cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Rapidly Deploying Grammar-Based Speech Applications with Active Learning and Back-off Grammars

Grammar-based approaches to spoken language understanding are utilized to a great extent in industry, particularly when developers are confronted with data sparsity. In order to ensure wide grammar coverage, developers typically modify their grammars in an iterative process of deploying the application, collecting and transcribing user utterances, and adjusting the grammar. In this paper, we explore enhancing this iterative process by leveraging active learning with back-off grammars. Because the back-off grammars expand coverage of user utterances, developers have a safety net for deploying applications earlier. Furthermore, the statistics related to the back-off can be used for active learning, thus reducing the effort and cost of data transcription. In experiments conducted on a commercially deployed application, the approach achieved levels of semantic accuracy comparable to transcribing all failed utterances with 87% less transcriptions.
The surface orientation of polystyrene measured by liquid contact angle

The surface contact angle of glycerol and of water on polystyrene (PS) films has been found to depend on the extent of uniaxial draw for atactic PS. The contact angle depends on direction for the smooth films of PS drawn by solid state coextrusion. Results as a function of draw ratio to values over 4 on these noncrystalline PS samples, Mw = 6 × 105, have also been interrelated with other measures of orientation such as the anisotropy of surface and bulk properties measured, respectively, by dichroic reflectance infrared spectroscopy and by birefringence.
Reliable External Actuation for Extending Reachable Robotic Modular Self-Reconfiguration

External actuation in self-reconfigurable modular robots promises to allow modules to shrink down in size. Synchronous external motions promise to allow fast convergence and assembly times. XBot is a modular system that uses synchronous external actuation, but has a limited range of reachable configurations stemming from a single motion primitive of a module rotating about another. This paper proposes to extend the motion primitives by using moves with two modules swinging in a dynamic chain. The feasibility of these motion primitives is proven experimentally. A parameterization of the external actuation motion profiles is explored to define a space of physically valid motion profiles. The larger the space, the more robust the motion primitives will be to inexact initial conditions and to imprecision in the external actuation mechanisms. Additionally, this paper proves a configuration of XBot meta-modules can reach any configuration using just these motion primitives.
Relative resistance to gastrointestinal nematode parasites in Dorper, Katahdin, and St. Croix lambs under conditions encountered in the southeastern region of the United States

A study was conducted to evaluate the relative resistance to a natural or induced gastrointestinal (GI) nematode infection in hair and wool breeds of lambs. In Experiment 1, natural GI nematode infection was evaluated among fall born Dorper crossbred (DO; n = 17) or St. Croix (SC; n = 17) lambs. Ewe and wether lambs were weaned at 84 ± 1.1 days of age and dewormed. Fecal egg counts (FECs) and blood packed cell volume (PCV) were determined between weaning and 56 days later. In Experiment 2, natural GI nematode infection was evaluated among spring born DO (7/8 or 3/4 Dorper; n = 24), Katahdin (KA; n = 26), SC (n = 8), and Suffolk (SU; n = 10; wethers only) ewe and wether lambs from weaning (60 ± 1.3 days of age; April) to 115 ± 1.3 days of age (June). In both studies, lambs grazed bermudagrass overseeded with ryegrass, previously grazed with sheep, and were supplemented with 225–500 g of corn/soybean meal supplement. In Experiment 3, the relative resistance was examined among DO (n = 8), KA (n = 8), and SC (n = 9) ewe lambs to induced GI nematode infection (20,000 Haemonchus contortusL3). Lambs were weaned at 62 ± 2.3 days of age, dewormed 22 days later and inoculated 6 days later (Day 0). In Experiment 1, FEC was greater ( P< 0.04) at weaning in DO lambs and PCV was similar between DO and SC lambs. In Experiment 2, FEC was greatest and PCV least in DO lambs when compared with other breeds (breed × time, P< 0.003). In Experiment 3, FEC was greater in DO and KA lambs compared with SC lambs ( P< 0.02). By Day 42, four DO, six KA, and three SC lambs had been dewormed. With a low to moderate challenge, resistance to infection was similar among the three hair breeds examined and greater than the wool breed lambs. When the challenge escalated, St. Croix lambs were most resistant and Dorper crossbred lambs were similar or less resistant than Katahdin lambs. Published by Elsevier B.V.
Virus-Induced Neuronal Apoptosis Blocked by the Herpes Simplex Virus Latency-Associated Transcript

Latent infections with periodic reactivation are a common outcome after acute infection with many viruses. The latency-associated transcript (LAT) gene is required for wild-type reactivation of herpes simplex virus (HSV). However, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. In rabbit trigeminal ganglia, extensive apoptosis occurred with LAT(-) virus but not with LAT(+) viruses. In addition, a plasmid expressing LAT blocked apoptosis in cultured cells. Thus, LAT promotes neuronal survival after HSV-1 infection by reducing apoptosis.
Daily melatonin injections mimic the short day-induced increase in negative feedback effects of testosterone on gonadotropin secretion in hamsters.

