cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Women's Rights Save Lives

Sociologists have long recognized women9s empowerment as a key factor in improving development and health in developing countries. Using new data, this study goes beyond the traditionally used indicators of empowerment by highlighting the potential role of women9s rights to land, property, and loans in explaining cross-national variation in child health. Results show that land and property rights are associated with lower rates of infant and child mortality across 75 developing countries, net of women9s literacy and a variety of controls. Notably, the robustness of the land and property variables is comparable to that of GDP or access to clean water/sanitation. This provides some suggestive evidence that perhaps these aspects of women9s empowerment may be just as important as some of the more conventional correlates of child health. However, access to bank loans is not significantly associated with lower infant and child mortality. This is consistent with a growing body of research that questions the efficacy of microfinance and loan programs for poverty reduction, health, and other development outcomes.
Esophagomyotomy for Achalasia and Diffuse Esophageal Spasm: Surgical Legacy Technique

Open esophagomyotomy has largely been supplanted by laparoscopic myotomy (see Chap. 26). It is still sometimes indicated when the extent of disease is greater than can be addressed through the abdominal approach. This chapter describes the technique for the classic Heller myotomy, performed through the left chest.
Mental Health Interventions for Children in Foster Care: A Systematic Review

Children in foster care have high rates of adverse childhood experiences and are at risk for mental health problems. These problems can be difficult to ameliorate, creating a need for rigorous intervention research. Previous research suggests that intervening with children in foster care can be challenging for several reasons, including the severity and complexity of their mental health problems, and challenges engaging this often transitory population in mental health services. The goal of this article was to systematically review the intervention research that has been conducted with children in foster care, and to identify future research directions. This review was conducted on mental health interventions for children, ages 0 to 12, in foster care, using ERIC, CINAHL, PsycINFO, PubMed, ProQuest's Dissertation and Theses Database, Social Services Abstracts, and Social Work Abstracts. It was restricted to interventions that are at least "possibly efficacious" (i.e., supported by evidence from at least one randomized controlled trial). Studies were evaluated for risk of bias. Ten interventions were identified, with diverse outcomes, including mental health and physiological. Six interventions were developed for children in foster care. Interventions not developed for children in foster care were typically adapted to the foster context. Most interventions have yet to be rigorously evaluated in community-based settings with children in foster care. Little research has been conducted on child and family engagement within these interventions, and there is a need for more research on moderators of intervention outcomes and subgroups that benefit most from these interventions. In addition, there is not consensus regarding how to adapt interventions to this population. Future research should focus on developing and testing more interventions with this population, rigorously evaluating their effectiveness in community-based settings, determining necessary adaptations, and identifying which interventions work best for whom.
Origins and Outcomes: The Roles of Spin-Off Founders and Intellectual Property in High-Technology Venture Outcomes

Spin-off firms originate from several sources including universities, existing firms, and government research centers. Thus far, work on spin-off activity has focused on factors that influence the ...
Symptomatic Improvement Following Intravesicular Cidofovir for the Management of BK Virus Associated Cystitis.

Abstract BACKGROUND: Hemorrhagic cystitis (HC) is a complication of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, occurring in 10 to 70% of transplant recipients. Factors that may contribute to the risk of developing HC include intensive preparative regimens, especially those including busulfan, high-dose cyclophosphamide or ifosfamide, transplantation from matched unrelated donors, infection with adenovirus, and the development of graft-versus-host disease. The reactivation of latent BK virus in the kidney is thought to lead to the development of late-onset HC in hematopoietic stem cell transplant patients. Early reports of cidofovir's efficacy in BK virus-associated HC used intravenous cidofovir, but treatment was often complicated or compromised by excessive toxicity, especially renal compromise. Based on small single patient reports of the use of intravesicular cidofovir in the management of other viral causes of cystitis, we evaluated the use of intravesicular cidofovir for the management of BK virus associated cystitis. METHODS: In patients undergoing stem cell transplant, BK viral loads were routinely monitored twice weekly. The presence of cystitis or hematuria in a patient with detectable BK viruria was considered the trigger for initiation of therapy. Patients were treated with cidofovir at a dose of 5 mg/kg. Drug was diluted with 60mL of normal saline and administered via foley catheter, which was clamped for one hour post administration. Weekly repeat dosing was allowed as long as symptoms persisted. In addition to symptom control, BK viral loads were measured before, during, and after treatment. RESULTS: Four patients were included in this initial evaluation. All were recipients of allogeneic stem cell transplants; three were recipients of matched unrelated donor transplants and one received a transplant from a matched sibling. Patients received between 1 and 4 doses of cidofovir for initial therapy. All 4 patients experienced complete resolution of symptoms. The range for symptom resolution ranged from 2 days to 3 weeks. Symptoms reappeared in only 1 patient after discontinuation of therapy. Monitoring of BK urine viral loads revealed that 3 of the 4 patients had a greater than 50% decrease in urine BK viral load with initial dosing of cidofovir, indicating presence of antiviral activity when the drug is administered by this novel route. CONCLUSION: Intravesicular cidofovir is safe, easy to administer, and associated with both elimination of symptoms and reduction in viral loads in patients with hemorrhagic cystitis following high dose therapy and allogeneic transplantation.
The Appropriateness of Heparin Antibody Testing. A Single Institution Retrospective Analysis

