cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Predictive Thermal Inactivation Model for Effects of Temperature, Sodium Lactate, NaCl, and Sodium Pyrophosphate on Salmonella Serotypes in Ground Beef

Analyses of survival data of a mixture of Salmonella spp. at fixed temperatures between 55°C (131°F) and 71.1°C (160°F) in ground beef matrices containing concentrations of salt between 0 and 4.5%, concentrations of sodium pyrophosphate (SPP) between 0 and 0.5%, and concentrations of sodium lactate (NaL) between 0 and 4.5% indicated that heat resistance of Salmonella increases with increasing levels of SPP and salt, except that, for salt, for larger lethalities close to 6.5, the effect of salt was evident only at low temperatures (<64°C). NaL did not seem to affect the heat resistance of Salmonella as much as the effects induced by the other variables studied. An omnibus model for predicting the lethality for given times and temperatures for ground beef matrices within the range studied was developed that reflects the convex survival curves that were observed. However, the standard errors of the predicted lethalities from this models are large, so consequently, a model, specific for predicting the times needed to obtained a lethality of 6.5 log10, was developed, using estimated results of times derived from the individual survival curves. For the latter model, the coefficient of variation (CV) of predicted times range from about 6 to 25%. For example, at 60°C, when increasing the concentration of salt from 0 to 4.5%, and assuming that the concentration of SPP is 0%, the time to reach a 6.5-log10 relative reduction is predicted to increase from 20 min (CV = 11%) to 48 min (CV = 15%), a 2.4 factor (CV = 19%). At 71.1°C (160°F) the model predicts that more than 0.5 min is needed to achieve a 6.5-log10 relative reduction.
Extinction, survivorship and evolution of planktic foraminifera across the Cretaceous/Tertiary boundary at El Kef, Tunisia

An expanded sediment record at El Kef shows that the K/T boundary extinctions of planktic foraminifera extend over an interval from 25 cm below the geochemical boundary (Ir anomaly) to 7 cm above. Species extinctions appear sequential with complex, large, ornate forms disappearing first and smaller, less ornate, forms surviving longer. The 14 species extinctions below the boundary appear unrelated to an impact event. Cretaceous species survivorship is greater than previously assumed. About 10 species survive (22%) into Subzone P1a (Globigerina eugubina). All Cretaceous survivors are small primitive forms which are generally smaller than their ancestors in Cretaceous sediments. Species evolution after the K/T event occurs in two pulses. The first new Paleocene species evolve in the basal black clay (Zone PO) immediately after the major Cretaceous extinctions. Evolving species are small and primitive similar to Cretaceous survivors. The second pulse in species evolution occurs in the lower part of Subzone P1b with the appearance of larger more diverse species. The first major increase in carbonate sedimentation and productivity occurs at this time and signals the recoveyr of the ecosystem nearly 300,000 years after the K/T event. The species extinctions prior to the generally assumed impact event implied by the Ir anomaly, and the long recovery period of the ecosystem thereafter cannot be explained by a single impact, but suggest that multiple causes may be responsible such as climatic changes, volcanism, a sea level drop, production of warm saline bottom water and the chemical consequences associated with increased salinity.
Morphological image processing on three parallel machines

To assure the parallel implementation of an algorithm performs to its maximum potential, a knowledge of the specific parallel machine being used is required. Mapping gray-scale morphological operators and a filter in a SIMD, a MIMD, and a mixed-mode environment is analyzed. The matching of several algorithmic techniques and machine features are examined analytically and experimentally. Issues considered include concurrent execution of subtasks, data layout, choice of data transfer protocols, and the mode of parallelism used. Experiments are performed using the MIMD Intel Paragon, SIMD MasPar MP-I, and the mixed-mode PASM prototype. The analytical results and experimental procedures can be applied to other systems as well.
Thermally stimulated discharge in filled LDPE films

To understand how the chemical structure of fillers affects space charge formation and storage in filled polymeric insulation, the authors have investigated the carrier traps in LDPE (low-density polyethylene) films filled with different types of zeolites by the measurement of thermally stimulated current. The characteristics of trapped carriers are examined, and the relaxation time and activation energy are calculated by computer simulation based on a single relaxation time model. Other thermal analysis methods are also employed to elucidate molecular relaxation behavior. It is shown the charges injected from electrodes will accumulate in the boundaries of crystalline and amorphous region in unfilled LDPE film. Impurity-vacancy dipoles are formed in the LDPE filled with zeolites. Those dipoles act as shallow traps for carriers and prevent the accumulation of space charge in the LDPE. The dielectric property of filled LDPE is strongly dependent on the structure of fillers. >
Applications of a novel cell micropatterning process for long-term neuron and cell culture