One of the mechanisms underlying short day-induced testicular regression in golden hamsters is an increase in hypothalamic-pituitary sensitivity to the negative feedback effects of gonadal steroids on gonadotropin secretion. Since pinealectomy abolishes this effect of short days, and daily afternoon melatonin injections given to hamsters maintained on long days lead to testicular regression, we investigated whether melatonin may exert its antigonadal effect by increasing hypothalamic-pituitary sensitivity to negative feedback effects of testosterone on luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) release. Intact and long-term castrated male golden hamsters were either exposed to 6L:18D for 14 weeks, or maintained on 14L:1OD for 14 weeks and injected daily with either oil or 25 �ig melatonin 4 h before lights off. During Weeks 1014, the castrated hamsters received various doses of testosterone by subcutaneous implantation of either a 2, 4, 8 or 20 mm-long testosterone-filled Silastic capsule. Both exposure to 6L:18D and daily melatonin injections led to testicular regression within 6-8 weeks in the intact hamsters. In castrated hamsters on a 14L: 1OD cycle receiving oil injections, serum LH and FSH were suppressed only by the 20 mm testosterone capsule. In castrated hamsters on a 14L: I OD cycle receiving melatonin injections, and in castrated hamsters exposed to 6L:18D, serum LH and FSH were suppressed to levels close to or below the limits of the assays by even the 2 mm capsule, as well as all other doses of testosterone administered. This study demonstrates that melatonin, like exposure to short days, can cause an increase in hypothalamic-pituitary sensitivity to the negative feedback effects of gonadal steroids. These results, along with those of other studies, suggest that short dayinduced testicular regression may be due to antigonadotropic actions of melatonin.
Encapsulated gadolinium and dysprosium ions within ultra-short carbon nanotubes for MR microscopy at 11.75 and 21.1 T.

Single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) have gained interest for their biocompatibility and multifunctional properties. Ultra-short SWNTs (US-tubes) have demonstrated high proton relaxivity when encapsulating gadolinium ions (Gd3+) at clinical field strengths. At higher field strengths, however, Gd3+ ions demonstrate decreased proton relaxation properties while chemically similar dysprosium ions (Dy3+) improve relaxation properties. This report investigates the first use of Gd3+ and Dy3+ ions within US-tubes (GNTs and DNTs, respectively) at ultra-high magnetic field (21.1 T). Both agents are compared in solution and as an intracellular contrast agent labeling a murine microglia cell line (Bv2) immobilized in a tissue-mimicking agarose phantom using two high magnetic fields: 21.1 and 11.75 T. In solution at 21.1 T, results show excellent transverse relaxation; DNTs outperformed GNTs as a T2 agent with measured r2/r1 ratios of 247 and 47, respectively. Additionally, intracellular DNTs were shown to be a better T2 agent than GNTs with higher contrast percentages and contrast-to-noise ratios. As such, this study demonstrates the potential of DNTs at high magnetic fields for cellular labeling and future in vivo, MRI-based cell tracking. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Imaging Poliovirus Entry in Live Cells

Viruses initiate infection by transferring their genetic material across a cellular membrane and into the appropriate compartment of the cell. The mechanisms by which animal viruses, especially nonenveloped viruses, deliver their genomes are only poorly understood. This is due in part to technical difficulties involved in direct visualization of viral gene delivery and to uncertainties in distinguishing productive and nonproductive pathways caused by the high particle-to–plaque forming unit ratio of most animal viruses. Here, we combine an imaging assay that simultaneously tracks the viral capsid and genome in live cells with an infectivity-based assay for RNA release to characterize the early events in the poliovirus (PV) infection. Effects on RNA genome delivery from inhibitors of cell trafficking pathways were probed systematically by both methods. Surprisingly, we observe that genome release by PV is highly efficient and rapid, and thus does not limit the overall infectivity or the infection rate. The results define a pathway in which PV binds to receptors on the cell surface and enters the cell by a clathrin-, caveolin-, flotillin-, and microtubule-independent, but tyrosine kinase- and actin-dependent, endocytic mechanism. Immediately after the internalization of the virus particle, genome release takes place from vesicles or tightly sealed membrane invaginations located within 100–200 nm of the plasma membrane. These results settle a long-lasting debate of whether PV directly breaks the plasma membrane barrier or relies on endocytosis to deliver its genome into the cell. We expect this imaging assay to be broadly applicable to the investigation of entry mechanisms for nonenveloped viruses.
Unstressed words in Spanish

In this paper, I examine the prosodic nature of unstressed function words in Spanish. I defend the hypothesis that these words, like all other words in the language, have a syllable that is lexically designated as stressed. I suggest that the essential property of these words is that they are subject to a rule of prosodic merger with following elements within the syntactic phrase, creating a single prosodic word domain. Their surface stresslessnes, I argue, is a consequence of the fact that, by a general rule operating in the language, only the rightmost lexical stress is preserved within a prosodic word domain in Spanish. I also consider several pragmatic contexts in which these words may receive stress in discourse. Finally, I briefly compare stresslessness in Spanish with accentlessness in Basque and tonelessness in Bantu languages.
Broad applications of single-cell nucleic acid analysis in biomedical research

