cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Towards the Verifying Compiler

A verifying compiler is one that proves automatically that a program is correct before allowing it to be run. Correctness of a program is defined by placing assertions at strategic points in the program text, particularly at the interfaces between its components. From recent enquiries among software developers at Microsoft, I have discovered that assertions are widely used in program development practice. Their main role is as test oracles, to detect programming errors as close as possible to their place of occurrence. Further progress in reliable software engineering is supported by programmer productivity tools that exploit assertions of various kinds in various ways at all stages in program development. The construction and exploitation of a fully verifying compiler remains as a long-term challenge for twenty-first century Computing Science. The results of this research will be of intermediate benefit long before the eventual ideal is reached.
Thiazolides: a new class of drugs for the treatment of chronic hepatitis B and C

Nitazoxanide, the first thiazolide, was originally developed for the treatment of Cryptosporidium parvum. The antiviral activity of nitazoxanide was discovered by serendipity in patients with AIDS who were treated for cryptosporidial diarrhea and had HBV or HCV co-infection. In preliminary open-label studies of patients with chronic hepatitis B, nitazoxanide suppressed serum HBV DNA and led to loss or seroconversion of hepatitis B e antigen in the majority of patients, as well as hepatitis B surface antigen in approximately a quarter of patients. In Phase II studies of patients with chronic hepatitis C genotype 4, nitazoxanide combined with peginterferon alfa-2a, with or without ribavirin, increased the sustained virologic response rate to 79–80 versus 50% with peginterferon plus ribavirin standard of care. Randomized, controlled studies of naive and nonresponder patients with chronic hepatitis C genotype 1 and patients with chronic hepatitis B are underway, and new second generation thiazolides are being...
Vascular Injury Is Associated with Increased Mortality in Winter Sports Trauma

Background Trauma is the leading cause of injury and death for individuals aged 1–44 years. Up to 8% of the US population participates in winter sports, and although vascular injuries are uncommon in these activities, little is published in this area. We sought to identify the incidence, injury patterns, and outcomes of vascular injuries resulting from winter sports trauma. Methods Patients with winter sports trauma and the subset with vascular injuries were identified by accessing the National Trauma Data Bank querying years 2007–2010. Patients with and without vascular injuries were then compared. Admission variables included transport time, emergency department hypotension (systolic blood pressure Results A total of 2,298 patients were identified with winter sports–related trauma and 28 (1.2%) had associated vascular injuries. Overall, the top 3 injuries were head trauma (16.7%), thoracic vertebral fractures (5.5%), and lumbar vertebral fractures (5.1%). The most common associated vascular injures were to the popliteal artery (17.7%), splenic artery (14.7%), and brachial blood vessels (14.7%). In the entire cohort, 1 patient (0.04%) suffered an amputation and 15 patients (0.7%) died. There were no amputations in the vascular injury group. Mortality was 0.6% in patients without a vascular injury compared with 7.1% of those with a vascular injury (P = 0.01). Conclusions Although vascular injury is an uncommon associated finding in winter sports trauma, it is associated with a significant increase in mortality. These findings highlight the need for rapid identification of traumatic vascular injuries, which predicts worse overall outcomes in this patient population.
Miracle on 39th Street.

It was 2 weeks before Christmas, and I was rounding on our inpatient palliative care service for the weekend. I was surprised to see the name of one of my long-time clinic patients on our consult list.
Intervention with Linguistically Diverse Preschool Children: A Focus on Developing Home Language(s).

Purpose: This article addresses a series of questions that are critical to planning and implementing effective intervention programs for young linguistically diverse learners with primary language ...
End-of-life care in geriatric psychiatry

Depression, anxiety and delirium are relatively common during the final stages of terminal disease, and each can profoundly impact the quality of those last days for both patient and involved family. In this article the authors review the assessment and treatment of each syndrome in the context of palliative care for older adults. Treatment of mental disorders at the end of life warrants special consideration due to the need to balance the benefits of treatment against the potential burden of the intervention, especially those that might worsen quality of life. Dementia and the complications of depression and behavioral disturbance within dementia are also discussed. Finally, caregivers of dying patients are vulnerable to stress, depression, grief, and complicated bereavement. Interventions for caregivers who are debilitated by these states are briefly summarized.
Plasma concentrations of buprenorphine 24 to 72 hours after dosing

