in nitroimidazole-linked phenanthridinium solution and sensitization disappeared after rinsing, suggesting nitroimidazole-linked phenanthridinium was unable to intercalate into the nucleic acid of the spores. Some cysteine-derived radioprotectants do not shield bacterial spores against gamma radiation and may be suitable for curbing the radiation damage to bone grafts while achieving sterility.
Urgent coronary bypass surgery for failed percutaneous coronary intervention in the stent era: Is backup still necessary?

Abstract Background Current practice guidelines for performance of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in the United States mandate availability of on-site surgical backup. With the decreasing frequency of urgent coronary bypass surgery (UCABG) with newer technologies, it is unclear whether such backup continues to be necessary. Methods A database of 5655 consecutive patients undergoing PCI at a single center between August 1, 1992, and December 31, 1997, was analyzed. Outcomes were determined as well as clinical, lesion, and procedural characteristics of patients during 4 time periods preceding and during use of coronary stenting. Results Frequency of UCABG for failed PCI decreased from 2.2% to 0.6% in the most recent time period ( P Conclusions Although use of UCABG for a failed PCI is currently very low, there are no satisfactory predictors, patients requiring UCABG are frequently clinically unstable, and availability of stenting does not reliably eliminate the need for UCABG or result in a decrease in mortality. This small group of patients continues to require readily available surgical standby. (Am Heart J 2001;142:190-6.)
Typical and atypical MR imaging features of intracranial epidermoid tumors.

We categorized the MR imaging characteristics of intracranial epidermoid tumors.MR images from 23 cases of intracranial epidermoid tumors were reviewed retrospectively. Signal intensities of tumor relative to surrounding structures were noted, as were the internal architecture of the tumors and the presence and degree of hydrocephalus.Seventeen (74%) of 23 cases of intracranial epidermoid tumors were revealed as slightly hyperintense relative to CSF on T1-weighted MR images. Nineteen (95%) of 20 cases were hyperintense relative to CSF on proton density-weighted MR images. Fifteen (65%) of 23 cases were isointense to CSF on T2-weighted MR images, whereas the remaining eight cases (35%) were hyperintense to CSF on T2-weighted MR images. One (4%) of 23 cases showed signal intensity that was isointense to CSF on all pulse sequences. Fifteen (65%) of 23 cases showed heterogeneous signal characteristics on either T1-weighted or proton density-weighted MR images, or both. Eight (35%) of 23 cases showed a rim of ...
Bridging the Early Literacy Gulf

This study assessed the impact of public library initiated early literacy training for in-home childcare workers. The results of this research demonstrate that, in this context, public libraries can play a significant role in bridging the large gap between children‟s difficulty and success in learning to read. The researchers used a pretest-posttest experimental design with childcare workers randomly assigned. The intervention consisted of training treatment group childcare providers in early literacy principles and activities that could foster specific early literacy skills. The training was provided by staff of the Pierce County [WA] Library System. The impact was assessed through two different methods. The providers responded to pre-post surveys about their early literacy knowledge and activities within their childcare. These surveys were examined for any change between the pre and postsurvey responses. The impact on the 86 three and four year olds within the childcares was measured through a pre and post one-on-one assessment using Early Literacy Skills Assessment (ELSA) developed by Highscope. Researchers from the University of Washington Information School trained library staff in data collection methods, provided guidance in proper research procedures, analyzed data, and reported results. The intervention had statistically significant results with demonstrated growth in the children‟s competence related to 3 of the 4 early literacy principles and in the variety of activities related to literacy principles that the providers implemented. This study begins to fill a research gap because despite a decade of emphasis on early literacy virtually no scientific studies relating to libraries‟ impact on early literacy competency exist. Such studies are essential to libraries both in program planning and in securing financial support.
“Where are the Gothic Jewish women? On the non-iconography of the Jewess in the Cantigas de Santa Maria ”

No distinctive symbol, costume, or physiognomy was devised for Jewish women in high medieval art, in sharp contrast to Jewish men, who from the late eleventh century were endowed with increasingly graphic—and virulent—marks of identity. This article attempts to explain this fact by comparing the outward appearance, narrative role, and ideological import of Jewish men and women in the Escorial Cantigas de Santa Maria. It argues that the caricatured male Jew epitomizes crucial aspects of Jewish “testimony” as articulated by high medieval theologians: its rigid obsolescence, its blind literalism, the severity and intractability of its law: qualities that female flesh was considered ill-suited to convey. To recognize the inability of the Jewish woman to embody Jewish ritual, exegesis, and law is not, however, to assert that this figure has nothing to say about Judaism. The other component of the doctrine of “Jewish witness”, which served to justify the continued presence of Jews within Christendom, insisted on protecting Jews who respected Christian primacy, and held out hope that they might ultimately turn to Christ. These are notions effectively embodied in the sign of the Jewish woman, whose face and body encode receptivity to dominance and potential for change. By mapping select aspects of Jewishness onto hyper-gendered images, the illuminations of the Cantigas model the ideal—punishment and conversion—while implicitly acknowledging the imperfect real, the necessary compromises of mundane co-existence, reflecting Alfonso el Sabio’s meticulously modulated Jewish policy*.
Public Response to Hurricane Probability Forecasts

