cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Facilitator Effects On The Process Of GSS Appropriation: Opening The Black Box

Though technology support of group decision making has long been believed to increase the number of ideas generated and the overall quality of decisions, research on this topic has failed to provide consistent support of these outcomes. Facilitation of the group decision process by specially trained experts is believed to add even further to the benefits the technology brings. The effects of facilitation have been tested in many configurations, yet, here too, researchers have not been able to consistently identify the benefits. The literature shows that prior research in this area has been based on the outcomes of the group decision process focusing on the quantity of ideas generated and group member retrospective perceptions of the process. This suggests that researchers took a black box approach to studying the effects of facilitation in group support systems (GSS) adoption and use subsequently ignoring important aspects of group process and the effects of facilitation in that process. To that end, analysis has been done from the lens of adaptive structuration theory (AST) of 48 homogeneous decision groups in terms of setting, task, and prior relevant participant experience; an excellent environment in which to observe how group members act (make appropriation moves) to adopt and use GSS differently in differing facilitative contexts. This study found that process restrictiveness significantly affects the quantity and types of appropriation moves over the course of a decision task. An unprecedented finding was that different individual facilitators affect the quantity and types of appropriation moves even when holding the treatment restrictiveness constant. I also performed an original extension of the method suggested by AST by disaggregating appropriation moves into the source and target of interactions. This study successfully opens the black box of GSS facilitation and shows analysis of process reveals nuanced differences in factors that affect appropriation that have not been apparent from prior, outcomes-based analyses.
SOLUBLE CD95 IN THE SERUM OF PATIENTS WITH LOW AND INTERMEDIATE GRADE MALIGNANT LYMPHOMAS : ABSENCE OF PROGNOSTIC CORRELATIONS

Several cytokines and the receptors for some cytokines are involved in the pathogenesis and progression of malignant lymphomas. CD95 (Fas/Apo-1) belongs to the TNF-receptor super-family and may mediate apoptosis if triggered by Fas-ligand or specific antibodies. Recently soluble CD95 (a splice variant of the surface-bound molecule) was detected in the serum of patients with lymphoid leukemias and other disorders. In this study, we examined the levels of soluble CD95 (SCD95) in a series of patients with untreated malignant lymphomas and attempted to correlate this molecule with clinical, histological and laboratory parameters. The level of SCD95 was determined in the serum of 66 untreated patients with low and intermediate grade malignant lymphomas (NHLs) and in 20 normal controls using a solid phase ELISA. The total group of patients with NHLs had a trend towards increased values of SCD95 compared with normal controls (48.8 + 50.0 versus 75.0 + 136.3 U/ml, p < 0.1). However, among patients with NHL, eleva...
Risk Analysis for Pharmaceutical Production and Circulation Regulatory

Recent years,the drug hurt events occurred frequently and the public concern about drug grown much.The State Food and Drug Administration stepped up the safety,effectiveness and control regulation for drug,and strengthened drug life-cycle risk management.From this point of view,the paper intend to come up to suggestion for the risk management in the pharmaceutical regulation area with the special analysis for pharmaceutical production and circulation risk.
Caribbean Migration to Ghana During Decolonization and Methods of Belonging

Anticipation of Ghana's independence reverberated across the Atlantic to the British West Indies, prompting numerous African-Caribbean people to apply for employment in Ghana. Famously, men such as George Padmore and Sir Arthur Lewis served as advisors to Kwame Nkrumah and made substantial contributions to Ghana's early development. However, this paper focuses on the women and men who took on the role of teacher, medical assistant, or housewife, as they were in direct contact with Ghanaians. These Caribbean individuals were intent on contributing to Ghana's success, yet they continually struggled to find a sense of belonging as people of African descent. I argue that this dissonance was rooted in issues with language acquisition, tensions over the transatlantic slave trade, and minor cultural disparities, but that social efforts to resolve differences created pathways to belonging and mutual understanding. While many of these Caribbean people continue to live in Ghana and face ongoing feelings of isolation, this study addresses the period from 1956 to 1966, when a significant number of Caribbean people were living in Ghana under Nkrumah's administration. Utilizing oral histories, newspapers, and archival documents, it illustrates the efforts of Ghanaian and Caribbean people to confront issues of belonging.
Calcitriol and Analogs in the Treatment of Chronic Kidney Disease

Abstract Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is associated with a progressive decline in calcitriol, the hormonal form of vitamin D. This deficiency is complicated by secondary hyperparathyroidism (sHPT) and metabolic bone disease. Treatment with calcitriol can ameliorate the effects of sHPT but may be complicated by excessive absorption of calcium and phosphorus and may perpetuate vascular calcification, a potential contributor to cardiovascular disease in this high-risk population. Newer analogs and nutritional forms of vitamin D have the potential to address sHPT and promote the nontraditional actions of vitamin D with less effect on calcium, phosphorous, and vascular calcification. Whether structural differences translate into clinical benefits in patients with advanced CKD remain an ongoing area of investigation. This chapter reviews the available data on analogs of vitamin D relative to calcitriol with respect to safety, efficacy, and outcomes in CKD.
‘Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumour’-like dedifferentiation of anaplastic lymphoma kinase-rearranged lung adenocarcinoma