Recent publications have demonstrated the feasibility and utility of sequencing DNA or RNA from single cells [1,2]. The power of these tools lies in their ability to reveal in mixtures of cells the identity and state of subpopulations. The advantage of single-cell analysis over merely deep sequencing, whether for DNA or RNA, lies in the ability of the former to isolate differences and to phase possibly multiple differences within subpopulations. The future applications of these technologies are
Investigation on RF Characteristics of Stacked P-I-N Polysilicon Diodes for ESD Protection Design in 0.18-μm CMOS Technology

An ESD protection design by using the stacked p-i-n polysilicon diodes for CMOS RF integrated circuits is proposed to reduce the input capacitance and to avoid the noise coupling from the common substrate. In this paper, the dc I-V characteristics, RF S-parameters, and ESD robustness of the stacked p-i-n polysilicon diodes are investigated in a 0.18-mum salicided CMOS process. This polysilicon diode with small parasitic capacitance and high ESD robustness is fully process compatible to general CMOS process without extra process modification
Notes on the term “ Dhāraṇī ” in medieval Chinese Buddhist thought 1

“ Dhāraṇī ”, with its many cognates in Chinese and other languages, is one of the most complex terms in Buddhism. Particular shadings of the tradition's notions of memory, meaning, and meditation, as well as specific kinds of incantations and mnemonic devices, all fall within what can seem a rather bewildering semantic range. However, the logic of the term is consistent over a wide range of sources, though Western treatments have often been misleading. It is usually claimed that the basic practical significance of “ dhāraṇī ” is either memory or incantation. Yet Chinese sources make clear that each of these understandings overly privileges a narrow band of the term's usage. Understanding that the basic practical sense of “ dhāraṇī ” was “grasp”, not memory or spells, illuminates connections within a range of sources, from doctrinal treatments to injunctions to “hold” dhāraṇī -incantations in mind and, indeed, on the body encountered in texts of various kinds.
A CORRELATION BETWEEN THE HISTOLOGICAL CHANGES AND THE FATE OF LIVING TUBERCLE BACILLI IN THE ORGANS OF REINFECTED RABBITS

1. Immunity to reinfection is a function of the increased capacity of the mononuclear phagocytes to destroy tubercle bacilli and varies directly with the extent of the primary lesion; however it is rarely sufficient to annihilate completely the microorganism. This acquired immunity is superimposed on the natural resistance of a given organ. 2. In the presence of sufficient immunity, such as occurs with the persistence of an extensive primary lesion, small numbers of tubercle bacilli are destroyed by the mononuclear cells in situ without local or general infiltration of the tissues by polymorphonuclear or mononuclear leucocytes. Larger numbers of bacilli are destroyed within 24 hours by an accelerated formation of sharply localized nodules of mononuclear phagocytes. These progress no further and are absorbed or result in inconspicuous microscopic collections of epithelioid and giant cells. 3. In the presence of less immunity, such as occurs when the primary lesion has almost completely healed, the immediate inflammatory reaction is more intense and diffuse and persists longer. It results in a less rapid disappearance of the bacilli and in a more extensive formation of tubercles. These appear much earlier than in the normal animal and soon resolve. 4. Tubercle bacilli of reinfection may be destroyed even though the primary lesion in the lung and kidney is progressive. This is due to an unhindered extracellular multiplication of the bacilli in the caseous foci that undergo softening and excavation. Resistance may be overwhelmed by the spread of tremendous numbers of living bacilli from these foci through the bronchi or renal tubules, while the moderate numbers of reinfecting bacilli reaching the organs by way of the blood stream are destroyed.
Modeling organizational behaviors of construction enterpises: an agent based modeling appraoch

In an effort to explore the complexity of construction organizations, this paper introduces a comprehensive Agent Based Model called Virtual Organizational Imitation for Construction Enterprises (VOICE). Building its ground on the findings of organizational behavior, VOICE models three critical aspects of construction organizations including Work, Actors and Organization. Then different levels of organization processes are reproduced to simulate the transition from micro-level processes to the collective performance. As an attempt of developing a comprehensive, all-inclusive simulation model for construction organizations, this work sets a stepping-stone for future studies.
Efficient evaluation of XQuery over streaming data

With the growing popularity of XML and emergence of streaming data model, processing queries over streaming XML has become an important topic. This paper presents a new framework and a set of techniques for processing XQuery over streaming data. As compared to the existing work on supporting XPath/XQuery over data streams, we make the following three contributions:1. We propose a series of optimizations which transform XQuery queries so that they can be correctly executed with a single pass on the dataset.2. We present a methodology for determining when an XQuery query, possibly after the transformations we introduce, can be correctly executed with only a single pass on the dataset.3. We describe a code generation approach which can handle XQuery queries with user-defined aggregates, including recursive functions. We aggressively use static analysis and generate executable code, i.e., do not require a query plan to be interpreted at runtime.We have evaluated our implementation using several XMark benchmarks and three other XQuery queries driven by real applications. Our experimental results show that as compared to Qizx/Open, Saxon, and Galax, our system: 1) is at least 25% faster on XMark queries with small datasets, 2) is significantly faster on XMark queries with larger datasets, 3) at least one order of magnitude faster on the queries driven by real applications, as unlike other systems, we can transform them to execute with a single pass, and 4) executes queries efficiently on large datasets when other systems often have memory overflows.
Intentionality and Narrativity in Phenomenological Psychological Research Reflections on Husserl and Ricoeur