We show several applications for a unique method for creating user-friendly, micropatterned substrates for neuron and cell culture. With neurons, we demonstrated that our micropatterns can separate cell bodies and axons while organizing them in orderly arrays for easy experimentation. These micropatterned neuron cultures also persisted for weeks, enabling maturation and development of presynaptic structures and potentially allowing the explicit design of neuronal circuits. Beyond neurons, we also demonstrated the culture of fibroblasts on the patterned substrates and showed that these cell types likewise remained viable and highly compliant to a variety micropatterns.
Nonseparable Preferences and Issue Packaging in Elections

In this chapter we develop a model in which candidates have fixed positions on a single issue dimension on which one candidate has an advantage by being closer to the median voter. The disadvantaged candidate can introduce a new issue to win the election. When all voters have separable preferences and the advantaged candidate moves last on the new issue, there is no way for the disadvantaged candidate to win. When some voters have nonseparable preferences over the issues, the disadvantaged can take a position that the advantaged candidate cannot beat. Candidates in an election can benefit from introducing new issues, but only when some voters have nonseparable preferences. Using data from a 2004 survey, we show that a substantial percentage of US voters have nonseparable preferences for many issues of public policy, creating incentives and opportunities for political candidates to package issues.
Effect of Normal Aging Versus Hypertension, Abnormal Body Mass Index, and Diabetes Mellitus on White Matter Hyperintensity Volume

Background and Purpose—The natural history of white matter hyperintensity (WMH) progression resulting from normal aging versus comorbid vascular insults remains unclear. Therefore we investigated age-related differences in WMH volumes among a group with comorbid hypertension, abnormal body mass index, and diabetes mellitus to a normal aging group drawn from the same population lacking any of these comorbidities. Methods—WMH volumes were acquired using 3T MRI for 2011 Dallas Heart Study participants. The slope of the WMH versus age regression was compared between normal and comorbidity groups <50 and ≥50 years of age where a change in slope was demonstrated. Results—Aging was linearly associated with greater log WMH volume for both normal (P=0.02) and comorbidity (P<0.0001) groups. Beyond 50 years of age, more rapid increases in WMH volumes for age were seen in the group with comorbidities (P<0.0001) but not in the normal group (P=0.173). The between-group difference in slope of expected WMH for age was si...
The Elements of a Good Case

When writing a case for submission to the JCEL, the case writer should always keep in mind the four essential elements of a good teaching case: context, complexity, ambiguity, and relevance.
The thematic and citation landscape of Data and Knowledge Engineering (1985-2007)

The thematic and citation structures of Data and Knowledge Engineering (DKE) (1985-2007) are identified based on text analysis and citation analysis of the bibliographic records of full papers published in the journal. Temporal patterns are identified by detecting abrupt increases of frequencies of noun phrases extracted from titles and abstracts of DKE papers over time. Conceptual structures of the subject domain are identified by clustering analysis. Concept maps and network visualizations are presented to illustrate salient patterns and emerging thematic trends. A variety of statistics are reported to highlight key contributors and DKE papers that have made profound impacts.
Representation of one-one degrees by decision problems for system functions

Abstract In this paper the existence of a System function is shown: a kind of Combinatorial System defined by Cleave; such that arbitrary distinct recursively enumerable one-one degrees can be represented by distinct decision problems for this System function.
Harmonic Decomposition of Orbit Data for Multipole Analysis

This paper describes a simple analysis procedure that transforms a set of beamline orbit data into a set of harmonic orbits of first, second, and third order or higher. Each harmonic orbit can be studied individually to identify errors of the specific order with minimum interference from other orders. Effectively these are orbits caused by kicks, due to harmonic errors, propagated through linear lattice. Examples from accelerator study will be presented. The application and inherent limitations of this analysis procedure are discussed.
Injury of leatherleaf fern and tomato from volatilized ammonia after fertilizer application

Abstract A commercially blended 7–2–11 fertilizer containing 27 g • kg‐1 soluble ammoniacal nitrogen (NH4‐N) was evaluated for ammonia (NH3) volatilization and injury to leatherleaf fern (Rumohra adiantiformis) and an indicator plant, tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum). Closed system laboratory incubation studies on pH‐buffered sand medium indicated a very highly significant response (p≤0.001) of NH3 volatilization to sand pH. The greatest risk from NH3 emissions at pH 8.6 and 32°C appeared to be in the 5 to 70 hour period after fertilizer application. Gypsum (CaSO4) did not affect NH3 volatilization. Ammonium nitrate (NH4NO3) was identified as the main source of NH3 volatilization from this fertilizer formulation, while on an equal mass basis, ammonium sulphate [(NH4)2SO4] was more important. Both tomato and immature leatherleaf fern fronds were highly sensitive to volatilized NH3 from the fertilizer. A critical phytotoxic NH3(aq) concentration in sand solution of 0.14 mM was estimated for immature fern fr...
Substrate selectivity in glutamate-dependent acid resistance in enteric bacteria

