cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A preview control model of driver steering behavior

A preview control model of driver steering behavior is introduced which is an outgrowth of a model of the human pilot. This model was developed to describe the preview control behavior of the human pilot in low-level flight tasks. The model describes preview behavior as a natural extension of compensatory and pursuit tracking. The preview model is exercised in analyzing driving tasks such as lane tracking on a cured roadway, and lane change maneuvers. >
Comparison of three physiologically-based pharmacokinetic models for the prediction of contrast agent distribution measured by dynamic MR imaging

THE TRANSPORT OF PHARMACOLOGIC AGENTS in the body is often modeled using physiologically-based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) models. The purpose of these models is to predict the time course of pharmaceutical agent concentration in blood vessels, tissues, and organs. Whole-body PBPK models have only recently been applied to predicting the distribution of radiologic contrast agents (1). The availability of accurate PBPK models of the distribution of gadolinium-based contrast agents that could be adjusted for patient size would be helpful to predict gadolinium contrast agent concentration-time curves (Gd-CTCs) in vascular structures and organs. Simulated image data derived from these predicted Gd-CTCs may be helpful to optimize pulse sequence design for a number of emerging MR applications for which images are dynamically acquired during the intravenous bolus infusion of gadolinium contrast agents, including contrast-enhanced MR angiography, dynamic susceptibility contrast-enhanced (DSC) MRI, and dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE) MRI. The purpose of this work is to compare the performance of three models of contrast agent distribution for predicting Gd-CTCs obtained in superior sagittal sinus (SSS), cortex, and skeletal muscle as measured by DCE perfusion imaging.
Load identification and voltage stability monitoring

The paper describes an algorithm for recursive identification of the power system composite load by using recursive least squares. The variation of the composite load components during slow voltage transients has been shown to deteriorate voltage stability margins. By combining the load identification and voltage stability monitoring, it is possible to make a better assessment of the risks associated with power system operation under heavy loading conditions. >
Evaluation Studies on Group Treatment of Juvenile and Adult Offenders in Correctional Institutions: A Review of the Literature

This paper reviews twenty-three studies (based on a literature search covering 1945-70) evaluating group treatment of juvenile and adult offenders in correctional institutions. The studies are discussed critically under such headings as definition of treat ment, goals and theoretical presuppositions, and experimental design. The major conclusion drawn from the review is that, although the evaluation studies report a variety of positive re sults, still, as a whole the investigations fall short of meeting the criteria of scientific research, especially regarding replication; this makes it im possible to conclude that group treatment in correc tional institutions is an effective rehabilitation mode. Several issues deserving the attention of researchers are suggested, one of which is the question of the compatibility of institutional and post-institutional adjustment as criteria of success in group treat ment.
A Question of Morality: Artists' Values and Public Funding for the Arts

In 1989, the combination of art, religion, homosexuality, ana1 public dollars set off an explosive two-year battle and a decade of skirmishes over funding for the National Endowment for the Arts. To promote artistic freedom and to avoid political controversy, federal arts policy delegates specific funding decisions to private donors and arts professionals. In an era of morality politics—hot-button issues driven by deeply held beliefs rather than by expertise—that strategy no longer works. Artists, donors, and arts audiences diverge widely from the rest of the American public in their attitudes toward religion, sexual morality, and civil liberties, as General Social Survey data show. Delegating funding decisions to them has naturally led to some subsidies of art offensive to important segments of the population.
A GTP-dependent vertebrate-type phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase from Mycobacterium smegmatis.

Abstract This is the first report on a bacterial verterbrate-type GTP-dependent phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PCK). The pck gene of Mycobacterium smegmatis was cloned. The recombinant PCK was overexpressed inEscherichia coli in a soluble form and with high activity. The purified enzyme was found to be monomeric (72 kDa), thermophilic (optimum temperature, 70 °C), very stable upon storage at 4 °C, stimulated by thiol-containing reducing agents, and inhibited by oxalate and by α-ketoglutarate. The requirement for a divalent cation for activity was fulfilled best by Mn2+ and Co2+ and poorly by Mg2+. At 37 °C, the highest Vm value (32.5 units/mg) was recorded with Mn2+ and in the presence of 37 mmdithiothreitol (DTT). The presence of Mg2+ (2 mm) greatly lowered the apparent K mvalues for Mn2+ (by 144-fold in the presence of DTT and by 9.4-fold in the absence of DTT) and Co2+ (by 230-fold). In the absence of DTT but in the presence of Mg2+ (2 mm) as the co-divalent cation, Co2+ was 21-fold more efficient than Mn2+. For producing oxaloacetate, the enzyme utilized both GDP and IDP; ADP served very poorly. The apparent K m values for phosphoenolpyruvate, GDP, and bicarbonate were >100, 66, and 8300 μm, respectively, whereas those for GTP and oxaloacetate (for the phosphoenolpyruvate formation activity) were 13 and 12 μm, respectively. Thus, this enzyme preferred the gluconeogenesis/glycerogenesis direction. This property fits the suggestion that in M. smegmatis, pyruvate carboxylase is not anaplerotic but rather gluconeogenic (Mukhopadhyay, B., and Purwantini, E. (2000) Biochim. Biophys. Acta. 1475, 191–206). Both in primary structure and kinetic properties, the mycobacterial PCK was very similar to its vertebrate-liver counterparts and thus could serve as a model for these enzymes; examples for several immediate targets are presented.
The role of tags in information retrieval interaction