Background: Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) is a drug-induced, immune-mediated prothrombotic disorder associated with thrombocytopenia and venous and/or arterial thrombosis.Up to 5% of patients exposed to heparin for at least one week develop HIT, and approximately 50% of them will have thrombosis. Diagnosis of HIT is suspected from the clinical picture based on the 994 T9s99 (Thrombocytopenia, Timing, Thrombosis, no other cause of platelet fall) or the HIT Expert Probability (HEP) scoring system. However, often these "4 T9s" are ignored and testing is inappropriately ordered in low risk patients. This could lead to possible morbidity and increase length of hospital stay. We opted to look back at the appropriateness of testing done within our academic center. Methods/ Design: All hospitalized patients with thrombocytopenia who underwent HIT antibody testing (HIT ELISA) during February 2013 were screened using our internal electronic medical record. Patients were subdivided to low, intermediate or high pretest probability group according to the 4Ts scoring system. Appropriateness of testing was determined according ASH 2013 Clinical Practice Guideline on the Evaluation and Management of Adults with Suspected Heparin-Induced Thrombocytopenia (HIT). HIT Ab test is recommended to be tested when there is intermittent to high probability of HIT (4T9s score above or equal to 4). The percentage of appropriate/inappropriate testing was calculated. The results were then subdivided by ordering physician group. Results: 120 HIT ab tests were performed during February 2013 in our institution. Only 13 patients tested had a positive HIT Ab. Internal medicine ordered the majority of these tests. Of the 120 patients tested, 7 patients had high risk and another 50 had intermediate risk as per 4T9s scoring. 61 patients were low risk and should not have been tested. (Table 1) Conclusions: HIT testing has been overused within our institution. Low platelets, without other signs or symptoms of typical HIT were used as a trigger for testing the antibody. This has potential to cause harm due to increased bleeding risk, increased length of hospital stay, and the potential to utilize extended anticoagulation when not necessary. Better education on the appropriateness of the test can limit the potential harm of its use. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
Coming to TERMS with Electronic Resource Management: An Interview with Jill Emery, Graham Stone, and Peter McCracken

ABSTRACTIn this column of Serial Conversations, Elan May Rinck interviews Jill Emery, Graham Stone, and Peter McCracken, the editors of TERMS (Techniques in E-Resource Management) 2.0. Emery, Stone, and McCracken discuss developing best practices for electronic resource management and what lies ahead for TERMS 2.0.
Peer Influence on Ethnic‐Racial Identity Development: A Multi‐Site Investigation

The peer context features prominently in theory, and increasingly in empirical research, about ethnic-racial identity (ERI) development, but no studies have assessed peer influence on ERI using methods designed to properly assess peer influence. We examined peer influence on ERI centrality, private, and public regard using longitudinal social network analysis. Data were drawn from two sites: a predominantly Latina/o Southwestern (SW) school (N = 1034; Mage = 12.10) and a diverse Midwestern (MW) school (N = 513; Mage = 11.99). Findings showed that peers influenced each other's public regard over time at both sites. However, peer influence on centrality was evident in the SW site, whereas peer influence on private regard was evident in the MW site. Importantly, peer influence was evident after controlling for selection effects. Our integration of developmental, contextual, and social network perspectives offers a fruitful approach to explicate how ERI content may shift in early adolescence as a function of peer influence.
Parental Monitoring and Alcohol Use Across Adolescence in Black and White Girls: A Cross-Lagged Panel Mixture Model.

