cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Degradation of chlorinated organics by membrane-immobilized nanosized metals

The use of electronegative metals, such as Fe, has been extensively studied for the treatment of groundwater containing toxic chlorinated organics. Much of the recent work has been focused on the use of nanoscale particles with diameters from 2 to 100 nm. This work examines the use of bimetallic (Fe/Ni) nanoscale particles immobilized in a cellulose acetate domain for the destruction of trichloroethylene (TCE). The organic/inorganic hybrid film is synthesized using phase inversion with sodium borohydride reduction. The resulting nanoparticles have an average diameter of 24 nm. Using a small quantity of membrane-immobilized metal (31 mg total, Fe:Ni = 4:1), it was possible to achieve over a 75% reduction in TCE levels in 4.25 h, with ethane as the only observable product. For shorter reaction times (<2 h), traces of cis- and trans-DCE could be extracted from the baseline of the MS chromatogram. For longer reaction times, products of coupling reactions (butane and hexane) were observed. This corresponds to a surface-area–normalized pseudo–first-order rate constant, kSA, for the immobilized system of 3.7 × 10−2 L m−2 h−1. Analysis of the aqueous phase for metal content showed minimal leaching of the metals into the surrounding solution during treatment. Because various combinations of membranes containing immobilized metal nanoparticles can be achieved using the synthesis techniques presented, a more versatile platform for the application of zero-valent treatment is possible. © 2004 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 23: 232–242, 2004
Inhaled nitric oxide and heparin for infantile primary pulmonary hypertension

Primary pulmonary hypertension in infancy is a rare and progressive disease with high mortality. The predominant histological finding is medial smooth-muscle hypertrophy which progresses with time to plexiform lesions. Inhaled nitric oxide (NO) inhibits smooth muscle growth and protein synthesis in the extracellular matrix and reduces hypoxic remodelling in the rat lung. Heparin also inhibits smooth muscle growth as well as promotes angiogenesis. Four seriously ill infants less than 4 months old were referred with severe unexplained pulmonary hypertension. Patients were catheterised after wedge lung biopsy showed medial smooth-muscle hypertrophy with scattered thromboemboli in small pulmonary arteries, confirming the diagnosis of primary pulmonary hypertension. Response to NO at 80 ppm was tested while patients were mechanically ventilated. Pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) was calculated by the Fick equation with measured oxygen consumption. PVR decreased in all, from 1392, 1560, 960, and 1592 to 360, 1232, 328, and 504 dyn.s.cm .m, respectively. PVR returned to baseline levels when NO was withdrawn during acute testing. NO was restarted at 80 ppm, rapidly weaned to 10–20 ppm, and delivered continuously along with a low-dose heparin (10 U.kg.h) infusion for 25 days. This heparin dose was selected so that the partial thromboplastin time would not be prolonged. Methaemoglobin and nitrogen dioxide concentrations were followed regularly and remained low. At the end of 25 days, NO and heparin were stopped and patients were recatheterised. Two patients had sustained reduction of PVR and the other two had further reduction in PVR compared with measurements made during acute testing with NO (1232 to 632 dyn.s.cm .m in one, 504 to 216 dyn.s.cm .m in the other). Two patients were sent home on oral nifedipine and supplementary oxygen. One was recatheterised one year later with unchanged PVR (400 dyn.s.cm .m). He has not had recurrence of pulmonary hypertension during 32 months of follow-up. The other patient has been followed by serial echocardiograms suggesting right ventricular pressure less than a half systemic value during 18 months of follow-up. Both these patients remain on nifedipine but have been weaned from oxygen. A third patient was sent home on oxygen therapy alone. He presented with signs of right heart failure and was recatheterised 6 months after initial treatment. This child had recurrence of his pulmonary hypertension (PVR 1552 dyn.s.cm .m) that was refractory to treatment with NO and intravenous prostacyclin. He died while awaiting lung transplantation. The fourth patient was discharged home on no medication with normal pulmonary artery pressures following his 25day treatment, and awaits long-term follow-up. The presumed irreversibility and lethality of primary pulmonary hypertension early in life now needs further assessment. The antioxidant, antiproliferative, and
Mechanism-Based Pharmacokinetic/Pharmacodynamic Modeling of Rat Prefrontal Cortical Dopamine Response to Dual Acting Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitor and 5-HT1A Partial Agonist