Introduction According to a recent Pew Internet report (Rainie, 2007), 28% of Americans have tagged content online. Tags are descriptive terms people attach to online content, either their own or other people’s; tagging is the practice of attaching tags. Tagging has been rapidly adopted on the Web, particularly by sites based on user-contributed content, such as blogs and photo sharing sites. According to these sites, tags make it easier to find tagged items later, make tagged items more findable by others, and also help organize collections of items. Surprisingly, there is little empirical support for these claimed benefits of tags. Research on tagging has focused on analysis of the tags themselves (Golder & Huberman, 2006; Marlow et al, 2006; Kipp, 2007) or the motivations and behavior of taggers (Ames & Naaman, 2007; Wash & Rader, 2007). Users reported failing to find the information they wanted using tags (Wash & Rader, 2007), and recall and precision of searches using tags lagged behind search engines (Morrison, 2007).
The Role of Cellular Adaptation to Mechanical Forces in Atherosclerosis

Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease that originates at regions of arteries exposed to disturbances in fluid flow and results in progressive plaque formation in those areas. Recent work on cellular responses to flow has identified potential mechanosensors and pathways that may influence disease progression. These results led us to hypothesize that the same mechanisms that mediate adaptive responses in the vasculature become maladaptive at sites of disturbed flow. Subsequent changes in gene expression and matrix remodeling help to entrain these inflammatory pathways. These events synergize with systemic risk factors such as hyperlipidemia, smoking, and diabetes, leading to disease progression.
The Reification of Absorptive Capacity: A Critical Review and Rejuvenation of the Construct

We conduct a detailed analysis of 289 absorptive capacity papers from 14 journals to assess how the construct has been utilized, examine the key papers in the field, and identify the substantive contributions to the broader literature using a thematic analysis. We argue that research in this area is fundamentally driven by five critical assumptions that we conclude have led to its reification and that this reification has led to stifling of research in this area. To address this, we propose a model of absorptive capacity processes, antecedents, and outcomes.
Using biological metrics to score and evaluate sites: a nearest-neighbour reference condition approach

Summary 1. Reference (i.e. least or minimally impaired) sites can provide important information about the expected range of biological metrics and can be used to establish impairment or non-impairment of a test site. A problem with using reference data is that biological metrics are affected by natural conditions. We present an approach that uses local information to adjust for natural conditions and a method for statistically evaluating condition at a test site using biological metrics. 2. Our method consists of four steps: selection of a distance measure to find neighbours of a test site, selecting natural variables to measure the distance, selection of the number of neighbours and calculating a scored metric. 3. We use a simulated example to illustrate when the nearest-neighbour approach improves classification of sites as reference or not reference. 4. Using a set of data from the Mid-Atlantic Highlands, we show that the nearest-neighbour method improved on the ability of a regression approach to correctly classify test sites known to be from a non-reference group without affecting the ability to correctly classify test sites known to be from the reference group.
Prediction of joint moments using a neural network model of muscle activations from EMG signals

Because the relationship between electromyographic (EMG) signals and muscle activations remains unpredictable, a new way to determine muscle activations from EMG signals by using a neural network is proposed and realized. Using a neural network to predict the muscle activations from EMG signals avoids establishing a complex mathematical model to express the muscle activation dynamics. The feed-forward neural network model of muscle activations applied here is composed of four layers and uses an adjusted back-propagation training algorithm. In this study, the basic back-propagation algorithm was not applicable, because muscle activation could not be measured, and hence the error between predicted activation and the real activation was not available. Thus, an adjusted back-propagation algorithm was developed. Joint torque at the elbow was calculated from the EMG signals of ten flexor and extensor muscles, using the neural network result of estimated activation of the muscles. Once muscle activations were obtained, Hill-type models were used to estimate muscle force. A musculoskeletal geometry model was then used to obtain moment arms, from which joint moments were determined and compared with measured values. The results show that this neural network model can be used to represent the relationship between EMG signals and joint moments well.
The Role of Endocrine Disruptors in the Epigenetics of Reproductive Disease and Dysfunction: Potential Relevance to Humans