Interviewers presented 400 residents of Pinellas County, Florida, with sets of hypothetical hurricane threats to assess the effect of hurricane probability forecasts and other risk indicators on public response to the threats. Evacuation notices from local officials were more important than other threat variables, and hurricane probabilities did little to modify that effect. Respondents appeared to comprehend and use the probability information reasonably. Evacuation behavior in actual hurricane threats is consistent with the survey findings.
The Influence of Matrix Viscosity and Interfacial Properties on the Dispersion Kinetics of Carbon Black Agglomerates

Abstract The dispersion of carbon black agglomerates suspended in polydimethyl siloxane (PDMS) or polybutadiene (PBD) liquids has been studied. Agglomerates comprised of either a low-structure or a high-structure carbon-black were subjected to simple shear flow. Two characteristic length scales that affect the dispersion process are identified. One length scale (Lp) is a measure of the ease with which fluid can flow through the porous agglomerate structure. The second (δ) is a measure of the depth to which processing fluid has soaked into the agglomerate. Values of Lp were found to be independent of types or viscosity of the polymer but were sensitive to the structure and packing density within agglomerates. The parameter δ, which varies with time of immersion in the processing fluid, was found to be smaller at comparable immersion times for matrix fluids with high viscosity. Shearing experiments showed two kinetic regimes (fast and very slow dispersion). For each type of matrix liquid, there exists a cri...
Tax Relief through Rational Expenditure Control

The problem of tax relief has been responsible for innumerable plans and proposals. Some reformers advocate tax relief, paradoxically, through the development of new taxes, to be imposed on those persons or groups now insufficiently taxed, for the support of governmental services or governmental units formerly financed by other, presumably more burdensome taxes. Others seek relief through more liberal tax exemptions, particularly of homesteads, and by authorizing moratoria on tax payments. Tax rate limitation has its active, and none too scrupulous supporters. Especially in the earlier years of the depression, a popular remedy for heavy tax burdens was the wholesale, horizontal, indiscriminate slashing of public salaries and other expenses. Some state and local officials have evidently been willing to depend heavily upon subsidies and loans advanced by the Federal Government, even when the funds thus supplied had been obtained by financial methods of dubious validity. An ever popular device, also, has been the accumulation of floating debts to meet current expenses and the periodic funding of these floating obligations into long-term bonds, a process which creates temporarily the illusion of lighter taxation. Some of the many tax-relief schemes and plans may have merit, if they were to be applied under proper safeguards; others are worthless, and a few are downright dangerous. Not many persons, as yet, have approached the problem of tax relief in a truly rational way. Still fewer are those who realize that this problem ante-dates the depression, and that it is likely to outlive the depression and the New Deal which is supposed to be curing it. In other words, the factors and causes which have produced the present tax burden are fundamental, and while the unsettled economic conditions of recent years have in some respects intensified the difficulty, these conditions have not produced it nor will the return to a more normal basis of economic activity provide a cure, although it may diminish the apparent pressure through the increase of ability to pay heavy taxes. It is an elementary truth of public finance that the tax bill is the end product of a series of earlier decisions, acts and opera-
Big Data — An evolving concern for forensic investigators

Big Data is a term associated with large datasets that come into existence with the volume, velocity and variety of data. An ever increasing human dependence on computers and automated systems has caused data to increase massively. The substantial collection of data is not only helpful for researchers but equally valuable to investigators who intend to carry out forensic analysis of data associated with the criminal cases. The conventional methodologies of performing forensic analysis have changed with the emergence of big data because big data forensic requires more sophisticated tools along with the deployment of efficient frameworks. Up till now several techniques have been devised to help the forensic analysis of small datasets but none of the techniques have been studied by coupling them with big data. Hence in this paper different techniques have been studied by closely analyzing their feasibility in the extraction and the forensic analysis of evidence from large amounts of data. In this paper we discuss various sources of data and how techniques such as the MapReduce framework and phylogenetic trees can help a forensic investigator to visualize large data sets to conduct a forensic analysis. Since audio and video are an attractive source of forensic data therefore this paper also discusses the latest techniques that assist in the extraction of useful sound signals from noise infested audio signals. Similar techniques for forensic analysis of the images have also been presented. Based upon interviews conducted with the forensic professionals, the factors affecting big data forensic techniques along with their severity have been identified so that a scenario specific approach can also be adopted based upon the available investigative resources.
Fuel consumption impacts of auto roof racks