To successfully colonize the human gut, enteric bacteria must activate acid resistance systems to survive the extreme acidity (pH 1.5–3.5) of the stomach. The antiporter AdiC is the master orchestrator of the arginine-dependent system. Upon acid shock, it imports extracellular arginine (Arg) into the cytoplasm, providing the substrate for arginine decarboxylases, which consume a cellular proton ending up in a C–H bond of the decarboxylated product agmatine (Agm2+). Agm2+ and the “virtual” proton it carries are exported via AdiC subsequently. It is widely accepted that AdiC counters intracellular acidification by continuously pumping out virtual protons. However, in the gastric environment, Arg is present in two carboxyl-protonation forms, Arg+ and Arg2+. Virtual proton pumping can only be achieved by Arg+/Agm2+ exchange, whereas Arg2+/Agm2+ exchange would produce no net proton movement. This study experimentally asks which exchange AdiC catalyzes, an issue previously unapproachable due to the absence of a reconstituted system mimicking the situation of bacteria in the stomach. Here, using an oriented liposome system able to hold a three-unit pH gradient, we demonstrate that Arg/Agm exchange by AdiC is strongly electrogenic with positive charge moved outward, and thus that AdiC mainly mediates Arg+/Agm2+ exchange to support effective virtual proton pumping. Further experiments reveal a mechanistic surprise—that AdiC selects Arg+ against Arg2+ on the basis of gross valence, rather than by local scrutiny of protonation states of the carboxyl group, as had been suggested by Arg-bound AdiC crystal structures.
Putting WMD terrorism into perspective

So-called new terrorists may not always escalate to unconventional weapons. Inordinate attention on the comparatively unique challenges of WMD terrorism draws scarce resources and focus away from the more basic but essential activities to stop terrorism in the first place.
Comparison of Triphenyltetrazolium and Blue Tetrazolium for Determination of Prednisolone

Blue tetrazolium (3,3′-dianisole bis [4,4′-(3,5-diphenyl)tetrazolium chloride]) and 2,3, 5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride are compared as colorimetric reagents for the assay of prednisolone. The effect of oxygen, light, temperature, and base concentration on the rate of color development and the stability of the blue tetrazolium reaction were investigated and found to be negligible. The procedure is applicable to other adrenocortical steroids.
Resolution of Helicobacter pylori-associated gastric lymphoproliferative disease in a child

A possible causative association between Helicobacter pylori infection and gastric lymphoproliferative disorders has recently been recognized. The case of a 14-year-old girl who was diagnosed with H. pylori gastritis and associated gastric lymphoproliferative disease of the low-grade mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue type is reported. The patient was treated only for the H. pylori infection (amoxicillin, bismuth, and metronidazole) without any adjuvant chemotherapy or surgery for her lymphoproliferative disorder. This treatment not only resulted in the eradication of the microorganism but also complete resolution of her lymphoproliferative disease. The patient was subsequently followed up for a period of 7 years. There has been no histological recurrence of H. pylori gastritis or gastric lymphoproliferative disease. It is believed that this is the first report to describe a long-term follow-up of an H. pylori-associated gastric lymphoproliferative disorder in a pediatric patient who was exclusively treated for H. pylori infection. The observations in this report suggest that H. pylori-associated low-grade gastric lymphoproliferative disease can be completely cured by eradicating the organism. Therefore, this therapeutic approach, combined with close follow-up, should be the treatment of choice in children with this associated condition before attempting more aggressive treatments, thus potentially avoiding chemotherapy and/or (partial) gastrectomy.
Duration of breastfeeding among first-time mothers in the United States: results of a national survey.

Aim: To determine the characteristics of primiparous women who breastfeed for only short periods of time. Methods: The 2002 National Survey of Family Growth was used to analyze the characteristics of a national probability sample of 3229 first-time US mothers aged 15 to 44 y with children ages 1 to 18 y old, 1960 of whom breastfed. Main outcome measures in the cross-sectional study included breastfeeding at birth and at 3 mo as determined by in-person, computer-assisted interviews conducted by trained female interviewers. Results: Sixty-two percent of first-time mothers with singleton live births initiated any breastfeeding and 36% were still breastfeeding at 3 mo. Those who were older, married, and at higher educational levels were significantly more likely to continue breastfeeding beyond 3 mo. These same demographic factors were associated with differences in breastfeeding rates both early (within the first week of life) and consistently over the first 3 mo. In multivariate analyses, only educational level remained as a predictor of breastfeeding. Conclusion: Targeted breastfeeding interventions for young, single, less-educated women are warranted in a culturally sensitive context, both prenatally and immediately postpartum, to improve the duration of breastfeeding among first-time mothers in the US.
INTRARENAL PSEUDOANEURYSM FOLLOWING URETERORENOSCOPY AND ELECTROHYDRAULIC LITHOTRIPSY

A 49-year-old man with nephrolithiasis presented with gross hematuria 21 days following successful ureterorenoscopy with electrohydraulic lithotripsy of a retained right lower pole stone after 2 attempts of extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy. He had no history of hypertension, renal trauma, percutaneous instrumentation or gross hematuria. Ureterorenoscopy and electrohydraulic lithotripsy for the re-
Hourly Analyses of Hydrological and Water Quality Simulations Using the ESWAT Model

Detailed analyses of hydrological and water quality variables are very important to study the dynamic processes in a river basin. In this study, we have further modified the Enhanced Soil and Water Assessment Tool (ESWAT) model by incorporating hourly evapotranspiration and overland flow routing modules. Results from comparison of the performances by two ESWAT versions indicate that the modified version performed better than the original model. The modified ESWAT model has reasonably reproduced observed time series runoff and most commonly collected water quality data. In addition, input data availability at required spatial and temporal resolutions is the major bottleneck in implementing many detailed hydrological models. In this paper, we have also developed a robust methodology to successfully disaggregate daily rainfall data into hourly datasets. Furthermore, we have assessed the implications of such daily rainfall disaggregation schemes on subsequent simulation of hydrological and water quality variables at river basin level. The outcomes suggest that the multivariate rainfall disaggregation scheme better reproduced observed rainfall and runoff data.
Systematics of the Etheostoma cinereum (Teleostei: Percidae) species complex (subgenus Allohistium)

We examined geographic variation within the Ashy Darter, Etheostoma cinereum, of the mitochondrially enconded cyto-chrome b gene (cyt b) and nuclear recombination activation gene 1 (RAG1) as well as pigmentation, 6 meristic variables,and 20 morphometric variables for patterns indicative of speciation within the complex. Four geographically disjunct en-tities were identified by at least one of the datasets corresponding to the Cumberland, Duck, Elk, and upper Tennesseeriver systems. Monophyly of cyt b and RAG1 sequences, modal meristic differences, moderate morphometric divergence,and unique pigmentation in specimens from the Cumberland River suggest this entity represents an evolutionary speciesunder many different species concepts and is described herein as Etheostoma maydeni. Other populations exhibit varyingdegrees of divergence in the different datasets and have conflicting relationships in phylogenetic analyses using cyt b andRAG1 sequences, leaving the evolutionary history and taxonomic status of the Duck, Elk and upper Tennessee populations unclear.
MAP kinase phosphatase 1 controls innate immune responses and suppresses endotoxic shock

Septic shock is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality. However, genetic factors predisposing to septic shock are not fully understood. Excessive production of proinflammatory cytokines, particularly tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and the resultant severe hypotension play a central role in the pathophysiological process. Mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase cascades are crucial in the biosynthesis of proinflammatory cytokines. MAP kinase phosphatase (MKP)-1 is an archetypal member of the dual specificity protein phosphatase family that dephosphorylates MAP kinase. Thus, we hypothesize that knockout of the Mkp-1 gene results in prolonged MAP kinase activation, augmented cytokine production, and increased susceptibility to endotoxic shock. Here, we show that knockout of Mkp-1 substantially sensitizes mice to endotoxic shock induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) challenge. We demonstrate that upon LPS challenge, Mkp-1−/− cells exhibit prolonged p38 and c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase activation as well as enhanced TNF-α and interleukin (IL)-6 production compared with wild-type cells. After LPS challenge, Mkp-1 knockout mice produce dramatically more TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-10 than do wild-type mice. Consequently, Mkp-1 knockout mice develop severe hypotension and multiple organ failure, and exhibit a remarkable increase in mortality. Our studies demonstrate that MKP-1 is a pivotal feedback control regulator of the innate immune responses and plays a critical role in suppressing endotoxin shock.
Depressive symptoms and decision-making preferences in patients with comorbid illnesses

Abstract Objective Shared decision-making (SDM) is increasingly promoted in the primary care setting, but depressive symptoms, which are associated with cognitive changes, may influence decision-making preferences. We sought to assess whether elevated depressive symptoms are associated with decision-making preference in patients with comorbid chronic illness. Methods We enrolled 195 patients ≥ 18 years old with uncontrolled hypertension from two urban, academic primary care clinics. Depressive symptoms were assessed using the 8-item Patient Health Questionnaire. Clinician-directed decision-making preference was assessed according to the Control Preference Scale. The impact of depressive symptoms on decision-making preference was assessed using generalized linear mixed models adjusted for age, gender, race, ethnicity, education, Medicaid status, Charlson Comorbidity Index, partner status, and clustering within clinicians. Results The mean age was 64.2 years; 72% were women, 77% Hispanic, 38% Black, and 33% had elevated depressive symptoms. Overall, 35% of patients preferred clinician-directed decision-making, 19% mostly clinician-directed, 39% shared, and 7% some or little clinician-input. Patients with (vs. without) elevated depressive symptoms were more likely to prefer clinician-directed decision-making (46% versus 29%; p = 0.02; AOR 2.51, 95% CI 1.30–4.85, p = 0.005). Remitted depressive symptoms (vs. never depressed) were not associated with preference. Conclusions Elevated depressive symptoms are associated with preference for clinician-directed decision-making. We suggest that clinicians should be aware of this effect when incorporating preference into their communication styles and take an active role in eliciting patient values and exchanging information about treatment choice, all important components of shared decision-making, particularly when patients are depressed.
Efficient Execution of Replicated Transportation Simulations with Uncertain Vehicle Trajectories