Aims Anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) functions as an oncogenic driver in a subset of haematopoietic, epithelial and mesenchymal neoplasms. Activation of ALK most commonly occurs through gene fusion events, the presence of which predicts response to ALK-targeted inhibitors in some tumour types. Echinoderm microtubule-associated protein-like 4 (EML4)–ALK fusions represent the majority of ALK rearrangements in lung adenocarcinomas and were, until recently, thought to be exclusive to that tumour type. However, recent work has identified EML4–ALK fusions in ~20% of inflammatory myofibroblastic tumours (IMTs), particularly in those arising in the lung. Here, we present a patient with an ALK-rearranged poorly differentiated lung adenocarcinoma with a predominant sarcomatoid component that was morphologically indistinguishable from IMT. Methods and results Targeted next-generation sequencing revealed EML4–ALK rearrangements in both components, with identical fusion sequences. Copy number analysis demonstrated focal gain of the MYC gene in the IMT-like component. The findings support a diagnosis of ALK-rearranged lung adenocarcinoma with IMT-like dedifferentiation. Conclusions Our findings suggest that ALK-driven epithelial and mesenchymal neoplasms exist on a morphological spectrum, and emphasize the need to consider translocation testing in pulmonary tumours with unusual sarcomatoid morphology.
Autoimmune Liver Diseases: Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis

Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) is a chronic condition characterized by inflammation, fibrosis, and obliteration involving the intra as well as extrahepatic bile ducts. While the etiology remains elusive, it is frequently associated with other immune-mediated conditions, most notably inflammatory bowel disease. Complications of PSC are both nonspecific and associated with chronic cholestatic liver disease as well as those specific to PSC. The natural history is highly variable with potential for progression to cirrhosis, end-stage liver disease, and need for liver transplantation. Patients with PSC are also at an increased risk for the development of cholangiocarcinoma as well as colorectal, gallbladder, and hepatocellular carcinoma. Despite evaluation of multiple agents, there is currently no effective medical therapy. Liver transplantation provides effective long-term survival in those who develop complications of end-stage liver disease. Variants of PSC include small-duct PSC, overlap PSC and autoimmune hepatitis, and immunoglobulin G cholangiopathy.
Water Use Efficiency and Waste Stream Source Separation

This chapter describes how the contemporary characteristics of indoor water use and wastewater generation that are often viewed as normal can be modified using water efficient fixtures and appliances and waste stream source separation approaches. These modifications can yield substantial direct and indirect environmental and economic benefits by reducing water use and wastewater generation and the associated energy use and greenhouse gas emissions and enabling recovery of water, organic matter, nutrients, and energy.
“Jagged Edges”: Victim Blaming, Student Care, and Legally Defensible Sexual Assault Investigations

ABSTRACTVictims and survivors of sexual violence are sometimes blamed for the assault because of irrelevant factors such as how much they had to drink or what they wore. Research has indicated that conservative religious beliefs increase the prevalence of victim blaming. In order to see if this pattern extended to college administrators, we used a hermeneutic phenomenological approach and interviewed eight sexual assault investigators at a faith-based institution to understand their lived and shared experiences. Four significant themes emerged from our study: the tension between student care and a legally defensible process, hope amid a never-ending saga, forbidden knowledge, and victim blaming. We conclude with a call to focus more carefully on language used, recommendations for decreasing the prevalence of victim blaming, and on preventing investigators from compassion fatigue, vicarious traumatization, and burnout.
EXTERNALLY VALIDATING QUANTITATIVE MEASURES OF FEMORAL HEAD SHAPE IN LEGG-CALVÉ-PERTHES DISEASE

Purpose To assess the use of radiographic measurement compared to descriptive classification in the evaluation of Perthes9 disease. Method Fifteen consultant Paediatric Orthopaedic surgeons, members of the BOSS Collaborative from different UK centres, were asked to rate a series of 100 healed AP radiographs of hips affected by Perthes9 Disease from the Liverpool Perthes9 Disease Register using the Stulberg9s grading. Two independent observers categorised roundness error using Digitimizer™ software. Kappa scores were used to determine the inter-observer concordance amongst the 15 observers for Stulberg classification. Lin concordance was used to determine roundness error assessment. The relationship between the two outcomes was explored statistically and graphically; considering the mean Stulberg grade recorded by the 15 observers as a continuous outcome. Results There was moderate to fair agreement regarding the Stulberg9s grading among the Consultant surgeons with an overall Kappa error of 0.377 (95% 0.353 – 0.393). The Lin concordance between the two independent observers evaluating roundness error was 0.50 (95% CI 0.36–0.64). There was a strong correlation between the Stulberg grading and roundness error measurement. Using a box and whisker chart the roundness error correlated well with modal Stulberg grade. Conclusion Roundness error appears to be a useful radiographic measure of hip shape in Perthes9 disease by offering a continuous estimate of hip deformity. It correlates well with surgeon-reported hip shape and can be a useful tool in clinical trials.
Experiences of Middle School Counselors Learning and Applying Principles of Neuroscience