Abstract Background : This study evaluated plasma buprenorphine concentrations 24–72 h following sublingual administration of a dose of buprenorphine solution, ranging from 16 mg/70 kg to 44 mg/70 kg, administered on a daily or thrice-weekly schedule. Additionally, this study evaluated the effects of different thrice-weekly buprenorphine dose schedules on opiate use and withdrawal symptoms. Methods : Opiate dependent subjects ( n =10) were maintained in an outpatient clinic for two 3-week periods at each of three thrice-weekly buprenorphine dose schedules (providing a weekly total buprenorphine dose of 64, 84 and 112 mg) and for 1 week of a daily buprenorphine dose of 16 mg/70 kg. Plasma samples were obtained 24, 48 and 72 h following administration of buprenorphine. Urine samples were also collected and opiate withdrawal symptoms, agonist effects and the use of heroin, cocaine, alcohol and other drugs, were assessed. Results : Plasma levels showed a wide range of intra- and inter-subject variability. Nonetheless, higher doses of buprenorphine resulted in higher plasma concentrations at each time point and plasma concentration decreased with time. There were no significant differences in heroin use across dosing. Rates of withdrawal symptoms were low and did not differ across dosing schedules. Conclusions : In the two highest dose schedules, plasma levels 72 h following the administration of the highest dose and at 48 h after the lower dose, were comparable to plasma concentrations at 24 h following daily administration of 16 mg/70 kg of buprenorphine.
Influence of frusemide on dynamic cardiac variables during exercise

Exercising horses have extremely high right and left atrial pressures. Limitation in ventricular function (i.e. relaxation) may play a role in these high pressures. We studied relaxation characteristics of the right ventricular myocardium and the impact of frusemide (2.0 mg/kg bwt i.v.) on these characteristics in horses exercising at 8, 10, 12 and 14 m/s. Exercise tests were performed 4 h after administration of frusemide. Right ventricular (RV) pressure was analysed using Fast Fourier Transform techniques to remove non cardiac components of the pressure signal. Mean right atrial (RA) pressure increased with exercise and was significantly attenuated at all speeds by frusemide. RV maximum and minimum rates of pressure change with respect to time (RV + dP/dtmax, RV-dP/dtmax) increased with exercise and RV relaxation time constant (RV tau) and time of RV relaxation from 65-20% of the difference between maximum and minimum ventricular pressure (delta 65-20) decreased with exercise. Frusemide produced no significant differences in +dP/dtmax, -dP/dtmax, RV tau or delta 65-20 except at 12 m/s where RV tau was longer after frusemide (23.4 ms for frusemide vs. 19.7 ms for control). Significant reductions in stroke volume were seen at 8, 10 and 14 m/s after frusemide. These results suggest that the reduction of atrial pressure by frusemide is not due to changes in ventricular relaxation rate.
XRules: An effective algorithm for structural classification of XML data

XML documents have recently become ubiquitous because of their varied applicability in a number of applications. Classification is an important problem in the data mining domain, but current classification methods for XML documents use IR-based methods in which each document is treated as a bag of words. Such techniques ignore a significant amount of information hidden inside the documents. In this paper we discuss the problem of rule based classification of XML data by using frequent discriminatory substructures within XML documents. Such a technique is more capable of finding the classification characteristics of documents. In addition, the technique can also be extended to cost sensitive classification. We show the effectiveness of the method with respect to other classifiers. We note that the methodology discussed in this paper is applicable to any kind of semi-structured data.
Asymptotic throughput analysis of distributed multichannel random access schemes

In this paper, we highlight the advantage of multichannel random access schemes by jointly exploiting the inherent multiuser and multicarrier diversity. For a deeper understanding of network behavior, we define a parameter called the population density of the network and consider multichannel systems under different types of network density. We show that by exploiting the inherent diversity of the multicarrier networks, the asymptotic stable throughput (AST) of any single carrier medium access protocol can be increased. We have developed closed form expressions for the amount of gain that can be obtained using multicarrier diversity. We then take an example of the traditional Aloha systems to demonstrate the advantages of multicarrier systems over single carrier systems and show using simulation results that the maximum throughput gain achievable is as high as 50%.
A simple, inexpensive technique to permit the half-axial projection in laboratories with single plane cineangiography.

A simple inexpensive modification to permit x-ray beam angulation of a cineradio-graphic system consisting of a ceiling-suspended image intensifier and an under-the-table x-ray tube is described. This has permitted the incorporation of the half-axial projection into the routine evaluation of the proximal left anterior descending artery (LAD) with a minimum of patient discomfort.
INNOVATIVE CONSUMERS AND MARKET MAVENS

Consumer researchers describe two types of consumers they term “the consumer innovator” and “the market maven.” The former are eager buyers of new products; the second are especially knowledgeable about shopping and buying. The present study examined the relationship between these two constructs as part of a nomological network analysis. We used data from 204 student consumers to test hypothesized relationships among scores on the market maven scale and a measure of innovativeness with opinion leadership, price sensitivity, and self-reports of time and money spent shopping. The analysis showed positive correlations among the measures, but there is clear evidence that the consumer innovator and market maven concepts are separate and distinct. The measure of consumer innovativeness predicted the behavioral criteria better than the market maven scale did. Both concepts may be important to retail managers as they develop strategies for new products.
Human Rights and Environmental Regulation

