cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A nonlinear model predictive control formulation for obstacle avoidance in high-speed autonomous ground vehicles in unstructured environments

ABSTRACTThis paper presents a nonlinear model predictive control (MPC) formulation for obstacle avoidance in high-speed, large-size autono-mous ground vehicles (AGVs) with high centre of gravity (CoG) that operate in unstructured environments, such as military vehicles. The term ‘unstructured’ in this context denotes that there are no lanes or traffic rules to follow. Existing MPC formulations for passenger vehicles in structured environments do not readily apply to this context. Thus, a new nonlinear MPC formulation is developed to navigate an AGV from its initial position to a target position at high-speed safely. First, a new cost function formulation is used that aims to find the shortest path to the target position, since no reference trajectory exists in unstructured environments. Second, a region partitioning approach is used in conjunction with a multi-phase optimal control formulation to accommodate the complicated forms the obstacle-free region can assume due to the presence of multiple obstacle...
A brief history and review of purchasing card use by the U.S. government: 1990-2005

After fifteen years of use by U.S. Federal government agencies, purchase cards are still caught in a debate between the drive to improve governmental efficiency and the need to prudently manage and control spending of taxpayer resources. This paper gives decision makers facts by which to evaluate the purchase card experience to date by providing a brief history of legislative actions related to purchase cards, analyzing patterns of purchase card spending by Federal government agencies, estimating the potential size of the purchase card program, and identifying the costs and benefits of shifting low-value transactions to the purchase card. The paper concludes with recommendations for government action.
Malignant Soft Tissue Myxofibrosarcoma

Myxofibrosarcoma is an aggressive soft tissue neoplasm that is classified as a type of malignant fibrohistiocytic tumor. The combination of PET and MR imaging is helpful in determining the extent of local infiltration, defining surgical margins, and detection of small satellite lesions. PET/MRI is also useful in monitoring patients’ response to local and systemic therapy.
Diagnostic accuracy and clinical outcomes associated with prenatal diagnosis of fetal absent cavum septi pellucidi.

Background Absence of the cavum septi pellucidi (CSP) on prenatal imaging is historically associated with additional anomalies; however, recent cases of isolated absent CSP have also been identified. This study seeks to assess the accuracy of prenatal imaging in evaluating isolated absent CSP and to describe the spectrum of clinical outcomes. Methods This is a retrospective observational study of all prenatally diagnosed absent CSP cases between 2011 and 2016 at our institution. Cases with additional structural parenchymal abnormalities were excluded. Clinical outcomes were abstracted from available records. Results We identified 15 cases of prenatally diagnosed isolated absent CSP. All patients were initially diagnosed on ultrasound (US) and 11/15 patients had fetal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) confirming the diagnosis. Prenatal US and MRI were concordant in all cases. Of the continuing pregnancies, 2 neonatal deaths occurred related to extreme prematurity. Two cases of septo-optic dysplasia were identified in our cohort. Discussion In this study, fetal MRI and US had a high degree of accuracy with concordant postnatal imaging. Our study is similar to other case series suggesting that a range of clinical outcomes is possible with isolated absent CSP, but long-term patient follow up is necessary.
Effect of chemico-osmosis on solute transport in clay barriers

The significance of chemico-osmosis on solute transport through clay barriers exhibiting membrane behaviour was investigated by conducting coupled solute transport model simulations in which the ef...
Multi-Agent Reinforcement Learning for Multi-Object Tracking

We present a novel, multi-agent reinforcement learning formula- tion of multi-object tracking that treats creating, propagating, and terminating object tracks as actions in a sequential decision-making problem. In our formulation, each agent tracks a single object at a time by updating a Bayesian lter according to a discrete set of actions. At each timestep, the reward received is dependent on the joint actions taken by all agents and the ground truth object tracks. We optimize for di erent tracking metrics directly while propagat- ing covariance information about each object's state. We use trust region policy optimization (TRPO) to train a shared policy across all agents, parameterized by a multi-layer neural network. Our ex- periments show an improvement in tracking accuracy over similar state-of-the-art, rule-based approaches on a popular multi-object tracking dataset.
Antiviral treatment and prophylaxis in immunocompromised hosts

In recent years, advances in the treatment of viral infections have slowly been emerging. Early diagnosis and detection of the virus continue to be of paramount importance in order to achieve effective treatment, because once viral replication and invasive infections are evident, prognosis could be poor. New advances in molecular techniques, mainly polymerase chain reaction (PCR), have allowed early detection of viral infections, and quantification of the viral load is useful not only for diagnosis but also for monitoring therapy, e.g., in cytomegalovirus (CMV) infections. Intact host immune response is important for recovery from viral infection. Viral pathogens have emerged in recent years as significant microbial agents that may have deleterious effects on immunocompromised patients. Response to antiviral therapy could be suboptimal, with subsequent recurrent infections and risk of selecting for multidrug-resistant strains in immunocompromised patients in particular. An important aspect of antiviral therapy in this patient population is the widespread use of chemoprophylaxis, which involves the administration of medications to abort transmission of viral infection, avoid reactivation of infection, or prevent progression to invasive disease. Herein, we describe the most relevant antivirals used in immunocompromised patients, focusing on the main groups of viruses: the Herpesviridae (cytomegalovirus, herpes simplex viruses, varicella-zoster virus, and the emerging herpesviruses 6, 7, and 8), the respiratory viruses (influenza, parainfluenza, respiratory syncytial virus, and adenovirus), and the hepatitis viruses.
Modeling the Surface Temperature Changes Due to Increased Atmospheric CO2