Adolescence is period of substantial neurological transformation that can result in significant changes in thinking, feeling, and behavior. School counselors are on the front lines of working with ...
Analyzing shear band formation with high resolution X-ray diffraction

Abstract Localization of crystallographic slip into shear bands during uniaxial compression of a copper single crystal is studied using very far-field high-energy diffraction microscopy (vff-HEDM). Diffracted intensity was collected in-situ as the crystal deformed using a unique mobile detector stage that provided access to multiple diffraction peaks with high-angular resolution. From the diffraction data, single crystal orientation pole figures (SCPFs) were generated and are used to track the evolution of the distribution of lattice orientation that develops as slip localizes. To aid the identification of ‘signatures’ of shear band formation and analyze the SCPF data, a model of slip-driven lattice reorientation within shear bands is introduced. Confidence is built in conclusions drawn from the SCPF data about the character of internal slip localization through comparisons with strain fields on the sample surface measured simultaneously using digital image correlation. From the diffraction data, we find that the active slip direction and slip plane are not directly aligned with the orientation of the shear bands that formed. In fact, by extracting the underlying slip system activity from the SCPF data, we show that intersecting shear bands measured on the surface of the sample arise from slip primarily on the same underlying single slip system. These new vff-HEDM results raise significant questions on the use of surface measurements for slip system activity estimation.
Electronic implications of organic nitrogen lone pairs in lead iodide perovskites

Hybrid halide perovskites composed of protic organic A-site cations are promising materials for the conversion of light into electricity. Polycrystalline technologies are of particular interest because of their desirable processability, but suffer from decreased efficiency compared to single crystal devices, in part owing to trap states at grain boundaries. Recent remedies for increasing performance of polycrystalline lead iodide-based perovskites include additional organic polymers at grain boundaries, serving to both prevent material decomposition and passivate the grain. Here we demonstrate that, using the 2D perovskite architecture as an analogue for the 3D material, passivating layers containing nitrogen lone pairs may act as chromophores, resulting in poor material performance.
Evaluation of chest pain in primary care patients.

Chest pain can be caused by conditions that range from benign and self-limited (e.g., chest wall pain) to serious (e.g., anxiety disorder) or life-threatening (e.g., unstable angina, aortic dissection, pulmonary embolism). Accurate identification of life-threatening and serious causes of chest pain must be accomplished without overtesting and overtreating patients with less serious causes.
Intensity Functions and Dynamic Responses from the Cochlea to the Cochlear Nucleus

Intensity functions, relating neural response to sound intensity level, are among the most commonly measured characteristics of auditory neurons. Nevertheless, questions remain unanswered concerning the detailed features of the functions. This paper describes intensity functions for the first three stages of the auditory system and presents some speculations about the significance of their shapes and the relationships between static and dynamic response components. All of the data come from single auditory neurons of anesthetized Mongolian gerbils, and the experimental techniques have been described in detail elsewhere (Frisina et al., 1982; Goodmanetal., 1982; Smith, 1979).
TAG hydrothermal field: A key to modern and ancient seafloor hydrothermal VMS ore-forming systems

The TAG hydrothermal field, situated in the axial valley of the slow-spreading Mid-Atlantic Ridge near 26°N, 45°W, is one of the largest and best-studied seafloor hydrothermal fields in the world. This paper applies what we are learning about the TAG field that may guide exploration for modern and ancient Volcanogenic Massive Sulfide (VMS) deposits. Consideration includes water column and seafloor signals distal to the field and tectonic, magmatic, hydrothermal, alteration, and serpentinization processes with diagnostic features in the axial valley proximal to the field; the role of replacement, sulfate deposition and dissolution, and zone refinement in individual sulfide mounds; the concentration of large deposits by superposition of multiple short espisodes of high-temperature hydrothermal activity (episodes to hundreds of years; episodicity thousands of years); and the clustered mode of occurrence of an assemblage of large sulfide mounds by synchronous and asynchronous episodic hydrothermal activity over more than 100,000 years.
Palm Print Authentication on a Cloud Platform

For many years, native platforms have been trusted to execute programs of ample size, producing unique results. As cloud platforms continue to grow in popularity and usage, the paradigm shift as a comparable solution only native platforms were known to handle due to its scalability across data nodes. With this advantage of cloud computing in mind, the objective in this research effort is to successfully execute a biometric histogram generation algorithm based on evolutionary approaches on a cloud application utilizing Hadoop and Map Reduce. The software developments and experiments procured a definite conclusion that biometric algorithms can be executed on cloud infrastructure. In this paper, palm print, a unique, permanent and trusted biometric trait, is utilized for authentication.
Decisions and Adaptations on the Frontier: The Russian Cemetery at Fort Ross, Northern California

This study focuses on stakeholders and changing perspectives on a heritage site. The case study is an historic cemetery within a public state park that was the location of a Russian colony in northern California: Fort Ross State Historic Park. From 1990–1992, I excavated the cemetery at the Russian Colony Ross, which was in use from 1812–1841, and which included Russians, Native Alaskans, Native Americans, and combinations thereof. A total of 135 burials were excavated and reburied. Although the Russian Orthodox Church has clear requirements for funeral and burial, the specific location and extent of the cemetery were unknown. Examining the site from the perspective of different stakeholders and their agendas, this article explores the changing nature of a mortuary heritage site, as well as how different groups interpret and use the same site, how communities reacted to the excavation project, and how the project continues to have an impact on communities. Various stakeholders have used the cemetery in different ways to memorialize their own pasts and make claims in the present.
Hyperhomocysteinemia induced endothelial progenitor cells dysfunction through hyper-methylation of CBS promoter.