This article suggests that were federal environmental regulators to view themselves as human rights decisionmakers, we might well see a new kind of regulatory decisionmaking emerge — one not only more responsive and transparent, but also more likely to enjoy the trust of the American public. Drawing from the BP Oil Spill and the United States regulatory response to climate change, this article shows how human rights norms might enrich domestic regulatory processes and help environmental regulators implement their statutory mission of protecting the public welfare. It demonstrates how interpreting domestic legal obligations through the lens of human rights would enhance a commitment to participation, fairness and accountability, thereby making the domestic regulatory process not only better and fairer, but also more likely to be perceived as legitimate by the general public. The article concludes by pointing out some key obstacles facing the human rights approach for achieving environmental ends.
Modeling Atmospheric Turbulence Image Reconstruction with Compressive Line Sensing

The recently proposed application of compressive line sensing imaging is investigated for the atmospheric turbulence environment. The feasibility of this imaging technique in another scattering medium besides the underwater environment is demonstrated. From this initial study, one can foresee that the CLS technique will be beneficial in this field.
The effect of methotrexate on rabbit intestinal mucosal enzymes and flora.

Twelve rabbits were given methotrexate (5 mg/kg) IV for 4 days and compared to a total of 23 control animals for changes in light and dissecting microscope appearance, mucosal lactase, maltase, sucrase, alkaline phosphatase, and succinic dehydrogenase activity, and changes in intraluminal flora. There were no changes in flora or histology, but statistically significant depression of lactase, maltase, and alkaline phosphatase occurred. Sucrase and succinic dehydrogenase depression was not significant. Lactase activity, in contrast to that of the other enzymes, was depressed by methotrexate, 5 mg/kg for 2 days. It is concluded that mild derangement of metabolic integrity of intestinal mucosa, as induced by small doses of methotrexate, does not result in qualitative or quantitative alteration of recoverable bacteria from the proximal intestinal lumen in rabbits.
A 28 nm Configurable Memory (TCAM/BCAM/SRAM) Using Push-Rule 6T Bit Cell Enabling Logic-in-Memory

Conventional content addressable memory (BCAM and TCAM) uses specialized 10T/16T bit cells that are significantly larger than 6T SRAM cells. A new BCAM/TCAM is proposed that can operate with standard push-rule 6T SRAM cells, reducing array area by 2–5× and allowing reconfiguration of the SRAM as a CAM. In this way, chip area and overall capacitance can be reduced, leading to higher energy efficiency for search operations. In addition, the configurable memory can perform bit-wise logical operations: “AND” and “NOR” on two or more words stored within the array. Thus, the configurable memory with CAM and logical function capability can be used to off-load specific computational operations to the memory, improving system performance and efficiency. Using a 6T 28 nm FDSOI SRAM bit cell, the 64×64 (4 kb) BCAM achieves 370 MHz at 1 V and consumes 0.6 fJ/search/bit. A logical operation between two 64 bit words achieves 787 MHz at 1 V.
Fate of shed mast cell granules.

SummaryIt has been observed that following mild trauma to the skin of mice, degranulation of mast cells occurs in the subcutaneous connective tissue and is followed by the appearance of metachromatic granules within the cytoplasm of surrounding fibroblasts. Investigation of this phenomenon by subcutaneous injection of isolated mast cell granules showed that fibroblasts began to ingest the granules within 15 minutes after injection. Granulation appeared to be maximal within one to two hours and digestion of granules was apparent within four hours. These observations on the fibroblastic uptake of mast cell granules were confirmed by using S35-labeled mast cell granules for injection. It is suggested that this phenomenon represents one aspect of local detoxification in the tissues.
Isolation of two lipoamide dehydrogenases from Pseudomonasputida grown on valine

Abstract Pseudomonas putida PPG2 grown on valine as the principal carbon and energy source produces two species of lipoamide dehydrogenase, molecular weights 56k and 49k. Pseudomonas putida grown on glucose as the carbon source produces only the 56k lipoamide dehydrogenase. The 56k proteins from P. putida grown on glucose and valine were not separated by SDS-Page and may be the same proteins. Pyruvate dehydrogenase of mutant JS94 lacking lipoamide dehydrogenase was restored by the 56k protein but not by the 49k protein. Branched chain keto acid dehydrogenase was partially restored by the 49k protein, but not the 56k protein.
Heterogeneous Computing: Hardware and Software Perspectives

In the beginning was the single core ... Then we moved to multicore, before we are fully ready for it! Then GPUs appear in the scene, giving us very high performance for some type of applications ... What is next? How can we get more performance? The very near future will be the era of heterogeneous computing. We already have a glimpse of it now; you write code for multicore and GPUs together, right? As computer systems become more and more heterogeneous (cores of different capabilities, GPUs, application specific hardware, ...), writing efficient code for it becomes more and more challenging. What type of heterogeneity are we talking about? Why do we need this heterogeneity? How can we write software that makes the best use of that? ... These are the topics we will discuss in this talk.
APPRAISAL OF THE HYPOTHESIS OF THE “DEPOLARIZATION-INDUCED” RELEASE OF CALCIUM FROM THE SARCOPLASMIC RETICULUM IN SKINNED CARDIAC CELLS FROM THE RAT OR PIGEON VENTRICLE

