cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Determination of operational parameters for an Electrocoagulation/Flotation (ECF) batch reactor used in the treatment of wastewater with cadmium ions

An Electrocoagulation/Flotation (ECF) reactor was built to treat wastewater with heavy metals. Cadmium chloride was the source of metallic ions. Solutions were prepared between 10 mg/L and 30 mg/L, pH values of 8.0, 9.5 and 10.5, using lime as the coagulant. The ECF reactor was able to achieve metal removal efficiencies between 90% and 99% for all the applied current levels, after 30 min. Summarised operational parameters for reactor are: applied current of three amperes, treatment time of 30 min, at a pH of 9.5. The studies demonstrated that the technology produces a photosludge that requires proper removal and disposal.
Short-Circuit Testing of Medium Power Transformers by Southern California Edison Company Part I - Test Procedures and Results

Part I of this paper describes the extensive field verification program and results for the prequalification and acceptance by short-circuit through-current testing of 15/20/22.4 MVA, 67/12.47-kV, or 66/17.2-kV, three-phase medium power transformer designs purchased in quantity from many vendors for general use on the 69-kV subtransmission system of Southern California Edison Company. Particular emphasis has been given to applying the proposed IEEE Power Transformer Short-Circuit Test Code procedures and proof of satisfactory performance.
Utilizing Attachment Measures in Child Custody Evaluations: Incremental Validity

The American Psychological Association Guidelines for Child Custody Evaluations in Divorce Proceedings (American Psychological Association, 1994) stresses the need for a multi-method evaluation, reasoning that by considering data from different approaches, we can best ensure the validity of our findings in making custody recommendations. One of the primary issues in custody evaluations is assessing the quality of the child's attachment to each parent and parents’ potential for supporting the child's attachment security. The case study presented in this article demonstrates how research-based standardized assessments of the child's attachment and parents' adult attachment and caregiving adds to the validity of a standardized psychological test battery typically utilized in making custody recommendations.
A Hypothesis of Ion Filtration in a Potable-Water Aquifer System

Chemical analyses of major dissolved constituents in approximately 300 samples of ground water and 60 samples of stream water indicate that the process of ion filtration may control the distribution of some major ionic species in the water of the Saginaw aquifer system. This system, which is in the upper Grand River basin of the central part of the southern peninsula of Michigan, consists of sandstone, shale, coal, and limestone of the Saginaw Formation of Pennsylvanian age and overlying glacially deposited sand and clay of late Wisconsin age. The Saginaw Formation is recharged through the glacially deposited material; however, the concentrations of iron, calcium, sulfate, and chloride are greater in water in the glacial deposits than in water in the underlying Saginaw Formation. It is hypothesized that shale beds in the Saginaw Formation act as ionic filters, allowing water with a lower dissolved-solids concentration to move through the shale to the sandstone aquifer. A concentration of ions greater than input value forms above the shale beds. Gravity provides the energy necessary to filter the water in a process of reverse osmosis. The similarity of this hydro-geologic system to other systems suggests that ion filtration may occur in many potable-water aquifers.
Shared Autocorrelation Property of Sequences

Due to the low peak-to-mean envelope power ratio (PMEPR) of Golay sequences together with their connection to generalized Reed-Muller codes, many authors have proposed using Golay sequences as codewords in orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM). Golay sequences that unexpectedly share the same aperiodic autocorrelation function can be used to construct longer Golay sequences. We study the shared autocorrelation property of general sequences with the ultimate goal of using those results to find other low power sequences. In this paper, we provide several new constructions of families of pairs of sequences with the shared autocorrelation property that enable us to explain nearly all of the binary shared autocorrelation property for sequences of lengths up to 24.
AIMS2. The content and properties of a revised and expanded Arthritis Impact Measurement Scales Health Status Questionnaire.

Objective. The goal of this project was to develop a more comprehensive and sensitive version of the Arthritis Impact Measurement Scales (AIMS). Methods. AIMS scale items were revised, and 3 new scales were added to evaluate arm function, work, and social support. Sections were also added to assess satisfaction with function, attribution of problems to arthritis, and self-designation of priority areas for improvement. The new instrument was designated the AIMS2. A pilot test of format and content and a performance test of reliability and validity were carried out. Results. Questionnaire completion times in a pilot study of 24 subjects averaged 23 minutes, and evaluations were positive regarding the instrument's length and ease of completion, and the subjects' willingness to complete serial forms and return them by mail. Measurement performance was tested in 408 subjects: 299 with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and 109 with osteoarthritis (OA); 45 of these subjects completed a second AIMS2 within 3 weeks. Internal consistency coefficients for the 12 scales were 0.72—0.91 in the RA group and 0.74—0.96 in the OA group. Test-retest reliability was 0.78—0.94. All within-scale factor analyses produced single factors, except for mobility level in OA. Validity analyses in both the RA and the OA groups showed that patient designation of an area as a problem or as a priority for improvement was significantly associated with a poorer AIMS2 scale score in that area. Reliability, factor analysis, and validity results were consistent in age, sex, and education subgroups. Satisfaction was moderately correlated with level of function in the same health status area, and the satisfaction items formed a reliable scale. Responses to the arthritis attribution items showed that most dysfunction in this sample was due to arthritis. Conclusion. The AIMS2 is a revised and expanded health status questionnaire with excellent measurement properties that should be useful in arthritis clinical trials and in outcomes research.
The Assessment of Motor and Process Skills Applied Cross-Culturally to the Japanese