According to Husserlian scholars such as Mohanty (1989), description and interpretation coexist within Husserl’s work and are envisioned as complementary rather than mutually exclusive approaches to inquiry. This paper argues that exploring the implications of this philosophical complementarity for psychological research would require distinguishing between both the multiple meanings of “interpretation” and the differing modes of interpretation within qualitative data. Husserl’s model of passive and active intentionality and Ricoeur’s theory of narrativity are examined in order to explore their relevance for research. It is argued that interview data can demonstrate both actively and passively intended dimensions, and that the psychological meaningfulness of this complexity points to the relevance of not only Husserl’s static analysis but also his genetic analysis. Likewise, it is argued that Ricoeur’s work on narrativity and narrative identity is invaluable in grasping ways in which narrative data is intrinsically self-interpretive, expresses self-identity, and is both situated within and responsive to the larger social horizon of the ineluctably relational interview context within which it is given.
The New and Old Dilemmas of Mexico-U.S. Migration: Poverty, Drugs, and Policy

The present paper analyzes the current dilemmas of Mexico-U.S. migration, including drug trafficking, gang violence, and human rights abuses. In particular, the study analyzes the effects of poverty, drug policy, and immigration policy. This research is supported by information gathered from a series of interviews conducted in Brownsville, Texas and Matamoros, Mexico with immigrants, state/local government officials, and other specialists in the topic.
Multimodality and Dialogue Act Classification in the RoboHelper Project

We describe the annotation of a multimodal corpus that includes pointing gestures and haptic actions (force exchanges). Haptic actions are rarely analyzed as fullfledged components of dialogue, but our data shows haptic actions are used to advance the state of the interaction. We report our experiments on recognizing Dialogue Acts in both offline and online modes. Our results show that multimodal features and the dialogue game aid in DA classification.
Insurance or Signals? An Experimental Analysis of Behaviour Under Risk

The actions that individuals take to minimize the impact of risk generally involve cost. Thus, the actions that provide insurance often provide signals with regard to the individuals' underlying quality characteristics. Since the same action affects risk exposure and signals quality, individual objectives are difficult to disentangle. In this paper we use an experimental approach to distinguish between the two distinct objectives served by the same action. A sample of 528 students taking a single course were provided with 4 optional pre-final tests. Increasing the number of pre-final tests reduced the weight of the mandatory final exam in the overall course grade. The literature on insurance markets predicts that poorer students would take more pre-final tests (tests as insurance); and further that a greater number of pre-final tests would, ceteris paribus, cause final exam performance to decline. However, the literature on market signaling predicts that better students would take on more pre-final tests (tests as signals), and hence a greater number of pre-final tests would be associated with a better final performance. The results provide strong support for the signaling hypothesis. This suggests that individuals' choices in risky situations are likely to have both direct (risk alleviation) and indirect (signaling) aspects.
Social Class in Old Age

Although there would obviously be certain difficulties involved in applying this technique in a densely populated urban area, the above arguments would defend such a use equally well; again, appraisers use the same techniques and assumptions in urban and rural valuation. Intelligent modification to suit the local situation should enable one to construct a reliable, valid, relatively inexpensive housing index of social class in any community in the United States.
RT-40THE DOWN-REGULATION OF H-FERRITIN AS AN ADJUVANT THERAPY IN HUMAN GLIOMA

Cancer cells generally exhibit increased iron requirements and heightened iron metabolism. As the major iron storage protein, ferritin expression is elevated in many types of cancer. In this study, we report that the sensitization of H-ferritin down-regulation in glioma cells against radiation and suggest the potential of H-ferritin down-regulation as an adjuvant therapy in human glioma. In human glioma cells, down-regulation of H-ferritin performed through a nanotechnology-based transfection platform led to a transient decrease in transferrin receptor level, suggesting a release of intracellular iron with loss of ferritin. This iron release in turn produced intracellular oxidative stress, demonstrated by protein oxidation damage, as well as a decrease in the stability of hypoxia-inducible factors (HIFs), which is an indicator of radioresistance. In glioma cells, exposure to radiation resulted in protein oxidation which could be exacerbated by H-ferritin down-regulation. Previously we have demonstrated a DNA protection role for H-ferritin. Here we expand this concept by showing that the down-regulation of H-ferritin is associated with increased DNA vulnerability when cells were exposed to ionizing radiation. The activation of DNA repair mechanisms was impaired when H-ferritin was absent. The in vitro data suggest a synergistic effect of radiation and H-ferritin down-regulation. Additionally, we expand our research into CD133-positive glioma stem cells (GSCs), which are notoriously resistant to anti-cancer treatment. Down-regulation of H-ferritin in GSCs inhibited cell proliferation in vitro, presumably through apoptosis induction. With an intracranial glioma model established by GSC implantation, we demonstrated that the survival was significantly prolonged by H-ferritin siRNA transfection through intravenous injection, in tumor bearing mice treated with first-line drug Temodar. This study supports the potential of H-ferritin siRNA as an adjuvant therapy in glioma treatment.
Benford's Law and Numerical Stylization of Monetary Valuations in Ancient Literature