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the depolarization-induced release of calcium ions (Ca2+) from the cardiac SR and describes more recent experiments thoroughly testing the effect of the replacement of potassium propionate (K+P-) with choline chloride (Ch+Cl-). It presents reports that were obtained with various types of preparations from the rat ventricle. These included skinned cardiac cells obtained by microdissection, groups of 2–6 cells with sarcolemma disrupted by homogenization without skinning by microdissection and multi-cellular preparations of about 50 μn diameter that had been chemically skinned by EGTA. In addition, some experiments were done in frog skeletal muscle fibers, either skinned with Natori's technique or with sarcolemma disrupted by homogenization. Various stability constants were used to compute the free ion concentrations in these early studies. In the earliest experiments, no computations at all had been done. Yet, in all experiments, all information including the total calcium contamination of the solution was available.
Evolution, Theory of

Organic evolution comprises changes in the hereditary composition of populations within ancestor–descendant lineages (anagenesis), and the splitting of such lineages to form two or more daughter lineages (cladogenesis or speciation). Within lineages, changes occur by a change in the frequency of hereditary variations. Mutation, in the broad sense, is the source of variation, while the fate of such variation is determined by migration (movement of individuals between populations), genetic drift (random changes in the frequency of variations), and selection (consistent differential survival and/or reproduction of variations); the latter is responsible for the fit of organisms to their conditions of existence (adaptation). When lineages split (often initially due to geographic separation), so as to allow independent anagenesis in the descendant lineages, the lineages may diverge, and diversity thus increase. As speciation is repeated over time, there is a potentially exponential increase in the number of species, and this ramifying, branching history forms the phylogenetic tree of life.
The Formality of Informal Civil Society: Ukraine’s EuroMaidan

Over a period of three months, starting in late 2013, Ukraine experienced a remarkable civic transformation. What started as peaceful protests largely consisting of young idealists, grew quickly into an organized yet decentralized social movement, a conglomeration of semi-formal initiatives, and a loosely defined network of related formal and informal organizations—a process that ultimately prompted significant political and social changes in Ukraine. This paper offers three case studies related to EuroMaidan to provide insight into the formal and informal dimensions of civil society, contrasting those with official designations. The discussion contributes to the long-debated question of the strength or weakness of civil society in the context of Eastern Europe and suggests directions for future research with regard to the conceptualization of civil society and our understanding of formality.
Feasibility of an electronic implementation method of an evidence-based exercise intervention among testicular cancer survivors (TCS).

161Background: Cardiovascular (CV) disease results in significant morbidity among TCS. The effects of exercise on mitigating these late effects remain unknown in this population. Exercise for Cance...
A Brief Introduction to Macroeconomics

This technical note sets the groundwork for a module on macroeconomics by introducing concepts and definitions that will be revisited in subsequent technical notes. The note begins by introducing national income accounting and the components of gross domestic product (GDP), and by discussing why economists care about GDP. It then discusses how the determinants of the components of GDP interact on the market, and how we can predict GDP and interest rates through the lens of a model—a framework that maps assumptions into outcomes. The note introduces students to basic economic modeling by walking them through examples of how to determine endogenous variables from systems of equations and exogenous variables. The note concludes by discussing the role of assumptions in macroeconomics and by listing some of the assumptions that we will maintain in subsequent technical notes. Excerpt UVA-GEM-0125 Rev. Jun. 3, 2019 A Brief Introduction to Macroeconomics What determines gross domestic product (GDP), unemployment, exchange rates, interest rates, and inflation? Why do some countries grow quickly while others stagnate? These are the types of questions that the study of macroeconomics addresses. The answers to these questions are important to policymakers, firms, and households. For example: Policymakers attempt to understand the forces causing recessions and booms so they can steer the economy away from prolonged episodes of high unemployment or excess inflation. Firm managers want to understand how demand for their product evolves with the macroeconomy, as well as how changes in interest rates, inflation, and exchange rates affect their costs and revenues. . . .
Corporate Social Responsibility in Malaysian Banks Offering Islamic Banking

This study examines the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) engagement type and CSR extent in Malaysian banks offering Islamic banking services. 10 local banks and 6 foreign banks offering Islamic banking services listed on the Kuala Lumpur Stock Exchange were analysed using content analysis. Banks websites and annual reports were studies to gather and analyse the data. Results obtained indicate that the level of importance that the local versus foreign banks assign to various CSR-based activities, CSR reporting, CSR communication and CSR board structure significantly vary. Banks in Malaysia may need to focus on alternative strategies to publicise their CSR-based activities and enhance their internal and external communication in order to attain greater brand reputation.
Using Literature to Teach Crisis Intervention

This article presents a unique approach for teaching crisis intervention in that it involves students reading novels and autobiographies to use as case studies in order to apply the theories and co...
An Adventure in Full Art Integration