Evidence suggests that compounds possessing both norepinephrine reuptake inhibition and 5-HT1A partial agonism (NRI/5-HT1A) activities may have a greater efficacy in treating neuropsychiatric disorders than compounds possessing either activity alone. The objectives of the present study were first to characterize the pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) relationship of the plasma concentrations of atomoxetine (NRI) and buspirone (5-HT1A partial agonist), administered alone and in combination, on the prefrontal cortex dopamine levels in rats, and second to use the model developed to characterize the PK/PD relationship of novel NRI/5-HT1A compounds, PF-04269339 and PF-03529936, in a NRI/5-HT1A drug discovery program. Maximal dopamine elevation was twofold higher after administration of atomoxetine and buspirone in combination, PF-04269339, or PF-03529936 than after administration of atomoxetine or buspirone alone. A mechanism-based extended indirect response model characterized the time profiles of the prefrontal cortex dopamine response to atomoxetine and buspirone, administered alone or in combination. After fixing three mechanism-specific pharmacodynamic parameters (Imax and γ2 for NRI and γ1 for 5-HT1A) based on the model for atomoxetine and/or buspirone, the model fitted the exposure–response profiles of PF-04269339 and PF-03529936 well. Good in vitro-to-in vivo correlation was demonstrated with the compound-specific pharmacodynamic parameters (IC50 for NRI and SC50 and Smax for 5-HT1A) across the compounds. In summary, a piecewise modeling approach was used successfully for the characterization of the PK/PD relationship of novel NRI/5-HT1A compounds on prefrontal cortex dopamine levels in rats. The application and value of the mechanism-based modeling in the dual pharmacology drug discovery program are also discussed. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1208/s12248-012-9343-8) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
Keynes, Bastiat and the Multiplier

Keynes is back. President Obama’s economic stimulus package is based on the premise that we can spend our way out of recession. It is an application of the Keynesian multiplier theory, which was expounded in Keynes’ 1936 economic treatise, The General Theory of Employment, Interest and Money. Post-1936 economic history has given the multiplier theory mixed reviews, mostly because it has done a less than perfect job of explaining economic reality.Frederic Bastiat (1801-1850) was a French economist and journalist. He discussed the multiplier theory in the 1840s, more than a generation before John Maynard Keynes (1883-1946) was born. This paper explores the similarities and differences of their two multiplier theories. A bibliography with links to other Bastiat studies is also included.
Chaotic features of nuclear structure and dynamics: selected topics

Quantum chaos has become an important element of our knowledge about physics of complex systems. In typical mesoscopic systems of interacting particles the dynamics invariably become chaotic when the level density, growing by combinatorial reasons, leads to the increasing probability of mixing simple mean-field (particle–hole) configurations. The resulting stationary states have exceedingly complicated structures that are comparable to those in random matrix theory. We discuss the main properties of mesoscopic quantum chaos and show that it can serve as a justification for application of statistical mechanics to mesoscopic systems. We show that quantum chaos becomes a powerful instrument for experimental, theoretical and computational work. The generalization to open systems and effects in the continuum are discussed with the help of the effective non-Hermitian Hamiltonian; it is shown how to formulate this approach for numerous problems of quantum signal transmission. The artificially introduced randomness can also be helpful for a deeper understanding of physics. We indicate the problems that require more investigation so as to be understood further.
A review of Blessed are the Crazy: Breaking the Silence about Mental Illness, Family & Church

In these pages Sarah Griffith Lund provides a witness of her faith journey and her own story of mental illness in her family, not just with one family member but three; father, brother, and cousin....
Presidential Address: Reimagining Social Problems: Moving Beyond Social Constructionism

For nearly half a century, social constructionism has captured the imagination of sociologists worldwide. Its presence has been felt within the intellectual circles of the discipline’s major professional associations, particularly in the Society for the Study of Social Problems (SSSP) where many prominent constructionists have served as presiding officers and/or editors of Social Problems . Yet, various theorists over the years have argued that social constructionism was never particularly well suited for furthering the cause of social activism (see, for example, Agger 1993). On this occasion, I wish to associate myself with these sentiments and will offer my own critical reading of constructionism. In my view, social constructionism was conceived in a self-imposed exile of “neutrality” that misplaced all of its chips on discovering a uniquely sociological theory of social problems. This overly academic and disciplinary fixation likewise failed to adequately situate the subjective elements of critical analysis in the objectively real context of capitalist social relations. Even now in its patched-up and re-politicized eclectic phase, its ability to generate new insights for confronting social problems is ebbing, as is its strategic capacity to interface with the “actually existing” struggles unfolding in the current global economic crisis.1 As always, theoretical malaise opens the door for alternative paradigmatic approaches and I believe that critical sociologists should seize the moment and move decisively through the opening. The historical moment demands that we as social scientists and social practitioners work in better tandem with popular movements, channeling our efforts more directly to synergize with and further concretize emerging visions of another possible world. For scholar activists, this requires a revitalized sociological imagination, a critical re-imagination that goes beyond mainstream constructionist analyses through re-engagement with the underlying political economy and with renewed emphasis on collective response and strategy building. There is no …
Validation of a Screening Tool to Identify Undernutrition in Ambulatory Patients With Liver Cirrhosis.