Numbers recorded in Greek and Roman sources are subject to literary stylization. Previous studies have documented substantial degrees of distortion in thematically specific samples. This study offers the first-ever comprehensive survey of references to amounts of money in literary sources pertaining to Roman history up to the early third century AD. This analysis compares the attested distribution of first digits to the probability distribution predicted by Benford’s Law in order to identify deviations that may be attributed to number preference and rhetorical stylization.
Comparison of isotretinoin and viaminate in the treatment of moderate to severe acne vulgaris:a multiple-centre,randomized,double-blind,comparative clinical trial

Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of isotretinoin and viaminate for the treatment of moderate to severe acne vulgaris.Methods A multiple-centre,double-blind,double-analog comparative clinical trial was conducted.Patients diagnosed with moderate to severe acne by GAGS (global acne grading system) were randomly divided into isotretinoin group (10 mg,bid) and viaminate group (50 mg,tid);treatment was done for a total of 6 weeks.All subjects were evaluated before treatment,and at 2,4,6 weeks after the initiation of treatment,for evaluation of lesion count,and for observation of thera- peutic effects and side effects.Results A total of 217 patients were enrolled this trial,of which,213 could be evaluated in a FAS (Full Analysis Set) analysis and 200 in a PPS (per protocol) analysis.There was no significant difference in the efficacy at 2,4,6 weeks after the initiation of treatment between the isotretinoin group and viaminate group (6.0% vs 5.0%,29.0% vs 20.0%,57.0 % vs 51.0 %,respectively). However,the inflammatory papules and pustules decreased more rapidly in the isotretinoin group than in the viaminate group at each of the follow up evaluations (all P＜0.05).There was no obvious difference in the rate of clearance of comedones and nodules between the two groups.Both the occurrence rate (68.81% vs 36.53%,P＜0.001) and severity (P＜0.05) of side effects were higher in the isotretinoin group than in the viaminate group.The main adverse events included mouth dryness,dizziness,etc,occurred more fre- quently in the isotretinoin group than in the viaminate group.Conclusion For the treatment of moderate to severe acne,the efficacy of isotretinoin is similar to that of viaminate;however,isotretinoin has more imme- diate effect with more side effects than viaminate.
Acute pulmonary dysfunction and distress

Acute pulmonary dysfunction and distress is not uncommon in the obstetric patient. In these situations, however, a quick assessment and intervention is necessary in many cases. This article familiarizes the practicing obstetrician with the physiology and therapy to evaluate and effectively treat these patients.
Reclaiming the Wild

Having annexed the Andamans to British India, the most pressing task ahead was to create a Settlement on the Islands by clearing forests, draining the swamps and erecting dwelling places for the administrators and convicts. Settling a colony such as the Andamans, the officers would soon discover, was a Herculean task. This was because, on one hand, the Andamans was a terra incognito for the British, and on the other, Fort William was minimalist in its instructions regarding the way the colony was to be administered, leaving the Settlement officials to their own devices.1 More than lack of knowledge or direction, frustrating the Settlement officers’ efforts were their presumptions regarding the ecology and the inhabitants of the Islands. Making the latter acquiesce was not as easy as the officers had supposed. The British had presumed that the Islands’ spatial and societal insularity would not be difficult to overcome and was in fact propitious for the working of the penal settlement. Instead of facilitating, the Islands’ insularity became the chief hurdle in the colonization of the Islands. Fort William did not factor-in the high costs of shipping people, food and other materials to the colony. Securing the penal settlement through the elimination of all indigenous transport and communication networks with the Islands and its resultant dependence on government-sponsored transportation became a costly affair. High mortality rates, morbidity due to disease, spiralling costs of erecting buildings and shelters, and providing for the convicts and the guards on the Islands further added to the expense.
Use of Medical Lasers for Airway Disease

Since the first description nearly half a century ago, medical lasers have become a vital component of the therapeutic armamentarium of interventional pulmonologists. Over this time, medical lasers have been utilized to relieve nearly every form of airway luminal obstruction with beneficial effect on patient symptoms. Through the review of more than 10,000 published airway laser applications, our collective understanding of the power of this technique has been refined. With the growing access to this powerful tool exists an obligation of the operator to fully realize the mechanism of how lasers work, appropriate indications, complications, techniques, safeguards, and outcomes of employing medical lasers for therapeutic effects in the airway. The following chapter provides a discussion of these points designed to serve as a reference for the interventionalist interested in the use of medical lasers.
Continuity and Change in Adolescent Victimization: Examining the Effects of Stable and Dynamic Influences