I stood in the chemistry lab, masked and goggled, attempting to measure chemicals precisely. The chemistry teacher laughed at my obvious frustration learning this new skill. These precise chemical ...
Cognitive Appraisals, Coping Processes, and Adjustment to Infertility

How does one cope with the demands of infertility? This chapter centers on a study of coping in infertile couples. Personal accounts of study participants and quantitative data are used to provide a rich portrait of the issues involved. Participants’ responses reveal the remarkable diversity of coping methods initiated by those who carry this diagnosis: When the pregnancy test comes back negative, I laugh it off. I eat more pizza, do more work, and refuse to look at babies. I try to keep my emotions under control and instead just take it one day at a time. Right now we’re waiting to see if this new medication works. Then we’ll talk about the next step. I shout and cry and try to get my emotions out. I hit walls and pillows. I talk and talk and talk. If I don’t express it, I’ll go crazy.
Detection of Highly Pathogenic Viral Agents: Implications for Therapeutics, Vaccines and Biodefense

Publisher Summary The standard virological assay to measure productive virus reproduction is both tedious and time consuming. A need is recognized for an alternative to plaque assays. q-RT-PCR technology is a molecular technique that has the ability to quantitate viral titers in lieu of traditional plaque assays. This chapter focuses on quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (q-RT-PCR) assays, describing the published assays for hemorrhagic fever viruses (HFV) to date. These assays are developed for almost all HFV and have proven to be sensitive, specific, and reliable. HFV are a group of diverse viruses that have a common denominator of causing viral hemorrhagic fever. These viruses are responsible for high levels of both mortality and morbidity in infected patients. The implications of these assays are discussed for use in expanding upon the limited therapeutic arsenal against HFV. Compound screening should be implemented to identify new therapeutic options. The process begins with in vitro assays where cells grown in cell culture are pretreated with the compound of interest, infected with the appropriate virus, and finally undergo post-treatment with the compound. Cellular supernatants containing released virus are then assayed to determine if the compound has decreased the viral titer as compared to an untreated control.
Abstract A111: The alkyl phosphocholine analog CLR1404 delays radiation-induced dsDNA damage repair in pediatric and adult solid tumors

Exposure of normal tissues to radiation is a major limitation in cancer radiotherapy, with significant consequences particularly in the pediatric setting. Increasing the selective anticancer effect of radiation on malignant cells utilizing cancer-targeted drugs could provide an option to lessen adverse radiation effects on healthy tissue. We investigated the radiosensitizing properties of 18-(p-iodophenyl) octadecyl phosphocholine (CLR1404), a clinical-grade phospholipid ether analog with selective sequestration in cancer cells, in pediatric and adult human solid tumor cell lines. Preliminary data in our laboratory using a fluorescently-labeled analog indicated that human cancer cells uptake and retain 6- to 10-fold more CLR1404 when compared with normal primary cells. In vitro, the clonogenic survival of tumor cells after irradiation was significantly decreased when cells were pretreated with CLR1404. This radiosensitizing effect was detected also in vivo, in xenograft-bearing mice treated with CLR1404 during fractionated radiation, resulting in decreased tumor volumes and markedly delayed tumor regrowth in CLR1404-treated mice compared to controls. We investigated mechanisms responsible for the radiosensitizing properties of CLR1404. Western blotting of tumor cell lysates indicated increased accumulation and prolonged persistence of γ-H2AX in irradiated tumor cells pretreated with CLR1404 compared to nontreated controls. Expression of select markers of homologous and non-homologous end-joining dsDNA radiation damage repair pathways were markedly decreased and significantly delayed in CLR1404-treated tumor cells after exposure to irradiation compared to non-CLR1404-treated cells. CLR1404 treatment also markedly decreased the activation of p53 after irradiation in p53-functional rhabdomyosarcoma cells compared to cells treated with radiation alone. In conclusion, our data show that, in both pediatric and adult human solid tumor cell lines, the alkyl phosphocholine analog CLR1404 interferes with sensing of dsDNA damage, delays DNA damage repair, and potentially interferes with other cell survival mechanisms, for example involving p53. These mechanisms might be responsible for the observed in vitro and in vivo radiosensitizing properties of CLR1404. Tumor-targeted radiosensitization with CLR1404 could improve the selective antitumor effect of radiation, and provide a distinct therapeutic benefit to cancer patients. Citation Format: Ankita Shahi, Mohamed Y. Elsaid, Dana C. Baiu, Eric A. Armstrong, Jamey P. Weichert, Paul M. Harari, Mario Otto. The alkyl phosphocholine analog CLR1404 delays radiation-induced dsDNA damage repair in pediatric and adult solid tumors [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR-NCI-EORTC International Conference: Molecular Targets and Cancer Therapeutics; 2017 Oct 26-30; Philadelphia, PA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Mol Cancer Ther 2018;17(1 Suppl):Abstract nr A111.
Risk premiums due to Fusarium Head Blight (FHB) in wheat and barley