Background: The prevalence of chronic liver disease is increasing in the United States. Malnutrition is common as liver disease progresses. However, an accepted method to screen these patients for malnutrition is lacking. The 6-question undernutrition screening tool was developed for professionals without nutrition training to identify a decline in the nutrition status of patients with liver cirrhosis. A 3-phase validation study was completed to assess face, content, and clinical validity of the screening tool in ambulatory patients with liver cirrhosis. Methods: In phase I, face validity was determined by surveying 13 liver disease professionals. In phase II, content validity was assessed by surveying 12 registered dietitians who specialize in liver disease. In phase III, a cross-sectional investigation was completed to compare the agreement between the undernutrition screening tool and nutrition assessment by a registered dietitian (RD). Results: Twenty-two patients with a diagnosis of liver cirrhosis p...
Design and Qualitative Testing of a Prosthetic Foot With Rotational Ankle and Metatarsal Joints to Mimic Physiological Roll-Over Shape

This paper presents the analysis, design, and preliminary testing of a prototype prosthetic foot for use in India. A concept consisting of a rigid structure with rotational joints at the ankle and metatarsal with rotational stiffnesses provided by springs is discussed. Because literature suggests that prosthetic feet that exhibit roll-over shapes similar to that of physiological feet allow more symmetric gait, the joint stiffnesses were optimized to obtain the best fit between the roll-over shape of the prototype and of a physiological foot. Using a set of published gait data for a 56.7 kg subject, the optimal stiffness values for roll-over shape that also permit the motion required for natural gait were found to be 9.3 N·m/deg at the ankle and 2.0 N·m/deg at the metatarsal. The resulting roll-over shape has an R2 value of 0.81 when compared with the physiological roll-over shape. The prototype was built and tested in Jaipur, India. Preliminary qualitative feedback from testing was positive enough to warrant further development of this design concept.Copyright © 2015 by ASME
Adiponectin signaling and function in insulin target tissues

Obesity-linked type 2 diabetes is one of the paramount causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide, posing a major threat on human health, productivity, and quality of life. Despite great progress made towards a better understanding of the molecular basis of diabetes, the available clinical counter-measures against insulin resistance, a defect that is central to obesity-linked type 2 diabetes, remain inadequate. Adiponectin, an abundant adipocyte-secreted factor with a wide-range of biological activities, improves insulin sensitivity in major insulin target tissues, modulates inflammatory responses, and plays a crucial role in the regulation of energy metabolism. However, adiponectin as a promising therapeutic approach has not been thoroughly explored in the context of pharmacological intervention, and extensive efforts are being devoted to gain mechanistic understanding of adiponectin signaling and its regulation, and reveal therapeutic targets. Here, we discuss tissue- and cell-specific functions of adiponectin, with an emphasis on the regulation of adiponectin signaling pathways, and the potential crosstalk between the adiponectin and other signaling pathways involved in metabolic regulation. Understanding better just why and how adiponectin and its downstream effector molecules work will be essential, together with empirical trials, to guide us to therapies that target the root cause(s) of type 2 diabetes and insulin resistance.
The Impact of Current Smoking and Smoking Cessation on Short-Term Morbidity Risk After Lumbar Spine Surgery.

STUDY DESIGN A retrospective review of prospectively collected data. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to determine the impact of current smoking or prior smoking cessation on 30-day morbidity risk following lumbar spine surgery. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA Prior studies have reported conflicting data regarding the impact of smoking on morbidity risk, and few studies have investigated smoking cessation. METHODS A large, multicenter, prospectively collected clinical registry was queried for all adult patients undergoing lumbar spine surgery in 2012 and 2013, and 35,477 cases were identified. Morbidity data are collected by on-site clinical personnel for 30 days postoperatively. Patients were divided into categories of "never-smoker," for patients with no reported cigarette use (n = 27,246), "former smoker," for patients who quit smoking more than 12 months before surgery (n = 562), and "current smoker," for patients still using cigarettes (n = 7669). A univariate analysis was conducted to identify un-adjusted differences in morbidity risk, and a multivariate analysis was conducted in an attempt to control for confounders. RESULTS In the multivariate analysis, current smokers had a significantly higher risk of both superficial surgical site infection and overall wound complications, than never-smokers (P < 0.05 for each). Current smokers also had a significantly higher risk of total 30-day morbidity (P = 0.04). There was a trend toward former smokers also having an increased risk, but this did not reach significance in any category. Patients with a pack-year smoking history of 1 to 20 pack-years and more than 40 pack-years both had a significantly higher risk of superficial surgical site infections (P < 0.05 for each). CONCLUSION Current smoking is associated with a small but significant increase in systemic morbidity and wound complications following elective lumbar spine procedures. Increasing pack year history was also associated with wound complication risk, suggesting a dose-related effect. The data provide preliminary support for future studies on smoking cessation. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE 3.
Variations on a Common STRUCTURE: New Algorithms for a Valuable Model

> In this commentary, John Novembre discusses tools for the study of population structure, including the novel, fast algorithm fastSTRUCTURE presented by [Raj et al. ][1] in the June issue of GENETICS. Over the last 14 years, a highly influential tool for the study of population structure has been
Influence of Transposing Form on Induced Voltage and Current in 1000 k V Double-Circuit Transmission Lines