After decades of treatment as a fairly distinct topic, recent research on victimization has begun to draw on theoretical approaches previously directed at understanding criminal behavior. The current study expands this research by studying victimization and its relationship to key developmental influences with data from 3,976 adolescents. We first detail the longitudinal process that underlies continuity and change in victimization and then consider the impact of time-stable and time-varying covariates that reflect mechanisms within those explanations. Findings suggest that time-varying markers of risky lifestyle and attachment affect victimization, but also that victimization affects risky behaviors and prosocial ties.
Photoelastic Analysis of Stresses in Composites

The term “composite” in this paper will be used in a somewhat broader sense than in the usual definition. Consider a series of materials and structures; first, a typical composite material, random fibers of glass embedded in a plastic matrix; second, fibers oriented in one direction in the plastic matrix; third, the fibers oriented in varied directions, layer by layer, in the plastic. Fourth, consider single layers of unidirectional fibers in plastic that are cast and subsequently bonded to each other with the fibers in varied directions, to give a system very similar to the one previously described. Fifth, consider fiber reinforced layers bonded alternately to layers of a homogeneous material such as a metal, ceramic or glass. Sixth, consider layers of two different homogeneous materials bonded together. Finally, consider two irregular shapes of different materials bonded together. All the above examples are here termed composites.
Analysis of inaccurate data with mixture measurement error models

Measurement error, the difference between a measured (observed) value of quantity and its true value, is perceived as a possible source of estimation bias in many surveys. To correct for such bias, a validation sample can be used in addition to the original sample for adjustment of measurement error. Depending on the type of validation sample, we can either use the internal calibration approach or the external calibration approach. Motivated by Korean Longitudinal Study of Aging (KLoSA), we propose a novel application of fractional imputation to correct for measurement error in the analysis of survey data. The proposed method is to create imputed values of the unobserved true variables, which are mis-measured in the main study, by using validation subsample. Furthermore, the proposed method can be directly applicable when the measurement error model is a mixture distribution. Variance estimation using Taylor linearization is developed. Results from a limited simulation study are also presented.
Meningococcal conjugate vaccine safety surveillance in the Vaccine Safety Datalink using a tree-temporal scan data mining method.

PURPOSE The objective of our study was to conduct a data mining analysis to identify potential adverse events (AEs) following MENACWY-D using the tree-temporal scan statistic in the Vaccine Safety Datalink population and demonstrate the feasibility of this method in a large distributed safety data setting. METHODS Traditional pharmacovigilance techniques used in vaccine safety are generally geared to detecting AEs based on pre-defined sets of conditions or diagnoses. Using a newly developed tree-temporal scan statistic data mining method, we performed a pilot study to evaluate the safety profile of the meningococcal conjugate vaccine Menactra® (MenACWY-D), screening thousands of potential AE diagnoses and diagnosis groupings. The study cohort included enrolled participants in the Vaccine Safety Datalink aged 11 to 18 years who had received MenACWY-D vaccination(s) between 2005 and 2014. The tree-temporal scan statistic was employed to identify statistical associations (signals) of AEs following MENACWY-D at a 0.05 level of significance, adjusted for multiple testing. RESULTS We detected signals for 2 groups of outcomes: diseases of the skin and subcutaneous tissue, fever, and urticaria. Both groups are known AEs following MENACWY-D vaccination. We also identified a statistical signal for pleurisy, but further examination suggested it was likely a false signal. No new MENACWY-D safety concerns were raised. CONCLUSIONS As a pilot study, we demonstrated that the tree-temporal scan statistic data mining method can be successfully applied to screen broadly for a wide range of vaccine-AE associations within a large health care data network.
Optimal filtering of discrete-time hybrid systems

This paper is concerned with discrete-time hybrid filtering of linear non-Gaussian systems coupled by a hidden switching process. An optimal control approach is used to derive a finite-dimensional recursive filter which is optimal in the sense of the most probable trajectory estimate. Models with unknown switching distributions are considered. Extensions to nonlinear hybrid systems are given. Numerical examples are considered and computational experiments are reported. These examples demonstrate that our filtering scheme outperforms popular filtering schemes available in the literature.
Reducing indwelling urinary catheter use through staged introduction of electronic clinical decision support in a multicenter hospital system