OBJECTIVES: The purposes of this study were to examine the cross-cultural validity of the Assessment of Motor and Process Skills (AMPS) as well as the reliability of raters from different cultures. METHOD: Six trained raters from diverse cultural backgrounds scored 10 Japanese subjects' performances on familiar and culturally relevant tasks of their own choosing. RESULTS: Results indicated high cross-cultural validity and interrater reliability for the AMPS, as indicated by goodness of fit of subjects and raters via the many-faceted Rasch measurement model. The relative rater severity was also evaluated cross-culturally by the standardized difference (z). The Japanese rater and one of the three American raters varied significantly in severity between their scoring of Japanese subjects versus European subjects. CONCLUSION: The results support the hypothesis that the AMPS can be used as a cross cultural instrumental activities of daily living assessment. Further study is needed to clarify the issue of possible cultural bias in rater severity. Language: en
Multicenter and multiparticle integrals for explicitly correlated Cartesian Gaussian-type functions

An analytical derivation of multicenter and multiparticle integrals for explicitly correlated Cartesian Gaussian-type cluster functions is demonstrated. The evaluation method is based on the application of raising operators that transform spherical cluster Gaussian functions into Cartesian Gaussian functions.
Recognizing and Treating Glucocorticoid-Induced Osteoporosis in Patients With Pulmonary Diseases

Glucocorticoids are frequently used to treat patients with pulmonary diseases, but continuous long-term use of glucocorticoids may lead to significant bone loss and an increased risk of fragility fractures. Patients with certain lung diseases, regardless of pharmacotherapy—particularly COPD and cystic fibrosis—and patients waiting for lung transplantation are also at increased risk of osteoporosis. Fragility fractures, especially of the hip, will have substantial effects on the health and well-being of older patients. Vertebral collapse and kyphosis secondary to glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis (GIO) may affect lung function. Identification of patients with osteopenia, osteoporosis, or fragility fractures related to osteoporosis is strongly recommended and should lead to appropriate treatment. Prevention of GIO in patients receiving continuous oral glucocorticoids is also recommended. In patients receiving either high-dose inhaled glucocorticoids or low- to medium-dose inhaled glucocorticoids with frequent courses of oral glucocorticoids, bone mineral density measurements should be performed to screen for osteopenia and osteoporosis. A bisphosphonate (risedronate or alendronate), calcium and vitamin D supplementation, and lifestyle modifications are recommended for the prevention and treatment of GIO.
Oxidation of aliphatic olefins by toluene dioxygenase: enzyme rates and product identification.

Toluene dioxygenase from Pseudomonas putida F1 has been studied extensively with aromatic substrates. The present work examined the toluene dioxygenase-catalyzed oxidation of various halogenated ethenes, propenes, butenes and nonhalogenated cis-2-pentene, an isomeric mix of 2-hexenes, cis-2-heptene, and cis-2-octene as substrates for toluene dioxygenase. Enzyme specific activities were determined for the more water-soluble C2 to C5 compounds and ranged from
Connected to the Organization: A Survey of Communication Technologies in the Modern Organizational Landscape

In today's organizations, traditional and cutting-edge technologies compete for increased usage. This exploratory project provides a snapshot of the communication technology (CT) landscape by examining the use of 25 different CTs and their relations to a variety of common demographic variables. Results suggest that, although newer CTs are in use today, more traditional and established CTs such as e-mail, Internet, telephones, and voicemail still dominate the landscape.
Using climate information for improved health in Africa: relevance, constraints and opportunities

Good health status is one of the primary aspirations of human social development and, as a consequence, health indicators are key components of the human development indices by which we measure progress toward sustainable development. Certain diseases and ill health are associated with particular environmental and climate conditions. The timeframe of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) demands that the risks to health associated with current climate variability are more fully understood and acted upon to improve the focus of resources in climate sensitive disease control, especially in sub-Saharan Africa, where good epidemiological surveillance data are lacking. In the absence of high-quality epidemiological data on malaria distribution in Africa, climate information has long been used to develop malaria risk maps illustrating the climatic suitability boundaries for endemic transmission. However, experience to date has shown that it is difficult in terms of availability, timing and cost to obtain meteorological observations from national meteorological services in Africa. National health services generally find the costs of purchasing these data prohibitive given their competing demands for resources across the spectrum of health service requirements. Some national health services have tried to overcome this access problem by using proxies derived from satellites, which tend to be available freely, in 'near-real-time' and therefore offer much promise for monitoring applications. This paper discusses the issues related to climate and health, reviews the current use of climate information for malaria endemic and epidemic surveillance, and presents examples of operational use of climate information for malaria control in Africa based on Geographical Information Systems and Remote Sensing.
Microstructure and mechanical properties of Hi-Nicalon/BN/α-silicon-nitride ceramic-matrix composites