Abstract The after-market roof rack is one of the most common components attached to a vehicle for carrying over-sized items, such as bicycles and skis. It is important to understand these racks’ fuel consumption impacts on both individual vehicles and the national fleet because they are widely used. We estimate the national fuel consumption impacts of roof racks using a bottom-up approach. Our model incorporates real-world data and vehicle stock information to enable assessing fuel consumption impacts for several categories of vehicles, rack configurations, and usage conditions. In addition, the model draws on two new data-gathering techniques, on-line forums and crowd-sourcing. The results show that nationwide, roof racks are responsible for 0.8‰ of light duty vehicle fuel consumption in 2015, corresponding to 100 million gallons of gasoline per year. Sensitivity analyses show that results are most sensitive to the fraction of vehicles with installed roof racks but carrying no equipment. The aerodynamic efficiency of typical roof racks can be greatly improved and reduce individual vehicle fuel consumption; however, government policies to minimize extensive driving with empty racks—if successful—could save more fuel nationally.
Neuronostatin acts via GPR107 to increase cAMP-independent PKA phosphorylation and proglucagon mRNA accumulation in pancreatic α-cells

Neuronostatin (NST) is a recently described peptide that is produced from the somatostatin preprohormone in pancreatic δ-cells. NST has been shown to increase glucagon secretion from primary rat pancreatic islets in low-glucose conditions. Here, we demonstrate that NST increases proglucagon message in α-cells and identify a potential mechanism for NST's cellular activities, including the phosphorylation of PKA following activation of the G protein-coupled receptor, GPR107. GPR107 is abundantly expressed in the pancreas, particularly, in rodent and human α-cells. Compromise of GPR107 in pancreatic α-cells results in failure of NST to increase PKA phosphorylation and proglucagon mRNA levels. We also demonstrate colocalization of GPR107 and NST on both mouse and human pancreatic α-cells. Taken together with our group's observation that NST infusion in conscious rats impairs glucose clearance in response to a glucose challenge and that plasma levels of the peptide are elevated in the fasted compared with the fed or fasted-refed state, these studies support the hypothesis that endogenous NST regulates islet cell function by interacting with GPR107 and initiating signaling in glucagon-producing α-cells.
Inherited Disorders of Glycoprotein Synthesis: Cell Biological Insights:

Disorders of glycoprotein synthesis have been described only recently, and few have been studied extensively at both the clinical and biochemical level. The identification and characterization of these rare diseases are important, not only for the patients and their families, but because they offer enormous insight into biological processes. For example, the targeting of acid hydrolases to lysosomes by mannose-6-phosphate was discovered as a direct result of the elucidation of the defect in I-cell disease. The notion of carbohydrates as targeting agents continues to have ramifications today, with the success of macrophage-targeted enzyme replacement therapy for Gaucher disease. Likewise, confirmation of the in vivo role of fucose-containing glycans and selectins in neutrophil function came from studies using specimens from patients with leucocyte adhesion deficiency type II due to reduced availability of GDP-fucose. Identification of the in vivo ligands of selectins also has implications for anti-inflammatory therapies. Macular corneal dystrophy and spondyloepiphyseal dysplasia tarda offer an opportunity to investigate the number of different sulfotransferases in cells, their substrates, and their tissue expression. The Ehlers-Danlos progeroid variant offers insight into the function and regulation of the proteoglycan decorin, and suggests that several of the enzymes involved in proteoglycan synthesis may function as a multienzyme complex. The common occurrence of hypergonadotropic hypogonadism in patients with galactosemia or carbohydrate-deficient glycoprotein protein syndrome, due to defective N-linked glycosylation, suggests that ovarian function is particularly dependent on proper glycan-synthesis. A host of other concepts await discovery as a fuller contingent of human disorders of glycan synthesis achieves recognition.
Exploiting the nanoparticle plasmon effect: observing drug delivery dynamics in single cells via Raman/fluorescence imaging spectroscopy.

Drug delivery systems (DDSs) offer efficient and localized drug transportation as well as reduce associated side effects. In order to better understand DDSs, precise observation of drug release and delivery is required. Here, we present a strategy, plasmonic-tunable Raman/fluorescence imaging spectroscopy, to track the release and delivery of an anticancer drug (doxorubicin) from gold nanoparticle carriers in real time at a single living cell level. A pH-responsive drug release profile was attained through the conjugation of doxorubicin (DOX) to the nanoparticle surface via a pH-sensitive hydrazone linkage. When DOX is bound to the surface of the gold nanoparticle, its surface-enhanced Raman spectrum can be seen, but its fluorescence is quenched. When released, due to the lysosomes’ acidic pH, its Raman enhancement is greatly reduced, changing the acquired Raman spectrum and in turn allowing for the visualization of its fluorescence signal. The plasmonic-tunable Raman/fluorescence properties enabled the t...
EIGENVALUE DISTRIBUTION OF CERTAIN RAY PATTERNS

In this paper, the eigenvalue distribution of complex matrices with certain ray patterns is investigated. Cyclically real ray patterns and ray patterns that are signature similar to real sign patterns are characterized, and their eigenvalue distribution is discussed. Among other results, the following classes of ray patterns are characterized: ray patterns that require eigenvalues along a fixed line in the complex plane, ray patterns that require eigenvalues symmetric about a fixed line, and ray patterns that require eigenvalues to be in a half-plane. Finally, some generalizations and open questions related to eigenvalue distribution are mentioned.
International Issues: Japanese Artists and the Problems with Borders

This chapter focuses on issues raised by the international travel of artists and writers in the early twentieth century. The painter Fujita Tsuguharu and the poet Kaneko Mitsuharu provide the main examples of the issues encountered by Japanese moving from Tokyo to Paris in the 1920s and 1930s. I will show how the ideals of international identities clash with personal interactions in an historical moment that is configured along different assumptions than now, in the twenty-first century. Of particular concern are the trajectories which reveal the ways that international identities were understood to operate in the early twentieth century. A number of questions come into focus: What does it mean to be Japanese, What does it mean to be Japanese abroad, What does it mean to be a transnational world citizen in a time of globalization, and, What does it mean to navigate multiple cultures and nations?
Avoiding common defects in cheddar cheese

Summary Most of the commonly occurring defects in Cheddar cheese are directly attributable to errors of judgment, observation, measurement, and technique. A general outline of the principles of Cheddar cheesemaking has been presented, calling attention, when possible, to the possible presence of these errors. Sufficient, continuing, and effective on-the-job training is suggested as the best means of avoiding the development of defects in Cheddar cheese.
Analysis of the ITER ECH Waveguide Transmission Line Expansion Unit

The ITER Electron Cyclotron Heating (ECH) system consists of transmission lines made up of individual sections of evacuated, aluminum, circularly corrugated waveguides. The high-intensity beam of e...
Framing in the Emergence of Dominant Design

Research on the origins of dominant designs has focused primarily on technical and economic factors (Murmann & Frenken, 2006; Narayanan & Chen, 2012). Building on social movements and cognition wor...
Anionic Cerium Oxide Nanoparticles Protect Plant Photosynthesis from Abiotic Stress by Scavenging Reactive Oxygen Species.

Plant abiotic stress leads to accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and a consequent decrease in photosynthetic performance. We demonstrate that a plant nanobionics approach of localizing negatively charged, sub-11 nm, spherical cerium oxide nanoparticles (nanoceria) inside chloroplasts in vivo augments ROS scavenging and photosynthesis of Arabidopsis thaliana plants under excess light (2000 μmol m–2 s–1, 1.5 h), heat (35 °C, 2.5 h), and dark chilling (4 °C, 5 days). Poly(acrylic acid) nanoceria (PNC) with a hydrodynamic diameter (10.3 nm)—lower than the maximum plant cell wall porosity—and negative ζ-potential (−16.9 mV) exhibit significantly higher colocalization (46%) with chloroplasts in leaf mesophyll cells than aminated nanoceria (ANC) (27%) of similar size (12.6 nm) but positive charge (9.7 mV). Nanoceria are transported into chloroplasts via nonendocytic pathways, influenced by the electrochemical gradient of the plasma membrane potential. PNC with a low Ce3+/Ce4+ ratio (35.0%) reduce leaf...
Prevalence of adult unilateral hearing loss and hearing aid use in the United States.