In a murine model, we have linked early life toxicant exposure to reduced uterine sensitivity to progesterone, a phenotype we had previously associated with inflammation in endometriosis patients. Subsequent studies revealed that developmental toxicant exposure not only reduces fertility in male and female mice but also negatively impacts pregnancy leading to spontaneous preterm birth (PTB), regardless of which parent was exposed. An epigenetic alteration of the progesterone receptor gene correlated with reduced fertility and adverse pregnancy outcomes and persisted in multiple generations of mice in the absence of an additional toxicant exposure. Gene–environment interactions in women may explain why some patients “at risk” for PTB deliver at term while others without known risks deliver early. Our model provides a unique system to unravel the interactive influences of inflammation and reduced progesterone responsiveness on PTB. Our model suggests that therapy needs to begin prior to conception (and involve both partners) rather than during pregnancy once the inflammatory cascade has been initiated.
Growth of diamond films on copper

Copper and diamond both have cubic crystal structures and similar lattice constants, making Cu an excellent candidate substrate for the heteroepitaxial growth of electronic device quality diamond. In this study a Cu substrate preparation method was developed to obtain large-area, free-standing polycrystalline diamond films. Concurrently, a statistically designed experiment was used to maximize the diamond film quality and resulted in (111) and (100) faceted films of quality comparable to or better than those grown on Si. The diamond films were analyzed by Raman spectroscopy, x-ray diffraction, and scanning electron microscopy.
Characteristics of Fast Food Restaurant Patrons: A Special Emphasis on Concern for Nutrition

This study investigated the relationship between patronage of fast food restaurants and personal values, attitudes toward nutrition, life style, and demographics. The results indicate that more frequent patrons express lower concern for nutrition. Conversely, as emphasis on nutrition is associated with non-patronage of these outlets, it appears management of fast food restaurants may be faced with a potential market segment that can be served through offering and communicating the availability of more nutritious fast food menus. In addition, life style and demographics werp found related to patronage.
Multiclass classification of distributed memory parallel computations

High Performance Computing (HPC) is a field concerned with solving large-scale problems in science and engineering. However, the computational infrastructure of HPC systems can also be misused as demonstrated by the recent commoditization of cloud computing resources on the black market. As a first step towards addressing this, we introduce a machine learning approach for classifying distributed parallel computations based on communication patterns between compute nodes. We first provide relevant background on message passing and computational equivalence classes called dwarfs and describe our exploratory data analysis using self organizing maps. We then present our classification results across 29 scientific codes using Bayesian networks and compare their performance against Random Forest classifiers. These models, trained with hundreds of gigabytes of communication logs collected at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, perform well without any a priori information and address several shortcomings of previous approaches.
Asymmetric fan-beam configurations with spatially varying focal lengths and shift-variant filtering reconstruction

We present an algorithm for image reconstruction from data acquired by use of an asymmetric fan-beam configuration with a spatially varying focal length. This algorithm is a natural generalization of our previous algorithm for fan-beam computed tomography (CT) that involves shift-variant filtering, and it possesses desirable noise and numerical properties similar to those in the previous algorithm. We performed computer simulation studies to validate and evaluate the proposed algorithm, and quantitative results demonstrate that the proposed algorithm possesses desirable noise and numerical properties. The filtered backprojection algorithm can reconstruct images from data acquired in a configuration with a constant focal length. In this situation, the proposed algorithm yields images with lower and more uniform noise properties than the filtered backprojection algorithm.
Maintenance of Basal ACTH Levels by Corticosterone and RU28362, but not Aldosterone: Relationship to Available Type I and Type II Corticosteroid Receptor Levels in Brain and Pituitary

This study examined the ability of three replacement doses of corticosterone, aldosterone, or RU28362 to prevent the increase in morning basal plasma ACTH levels that occurs after adrenalectomy. In addition, the effect of each of these systemic steroid treatments on available cytosolic type I and type II corticosteroid receptor binding levels in hypothalamus, pituitary and hippocampus was measured. Available corticosteroid receptor measures indicated that the low dose of corticosterone occupied type I receptors, whereas the middle and high doses of corticosterone occupied both type I and type II receptors. Each of the doses of RU28362 selectively occupied type II receptors, whereas each of the doses of aldosterone selectively occupied type I receptors. The lowest dose of corticosterone partially prevented, and the middle and high doses of corticosterone completely prevented the adrenalectomy-induced increase in ACTH. Each of the doses of RU28362 prevented the adrenalectomy-induced increase in ACTH, whereas none of the doses of aldosterone had an effect on ACTH levels. These results substantiate the in vivo corticosteroid receptor subtype selectivity of aldosterone and RU28362. In addition, these results indicate that corticosteroid activation of neural type II receptors is sufficient to maintain morning levels of basal ACTH secretion. Type I corticosteroid receptor activation in the brain may also be sufficient to maintain basal ACTH levels, but only in response to corticosterone, not in response to aldosterone.
Biological and molecular characterization of a raccoon isolate of Trypanosoma cruzi from South Carolina.