Bone marrow (BM)-derived endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) are the key players in angiogenesis and vascular function. Cystathionine-β-synthase (CBS), an H2S-generating enzyme in methionine metabolism, regulates the function of these EPCs. This study aims to examine whether CBS hyper-methylation contributes to the bone marrow endothelial progenitor cell (BM-EPCs) function and subsequent bone blood flow in mice fed with a high methionine diet (HMD). Bone marrow (BM) cells were collected from HMD and control mice, differentiated into BM-EPCs, and were characterized by acLDL-DiI labeling. CBS mRNA expression was analyzed by real-time PCR, and the global methylation status and methylation of the CBS promoter were detected by nuclear 5-mC assay and methylation-specific PCR (qMSP) respectively. The result reveals that CBS promoter in BM-EPCs from HMD mice was hyper-methylated and the methylation level was, indeed, negatively correlated with CBS mRNA and angiogenic function of BM-EPCs. In addition, global methylation (5-mC) and DNA methyltransferase-1 (DNMT1) expression were increased in HMD condition. In vitro study also shows that HMD induced hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy) impaired both adhesion and angiogenesis properties of BM-EPCs, accompanied by higher methylation level of CBS promoter that compared to control. Furthermore, bone blood flow was found to be decreased in HMD mice as compared to wild-type mice. To dissect the epigenetic mechanism, we also administrated DNMT inhibitor, 5-azacytidine (5-Aza) to HMD mice. The administration of 5-Aza in HMD mice restored the CBS expression, EPC mediated angiogenesis and blood flow by reducing abnormal DNA hyper-methylation. In conclusion, HHcy dismantles BM-EPCs function and bone blood flow through the hyper-methylation of the CBS promoter in HMD fed mice.
Multisource surveillance for non-fatal work-related agricultural injuries

Objectives: Development of a state-wide comprehensive surveillance system for non-fatal work-related farm injuries, since non-fatal injuries that occur to the self-employed (i.e., many farm owners/operators), family workers, federal government workers and small farms with fewer than 11 employees are not included in the Bureau of Labor Statistics employer-based survey used to produce the U.S. National statistics of work-related injuries.Methods: In 2015 and 2016, inpatient discharge summaries, emergency department, and hospital-based outpatient clinic records from all 134 of Michigan's hospitals with ICD-9 codes 989.0-.1, E827.0-.9, E849.1, E906.8, E919.0 or ICD-10 codesT65.0-.1, V80, Y92.7, W55.1-.4, W30 were reviewed to identify non-fatal work-related farm injuries.Results: We identified 1,559 non-fatal work-related farm injury incidents that occurred in 1,525 individuals, with 74% being among men. The most common parts of the body injured were an upper limb (38.2%) and a lower limb (23.7%). The most common types of injury were contusions (26.4%) and fractures (19.9%). Owners/operators accounted for 44.1% and hired hands for 42.9% of individuals injured. Injuries caused by cows were the predominant cause: 472 (31.5%) of all the injuries. Dairy farms accounted for 39.6% of all cases for which the farm type was recorded.Conclusion: A comprehensive system to identify non-fatal work-related farm injuries among all individuals who work on a farm, including owner/operators, family members and migrant and seasonal farm laborers, was implemented using hospital, emergency department and hospital-based outpatient clinic medical records. Such a system is important to be able to identify hazards and target prevention.
Sam Mannan's safety triad, a framework for risk assessment

Abstract Late Dr. Sam Mannan promoted in his last year the concept of the Safety Triad as a basis for effective process safety. As he mentioned himself, nobody will be surprised that this triad consists of Prevention, Mitigation, and Response. If everything were perfect an accident would not occur, but in hindsight after an accident experience teaches that at least one of these pillars of the triad is missing or defective. Also, given the recent hurricane Harvey experience in the Houston region, socio-technical associated hazard threats emerge not only from inside a plant but can be external: NaTech or technological accidental occurrences evoked by natural forceful events. Hence to be acceptably safe, the robustness and reliability of the triad components must be well designed, and their performance over time must be periodically verified. This objective supposes a risk-based approach both for design and for reliable operation. However, risk assessment itself is fallible. Over the years it has been shown that there are many limitations, but fortunately during the last few years we have seen an advent of new approaches, methods, and techniques to perform a more realistic scenario definition of what can go wrong, enabling to cope with uncertainties in models and parameter values, to analyze the risk dynamics of situations, such as reliability and availability degradation, but also process risk evolving in continuous processes. In all this, not only the technical aspects but also the associated human and organizational factors must be included. The latter dominate the scene in many situations. Last but not least is the concept of resilience in case risks are overlooked due to lack of knowledge or even to the notorious "black swan" incidents. Preparing for unexpected events should provide not only error tolerant design but early warning agility, capability to improvise, and means to recover operations. It is business continuity that will be at stake! The paper will elaborate both the triad and Sam Mannan’s view on risk assessment.
Cascading After Peridiagnostic Cancer Genetic Testing: An Alternative to Population-Based Screening

PURPOSE Despite advances in DNA sequencing technology and expanded medical guidelines, the vast majority of individuals carrying pathogenic variants of common cancer susceptibility genes have yet t...
Brushless Fast Starter for Automotive Engine Start/Stop Application

In this article, a 48 V, 4 kW brushless fast starter (BFS) system for automotive start/stop applications is presented. The design and analysis of the machine, inverter, controller, and control algorithm are discussed in detail. The inverter and motor are integrated within the same size housing as the original brush-type starter to enable a drop-in replacement. Simulation models were used to assess the performance benefits of the brushless drive during engine autostart events and key start were compared to the conventional starting system with brush-type dc motors. To further verify the concept, a prototype BFS system was built. Both conventional 12 V brushed and proposed brushless starter were first tested on two different engine start carts. The performance in terms of autostart time, noise vibration and harshness, power consumption is compared. The proposed starter is then tested in a crossover vehicle with four-cylinder engine. Simulation and experimental results proved superior engine autostart and key start performances due to lower inertia, higher torque, and power capability of the brushless motor, especially at higher speeds.
Influence of Geography on Prostate Cancer Treatment.

Purpose Several definitive treatment options are available for prostate cancer, but geographic access to those options is not uniform. We created maps illustrating provider practice patterns relation to patients and assessed the influence of distance to treatment receipt. Methods and Materials The patient cohort was created by searching the National Medicare Database for patients diagnosed and treated for prostate cancer from 2011 to 2014. The provider cohort was created by querying the American Medical Association Physician Masterfile to identify physicians who had treated patients with prostatectomy, intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT), brachytherapy, stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT), or proton therapy. Maps detailing the location of providers were created for each modality. Multivariate multinomial logistic regressions were used to assess the association between patient-provider distance and probability of treatment. Results Cohorts consisted of 89,902 patients treated by 5518 physicians. Substantial numbers of providers practicing established modalities (IMRT, prostatectomy, and brachytherapy) were noted in major urban centers, whereas provider numbers were reduced in rural areas, most notably for brachytherapy. Ninety percent of prostate cancer patients lived within 35.1, 28.9, and 55.6 miles of a practitioner of prostatectomy, IMRT, and brachytherapy, respectively. Practitioners of emerging modalities (SBRT and proton therapy) were predominantly concentrated in urban locations, with 90% of patients living within 128 miles (SBRT) and 374.5 miles (proton). Greater distance was associated with decreased probability of treatment (IMRT –3.8% per 10 miles; prostatectomy –2.1%; brachytherapy –2%; proton therapy –1.6%; and SBRT –1.1%). Conclusions Geographic disparities were noted for analyzed treatment modalities, and these disparities influenced delivery.
Long-term follow-up of surgical outcomes for patients with Wilms tumor and neuroblastoma

Background There are minimal data on long-term surgical outcomes of patients who have undergone resection for Wilms tumor (WT) and neuroblastoma (NB). Methods A retrospective review of patients in a long-term survivor clinic between the years 1967 and 2016 in a pediatric tertiary care hospital (>5 years posttreatment) was performed. Results Eighty-six survivors of WT and 86 survivors of NB who had ongoing follow-up in the survivors' clinic were identified. The median age at diagnosis was 2.5 years (range, 0.4-15.7 years) with a mean follow-up of 22.3 years (±10.4 years) for WT. The median age at diagnosis for patients with NB was 0.9 years (range, 0.1-8.6 months); mean follow-up of 21.7 years (±7.9 years). Twelve patients with WT (14.0%) had at least 1 repeat laparotomy, 11.1% for bowel obstruction, at a median of 3 months from initial surgery. Twelve patients (14.0%) with NB required laparotomy and 8.1% for bowel obstruction, at a median of 12 years after initial surgery. The incidence of hypertension in patients with WT who had undergone nephrectomy was not outside of population norms. Patients who underwent thoracotomy for a NB have a higher incidence of scoliosis and Horner syndrome. Conclusions Small bowel obstruction requiring laparotomy is significantly higher than the literature norms for both tumor patient populations and typically occurs in the early postoperative period for patients with WT and remotely in patients with NB. The long-term surgical complications of patients who underwent resection for NB and WT clearly merit follow-up and patient education within multidisciplinary long-term survivorship clinics.
“Shelter at Home, if You Can:” Community Vulnerability and Residential Sequestering During the Coronavirus Pandemic of 2020

This study examines the effects of community vulnerability on residential sequestering across counties in the United States. Powerlessness and racialized politics are two hypothesized reasons for w...
A Healthy Lifestyle Intervention for Hispanic Families: Moderating Effects of Education, Income, Nativity

Abstract Objective To explore the moderation effect of parental social determinant factors—educational attainment, income, and nativity—on intervention effects of a family-based lifestyle intervention, Familias Unidas for Health and Wellness (FUHW). Design Longitudinal analysis across 6- and 24-months postbaseline of a randomized controlled trial. Participants Two-hundred and eighty primary caregivers. Analysis Moderation analysis was used to examine the interactive effects between intervention effects and social determinant factors. Main Outcome Measures Parental body mass index, added sugar intake, sugar-sweetened beverage intake, and fruits and vegetable intake. Results Findings indicated that FUHW effects on added sugar intake were moderated by educational attainment (P = 0.006), income (P = 0.023), and nativity (P = 0.024). In addition, FUHW effects on sugar-sweetened beverage intake were moderated by parent education (P = 0.042). Conclusions and Implications This study suggests that FUHW may be helpful in reducing added sugar and sugar-sweetened beverage intake for Hispanic parents who face social determinant factors—educational attainment, income, and foreign-born status—that may influence their dietary behaviors. By including demographic information in intervention development, effects may be enhanced by ensuring that considerations related to participants’ socioeconomic and cultural status are incorporated into intervention components and help reduce overweight and obesity.
AMERICAN BLOCKBUSTER: MOVIES, TECHNOLOGY, AND WONDER By Charles R. Acland. Duke University Press, 2020. 400 pp. $29.95 paper.

Asserting that the blockbuster movie has long held a central position in American popular culture, Charles R. Acland examines the roots and effects of the film category in his newly published, book...
Chisholm’s Paradox Revisited: Puzzles regarding Contrary-to-Duty Obligations and a Dynamic Solution

A contrary-to-duty obligation (CTD obligation) is a type of conditional obligation that tells us what to do when a primary duty is violated. Chisholm’s Paradox is one of the most famous deontic puzzles about CTD obligations. It is widely believed that Chisholm’s Paradox does not arise for ordering semantics, today’s orthodox semantics for modals and conditionals. In this paper, I propose a new puzzle, the CTD Trilemma, to show that ordering semantics still has difficulties in adequately representing natural reasoning with CTD obligations. I argue that to solve the CTD Trilemma a formal account must attend to two different functions played by ought-statements in our normative reasoning and discourse: ought-statements as normative rules and normative judgments. To formally capture this distinction I develop a new dynamic account of ought-statements and normative reasoning inspired by Frank Veltman’s update semantics for default reasoning. Finally, I show how my update semantics for normative reasoning provides a simple and elegant solution to the CTD Trilemma and explains seemingly inconsistent data about inferences using ought-statements in normative reasoning.
An analysis of social and psychological characteristics of women volunteering to become oocyte donors

Objectives To design a recruitment program and analysis to determine social and psychological characteristics of women who volunteer to be oocyte donors; to evaluate consistency between clinical interviews and psychological testing; and to determine whether socially and psychologically normal women tend to volunteer. Participants Over a 2-year period 95 women were recruited from a middle-class population surrounding the medical center. Candidates were evaluated on the basis of clinical interviews and performance on the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory. Seventy-three percent were accepted, and 63% donated oocytes. Interventions Interviews and psychological test evaluation were conducted independently by a clinical sociologist and a clinical psychologist; selections were made in a meeting of the treatment team. Results Interview and test data demonstrated consistency and indicated that women who volunteer tend to be socially conventional, outgoing, and free from psychopathology. The typical donor tends to be 26 years old, married with one or two children, holds religious or spiritual beliefs, has 2 years of college, works at least part-time in a white collar job, and is a person with high energy who has additional interests. Incidence of dysfunction in family of origin or family of orientation (abandonment, abuse) is unremarkable. Although motherhood is highly valued by oocyte donor volunteers, in test performance this group does not endorse traditional female role stereotypes. Conclusions We have determined that this recruitment protocol is reliable for screening normal oocyte donors and would recommend its use in programs involved in oocyte donation.
Beyond souvenirs: Making fannish items by hand

Fan crafts such as knitting, plushies, painted objects, and food are a fulfilling and creative endeavor for the artists. Five fan crafters were interviewed via e-mail to discuss how and why they create.
Asymptotic Theory for the Gamma Frailty Model with Dependent Censoring

In many clinical studies, there are two dependent event times with one of the events being terminal, such as death, and the other being nonfatal, such as myocardial infarction or cancer relapse. Morbidity can be dependently censored by mortality, but not vice versa. Asymptotic theory is developed for simultaneous estimation of the marginal distribution functions in this semi-competing risks setting. We specify the joint distribution of the event times in the upper wedge, where the nonfatal event happens before the terminal event, with the popular gamma frailty model. The estimators are based on an adaptation of the self-consistency principle. To study their properties, we employ a modification of the functional delta-method applied to Z-estimators. This approach to weak convergence leads naturally to asymptotic validity of both the nonparametric and multiplier bootstraps, facilitating inference in spite of the complexity of the limiting distribution.
Novel class-E converters

Two zero-voltage switching converters with nonresonant and resonant coupling are presented. These are high-order multiple resonant converters in which the circuit modes associated with the converter operations can have different resonant frequencies. By using proper state variable transformations, the authors derive the steady-state responses of these converters in terms of state-plane diagrams from which design curves are derived. It is shown that these converters have all the desirable features for high-frequency application and overcome the disadvantage of the conventional class-E converter with respect to the load range limitation in zero-voltage switching. >
Multiple view planning

The task of constructing a volumetric description of a scene from a single image is an underdetermined problem. To resolve the ambiguities that are caused by occlusions in range images, sensor measurements must be taken from several different views. A strategy is developed to determine the sequence of different views using the information in a narrow zone around the occluded regions. >
Enzymes involved in carbohydrate metabolism in adipose tissue

The sections in this article are: 1 Procedures and Methods1 1.1 Animals and Experimental Conditions 1.2 Preparation of Homogenate and Supernatant Fluid 1.3 Source of Chemicals 1.4 Biochemical Determinations 1.5 Expression of Biochemical Results 2 Results 2.1 Nitrogen Content of Adipose Tissue 2.2 Comparison of Enzyme Pattern of Adipose Tissue and Liver 2.3 Kinetic Properties of Enzymes Involved in Carbohydrate Metabolism in Adipose Tissue and Liver 3 Discussion
Me-Services: A Framework for Secure & Personalized Discovery, Composition and Management of Services in Pervasive Environments

Increasing computational capabilities and decreasing costs of commonly used devices, and the concomitant development of short range, ad-hoc networking technologies, will help realize the pervasive computing paradigm. In this paper, we present the use of semantically rich descriptions for devices to discover, and cooperate with, others in their vicinity. In particular, we describe our ongoing projects that have used DAML for service discovery, service composition, data management, and trust based security in pervasive computing environments.
Legal and Ethical Issues in the Behavioral Treatment of Juvenile and Adult Offenders

In the last several years, almost every book on the application of behavioral procedures and programs has included a chapter on legal and ethical issues (e.g., Bellack, Hersen, & Kazdin, 1982; Craighead, Kazdin, & Mahoney, 1981; Kazdin, 1980; Lutzker & Martin, 1981; Martin & Pear, 1983; Redd, Porterfield, & Anderson, 1979; Spiegler, 1983; Walker & Shea, 1980; Wood, 1975). One may wonder whether those involved in behavioral research or those using behavioral techniques engage in more illegal or unethical behavior than other personnel in the human service field. This is not likely to be the case. It is clear that although behavior therapists have often been zealous in their attempts to correct any ethical abuses of behavior therapy and to protect clients’ rights (Spiegler, 1983), legal and ethical issues arise in any therapeutic endeavor; many books have been written specifically addressing these issues (e.g., Fields & Horwitz, 1982; Gutheil & Appelbaum, 1982; Hannah, Christian, & Clark, 1981; Koocher, 1976; Martin, 1975; Melton, 1982; Sadoff, 1982; Schetky & Benedek, 1980; Schwitzgebel & Schwitzgebel, 1980; Slovenko, 1973). Nonetheless, those writing about behavioral approaches continue to be concerned that others in the behavioral field are cognizant of the relevant legal and ethical issues.
A multimodality treatment approach to post transplant airway stenosis

Purpose: Anastomotic airway complications are a significant cause for morbidity and mortality after lung transplantation (LT). The aim of this study was to investigate post LT anastomotic airway complications to evaluate both the need for and modalities used for treatment. Methods and materials: All patients undergoing LT performed between August 2005 and May 2010 by a single surgeon at our institution were reviewed retrospectively. All airway complications were managed by the Interventional Pulmonary team. Airway stenoses were managed with rigid bronchoscopy, balloon dilation, observation and or stent placement. Results: A total of 98 patients underwent LT (86 bilateral, 7 left, 5 right). 46 female and 53 male, with a mean age 49.7. 28 patients (28.6%) developed pneumonia within three months of transplantation, 8 of which were identified as a result of pseudomonas (28.6%). 28 (28.6%) patients also reported having evidence of acute cellular rejection within three months after transplantation. The median length of mechanical ventilation after transplant was 3 days (range 1 to 183). Of the 98 patients, 35 (35.7%) developed airway stenosis at a median of 16 weeks (range 1 to 164 weeks following surgery). Of these patients, 23 (65.7%) patients received at least one airway intervention. Conclusions: Airway stenosis after LT can be successfully managed with a variety of airway interventions. Further studies are needed to determine the best modalities.
Une cause rare d'hypertension veineuse après création d'accès de dialyse