Objective The prevalence of unilateral hearing loss (UHL) in adults has not been well characterized. The objectives of this study are to determine the prevalence of UHL in U.S. adults and its treatment with hearing aids using a nationally representative study. Study design Cross-sectional national epidemiologic study (n = 6,242). Methods Subjects ≥ 18 years old with audiometric testing in the 2005 to 2006, 2009 to 2010, and 2011 to 2012 cycles of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Study were included. UHL was defined as normal hearing (≤25 decibels hearing level [dB HL] pure tone average [PTA]) in one ear and at least mild hearing loss (>25 dB HL PTA) in the other ear. Hearing aid usage was defined by at least 5 hours per week (2005-2006) or at least seldom (2009-2012) use. Sampling weights were utilized to ensure generalizability to the U.S. Results The overall prevalence of UHL in adult Americans was 7.2% (95% confidence interval 6.1%-8.6%), with 5.7% (4.8%-6.7%) having mild and 1.5% (0.1%-2.1%) with moderate-or-worse UHL; nearly one-third of the latter reported trouble hearing. The prevalence of hearing aid usage in those with UHL was 2.0% (0.6%-6.7%). Of those with mild UHL, 1.4% (0.2%-8.0%) used hearing aids. Of those with moderate UHL, 4.2% (0.1%-22%) used hearing aids. Among those with UHL and also at least moderate subjective difficulty hearing, only 11% wore hearing aids. Conclusion UHL is common among U.S. adults. Hearing aid usage is very low, even when there is perceived handicap. Public health education is needed to increase awareness of and auditory rehabilitation for UHL. Level of evidence 2. Laryngoscope, 128:1681-1686, 2018.
Design Considerations for TRON Cache Memories

CPU cache memories are small, high performance associatively accessed memories used to hold currently active portions of the main memory contents. The high ratio of CPU speed to main memory speed makes effective cache design crucial to machine performance.
Marketer requests for positive post-purchase satisfaction evaluations: Consumer depth interview findings

Abstract The somewhat common practice of marketers asking customers for a positive post-purchase satisfaction evaluation has received very little attention in the marketing, retailing, and services literature. This qualitative study investigates consumer responses to requests for positive post-purchase evaluations using real-life experiences from consumers’ actual buying stories. Depth interviews were conducted with 11 consumers who shared 14 buying stories in which each had recently been asked to provide a positive post-purchase evaluation. Interpretation of the buying stories resulted in six themes. Each of the themes is discussed with illustrative excerpts. Finally, the implications of the findings for marketers requesting positive post-purchase evaluations are discussed along with the broader concerns highlighted by the findings relative to consumer distrust of marketers in general.
Evidence-Based Review of Pharmacotherapy for Acute Agitation. Part 1: Onset of Efficacy.

Abstract Background The main goal of antipsychotic medication in the management of acute agitation in the emergency department is to rapidly induce calm without oversedation, enabling patients to participate in their own care. However, there is a paucity of comparative studies, particularly with newer fast-acting second-generation antipsychotic agents. Objective of the Review This structured evidence-based review compared the onset of efficacy of antipsychotic treatments for acute agitation using data from randomized controlled trials identified by a literature search of the PubMed database. Results Based on findings from 28 blinded randomized controlled trials, onset of efficacy was rapid and generally observed at the first time point after intramuscular administration of ziprasidone (15−30 min) or olanzapine (15−30 min), but was more likely to be delayed with intramuscular haloperidol, even when combined with lorazepam (30−60 min), and intramuscular aripiprazole (45−90 min). When administered orally, rapid onset of efficacy was also consistently observed at the first assessment time point with olanzapine (15−120 min), risperidone (30−120 min), and sublingual asenapine (15 min). Significant effects were apparent for inhaled loxapine within 10−20 min. Effects were apparent within approximately 5−10 min with i.v. droperidol. Onset of efficacy was typically more rapid with second-generation antipsychotic agents than benzodiazepines, but data are limited. Conclusions Although the patient populations of trials included in this review do not truly reflect that of the emergency department, the results provide useful information to emergency physicians on the rapid efficacy of certain newer-generation antipsychotic agents for the treatment of acutely agitated patients.
Evaluation of generalized polynomial function specification methods