Biological and molecular characteristics of a raccoon isolate of Trypanosoma cruzi (R36) were compared with those of a known virulent strain (Brazil). Included in the characterization were growth rate in liver infusion tryptose medium, infectivity for murine fibroblasts, intracellular amastigote replication and trypomastigote release rates, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) profiling of the mini-exon gene, isoenzyme and random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) profiles, and in vivo virulence for C3H/HeJ mice. Similar growth curves were noted for both strains; however, infectivity and rates of intracellular amastigote replication and trypomastigote release were significantly lower for the R36 isolate than for the Brazil strain. To determine virulence, C3H/HeJ mice were exposed intraperitoneally to the R36 isolate. No parasite was observed in blood by direct examination or in tissues by histology; however, T. cruzi was detected by PCR in tissues (quadriceps and spleen) at 21 days postinfection. Analyses of the...
Signal-To-Noise Ratio Dependence On Frame Time, Time Delay And Integration (TDI), And Pulse Shaping

The dependence of the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) on three important focal plane design functions frame time, time delay and integration (TDI), and pulse shaping is examined. A general focal plane model is developed that permits the SNR to be parameterized separately in terms of the three functions. The focal plane model treats both staring mosaic sensors and scanning line sensors as special cases of the model parameters and accounts for the pres-ence of multispectral detectors arranged in either a side-by-side or a sandwiched configuration. Both noise in the detectors (including photon noise) and charge coupled device (CCD) noise that arises in transferring the signal off the focal plane are considered, but it is assumed that the detectors are not limited by 1 /f noise. General parametric expressions for the SNR in terms of frame time, the number of samples per blur spot (pulse shaping), and the number of TDI steps are derived, and specific results for both a mosaic focal plane and a scanning line focal plane are presented. It is found that, regardless of the focal plane design, the SNR increases at least as the square root of the frame time and decreases at least as the square root of the number of samples per blur spot. The behavior of the SNR in terms of the number of TDI steps is more complicated and depends on the specific focal plane configuration. It can be stated generally, however, that the presence of CCD noise ultimately causes the SNR to peak and then decrease with increasing TDI. The peak SNR occurs at large TDI steps for scanning line sensors and at small TDI steps for mosaic sensors.
Prospects for predicting changes to coastal wetland bird populations due to accelerated sea level rise

Accelerating sea level rise (SLR) is likely to cause considerable changes to estuarine and other coastal wetlands. Efforts to forecast the effects of SLR on coastal wetland vegetation communities should be useful in making predictions for individual species that depend upon those communities. However, considerable uncertainty exists when predicting a chain of events that passes from the global climate to local effects to implications for a single species. One component of this uncertainty is the classification resolution used by SLR landscape change models such as the Sea Level Affects Marshes Model (SLAMM). To isolate and assess the effects of this kind of uncertainty on species-level SLR prediction, we analyzed surveys of birds and plants in the lower Altamaha River and its estuary in Georgia, USA. For 19 marsh and forest bird species, we tested the predictive value of three classes of covariates of site occupancy: (1) field-measured habitat variables and spatial information, (2) information available from a SLAMM map, including the spatial configuration of the SLAMM habitat classes, and (3) SLAMM habitat class alone. We found that the predictive ability of occupancy models built from these three kinds of information varies widely among species. We therefore suggest criteria for classifying species according to the amount of detail necessary to describe their habitat niche, and thus to maximize the accuracy of predictive models. We point out that for species with habitat requirements that can be represented well by SLAMM classes, such as the Clapper Rail, forecasts of SLR-induced population change are probably feasible. For species with more narrow habitat needs, however, such as the Seaside Sparrow, reasonable predictions of SLR effects may not be possible without further refinement of SLR landscape change models. We suggest that improved thematic resolution of such models should be a priority, if the implications of SLR models for individual species are to be ascertained fully.
The Future of Juvenile Appeals in the United States

Appellate review of delinquency adjudications is necessary to protect the rights of juvenile defendants and preserve the integrity of the juvenile process. Review is no less important than in adult criminal courts, where the reversal rate on appeals is high enough to suggest that “depriving defendants of their right to appeal would expose them to an unacceptable risk of erroneous conviction.” Unfortunately, juveniles often fail to exercise this essential right because they are discouraged to do so by courts, denied access to the tools necessary to appeal, or lack the sophistication or means to file appeals. Moreover, because of strict time limits for filing, appellate rights expire. These time frames, which impose an unnecessary and unfair bar to effective review, are inconsistent with protections afforded juveniles in non-delinquency matters. Tolling the time within which to file an appeal during minority, however, may ensure greater (and necessary) access to the appellate courts.
Hydrogenous Species and Charge Defects in the Si-SiO2 System