The problems such as induced voltage and so on in 1 000 k V double-circuit transmission lines on the same tower were calculated and analyzed under different transposing forms. From the view point of restricting induced voltage,secondary arc current and unbalanced degree of line parameters,4 segment transposition is better than 3 segment transposition,but 1 more transposition tower is needed; while 5 segment type B transposition is better than 6 segment type A transposition and 1transposition tow er is saved. The effects of 4 segment transposition and 6 segment type A transposition are similar. Therefore,three kinds of transposing forms should be emphatically considered for double-circuit transmission lines on the same tower: 3segment transposition( l /3,l /3,l /3)),4 segment transposition( l /6,l /3,l /3,l /6)) and 5 segment type B transposition( l/6,l/6,l/3,l/6,l/6). It is not recommended to use more than 2 complete cycle transpositions in general.
Impaired granulocyte adherence in multiple myeloma: relationship to complement system, granulocyte delivery, and infection.

Granulocyte adherence to nylon fiber columns was found to be depressed in 12 of 29 patients with malignant plasma cell dyscrasias. The depression was caused by a heat-labile factor present in plasma but not in serum. Patients’ granulocyte adherence returned to normal when the granulocytes were washed and resuspended in normal plasma. Although depressed adherence was associated with low serum levels of C1 and/or C4 in three patients, four others with low adherence had normal complement levels. Moreover, addition of normal serum to patients’ plasma did not restore granulocyte adherence to normal. Low adherence was noted in patients with IgG, IgM, light chain, and mixed paraproteins and did not correlate with the concentration of paraprotein, duration of disease, serum calcium concentration, renal function, or recent use of steroid or cytotoxic therapy. There was a strong correlation between depressed adherence and presence of Bence Jones proteinuria and/or deteriorating clinical course. Two patients with low adherence had poor granulocyte delivery in vivo into inflammatory lesions covered by skin chambers. Nonetheless, patients with low granulocyte adherence did not have an increased frequency of infection.
Carbon Emissions from Regions and Sectors

China is a country with significant regional differences in terms of technology, energy mix, and economic development [1]. The distribution of carbon emissions varies among the 30 mainland provinces (Figs. 3.1–3.5). In 2012, the total carbon emissions were mainly contributed by the eastern coastal regions such as Shandong and Zhejiang and by the energy-based provinces such as Inner Mongolia and Shanxi.
Geographical relational poverty studies

Relationality is a persistent concern of socio-spatial theory, increasingly invoked in geographical scholarship. We bring geographical scholarship on relationality to bear on relational poverty stu...
Electrically Assisted Compression of Tungsten Carbide and its Implications for Electrically Assisted Machining

It has been shown that electrically assisted machining has the ability to reduce cutting force, change chip type, and improve surface finish. However, the effect of electricity on tungsten carbide has not been examined, a material often used to create cutting tools used in electrically assisted machining. During machining processes, depending on the type of cut, a small amount of the tool may be in contact with the workpiece. This will lead to an increased current density at that point on the tool which could lead to undesired effects with respect to tool wear and life. This paper conducts electrically assisted compression tests on uncoated tungsten carbide rod to examine the effect of electricity on the material and determine if there are any current densities that cause large magnitude weakening of the tungsten carbide. It is concluded that there is a maximum current density that can be passed through tungsten carbide before thermal softening becomes a problem. At a current density lower than this threshold, electricity has little effect on the strength of the carbide. This work is related to past electrically assisted turning experimentation.Copyright © 2016 by ASME
Representación indígena en el periodismo colombiano: el cómo y el por qué

Tomando como caso de estudio la representacion de los medios colombianos de la Minga de Resistencia Social y Comunitaria del 2008 (MRSC), este trabajo muestra como los dos diarios de circulacion nacional, El Tiempo y El Espectador, y los noticieros Caracol y RCN, cubren las demandas y propuestas politicas de organizaciones indigenas, sector tradicionalmente excluido en Colombia. Basado en el analisis de contenido de 238 articulos de dichos periodicos y de los noticieros emitidos durante esta movilizacion, este articulo muestra las tecnicas visuales y de lenguaje utilizadas para criminalizar e/o invisibilizar, dependiendo del caso y contexto, los actos politicos de dichas comunidades. Como conclusion se discute como este tipo de representacion es producto de tres factores que afectan el periodismo en los medios masivos en Colombia: el monopolio de los medios masivos, los problemas en el ejercicio del periodismo, y la afinidad ideologica entre el periodismo y el poder.
Fate of Staphylococcus aureus in Beef Loaf, Potatoes and Frozen and Canned Green Beans after Microwave-Heating in a Simulated Cook/Chill Hospital Foodservice System 1.