Abstract Fusarium Head Blight (FHB) is an important problem to the agricultural production and marketing system, and has led to major economic losses for wheat and barley producers in the United States, Canada and many other countries. Deoxynivalenol (DON) is a mycotoxin associated with FHB. Grain products and feed grain contaminated with DON (commonly known as vomitoxin) are subject to FDA advisory limits and as a result end-users place restrictions on this factor. This has led to steep price discounts, as well as higher risks for producers and grain merchandisers. Research has led to development of varieties that are resistant to moderately resistant to FHB. Also, studies indicate combinations of genetic resistance, fungicides and some management practices (combine settings, tillage practices, etc.) can be used to decrease losses due to FHB. This increases cost to the industry and imputes a value related to reduced FHB. The purpose of this paper is to analyze risk and determine risk premiums necessary to induce growers to adopt risk reducing technologies in the case of wheat and barley grown in the United States.
Spinal Cord Stimulation, Cervical: Trialing

Much like with the lumbar and thoracic spine, spinal cord stimulation (SCS) of the cervical spine may be used to treat a variety of neuropathic pain conditions of the neck and upper extremities. However, anatomical considerations unique to the cervical spine may present challenges to the interventional pain physician. This chapter discusses the relevant anatomy, describes the technique for cervical epidural lead placement and trialing, and suggests ways to minimize risks of complications.
Treating Non-Retentive Encopresis with Rewarded Scheduled Toilet Visits

We evaluated the effects of rewarded scheduled toilet sits on non-retentive encopretic behavior of an elementary-school student receiving services for serious emotional disturbance. A multidisciplinary team implemented the 8-week intervention using a multiple baseline across settings design. The results showed an increase in sitting on the toilet and a decline in encopretic episodes in both school and home settings. These findings support the use of a behavioral intervention for children with significant behavioral disorders within a classroom setting.
The ethics of branding, customer-brand relationships, brand-equity strategy, and branding as a societal institution

Abstract The subject of branding, customer-brand relationships, brand equity strategies, and branding as a societal institution has become so controversial that an anti-branding movement has become widespread across several continents. This movement maintains that branding is not just problematic, but ethically wrong. This article uses the Hunt-Vitell theory of ethics to provide a framework for explicating people's personal moral codes, which in turn, helps us to understand the ethical controversy over branding. The article (1) provides a brief discussion of the nature of branding, (2) identifies major arguments that support the view that branding is morally wrong, (3) overviews the H–V theory of marketing ethics, (4) explicates the H–V theory's “personal moral codes” framework, and (5) shows how it provides a starting point for those who seek to understand, evaluate, and investigate the ethics of branding.
Characteristics of Hospice Referrals From an Inpatient Geriatric Psychiatry Unit

Objective Geriatric psychiatrists who treat neuropsychiatric symptoms of dementia are in the unique position of offering palliation to people with terminal illness in whom neuropsychiatric symptoms may be indicators of the illness's end stage (e.g., feeding problems). Little is known, however, about the characteristics of hospice referrals from inpatient geriatric psychiatry units. Methods This was a retrospective chart review of patients with dementia admitted to an inpatient geriatric psychiatry unit and referred to hospice on discharge. Results Patients were referred to hospice because of feeding problems, with oral intake insufficient to sustain life. Most patients (78%) died within 31 days of discharge, and all patients (100%) died within 6 months of discharge. Conclusion The results from this study support a symptom-based approach to hospice referral for people with dementia, as opposed to prognostic estimation, where certain symptom clusters may indicate a more rapidly progressing course.
Electrophilic Organoiridium(III) Pincer Complexes on Sulfated Zirconia for Hydrocarbon Activation and Functionalization

Single-site supported organometallic catalysts bring together the favorable aspects of homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysis while offering opportunities to investigate the impact of metal–support interactions on reactivity. We report a (dmPhebox)Ir(III) (dmPhebox = 2,6-bis(4,4-dimethyloxazolinyl)-3,5-dimethylphenyl) complex chemisorbed on sulfated zirconia, the molecular precursor for which was previously applied to hydrocarbon functionalization. Spectroscopic methods such as diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transformation spectroscopy (DRIFTS), dynamic nuclear polarization (DNP)-enhanced solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (SSNMR) spectroscopy, and X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) were used to characterize the supported species. Tetrabutylammonium acetate was found to remove the organometallic species from the surface, enabling solution-phase analytical techniques in conjunction with traditional surface methods. Cationic character was imparted to the iridium center by its grafting onto sulfa...
Individual experience and associated perceptions: how crime victimization influences the construction of safety

Individuals perceive and navigate space differently based upon their personal experience, where a single built environment may produce multiple different perceptions. The combination of built envir...
Level excursion analysis of probabilistic quasibrittle fracture