Abstract The sequential function specification method (SFSM) for solution of the inverse heat conduction problem was introduced by Beck (1968) [1] , and described in more detail [2] in 1985. This method assumes a functional form for the unknown heat flux in order to add more (future) data to regularize the problem and facilitate estimation of the next heat flux component. Two basic forms for the unknown heat flux have been well-explored: a constant function (zeroth order polynomial), and a linear function of time (a first order polynomial). Until now, only these two “traditional” forms have been used and higher order polynomial function approximations have not been considered. A generalized polynomial sequential function specification method (SFSM) is developed and evaluated in this paper. For higher order polynomials, the proper balance of past and future time step information is not obvious; the optimal balance is investigated herein. A generalized algorithm is used to define polynomials of any degree and estimate heat fluxes using SFSM with any number of past and future data. Seven heat flux test cases, including three non-polynomial heat flux variations, are used to evaluate the traditional and new methods, and the “optimal” number of future time steps is chosen for each case. The filter coefficient concept [3] provides additional insights into the new SFSM approaches. Filter coefficients are calculated with the optimal number of future time steps and the results are discussed.
Human Papilloma Virus Vaccination Among Adolescents in a Community Clinic Before and After Intervention

Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted disease with over 14 million infections in 2008. Certain HPV types have been identified in up to 70% of cases of cervical and anal cancers. Despite being safe and effective, HPV vaccination rates remain low. Vaccination and demographic data was collected pre-and post-intervention. Among 13 thru 17-year-old cohort females were significantly more likely to be fully vaccinated. Assessment also found that patients insured by Medicaid were significantly more likely to be fully vaccinated than patients insured privately. Post-intervention vaccination rate is similar to baseline rates. There was non-significant improvement in HPV vaccination coverage after intervention. Male and privately insured patients of Creighton's Pediatric Clinic have lower HPV vaccination coverage than their counterparts. More direct efforts are needed in vaccination process and policy in the clinic to improve immunization against HPV among children and adolescents.
Increasing pre‐acclimation temperature reduces the freezing tolerance of winter‐type faba bean (Vicia faba L.)

Autumn‐sown winter‐type faba bean (Vicia faba L.) has been shown to have a yield advantage over spring sowing. Still, adoption of this overwintered pulse crop remains limited in temperate locations, due to inadequate winter hardiness. This research sought to understand how the prevailing temperature during emergence and seedling development, that is pre‐acclimation, influences freezing tolerance. Seedlings grown under a controlled “warm” 17/12°C (day/night) pre‐acclimation environment were initially less freezing tolerant than those grown under a “cold” 12/5°C temperature treatment. Stem and particularly root tissues were primarily responsible for slower cold acclimation, and there was a genotype specific response of above‐ground tissues to pre‐acclimation treatment. Both above and below‐ground tissues should be tested across a range of pre‐acclimation temperatures when screening faba bean germplasm for freezing tolerance.
Overview of non-volatile memory technology: markets, technologies and trends

Abstract: In the last decade, the impressive growth of the portable systems market has attracted the interest of the semiconductor industry in non-volatile memory (NVM) technologies for both code and mass storage applications. The current NVM mainstream is based on Flash technology and it is expected that NOR and NAND Flash will be the high volume NVM production for several years. There is industrial interest in alternative technologies that exploit new materials and concepts to go beyond Flash technology, to allow better scaling and to enlarge memory performance. We review the current status of charge-storage based Flash memory technology and introduce the most promising alternative memory concepts. Expected trends and future perspectives are also discussed.
On Time-Independent Density-Functional Theories for Excited States

Ground-state density-functional theory (DFT) is now routinely used and generally provides the most powerful and efficient method today for electronic structure calculations [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9]. My purpose here is to briefly review aspects of several excited-state formulations that are closely related to the ground-state time-independent Hohenberg-Kohn theorem. The appealing time-dependent theory forexcited states [10] was described at this conference by Gross.
Future Directions in the Assessment and Treatment of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

The preceding chapters have offered detailed and clear exposes of the nature and various treatment modalities of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). However, several questions relating to the internal cohesiveness of the syndrome, OCD’s relationship to depressive disorder and other anxiety disorders, and the significance of advances in current therapeutics remain. These are fascinating and problematic areas requiring further elucidation, and an attempt will be made here to discuss them as well as to suggest possibilities for future research.
Photon Upconversion in Crystalline Rubrene: Resonant Enhancement by an Interband State

Triplet–triplet exciton annihilation after sensitization of the triplet states by a near-infrared (NIR)-absorbing sensitizer enables rubrene to function as a photon upconversion (UC) material. In t...
Using Protocol Redundancy to Enhance OSPF Network System Survivability

No solutions exist that enhance Open Shortest Path First (OSPF) network system survivability against link state advertisement (LSA) falsification attacks. Although the OSPF LSA falsification vulnerability has been researched previously, there has been no focus on OSPF network system survivability. Previous research consists of oSPF attack analysis, OSPF attack prevention methodologies, and the development of OSPF vulnerability testing tools. This research presents a redundant network system architecture that can utilize failover between the OSPF and Enhanced Interior Gateway Routing Protocol (EIGRP) dynamic routing protocols to maintain host-to-host connectivity in the presence of an OSPF LSA falsification attack.
Work Analysis Roles and Process