Hydrogen in its several speciations plays major roles in the Si-Si02 system. Some roles are beneficial, some are harmful, and some are unclear in their effects. There has been, nonetheless, little systematic research on H and its compounds per se in the Si-Si02 system. Much knowledge has been accumulated; but it is almost all focused on explaining one or another specific device phenomenon, rather than on illuminating of the behavior of hydrogen in itself. A number of these are listed below: Negative-bias-temperature instability (NBTI) Radiation/hot-electron generated defects and charges Passivation/depassivation of interface trapped charge Deal oxidation triangle Oxidation-induced “fixed” oxide charge Atomic-H paradox H vs D effect in generation of charge defects Diffusion, solubility of H2O Electron trapping in SiO2 Anomalous positive charge
Unresolved issues concerning Hodgkin's disease and its relationship to non-Hodgkin's lymphoma

Numerous reviews of the pathology of Hodgkin's disease (HD) have recently been published. These include general summaries 1,2 as well as extensive reviews of the morphologic features, 3-5 immunophenotypic characteristics, 5-8 and molecular and cytogenetic findings associated with this disease. 9,10 Rather than duplicate such work here, we will focus on a number of unresolved issues that remain problematic and are at the heart of some of the controversy that surrounds this disease. Perhaps the most intriguing question about HD has been that concerning the origin of the neoplastic cells 11
Use of Pectinase in Pollen Tube and Pollen Mother Cell Smears

Styles of Physalis pruinosa L. and P. ixocarpa Brot. were fixed in a modification of Carnoy's fixative (alcohol, chloroform, acetic acid; 3:2:1) 48 hr after pollination. After 24 hr, the styles were transferred to a 5% aqueous pectinase solution (adjusted to pH 4) on a spot plate for 24 hr. The styles were then transferred with a brush into another spot containing a mixture of 15 parts of 1% aqueous light green to 1 part Darlington and LaCour's acid fuchsin light green stain. The styles were mounted individually in glycerol after 24 hr of staining. Generally the weight of the cover slip was enough to adequately flatten the style. The unstained glassy pollen tubes were easily discernible throughout their lengths on a background of the purplish blue stylar tissues. It was also found that by putting fresh or fixed anthers into the pectinase solution for about an hour and then macerating them in acetocarmine, almost all the pollen mother cells were separated from each other. This increased the number of well ...
Meta-Reasoning Algorithm for Improving Analysis of Student Interactions with Learning Objects using Supervised Learning.

Supervised learning (SL) systems have been used to automatically learn models for analysis of learning object (LO) data. However, SL systems have trouble accommodating data from multiple distributions and “troublesome” data that contains irrelevant features or noise—all of which are relatively common in highly diverse LO data. The solution is to break up the available data into separate areas and then take steps to improve models on areas containing troublesome data. Unfortunately, finding these areas in the first place is a far from trivial task that balances finding a single distribution with having sufficient data to support meaningful analysis. Therefore, we propose a BoU metareasoning (MR) algorithm that first uses semi-supervised clustering to find compact clusters with multiple labels that each support meaningful analyses. After clustering, our BoU MR algorithm learns a separate model on each such cluster. Finally, our BoU MR algorithm uses feature selection (FS) and noise correction (NC) algorithms to improve models on clusters containing troublesome data. Our experiments, using three datasets containing over 5000 sessions of student interactions with LOs, show that multiple models from BoU MR achieve more accurate analyses than a single model. Further, FS and NC algorithms are more effective at improving multiple models than a single model.
Epidemiology of Parkinson Disease

Parkinson disease (PD) is a common progressive neurodegenerative condition, causing both motor and non motor symptoms. Motor symptoms include stiffness, slowness, rest tremor and poor postural reflexes, whereas nonmotor symptoms include abnormalities of mood, cognition, sleep and autonomic function. Affected patients show cell loss in the substantia nigra pars compacta, and accumulation of aggregated alpha-synuclein into intracellular structures called Lewy bodies, within specific brain regions. The main known non modifiable risk factor is age. The neuroepidemiology of PD is complex with susceptibility genes and a number of modifiable risk factors that can increase and others that can mitigate risk and outcome.
Tabasco brand pepper sauce bottles from Avery Island, Louisiana

Archaeologists investigating sites inhabited after 1868 often find bottles that once contained Tabasco brand pepper sauce, manufactured by McIlhenny Company, Avery Island, Louisiana. Detailed information about these bottles is difficult to obtain from the literature. Archaeological research on Avery Island has provided relative dating information about these bottles that will be of interest to historical archaeologists.
Wave–wave interactions in a periodic chain with quadratic nonlinearity

Abstract Two waves are studied using perturbation analysis for their interactions in an one-dimensional periodic structure with quadratic nonlinearity. A first-order multiple-scales analysis along with numerical simulations on the full chain are used to understand the interaction of two waves when one is the sub- or super-harmonic of the other. The strength of quadratic nonlinearity affects the rate at which the energy is exchanged between the two waves. Depending on parameters and energy states, the interactions between the waves are periodic or whirling and result in quasi-periodic combined propagating waves with either phase drifts or weakly phase-locking properties. The analysis suggests the possibility of the existence of emergent wave harmonics. Due to quadratic nonlinearity, a very small amplitude subharmonic or superharmonic wave mode can drift in its phase, and then burst out with a larger amplitude as it circumnavigates a separatrix. Depending on the parameters and wave numbers, the amplitude of this emergent wave burst can have varying significance.
Delayed high school start times later than 8:30am and impact on graduation rates and attendance rates.

Abstract Objectives The first purpose of this study was to investigate changes in high school graduation rates with a delayed school start time of later than 8:30 am . The second aim of the study was to analyze the association between a delayed high school start time later than 8:30 am and attendance rates. Design In the current study, a pre-post design using a repeated-measures analysis of variance was used to examine changes in attendance and graduation rates 2 years after a delayed start was implemented. Setting Public high schools from 8 school districts (n = 29 high schools) located throughout 7 different states. Schools were identified using previous research from the Children's National Medical Center's Division of Sleep Medicine Research Team. Participants and measurements A total membership of more than 30,000 high school students enrolled in the 29 schools identified by the Children's National Medical Center's Research Team. A pre-post design was used for a within-subject design, controlling for any school-to-school difference in the calculation of the response variable. This is the recommended technique for a study that may include data with potential measurement error. Results Findings from this study linked a start time of later than 8:30 am to improved attendance rates and graduation rates. Conclusions Attendance rates and graduation rates significantly improved in schools with delayed start times of 8:30 am or later. School officials need to take special notice that this investigation also raises questions about whether later start times are a mechanism for closing the achievement gap due to improved graduation rates.
From Innovation to Transcreation: Adapting Digital Technologies to Address Violence against Children

With seven billion mobile phone subscriptions and a third of the world's population going online, digital information and communication technologies present untapped platforms for communication, learning and empowerment. Newer technologies such as mobile phones, the internet and computers have the potential to contribute significantly to the prevention of violence against children. Yet, efforts to date have focused primarily on the risks associated with them. It is important to consider how digital technologies can enhance social and behaviour change interventions to prevent and respond to violence against children. We conducted a systematic review of social and behaviour change interventions addressing violence against children. We searched five databases for peer-reviewed and grey literature published between 2000 and 2015, which yielded 18 manuscripts relevant to the use of computers, the internet or mobile phones. Digital technologies were typically combined with other communication channels in order to reach children, parents, teachers or service providers. We are unable to draw any conclusions on the direct effectiveness of digital technologies, indicating the need for more rigorous evaluations to assess their added value. Future work should explore how digital technologies can be integrated into programmes disseminating information, raising awareness, helping individuals report violence and mobilising communities to action. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Key Practitioner Messages Successful violence prevention programmes are not taking full advantage of digital technologies. Adapting programmes and messages for computer, internet or mobile phone delivery would broaden their scope and reach. The interactive nature of digital technologies makes them ideally suited to involve and empower individuals and entire communities for change. The effectiveness of digital technologies in preventing violence against children is still unclear. More investment in research and evaluation is needed. ‘A systematic review of social and behaviour change interventions addressing violence against children’ ‘The effectiveness of digital technologies in preventing violence against children is still unclear’
Computer Science Outreach with End-User Robot-Programming Tools

Robots are becoming popular in Computer Science outreach to K-12 students. Easy-to-program toy robots already exist as commercial educational products. These toys take advantage of the increased interest and engagement resulting from the ability to write code that makes a robot physically move. However, toy robots do not demonstrate the potential of robots to carry out useful everyday tasks. On the other hand, functional robots are often difficult to program even for professional software developers or roboticists. In this work, we apply end-user programming tools for functional robots to the Computer Science outreach context. This experience report describes two offerings of a week-long introductory workshop in which students with various disabilities learned to program a Clearpath Turtlebot, capable of delivering items, interacting with people via touchscreen, and autonomously navigating its environment. We found that the robot and the end-user programming tool that we developed in previous work were successful in provoking interest in Computer Science among both groups of students and in establishing confidence among students that programming is both accessible and interesting. We present key observations from the workshops, lessons learned, and suggestions for readers interested in employing a similar approach.
Propensity Score Adjusted Comparison of Minimally Invasive versus Open Thymectomy in the Management of Early Stage Thymoma