It has widely been acknowledged that no structures can be designed to be risk free, and therefore reliability analysis plays an essential role in the design of engineering structures. The recent focus has been placed on structures made of brittle heterogenous (a.k.a. quasibrittle) materials, such as ceramics, composites, concrete, rock, cold asphalt mixture, and many more at the microscale. This paper presents a level excursion model for the analysis of probabilistic failure of quasibrittle structures, in which the failure statistics is calculated as a first passage probability. The model captures both the spatial randomness of local material resistance and the random stress field induced by microstructures (e.g. randomly distributed flaws). The model represents a generalization of the classical weakest-link model at the continuum limit and it recovers the classical Weibull distribution as an asymptotic distribution function. The paper discusses two applications of the model. The model is first applied to the strength distribution of polycrystalline silicon (poly-Si) MEMS specimens. It is shown that the model agrees well with the experimentally measured strength distributions of poly-Si MEMS specimens of different sizes. The model predicts a complete size effect curve of the mean structural strength transitioning from a vanishing size effect at the small-size limit to the classical Weibull size effect at the large-size limit. The second application is concerned with the left tail of strength distribution of quasibrittle structures. By taking into account both random stress and strength fields, the model is used to investigate the origin of the power-law tail distribution of structural strength.
The Information Theory of Comparisons, With Applications to Statistics and the Social Sciences

The Information Theory of Comparisons, With Applications to Statistics and the Social Sciences is a very readable book presenting the information theoretic research developments for useful practica...
A Machine Learning Approach to Identify Houses with High Lead Tap Water Concentrations.

Over a century separates initial lead service lateral installations from the federal regulation of lead in drinking water. As such, municipalities often do not have adequate information describing installations of lead plumbing. Municipalities thus face challenges such as reducing exposure to lead in drinking water, spreading scarce resources for gathering information, adopting short-term protection measures (e.g., providing filters), and developing longer-term prevention strategies (e.g., replacing lead laterals). Given the spatial and temporal patterns to properties, machine learning is seen as a useful tool to reduce uncertainty in decision making by authorities when addressing lead in water. The Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority (PWSA) is currently addressing these challenges in Pittsburgh and this paper describes the development and application of a model predicting high tap water concentrations (> 15 ppb) for PWSA customers. The model was developed using spatial cross validation to support PWSA’s interest in applying predictions in areas without training data. The model’s AUROC is 71.6% and primarily relies on publicly available property tax assessment data and indicators of lateral material collected by PWSA as they meet regulatory requirements.
The Influence of Cost Information on Treatment Choice: A Mixed-Methods Study

Purpose To test the null hypothesis that exposure to societal cost information does not affect choice of treatment for carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). Methods We enrolled 304 participants using the Amazon Mechanical Turk platform to complete a survey in which participants were given the choice between carpal tunnel release (CTR) or a less-expensive option (orthosis wear) in a hypothetical mild CTS scenario. Patients were randomized to receive information about the societal cost of CTR (cost cohort) or no cost information (control). The primary outcome was the probability of choosing CTR measured on a 6-point ordinal scale. We employed qualitative content analysis to evaluate participants’ rationale for their choice. We also explored agreement with various attitudes toward health care costs on an ordinal scale. Results Participants in the cost cohort exhibited a greater probability of choosing surgery than those in the control cohort. The relative risk of choosing surgery after exposure to societal cost information was 1.43 (95% confidence interval, 1.11–1.85). Among participants who had not previously been diagnosed with CTS (n = 232), the relative risk of choosing surgery after exposure to societal cost information was 1.55 (95% confidence interval, 1.17–2.06). Lack of personal monetary responsibility frequently emerged as a theme in those in the cost cohort who chose surgery. The majority (94%) of participants expressed at least some agreement that health care cost is a major problem whereas only 58% indicated that they consider the country’s health care costs when making treatment decisions. Conclusions Participants who received societal cost information were more likely to choose the more expensive treatment option (CTR) for mild CTS. Clinical relevance Exposure to societal cost information may influence patient decision making in elective hand surgery. A complete understanding of this influence is required prior to implementing processes toward greater cost transparency for diagnostic/treatment options. Sharing out-of-pocket costs with patients may be a beneficial approach because discussing societal cost information alone will likely not improve value of care.
Spatial navigation and Alzheimer's disease

Abstract Spatial disorientation is observed very early on in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Individuals with prodromal or early AD show progressive impairments in using environmental landmarks to navigate successfully within an environment. Noninvasive functional imaging techniques paired with virtual and real-world navigation tasks reveal a disruption of spatial navigation circuitry that emerges even in preclinical populations. Over time, functional differences increase while spatial navigation performance decreases. The use of animal models with AD-like pathology has provided some insight into possible mechanisms of impeded navigation ability. Functional cell types that fire relative to spatial features, such as place and grid cells, fire less precisely over time relative to control animals. Differences are also observed at the population level with evidence of functional connectivity disruption of the hippocampal–entorhinal circuits.
Non-Obstructive Accessory Mitral Valve Tissue in an Asymptomatic Adult: A Case Report and Review of Literature.