Unidirectional ceramic-matrix composites consisting of BN-coated Hi-Nicalon (SiC) fibre in a silicon nitride matrix were fabricated by a slurry-impregnation/hot-pressing route. The microstructures of the composites were investigated by scanning and transmission electron microscopies and atomic force microscopy, while the mechanical parameters of the composites were evaluated by flexure and micro-indentation tests. The effect of the processing route on the constituents is evaluated. Owing to the small size of the specimens required, the latter technique seems to be suitable for evaluation of the in situ mechanical properties of the matrix and fibers of a given composite.
Online student peer reviews

This paper describes an online method of implementing student peer reviews. The results of applying the method to several courses is also discussed. Each week students accessed each others' assignments, as posted on individual web pages, and submitted scores and comments on the course web site. The course web site did all the bookkeeping, giving students instant access to the reviews they received. Statistics for a particular software engineering class of 34 students are presented.
Guilt-free automated claiming

Note: A version of this article was originally presented as a paper on 22 May 1989 at the Annual Meeting of the Medical Library Association in Boston. Among the various constituents of the serials informat ion chain, there is little argument that claims are costly to publishers, subscription agencies, and libraries, and that they contr ibute indirectly to the rising cost of journal subscriptions. However, members of this uneasy, t h ree -way alliance at times disagree as to the degree each party contributes to the problem. Frank Clasquin, representing Faxon, delivered a paper on this topic at the Conference on Management Problems in Serials Work that was held at Florida Atlantic Univers i ty in 1973. Appropriately entit led "The Claim Enigma for Serials and Journals," it repor ted on a study "to sort claims into identif iable categories, document the incidence of occurrence, examine the multiple sources or causes, review the means of resolving the problems, and suggest a balance of activity and responsibility which should be borne by the library, agency, and publisher. ''1 The key words here are "balance of activity and responsibility." The question that is proposed is whether the automation of serials control systems for claiming has in any way negatively affected this delicate balance of activity and responsibility. Are automated libraries producing an excessive number of claims, as some subscription agents, publishers, and librarians suggest? Because many of the routine procedures in claiming have been streamlined and consequently made more eff icient by automation, is it now or will it soon become a factor in disrupting the balance of activity and responsibility among the members of the claiming process? All evidence suggests that it already has become a factor, and it is fast becoming an issue, but more about this subject later.
Currency substitution, risk premia and the Taylor principle

Abstract This paper studies the equilibrium determinacy properties of a simple interest rate rule in a small open economy subject to currency substitution (i.e., the use of a foreign currency for domestic transactions) and risk premia on foreign borrowing. It shows that if currencies are substitute in the provision of liquidity services the rule׳s response to inflation has to be sufficiently above unity for the equilibrium to be locally determinate. This reinforced Taylor principle requirement appears to be more binding in economies characterized by a larger elasticity of currency substitution, more debt-elastic country risk premia, and intermediate degrees of dollarization in transactions.
Organizing to Reduce the Vulnerabilities of Complexity

Complex and tightly coupled systems are inherently vulnerable to major system accidents, but some difficult structural changes can reduce their vulnerability. They can be decomposed into units that are connected by monitored links, despite the inefficiency of such decentralization. Designs can be inelegant and robust, rather than elegant and sensitive, despite this affront to engineering norms. Redundancies and all other safety measures should be designed in from the start and not added afterwards, since add-ons are disproportionately the source of accidents. Skepticism should be structured into the organization through explicit roles and generating worst case scenarios, and sensitive channels deliberately opened to daylight and monitoring. A formal system of error feedback should be instituted with contributions rewarded. Most important of all is increasing the role of external stakeholders in accident investigations and organizational changes, thus creating a dense network of independent organizations that keeps the risky system honest. Secret organizations which gather intelligence and perform covert actions are especially vulnerable to complexity but the least likely to adapt such structural changes. Examples are provided for each of the points.
Gaps in quality of diabetes care in internal medicine residency clinics suggest the need for better ambulatory care training.

To ensure that medical residents will be prepared to deliver consistently high-quality care, they should be trained in settings that provide such care. Residents in internal medicine, particularly, need to learn good care habits in order to meet the needs of patients with diabetes and other common chronic and high-impact illnesses. To assess the strength of such training, we compared the quality of medical care provided in sixty-seven US internal medicine residency ambulatory clinics with the quality of care provided by 703 practicing general internists. We found significant quality gaps in process, intermediate outcome, and patient-experience measures. These inadequacies in ambulatory training for internal medicine residents must be addressed by policy makers and educators—for example, by accelerating the movement toward new residency curricula that emphasize competency-based training.
The savvy citizen

In Uninformed, political scientist Arthur Lupia urges civic educators to assess the competencies of specific audiences, then offer logic and evidence that are likely to motivate the group to learn more about political issues. At the heart of his recommendations is the idea that educators should make material relevant to people in order to increase their motivation to learn.
Baroreflex inhibition during coronary occlusion is mediated by prostaglandins

The present study was undertaken to determine whether the baroreflex control of renal sympathetic nerve activity (RSNA) was attenuated by an acute coronary artery occlusion and if so, what was the role played by cardiac prostaglandins in this attenuation. Arterial pressure was lowered with an infusion of sodium nitroprusside before and during a 5- to 10-min occlusion of the left circumflex coronary artery. The protocol was repeated 30 min after indomethacin (5 mg/kg) had been given. In addition, this study was carried out in a group of vagotomized dogs and in a group of thoracic-sympathectomized dogs. In intact dogs, coronary occlusion reduced the slope of the mean arterial pressure-RSNA relationship by 75% from -7.7 +/- 1.8% change in RSNA per millimeter Hg before indomethacin treatment. After indomethacin, there was no inhibition of the baroreflex slope during coronary occlusion. The reduction in the slope during coronary occlusion was abolished in dogs that were vagotomized but preserved in thoracic-sympathectomized dogs. In this latter group, indomethacin inhibited the attenuation of the slope during coronary occlusion. These data provide strong support for the notion that some cyclooxygenase product (most likely a prostaglandin) is released during coronary ischemia and stimulates or sensitizes cardiac vagal afferent endings, which, in turn, attenuate the baroreflex-mediated increase in RSNA during lowered arterial pressure.
Attenuation of myocardial stunning in isolated rat hearts by a 21-aminosteroid lazaroid (U74389G).

SummaryThe purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of reperfusion or in vivo pretreatment with a lipid peroxidation inhibitor, lazaroid (U74389G), on attenuating systolic and diastolic alterations occurring during myocardial stunning in isolated rat hearts. Male Sprague-Dawley rats (350-40
A threat monitoring system in enterprise networks with smart mobiles

With the development of modern mobile operating systems, computing, and communication technologies, smart mobile devices have been widely used to support rich applications and have been integrated into enterprise networks for organisations to improve business operations. When accessing sensitive pieces of personal and business information, the lack of strong security in smart mobile devices has become a serious issue. In this paper, we developed a threat monitoring system to monitor and detect threats in enterprise networks with mobile devices. We implemented both signature and anomaly based schemes to monitor and detect threats. To evaluate the effectiveness of our threat monitoring system, we used real-world samples of benign apps and malware samples to conduct experiments on Android mobile devices. Our experimental data shows that our developed system can accurately and effectively detect malware on the Android platform while incurring low overhead to the system in terms of energy and CPU usage.
In-Flight Assessment of Host and Nonhost Odors by Alfalfa Seed Chalcid (Hymenoptera: Eurytomidae)

The alfalfa seed chalcid, Bruchophagus roddi (Gussakovsky), is a host-specific insect that lays eggs in the developing seeds of alfalfa. In laboratory bioassay, females made in-flight evaluations of olfactory stimuli that emanated from an array of host and nonhost flowers. The outcome of choice tests depended on pretest conditions that varied in sequence and time of exposure to host and nonhost plants. Specific flight and landing behavior was elicited or inhibited by conditions that prevailed before the choice test. When females were confronted with a choice of different species of legume flowers (including alfalfa), they made more in-flight visits to the species to which they were exposed just prior to the test. Then, after in-flight evaluation of test flowers at close range, females made more landings on alfalfa. In addition, females made about the same number of direct landings on host and nonhost alike but without close-range evaluation of the flowers.
Exploring Conformational Rearrangements in a Novel Voltage-Sensing Protein

Through bioinformatic searches, we have identified a protein coded by the C15orf27 gene that we named NVS (Novel Voltage Sensor). NVS contains 531 residues and consists of 3 parts: an S1-S4 domain, a 90 residue N-terminus and a 307 residue C-terminus, both of which are predicted to be intracellular. The most critical residues found in S1-S4 domains of other voltage sensors are conserved in NVS, including 3 Arg and a Lys in the S4 helix, 4 conserved acidic residues in S1-S3 and the charge-transfer Phe in S2. In addition, the C-terminus is predicted to contain a coiled-coil domain, similar to Hv1. Our working hypothesis is that NVS functions as a voltage sensor that couples to intracellular signaling pathways (as yet undefined) or interacts with Hv1 to form hetero-oligomers through the C-terminal coiled-coil domain. In the present study we used site-specific voltage-clamp fluorometry to look for evidence that NVS may undergo conformational rearrangements in response to changes in membrane potential. We identified several positions on the S3-S4 loop where introduced and labeled Cys residues produced changes in fluorescence as a function of membrane potential. Several positions give complex fluorescence responses, starting with a rapid increase in fluorescence followed by slower decrease in fluorescence. Additionally we applied fluorescence quenchers extracellularly and examined the voltage dependence of quenching. Our results show that depolarization increases fluorescence quenching, suggesting the quencher has increased access to the fluorophore at positive membrane potentials. Taken together, our results support the hypothesis that NVS undergoes a conformational change in responses to membrane depolarization, and we are currently investigating the oligomeric state of NVS testing whether it can form heteromeric complexes with Hv1.
Historical land use and stand age effects on forest soil properties in the Mid-Atlantic US

The conversion of agriculture lands to forest has been occurring in parts of North America for decades. The legacy of management activity during this transition is reflected in soil physical and chemical properties years after abandonment. This study was conducted at the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, Maryland, USA, to determine land-use history and forest age effects on soil nutrients, carbon, pH, and bulk density. Soils in young and old successional forests and forests with no evidence of historical disturbance were sampled. The young forest stands were abandoned from agriculture 50-70 years ago and the old forest stands had been abandoned from agriculture or grazing 120-150 years ago. The oldest forest stands had no recorded history of disturbance even though it is likely they were at least disturbed by tree removal or grazing of animals in the colonial era. Young forest soils had higher concentrations of Mg, Ca, NO3 and a higher pH than old, which may be an age effect. The old forest soils that had been abandoned from agriculture and grazing had higher bulk density and lower C content than undisturbed stands indicating a land-use effect. In the stands that were formally agriculture there was evidence of erosion, indicated by a Bt horizon closer to the surface. The most evident difference between stands of different land-use history was the absence of a well-developed O horizon, which we attribute to the presence of earthworms. Land-use legacy set the forest ecosystem in a different trajectory of soil evolution.
Treatment of Deep Basal Cerebral Arteriovenous Malformations

The surgical treatment of arteriovenous malformations located in deep periventricular regions poses significant technical challenges since approaches through functional regions limit adequate exposure of the lesions, while surgical dissection is sometimes complicated by acute severe brain swelling/hemorrhage in the surrounding tissues. In our approach to deep AVMs, our regimen has evolved from direct staged microsurgical excision under routine fentanyl/ N2O/relaxant anesthesia (first four patients) to the use of elective high dose barbiturate anesthesia (subsequent 13 patients). In the first group, 11 operations were performed. Two patients improved with one returning to normal neurologically. There were three episodes of acute brain swelling/hemorrhage resulting in mild deterioration in one patient and death in the other. In the second group, all but two lesions were eliminated completely. Among the 11 patients in whom the AVM was completely obliterated, seven improved, six of whom achieved a good to excellent outcome. Three patients regained full neurological function. Three patients worsened (one as a result of acute brain swelling/hemorrhage). There was no death in this group. Only one incidence of acute brain swelling/ hemorrhage occurred out of 27 operations. Our intraoperative observations and postoperative results would suggest that our evolved multi-modality regimen, such as staged excision and the use of deep barbiturate anesthesia, was likely to have contributed to the improved treatment results of these formidable lesions.
Preclinical Evaluation of the SRI Real-Time Arterial Imaging System

Stanford Research Institute (SRI) and the Mayo Foundation have been working together to develop ultrasonic instrumentation for the safe, noninvasive detection of atherosclerotic vascular disease. The advanced concept of this new real-time instrument combines high-resolution B-scans with pulsed Doppler flow profiles to improve diagnosis and provide vital information necessary for better management of this disease.
Why Lobby Congress? Constitutive and Instrumental Influences on Indian Groups’ Strategies for Federal Recognition, 1977-2012

When and why do marginalized groups chose a particular institutional venue when pursuing their legal claims? This article combines theoretical and methodological insights from sociolegal and interest group studies to investigate why non-federally recognized Indian groups used legislative strategies for federal recognition from 1977 to 2012. It finds Indian groups employed legislative strategies both to increase their chances of success and for constitutive purposes, including educating the public and leveraging institutional tensions. The article’s emphasis on constitutive and instrumental motivations provides a more nuanced approach to understanding marginalized groups’ venue decisions.
Spirit and Prejudice: The Dialectic of Interpretation

Merold Westphal argues through demonstration that the insights of the hermeneutical tradition integrate well with the Christian theological affirmation of the human–divine dialectic in Scripture. Working in particular with Hans-Georg Gadamer, he merges insights from the hermeneutical tradition and pneumatology together in a series of insights of practical importance for Pentecostal and other Christian hermeneutics, epitomizing the coming together of the hermeneutical tradition in philosophy and Christian hermeneutics.
Role Expectations among First Time Expectant Fathers: An Exploratory Study

This study explores how expectant fathers conceptualize the role of father and how the domains of the role shape men's attitudes and decision-making processes regarding work and family life. Twenty-five first time expectant fathers were surveyed via a questionnaire regarding their thoughts about work and family in the spring of 2000. Fourteen of those fathers agreed to also be interviewed. All of the men held the concept of "breadwinner" as the highest priority regarding roles for fathers. The majority of men expressed the belief that childcare and domestic duties should be shared equally if both parents worked full time. However, the interviews revealed that only 2 of the 14 actually put those beliefs into action, describing truly egalitarian households.
The Vascular Wall: a Plastic Hub of Activity in Cardiovascular Homeostasis and Disease

This review aims to summarize recent findings regarding the plasticity and fate switching among somatic and progenitor cells residing in the vascular wall of blood vessels in health and disease. Cell lineage tracing methods have identified multiple origins of stem cells, macrophages, and matrix-producing cells that become mobilized after acute or chronic injury of cardiovascular tissues. These studies also revealed that in the disease environment, resident somatic cells become plastic, thereby changing their stereotypical identities to adopt proinflammatory and profibrotic phenotypes. Currently, the functional significance of this heterogeneity among reparative cells is unknown. Furthermore, mechanisms that control cellular plasticity and fate decisions in the disease environment are poorly understood. Cardiovascular diseases are responsible for the majority of deaths worldwide. From a therapeutic perspective, these novel discoveries may identify new targets to improve the repair and regeneration of the cardiovascular system.
Social Desirability Bias and Prevalence of Sexual HIV Risk Behaviors Among People Who Use Drugs in Baltimore, Maryland: Implications for Identifying Individuals Prone to Underreporting Sexual Risk Behaviors

The role of social desirability bias (SDB) in self-reported HIV risk behaviors continues to be problematic. This study examined whether SDB was associated with self-reported, via audio computer assisted self-interviewing, sexual risk behaviors among people who use drugs. The present study was conducted among 559 participants who reported having a recent sexual partner at their 6-month visit of a longitudinal study. Robust Poisson regression was used to model the association between SDB and five risk behaviors. Analyses were stratified by gender and partner type. Higher scores of SDB were associated with decreased reporting of selling sex and having more than one sexual partner. Higher SDB scores were associated with increased reporting of always using condoms during oral, vaginal, and anal sex. Gender-specific differences were observed. The inclusion of a measure of SDB in data collection, along with other strategies, can be used to both identify and reduce self-report biases.
RefineNet: Refining Object Detectors for Autonomous Driving

Highly accurate, camera-based object detection is an essential component of autonomous navigation and assistive technologies. In particular, for on-road applications, localization quality of objects in the image plane is important for accurate distance estimation, safe trajectory prediction, and motion planning. In this paper, we mathematically formulate and study a strategy for improving object localization with a deep convolutional neural network. An iterative region-of-interest pooling framework is proposed for predicting increasingly tight object boxes and addressing limitations in current state-of-the-art deep detection models. The method is shown to significantly improve the performance on a variety of datasets, scene settings, and camera perspectives, producing high-quality object boxes at a minor additional computational expense. Specifically, the architecture achieves impressive gains in performance (up to 6% improvement in detection accuracy) at fast run-time speed (0.22 s per frame on $1242 \times 375$ sized images). The iterative refinement is shown to impact subsequent vision tasks, such as object tracking in the image plane and in ground plane.
High-speed optical devices and their integration with transistors

High speed, high frequency optical interconnections are needed for computers and for controlling microwave and millimeter wave phased arrays in radar and communications systems. Direct modulation of semiconductor lasers to 3db frequency limits of 28-30 GHz (1,2) has been achieved, and this limit may be doubled in the next five years. External modulation of continuous optical signals has been used to achieve, for example, a 3db bandwidth of -40 GHz with ~2V-mm modulation sensitivity using multiquantum- well, waveguide modulators. This frequency response may also be doubled in the next five years. In addition, narrow band operation can be achieved, by mode locking, at center frequencies up to 350 GHz (3) , and this also can be doubled in the next five years.
Electric Response Audiometry in Young Children

Electric response audiometry refers to the assessment of the auditory system by means of small evoked potentials that are generated in many parts of the auditory system, from cochlea to cerebral cortex. They are separated from the background electrical activity of brain and muscle by summing, or averaging, a large number of responses. The responses are time-locked to the stimuli, and their sum increases in proportion to their number while the nearly random background largely cancels itself out. This greatly improves the signal-to-noise ratio. The technique is now quite familiar, and excellent equipment for it is commercially available.
How deep in molecular space can periodicity be found

We find occasional echoes of periodicity, i.e. the trends found in the chart of the elements, in several-atom (up to 32) molecules and use it to make forecasts for molecular data, some of which have been confirmed.
Low Energy Associative Data Caches for Embedded Systems

Modern embedded processors use data caches with higher and higher degrees of associativity in order to increase performance. A set-associative data cache consumes a significant fraction of the total energy budget in such embedded processors. This paper describes a technique for reducing the D-cache energy consumption and shows its impact on energy consumption and performance of an embedded processor. The technique utilizes cache line address locality to determine (rather than predict) the cache way prior to the cache access. It thus allows only the desired way to be accessed for both tags and data. The proposed mechanism is shown to reduce the average L1 data cache energy consumption when running the MiBench embedded benchmark suite for 8, 16 and 32-way set-associate caches by, respectively, an average of 66%, 72% and 76%. The absolute energy savings from this technique increase significantly with associativity. The design has no impact on performance and, given that it does not have mis-prediction penalties, it does not introduce any new non-deterministic behavior in program execution.
Critical P\rm\bar{v}O2 VS Critical Oxygen Transport with Acute Hypoxia in Anesthetized Animals

Oxygen delivery to peripheral tissues has often been described in terms of either the amount of oxygen delivered by the arterial blood or of that exiting the tissues on the venous side, because direct tissue oxygen measurements are often not feasible. Since the early studies of Verzar (1912) and Krogh (1919), physiologists have often assumed that mixed venous PO2 (P\(\rm\bar{V}\)O2) reflects average tissue PO2, but that assumption is certainly an oversimplification of a very complex situation (Tenney, 1974; Miller, 1982; Cain, 1983). Other attempts to quantitate oxygenation have concentrated instead on the arterial system by calculating the total oxygen transport (TOT) in ml/min as the product of blood flow rate (\(\rm\dot{Q}\), in dl/min) and the arterial oxygen concentration (CaO2, in ml/dl): $$\text{TOT}\,\text{ = }\,\dot Q^. CaO_2$$ $$\cong \,1.34\,\dot Q\,[Hb]\,SaO_2$$ (1) where [Hb] is the hemoglobin concentration in gm/dl and SaO2 is the fractional oxyhemoglobin saturation in arterial blood. This product has also been termed “oxygen transport”, “oxygen availability”, and “oxygen delivery” by various authors.
Abstract 20145: Anemone Toxin II Unmasks Dilated Cardiomyopathy Phenotype in Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Cardiomyocyte Model

Introduction: Induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (iPSC-CMs) have been used to as a cellular model of cardiac disorders including dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) demonstrating excelle...
Using practitioner knowledge to expand the toolbox for private lands conservation

Abstract Private lands provide important habitat for biodiversity and are critical to many conservation efforts. With increasing awareness of the importance of private lands, a broad suite of strategies to engage landowners in conservation is emerging. The success of these strategies is contingent on a skilled workforce of conservation practitioners that can scale-up these efforts and meet both ecological and livelihood objectives. Although professional capacity building is an acknowledged priority in the conservation community, the knowledge and experience of conservation practitioners (e.g., individuals working at land trusts and government agencies) has not been widely assessed. Here, we surveyed practitioners in the United States to gauge their familiarity with seven approaches to private lands conservation in different landscape contexts. Most practitioners were familiar with only two conservation tools, conservation easements and direct payment programs (e.g., Farm Bill programs), and familiarity varied among different types of organizations. Although these tools were perceived to restrict residential development and restore habitat, respectively, they had limited reported impact on climate change mitigation or relevance to urban areas. Widespread reliance on just two tools also raises important questions about the vulnerability of private lands conservation efforts to political and institutional changes and the ability to meet multiple conservation objectives in a world undergoing rapid climate and land use change. We argue for targeted efforts to enhance the professional capacity of conservation practitioners to expand the toolbox and achieve multiple conservation goals on diverse private lands.
Sleep and Sleep Deprivation Among Families in the ICU

Sleep is a biological necessity, and adequate sleep is important for neurocognitive health and wellbeing. Family members of intensive care patients may lack adequate sleep either due to the ICU environment (lack of opportunities for sleep) or due to stress and anxiety (i.e., insomnia). Moreover, difficulty sleeping may persist after ICU discharge. In addition to reviewing the key literature, we propose a model for family education and engagement to optimize sleep for family members and patients in the ICU. This model may aid in family member engagement with clinicians and may ultimately alleviate symptoms of difficulty sleeping and post-intensive care syndrome in caregivers after the ICU.
Susceptibility of Cardiac Troponin Assays to Biotin Interference.

Objectives To investigate biotin interference on three cardiac troponin (cTn) assays and demonstrate a method to overcome biotin interference. Methods cTn levels were measured in (1) plasma from healthy volunteers on 10-mg daily biotin supplementation mixed with a plasma with known elevated troponin, (2) plasmas with known elevated cTn after mixing in reagent biotin to simulate supplementation, and (3) biotin-spiked plasma specimens pretreated with streptavidin-agarose beads. Results Daily biotin ingestion (10 mg) and studies simulating daily biotin use resulted in significant interference in the Gen5 cardiac troponin T (cTnT) assay; the contemporary Gen 4 cTnT and high-sensitivity cardiac troponin I (hs-cTnI) assays were unaffected. The biotin interference threshold was 31, 315, and more than 2,000 ng/mL for Gen5 cTnT, cTnT, and hs-cTnI assays, respectively. Streptavidin pretreatment blocked biotin interference in cTn assays. Conclusions Biotin interference is possible at plasma concentrations achievable by ingestion of over-the-counter supplements that may lead to delayed or missed diagnosis of myocardial injury with the Gen5 cTnT assay.
Ability of Ophthalmology Residents to Self-Assess Their Performance Through Established Milestones

Objectives Accurate self-assessment is an important aspect of practice-based learning and improvement and a critical skill for resident growth. The Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education mandates semiannual milestones assessments by a clinical competency committee (CCC) for all ophthalmology residents. There are six core competencies: patient care (PC), medical knowledge, systems-based practice, practice-based learning and improvement, professionalism, and interpersonal communication skills. These competencies are assessed by the milestones rubric, which has detailed behavioral anchors and are also used for trainee self-assessments. This study compares resident self-assessed (SA) and faculty CCC milestones scores. Design Residents completed milestones self-assessments prior to receiving individual score reports from the CCC. Correlation coefficients were calculated comparing the SA and CCC scores. In addition, statistical models were used to determine predictors of disparities and differences between the SA and CCC scores. Setting Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins Hospital. Participants Twenty-one residents in the Wilmer Ophthalmology Residency program from July 2014 to June 2016. Results Fifty-seven self-assessments were available for the analysis. For each resident's first assessment, SA and CCC scores were strongly correlated (r ≥ 0.6 and p Conclusions Self-assessments by ophthalmology residents are not well-correlated with faculty assessments, emphasizing the need for improved and frequent timely feedback. Residents have the greatest difficulty self-assessing their professionalism and PC competency. In general, senior residents and underperforming residents have more inaccurate self-assessments.
Susceptibility of stored grain insects to the insect growth regulator methoprene: Presentation

The insect growth regulator (IGR) methoprene is labeled in the United States (US) for direct application to stored grain commodities, and as a residual surface treatment to empty grain bins and flooring surfaces inside indoor structures. Methoprene is also labeled in the US as an aerosol for use in indoor areas. One of the challenges in research with methoprene and stored product insects is through design of experiments that mimic how methoprene would be used in practical applications. Recent research with methoprene will be used to describe experimental designs to examine efficacy of methoprene when used as a grain protectant.
Dance/Movement as Resilience, Unity and Community in Rwanda: Shared Experience over Difference

Growing together toward a more socially just experience of humanity is of profound concern within communities across the nation, and is of essential relevance within the dance/movement therapy community, in particular. Acknowledging individual difference is pervasive. However, rationale for shifting the focus to “shared experience” and its benefits is highlighted in this paper. Dance in Rwanda, and its cultural relevance to resilience and connection before and after the 1994 genocide, illustrates the invaluable healing impact of this relationally based approach. A service project that encompasses dance/movement therapy and other body mind strategies for widows of genocide will be described as a salient example of the efficacy for developing resilience, unity, and connection.
Broadleaf weed control with abrasive grit during raspberry establishment

Growers desire more techniques to control weeds in horticultural crops that are grown organically and consumed directly, such as red raspberry. Abrasive grit emited via high air pressure is a new method for controlling weeds. Grit derived from corn cobs was examined for its efficacy during the year of raspberry establishment for 2 to 3 years at three sites (seven site-years) and compared with efficacy of hand-weeding as well as no weed control. Grit was applied once or twice weekly after raspberry transplantation in spring until weed emergence ceased in mid to late July. Weeds and raspberry growth were assessed in August. Grit was effective in controlling broadleaf weeds, averaging 94% control across site-years, but control of grass weeds was less than 10%. Total weed (broadleaf plus grass) control across site-years ranged from 51% to 96% and averaged 78%. Raspberry cane growth was affected by weeds, and grit-weeding at least partially alleviated these effects. Thus, abrasive grit allows growers to manage broadleaf weeds effectively without herbicides or soil tillage. However, additional research is needed to determine the correct amounts and timing of grit applications, as well as more efficacious types of grit, to control grass weeds.Nomenclature: Raspberry; Rubus idaeus L.