Work analysis projects are most often conducted by a group of individuals who essentially serve in two different roles. First, there are the subject-matter experts (SMEs), who are presumed to have expert-level knowledge and skills about the work being analyzed. Then, there are the analysts who work closely with the SMEs, and who have knowledge and skills in the work analysis process. Some organizations undertake work analysis projects with the belief that the analyst should be content-bound. That is, the analyst also serves as an SME. More informed perspectives believe that the analyst should be, in a relative sense, content-free. That is, not having expert levels of knowledge and skills in the work being analyzed. The perspective here is that being content-free provides many more benefits when gathering work analysis information. The chapter also presents a general process for conducting work analysis projects.
Emerging Internet-Based Technologies

The author of this book has identified the seven key emerging Internet-related technologies: Internet of things, smart everything, big data, cloud computing, cybersecurity, software-defined networking, and online education. Together these technologies are transformational and disruptive. This book provides researchers, students, and professionals a comprehensive introduction, applications, benefits, and challenges for each technology. It presents the impact of these cutting-edge technologies on our global economy and its future. The word "technology" refers to "collection of techniques, skills, methods, and processes used in the production of goods or services."
The Ecology of Educational Equity: Implications for Policy.

Policy responses to disparities in education have proven to be largely inadequate in reducing persistent differences in academic outcomes, commonly referred to as the achievement gap. In this artic...
Preliminary findings of thermal safety in children’s outdoor playhouses

Children are less proficient at regulating internal body temperatures, especially during physical activity, increasing the potential for heat-related illnesses during periods of elevated outdoor temperatures. Recent studies suggest that playgrounds and bounce houses create microclimates with potentially dangerous conditions elevating the risk of heat-related illnesses. The present pilot study extends the inquiry to children’s outdoor playhouses to determine if the same capability of creating microclimatic conditions of elevated thermal risk exists. Air temperature (°C) and relative humidity (%) measurements were collected from inside two playhouses and the outside ambient environment over a 6-h period on a clear, warm, summer day. Measurements were used to calculate the National Weather Service (NWS) heat index for both playhouses and the outside environment. Results from a Kruskal-Wallis test demonstrated significant differences (p < 0.001) and post hoc test procedures indicated that playhouse A and playhouse B had significantly higher heat index values than the outside environment. Little is known about the thermal risks created by children’s outdoor play equipment. This study adds to the preliminary work in this field, but continued research is warranted to fully understand the thermal safety of children’s outdoor play equipment.
Technical and Clinical Factors Affecting Success Rate of a Deep Learning Method for Pancreas Segmentation on CT.

Purpose Accurate pancreas segmentation has application in surgical planning, assessment of diabetes, and detection and analysis of pancreatic tumors. Factors that affect pancreas segmentation accuracy have not been previously reported. The purpose of this study is to identify technical and clinical factors that adversely affect the accuracy of pancreas segmentation on CT. Method and Materials In this IRB and HIPAA compliant study, a deep convolutional neural network was used for pancreas segmentation in a publicly available archive of 82 portal-venous phase abdominal CT scans of 53 men and 29 women. The accuracies of the segmentations were evaluated by the Dice similarity coefficient (DSC). The DSC was then correlated with demographic and clinical data (age, gender, height, weight, body mass index), CT technical factors (image pixel size, slice thickness, presence or absence of oral contrast), and CT imaging findings (volume and attenuation of pancreas, visceral abdominal fat, and CT attenuation of the structures within a 5 mm neighborhood of the pancreas). Results The average DSC was 78% ± 8%. Factors that were statistically significantly correlated with DSC included body mass index (r = 0.34, p Conclusion Increased visceral abdominal fat and accumulation of fat within or around the pancreas are major factors associated with more accurate segmentation of the pancreas. Potential applications of our findings include assessment of pancreas segmentation difficulty of a particular scan or dataset and identification of methods that work better for more challenging pancreas segmentations.
Ultrasound Imaging Characterization of Soft Tissue Dynamics of the Seated Human Body.

