cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Foucault, Louvois, and the Revocation of the Edict of Nantes

In assaying responsibility for the Revocation of the Edict of Nantes and the crescendo of persecution which preceded it, historians have shown rather noteworthy indecisiveness. It would seem that almost every member of Louis XIV's inner circle and every possible combination of individuals within that select group have been stigmatized at one time or another by some memoirist or historian for his part in the events of 1685. Louvois, Le Tellier, Châteauneuf, Harlay, Seignelay, Fr. La Chaise, Mme. de Maintenon, and others have had their reputations alternately blackened and whitewashed, or restored to a fairly satisfactory shade of gray. The Grand Monarch himself has been portrayed both as the innocent victim of unscrupulous and misleading advisers and as the archfanatic in an entourage of fanatics.
Ontology-based simulation in agricultural systems modeling

A methodology and applications of ontology-based simulation are presented. An environment for building simulations based on the Lyra ontology management system is described which includes web-based visual design tools for constructing models and automatically generating simulation code. The ontology is used for representing all equations and all symbols appearing in these equations that are needed to describe a model. The example applications presented are models of soil, water, and nutrient management in citrus and sugarcane. Results thus far show that the ontology-based approach has advantages for representing the model structure, equations, and symbols, that complex models can be described in this format, and that efficient simulation code can be generated automatically from the ontology definition of the model. Potential applications, not yet fully explored, include ability to automatically connect models and data sources, using the ontology to organize model bases containing many models and model components, and using ontology reasoners to search for models, automatically discover model similarities and differences, and generate model instances from general principles.
Wake dynamics and locomotor function in fishes: interpreting evolutionary patterns in pectoral fin design.

SYNOPSIS. The great anatomical diversification of paired fins within the Actinopterygii (ray-finned fishes) can be understood as a suite of evolutionary transformations in design. At a broad taxonomic scale, two clear trends exist in the morphology of the anteriorly situated pectoral fins. In comparing basal to more derived clades, there are general patterns of (i) reorientation of the pectoral fin base from a nearly horizontal to more vertical inclination, and (ii) migration of the pectoral fin from a ventral to mid-dorsal body position. As yet, the functional significance of these historical trends in pectoral fin design remains largely untested by experiment. In this paper we test the proposal that variation in pectoral fin structure has an important influence on the magnitude and orientation of fluid forces generated during maneuvering locomotion. Using digital particle image velocimetry for quantitative wake visualization, we measure swimming forces in rayfinned fishes exhibiting the plesiomorphic and apomorphic pectoral fin anatomy. Our experiments focus on rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss), a lower teleost with pectoral fins positioned ventrally and with nearly horizontally inclined fin bases, and bluegill sunfish ( Lepomis macrochirus), a relatively derived perciform fish with more vertically oriented pectoral fins positioned mid-dorsally on the body. In support of hypotheses arising from our prior wake studies and previously untested models in the literature, we find that the pectoral fins of sunfish generate significantly higher forces for turning and direct braking forces closer to the center of mass of the body than the pectoral fins of trout. These results provide insight into the hydrodynamic importance of major evolutionary transformations in pectoral fin morphology within the Actinopterygii.
Predictors of Mental Illness Stigma and Attitudes among College Students: Using Vignettes from a Campus Common Reading Program

Research has demonstrated that stigmatizing mentally ill individuals is prevalent and often results in lack of adherence to or avoidance of treatment. The present study sought to examine attitudes of college students regarding mental illness as part of a campus-wide "common readings" program. The book selected was a non-fiction account of a young girl with mental illness and the program was developed to initiate dialogue about young people with mental problems. Faculty from multiple disciplines collaborated on the project. A sample of 309 students completed a web-based survey after reading a vignette about an adolescent girl with mental illness. The vignette description was based on a character in the book selected in the program. The instruments measured attribution of stigma, social distance, and familiarity with people who have mental illness. Results demonstrated that younger students and those who are less familiar with mental illness were more likely to stigmatize and maintain social distance from those who are mentally ill. Awareness of the study findings can assist health professionals and mental health workers to identify interventions that can decrease stigma. Psychiatric mental health nurses are well positioned to lead the education effort aimed at reducing stigmatizing attitudes among the public.
Topological transformation approaches to optimizing TCAM-based packet classification systems

Several range reencoding schemes have been proposed to mitigate the effect of range expansion and the limitations of small capacity, large power consumption, and high heat generation of TCAM-based packet classification systems. However, they all disregard the semantics of classifiers and therefore miss significant opportunities for space compression.In this paper, we propose new approaches to range reencoding by taking into account classifier semantics. Fundamentally different from prior work, we view reencoding as a topological transformation process from one colored hyperrectangle to another where the color is the decision associated with a given packet. We present two orthogonal, yet composable, reencoding approaches, domain compression and prefix alignment. Our techniques significantly outperform all previous reencoding techniques. In comparison with the state-of-the-art results, our experimental results show that our techniques achieve at least 7 times more space reduction in terms of TCAM space for an encoded classifier and at least 3 times more space reduction in terms of TCAM space for a reencoded classifier and its transformers.
The Underlying Link between Fiscal Policy Patterns and International Reserves