Abstract Many Dynamic Data-Driven Application Systems (DDDAS) use replicated simulations to project possible future system states. In many cases there are substantial similarities among these different replications. In other cases output statistics are independent of certain simulation computations. This paper explores computational methods to exploit these properties to speed up the simulation execution time. We discuss a new algorithm to speed up the execution of replicated vehicle traffic simulations, where the output statistics of interest focus on one or more attributes such as the trajectory of a certain “target” vehicle. By focusing on correctly reproducing the behavior of the target vehicle and its interaction with other modeled entities across the different replications and modifying the event handling mechanism the execution time can be reduced. A speculative execution method using a tagging mechanism allows this speedup to occur without loss of accuracy in the output statistics.
SKELETAL IMMOBILIZATION IN DIFFICULT FRACTURES OF THE SHAFTS OF THE LONG BONES

In the past year, twelve cases of severe fracture of the tibia and fibula have been treated by this method. The results to date not only justify the continuance of this routine but, in terms of hospital stay, anatomical and functional results, temporary and permanent disability, and comfort to the patient, compare favorably with those expected in simple fractures of these bones. Twelve cases warrant neither a formal article nor an end-result study; these we will reserve until after a larger experience.
“They think you’re lazy,” and Other Messages Black Parents Send Their Black Sons: An Exploration of Critical Race Theory in the Examination of Educational Outcomes for Black Males

Parents play an integral role in the social, emotional, physical, and intellectual development of their children. We know that school success has been associated with parents’ involvement and engagement1 practices. Studies have shown that despite socioeconomic disparities, children whose parents are involved perform markedly better than those whose parents are not. Little research has looked exclusively at parent involvement and its effects on the educational outcomes of Black males. A qualitative study conducted with Black parents and their involvement and engagement practices as the focus proved that this relationship warrants scholarly attention using Critical Race Theory as a tool for examination. Parents in this study were involved in their children’s educational processes in ways not always validated or valued by schools. Instead of engaging in conventional forms of involvement such as volunteering in the classroom, parents spent time and resources supplementing their children’s education at home. Subtle acts of racism manifested through microaggressions were detected by parents when interfacing with school officials2 and these exchanges prompted candid conversations with their sons. According to the parents in this study, deliberate messages about racism and educator expectations were often critical supplements for their Black sons in order to ensure educational success.
I've Found It, but What Does It Mean? On the Importance of Theory in Identifying Dominant General Factors

In their focal article, Ree, Carretta, and Teachout (2015) based their definition of a dominant general factor (DGF) on two criteria: (a) A DGF should be the largest source of reliable variance; (b) it is influencing every variable measuring the construct. Although detailed attention has been paid to the statistical properties of a DGF, I believe another criterion of equal if not greater importance is the theoretical justification to expect a DGF in the measurement of a construct. In the following commentary, I will highlight the importance of theory as another important criterion when determining the meaningfulness and usefulness of DGFs, discuss the risks of creating a DGF without any theoretical guidance, and elaborate on the complexities surrounding job performance as a detailed example to illustrate why theory is important before extracting a DGF from performance ratings.
Effects of lonophore A23187 and External Calcium Concentrations on Renal Gluconeogenesis

SummaryThe divalent cation ionophore A23187 was found to increase glucose production from α-ketoglutarate, glutamine, succinate, and lactate, but not from glycerol in isolated rat renal cortical tubules at external Ca2+ concentrations of 0.1 mM. At an external Ca2+ concentration of 1.0 mM or in the absence of external Ca2+, the ionophore did not increase glucose production from α-ketoglutarate. Ionophore A23187 did not increase cyclic AMP levels in renal cortical tubules. The increase in glucose production produced by ionophore A23187 was completely prevented by preincubation of the tubules with 10-5M pentobarbital, a known inhibitor of calcium transport in biological systems. The experiments suggest that ionophore A23187 increases gluconeogenesis from a variety of substrates by altering the levels of cytosolic calcium without affecting the concentrations of cyclic AMP.
The Trends in the Development of Autism Diagnosis and Service——A Prospect of the Fifth Edition of the Draft "Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders"

Several important modifications have been made to the diagnostic criteria for Autism Spectrum Disorders(ASD) by the American Psychological Association in the newly published fifth edition of the draft Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders(DSM-V),including removing all the subgroups of ASD,reducing the core impairments,adding such new clinical criteria as responses to sensory input,changing age requirement for the diagnosis,and defining the severity levels for ASD.These modifications,which have come along with the major achievements in the current study of autism in the US,will have a significant and far-reaching influence on the future diagnosis of autism,the tools for diagnosis,the results of the diagnosis,the follow-up service,and relevant policies.
Treatment of endometriosis with a potent agonist of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (nafarelin).