Background The benefits of minimally invasive versus open thymectomy for the management of thymoma are debatable. Further, patient factors contributing to the selection of operative technique are not well elucidated. We aim to identify the association between baseline patient characteristics with choice of surgical approach. Methods Medical records of early stage thymoma (stages I and II) patients undergoing thymectomy between 2005 and 2015 at a single center were identified. Baseline characteristics and surgical outcomes such as prolonged length of stay (LOS ≥ 4 days), 90-day postoperative morbidity, completeness of resection, and recurrence or mortality free rates were compared by surgical approach. Results Fifty-three patients underwent thymectomy (34 open [64.15%] vs. 19 minimally invasive [35.85%]). There were no statistical differences between the two surgical approaches in demographic variables, smoking status, lung function, comorbidity, tumor size, or staging. Open thymectomy had significantly prolonged LOS (≥4 days) compared with minimally invasive procedures (odds ratio: 11.65; p p = 0.56), positive margin ( p = 0.40), tumor within 0.1 cm of resection margin ( p = 0.38), and survival probability estimates (log rank test; p = 0.48) between the two groups. Conclusion Baseline patient characteristics were not associated with surgical approach selected for thymectomy. Minimally invasive thymectomy patients had shorter LOS but no significant differences in 90-day composite morbidity and recurrence or mortality. Larger multicenter studies are needed to evaluate factors contributing to patient selection for each approach, which may include surgeon preference.
Should patients with complex febrile seizure be admitted for further management

Abstract Background and aims Children with first complex febrile seizure (CFS) are often admitted for observation. The goals of this study were 1) to assess the risk of seizure recurrence during admission, 2) to determine whether early EEG affects acute management. Design/methods We retrospectively reviewed a cohort of children 6–60 months of age admitted from a Pediatric Emergency Department for first CFS over a 15 year period. We excluded children admitted for supportive care of their febrile illness. Data extraction included age, gender, seizure features, laboratory and imaging studies, EEG, further seizures during admission, and antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) given. Results One hundred eighty three children met inclusion criteria. Seven patients had seizures during the admission (7/183 or 3.8%) Since 38 children were loaded with anti-epileptic medication during their visit, the adjusted rate is 7/145 or 4.8. Increased risk of seizure recurrence during admission was observed in children presenting with multiple seizures (P = 0.005). EEG was performed in 104/183 children (57%) and led to change in management in one patient (1%, 95% C.I. 0.05–6%). Six of the 7 children with seizure had an EEG. The study was normal in 3 and findings in the other 2 did not suggest/predict further seizures during the admission. Conclusions Children with first CFSs are at low risk for seizure recurrence during admission. Multiple seizures at presentation are associated with risk of early recurrence and may warrant an admission. EEG had limited effect on acute management and should not be an indication for admission.
Separation of Church and Trait: Trait Death Anxiety is Universal, Distressing, and Unbuffered by Worldview in Emerging Adults.

We begin with a review of death anxiety in emerging adults and then report on a descriptive survey study using the Revised Livingston-Zimet Death Anxiety Scale (RLZDAS). Research questions dealt with the RLZDAS’ factor structure, demographic patterns, and hypothesized correlations with distress and religiosity/spirituality. We surveyed university-enrolled emerging adults (n = 706). Findings included a 3-factor solution on the RLZDAS (cognitive, repressive, and affective) and no appreciable relationships with demographic factors. Clinical symptomatology was correlated with death anxiety (r = .40), particularly cognitive death anxiety (r = .45), especially in non-believers (r = .58). Religiosity/spirituality did not buffer death anxiety, and some components were actually positively correlated. We argue that death anxiety in emerging adults is multidimensional, clinically relevant, and relatively universal and that broad notions of worldview/belief are not necessarily protective factors.
Appropriate and timely antibiotic administration for neonatal sepsis in Mesoamérica

Neonatal sepsis is a leading cause of mortality among children under-5 in Latin America. The Salud Mesoamerica Initiative (SMI), a multicountry results-based aid programme, was designed to improve maternal, newborn and child health in impoverished communities in Mesoamerica. This study examines the delivery of timely and appropriate antibiotics for neonatal sepsis among facilities participating in the SMI project. A multifaceted health facility survey was implemented at SMI inception and approximately 18 months later as a follow-up. A random sample of medical records from neonates diagnosed with sepsis was reviewed, and data regarding antibiotic administration were extracted. In this paper, we present the percentage of patients who received timely (within 2 hours) and appropriate antibiotics. Multilevel logistic regression was used to assess for potential facility-level determinants of timely and appropriate antibiotic treatment. Among 821 neonates diagnosed with sepsis in 63 facilities, 61.8% received an appropriate antibiotic regimen, most commonly ampicillin plus an aminoglycoside. Within 2 hours of presentation, 32.3% received any antibiotic and only 26.6% received an appropriate regimen within that time. Antibiotic availability improved over the course of the SMI project, increasing from 27.5% at baseline to 64.0% at follow-up, and it was highly correlated with timely and appropriate antibiotic administration (adjusted OR=5.36, 95% CI 2.85 to 10.08). However, we also found a decline in the percentage of neonates documented to have received appropriate antibiotics (74.4% vs 51.1%). Our study demonstrated early success of the SMI project through improvements in the availability of appropriate antibiotic regimens for neonatal sepsis. At the same time, overall rates of timely and appropriate antibiotic administration remain low, and the next phase of the initiative will need to address other barriers to the provision of life-saving antibiotic treatment for neonatal sepsis.
The Life Cycles of Sales and Profits: Dealing with the Uncertainties of the Commercialization Process