This paper extends the model in Aizenman and Marion (2004) to study the underlying link and interaction between fiscal policy patterns and international reserves in developing countries. It shows that because of conditional access to international credit markets, the immediate impact of an adverse shock on an emerging economy is a lower level of international reserves and a procyclical fiscal policy. However, facing the uncertainty of future shocks, the authorities in this economy then have a strong incentive to hoard more precautionary reserves if possible. If the economy successfully accumulates more reserves, it can have a lower tax rate in the second period and its fiscal policy would be more countercyclical. The model's predictions are consistent with new empirical findings.
OPTIMAL LIQUIDITY IN PERSONAL FINANCIAL PLANNING

This paper investigates the question of optimal portfolio liquidity in a personal financial planning framework. The difficulties encountered in answering this question are discussed, liquidity is defined, and a variety of motives for maintaining liquidity are examined in depth. The major thrust of the paper is the development of a theoretical model of liquidity needs, which is then simplified in a stepwise manner through the inclusion of cash substitutes, need interdependence, and other devices. It is concluded that a significantly reduced liquidity needs model is hypothetically possible, permitting the planner to think in terms of substantially smaller client cash balances.
Novel phase-coding method for absolute phase retrieval

This Letter presents a novel absolute phase recovery technique with phase coding. Unlike the conventional gray-coding method, the codeword is embedded into the phase and then used to determine the fringe order for absolute phase retrieval. This technique is robust because it uses phase instead of intensity to determine codewords, and it could achieve a faster measurement speed, since three additional images can represent more than 8(23) unique codewords for phase unwrapping. Experimental results will be presented to verify the performance of the proposed technique.
Foetal-Maternal Blood Respiratory Properties of an Ovoviviparous Snake the Cottonmouth, Agkistrodon Piscivorus

The respiratory properties of maternal, foetal and juvenile whole blood were studied in the ovoviviparous snake, Agkistrodon piscivorus . Haematocrit, haemoglobin concentration, O 2 capacity, Bohr effect and Hill coefficients were not significantly different in foetal and maternal blood and were similar to values previously reported from snakes. A significant difference in foetal-maternal blood P 50 (foetal 19.5, maternal 48.8) was found. Nucleoside triphosphate (NTP) levels were lower in foetal than in maternal and juvenile snakes. The foetal-maternal difference in P 50 and NTP levels disappeared soon after birth (juvenile P 50 45.5). Starch gel electrophoresis revealed no difference in foetal and maternal haemoglobins. We suggest that the foetal-maternal shift in blood oxygen affinity is modulated directly and/or indirectly by NTP levels. Note:
Role of General Medical & Surgical Hospitals in the Economy of Lehigh & Northampton Counties

The General Medical and Surgical Hospitals industry is an important part of the history and economy of Lehigh and Northampton counties in Pennsylvania. The industry creates jobs and compensation for workers and generates tax revenues in the counties.
Personality and Chronicity in Depressive Disorders: Introductory Remarks

Current estimates indicate that 15–20% of depressive conditions pursue a chronic course.1 It was in recognition of such symptomatic chronicity that the DSM-III category of “dysthymic disorder” was created2. This term refers to fluctuating depressive symptoms, either continuous or intermittent, over a period of at least 2 years. It is implied that the “typical” course of major depressive episodes is resolution within a time frame considerably shorter than 2 years. Characterologic disturbances are widely believed to contribute significantly to inadequate recovery from depressive episodes. However, the causative role of such disturbances does not rest on firm evidence. Accordingly, while acknowledging the frequent association between dysthymia and personality disorder, DSM-III guidelines are explicit in recommending that personality disorder be coded on a separate axis (II) orthogonal to the phenomenologic axis (I) on which dysthymic disorder is diagnosed.
Saving Face by Making Meaning: Consumers' Self-Serving Response to Brand Extensions

An ethnographic study of a brand community following the launch of the Porsche Cayenne SUV finds that brand extensions can negatively affect the value of their parent brands. By studying the collective response to brand extensions of existing consumers and by substituting a culturally situated and socialized view of consumers, I expose negative feedback effects which have been previously undervalued in existing branding theories. By tracing the processes by which brand extensions are dialectically negotiated in a brand community, I show that negative brand effects stem from consumers’ self-serving meaning-making activities. The research highlights three discourses in which consumers debate the legitimacy of users of the brand extension, the brand extension itself, and the post-extension parent brand. These discourses shift the locus of the brand's identity meanings within the brand hierarchy rendering the brand extension and the parent brand less attractive as identity markers and reducing brand equity.
Simultaneous Compliance and Registration Estimation for Robotic Surgery