Administration of superactive agonistic analogs of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) has been shown to induce a paradoxic and reversible suppression of gonadotropins, resulting in suppressed gonadal steroid concentrations. Because there currently is no uniformly successful and acceptable medical therapy for endometriosis, we examined the effects of 6 months of nasal administration (500 μg every 12 hours) of the agonistic analog of GnRH, nafarelin, on clinical signs and symptoms and hormonal profiles in eight women with endometriosis. All patients had prompt and near-complete relief from their painful symptoms of endometriosis. Laparoscopy or laparotomy, performed both before and after treatment in seven of the women, revealed complete resolution of active endometriotic lesions in five patients and only a single, small cul-de-sac implant in a sixth woman. A large ovarian endometrioma decreased slightly in response to treatment in the seventh woman. Serum luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone concentrations, after a transitory stimulation at the onset of treatment, declined and were suppressed (P
Diagnostic imaging of urothelial cancer.

SUMMARY Computed body tomography shows considerable potential for staging urothelial malignancies of the renal pelvis, ureter, and bladder. The role of ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging is uncertain, although the future of magnetic resonance imaging in particular seems very promising. The value of any imaging modality is closely related to the therapeutic options available to the patient. Information provided by a test is of little value if the underlying disease process cannot be treated adequately. Hopefully advances in imaging and therapy will be utilized together to predict more accurately and more importantly to improve the patient's prognosis.
Multivariate density estimation

In traditional applied econometric settings, we typically have access to several variables. For example, in our growth example presented in Chapter 2, not only would a typical analysis have access to output per worker, but also physical and human capital stocks, measures of corruption, natural resource levels, institutional quality, and perhaps many other variables. In this sense, univariate density exploration is limited. For example, suppose you view a univariate density estimate and find bimodality to be a plausible feature. Is this bimodality inherent to the variable of interest, or is there some connection with a secondary variable? Jones, Marron, and Sheather (1996) find exactly this pattern in their research. They have a visually bimodal univariate density (202 observations) of lean body mass. Subsequent analysis shows that the bimodal nature of this density is linked to the gender of the individual. By splitting the data into 100 men and 102 women, each individual density is strongly unimodal. Thus, generically, the lean body mass measurements data was not bimodal, it was combining two different subpopulations into what was believed to be a homogeneous population. To aptly characterize these types of issues, multivariate nonparametric methods need to be deployed. The natural extension of the univariate kernel density estimator developed in Chapter 2 is the multivariate kernel density estimator. This estimator looks and operates similarly to the univariate estimator and so the intuition built in Chapter 2 will prove useful here. However, there are some conceptual issues. How do we conceive of a kernel function in multiple dimensions? Should we have a bandwidth for each dimension or a single bandwidth which smooths all variables equally? What happens to the statistical properties of our estimator if we incorporate more variables into our density? In this chapter, we outline both joint and conditional density estimation. We discuss asymptotic properties as well as bandwidth selection and the presence of irrelevant variables.
Recommender Solutions Overview

This chapter aims at providing an overview of RS technology, describing different types of RS, with emphasis on choosing the right approach for the system supporting tinnitus treatment and justifying particular choice. Current generation of recommendation methods is presented in division to four main categories: collaborative, content-based, knowledge-based, hybrid.
Outskirts of spiral galaxies

I present an overview of the recent star formation activity in the outer disks of spiral galaxies, from the observational standpoint, with emphasis on the gas content, the star formation law, the metallicity and the stellar populations.
Creation of an Internal Cladding in Sapphire Optical Fiber Using the $^{6}$ Li(n, $\alpha)^{3}$ H Reaction

The focus of this work is to extend optical frequency domain reflectometry sensing to sapphire optical fiber, by creating a cladding in the fiber. A cladding was created by irradiating a sapphire optical fiber, which was surrounded by an annulus of Li-6 enriched lithium carbonate (Li2CO3) powder, in The Ohio State University Research Reactor. The 6Li(n, $\alpha)^{3}\text{H}$ reaction created high energy alpha particles and tritons that irradiated the fiber simultaneously to a depth of 24 microns along the entire periphery of the sapphire fiber, thereby slightly reducing the index of refraction in the fiber’s periphery and creating a cladding within the fiber. Transmitted light intensity profiles show that the ion implanted cladding made the fiber’s intensity profile nearly single mode. The cladding survived to the highest temperature that was tested (1500 °C). The cladding made the fiber sufficiently single mode that the cladded sapphire fiber, when read out with an optical backscatter reflectometer, produced distributed temperature measurements along the entire length of the fiber.
Big Data and Network Medicine in COPD