Background The link between parental monitoring and adolescent alcohol use is well established, but the directionality of this relationship is somewhat elusive. The literature suggests that parental engagement serves a protective function with respect to alcohol use, but that parental monitoring may also diminish in response to recurrent risk behavior. The lower rate of alcohol use despite evidence of lower levels of parental monitoring in Black versus White youth raises the question of for whom and under what conditions parental monitoring and alcohol use are associated. Methods Data were drawn from a community sample of 1,634 female adolescents (954 Black, 680 White) from 4 age cohorts, assessed annually in an accelerated longitudinal design. This study uses data spanning ages 12 to 17; parental monitoring and alcohol use were assessed via self-report, while demographic and adolescent psychosocial risk factors were derived from parent reports when the girls were age 12. An autoregressive cross-lagged panel mixture model was used to identify discrete patterns of parental monitoring and alcohol use associations across adolescence, and psychosocial factors that differentiate between them. Results Two discrete patterns of codeveloping alcohol use and parental monitoring emerged: one with stable bidirectional and autoregressive links (79%) and another differing from the majority profile in terms of the absence (alcohol use to parental monitoring) and direction (parental monitoring to alcohol use) of cross-construct influences (21%). Those in the minority profile were, at age 12, more likely to have received public assistance, resided in single-parent households, reached puberty, and manifest more severe conduct problems. Conclusions Identifying subgroups of girls with distinct patterns of codeveloping alcohol use and parental monitoring is particularly relevant to the development and implementation of family-level interventions, both in terms of targeting those with known demographic risk factors, and tailoring programs to address behavioral correlates, such as conduct problems.
Compatibility, Stability, and Efficacy of Vancomycin Combined With Gentamicin or Ethanol in Sodium Citrate as a Catheter Lock Solution:

Background: Indwelling catheters deliver lifesaving medical treatments for many chronically ill patients but are frequently a source of infection. Treatment may include an antimicrobial agent(s) and anticoagulant solution dwelling within the catheter. In vitro determinations of solution compatibility and stability are necessary prior to use in patients. Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the physical compatibility, chemical stability, and antimicrobial activity of vancomycin (5 or 10 mg/mL) with gentamicin (1 mg/mL) or 40% ethanol in 4% sodium citrate lock solution over 72 hours. Methods: All solutions were prepared per manufacturer's instructions. Samples were studied under 4 conditions: (1) 25°C with light, (2) 25°C without light, (3) 37°C with light, and (4) 37°C without light. Physical compatibility and chemical stability were assessed at 0, 24, 48, and 72 hours. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was conducted at 0 and 72 hours. All studies were carried out in triplicate. Results: All solution combinations under each condition remained patent from baseline to 48 hours. One solution combination of vancomycin (5 mg/mL) and ethanol (40% v/v) in 4% sodium citrate revealed a slight turbidity at 72 hours. Clarity and pH remained stable in all other solutions during the entire study period. Chemical compatibility and antibiotic activity ranged from 95% to 105% and 95% to 106% of initial baseline values, respectively, for all solutions under 4 storage conditions. Conclusions: All antibiotic-anticoagulant lock solutions were found to be physically, chemically, and microbiologically stable during the 72-hour study period except vancomycin (5 mg/mL) and ethanol (40% v/v) in 4% sodium citrate solution which showed slight turbidity at 72 hours.
Convex Fuel Consumption Model for Diesel and Hybrid Buses

The concave fuel consumption model may generate unrealistic driving recommendations in a control system; for instance, the model may recommend higher cruise speed to achieve lower fuel consumption levels on steeper roads. To improve the model performance with regard to driving control, the study developed a convex second-order polynomial fuel consumption model for conventional diesel and hybrid-electric buses. The model simultaneously circumvents the bang-bang type of control that implies that drivers would have to accelerate at full throttle or brake at full braking to minimize their fuel consumption levels. Six bus series (four diesel series and two hybrid series), covering a wide range of bus properties, were modeled. The model was developed on the basis of the Virginia Tech comprehensive power fuel-based model (VT-CPFM) framework and, given a lack of readily available data, calibrated by conducting empirical measurements. The model was validated by comparing its estimates against in-field measurements...
Denial of Access to Individuals Seeking Inpatient Care: Disposition Determinants and 12 Month Outcomes.