Leveraging techniques pioneered by the SLAM community, we present a new filtering approach called simultaneous compliance and registration estimation or CARE. CARE is like SLAM in that it simultaneously determines the pose of a surgical robot while creating a map, but in this case, the map is a compliance map associated with a preoperative model of an organ as opposed to just positional information like landmark locations. The problem assumes that the robot is forcefully contacting and deforming the environment. This palpation has a dual purpose: 1) it provides the necessary geometric information to align or register the robot to a priori models, and 2) with palpation at varying forces, the stiffness/compliance of the environment can be computed. By allowing the robot to palpate its environment with varying forces, we create a force balanced spring model within a Kalman filter framework to estimate both tissue and robot position. The probabilistic framework allows for information fusion and computational efficiency. The algorithm is experimentally evaluated using a continuum robot interacting with two benchtop flexible structures.
Small Angle Neutron Scattering Studies of Single Phase IPNs

Interpenetrating polymer networks (IPNs) have been synthesized from polymers that form miscible polymer blends. Full, semi-I and semi-II IPNs made from polystyrene-d8 and poly(vinylmethylether) can be made to phase separate by incorporating low levels of crosslinking. However, blends of these polymers have a negative Flory-Huggins interaction parameter, making them highly miscible. This indicates that formation of IPNs favors phase separation relative to blends. IPNs made from polystyrene-d8 and polystyrene-h8 show that increased crosslink density also destabilizes the mixture as shown by small angle neutron scattering. IPNs have also been made by crosslinking end functionalized polydimethylsiloxanes in the presence of nonfunctionalized, deuterated siloxanes. These IPNs are also destabilized by increasing crosslink density, suggesting that the destabilization is due to the network, and not to the particular type of network forming reaction.
Teasing by the Numbers: How Race and Gender Influence Teasing Behaviors

This study examines the influence of target race and target gender on teasing behaviors. A study was conducted to examine the range of teasing topics elicited by participants based on friends/acquaintances that were or were not of the same race and gender. The results suggest that same-race targets elicit a greater amount of teasing topics than different-race targets. In addition, evidence shows that different-gender targets elicit more teasing topics than same-gender targets. The implications for these results and directions for future research are discussed.
Calculation of nonlinear ground response in earthquakes

Abstract A method is presented for calculating the seismic response of a system of horizontal soil layers. The essential element of the method is a rheological model suggested by Iwan which takes account of the nonlinear hysteretic behavior of soils and has considerable flexibility for incorporating laboratory results on the dynamic behavior of soils. Finite rigidity is allowed in the underlying elastic medium, permitting energy to be radiated back into the underlying medium. Three alternate ways of integrating the equations of motion are compared, an implicit technique, an explicit technique, and integration along characteristics. An example is set up for comparing the different methods of integration and for comparing the nonlinear solution with a solution based on the widely used equivalent linear assumption. The example consists of a 200-m section of firm alluvium excited at its base by the N21E component of the Taft accelerogram multiplied by four to produce a peak acceleration of 0.7 g and a peak velocity of 67 cm/sec. The three techniques of integration give very similar results, but integration along characteristics has the advantage of avoiding spurious high-frequency oscillations in the acceleration time history at the surface. For the chosen example, which has a thick soil column and a strong input motion, the equivalent linear solution underestimates the intensity of surface motion for periods between 0.1 and 0.6 sec by factors exceeding two. The discrepancies, however, would probably be less for input motion of lower intensity. At longer periods the equivalent linear solution is in essential agreement with the nonlinear solution. For the same example both solutions show that, compared to a site with rock at the surface, motion at the surface of the soil is amplified for periods longer than 1.5 sec by as much as a factor of two. At shorter periods the amplitude is reduced.
Genetic variation analysis on VP1 gene of coxsackie virus type A24 variant

Objective: To study the VP1 gene variation of Coxsackie virus type A24 variant in genetic level from 2002 to 2008.Methods: 26 strains of CoxA 24v from 2002 to 2008 were collected from GenBank to analyze the difference in nucleotide and amino acid sequence of VP1 gene and compare with the nucleotide and amino acid sequence of Joseph strains.Results: Among the 26 CoxA 24vs,there was 94.3%~100% homology in nucleotide and 97.7%~100% homology in amino acid.Compared to Joseph strains,the homology was 76.4%~77.9% in nucleotide and 90.5%~91.8% in amino acid.Conclusion: VP1 gene of CoxA 24v from 2002 to 2008 had certain variation in nucleotide level and small variation in amino acid level.
New drugs for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis

New pharmacologic treatment options for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are described. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are widely prescribed for RA but are limited by the risk of adverse effects, especially gastrointestinal and renal toxicity. The therapeutic effects of these agents are mediated primarily through inhibition of cyclooxygenase (COX) and prevention of subsequent formation of prostaglandins and related inflammatory mediators. Nonspecific COX inhibition appears to be responsible for much of the toxicity of NSAIDs. Agents have been developed that can selectively inhibit the COX-2 isoform, while sparing COX-1. Celecoxib and other COX-2 inhibitors appear to be no more efficacious than conventional NSAIDs, but offer superior safety. COX-2 inhibitors should be considered for patients who are candidates for NSAID therapy but at risk for GI bleeding. Unlike disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs), these agents do not alter underlying disease progression. Leflunomide is a newer DMARD that reduces pyrimidine synthesis, thus decreasing rheumatoid inflammation. Leflunomide appears to be as effective as methotrexate but, unlike that drug, does not necessitate monitoring for bone marrow toxicity. Etanercept, the first biological agent with FDA-approved labeling for use in RA, has shown efficacy and minimal toxicity, except for injection-site reactions. Other biologicals that have been investigated for use in RA include infliximab and interleukin-1-receptor antagonist. COX-2 inhibitors, leflunomide, and etanercept are promising new drugs available for treating RA. Other agents are under development.
Cimetidine in the treatment of duodenal ulcer:Review and commentary

Abstract The published world literature on the efficacy of cimetidine, a histamine H2-receptor antagonist, in the treatment of duodenal ulcer is reviewed. In eight prospective randomized double blind placebo-controlled studies, cimetidine was administered to 348 duodenal ulcer patients with an incidence of endoscopically verified healing of 71% compared with a healing incidence of 37% in 300 placebo-treated patients. Healing rates were similar in patients receiving cimetidine in doses ranging from 0.8 to 2.0 g per day. It appears that at least 3 to 4 weeks of cimetidine therapy are needed to achieve healing rates of about 70%. In most trials, cimetidine was superior to placebo in achieving symptom relief in patients with duodenal ulcer. The drug has not been shown to result in acid rebound after cessation of therapy. There are no published prospective studies on the question of whether treatment with cimetidine results in increased ulcer recurrence when the drug is discontinued. Cimetidine appears to be an effective drug for the short term treatment of duodenal ulcer. More data are required for an assessment of long term therapy with cimetidine.
The Use of a Crown Ether to Synthesize a Fluorine-18 Labeled Steroid

Previous work in this laboratory has shown that 18F-fluoride can be incorporated into useful radiopharmaceuticals. The reaction of 21-hydroxy-4-pregnene-3, 20-dione-21-methanesulfonate with K18F in the presence of 18-Crown-6 was studied. As the relative molar amount of crown ether was increased up to eight times the amount of precursor steroid, the radiochemical yield of 18F-labeled steroid increased. However, the radiochemical yield fell off with larger amounts of crown ether. Using the optimum conditions, 21-18F-fluoroprogesterone was prepared with a radiochemical yield of 23%. Thus 125 µCi of labeled steroid were obtained when 1.0 mCi of K18F was allowed to react for 2 h. The specific activity of the labeled steroid was calculated to be 20 Ci/mol.
Moisture-Driven Electromigrative Degradation in Microelectronic Packages

Electrochemical migration (ECM) has always been a reliability concern for the microelectronic industry. In a system comprising two oppositely biased electrodes, such as the conductor lines found in microelectronic devices, an electrochemical cell can be formed in the presence of a continuous moisture path. The ECM mechanism involves the dissolution of a metal at the anode (positive electrode) and the transportation of the metal ions or conductive metal complexes formed, along a moisture path to the cathode (negative electrode). At the cathode, these metal ions are reduced and deposited as pure metal, which then grows back toward the anode in the form of dendrites. A short circuit resulting in leakage failure occurs when these metallic dendrites bridge the two electrodes. A host of processes, materials, and usage variables may influence the predisposition to ECM in microelectronic devices. These include any factors that enhance moisture ingression and promote metal dissolution and their transport. This chapter will provide an overview on the aspect of electrochemical migration that is primarily manifested as bridging metallic dendrites, and the factors contributing to this migration phenomenon.
The Role of Age, Family Support, and Negative Cognitions in the Prediction of Depressive Symptoms.

Cognitive diathesis-stress models of depression suggest that children with a cognitive vulnerability are more likely to be depressed when confronted with developmentally salient sources of stress. ...
Escape from X-Inactivation Tumor Suppressor (EXITS) Genes Are Associated with Excess Incidence of Cancer in Men