Big Data provides substantial technical challenges related to organizing, moving, storing, and analyzing vast amounts of information. Importantly, useful “Big Data” needs to be more than just a lot of data; it needs to have complex, accurate, and relevant information. Key sources of Big Data in COPD research include genetics, other Omics (e.g., transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics, and epigenetics), and imaging. Network science provides approaches that can assist in the analysis of Big Data. Based on graph theory, networks provide a useful structure to visualize and analyze relationships—both linear and nonlinear—between variables of interest. Network Medicine involves the application of network science approaches to diseases. Key components of Network Medicine include identifying molecular interactions, defining optimal disease phenotypes, and integrating multiple Omics data. These three approaches are utilized to define disease-related networks, which will be utilized to reclassify diseases like COPD based on their etiology instead of end-stage physiological and pathological manifestations. Finally, new treatments and preventative strategies will be developed using systems pharmacology approaches. Integration of multiple types of Big Data will be essential in Network Medicine, and leveraging both Omics and animal model experimental data can overcome the limitations of an individual method. To realize the potential of these exciting opportunities in Big Data and Network Medicine, we will need to restructure the way that we study the pathogenesis of COPD and the approaches that we utilize to develop new COPD treatments.
Management of Diabetes in Children and Adolescents

Diabetes is a common chronic illness in children and adolescents. This article will discuss the prevalence, diagnostic criteria, types, treatment, and transition of care into adulthood.
Background Concentrations of Arsenic in Ohio Soils: Sources and Influencing Factors

Arsenic concentrations—representative of natural background conditions in Ohio soils—were compiled from the USGS National Geochemical Survey database, Ohio EPA studies, and private environmental site investigations. The resulting dataset of 2,783 samples collected from 1,116 locations was then correlated with soil data from USDA-NRCS SSURGO, glacial and bedrock geology, and analyses of other metals at these specific locations to identify factors most likely to affect arsenic concentrations in soil. Bedrock geology, particularly Devonian-aged materials and black shales, was found to significantly correlate to arsenic concentrations in soil. However, this correlation is complicated by both glaciation and post-glaciation erosion. Approximately 70% of Ohio’s bedrock is covered in glacial materials, such as till and outwash. As glaciers advanced across Ohio, bedrock materials were eroded and deposited farther south. Arsenic concentrations in Ohio soils tend to be highest where Devonian bedrock materials were deposited by glaciation. Following glacial deposition of materials, arsenic can be eroded or leached from the deposits. Deposits of wind-blown loess and materials deposited by water (as opposed to ice) had lower arsenic concentrations than glacial tills and outwash plains that underwent minimal erosion following glacial deposition.
Windows to the soul: “Now close your eyes.”: Windows to the soul

A regional campus dean reflects on his recent acquisition of a new clinical responsibility as medical support to an inpatient behavioral health unit. Having taught the neurological exam to students for almost 35 years, this experience caused him to pause and consider a new perspective on teaching the routine exam. The author has no conflict of interest to report and IRB approval for Treatment of Human Subjects and Treatment of Animal Subjects is not applicable.
Analyzing Dependencies Between Student Certainness States and Tutor Responses in a Spoken Dialogue Corpus

This study presents an approach for developing more empirically motivated affective dialogue tutorial systems. In particular, we use n-gram techniques from statistical natural language processing to identify dependencies between student affective states of certainty and subsequent tutor dialogue acts, in an annotated corpus of human–human spoken tutoring dialogues. We first represent our dialogues as bigrams of annotated student and tutor turns. We next use χ2 analysis to identify dependent bigrams, i.e., where the student certainty and tutor dialogue act annotations are related in some way other than predicted by chance. Our results show dependencies between many student states and subsequent tutor dialogue acts. We then analyse the dependent bigrams both with respect to differences between observed and expected counts and with respect to correlations with learning; these analyses suggest ways that our current computer tutor can be enhanced to adapt its dialogue act generation based on these dependencies.
Software Design and Features for an NDE Image Processing Workstation

The purpose of this paper is to describe the engineering features of industrial NDE image processing workstation software currently under development in the Iowa State University Electrical and Computer Engineering Department. The software package is designed for use on a generic image processing platform consisting of a commercially available UNIX workstation-class host computer interfaced to a frame grabber board and video camera, and incorporates image processing software developed at ISU’s Center for NDE. This image processing software has been developed for use on noisy, low-contrast x-ray images, and has demonstrated its ability to enhance and extract flaws in such images.
Central f-Elements in Lattice-Ordered Algebras

In [11] Ka Hin Leung has shown that the following statements are equivalent for a totally ordered domain R.
The heuristic search: An alternative to the alpha—beta minimax procedure

Many current computer chess programs use a full-width tree search (e.g., CHESS 4.5 from Northwestern (see Chapter 4), KAISSA from the Institute of Control Science, Moscow [2], and TECH II from MIT). Other programs, such as Berliner’s [12], attempt to perform a highly selective search using extremely sophisticated heuristics. Recent improvements in chess play have come primarily from the programs using the “brute force” procedure. In particular the Northwestern program improved markedly when its plausible move selector was replaced by a full-width search. The development of specialized computer hardware, such as the chess-specific central processor which is being developed at MIT, will further benefit this “brute-strength” approach.
Reassessing measures of sustainable firm performance: A consultant's guide to identifying hidden costs in corporate disclosures

Strategy, management, corporate social responsibility, critical accounting, and other business researchers frequently utilize financial metrics such as return on assets, return on equity, and return on sales as proxy measures for the financial performance of firms. Large data sets offer convenience but exclude the textual data of corporate disclosures that offers critical insight into specific executive actions and social and environmental outcomes. This study looks at the detrimental consequences of the prevalent practice of relying on macrofinancial metrics as measures of firm performance. Insight from the socioeconomic approach to management (SEAM) is then applied to help an external analyst develop the perspective of an internal consultant to identify hidden costs in corporate disclosures. An extensive case on former CEO Robert Nardelli's tenure at Home Depot is presented as an example of applied SEAM theory to explore how a causal network of dysfunctions can be traced through publicly available financial disclosures. The management discussion and analysis as well as the executive incentive compensation formulas serve as a roadmap to discover hidden costs. The study offers a critical perspective of financial disclosures to allow researchers to externally diagnose dysfunctions sooner rather than years later, an insight formerly only available to internal consultants.
Protection afforded by avian influenza vaccination programmes consisting of a novel RNA particle and an inactivated avian influenza vaccine against a highly pathogenic avian influenza virus challenge in layer chickens up to 18 weeks post-vaccination

The efficacies of an oil adjuvanted-inactivated reverse genetics-derived H5 avian influenza virus (AIV) vaccine and an alphavirus replicon RNA particle (RP) AIV vaccine were evaluated in commercial...
Development and Application of a Measurement Framework to Evaluate Safe, Effective and Efficient Medication Use Among Older Adults

A majority of older adults in the United States (US) use prescription medications. Comprehensive population-level approaches to examine medication safety, effectiveness, and costs among older adults are needed. The objectives of this study were to develop a framework of quality measures spanning the domains of safety, effectiveness, and efficiency of prescription medication use among older adults, and to apply those measures using pharmacy claims data. We performed a retrospective study among adults age 65 years and older of a US East Coast state who filled at least one prescription from a particular pharmacy chain during 2016 (N = 99,056). Firstly, we performed an environmental scan to identify quality measures and potentially relevant measures addressing prescription medication use. These measures were reviewed and rated by local geriatric pharmacotherapy experts. After evaluating feasibility, evidence, and relevance, a total of 19 measures representing the domains of safety (n = 7), effectiveness (n = 7), and efficiency (n = 5) were identified. These measures were then applied to an older adult population using prescription data for the year 2016 provided by a national pharmacy chain. All measures were configured such that a score of 100% corresponded to optimal performance. For the domain of safety, 12.8% of patients received a benzodiazepine chronically, 23.6% received central nervous system depressants, 16.7% received fluoroquinolones as first-line antibiotic therapy, and 21.9% of those who were prescribed opioids received them in excessive quantities. For the domain of effectiveness, one-fourth of the diabetes patients did not receive statins and angiotensin-acting medications, while 18.0% were not adherent to oral anticoagulant medications and 54% were not adherent to respiratory inhalers. For the domain of efficiency, 12.0% of the patients received prescriptions from five or more unique prescribers. Overall, 85.7%, 76.1%, and 87.9% of the older adults showed safe, effective, and efficient prescription medication use, respectively. A novel approach to comprehensively examine the quality of medication use among older adults using prescription claims data is provided in our study. A considerable proportion of the older adults in our study received safe, effective, and efficient prescription medications. However, within each domain, several opportunities for improving the alignment of prescription medication use with current recommendations were identified.
Clinic-Level Factors Associated With Retention in Care Among People Living With Human Immunodeficiency Virus in a Multisite US Cohort, 2010–2016

Background Retention in care (RIC) leads to reduced HIV transmission and mortality. Few studies have investigated the availability of clinic services and RIC among people living with HIV (PLWH) in the United States (US). We conducted a multi-site retrospective cohort study to identify clinic services associated with RIC from 2010-2016 in the US. Methods PLWH with ≥1 attended HIV primary care visit from 2010-2016 at seven sites in the Centers for AIDS Research Network of Integrated Clinical Systems (CNICS) were included. Clinic-level factors evaluated via site survey included patients per provider/trainee, peer navigation, RIC posters/brochures, laboratory test timing, flexible scheduling, appointment reminder methods, and stigma support services. RIC was defined as ≥2 encounters per year, ≥90 days apart, observed until death, administrative censoring (December 31, 2016), or loss to follow-up (censoring at first 12-month interval without a visit if there were no future visits). Poisson regression with robust error variance, clustered by site and adjusted for calendar year, age, sex, race/ethnicity, and HIV transmission risk factor, estimated risk ratios (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for RIC. Results Among 21,046 PLWH contributing 103,348 person-years, 67% of person-years were retained. Availability of text appointment reminders (RR:1.13; 95% CI:1.03-1.24) and stigma support services (RR:1.11; 95% CI:1.04-1.19) were associated with better RIC. Disparities persisted with respect to age, sex, and race after accounting for clinic-level factors. Conclusion Availability of text appointment reminders and stigma support services was associated with higher rates of RIC indicating that these may be feasible and effective approaches for improving RIC.