To characterize the dynamics of internal soft organs and external anatomical structures, this paper presents a system that combines medical ultrasound imaging with an optical tracker and a vertical exciter that imparts whole-body vibrations on seated subjects. The spatial and temporal accuracy of the system was validated using a phantom with calibrated internal structures, resulting in 0.224 mm maximum root mean square (r.m.s.) position error and 13 ms maximum synchronization error between sensors. In addition to the dynamics of the head and sternum, stomach dynamics were characterized by extracting the centroid of the stomach from the ultrasound images. The system was used to characterize the subject-specific body dynamics as well as the intra-subject variabilities caused by excitation pattern (frequency up-sweep, down-sweep, and white noise, 1 to 10 Hz), excitation amplitude (1 and 2 m/s2 r.m.s.), seat compliance (rigid and soft), and stomach filling (empty and 500 mL water). Human subject experiments (n = 3) yielded preliminary results for the frequency response of the head, sternum, and stomach. The method presented here provides the first detailed in vivo characterization of internal and external human body dynamics. Tissue dynamics characterized by the system can inform design of vehicle structures and adaptive control of seat and suspension systems, as well as validate finite element models for predicting passenger comfort in the early stages of vehicle design.
Fog and dense gas disrupt mosquito flight due to increased aerodynamic drag on halteres

Abstract Chemical insecticide foggers have long been used to control mosquito populations and reduce the spread of malaria, West Nile virus, and dengue fever. In this study, we show that simple fogs of water droplets, devoid of chemicals, are effective at obstructing the flight of Anopheles freeborni mosquitoes. Using high-speed video, we film the flight of mosquitoes in denser-than-air fluids such as fogs produced by household humidifiers and heavy gas. In gases with more than twice the density of air, mosquitoes cannot maintain flight stability, but pitch and roll uncontrollably until they fall to the ground. We here show that the increased drag of denser-than-air flight environments is sufficient to render a mosquito׳s gyroscopic sensors and wingbeat controllers, their halteres, ineffective. Anomalous drag forces are estimated with steady and unsteady drag analyses. We glue masses of 10 ng to each haltere, equivalent to 0.0005% the mass of the mosquito. Mosquitoes with such a minor treatment executed flight patterns, similar to mosquitoes in fog, indicating a mosquito׳s haltere are highly tuned to aerodynamic properties of normal air, making them sensitive to contaminants. The failure of mosquito flight in fog reveals potential new methods for mosquito control that do not require insecticide-laced particles.
Elastin and the Lung

Elastin, a rubbery, fibrous connective tissue protein, plays several critical roles in the biomechanics of the lung and its associated vasculature. It is the principal component of the elastic fibre, which is a composite of the amorphous elastic protein and one or more microfibrillar components. Elastic fibres provide resiliency to numerous pulmonary structures including the alveolar wall, the bronchiolar interstitium, the medial layers of arterial and venous elements, lymphatics, and the pleura. The unusual hydrophobic properties of the protein, together with the presence of numerous intermolecular crosslinks, in particular desmosine and isodesmosine, produce a highly insoluble, durable network of polypeptide chains that function as a perfect elastomer in an aqueous environment.
ATP hydrolysis by the SNF2 domain of the ultraspecific maintenance methylase Dnmt5 drives recognition and modification of hemimethylated DNA

C. neoformans Dnmt5 is an ultraspecific maintenance-type CpG methyltransferase (DNMT) that mediates long-term epigenome evolution. It harbors a DNMT domain and SNF2 ATPase domain. We find that the SNF2 domain couples substrate specificity to an ATPase step that is essential for DNA methylation. Such coupling occurs independently of nucleosomes. Hemimethylated DNA preferentially stimulates ATPase activity, and mutating the Dnmt5 ATP binding pocket disproportionately reduces ATPase stimulation by hemimethylated versus unmethylated substrates. Engineered DNA substrates that stabilize a reaction intermediate by mimicking a flipped-out conformation of the target cytosine bypass the SNF2 domain9s requirement for hemimethylation. This result implies that ATP hydrolysis by the SNF2 domain is coupled to base-flipping by the DNMT domain. These findings establish a new role for a SNF2 ATPase domain: controlling substrate recognition and catalysis by an adjoined enzymatic domain. This coupling may contribute to the exquisite specificity of Dnmt5 via mechanisms related to kinetic proofreading.
Religious networks and small businesses in Senegal

Senegalese religious groups historically have relied on their own networks to manage external challenges, such as colonialism, drought, and economic difficulties. Present‐day religious networks often use small businesses to economically support themselves. Drawing on ethnographic research in central Senegal, this article argues that strong religious networks, and practicing Islamic teachings of social welfare, are both the means of creating and the goal of economic stability. Economic gain is a tool with which business owners can support their families and local economies, enabling people to live a religious life within a supportive community.