Abstract There is a striking male predominance in hematologic malignancies, as well as many solid tumors, but this sex bias is not understood. US males carry an age-adjusted increased risk of 20.4% for developing any cancer, and ≥2:1 male predominance for some cancer types. This risk leads to >150,000 excess new cases of cancer in US men annually. We sequenced DNA from blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm (BPDCN), an aggressive leukemia with significant male predominance (>3:1 M:F). The splicing factor ZRSR2, located on chrX, had acquired loss-of-function mutations in ~30% of BPDCNs, strikingly all from males (P 50% of the excess male risk of BPDCN and 20% of the excess male risk of MDS are associated with ZRSR2 mutation. We termed these genes 'EXITS', for E scape from X -I nactivation T umor S uppressors. A previous study in T-ALL identified KDM6A (UTX) as a possible EXITS gene (Van der Meulen, Blood 2015). To query for EXITS genes in an unbiased manner, we designed computational algorithms to test for male predominance of chrX loss-of-function alterations (SNV, InDel, or copy number loss) in >4100 cancers of 21 types from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). We discovered putative EXITS genes that were mutated more often in males than females (P Disclosures Lane: Stemline Therapeutics, Inc.: Research Funding.
Engineering Socially Intelligent Personal Agents via Norms

This thesis develops Arnor, an agent-oriented software engineering (AOSE) method to engineer social intelligence in personal agents. Arnor goes beyond traditional AOSE methods to engineer personal agents by systematically capturing interactions that influence social experience. We empirically evaluate Arnor via a developer study, and a set of simulation experiments. We find that (1) Arnor supports developers in engineering personal agents, and (2) personal agents engineered using Arnor provide a greater social experience than agents engineered using a traditional AOSE method.
Role of the lateral collateral ligament in posteromedial rotatory instability of the elbow.

Background Posteromedial rotatory instability (PMRI) of the elbow consists of an anteromedial coronoid fracture with lateral collateral ligament (LCL) and posterior bundle of the medial collateral ligament (PMCL) tears. We hypothesized that the LCL tear is required for elbow subluxation/joint incongruity and that an elbow affected by an anteromedial subtype 2 coronoid fracture and a PMCL tear exhibits contact pressures different from both an intact elbow and an elbow affected by PMRI. Materials and methods Six cadaveric elbows were tested under gravity varus stress using a custom-made machine designed to simulate muscle loads and to passively flex the elbow from 0° to 90° and measure joint contact pressures. After testing of the intact specimen (INTACT-elbow), an anteromedial subtype 2 coronoid fracture with a PMCL tear (COR+PMCL-elbow) and a PMRI injury (PMRI-elbow), after adding an LCL tear, were tested. The highest values of mean contact pressure were used for the comparison among the 3 groups. Results Neither subluxation nor joint incongruity was observed in the COR+PMCL-elbow. The addition of an LCL detachment consistently caused subluxation and joint incongruity. Mean contact pressures were higher in the COR+PMCL-elbow compared with the INTACT-elbow ( P P Conclusions The LCL lesion in PMRI is necessary for elbow subluxation and causes marked elevations in contact pressures. Even without subluxation, the COR+PMCL-elbow showed higher contact pressures compared with the INTACT-elbow. Treatment of PMRI should be directed toward prevention of joint incongruity, whether by surgical or nonsurgical means, to prevent high articular contact pressures.
Plasmin regulation of acute cytokine storm.

In this issue of Blood , Shimazu et al report that cytokine release and activation is mediated through a previously unrecognized TLR9/plasmin/MMP9 axis. 1
Rich Wives, Poor Mothers: Can a Matriarch Be a Mother?

This chapter examines the portrayal of two upper class and glamorous wives as defective and distant mothers in Luca Guadagnino’s Io sono l’amore (2009) and Paolo Virzi’s Il capitale umano (2013). While both films show varying degrees of sympathy for the female protagonists and try to liberate them from the patriarchal oppression of their role, they still imply the impossibility of conjugating effective and meaningful motherhood with wealth and glamour. Presented as literal or metaphorical foreigners, these women are unable to transition from objects of erotic desire and icons of their husband’s financial and social success to their expected role as the next matriarchs of their families in their respective capitalist enterprises; they are thus stuck between phantasies of escape and surrender to the logics of class preservation.
End-of-Life Care in Nursing Homes: A Qualitative Interpretive Meta-Synthesis

Abstract Background: Due to large number of deaths occurring in nursing home (NH) settings, along with reports of pain and suffering, there is great need for improvements in the provision of end-of-life (EOL) care in NHs. Objective: The aim of this study was to develop a comprehensive understanding of the experience of dying in NHs through the perspective of residents, family, and facility staff. Design: This study uses a qualitative interpretive meta-synthesis to provide a holistic view of EOL care in NHs across multiple qualitative studies. Setting/Subjects: Researchers synthesized the findings of 13 qualitative articles, including the diverse perspective of 91 dying residents, 419 NH staff, and 156 family members/caregivers across at least 44 NHs. Methods: A qualitative meta-synthesis employs the following steps: identification of studies, theme extraction, translation, and synthesis of findings. Results: Thematic analysis is organized using a conceptual model demonstrating the links between environmen...
Are Geriatric Patients Placed in an Emergency Department Observation Unit on a Chest Pain Pathway More Likely Than Non-Geriatric Patients to Re-Present to the Hospital within 30 Days?