The text briefly revisits some basic techniques of planning under uncertainty, including the calculation of net present value (NPV), the internal rate of return of a project, and scenario analysis.
Intravenous immunoglobulin is an effective treatment for refractory cutaneous dermatomyositis

Background Cutaneous dermatomyositis (DM) is often refractory to multiple systemic medications, suggesting a need for effective alternative treatments. Aim To investigate the effects of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) on patients with refractory cutaneous DM. Methods This was a retrospective review of 42 patients treated with IVIG for refractory cutaneous DM at our institution with clinical data available at DM diagnosis. IVIG was initiated for refractory cutaneous DM alone (n = 15) or refractory cutaneous and muscle/lung disease (n = 27) in patients with various DM subtypes. Results Overall, 83% of patients had cutaneous DM improvement, including 87% treated for refractory skin disease alone and 81% treated for refractory skin/muscle/lung disease. Cutaneous DM improvement occurred regardless of DM subtype, and was observed after a mean of 1.82 ± 1.38 IVIG cycles. No statistically significant clinical predictors of IVIG response or lack of response were detected. IVIG use resulted in decreased systemic glucocorticoid exposure with or without a decrease in steroid-sparing immunosuppressive medications in 80% of patients. This study is limited by its retrospective nature and lack of objective cutaneous DM activity assessment. Conclusion Use of IVIG resulted in improvement of refractory cutaneous DM in the vast majority of patients relatively soon after initiation and regardless of DM subtype or clinical manifestations. Additionally, IVIG allowed decrease or discontinuation of immunosuppressive medications in 80% of patients. These findings suggest that IVIG can be a clinically efficacious and cost-effective treatment for refractory cutaneous DM and warrants prospective study.
The Dynamics of Electrons in Metals: Low-Temperature Effects

The theory of the isothermal electron transport properties of metals is concerned with the description of the motion of an electron under the combined influences of externally applied electric and magnetic fields and the internal periodic potential due to the ionic lattice. We shall find it convenient to follow Chambers1 and to classify into five categories the conditions under which the electron transport effects can be imagined to exist. These are classified according to the value of ω c τ, where ω c [defined in equation (1.15)] is the cyclotron frequency of a representative electron state in momentum space corresponding to the applied magnetic field H, and τ is the average relaxation time of an electron in a cyclotron orbit. The five categories are the following.
The University of Chicago’s Program in Liaison Psychiatry

In the United States, the teaching of psychosomatic concepts for medical students and residents has largely been incorporated into educational and clinical components of the Liaison Program or the Consultation Liaison Service. This program, while purposely serving in collaboration with the other clinical departments is usually quartered in departments of psychiatry as a section. In addition, there may be four or five other faculty members, full-time or part-time, who participate in the section’s clinical, research and teaching activities. In departments of psychiatry, in which there is a Child section, this program has taken over liaison functions with the department of Pediatrics.
Data Analysis of ChIP-Seq Experiments: Common Practice and Recent Developments

Abstract In this chapter, we reviewed many aspects of the common workflow for ChIP-Seq data analysis. First, we reminded the readers the potential impact of the design of the ChIP-Seq experiment and the quality of the data on the choice of the tools and the results. Second, we discussed many issues and the common tools in read alignment, peak calling, and the differential enrichment detection. We then proceeded to the discussion on the available analysis pipelines for ChIP-Seq data. Finally, we reviewed the common practice and the new development in allele-specific binding detection, an emergent complementary analysis of ChIP-Seq data that associates this molecular epigenetic phenotype to the variation in the genotype.
Synthesis of Os2(CO)8(.mu.-CHCH3) from a geminal ditriflate and its reversible carbonylation to a ketene-bridged diosmacycle

The reactivity of Os{sub 2}(CO){sub 8}({mu}-CH{sub 2}) and other diosmacyclopropanes toward CO has been investigated. The preparation of Os{sub 2}(CO){sub 8}({mu}-CHCH{sub 3}) from ethylene ditriflate is described, and the reversible carbonylation of the osmium complex to a dimetallacyclobutanone is reported. It is noted that even though methylene-bridged complexes do not undergo facile CO insertion, the ethylene-bridged complexes do. The allyl substitution on the carbon of a diosmacyclopropane was found to affect its reactivity towards CO insertion and toward C{sub 2}H{sub 4} in quite different ways. 35 refs.
Cumulative odds of increased comorbid score in head and neck cancer.

e17555Background: Survival of head and neck cancer is impacted by known clinical factors, including anatomic subsite, stage of presentation, and treatment modality. An important clinical factor les...