ObjectiveTo integrate electronic clinical decision support tools into clinical practice and to evaluate the impact on indwelling urinary catheter (IUC) use and catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs).Design, Setting, and ParticipantsThis 4-phase observational study included all inpatients at a multicampus, academic medical center between 2011 and 2015.InterventionsPhase 1 comprised best practices training and standardization of electronic documentation. Phase 2 comprised real-time electronic tracking of IUC duration. In phase 3, a triggered alert reminded clinicians of IUC duration. In phase 4, a new IUC order (1) introduced automated order expiration and (2) required consideration of alternatives and selection of an appropriate indication.ResultsOverall, 2,121 CAUTIs, 179,070 new catheters, 643,055 catheter days, and 2,186 reinsertions occurred in 3·85 million hospitalized patient days during the study period. The CAUTI rate per 10,000 patient days decreased incrementally in each phase from 9·06 in phase 1 to 1·65 in phase 4 (relative risk [RR], 0·182; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0·153–0·216; P<·001). New catheters per 1,000 patient days declined from 53·4 in phase 1 to 39·5 in phase 4 (RR, 0·740; 95% CI, 0·730; P<·001), and catheter days per 1,000 patient days decreased from 194·5 in phase 1 to 140·7 in phase 4 (RR, 0·723; 95% CI, 0·719–0·728; P<·001). The reinsertion rate declined from 3·66% in phase 1 to 3·25% in phase 4 (RR, 0·894; 95% CI, 0·834–0·959; P=·0017).ConclusionsThe phased introduction of decision support tools was associated with progressive declines in new catheters, total catheter days, and CAUTIs. Clinical decision support tools offer a viable and scalable intervention to target hospital-wide IUC use and hold promise for other quality improvement initiatives.
Chapter 3 Antimicrobial Properties of Hydroxyxanthenes

Hydroxyxanthenes are commonly used as dyestuffs in the food, cosmetics, and textile industries. These compounds also have medical applications due to their unique staining and fluorescent properties. The halogenated hydroxyxanthenes exhibit antimicrobial properties that may be useful for reducing or eliminating bacterial pathogens from a variety of environments, including drinking water and food products. Antimicrobial characteristics of Eosin, Erythrosine, Phloxine, and Rose Bengal have been known for many years, but their application as antimicrobial agents has been limited primarily to selective agents in microbiological growth media. The primary mechanism of bacterial inactivation by hydroxyxanthenes is photooxidation. When halogenated hydroxyxanthenes are photooxidized, a variety of compounds are produced (e.g., singlet oxygen, superoxide anion and other radicals); these exhibit toxicity to the microbial cell. Gram-positive bacteria are particularly sensitive to inactivation by photooxidation of halogenated hydroxyxanthenes; however, different species vary in their sensitivity. Gram-negative bacteria are inherently resistant to inactivation by these compounds due to the barrier properties of the outer membrane that prevent the necessary localization. Treatments such as chelation and ultrahigh pressure may be used to destabilize the outer membrane leading to sensitivity of Gram-negative bacteria to halogenated hydroxyxanthenes.
Fatigue properties and stem subsidence in wire coil reinforced PMMA bone cement: a preliminary in vitro study

The longevity of the cemented total hip joint replacement depends on the integrity of the cement fixation with respect to the interfaces of the metal stem and bone, and stress/strain transmission and its distribution. A simple stainless steel wire coil was placed around a tapered stem in a simulated cement mantle to counteract radial- and hoop-stress and dynamic compression-compression tests were performed. The results showed that the wire coil reinforced cement group had a higher fatigue (30%) and strength (35%) up to 10(5) loading cycles. The amount of stem subsidence during fatigue tests of the wire reinforced group was significantly reduced (2.5 times) compared with the control group.
American Diversity in International Arbitration 2003-2013 (Pre-Publication Draft)

When I was approached to return to issues of diversity in international arbitration, I decided to expand on the methodology I used in the 2003-2004 period in two earlier articles on American minorities in international arbitration. This work is an update and expansion of the work that went into my articles Benjamin G. Davis, The Color Line in International Commercial Arbitration: An American Perspective, (presented at the American Bar Association, Dispute Resolution Section Mid-Year meeting April 16, 2004), 14 American Review of International Arbitration (Columbia University) 461 (2004), Benjamin G. Davis, International Commercial Online and Offline Dispute Resolution: Addressing Primacism and Universalism 4 Journal of American Arbitration (Penn State Dickinson/Tulane) 79 (2005), and in the ABA Dispute Resolution Magazine (forthcoming Winter 2014). I examine American diversity in international arbitration across the broader target population for the ABA’s Goal III diversity efforts: American women, American minorities, American lawyers with disabilities, and American LGBTQ lawyers. These four groups are the target population described in the American Bar Association’s Goal III: Eliminate Bias and Enhance Diversity. In addition to sending a survey to 413 international arbitration practitioners of whom I was aware or to whom I was referred and listservs, I contacted a diverse group of international arbitral institutions around the world from some of whom I received data.
Contrastive Rhetoric: Contrastive rhetoric and the field of rhetoric and composition

In addition to discussing reasons for the importance of writing at the college level in the United States, this chapter describes four major approaches in the teaching of writing: approaches based on rhetorical theories, the expressionist approach, the cognitive approach, and the social constructivist approach. Their influences on contrastive rhetoric in second language writing are assessed. Contrastive rhetoric research owes much of its current revival to the important role that the teaching of writing plays in undergraduate education in colleges and universities in the United States. The role of rhetoric and composition in college education in the United States Historians of composition theory and practice (e.g., Berlin 1987; North 1987) note that the rise of interest in the formal teaching of writing in the United States can be traced back to 1873, when Harvard University first added an English composition requirement to its list of admission standards. The Conference on College Composition and Communication was formed in 1949. Together with other English teachers' organizations, such as the Modern Language Association and the National Council of Teachers of English, this group has brought composition into a central position of interest among English educators. Beginning in the 1960s, the study of student composing and of written products became a respectable object of academic inquiry. Faculty involved in the research and teaching of writing have gained legitimacy in English departments; writing courses are often taught by tenure-track faculty members, not just by part-time instructors or teaching assistants.
Counseling psychologists in medical education in the United States: career development, professional identity, and training implications

Psychologists have been working in medical education for over 100 years and the number of psychologists in these settings is increasing, yet the involvement of counseling psychologists in medical e...
Dangerous weapons or dangerous people? The temporal associations between gun violence and mental health

Abstract Despite the public, political, and media narrative that mental health is at the root of gun violence, evidence is lacking to infer a causal link. This study examines the temporal associations between gun violence (i.e., threatening someone with a gun and gun carrying) and mental health (i.e., anxiety, depression, stress, PTSD, hostility, impulsivity, and borderline personality disorder) as well the cross-sectional associations with gun access and gun ownership in a group of emerging adults. Waves 6 (2015) and 8 (2017) data were used from a longitudinal study in Texas, US. Participants were 663 emerging adults (61.7% female) including 33.6% self-identified Hispanics, 26.0% white, 27.0% Black, and 13.4% other, with an average age of 22 years. Multivariate logistic regression indicated that, individuals who had gun access were 18.15 times and individuals with high hostility were 3.51 times more likely to have threatened someone with a gun, after controlling for demographic factors and prior mental health treatment. Individuals who had gun access were 4.74 times, individuals who reported gun ownership were 5.22 times, and individuals with high impulsivity were 1.91 times more likely to have carried a gun outside of their homes, after controlling for prior gun carrying, mental health treatment, and demographic factors. Counter to public beliefs, the majority of mental health symptoms examined were not related to gun violence. Instead, access to firearms was the primary culprit. The findings have important implications for gun control policy efforts.
Selective loss of cortical endothelial tight junction proteins during Alzheimer's disease progression

While the accumulation and aggregation of amyloid-β and tau are central events in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease, there is increasing evidence that cerebrovascular pathology is also abundant in Alzheimer's disease brains. In brain capillaries, endothelial cells are connected closely with one another through transmembrane tight junction proteins forming the blood-brain barrier. Because the blood-brain barrier tightly regulates the exchange of molecules between brain and blood and maintains brain homeostasis, its impairment is increasingly recognized as a critical factor contributing to Alzheimer's disease pathogenesis. However, the pathological relationship between blood-brain barrier properties and Alzheimer's disease progression in the human brain is not fully understood. In this study, we show that the loss of cortical tight junction proteins is a common event in Alzheimer's disease, and is correlated with synaptic degeneration. By quantifying the amounts of major tight junction proteins, claudin-5 and occludin, in 12 brain regions dissected from post-mortem brains of normal ageing (n = 10), pathological ageing (n = 14) and Alzheimer's disease patients (n = 19), we found that they were selectively decreased in cortical areas in Alzheimer's disease. Cortical tight junction proteins were decreased in association with the Braak neurofibrillary tangle stage. There was also a negative correlation between the amount of tight junction proteins and the amounts of insoluble Alzheimer's disease-related proteins, in particular amyloid-β40, in cortical areas. In addition, the amount of tight junction proteins in these areas correlated positively with those of synaptic markers. Thus, loss of cortical tight junction proteins in Alzheimer's disease is associated with insoluble amyloid-β40 and loss of synaptic markers. Importantly, the positive correlation between claudin-5 and synaptic markers, in particular synaptophysin, was present independent of insoluble amyloid-β40, amyloid-β42 and tau values, suggesting that loss of cortical tight junction proteins and synaptic degeneration is present, at least in part, independent of insoluble Alzheimer's disease-related proteins. Collectively, these results indicate that loss of tight junction proteins occurs predominantly in the neocortex during Alzheimer's disease progression. Further, our findings provide a neuropathological clue as to how endothelial tight junction pathology may contribute to Alzheimer's disease pathogenesis in both synergistic and additive manners to typical amyloid-β and tau pathologies.
Self-efficacy mediates the relationship of depressive symptoms and social support with adherence in patients with heart failure:

Poor self-care is common among adults with heart failure and leads to poor health outcomes. Low self-efficacy, depression, and low social support are associated with poor self-care, but knowledge about these relationships in heart failure is limited. Secondary data analysis of cross-sectional data from 346 adults with heart failure measuring self-efficacy, depressive symptoms, social support, and self-care adherence was conducted. Tests of mediation using multiple linear regressions indicate that self-efficacy fully mediates the relationships between depression and adherence, and social support and adherence. Bolstering self-efficacy may have a greater impact on self-care adherence than targeting either depression or social support alone.