The fate of Staphylococcus aureus in cook/chill systems before and after microwave-heating was determined, using inoculated beef loaf, dehydrated potatoes and frozen and canned green beans. These foods were prepared according to time and temperature recommendations of the Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) model for hospital cook/chill systems. Beef loaf was initially cooked to a mean end temperature (ET) of 66 C, potatoes were rehydrated and heated to a mean ET of 79 C and beans were not cooked initially. Products were covered and stored 24 h at 6 C. Products were portioned, 100 g/portions, stored covered 2 h at 6 C, and microwave-heated: beef loaf and frozen beans 20, 50, 80 or 110 sec; potatoes 25, 45, 65 or 85 sec and canned beans 20, 40, 60 or 80 sec. Number of S. aureus in products decreased as time of microwave-heating increased. When the mean ET of samples was approximately 74-77 C (HACCP model), microwave-heating did not consistently result in lethality of S. aureus . When time of microwave-heating in the present study was equal to time to reach 74-77 C in the prestudy, an ET of 74-77 C did not consistently occur in the food samples.
Influence of Current Velocity on Uranium Adsorption from Seawater Using an Amidoxime-Based Polymer Fiber Adsorbent

Passive adsorption using amidoxime-based polymeric adsorbents is being developed for uranium recovery from seawater. The local oceanic current velocity where the adsorbent is deployed is a key variable in determining locations that will maximize uranium adsorption rates. Two independent experimental approaches using flow-through columns and recirculating flumes were used to assess the influence of linear velocity on uranium uptake kinetics by the adsorbent. Little to no difference was observed in the uranium adsorption rate vs linear velocity for seawater exposure in flow-through columns. In contrast, adsorption results from seawater exposure in a recirculating flume showed a nearly linear trend with current velocity. The difference in adsorbent performance between columns and flume can be attributed to (i) flow resistance provided by the adsorbent braid in the flume and (ii) enhancement in braid movement (fluttering) with increasing linear velocity.
Functional Outcome After Resection of Von Hippel-Lindau Disease-Associated Cauda Equina Hemangioblastomas: An Observational Cohort Study

Background Cauda equina hemangioblastomas in von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) disease can cause significant neurological signs and symptoms. Despite their associated morbidity, the management of these tumors remains incompletely defined. Objective To determine optimal management, we analyzed the functional outcomes after resection of these tumors. Methods VHL patients who underwent surgical resection of cauda equina hemangioblastomas at the National Institutes of Health and the University of Virginia were included. Clinical and radiological follow-up was performed at 6- to 12-month intervals after surgery. Results Fifteen patients underwent 18 operations for 21 cauda equina hemangioblastomas (median follow-up 5.9 years). Patients often presented with multiple symptoms, including pain (67%), numbness (50%), urinary complaints (33%), and weakness (11%). Median preoperative tumor volume was 1.2 cm 3 . Four tumors at 3 operations were not resected due to a motor nerve root origin. Gross total resection was achieved in 14 surgeries (93% of operations when resection was attempted). New mild (non-function limiting) neurological symptoms were noted after 11 operations (61%), which most often (64%) resolved within 2 weeks of surgery. At 6-month follow-up, 15 patients (83%) were stable, 2 (11%) were improved, and 1 (6%) was worse. Histological analysis revealed that all tumors originated from within the involved nerve fascicle. Conclusions VHL-associated cauda equina hemangioblastomas have an intrafascicular origin and require interruption of the rootlet of origin for complete resection. Motor nerve root involvement may preclude complete resection but strategies including bony decompression and/or interruption of vascular supply may provide a therapeutic option. Nevertheless, most VHL patients with symptom-producing lesions improve with resection.
Universal line input power factor preregulator using VFX technique

This paper demonstrates a two-stage implementation of a power factor preregulator design in which the energy buffer capacitor is placed at the output of the converter. In this implementation, a resonant LLC converter supplies power to a boost converter operating in continuous conduction mode. Here, a variable frequency (VFX) technique is used in the resonant LLC converter stage to achieve a lower variation in the overall efficiency across the universal input voltage range (85 — 265V rms ). The efficiency performance achieved is flatter than other single-stage boost-based power factor correction circuits, whose efficiency tends to drop significantly at low input voltages. The VFX technique not only compresses the effective operating range required of the resonant converter stage, but also allows MOSFETs with lower voltage ratings and better conduction/switching characteristics to be used in both converter stages.
Interactive fiction: Weaving together literacies of text and code

We propose structural parallels between textual literacy and computational literacy, and explore interactive fiction as a medium at their intersection. We designed and built a web application allowing students to read and write interactive fiction and a curriculum weaving the two literacies together. A study evaluating the curriculum found modest adoption of literacy practices from each domain. Our qualitative observations suggest a mechanism for how each literacy can support the other: incorporating computation into English/Language Arts makes it possible for students to model linguistic processes which are otherwise ephemeral. In the other direction, situating Computer Science concepts in students' identities and experiences can make them personally meaningful and address inequities in STEM education. A third study, underway, will quantify the extent to which one literacy supports growth in the other.
Urbanization on the Mongolian Plateau after economic reform: Changes and causes

Abstract In response to changes in human and natural environments over the past three decades, transitional countries have experienced dramatic urbanization. In the context of socioeconomic and biophysical changes, our knowledge on these urbanization processes remains limited. Here, we used the Mongolian Plateau (i.e., Inner Mongolia (IM) and Mongolia (MG)) as a testbed and applied the coupled natural and human (CNH) concept to understand the processes and causes of urbanization. We selected six cities on the Mongolian Plateau, classified their urban built-up areas using Geographic Object-Based Image Analysis (GEOBIA) from 1990 through 2015, and examined the driving forces of urbanization (i.e., economy, social goods, and environmental variables) through Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). We found that the spatial characteristics of urbanization in IM and MG have both similarities and differences. The cities in IM and MG have experienced rapid urban expansion, with urban areas increasing by 4.36 times and 3.12 times, respectively, since 1990. Cities in IM, however, were less dense and more sprawling whereas cities in MG were linearly aggregated. We also found through PLS-SEM that multiple driving forces affected urbanization in IM and MG during the transitional period. Results (path coef.) demonstrated that economic development (0.559) is a major driver for urbanization in IM, whereas social goods (0.646) and economic development (0.433) strongly influence urbanization in MG. These differences are likely due to the divergent governmental roles in urban development and in infrastructure/social support, as well as the differing economic structures in IM and MG.
A proof of the Square Paths Conjecture

Abstract The modified Macdonald polynomials, introduced by Garsia and Haiman (1996), have many astounding combinatorial properties. One such class of properties involves applying the related ∇ operator of Bergeron and Garsia (1999) to basic symmetric functions. The first discovery of this type was the (recently proven) Shuffle Conjecture of Haglund, Haiman, Loehr, Remmel, and Ulyanov (2005), which relates the expression ∇ e n to parking functions. In (2007), Loehr and Warrington conjectured a similar expression for ∇ p n which is known as the Square Paths Conjecture. Haglund and Loehr (2005) introduced the notion of schedules to enumerate parking functions with a fixed set of cars in each diagonal. In this paper, we extend the notion of schedules and some related results of Hicks (2013) to labeled square paths. We then apply our new results to prove the Square Paths Conjecture.
Risk of Stroke Associated With Use of Estrogen Containing Contraceptives in Women With Migraine: A Systematic Review.

Objective Migraine with aura has been associated with increased risk of ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke. Prior studies have shown a further increase in risk in women using combined hormonal contraceptives (CHCs). This has led to guidelines recommending against use of CHCs in this population. We sought to assess whether the risk of stroke is associated with the dose of estrogen and whether there is evidence of synergism between migraine and CHCs. We also sought to assess whether an interaction effect exists between migraine and CHCs. Methods We searched PubMed, the Cochrane Library, and EMBASE from inception through January 2016 for relevant English-language studies of adults, of any design. We included studies that examined exposure to CHCs and reported outcomes of ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke. Data extraction and assessment of study quality were conducted independently by reviewer pairs and quality was assessed with the GRADE and Newcastle Ottawa scales. Results Of 2480 records, 15 studies met inclusion criteria and six provided odds ratios for the relevant population. The point estimates for the odds ratios for ischemic stroke in women with migraine who used CHCs with any dose of estrogen ranged from 2.08 to 16.9. Studies were generally small and confidence intervals were wide. No studies reported odds ratios for stroke risk as a function of estrogen dose in women with migraine, largely due to insufficient sample sizes. No interaction effect between migraine and CHCs was seen in the seven studies that assessed this. One study differentiated risk by presence or absence of migraine aura and found an increased risk in the migraine with aura population (OR 6.1; CI 3.1 to 12.1 in migraine with aura vs 1.8; CI 1.1 to 2.9 in the migraine without aura group). Studies generally had high Newcastle Ottawa scores and low GRADE levels of evidence. No studies met all three supplementary quality criteria (assessed migraine subtype, used International Classification of Headache Disorders criteria for diagnosis of migraine, and stratified risk by estrogen dose). Conclusions This systematic review shows a lack of good quality studies assessing risk of stroke associated with low dose estrogen use in women with migraine. Further study in this area is needed. The available evidence is consistent with an additive increase in stroke risk with CHC use in women with migraine with aura. Since the absolute risk of stroke is low even in the presence of these risk factors, use of CHCs in women who have migraine with aura should be based on an individualized assessment of harms and benefits.
Personalized Image Aesthetics

Automatic image aesthetics rating has received a growing interest with the recent breakthrough in deep learning. Although many studies exist for learning a generic or universal aesthetics model, investigation of aesthetics models incorporating individual user’s preference is quite limited. We address this personalized aesthetics problem by showing that individual’s aesthetic preferences exhibit strong correlations with content and aesthetic attributes, and hence the deviation of individual’s perception from generic image aesthetics is predictable. To accommodate our study, we first collect two distinct datasets, a large image dataset from Flickr and annotated by Amazon Mechanical Turk, and a small dataset of real personal albums rated by owners. We then propose a new approach to personalized aesthetics learning that can be trained even with a small set of annotated images from a user. The approach is based on a residual-based model adaptation scheme which learns an offset to compensate for the generic aesthetics score. Finally, we introduce an active learning algorithm to optimize personalized aesthetics prediction for real-world application scenarios. Experiments demonstrate that our approach can effectively learn personalized aesthetics preferences, and outperforms existing methods on quantitative comparisons.
Shot-by-shot spectrum model for rod-pinch, pulsed radiography machines

A simplified model of bremsstrahlung production is developed for determining the x-ray spectrum output of a rod-pinch radiography machine, on a shot-by-shot basis, using the measured voltage, V(t), and current, I(t). The motivation for this model is the need for an agile means of providing shot-by-shot spectrum prediction, from a laptop or desktop computer, for quantitative radiographic analysis. Simplifying assumptions are discussed, and the model is applied to the Cygnus rod-pinch machine. Output is compared to wedge transmission data for a series of radiographs from shots with identical target objects. Resulting model enables variation of parameters in real time, thus allowing for rapid optimization of the model across many shots. “Goodness of fit” is compared with output from LSP Particle-In-Cell code, as well as the Monte Carlo Neutron Propagation with Xrays (“MCNPX”) model codes, and is shown to provide an excellent predictive representation of the spectral output of the Cygnus machine. Improvements...
Ethical Challenges Raised by OpenNotes for Pediatric and Adolescent Patients

Sharing clinic notes online with patients and parents may yield many potential benefits to patients and providers alike, but the unprecedented transparency and accessibility to notes afforded by patient portals has also raised a number of unique ethical and legal concerns. As the movement toward transparent notes (OpenNotes) grows, clinicians and health care organizations caring for pediatric and adolescent patients wrestle with how to document confidential and sensitive information, including issues such as reproductive health, misattributed paternity, or provider and parent disagreements. With OpenNotes now reaching >21 000 000 US patients, pediatricians continue to query best portal practices. In this Ethics Rounds, we discuss 3 illustrative cases highlighting common pediatric OpenNotes concerns and provide guidance for organizations and clinicians regarding documentation practices and patient portal policies to promote patient engagement and information transparency while upholding patient and parent confidentiality and the patient- and/or parent-provider relationship.
Building a US-Soviet Working Relationship: Ideas on Process

The process of negotiating international agreements is often more crucial to the resolution of differences than the relative negotiating positions of the parties. The working relationship between the parties and the procedures for resolving disputes can determine whether a negotiation will deteriorate into accusations and recriminations or create a solution which serves the interests of both parties and strengthens the procedures for dealing with future disputes.
Evidence for the importance of extracranial venous flow in patients with idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH)

Idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) is characterized by increased ICP without evidence for intracranial mass lesion. Although the pathogenesis remains unknown, some association was found with intracranial venous thrombosis. To our knowledge, the extracranial venous drainage was not systematically evaluated in these patients. This study compared extracranial cerebral venous outflow in eight IIH patients and eight control subjects using magnetic resonance (MR) Venography and flow measurements. In addition, the study identified extracranial factors that affect cerebral venous drainage.
Privileged But Equal? A Comparison of U.S. and Israeli Notions of Sex Equality in Employment Law

Ever-expanding media coverage, scholarship, and popular publications discussing the difficulty of combining work and family suggest that this issue is now the essential locus for gender debate in the United States. The essence of the debate is the meaning of equality — whether it carries the same meaning for women and men, whether biological and sociological differences should impact the understanding of equality, and whether law and social policy should reflect or encourage these differences. Privileged but Equal details the theory of sex equality that is embodied in Israeli employment law and contrasts it with the U.S. approach. The Article suggests that the Israeli system employs an “equality through difference” model, which approves of special treatment for women in the form of privileges, options, and exemptions so that women who maintain primary responsibility for family and home have greater opportunities to enter and succeed in the workplace. The Article explores the historical circumstances, societal needs, and cultural predispositions that have shared in creating the Israeli conception of sex equality in an effort to determine whether Israel’s approach or any of its parts would be palatable, appropriate, or vastly unworkable in the United States.
A systematic review of the benefits of occupation-based intervention for patients with upper extremity musculoskeletal disorders.