Abstract Background Emergency department observation units (EDOUs) are used frequently for low-risk chest pain evaluations. Objective The purpose of this study was to determine whether geriatric compared to non-geriatric patients evaluated in an EDOU for chest pain have differences in unscheduled 30-day re-presentation, length of stay (LOS), and use of stress testing. Methods We conducted an exploratory, retrospective, cohort study at a single academic, urban ED of all adult patients placed in an EDOU chest pain protocol from June 1, 2014 to May 31, 2015. Our primary outcome was any unscheduled return visits within 30 days of discharge from the EDOU. Secondary outcomes included EDOU LOS and stress testing. We used Wilcoxon non-parametric and χ2 tests to compare geriatric to non-geriatric patients. Results There were 959 unique EDOU placements of geriatric (n = 219) and non-geriatric (n = 740) patients. Geriatric compared to non-geriatric patients had: no significant difference in unscheduled 30-day return visits after discharge from the EDOU (15.5% vs. 18.5%; p = 0.31); significantly longer median EDOU LOS (22.1 vs. 20.6 h; p Conclusions In this exploratory retrospective study, geriatric EDOU chest pain patients did not have an increased rate of re-presentation to the hospital within 30 days compared to non-geriatric patients. Geriatric patients had a longer EDOU LOS than non-geriatric patients. Geriatric patients in the EDOU had fewer stress tests, but more of those were nuclear stress tests.
Acculturation, Cultural Values, and Breastfeeding in Overweight or Obese, Low-Income, Hispanic Women at 1 Month Postpartum.

Background:Most Hispanic infants are fed formula during the first 6 weeks, and although 80% of Hispanic women initiate breastfeeding, rates of exclusive breastfeeding are much lower.Research aim:The purpose was to examine the influence of acculturation and cultural values on the breastfeeding practices of pregnant women of Mexican descent participating in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children who were enrolled in a prospective randomized clinical trial that aimed to reduce child obesity. The data were abstracted from a larger randomized clinical trial focused on prevention of child obesity.Methods:The sample consisted of 150 women of Mexican origin who were enrolled at the time of these analyses from the randomized clinical trial and had a prepregnancy body mass index of ≥ 25 and spoke English and/or Spanish. All breastfeeding data for this report came from data collection at 1 month postpartum.Results:A higher score on the Anglo orientation scale of the Acculturation...
A comparative study of urban fragmentation patterns in small and mid-sized cities of Idaho

Urbanization has a massive impact on ecological function and impedes the provisioning of environmental services. The interaction between urbanization and the environment has been researched extensively. However, the existing research focused on the urbanization characteristics of large metropolitan areas. In this paper, we investigate the urban fragmentation patterns of small and mid-sized cities in Idaho, USA. To capture the urban morphology for each site within the study we use both concentric ring and transect analysis as well as several spatial/landscape metrics. Our results show that the characteristics of urbanization in small and mid-sized cities (and those in second-tier regions that attract relatively little scholarly attention) are consistent with growth phase theory of urbanization, urbanization along a gradient, and urbanization patterns of metropolises.
Prevention of Islet Graft Rejection and Recipient Tolerization

Type 1 diabetes is thought to be caused by an immune-mediated destruction of β cells that occurs over years and continues even after presentation with hyperglycemia. Adaptive immune mechanisms are believed to be primary mediators of this process. Immune memory for the initial process that resulted in β-cell failure, the high frequency of alloreactive T cells, and the nonphysiologic environment into which islets have been transplanted all create obstacles for successful reversal of diabetes with islet replacement. In this chapter we review the immune mechanisms that are thought to be responsible for β-cell destruction and discuss the obstacles that stand in the way of the successful achievement of β-cell replacement.
Soil structure and soil organic matter : II. A normalized stability index and the effect of mineralogy

Soil aggregate distribution and stability measurements have been proposed as soil quality indicators. However, pretreatment of soil, antecedent water content and differences in sand size distribution among soils can confound interpretation of these measurements. We propose a normalized stability index (NSI) which (i) compares aggregate distribution after slaking and rewetting to characterize whole soil stability and eliminate confounding effects of pretreatment and antecedent water content, (ii) corrects for the confounding effect of differences in sand size distribution among soils, aggregate size classes and pretreatments, and (iii) normalizes the level of disruption imposed by slaking by using a maximum level of disruption. The NSI was tested on three soils dominated by a 2:1 clay mineralogy and one soil characterized by a mixed (2:1 and 1:1) clay mineralogy. Each site had native vegetation (NV), no-tillage (NT), and conventional tillage (CT) treatments. In soils dominated by 2:1 clays, NSI decreased with increasing cultivation intensity (NV > NT > CT). However, NSI was higher in the soil with mixed clays compared to the other soils and was not different along the cultivation gradient. These observations are hypothesized to be related to the presence of Fe- and Al-oxides and kaolinite. In conclusion, NSI appears to be a good indicator for soil structural quality since it is sensitive to changes in agricultural practices and it minimizes confounding effects. A decrease of SOM levels results in a smaller decrease of soil stability in soils dominated by oxides and 1:1 minerals compared to soils dominated by 2:1 minerals.
Theoretical Approaches to the Vibrational Spectra of Polyatomic Molecules