Although there are considerable differences in atmospheric models’ structure and sensitivity, there is a consensus that increasing the concentration of CO2 in the atmosphere will lead to an overall warming. The more simplified models (which treat the atmosphere as a vertical column in which the temperature is determined by the net absorption of radiation and the redistribution of heat by convection) generally yield a surface temperature rise of several degree C for a doubling of atmospheric CO2. Other simplified models built around the meridional variation of the surface heat balance (in which the surface radiative, sensible and latent heat fluxes are parameterized in terms of the surface temperature) also yield an average warming of several degree C for a CO2 doubling. Such heat balance models are particularly sensitive to the feedback between the surface temperature and the albedo of snow- or ice-covered surfaces, and generally show a poleward amplification of the CO2-induced warming when this feedback is included.
The Neural Architecture and Developmental Course of Face Processing

Abstract Faces are central to human communication and social functioning, conveying a wealth of information, from identity to gender to emotional states. In this chapter, an overview of the research on the development of face processing, from infancy to adulthood, is presented. For each stage of development, findings from both behavioral and neurophysiological studies are reviewed. A summary of impairments in face development that emerge as a result of brain injury and neurological syndromes is also provided.
To establish a talent pool for global health in China: from political will to action

Recently, China has played a more and more important role in global health, mainly by improving health outcomes of its own population nationwide and participating international health activities. In addition, China has participated in a dozen of international organizations, which all contained health domains, particularly the Belt and Road Initiative with an ambitious goal to improve health of the people in the countries alongside closely partnered with the World Health Organization. All these highlight the need of human resource for global health at the national level. The National Health and Family Planning Commission translated this political will into action - that a talent pool candidate for global health will be established in China. The establishment of the talent pool would be of great significance for China's engagement in global health activities. However, much work, such as training, collaboration, and innovation, etc., remains to be done in the future. Based on the successful practice, China can share lessons learned to other countries.
The Implicit Misattribution Model of Evaluative Conditioning

Evaluative conditioning (EC) refers to a change in one’s attitude toward an object based on its contiguous pairing with other positive or negative objects. EC can, in principle, occur through multiple mechanisms, some more and some less thoughtful. We argue that one relatively low-thought route through which ECproduces evaluative change is implicit misattribution. Our Implicit Misattribution Model (IMM) is premised on research indicating: a) attributional thinking is pervasive and relatively automatic, b) affective experiences are pervasive and relatively automatic, and c) errors in automatic attributional processing can lead to misattribution of affect from one object to another, resulting in the latter object taking on the affect produced by the former. Research employing the “surveillance paradigm” we developed provides support for the model, particularly its key moderating variable, source confusability. We further discuss assumptions of the model in terms of encoding, storage, and retrieval/application of the conditioned attitude, as well as the role of contingency awareness and other central issues in the EC literature.
In vivo holographic photo-stimulation and two photon GCaMP6 imaging of vagus nerve axons using a GRIN lens integrated nerve cuff

Vagus nerve interfacing is of interest due to its central role in parasympathetic regulation of the visceral organs, as well as its modulatory effects on the brain, which have been shown to influence epilepsy, depression and migraines. Electrical vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) has shown therapeutic effect in humans, yet it lacks the specificity for controlling and studying targeted pathways. In contrast, optical techniques may enable axon-specific neuromodulation using genetically targeted opsin expression and spatial patterning of the photo-stimulus. In addition to light-activated stimulation, calcium-sensitive fluorescent reporters such as GCaMP6 present a pathway for axon-specific optical recording of activity. We demonstrate in vivo photo-stimulation and two-photon GCaMP6 fluorescence imaging in the vagus nerve using a novel GRIN lens-coupled nerve cuff in the anesthetized mouse. A pulsed near-IR laser (1040 nm, 300 fs) was modified by a spatial light modulator (SLM) in the Fourier plane and focused by the microscope objective through a GRIN relay lens to the cervical vagus nerve. By actuating the SLM, spatially selected regions of axons could be differentially stimulated within the nerve. Mouse vitals were monitored with a MouseOx suite and used to detect physiological changes in response to photo-stimulation. We were able to induce differential modulations in heart rate, respiratory rate, and blood-oxygen saturation upon photo-stimulation of selective spatial regions of the nerve. Additionally, we recorded two-photon GCaMP6 Ca2+ transients in vagal axons in response to both photo-stimulation and electrical stimulation.
B(C6F5)3-catalyzed allylation of propargyl acetates with allylsilanes.

An efficient method for the B(C6F5)3-catalyzed allylation of secondary propargylic alcohol derivatives with allylsilanes has been developed. This method allows for the facile synthesis of a variety of 1,5-enynes in good to high yields with a number of functionalities, such as nitro, chloro, ester, and boronic ester, being tolerated under the reaction conditions.
Decision-Making for Cross-Laminated Timber Modular Construction Logistics Using Discrete-Event Simulation

Modular construction is being touted as one solution to address project delays and cost overruns in the construction industry. Modular construction is a delivery method wherein building components are prefabricated off-site and then transported to the job site for assembly. Thus, prefabrication is a significant element of modular construction that enables work to happen in parallel to accelerate project schedules, enhance safety, and reduce physical work on-site. Timber is becoming a primary material for prefabricating elements since wood is a renewable material, possesses high strength-weight ratio, and sequesters carbon. The use of wood in the form of cross-laminated timber (CLT) introduces new opportunities but also logistical issues in the supply chain from forest to the manufacturing facility to the construction site. Depending on the type of CLT and the level of modularity (i.e., 2D elements or volumetric), major constraints in this process have been identified including (1) fluctuation in the supply of raw wood to manufacturing facilities, (2) limitations in the capacity to create CLT panels, (3) shipping limitations based on allowable loads, and (4) crane availability for assembly of panels on the site. This paper explores the use of simulation models to study the effect of these logistical constraints in modular construction using prefabricated CLT on the total time and hence cost of projects. Specifically, discrete event simulation (DES) will be used to model CLT logistics to identify bottlenecks and provide sensitivity analyses of variables such as lumber supply, travel times, and manufacturing plant capacity on project cost and time. A case study of modular multi-story building construction is examined to showcase the utility of the developed simulation framework. It is expected that simulating modular CLT logistics will enable the identification of optimal strategies towards their successful implementation.
China: Creating a Legal System for a Market Economy

Since the early 1990s, China has come a long way in legislating the foundational rules for its reformed economy. Virtually all of the important areas-contracts, business organizations, securities, bankruptcy, and secured transactions, to name a few - are now covered by national legislation as well as lower-level regulations. Yet an important feature of a legal structure suited to a market economy is missing: the ability of the system to generate from below solutions to problems not adequately dealt with by existing legislation. The top-down model that has dominated Chinese law reform efforts to date can only do so much. What is needed now is a more welcoming attitude to market-generated solutions to the gaps and other problems that will invariably exist in legislation. The state's distrust of civil-society institutions and other bottom-up initiatives suggests, however, that this different approach will not come easily.
A Pilot Exploratory Proteomics Investigation of Mental Fatigue and Mental Energy

Fatigue is a common and poorly understood problem that impacts approximately 45% of the United States (US) population. Fatigue has also been associated with fatigue-related driving accidents, school absences, decline in school performance and negative health outcomes. Fatigue has been linked to many diseases and is consistently underreported in medical care. Despite these high financial and societal costs, fatigue is a poorly understood problem and there is no consensus on how to measure fatigue. Proteomics is one of the most unbiased approach to measure differences in the protein levels from various biological fluids in two conditions, i.e. before and after mental exercise, aka fatigue. There are, however, challenges associated with such analyses: proteomics experiments are usually expensive and time consuming and also require a large number of participants. Here, we performed a proteomics experiment of three (pre- and post-fatigue) samples and also three matched controls (pre- and post-non-fatigue). We found no particular protein that has significant changes in fatigue sample upon treatment. We did note a potential association between changes in mental energy and Annexin A1. However, the study has value simply because it is an extra study in the field of fatigue, but also allows other to correlate our results with their results.
Stability of ternary nanocrystalline alloys in the Pt–Pd–Au system

Abstract Binary alloys have frequently been found to exhibit nanostructured states that are stabilized against grain growth when the minority alloying element strongly segregates to grain boundaries, thereby reducing the grain boundary excess energy. This concept has been formalized in several theoretical frameworks that are now used to design stable nanocrystalline binary alloys. In this work, we consider the extension of such a framework to ternary alloy systems. By considering pairwise interactions between atoms in ternary systems, we identify an experimental system, Pt–Au–Pd, and produce combinatorial alloy films in this system to evaluate their stability against grain growth. In several of these nanostructures stability against grain growth up to 400 °C is observed due to the co-segregation of Au and Pd solutes to the grain boundaries. This result is in line with calculations of a grain boundary energy-based estimation of stability after extending the analysis to account for the nontrivial ternary interaction.
Genotyping Genetically Modified (GM) Mice

Prior to generating a new mouse model, it is important to plan the method that will be used to detect which of the mice generated have the mutation(s) desired. Nearly, all types of mutations may be detected using PCR. However, the choice of primers will differ depending upon the method used to generate the model. Transgenic mice should be genotyped across a unique junction fragment. Targeted ES cells used to generate knock-out or knock-in mice should be genotyped using primers from a unique marker in the construct and a region outside of the construct. Targeting in ES cells can also be detected using a genomic Southern blot. Mice targeted using CRISPR/Cas9 should have the region of interest amplified using PCR, and then be assessed for size changes (for large changes in sequence) by Surveyor Assay (for gene knock-out and point mutations) and/or sequenced to verify the mutation. Each of these models has a unique requirement for genotyping, and failure to understand the requirements can easily lead to loss of the gene in subsequent generations.
You’re offended, I’m offended! An empirical study of the proclivity to be offended and what it says about employees’ attitudes and behaviors

Abstract For all the news stories devoted to individuals taking offense to various issues, little is known about these individuals or their work-related habits. To address this important gap in organizational and societal knowledge, the reported research draws on cognitive interference theory to define and measure the proclivity to be offended (PTBO). This measure was hypothesized to serve as an off-task stimuli, and results of a time-separated multi-source study found PTBO negatively relates to employees’ task performance and citizenship behavior, and positively relates to counterproductive behavior, as rated by one’s supervisor. PTBO also had implications for employees’ self-reported job satisfaction and workplace engagement. Building on the idea that PTBO may also influence the way employees view their organization’s actions, overall organizational justice was hypothesized and found to mediate the relationship between PTBO and both employees’ behavior and attitudes. Implications for managers and organizations concerned with modern societal movements are discussed.
Long-term Implications of Tracheostomy in Cardiac Surgery Patients: Decannulation and Mortality.

Background The long-term implications of tracheostomy in cardiac surgical patients are largely unknown. We sought to investigate outcomes including decannulation and long-term mortality in a population of post-cardiac surgery patients. Methods All patients undergoing cardiac surgery at a single institution between 1997 and 2016 were evaluated for postoperative tracheostomy placement, time to decannulation, and mortality. Patients were stratified by tracheostomy placement, as well as by successful decannulation for comparison. Kaplan-Meier analysis identified time to decannulation and mortality and a Fine-Gray’s competing risk regression, accounting for mortality, identified predictors of time to decannulation. Results Of 14,600 total cardiac surgery patients, only 309 required tracheostomy. Patients with tracheostomy had high rates of perioperative comorbidities, including 60% with heart failure and 24% with postoperative stroke. Tracheostomy patients had high short-term and long-term mortality, with a median survival of 152 days, 1-year survival of 41%, and 5-year survival of 29.1%. Patients remained with tracheostomy in place for a median of 59 days, with a 1-year decannulation rate of 80% in living patients. Patients with older age (hazard ratio 0.98, P = .01), chronic lung disease (hazard ratio 0.66, P = .03), and preoperative or postoperative dialysis (hazard ratio 0.45, P Conclusions Tracheostomy is associated with poor long-term survival of cardiac surgery patients. However, patients who do survive have a short duration of tracheostomy with almost all surviving patients eventually decannulated. This finding provides valuable information for pre-procedural counseling for these high-risk patients and their families.
Some Rest for the Weary? A Qualitative Analysis of Clergy Methods for Managing Demands

In many ways, clergy (i.e., religious leaders including pastors, ministers) are a high-risk population. In their efforts to ensure the spiritual well-being of their congregations, clergy may neglect their own well-being and be unaware of the potentially detrimental effects that their work has on their health. The purpose of this study was to add to the growing knowledge base about how clergy perceive the relationship between their work and their well-being, the strategies they use to recover from their work, and the ways they balance work and nonwork areas of their lives. This qualitative study explores these areas to further understand the nature of clergy work and recovery from work. Clergy (N = 332) were asked to respond to a set of open-ended prompts related to their perceptions of work interference with health, and strategies at and outside of work they use to manage work and nonwork demands. The present study sheds light on recovery strategies (i.e., self-care practices) and practices clergy may use to successfully manage demands in the work and nonwork areas of their lives. Specifically, prioritizing, personal time (e.g., time spent in hobbies), and physical activities emerged as common strategies and practices. Our results have the potential to guide researchers in how to design interventions aimed at assisting individuals in this at-risk population.
Enumeration of exoelectrogens in microbial fuel cell effluents fed acetate or wastewater substrates

Abstract Effluents from well-acclimated microbial fuel cells (MFCs) have been widely used as inocula to start up new MFC reactors. However, the actual cell concentrations and cell viability of exoelectrogens in these MFC effluents have not been well examined. In this study, concentrations of exoelectrogens in the effluent from acetate- or wastewater-fed MFCs were examined using a quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) method specific for Geobacter spp. that are usually the dominant genus in MFCs, and a non-specific WO3 nanocluster/most probable number (WO3/MPN) method for enumeration of viable exoelectrogens. Geobacter spp. concentrations in acetate-fed MFC effluents based on qPCR were 1.3 ± 0.2 × 108 cells/mL, slightly higher than those in the wastewater-fed MFC effluents (9.3 ± 3.5 × 107 cells/mL). However, exoelectrogen cell counts using the WO3/MPN method were several orders of magnitude lower for both MFC effluents (1.1 ± 0.3 × 104 cells/mL for acetate-fed; 1.4 ± 0.3 × 105 cells/mL for wastewater-fed). Live/dead cell staining suggested that most cells (85 %) in the effluents were inactive or dead, which could partly explain the lower numbers using the WO3/MPN method. These results suggest that both acetate- and wastewater-fed MFC effluents contain high numbers of Geobacter spp. although a high percentage of cells are not viable.
Clandestine nanoelectromechanical tags for identification and authentication

The realization of truly unclonable identification and authentication tags is the key factor in protecting the global economy from an ever-increasing number of counterfeit attacks. Here, we report on the demonstration of nanoscale tags that exploit the electromechanical spectral signature as a fingerprint that is characterized by inherent randomness in fabrication processing. Benefiting from their ultraminiaturized size and transparent constituents, these clandestine nanoelectromechanical tags provide substantial immunity to physical tampering and cloning. Adaptive algorithms are developed for digital translation of the spectral signature into binary fingerprints. A large set of tags fabricated in the same batch is used to estimate the entropy of the corresponding fingerprints with high accuracy. The tags are also examined under repetitive measurements and temperature variations to verify the consistency of the fingerprints. These experiments highlight the potential of clandestine nanoelectromechanical tags for the realization of secure identification and authentication methodologies applicable to a wide range of products and consumer goods. Nanoscale, tamper-proof product identification tags offer significant benefits over currently used technologies. Conventional product ID tags, such as QR codes or RFID tags, are intrinsically vulnerable to tampering or cloning. Roozbeh Tabrizian, and a team from the University of Florida, United States, created a new ID tag technology based on NEMS (nano-electro-mechanical systems). The NEMS tag is tiny, transparent, and relies on the nanoscale variation in batch-manufactured materials to produce many tags with unique fingerprints. The fingerprints comprise an individual electromagnetic spectra profile, which can be read and converted to digital ID. Due to its small size and transparency, NEMS tags are difficult to differentiate and can be applied to a wide range of products. The team say their tags are easily read in a high-interference environment, and are low cost.
Gritty Goal Pursuit and Perceived Chronic Stress: Exploring Implications for Academic Problems

College can be a stressful time for students as they transition to greater independence and increased responsibilities from before. Increased stress levels can have a debilitating effect on their ability to persist with their academic goals. In the psychological literature, researchers believe they have identified a motivation trait that may explain individual differences in persistence and perseverance toward goals. Grit is a motivation orientation characterized by passion and persistence in the pursuit of a long-term goal. Consisting of two facets, Grit-Perseverance and Grit-Consistency, grit has been shown to predict beneficial outcomes in a variety of domains, including academics. Yet, very little work has examined the psychological consequences of gritty goal pursuit. Considering that individuals high on facets of grit are presented as persistently pursuing their goals regardless of setbacks and obstacles it is plausible to speculate that gritty goal pursuit may be associated with increased stress levels. The purpose of this chapter is to present the results of two studies conducted to examine the relations between facets of grit and chronic stress with implications for academic problems in college students. In the first study, 101 participants (72 = Female; 18–24 years) completed the Grit-S Scale and the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS). Bivariate correlations revealed that Grit-Perseverance and Grit-Consistency were negatively correlated with perceived chronic stress. In the second study, 127 participants (88 = Female; 18–32 years) were administered the Academic Problems Subscale of the College Adjustment Scale along with the Grit-S Scale and the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS). Both facets of grit were negatively correlated with perceived chronic stress, thus replicating findings from Study 1. Additionally, regression analysis revealed that Grit-Perseverance and Grit-Consistency predicted fewer academic problems. Finally mediation regression analyses indicated that facets of grit reduced academic problems through decreased stress levels. Overall, these studies suggest that gritty goal pursuit is associated with reduced chronic stress and fewer academic problems in college students.
Diagnostic Utility and Significance of Performing Multistep Level Sections in Breast and Gynecologic Biopsy Specimens.

OBJECTIVES The significance of performing multistep level sections, including preparation of unstained sections in breast and gynecologic biopsy specimens, has been studied. METHODS Consecutive H&E-stained level sections of 785 atypical and malignant biopsy specimens were included. The diagnostic material was categorized into present, absent, increased in size, or depleted. If the multistep level sections helped in establishing the diagnosis after a nondiagnostic material or the tissue significantly increased in size, this was considered a positive impact. RESULTS No effect and positive impact of performing multistep level sections were obtained in 84.8% and 15.2% by preparing a second level and 97.2% and 2.8% by preparing a third level, respectively. Eighteen (2.3%) of the diagnoses could have been missed without performing a second level, while 8 (1%) could have been missed without performing a third level. The intervening unstained sections were used in 27 of 785 (3.4%) of the cases. CONCLUSIONS Staining two level sections with H&E significantly affected the diagnosis. However, preparing a third level did not improve the diagnosis. A universal protocol should be considered to standardize the handling of biopsy specimens among laboratories.
The Codell Sandstone Play of the Northern Denver Basin

The Codell Sandstone is a low-resistivity, low-contrast pay in parts of the northern Denver Basin. The area of new oil and gas production is in the deeper part of the basin between the Silo and Wattenberg fields of Wyoming and Colorado, respectively. Thickness of the Codell averages 15 to 20 ft in this area. The cause of the low resistivity is clay and pyrite content. Cores of the Codell illustrate that the sandstone is low permeability, low porosity, bioturbated and reworked finegrained marine shelf sandstone. The Codell is the upper member of the Carlile Formation and unconformably overlies the lower Carlile shales or the Greenhorn and is unconformably overlain by the Niobrara Formation. The Niobrara, lower Carlile, and Greenhorn formations are important source beds for the Codell in the Denver Basin. All are regarded as Type II sapropelic source rocks. Keys to new production are source rock maturity, horizontal drilling, and multistage fracture stimulation. Sweet spot areas coincide with high heat flow, high gas-oil ratios, overpressuring, and natural fracture development. INTRODUCTION The mid-Turonian Codell Sandstone Member of the Carlile Formation has long been a focus as an exploration and development target in the Denver Basin. The Denver Basin is a large asymmetric basin located in northeast Colorado, southeast Wyoming and northwest Nebraska (Figures 1, 2). Most of the production from the Codell Sandstone comes from the Wattenberg field. Drilling activity in the Wattenberg field targeting the Codell commenced in 1981. The drilling depths for the Codell in Wattenberg range from 4000 to 8200 ft. Older Codell fields occur southeast of the Hartville uplift. The fields illustrate the presence of oil and gas in the Codell but the area is generally regarded as uneconomic. A two well field (Chugsprings) was drilled in 1975. The Codell was productive from depths of 3500 to 4600 ft. A two well field (Springer) was drilled in 1974 and 1987 and found Codell production at depths of 6476 to 6530 ft. Both the Chugsprings and Springer fields also produce significant amounts of water. New wells are being drilling for the Codell north and northeast of Wattenberg Field (northern Weld County, Colorado) and west and southwest of Silo Field (Laramie County, Wyoming). This area of new production suggests the occurrence of a large accumulation. Initial production (IP’s) as high as 944 BOPD has been reported from wells in southeast Wyoming. This area will be further discussed in this paper. URTeC 2014 Page 2869
The influence of perceived discrimination in healthcare settings on psychological distress among a diverse sample of older Asian Americans.

OBJECTIVES The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between discrimination in healthcare settings and psychological distress. METHOD This study utilized a retrospective cross-sectional study design. The dataset was obtained from 2015-2017 California Health Interview Survey (CHIS). Healthcare discrimination experience (yes, no) was measured using the following question "Over your entire lifetime, how often have you been treated unfairly when getting medical care (never, rarely, sometimes, often)?". Psychological distress was the study outcome and was measured using the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale. A composite score (0-24) was created for psychological distress for the prior 30 days and for the worse most in the past 12 months. A hierarchical multivariate linear regression was conducted to examine the influence of healthcare discrimination experience on psychological distress after adjusting for other covariates. RESULTS Study participants (weighted N = 1,360,487) had a mean age of 64.35 years (SD = 0.61), were primarily female (54.93%), heterosexual (96.61%), and married or living with a partner (73.37%). About 10.00% of older Asian Americans ever perceived healthcare discrimination over their entire lifetime. Perceived discrimination was associated with higher levels of psychological distress for the past 30 days (beta= 2.107, SE = 0.662, p < 0.05) and for the worst month in the past year (beta= 2.099, SE = 0.697, p < 0.05) after controlling for covariates. CONCLUSION Self-reported discrimination was relatively low in this sample of older Asian American adults. However, consistent with prior research, perceived discrimination in the healthcare setting was associated with increased psychological distress. The findings have implications for improving the quality of health care services received.
Disease-specific nutrition for the elderly and their Caretakers- What was and what could be.

INTRODUCTION Older adults who suffer from chronic illnesses often employ the help of Home Care Aides (HCAs). These HCAs assist their client's nutrition and other activities of daily living. However, many HCAs who care for the elderly are themselves unaware of proper nutrition habits that can improve health outcomes. This project proposal centers on a nutrition-training program that focuses on HCAs and their knowledge of proper nutrition. It will challenge participants to eat better using foods are best suited to the chronic illness that their client suffers from. APPROACH The Nutrition Training Package contains materials that can be used in training sessions conducted over two days. Each day consists of interactive activities, discussions and presentations. These materials were adapted from interventions used by the Healthy Aging Program- an intervention previously hosted by EverThrive IL. OUTCOMES Although pilot testing is yet to be conducted, the training package is complete and ready for implementation. CONCLUSION Based on literature review, the contents of the Nutrition Training Package for Home Care Aides will guide participants through stages of the Model of Change, simultaneously creating the self-efficacy to contribute to elongated, healthier living for the elderly.
Metamaterials composed of fractal sphere molecules

The properties of artificial dielectric metamaterials depend primarily on the type of inclusions or "molecules" considered as well as their distribution in a host medium. Some common types of molecule geometries that were considered in the past for artificial dielectric materials include simple dipoles and spheres. We consider a fractal sphere approach combining aspects of both the dipole and sphere resulting in an inclusion with a greater number of resonances and resonant behavior at lower frequencies than either their dipole or sphere counterparts of the same size. The results of this investigation suggest that the fractal sphere molecules allow us to push the lower frequency band and, in some instances, also provide multiband response.
Reversed engineering of a product model (RPM)

Reversed Engineering of a Product Model (RPM) is a theoretical model whereby a series of high definition CCD camera images are taken of an existing facility. Through these images and an interactive CAD system, a CAD model can be created. This paper will concentrate on the basic research and tasks required to accomplish the RPM model. The research falls into two primary areas. These are (Phase 1) Image Capture; Input Image Coordinates, Control and Scale, and (Phase 2) Design and Implementation of a CAD system. The tasks for Phase 1 breakdown as follows: 1) determine method to position the camera; 2) determine lighting configuration; 3) determine common shapes and features to be considered; 4) determine pre- treatment of images before viewing; 5) determine method of viewing; 6) study how to reconstruct 3D model from 3 or more 2-D views; 7) study how to store; present and manipulate images; 8) compute image coordinate systems; 9) study the conversion of the bit-mapped data to graphics data. The tasks for Phase 2 breakdown as follows: 1) determine the requirements of the CAD system; 2) determine whether an existing CAD system can be used; 3) design and implement the CAD system.
A controlled mobility protocol for topology management of ad hoc networks

In this paper we present a new approach towards self configuration in mobile ad hoc sensor networks. In the proposed scheme sensor nodes are location aware and are informed with the region of the sensor field that needs to be covered. The sensor nodes then occupy calculated positions to enhance network connectivity and coverage. These points referred to as grid points are computed dynamically and in a decentralized fashion. These grid positions are live -meaning a power replenished sensor node is stationed at each grid point. The geometric graph induced by the nodes occupying the grid positions has the following nice properties: 1)it has a subgraph which is a sparse spanner and 2)planar. 3)it forms a connected dominating set over all the connected nodes in the sensor field. 4)It is a bounded degree graph. Property 1 ensures the existence of efficient routes which are constant factor off the Euclidean distance between the nodes. Property 2 is required to perform greedy routing such as GPSR [1] to find those routes. Property 3 states that the nodes occupying the grid points form a forwarding backbone for the sensor field while the remaining nodes periodically enter into the idle state for power savings. Property 4 implies that the interference between the nodes occupying the grid points is limited to only a constant number of nodes.
A new hypothesis for the amount and distribution of dextral displacement along the Fish Lake Valley–northern Death Valley–Furnace Creek fault zone, California‐Nevada

[1] The Fish Lake Valley–northern Death Valley–Furnace Creek fault zone, a ~250 km long, predominantly right-lateral structure in California and Nevada, is a key element in tectonic reconstructions of the Death Valley area, Eastern California Shear Zone and Walker Lane, and central Basin and Range Province. Total displacement on the fault zone is contested, however, with estimates ranging from ~30 to ~63 km or more. Here we present a new synthesis of available constraints. Preextensional thrust faults, folds, and igneous rocks indicate that offset reaches a maximum of ~50 km. Neogene rocks constrain its partitioning over time. Most offset is interpreted as ≤ ~13–10 Ma, accruing at ~3–5 mm/yr in the middle of the fault zone and more slowly toward the tips. The offset markers imply ~68 ± 14 km of translation between the Cottonwood Mountains and Resting Spring–Nopah Range (~60 ± 14 km since ~15 Ma) through a combination of strike slip and crustal extension. This suggests that a previous interpretation of ~104 ± 7 km, based on the middle Miocene Eagle Mountain Formation, is an overestimate by ~50%. Our results also help to mitigate a discrepancy in the ~12–0 Ma strain budget for the Eastern California Shear Zone. Displacement has previously been estimated at ~100 ± 10 km and ~67 ± 6 km for the Basin and Range and Mojave portions of the shear zone, respectively. Our new estimate of ~74 ± 17 km for the Basin and Range is within the uncertainty of the Mojave estimate.
High amplitude propagated contractions.

While most colonic motor activity is segmental and non-propulsive, colonic high amplitude propagated contractions (HAPC) can transfer colonic contents over long distances and often precede defecation. High amplitude propagated contractions occur spontaneously, in response to pharmacological agents or colonic distention. A subset of patients with slow transit constipation have fewer HAPC. In this issue of Neurogastroenterology and Motility, Rodriguez et al. report that anal relaxation during spontaneous and bisacodyl-induced HAPC exceeds anal relaxation during rectal distention in constipated children undergoing colonic manometry. Moreover, and consistent with a neural mechanism, anal relaxation often precedes arrival of HAPC in the left colon. High amplitude propagated contractions are also used to evaluate the motor response to a meal and pharmacological stimuli (e.g., bisacodyl, neostigmine) and to identify colonic inertia during colonic motility testing in chronic constipation. This editorial comprehensively reviews the characteristics, physiology and pharmacology of HAPC, their assessment by manometry, and relevance to constipation and diarrhea.
Fault accommodation in control of flexible structures

New fault-accommodating control synthesis techniques for control of flexible systems are developed. Two robust control design strategies, /spl mu/-synthesis and dissipative control design are used in the approach. The approach provides techniques for designing controllers that maximize, in some sense, the tolerance of the closed-loop system against faults in actuators and sensors, while guaranteeing performance robustness at a specified performance level, measured in terms of the proximity of the closed-loop poles to the imaginary axis (the degree of stability). For dissipative control design, nonlinear programming is employed to synthesize the controllers, whereas /spl mu/-synthesis, the traditional D-K iteration is used. In order to demonstrate the feasibility of the proposed techniques. They are applied to the control design of a flexible laboratory test structure.
NEW WOLBACHIA ENDOSYMBIONTS FROM NEARCTIC AND NEOTROPICAL FLEAS (SIPHONAPTERA)

Several species of fleas (Siphonaptera), ectoparasites of mammals and birds, have recently been shown to harbor species of Wolbachia. Here, we extend this data set to 20 more species of Siphonaptera (Rhopalopsyllidae, Stephanocircidae, Pulicidae, Ceratophyllidae, Ctenophthalmidae, Ischnopsyllidae, Leptopsyllidae, and Malacopsyllidae) from sylvatic populations throughout the Nearctic and Neotropical regions. Using polymerase chain reaction, we targeted the Wolbachia 16S ribosomal DNA (rDNA) gene. Applying maximum parsimony- and maximum likelihood-based algorithms, as well as statistical parsimony, we conducted a phylogenetic analysis of Wolbachia 16S rDNA to evaluate its position within the known Wolbachia spp. The analysis recovered the siphonapteran Wolbachia 16S rDNA sequences as a monophyletic group and shows multiple haplotype connections between the Neotropical and Nearctic Wolbachia strains of fleas.
Life cycle contributions of copper from vessel painting and maintenance activities

Copper-based epoxy and ablative antifouling painted panels were exposed in natural seawater to evaluate environmental loading parameters. In situ loading factors including initial exposure, passive leaching, and surface refreshment were measured utilizing two protocols developed by the US Navy: the dome method and the in-water hull cleaning sampling method. Cleaning techniques investigated included a soft-pile carpet and a medium duty 3M™ pad for fouling removal. Results show that the passive leach rates of copper peaked three days after both initial deployment and cleaning events (CEs), followed by a rapid decrease over about 15 days and a slow approach to asymptotic levels on approximately day 30. Additionally, copper was more bioavailable during a CE in comparison to the passive leaching that immediately followed. A paint life cycle model quantifying annual copper loading estimates for each paint and cleaning method based on a three-year cycle of painting, episodic cleaning, and passive leaching is presented.
Reflective practice and motion sickness: thoughts on the first North American Action Research Study Day

This paper examines the experience of an action research ‘Study Day’ to investigate development of a culture of reflective practice among educators. Shared recognition of the importance of reflecti...
Business vs. Medical Ethics: Conflicting Standards for Managed Care

The increased competition for a share of the market of insured patients, which arose in the wake of failed comprehensive health care reform, has provoked questions about what, if any, standards will govern new “competitive” health care organizations. Managed care arrangements, which typically shift to providers and patients some or all of the financial risk for patient care, are of special concern because they can create incentives to withhold beneficial care from patients. Of course, fee-for-service (FFS) medical practice creates incentives to provide unnecessary services, and managed care can avoid that type of harm. Still, as Edmund Pellegrino has noted, “managed care, by its nature, places the good of the patient into conflict with … (1) the good of all the other patients served by the plan; (2) the good of the plan and the organization, themselves…; and (3) the self-interest of the physician.
Sensing the channel: sensor networks with shared sensing and communications

A new class of abstract sensor networks is introduced and analyzed. The object of the sensing is the inter-node channel. Examples of systems which seek to sense the channel include: underwater sonar, radar and optics based atmospheric sensor networks. In these networks, the sensing and communication tasks share the bandwidth resource in addition to the sharing of power resources as has been conventionally studied in the sensor network framework. Bounds on distortion tradeoffs are developed for various protocols, such as source coding analogues of decode-and-forward and amplify-and-forward and simple topologies such as two-hop networks (three node system).