Abstract Study Design Systematic review of intervention studies (level 3a). Introduction Occupation-based intervention (OBI) uses daily activities as a treatment modality. Its growing use with patients diagnosed with upper extremity musculoskeletal disorders (UE MSK) has driven interest in its supporting body of evidence. Purpose of the Study The purpose of this study was to locate, appraise, and summarize current evidence of the effectiveness of OBI in treating patients with UE MSK. Methods Searches of PubMed, CINAHL, the Cochrane Register for Controlled Trials, and PEDro databases were conducted using predetermined keywords. Studies included in this systematic review described the use of OBI in UE MSK. Two examiners independently reviewed and assessed the quality of each study using the PEDro scale. Results Results of the database searches yielded 991 studies, 13 of which were deemed eligible to include in this review (6 randomized controlled trials, 4 pretreatment/post-treatment cohort or case series studies, and 3 single case reports). Quality of the studies varied, with 4 rated poor, 2 moderate, and 4 excellent. Overall, individuals receiving OBI showed superior benefits in patient-reported, performance, and physical measures assessing the upper extremity. Discussion Findings of this review provide preliminary evidence for the use of OBI with patients with UE MSK, however, generalizability of the evidence was compromised due to heterogeneity in study subjects as well as conceptualization, dosage, and delivery of OBI. Conclusions The existing literature reflects promising trends in the use of OBI, underscoring its utility as a treatment option for UE MSK-related impairment, limitations, and restrictions. Nonetheless, scientific evidence concerning the effectiveness of OBI needs to be improved by conducting high-quality studies that clearly conceptualize this intervention and heighten understanding of its role in hand therapy practice.
Enhancing Parenting Effectiveness, Fathers' Involvement, Couple Relationship Quality, and Children's Development: Breaking Down Silos in Family Policy Making and Service Delivery

Author(s): Cowan, CP; Cowan, PA | Abstract: In this article, we examine family-based interventions designed to increase parenting effectiveness, fathers' positive involvement, and couple relationship quality, all with the goal of enhancing children's development. We focus on the fact that government funding policies, service delivery systems, and research evaluations of interventions to benefit children and families typically operate in separate silos. We provide a theoretical model, along with empirical evidence, to argue that a more integrated, collaborative perspective is likely to produce more optimal outcomes for parents and children than current siloed attempts to improve child and family well-being. We discuss some of the obstacles to using evidence to guide policy decisions. We offer suggestions for policy makers and service providers in an attempt to describe a more integrated approach to supporting family well-being, and to encourage the increased use of systematic data in making decisions about how to allocate scarce resources for family support.
Brief Commentary: Marijuana Use During Gestation and Lactation-Harmful Until Proved Safe.

This commentary was 1 of 6 selected for publication from 100 submissions that responded to a call for readers' perspectives on prescribing or recommending marijuana.
Factors contributing to the change in permeate quality upon temperature variation in nanofiltration

Abstract The selectivity of nanofiltration (NF) membranes is determined by membrane parameters as well as species mobilities (solute diffusivity and solvent viscosity). Changes in temperature affect each of these quantities, thereby altering membrane selectivity. To determine whether membrane parameters or mobilities primarily account for observed changes in permeate quality upon temperature increase, values of each property are either fitted from experimental data or calculated. Model validation with data from three feed compositions and two membranes reveals clear trends in temperature-dependent property-variation: pore size, net path length through membrane selective layer and negative membrane charge increase at higher temperature. An analytical approach is taken to explain the increase or decrease in permeate concentration due to each contributive factor, revealing the opposing effects of the two mobility factors. Modeling results further show that neither membrane parameter changes nor mobilities can alone explain selectivity changes with temperature. With increasing pressure, however, the net effect of membrane parameters increasingly overshadows that of the mobilities.
How charges separate: correlating disorder, free energy, and open-circuit voltage in organic photovoltaics.

In order for a photovoltaic cell to function, charge carriers produced by photoexcitation must fully dissociate and overcome their mutual Coulomb attraction to form free polarons. This becomes problematic in organic systems in which the low dielectric constant of the material portends a long separation distance between independent polaron pairs. In this paper, we discuss our recent efforts to correlate the role of density of states, entropy, and configurational and energetic disorder to the open-circuit voltage, VOC, of model type-II organic polymer photovoltaics. By comparing the results of a fully interacting lattice model to those predicted by a Wigner–Weisskopf type model we find that energetic disorder does play a significant role in determining the VOC; however, mobility perpendicular to the interface plays the deciding role in the eventual fate of a charge-separated pair.
The “Okay” Gay Guys: Developing Hegemonic Sexuality as a Tool to Understand Men’s Workplace Identities

This research investigates gender and sexuality identity management among gay men. Thirty self-identified gay men participated in semi-structured, in-depth interviews and provided their accounts of how they manage performances of gender and sexuality in the workplace. This research contributes to the scholarship of gender and sexuality by highlighting how sexuality, as an organizing principle, contributes to the further marginalization of an already marginalized population of gay men, via a concept I call hegemonic sexuality. The men's narratives help us understand how certain performances of sexuality permit some men to be recognized as "acceptable," while others are labeled "too gay" in different work environments. I investigate the motivations and consequences of men's concerted workplace identity management strategies. I conclude by suggesting that hegemonic sexuality be used as a tool to understand how some gay men are deemed more acceptable than others in additional social spaces.
A Systematic Review of Transition Interventions Affecting the Employability of Youths with Visual Impairments

IntroductionThe purpose of the study presented here was to identify and synthesize studies of transition interventions to improve the employability and employment outcomes for youths with visual im...