Computational chemistry can make useful contributions to other branches of chemistry by supplementing infrared and Raman spectroscopy as a source of information about the mechanical flexibility of molecules. A major problem in doing so is the difficulty in getting sufficient accuracy and reliability in theoretical prediction of vibrational force fields, anharmonicity, and spectral frequencies. Two methods for solving this problem are outlined.
Composite Weather Radar Displays

A number of physical and environmental constraints limit the usefulness of conventional weather radar displays, often leading to misinterpreted weather situations. However, the availability of geographically overlapping radars networked together by a common data transmission format, as currently exists in the United States, facilitates the generation of a composite, or mosaic, image that provides a more accurate weather presentation. This paper addresses three major limitations of the conventional weather radar display and describes how integrated returns from multiple weather radars can significantly improve display quality and usefulness. An introduction to the technical aspects of generating a composite display is provided, along with an example to illustrate the composite image concept.
ENDONUCLEASES ASSOCIATED WITH APOPTOSIS

Apoptosis was originally defined by morphological criteria.1,2 One of the earliest morphological events in apoptotic cells is chromatin condensation to the nuclear membrane. This occurs well in advance of loss of membrane integrity. Concurrent with chromatin condensation, the nuclear DNA is usually digested into oligonucleosomal fragments by an endogenous endonuclease. This chromatin condensation together with DNA digestion has been called one of the cardinal elements of apoptosis.3 Furthermore, it has been shown that the chromatin condensation occurs as a consequence of DNA digestion.4 Because DNA digestion occurs while other organelles remain intact, it is presumed that the endonuclease is of non-lysosomal origin. It is commonly believed that the endonuclease is constitutively present in the nucleus, and that it needs activation by some signal transduction pathway originating from the initial stimulus or insult. Confusion in studies of apoptosis arises from a misperception that there should be a single signal transduction pathway to activate the endonuclease. However, apoptosis is a product of many stimuli which act through many pathways culminating in the activation of an endonuclease. Perhaps the only common event in all these pathways is the final activation of the endonuclease, if indeed there is even one single endonuclease responsible for apoptotic DNA digestion. Therefore, an understanding of the events that trigger activation of the endonuclease is essential for elucidating the pathways upstream of the eventual apoptosis. This paper will review the available literature and propose a model for activation of an endonuclease involved in apoptosis.
Private forestland owners in Sweden - Large-scale cooperation in action

Swedish nonindustrial private forestland (NIPF) owners have historically cooperated in associations to obtain market influence and negotiate improved prices with industrial purchasers of wood. This model of cooperation has succeeded for decades and provides insight to the newly emerging cadre of American NIPF owner cooperative groups. Although the Swedish model of cooperation focuses primarily on timber transactions and may not currently be applicable to an American NIPF owner audience with other interests, it is possible to speculate about potential ways this approach may be applied in the United States to achieve broader owner objectives, both through new organizations as well as existing conservation-based groups.
Mobile Virtualization Container Performance Analysis

In the previous chapter we presented a case study on how mobile virtualization affects applications from the user perspective where the results were directly related to the user’s perception of performance, usability and security. In this chapter, through benchmark analysis, the effects of three mobile virtualization technologies are compared to the reference benchmark application written in the Mobile Virtualization Container (MVC) model which executes a several performance functions for a predefined amount of time. The mobile virtualization technologies compared to the MVC model were Divide from Enterproid, Red Bend and Blackberry Balance 10.
Increase in Central Auditory Responsiveness During Continuous Tone Stimulation or Following Hearing Loss

Most models of hearing loss explicitly or implicitly assume that damage to the hair cells reduces the amount and distribution of input to the central auditory mechanisms according to the pattern of damage along the receptor surface. Thus, the basis for reduced psychophysical performance with hearing loss was initially sought in the pattern and distribution of cochlear damage and not in altered central mechanisms. It is now apparent that central anatomic changes follow the peripheral changes produced by acoustic trauma [1,2] or auditory deprivation in the young animal [3,4]. Central physiological differences between the normal-hearing and hearing-impaired animal have also been reported in a variety of preparations [5–9]. The argument is made herein that a contemporary model of hearing impairment not only must include impoverished transduction, but must recognize altered central processing as well.
Genetic engineering and its potential for mercury(II) bioremediation

Mercury has been recognised as one of the most toxic heavy metals and has featured in the most serious outbreaks of metal poisoning among the general population, e.g. Minamata disease [1]. In the aqueous environment, mercuric ion in sediments is subject to methylation by microorganisms and abiotic processes [2], forming more toxic methylmercury [CH3Hg+). Bioaccumulation of methyl mercury through food chains causes potential risk to consumers of fish or shellfish.
Electrophysiologic Properties of Antidysrhythmic Drugs as a Rational Basis for Therapy

The often emergent nature of life-threatening cardiac dysrhythmias, the frequent seeming "resistance" of the abnormal heart rhythm to therapy, and the commonly encountered toxicity of antidysrhythmic agents combine to make treatment of cardiac dysrhythmias one of the strictest challenges to the practicing physician. Although electrophysiologic studies have markedly increased out understanding of dysrhythmogenesis and the actions of anti-dysrhythmic drugs, these numerous investigations have provided but little assistance to the practicing physician either as an intellectual framework or as a guide to patient care. The electrophysiologic classification of the antidysrhythmic drugs presented in this paper should be acceptable both to the electrophysiologist and the clinician since it is based on alterations in basic membrane properties and correlates well with clinical realities. It serves as a guide to initial drug selection, anticipated bioelectric complications, the use of alternative drugs, and combination antidysrhythmic therapy.
The relationship between design reflectivity and conceptions of informed design among high school students

ABSTRACTAlthough reflection is a key behaviour of expert designers, it is often a challenging task for new designers. In addition, research on the reflectivity of student designers is limited. The purpose of this study is twofold: (1) to identify the levels of reflectivity while designing, and (2) to study the relationship between reflectivity and conceptions of informed design. We collected data from high school students engaged in an engineering design project. We developed a coding protocol to score levels of reflectivity in student reflections at three levels (low, medium, and high), and used the conceptions of design test to assess changes in student understanding of design activities. Using Wilcoxon signed-rank tests, we determined if students tended to select more ‘key’ design activities and fewer ‘distractors’ within each reflection group. We also performed McNemar’s tests to determine which specific design activities were important within each reflection group after the design project. The result...
Prototypes for Assistive Innovation

Engineering advances have utilized a variety of physiological models to develop improved assistive devices for people with mobility limitations. Bioengineering models have included upper arm mobility; foot and lower limb stabilizations and supports for gait maintenance and improvement; improved limb replacement prosthetics; spinal supports; muscle stimulation; and improved traditional accessible devices, including motorized, multiple terrain wheelchairs. Models have incorporated human, primate, and equine performance physiologies. Much device development has been designed and tested for exercise and health promotion, although devices usually must be tailored to each person’s unique anatomical, physiological, social, and environmental needs for universal exercise access.
Computing metasurfaces performing mathematical operations (Conference Presentation)

We discuss the use of non-linear effects in metamaterials to break time-reversal symmetry, allowing signal transmission from one direction to another, but not the other way around. Compared to other approaches for breaking reciprocity, non-linear metamaterials have the significant advantage of not relying on any form of external bias, and they can be used for the protection of sources or other sensitive equipment from strong external signals. We also discuss their implications in the context of self-induced topological protection.
Case Studies of Disruptive Space Leaders, Technologies, and Businesses

The term NewSpace, or Space 2.0, has been used to describe a new revolution in space businesses and private sector space actors. These terms generally refer to a completely new paradigm and approach to space activities. It is partly generational, and partly driven by new technological, cultural, and economic realities.
When Experiences Clash: Exploring Acquirer and Target’s Role in M&A Deal Completion

This study takes a learning approach towards mergers and acquisitions and examines the role of individual-level CEO experience on likelihood of deal failure. Differentiating from prior acquisition ...
Abstract 336: Anticoagulation Prescribing Patterns and Rates of Bleeding for People With Cancer and Atrial Fibrillation

Introduction: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a major cause of stroke and increased mortality among people with cancer. People with cancer have a higher risk of developing AF at time of cancer diagnosi...
Webside Manner during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Maintaining Human Connection during Virtual Visits.

Background: As the death rate numbers in the United States related to COVID-19 are in the tens of thousands, clinicians are increasingly tasked with having serious illness conversations. However, in the setting of infection control policies, visitor restrictions, social distancing, and a lack of personal protective equipment, many of these important conversations are occurring by virtual visits. Objective: From our experience with a multisite study exploring the effectiveness of virtual palliative care, we have identified key elements of webside manner that are helpful when conducting serious illness conversations by virtual visit. Results: The key elements and components of webside manner skills are proper set up, acquainting the participant, maintaining conversation rhythm, responding to emotion, and closing the visit. Other considerations that may require conversion to phone visits include persistent technical difficulties, lack of prerequisite technology to conduct virtual visits, patients who are too ill to participate, or who find virtual visits too technically challenging. Conclusions: Similar to bedside manner, possessing nuanced verbal and nonverbal webside manner skills is essential to conducting serious illness conversations during virtual visits.