Une hypertension veineuse apres creation de fistule arterio-veineuse ou de shunt arterio-veineux se produit chez environ 10-15% des patients (Kojecky et al., Biomed Papers, 2002 ; 146:77-79 ; Criado et al., Ann Vasc Surg 1994 ; 8:530-535). Son etiologie est generalement une stenose et/ou une thrombose du systeme veineux central secondaire aux catheterismes precedents avec developpement de l'hypertension veineuse apres que la communication arterio-veineuse ait ete etablie. Les strategies de traitement impliquent souvent une phlebographie pour determiner l'emplacement de la stenose et/ou de l'occlusion veineuse centrale et une recanalisation endovasculaire des veines stenosees ou occluses. Dans cet article, nous rapportons un cas d'hypertension veineuse chez un homme de 76 ans qui s'est presente avec un bras gonfle apres creation d'une fistule arterio-veineuse. La phlebographie montrait une compression extrinseque de la veine sous-claviere au niveau de la premiere cote, anomalie anatomique vue dans le syndrome du defile thoracique veineux. Dans cette observation, nous decrivons la gestion chirurgicale et endovasculaire de ce patient, et passons en revue la litterature sur les causes de stenose de veine centrale decouverte apres creation de l'acces pour dialyse.
Zn/Br2 cell: Effects of plated zinc and complexing organic phase

A model is presented for a zinc/bromine cell that considers the effects of an increase or a decrease in the cathode channel width due to zinc removal on discharge and zinc deposition on charge, respectively. The model also includes the effect of an organic bromine complexing agent (OCA) on the cell performance. Changes in the channel width affect the catholyte velocity, cathode side pressure drop, mass transfer and potential drop in the cell, while the inclusion of the bromine complexing organic phase shows a marked effect on the available bromine in the aqueous phase. It is shown that during discharge, the release of complexed Bromine by the OCA could degrade the cell performance. A simple equation is derived and used to express the relationship between the total bromine in the organic phase and the bromine in the aqueous phase.
Eating pathology, emotion regulation, and emotional overeating in obese adults with Binge Eating Disorder.

Objective The purpose of the current study was to examine the relationship among emotional regulation, emotional overeating, and general eating pathology in a treatment seeking sample of adults with Binge Eating Disorder (BED).
Diagnostics of the flowing afterglow

Abstract A systematic study of ion—molecule reactions has been done during the past several years in the NOAA flowing afterglow apparatus. These studies include the investigation of reactions involving unstable neutral reactants such as atomic hydrogen, atomic oxygen, ozone, and vibrationally excited nitrogen. The reactions have been studied at room temperature, over a range of temperatures in a variable temperature system, and as a function of ion kinetic energy in a combination drift-tube flowing afterglow. The sampling techniques which have been developed to study the ion processes in these systems are discussed.
Effect of bainite transformation and retained austenite on mechanical properties of austempered spheroidal graphite cast steel

Austempered ductile iron (ADI) has excellent mechanical properties, but its Young's modulus is low. Austempered spheroidal graphite cast steel (AGS) has been developed in order to obtain a new material with superior mechanical properties to ADI. Its carbon content (approximately 1.0 pct) is almost one-third that of a standard ADI; thus, the volume of graphite is also less. Young's modulus of AGS is 195 to 200 GPa and is comparable to that of steel. Austempered spheroidal graphite cast steel has an approximately 200 MPa higher tensile strength than ADI and twice the Charpy absorbed energy of ADI. The impact properties and the elongation are enhanced with increasing volume fraction of carbon-enriched retained austenite. At the austempering temperature of 650 K, the volume fraction of austenite is approximately 40 pct for 120 minutes in the 2.4 pct Si alloy, although it decreases rapidly in the 1.4 pct Si alloy. The X-ray diffraction analysis shows that appropriate quantity of silicon retards the decomposition of the carbon-enriched retained austenite. For austempering at 570 K, the amount of the carbon-enriched austenite decreases and the ferrite is supersaturated with carbon, resulting in high tensile strength but low toughness.
Key findings from the U.S. Department of Energy 2011 microgrid workshop

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) convened a microgrid workshop in August 2011. The workshop brought together more than 50 experts and practitioners to develop technical performance and cost targets for the microgrid, as well as technology development pathways for achievement of microgrid targets. Workshop attendees represented a diverse set of microgrid stakeholders, including research institutions, technology providers, system integrators, commercial and military end users, and federal/state/local governments. The workshop sessions focused on six technology areas where additional research and development (RD innovations needed and why; where the technology is heading; technology market sectors and sizes, and technology development pathways. The planned implementation of technology development pathways by the DOE Smart Grid R&D Program will also be presented.
Comparison of milk-based and soymilk-based yogurt.

The study was conducted to investigate the efficacy of the activated carbon treatment for improving the flavor of soymilk-based yogurt products and to determine the functionality of nonfat dry milk and whey protein concentrate in the manufacture of milk-based and soymilk-based yogurt. These products were subjected to a chemical analysis and characterized for physical and sensory properties
Exogenous administration of immunomodulatory therapies in hematopoietic cell transplantation: an infectious diseases perspective.

Purpose of reviewIn contrast to the recipient of a solid organ transplantation, the immunological competence of recipients of hematopoietic cell transplantation does not correlate well with the administration of non-corticosteroid immunosuppressive agents. This apparent paradox reflects the unique a