Accessory mitral valve tissue (AMVT) is a rare congenital cardiac anomaly that is often an asymptomatic incidental finding. However, it has also been reported to be an important cause of left ventricular outflow tract obstruction (LVOTO) in subset of patients. When symptomatic, patients can often present with symptoms, including dyspnea, chest pain and palpitations/arrhythmias. Surgical resection is indicated in symptomatic cases with significant LVOTO. We here report a 50-year-old male who presented with chest pain and was incidentally found to have AMVT on an echocardiogram. No evidence of LVOTO was seen at rest, Valsalva, or stress. We also provide a review of literature in regards to most relevant clinical implication of AMVT.
Evolutionary developmental biology and sustainability: A biology of resilience

Evolutionary developmental biology, and especially ecological developmental biology, is essential for discussions of sustainability and the responses to global climate change. First, this paper explores examples of animals that have successfully altered their development to accommodate human-made changes to their environments. We next document the ability of global warming to disrupt the development of those organisms with temperature-dependent sex-determination or with phenologies coordinating that organism's development with those of other species. The thermotolerance of Homo sapiens is also related to key developmental factors concerning brain development and maintenance, and the development of corals, the keystone organisms of tropical reefs, is discussed in relation to global warming as well as to other anthropogenic changes. While teratogenic and endocrine-disrupting compounds are not discussed in this essay, the ability of glyphosate herbicides to block insect development is highlighted. Last, the paper discusses the need to creatively integrate developmental biology with ecological, political, religious, and economic perspectives, as the flourishing of contemporary species may require altering the ways that Western science has considered the categories of nature, culture, and self.
The architecture of the southern Puna magmatic system: integrating seismic and petrologic observations with geochemical modeling

Improvements in geochemical, petrologic, and geophysical methods and data have led to a paradigm-shift in understanding magmatic system architecture away from isolated magmatic chambers toward transcrustal “mushy” magmatic systems. Geochemical and petrologic studies indicate that magma storage and differentiation occurs over a range of depths throughout the crust, while geophysical techniques delineate in situ spatial distributions of melt at similar scales. However, seismic properties are nonunique with respect to composition and melt percentage, and must be integrated with geochemical observations to better understand the architecture and chemical evolution of magmatic systems. The southern Puna Plateau represents a locality where extensive geochemical and seismic data can be combined to investigate the role of depth-dependent processes in generating compositionally diverse volcanism. By combining geochemical modeling with seismic images of shear-wave velocity and attenuation, we find that magma storage and differentiation occurs predominantly at two depth ranges: (a) near the base of the crust (>40 km), where shear-wave velocities are anomalously slow compared to what is expected (<4.0 km/s) and geochemical signatures indicate fractional crystallization and crustal assimilation in the garnet stability field, and (b) in the mid-crust (∼20 km) beneath the Cerro Galan Caldera, where shear-wave velocities necessitate the presence of melt (∼2.7 km/s) and europium (Eu) anomalies indicate low-pressure differentiation. These geochemical and seismic results provide evidence for multi-level melt evolution and are consistent with petrological features of exposed arcs, whose transcrustal architecture is characterized by discrete and compositionally evolved intrusive bodies in the mid-crust and a compositionally heterogeneous lower crust.
Quick Review of Microsoft Academic

Author reviews the Microsoft Academic search engine, addressing aspects of its history, and focusing on current features.
Race, witness credibility, and jury deliberation in a simulated drug trafficking trial.

Objective The present study integrates several distinct lines of jury decision-making research by examining how the racial identities of the defendant and an informant witness interact in a federal drug conspiracy trial scenario and by assessing whether jurors' individual racial identity and jury group racial composition influence their judgments. Hypotheses We predicted that jurors would be biased against the Black defendant and would be more likely to convict after exposure to a White informant, among other hypotheses. Method We recruited 822 nonstudent jury-eligible participants assigned to 144 jury groups. Each group was assigned to one of four onditions where defendant race (Black or White) and informant race (Black or White) was manipulated. Each group watched a realistic audio-visual trial presentation, then deliberated as a group to render a verdict. Results Contrary to expectations, the conditions depicting a Black defendant yielded lower conviction rates compared to those with a White defendant-at both the predeliberation individual (odds ratio [OR] = 1.54) and postdeliberation group level (OR = 2.91)-while the informant race did not influence verdict outcomes. We also found that jurors rated the government witnesses as more credible when the defendant was White compared to when he was Black. Credibility ratings and verdict outcomes were also predicted by jurors' own race, although juror race did not interact with the race conditions when predicting verdicts. Conclusions Jurors are sensitive to defendant race, and this sensitivity appears to strengthen after deliberation-but in a direction opposite to what was expected. One potential implication of our findings is that juries may operate as a check on system bias by applying greater scrutiny to law enforcement-derived evidence when the defendant is Black. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved).