cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
An Observational Study of Vaping Knowledge and Perceptions in a Sample of U.S. Adults

Background Vaping is the use of e-cigarettes that contain inhalants such as nicotine, tetrahydrocannabinol, and cannabidiol. Vaping is associated with e-cigarette or vaping product use associated lung injury (EVALI) and is a recognized public health crisis. Despite rising numbers of hospitalizations due to EVALI, public knowledge and perceptions of the dangers of vaping require further investigation. Objectives This exploratory study assessed knowledge and perceptions of vaping in U.S. adults. Methods This study was approved by an ethical board, and informed consent was obtained from all participants. A cohort of U.S. adults was recruited by shared links on social media. Participants completed an anonymous online survey that contained vaping knowledge and perceptions items. An a priori power analysis was conducted at 95% power and alpha = 0.05. Statistics were calculated using IBM SPSS Statistics Version 26 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA). Results A sample of 413 (N = 413) U.S. adults participated in the survey. The majority of participants (79.18%) were females, and 65.62% were between 18 and 24 years of age. Over half (62.71%) of participants were never asked about vaping use by a clinician at any visit, and 56.51% agreed that vaping can reduce stress. Of all participants, 70.91% agreed that drinking alcohol makes someone more inclined to vape. Significant positive Spearman's rho correlations were found between vaping and the use of cannabis, cocaine, ecstasy, hallucinogens, and inhalants (p < 0.05). Conclusions We found a significant correlation between vaping and drug use. We also found that if the dangers of vaping are discussed by their health care providers, participants are more inclined to quit vaping. Unfortunately, many physicians report that they avoid discussing vaping with their patients due to lack of vaping knowledge. Our results illuminate the communication gap between patients and physicians. All clinicians need to counsel patients on the dangers of vaping, which might help prevent EVALI and related conditions.
Quantum Computational Electromagnetics

We investigate quantum information preserving computational electromagnetics. To do so, we propose two different methods which are (1) numerical canonical quantization and (2) quantum finite-difference time-domain scheme. The proposed algorithms find numerical solutions of quantum Maxwell’s equations involved in arbitrary inhomogeneous dielectric media based on the macroscopic theory on quantum electrodynamics; hence, they are useful to study the quantum nature of electromagnetic fields in arbitrary passive and lossless quantum optical instruments. We provide a numerical example associated with two photon interference occurring in a quantum beam splitter, which is the underlying principle of recent quantum technologies.
Migrant Advocacy, Representation, and Intersectional Identities

This study explores advocacy efforts of organizations working with immigrants, refugees, and asylees in the U.S. Southwest border region. It examines how organizations’ public discourses respond to...
Virtual Communication Embedded Bedside ICU Rounds: A Hybrid Rounds Practice Adapted to the Coronavirus Pandemic.

OBJECTIVES: Coronavirus disease 2019 containment strategies created challenges with patient-centered ICU rounds. We examined how hybrid rounds with virtual communication added to in-person rounds could facilitate social distancing while maintaining patient-centered care. DESIGN: Continuous quality improvement. SETTING: Quaternary care referral pediatric hospital. PATIENTS: Daytime rounds conducted on PICU patients. INTERVENTIONS: Following a needs assessment survey and pilot trials, multiple technological solutions were implemented in a series of plan-do-study-act cycles. Hybrid rounds model was deployed where a videoconference platform was used to establish communication between the bedside personnel (nurse, patient/family, and partial ICU team) with remotely located remaining ICU team, ancillary, and consultant providers. Floor labels marking 6-feet distance were placed for rounders. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Outcome metrics included compliance with social distancing, mixed methods analysis of surveys, direct interviews of providers and families, and reports of safety concerns. The clinicians adopted hybrid rounds readily. Compliance with social distancing and use of floor labels needed reminders. One-hundred fourteen providers completed the feedback survey. Twenty-five providers and 11 families were interviewed. Feedback about hybrid rounds included inability to teach effectively, suboptimal audio-video quality, loss of situational awareness of patient/unit acuity, alarm interference, and inability to socially distance during other ICU interactions. Benefits noted were improved ancillary input, fewer interruptions, improved efficiency, opportunity to integrate with data platforms, and engage remote consultants and families. Nurses and families appreciated the efforts to ensure safety but wanted the ICU attending/fellow supervising the team to participate at bedside, during rounds. Clinicians appreciated the multidisciplinary input but felt that teaching was difficult. CONCLUSIONS: Hybrid rounds employed during pandemic facilitated social distancing while retaining patient-centered multidisciplinary ICU rounds but compromised teaching during rounds. A change to ingrained rounding habits needs team commitment and ongoing optimization. The hybrid rounds model has potential for generalizability to other settings.
Prevalence and Persistence of Cost-Related Medication Nonadherence Among Medicare Beneficiaries at High Risk of Hospitalization.

Importance The unaffordability of drugs has been a persistent and elusive challenge in the US health care system. Little is known about the prevalence and persistence of cost-related medication nonadherence (CRN) in a population with high-cost, high-need resource utilization. Objective To evaluate the prevalence and persistence of CRN among Medicare beneficiaries at high risk of hospitalization as well as the characteristics associated with CRN in this population. Design, Setting, and Participants This cohort study used survey data from Medicare patients at high risk of hospitalization and with a life expectancy greater than 12 months at an urban academic medical center from November 6, 2012, to January 30, 2018. Patients were followed up for 12 months at 3-month intervals from baseline, for a total of 5 surveys. Data were analyzed from September 1, 2020, to January 5, 2021. Main Outcomes and Measures Self-reported CRN, using a metric of persistence and transiency. Based on the results of the 5 surveys, CRN was categorized as persistent (3 or more surveys), intermittent (2), transient (1), and any (1 or more). Multiple logistic regression analyses were used to evaluate factors associated with persistent and transient CRN. Results Of the 1655 Medicare beneficiaries followed up during the 15-month study period, 1036 (62.6%) were women and 1452 (87.7%) were Black or African American; 769 (46.5%) were younger than 65 years, and 886 (53.5%) were 65 years or older (mean [SD] age, 62.4 [15.9] years). A total of 374 patients (22.6%) reported CRN at baseline, 810 (48.9%) reported any CRN, and 230 (13.9%) reported persistent CRN (148 [19.2%] of those younger than 65 years and 82 [9.3%] of those 65 years or older). The 230 patients who had persistent CRN accounted for 28% of those who reported CRN at least once during the 15-month study period. Younger age (eg, Conclusions and Relevance The findings suggest that CRN is prevalent, moderately persistent, and variable in the Medicare population at high risk of hospitalization despite coverage by insurance. Longitudinal follow-up and refined predictive modeling of CRN appear to be needed to identify and target more precisely those with persistent CRN and to develop effective interventions.
Analysis of Decreasing Adverse Events with Endoscopic Ultrasound in a New Advanced Endoscopy Program Over Time.

New innovations and increasing utility of endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) are associated with rare but serious risks. We investigate the rates and risk factors for post-procedural complications over a four-year period at a new advanced endoscopy program. We conducted a retrospective review of all adult patients who underwent upper EUS at an academic level-1 trauma center between April 2015 and November 2019. The primary outcome was the incidence of adverse events within 1 week of EUS. Secondary outcomes included emergency department visits and mortality within 30 days after EUS. Chi-square test, t test, and multivariable logistic regression were used to assess risk factors for post-procedural complications. A total of 968 EUS procedures were performed on 864 patients (54% female; 79% Caucasian; mean age 61 years). The overall incidence of post-procedural adverse event with EUS was 5.6%. The probability of an adverse event decreased by an average of 22% per year (p =0.01, OR 0.78). The risk for adverse events were 3.3% acute pancreatitis, 1.9% clinically significant bleeding, 0.3% bacteremia, 0.2% perforation, and 2.4% 30-day mortality. The adverse event rate was highest among low volume proceduralists (p =0.04). The 30-day mortality was more than threefolds among patients who had an adverse event within 7 days after EUS. The overall incidence of post-procedural adverse events at a new EUS program was 5.6%, with an average of 22% relative decrease in adverse events per year in the first 4 years.
Evaluation of candidate template beam models for a matched TrueBeam treatment delivery system.

Purpose To explore candidate RayStation beam models to serve as a class-specific template for a TrueBeam treatment delivery system. Methods Established validation techniques were used to evaluate three photon beam models: a clinically optimized model from the authors' institution, the built-in RayStation template, and a hybrid consisting of the RayStation template except substituting average MLC parameter values from a recent IROC survey. Comparisons were made for output factors, dose profiles from open fields, as well as representative VMAT test plans. Results For jaw-defined output factors, each beam model was within 1.6% of expected published values. Similarly, the majority (57-66%) of jaw-defined dose curves from each model had a gamma pass rate >95% (2% / 3 mm, 20% threshold) when compared to TrueBeam representative beam data. For dose curves from MPPG 5.a MLC-defined fields, average gamma pass rates (1% / 1 mm, 20% threshold) were 92.9%, 85.1%, and 86.0% for the clinical, template, and hybrid models, respectively. For VMAT test plans measured with a diode array detector, median dose differences were 0.6%, 1.3%, and 1.1% for the clinical, template, and hybrid models, respectively. For in-phantom ionization chamber measurements with the same VMAT test plans, the average percent difference was -0.3%, -1.4%, and -1.0% for the clinical, template, and hybrid models, respectively. Conclusion Beam model templates taken from the vendor and aggregate results within the community were both reasonable starting points, but neither approach was as optimal as a clinically tuned model, the latter producing better agreement with all validation measurements. Given these results, the clinically optimized model represents a better candidate as a consensus template. This can benefit the community by reducing commissioning time and improving dose calculation accuracy for matched TrueBeam treatment delivery systems.
Role of Gut Microbiota in the Anti-Colitic Effects of Anthocyanin-Containing Potatoes

SCOPE Anthocyanin-containing potatoes exert anti-inflammatory activity in colitic mice. Gut bacterial dysbiosis plays a critical role in ulcerative colitis. This study examined the extent to which the anti-colitic activity of anthocyanin-containing red/purple-fleshed potatoes depends on the gut bacteria using a chemically-induced rodent model of colitis with the intact and antibiotic-ablated microbiome. METHODS AND RESULTS Four-week-old male mice (C57BL6) are randomly assigned to the control diet or 20% purple-/red-fleshed potatoes supplemented diet group. The microbiota-ablated group received an antibiotic cocktail in drinking water. At week nine, colitis is induced by 2% dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) in drinking water for five days. Administration of antibiotics resulted in a 95% reduction in gut bacterial load and fecal SCFAs. DSS-induced elevated gut permeability and body weight loss are more pronounced in antibiotic mice compared to non-antibiotic mice. Purple- or red-fleshed potato supplementation (20% w/w) ameliorated DSS-induced reduction in colon length and mucin 2 expression levels, and increase in permeability, spleen weight, myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, and inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, IL-17, and IL1-β) expression levels in non-antibiotic mice, but not in gut microbiota ablated mice. CONCLUSIONS Anthocyanin-containing potatoes are potent in alleviating colitis, and the gut microbiome is critical for the anti-colitic activity of anthocyanin-containing potatoes.
Demokratix - neue Formen studentischer Mitbestimmung an der Hochschule

Demokratix ist eine Online-Plattform zur Beteiligung von Studierenden an der Verbesserung von Studium und Lehre. Das Konzept entstand vor dem Hintergrund des Bildungsstreiks an der Universitat Augsburg, bei dem streikende Studierende die digitalen Medien nutzten, um ihre Kritik an der Umsetzung der Bologna-Reform zu artikulieren. Demokratix wurde in der Zeit danach im Rahmen eines IT-Innovationswettbewerbs an der Universitat Augsburg entwickelt. Die Online-Plattform dient dazu, Verbesserungspotenziale in Studium und Lehre zu identifizieren, um den demokratischen Meinungsbildungsprozess in bestehenden Gremien zu unterstutzen. Studierende weisen auf Probleme hin, schlagen Losungen aus ihrer Sicht vor oder bewerten bereits in der Online-Plattform eingereichte Losungen. 10.08.2011 | Patrick Noack, Jan-Mathis Schnurr, Thomas Sporer & Magnus Wirth (Augsburg)
On the Effectiveness of Theorem Proving Guided Discovery of Formal Assertions for a Register Allocator in a High-Level Synthesis System

This paper presents a formal specification and a proof of correctness for the register optimization task in high-level synthesis. A widely implemented register optimization algorithm is modeled in higher-order logic and verified in a theorem prover environment. A rich collection of correctness properties is systematically formulated during the theorem proving exercise. These properties constitute a detailed set of formal assertions that are identified with the invariants at various stages of the algorithm. The formal assertions are then embedded as programming assertions in the implementation of the register optimization algorithm in a production-strength high-level synthesis system. When turned on, the programming assertions (1) certify whether a specific run of the high-level synthesis system produced designs with error-free register allocation and, (2) in the event of a failure, help discover and isolate programming errors in the implementation.
The Evolving Food Chain: Competitive Effects of Wal-Mart's Entry into the Supermarket Industry

We analyze the effect of Wal-Mart's entry into the grocery market using a unique store-level price panel data set. We use ordinary least squares and two instrumental-variables specifications to estimate the effect of Wal-Mart's entry on competitors' prices of 24 grocery items across several categories. Wal-Mart's price advantage over competitors for these products averages approximately 10%. On average, competitors' response to entry by a Wal-Mart Supercenter is a price reduction of 1–1.2%, mostly due to smaller-scale competitors; the response of the “Big Three” supermarket chains (Albertson's, Safeway, and Kroger) is less than half that size. Low-end grocery stores, which compete more directly with Wal-Mart, cut their prices more than twice as much as higher-end stores. We confirm our results using a falsification exercise, in which we test for Wal-Mart's effect on prices of services that it does not provide, such as movie tickets and dry-cleaning services.
Magnetic resonance thermal imaging combined with SMASH navigators in the presence of motion.

This study develops and tests an MR thermometry method combined with SMASH navigators in phantom experiments mimicking human liver motion with the purpose of detecting and correcting motion artifacts in thermal MR images. Experimental data were acquired on a 3T MRI scanner. Motion artifacts of mobile phantoms mimicking human liver motion were detected and corrected using the SMASH navigators and then MR temperature maps were obtained using a proton resonant frequency (PRF) shift method with complex image subtraction. Temperature acquired by MR thermal imaging was compared to that measured via thermocouples. MR thermal imaging combined with the SMASH navigator technique resulted in accurate temperature maps of the mobile phantoms compared to temperatures measured using the thermocouples. The differences between the obtained and measured temperatures varied from 8.2°C to 14.2°C and 2.2°C to 4.9°C without and with motion correction, respectively. Motion correction improved the temperature acquired by MR thermal imaging by > 55%. The combination of the MR thermal imaging and SMASH navigator technique will enable monitoring and controlling heat distribution and temperature change in tissues during thermal therapies and will be a very important tool for cancer treatment in mobile organs.
On k -anonymity and the curse of dimensionality

In recent years, the wide availability of personal data has made the problem of privacy preserving data mining an important one. A number of methods have recently been proposed for privacy preserving data mining of multidimensional data records. One of the methods for privacy preserving data mining is that of anonymization, in which a record is released only if it is indistinguishable from k other entities in the data. We note that methods such as k-anonymity are highly dependent upon spatial locality in order to effectively implement the technique in a statistically robust way. In high dimensional space the data becomes sparse, and the concept of spatial locality is no longer easy to define from an application point of view. In this paper, we view the k-anonymization problem from the perspective of inference attacks over all possible combinations of attributes. We show that when the data contains a large number of attributes which may be considered quasi-identifiers, it becomes difficult to anonymize the data without an unacceptably high amount of information loss. This is because an exponential number of combinations of dimensions can be used to make precise inference attacks, even when individual attributes are partially specified within a range. We provide an analysis of the effect of dimensionality on k-anonymity methods. We conclude that when a data set contains a large number of attributes which are open to inference attacks, we are faced with a choice of either completely suppressing most of the data or losing the desired level of anonymity. Thus, this paper shows that the curse of high dimensionality also applies to the problem of privacy preserving data mining.
High-powered, solid-state rf systems

Over the past two years, the requirement to supply megawatts of rf power for space-based applications at uhf and L-band frequencies has caused dramatic increases in silicon solid-state power capabilities in the frequency range from 10 to 3000 MHz. Radar and communications requirements have caused similar increases in gallium arsenide solid-state power capabilities in the frequency ranges from 3000 to 10,000 MHz. This paper reviews the present state of the art for solid-state rf amplifiers for frequencies from 10 to 10,000 MHz. Information regarding power levels, size, weight, and cost will be given. Technical specifications regarding phase and amplitude stability, efficiency, and system architecture will be discussed. Solid-stage rf amplifier susceptibility to radiation damage will also be examined.
Vitamin E in Health and Disease of Poultry

Publisher Summary Vitamin E plays many roles essential to maintenance of health in poultry. The chick is an excellent experimental animal for study of vitamin E because this vitamin is concerned in the normal functioning of many different tissues in the chick and is required for prevention of a number of different deficiency diseases, the development of which depends upon the particular environmental and dietary conditions prevailing during the conduct, of the experiments. The studies with chicks show that in the nutrition of poultry in health arid disease vitamin E has a dual role, acting both as a nonspecific biological antioxidant, and also as a true vitamin in two or more apparently specific roles. Vitamin E has been shown over the past forty years to be important in the nutrition of poultry in health and disease, not only for normal reproduction but also (1) as nature's most effective antioxidant for prevention of encephalomalacia; (2) in a specific role, interrelated with the action of selenium, for prevention of exudative diathesis; and (3) in another role, interrelated with both selenium and cystine, for prevention of nutritional muscular dystrophy.
Principles of Linguistic Change: Social Factors, Volume 2.

Principles of Linguistic Change: Social Factors, Volume 2. William Labov. Maiden, MA: Blackwell Publishers, 2001. 572 pp.
Development of advanced endoscopes for Natural Orifice Transluminal Endoscopic Surgery (NOTES).

Natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (NOTES) is a hybrid procedure which uses flexible endoscopic technology to perform laparoscopic surgical procedures within the abdominal cavity. Initial reports of animal studies describe the use of standard endoluminal endoscopes to accomplish intra‐abdominal surgeries. Current flexible scopes suffer from several deficiencies which make them unlikely to be able to be used for large scale human NOTES experiences. This review analyzes the deficiencies of current endoscopes, discuses the requirements of the ideal NOTES endoscope and reviews some of the possible “endoscopes of the future” that are being developed for the next generation of surgery. Discussion focuses on the “R” scope (Olympus, Tokyo, Japan) and the Transport and Cobra scopes (USGI Medical, San Capistrano, CA).
The Importance of Sex and Spatial Scale When Evaluating Sexual Segregation by Elk in Yellowstone

The forage-selection hypothesis (FSH) explains sexual segregation in ungulates as a function of different dietary requirements producing different levels of habitat optimality, whereas the reproductive-strategy hypothesis (RSH) explains sexual segregation as a function of different survival strategies between the sexes. Based on observations of habitat use by elk (Cervus elaphus) in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming with regard to varying levels of wolf encounter risk, we found that our determination of whether the RSH or FSH best applied to sexual segregation varied by the scale at which we were measuring habitat use. At broad spatial scales we found no significant avoidance of wolves by elk. At the habitat scale we found that habitat use by elk was consistent with predictions of the reproductive strategy in that female elk used habitats that offered a balance of forage and escape terrain for themselves and calves, and that the degree to which escape terrain was present was dependent upon the risk of wolf encounter. At the scale of the habitat patch we found that differences in forage availability likely drove the differences in habitat use. Our results highlight the importance of scale when investigating habitat use, nonlethal predation effects, and sexual segregation in ungulates.
Components of cochlear electric responses in the alligator lizard.

Abstract Electric responses to clicks and tones were recorded at the round windows of anesthetized alligator lizards before and after tetrodotoxin (TTX) was added to scala tympani. By combining click responses obtained in the presence and absence of TTX and at high and low click repetition rates, we trisected click responses into three components: 1. (1) a rate-insensitive, TTX-insensitive component (that we identify as the cochlear microphonic potential or CM); 2. (2) a rate-sensitive, TTX-sensitive component (that we identify as the neural component); 3. (3) a rate-sensitive, TTX-resistant component (which has not been identified previously and which we call component X). Component X is generated in the inner ear and has a latency between that of the CM and the neural component. Several possible origins for component X are discussed of which the most likely is that component X represents the compound post-synaptic potential of the nerve terminals. Measurements of responses to tones in the presence and absence of TTX demonstrate that the contribution of the neural component to the response is appreciable below 1.5 kHz and negligible above this frequency.
The impact of 5-formyltetrahydrofolate on the anti-tumor activity of pralatrexate, as compared to methotrexate, in HeLa cells in vitro

Purpose To investigate the impact of 5-formyltetrahydrofolate on the activities of pralatrexate, as compared to methotrexate (MTX), in vitro.
Turning water into power. Debates over the development of Tanzania's Rufiji River Basin, 1945-1985.

Turning water into power - Debates over the development of Tanzania's Rufiji River Basin, 1945-1985
Toll-like receptor gene expression in cecum and spleen of advanced intercross line chicks infected with Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis

Understanding the changes in host gene expression that occur with bacterial infection will help to elucidate the basis of molecular genetic control of disease resistance. The effect of infecting chicks with Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis on the RNA expression level of Toll-like receptor (TLR) genes, and the correlation between TLR RNA expression level and bacterial burden in the cecum and spleen of young birds was studied. Chicks from two advanced intercross lines were either infected or mock infected with S. enteritidis at 1 day of age. The RNA expression levels of TLR2, TLR4 and TLR5 genes were assessed by quantitative reverse transcriptase-PCR (qRT-PCR) in cecum and spleen tissues harvested at one week post-infection. Infected chicks had significant upregulation of TLR2 RNA expression in spleen, TLR4 RNA expression in both cecum and spleen, and downregulation of TLR5 RNA expression in cecum. Bacterial burden of S. enteritidis in infected birds was not correlated with TLR RNA expression level. Infecting chicks with S. enteritidis caused an increase in TLR2, TLR4 and TLR5 RNA expression level in spleen in males but not in females. The effect of sex on response to S. enteritidis infection suggests a role for TLR signaling pathways in sex-based modulation of immune response to pathogens. High correlation between TLR2 and TLR4 mRNA expression level in cecum of S. enteritidis infected birds suggests coordinated regulation or simultaneous stimulation of these genes by S. enteritidis. In conclusion, this study clearly showed that young chicks respond to S. enteritidis infection by upregulating TLR2, TLR4 RNA expression. The downregulation of TLR5 RNA expression was observed in cecum by S. enteritidis infection, which might be beneficial to protect host cells from overstimulation by bacterial flagellin.
An Explicit Symplectic Integration Scheme for Plasma Simulations

An explicit symplectic integration scheme which describes the self-consistent wave particle interaction is developed. The integrator does not split the hamiltonian trivially into a kinetic and potential part. The integrator yields accurate growth rates for the gentle-bump instability even when the timestep is of the order of the inverse plasma frequency. This represents up to a tenfold reduction in computation compared to conventional schemes. The integrator is generalizable to arbitrary order without increase in storage requirements, but tests show that when the accuracy requirements are of the order of a few percent, the second-order method is the most efficient.
Effects of Verbalization and Task Change Sensitivity on the Optional Shift Behavior of Kindergarten Children.

Abstract The effects of verbalization and method of task presentation on children's optional shift behavior are reported. Ninety-six kindergarten boys and girls made optional shifts consistent with the dimension verbalized in original learning. However, many children shifted directly to the cue actually reinforced in original learning (a “Regressive” shift). This type of shift was attributed to one of two procedural changes: the absence of reward for any of the test phase responses or a response switching strategy based on the observation that the E left the room before the reward contingencies changed.
A model for the liquid-mediated collapse of 2-D rough surfaces

Small-scale devices are particularly vulnerable to adverse effects of adhesion because of large surface area to volume ratios. Additionally, small gaps can be easily bridged at high humidity or when there are other contaminant liquids present. The bridging of a portion of an interface by a liquid droplet of given volume tends to pull surfaces in closer proximity due to the sub-ambient pressures that arise. In turn, the area spanned by the bridge will increase and lead to a greater adhesive force. A previous study considering a liquid bridge between two elastic half-spaces initially separated by a uniform gap demonstrated that, under certain conditions, an instability will arise whereby the surfaces come into full contact. Owing to the regularity of the geometry considered, the problem was amenable to a semi-analytical treatment and the stability condition was expressible analytically in terms of a single dimensionless group. In the present work, we develop a model to include the effects of surface roughness. The influence of asperities on the surface is treated by means of a recently developed multi-scale model that considers the full range of wavelengths comprising the surface profile. In the simulations, two nominally flat rough surfaces are brought together under a prescribed load and a liquid bridge of given volume is introduced in the contact, the initial areal coverage being determined by the initial mean surface separation. The interface configuration is then iterated until a configuration is found that satisfies the equations of elasticity and capillarity for the given liquid volume. As a result of the simulation, critical values are found for combinations of parameters that delineate stable and unstable conditions.
Simultaneous Optimization of Capsule and Tablet Formulation Using Response Surface Methodology

AbstractThe study described herein was undertaken to simultaneously optimize the composition of tablet and capsule formulation of an insoluble experimental drug, and to learn more about the effect of the interaction between the ingredients on the basic properties of the final dosage form. Four independent variables were varied in a set of statistically designed experiments, and a number of properties evaluated. A substantial saving in development time and quantity of drug was thereby achieved.
Incidence of Pneumocystis in HIV and Non-HIV Immunocompromised Patients

s S17 Materials and Methods: Pathology reports of BAL (bronchoalveolar lavage) specimens were obtained by searching for “Pneumocystis” in our present Anatomic Pathology Laboratory Information System (PowerPath) from January 2006 to December 2013. Pneumocystis positivity was determined by Grocott’s methenamine silver (GMS) stain results. Immune status history was identified from the pathology reports. Fisher’s exact test was used to compare PJP in HIV positive and non-HIV patients between 2006-2009 and 2010-2013. Results: A total of 2877 cases were reviewed. Ninety-eight patients, with variable immune status, were diagnosed with PJP. Of the 98 positive cases, 34 cases were HIV positive and 64 cases were in non-HIV immunocompromised patients, with hematologic malignancy, chemotherapy, bone marrow and solid organ transplant or viremia. PJP positivity in patients with transplant and malignancies (mostly hematologic) has increased from 11% of total patients in 2006-2010 to 33% in 2011, 42% in 2012 and 80% in 2013 (Table 1). A significant increase in non-HIV PJP patients in 20102013 is observed when compared to those in 2006-2009 (pZ 0.03). Conclusions: There is a significant increase in the incidence of PJP in nonHIV immunocompromised patients and a decrease of PJP in HIV patients. These results reflect the clinical improvement due to anti-retroviral therapy and primary prophylaxis. These results support the possible utility of rapid GMS testing in the non-HIV immunocompromised population, suggesting the indication for early prophylaxis against pneumocystis in this demographic, warranting further studies.
Postoperative Visual Loss: A Review of the Current Literature

Visual loss after nonocular surgery is a relatively uncommon complication, however reports of postoperative visual loss have been increasing over the last ten to fifteen years. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 Int...
IONOPHORE 4-BRA23187 TRANSPORTS ZN2+ AND MN2+ WITH HIGH SELECTIVITY OVER CA2+

The cation transport selectivities of the Ca2+ ionophores A23187, Ionomycin, and 4-BrA23187 have been determined using a model system comprised of phospholipid vesicles loaded with the chelator/indicator Quin-2. At pH 7.00 and a 100 microM concentration of the cations, A23187 displays the transport selectivity sequence Zn2+ > Mn2+ > Ca2+ > Co2+ > Ni2+ > Sr2+, with the absolute rates of transport spanning approximately 3 orders of magnitude. Similar data are obtained with Ionomycin, although the relative transport rates of Zn2+ and Mn2+ are equivalent, and the range of absolute rates is decreased by a factor of approximately 3. When values are normalized to those of Ca2+, transport selectivity is seen to be only weakly related to complexation or extraction selectivity. It is also seen that, when used to manipulate Ca2+ (or Mg2+), both ionophores can be expected to alter the distribution of additional divalent cations which have known biological activities. 4-BrA23187 is a low-activity ionophore for Ca2+, compared to A23187 and Ionomycin, while retaining comparable activities as an ionophore for the other cations. As a consequence, 4-BrA23187 is highly selective for the transport of Zn2+ and Mn2+, compared to Ca2+, with selectivity ratios approaching that of valinomycin for K+ over Na+ when conditions are optimal. Plots of the log of the rate of cation transport vs the log of the ionophore concentration indicate that Ca2+ is transported primarily as a 2:1 complex by A23187 and 4-BrA23187, but Zn2+ and Mn2+ are transported, in part, as 1:1 complexes. These findings, together with a postulated low stability of 2:1, compared to 1:1 complexes between 4-BrA23187 and divalent cations, partially explain the novel transport selectivity of this compound. Unlike A23187 or Ionomycin, 4-BrA23187 may be useful for investigating cell regulation by Zn2+ and Mn2+, without interference by regulatory mechanisms which respond to Ca2+.
A Model of Factors Related to Cultural and Racial Socialization Practices among International Transracial Adoptive Parents

To date, there is no clear conceptual model or framework in the literature of factors that affect parents’ decisions in socializing their transracially adopted children. Such a model is needed to a...
Ultrafilters, independent collections, and applications to topology

Abstract The following are consequences of the main results in this paper: 1. (1) The number of countably compact, completely regular spaces of density κ is 2 2 2 κ . 2. (2) There are 2 2 κ points in U (κ) (= space of uniform ultrafilters on κ), each of which has tightness 2 κ in U (κ) and is a limit point of a countable subset of U (κ). 3. (3) There are 2 2 κ points in U (κ), each of which has tightness 2 κ and is a weak P -point of κ ∗ . 4. (4) For each λ ⩽ κ there are at least 2 2 λ · κ points in βκ, each of which has tightness 2 λ in β κ and is a weak P -point of κ ∗ . Moreover, under GCH there are at least 2 2 λ · κ λ such points.
Liquid quasiparticle free-path distribution function in simulated aerogels

Conflicting results between different laboratories of measurements of the phase diagram of superfluid 3 He when immersed in aerogel, even with nominally identical aerogels, suggest that details of the aerogels other than the porosity are important in determining superfluid properties. We have simulated the growth of small clusters ðNB10 5 Þ by offlattice single-particle diffusion limited aggregation (DLA). Measurements of the free-path distribution function of 3 He quasiparticles scattered by these clusters—truncated and repeated to simulate experimental conditions—show significant differences from uncorrelated scatterers at the same density, which differences may be significant for superfluid properties. r 2003 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.
Rethinking interference theory: Executive control and the mechanisms of forgetting.

Interference provides an account of one of the most basic problems in the science of memory: forgetting. Historically, theories of this process were shaped by models of associative learning prevalent when interference research began. In this article, I argue that we should reconsider the long-standing conceptualization of interference as a learning phenomenon and reframe interference as arising from systems that achieve mental and behavioral control. Specifically, it is argued that forgetting is not a passive side effect of storing new memories, but results from inhibitory control mechanisms recruited to override prepotent responses. In support of this idea, I discuss two control situations in which response override is necessary—selection and stopping—and show how these situations have direct parallels in retrieval. I then review evidence that in both of these situations, the need to override prepotent, distracting memories is supported by inhibitory mechanisms that ultimately cause forgetting. The theoretical properties of these inhibitory effects are outlined, along with critical factors known to modulate or mask inhibition. The relation between this executive control theory of forgetting and classical accounts of interference is discussed.
Airborne wind profiling with the data acquisition and processing system for a pulsed 2-micron coherent doppler lidar system

A pulsed 2-micron coherent Doppler lidar system at NASA Langley Research Center in Virginia flew on the NASA's DC-8 aircraft during the NASA Genesis and Rapid Intensification Processes (GRIP) during the summer of 2010. The participation was part of the project Doppler Aerosol Wind Lidar (DAWN) Air. Selected results of airborne wind profiling are presented and compared with the dropsonde data for verification purposes. Panoramic presentations of different wind parameters over a nominal observation time span are also presented for selected GRIP data sets. The realtime data acquisition and analysis software that was employed during the GRIP campaign is introduced with its unique features.
Analysis of Data from Continuous Probability Distributions

Given a set of points drawn from an unknown continuous probability distribution, one often wishes to infer the underlying distribution. This distribution can be estimated using a simple scalar field theory. Fluctuations around the estimate are characterized by a robust measure of goodness of fit, analogous to the conventional ${\ensuremath{\chi}}^{2}$, whose distribution can also be calculated. The resulting method of data analysis has some advantages over conventional approaches.
More Than the Sum of Its Parts: An Innovative Organizational Collaboration Model

For at least the past decade, the social service sector has been pressed by external forces to develop models of interagency collaboration. While many organizations use strategic partnerships, joint service delivery models, and even mergers to remain viable in climates of competition, few agencies have explored the possible rewards of sharing development and fundraising tasks. This article examines an innovative collaborative fundraising entity forged by three child welfare organizations in the New York City area. The authors conducted structured interviews with key stakeholders at each of the three agencies to describe the model as implemented by the agencies as well as begin to identify the organizational and executive characteristics that may make such models successful. The article concludes with a discussion of recommendations and suggestions for organizations interested in pursuing similar collective efforts, in addition to providing areas of consideration for agency executives.
Denying Human Homogeneity: Eugenics & the Making of Post-Classical Economics

The question we propose to address is how did economics move from the classical period characterized by the hardest possible doctrine of initial human homogeneityall the observed differences among people arise from incentives, luck, and historyto become comfortable with accounts of human behavior which alleged foundational differences among and within races of people? (Darity 1995) In this paper, we shall argue that early British eugenics thinkers racialized economics in the post-classical period.
QUASAR: quality aware sensing architecture

Sensor devices are promising to revolutionize our interaction with the physical world by allowing continuous monitoring and reaction to natural and artificial processes at an unprecedented level of spatial and temporal resolution. As sensors become smaller, cheaper and more configurable, systems incorporating large numbers of them become feasible. Besides the technological aspects of sensor design, a critical factor enabling future sensor-driven applications will be the availability of an integrated infrastructure taking care of the onus of data management. Ideally, accessing sensor data should be no difficult or inconvenient than using simple SQL.In this paper we investigate some of the issues that such an infrastructure must address. Unlike conventional distributed database systems, a sensor data architecture must handle extremely high data generation rates from a large number of small autonomous components. And, unlike the emerging paradigm of data streams, it is infeasible to think that all this data can be streamed into the query processing site, due to severe bandwidth and energy constraints of battery-operated wireless sensors. Thus, sensing data architectures must become quality-aware, regulating the quality of data at all levels of the distributed system, and supporting user applications' quality requirements in the most efficient manner possible.
Microbial Keratitis in Patients Infected with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus

Background: Posterior segment complications of systemic infection with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) are well recognized. The anterior segment complications often are, however, overlooked. The author treated 20 episodes of nonherpetic infectious keratitis in 17 eyes of 13 patients infected with HIV who presented between August 1990 and May 1994. Methods: Review of records. Results: Nine patients were women, and four were men. Mean age was 35.2 years. The keratitis was bilateral in four patients, polymicrobial in four, and recurrent in two. The most common infecting organism was Candida albicans (5 eyes), a rare cause of keratitis in immunocompetent individuals. Other organisms included Staphylococcus aureus in four eyes, Staphylococcus epidermidis in four, Bacillus sp in two, and one each Pseudomonas aeruginosa , alpha-hemolytic Streptococcus , Micrococcus sp, and Capnocytophaga sp. Seven eyes retained 20/30 or better visual acuity after treatment, eight had visual acuity of 20/50 or worse, and two were eviscerated. Classic predisposing factors for infectious keratitis were found in only two patients and included contact lens wear and atopy in one patient each. Twelve patients had a history of intravenous drug abuse. Conclusion: Infectious keratitis should be recognized as a complication of systemic HIV infection, especially in the context of drug abuse. The prognosis for recovery of vision in these patients often is poor.
Contaminant Source Identification in Water Distribution Networks Under Conditions of Demand Uncertainty

Water distribution systems are susceptible to accidental and intentional chemical or biological contamination that could result in adverse health impact to the consumers. This study focuses on a water distribution forensics problem, contaminant source identification, subject to water demand uncertainty. Due to inherent variability in water consumption levels, demands at consumer nodes remain one of the major sources of uncertainty. In this research, the nodal demands are considered to be stochastic in nature and are varied using Gaussian and Autoregressive models. A hypothetical source identification problem is constructed by simulating observations at the sensor nodes from an arbitrary contaminant source. A simulation-optimization approach is used to solve the source identification problem with EPANET tool as the simulator and Genetic Algorithm (GA) as the optimizer. The goal is to find the source location and concentration by minimizing the difference between the simulated and observed concentrations at...
Collective Efficacy and Team Performance: A Longitudinal Study of Collegiate Football Teams

University of North DakotaThis study examined the reciprocal relationship between collective efﬁcacy and teamperformance over a season of competition in American football. Efﬁcacy beliefs ofoffensive football players from 10 teams were assessed prior to 8 consecutive games toform 2 team-level measures of collective efﬁcacy: aggregated self-efﬁcacy and aggre-gated collective efﬁcacy. Game-level performance indexes produced a team-levelmeasure of offensive performance for each game. Within teams and across games,aggregated collective efﬁcacy prior to performance was a positive predictor of subse-quent offensive performance; however, previous offensive performance was a negativepredictor of subsequent aggregated collective efﬁcacy. Within weeks and across teams,aggregated collective efﬁcacy prior to performance also was a positive predictor ofsubsequent offensive performance, and previous offensive performance was a positive,rather than negative, predictor of subsequent aggregated collective efﬁcacy.
Applying Social and Traditional Marketing Principles to the Reduction of Household Waste Turning Research Into Action

This article provides an overview of past research on household waste management, particularly research that pertains to recycling and to green buying. The authors discuss social marketing principles and make suggestions as to how past research might be applied toward increasing recycling behavior in communities. They also discuss traditional marketing strategy and tactics in the context of selling products based on pro-environmental positionings or attributes, and make suggestions of how past research on green buying can be applied to encourage green buying practices.
Development and testing of novel stripixel detectors for the silicon vertex tracker at PHENIX

As a part of the upgrades for the PHENIX detector at RHIC,a silicon vertex tracking detector is planned. This detector will consist of two pixel layers followed by two strip-pixel layers in the barrel region,an d four mini-strip layers in the endcap region. As a part of the development phase of the vertex detector, we have set up three sensor testing facilities at Brookhaven National Laboratory, at State University of New York, Stonybrook, and at University of New Mexico to characterize the preproduction sensors, and develop our testing and quality assurance plans. Preliminary results from these test are presented here.