Author(s): Segal, Steven P; Franskoviak, Perri | Abstract: ObjectiveThis study considers the denial of access to inpatient care to those seeking hospitalization following psychiatric emergency service (PES) evaluation. It evaluates how civil commitment criteria, functional status, institutional constraints, social bias, and procedural justice indicators are likely to impact denial of care decisions, and considers 12 month outcomes.MethodsPES evaluations of 583 patients in 9 California county general hospitals were examined via logit modeling to determine those factors contributing to the decision to deny access to inpatient care. Differences in the importance of influences on the decision making process and outcomes at 12 months are examined in two contrasts: first, admitted and released patients seeking care, then, the latter group versus all other patients. Outcome measures include numbers of deaths, violent crimes, and involuntary readmissions to the PES.ResultsOf the patients evaluated, 8.4 % were denied access to inpatient care despite their avowed wish to be hospitalized. When compared to admitted patients seeking hospitalization or to all other patients, analyses show that clinicians relied on civil commitment admission criteria and the availability of a less restrictive alternative to the hospital in making decisions on patient retention. When compared with all other patients, the probability of unwanted release was greater for individuals evaluated in difficult circumstances, for those without insurance, and for those with higher functional status. Fewer deaths were observed in the group denied admission, though no other significant outcome differences were observed.ConclusionDangerousness and mental disorder in the absence of a less restrictive alternative to hospitalization, along with an overall assessment of the patient's functional status, are effectively employed as triage criteria in determining who is denied access to inpatient care following PES evaluation. While some higher functioning individuals are subjected to a variant standard of access to inpatient care because of a lack of insurance, and endure the misfortune of being evaluated under difficult clinical circumstances, outcomes seem contingent on clinicians' ability to distinguish between groups on the aforementioned triage criteria.
Investigation of an ultra large mode area power amplifier stage for a pulsed 1550-nm laser system

An Ultra Large Mode Area (ULMA) erbium doped optical fiber having a 52 micron core was investigated as the high power stage of a 1550 nm pulsed fiber laser system. The ULMA fiber was seeded with 1550 nm light from a 4 stage all fiber pulsed laser system with pulse energies of 11.35 and 6.25 μJ at pulse widths of 300 ns and repetition rates of 2 and 10 kHz, respectively. The ULMA fiber stage was counterpumped continuous wave in-band with a 1480 nm Raman laser. Maximum pulse energies (and amplifications) of 360 (15 dB) and 130 μJ (13.2 dB) at 2 and 10 kHz, respectively, were found when pumped with approximately 50 W of 1480 nm pump. More than 90% of the power at both repetition rates was found to reside in the pulse which indicated lower levels of amplified spontaneous emission. A lower conversion efficiency of approximately 53% -- which was significantly less than the theoretical maximum of 95% -- was estimated for the ULMA fiber amplifier. Possible causes are significant contamination on the order of 25% of the 1480 nm pump by lower Stokes orders, low coupling fractions of the 1480 nm pump into the core of the ULMA fiber, as well as pair induced quenching of Er due to clustering. Finally, creation of pump dumps at both the 1480 nm pump and 1550 nm signal ends by roughening the surface of the optical fiber enabled higher pump levels and pulse energies than would otherwise be the case.
Ground tests confirm the promise of hypersonic propulsion

The feasibility of developing a hypersonic hydrogen-fueled airbreathing vehicle capable of Mach 8 is examined. A modular dual-mode scramjet concept integrated with the airframe has been proposed. The research involved in the formation of this design is discussed. Particular attention is given to studies concerned with airframe integration; the evaluation of hypersonic inlets; and the analysis of viscous phenomena. The injector and combustor configurations of the modular engine, which is designed to operate as a ramjet and scramjet, are analyzed. The engine thrust performance of subscale engine modules was tested, and positive results were obtained. Simulation testing of a full-size model is being planned.
Editorial: The Creative Issue

This issue of JENdA is an unusual one. It departs from the usual complement of critical, interpretive articles that we usually publish. It is devoted exclusively to works of creative expression, including videos and audio documentary that take full advantage of the dynamic medium of the Internet. There is no question that we could not have been able to publish this collection of works were JENdA a print journal.
DESIGN OF ENGINEERED CEMENTITIOUS COMPOSITES (ECC) FOR PROCESSING AND WORKABILITY REQUIREMENTS

ABSTRACT The design of fiber reinforced cementitious composites (FRCC) is typically governed by their mechanical properties in the hardened state, such as the tensile and compressive strength and strain capacity. The intricacies of processing and workability of FRCC, with fiber volume fractions ranging from 1.5 to 20% depending on the particular composition, are often of secondary importance in small-scale laboratory production. However, the fresh composite properties significantly influence the performance of the composite in the hardened state, often leading to substandard mechanical properties due to non-uniform fiber dispersion or inconsistent compaction. More importantly, the large-scale application of FRCC in practice is often not feasible since special mixing equipment or processing techniques are required to overcome the difficulties associated with processing and workability. In particular, the uniform dispersion of short, randomly oriented fibers in the cementitious matrix at fiber volume fractions of more than 1.5% typically requires force-based mixing equipment, such as high speed pan mixers, planetary mixers, or so-called omni mixers, which are commercially available at the laboratory scale (5dm3 to 200dm3). These specialized mixers are relatively expensive for large capacities and are rarely on hand in most concrete mixing plants and at construction sites. This paper focuses on the fresh mix design of Engineered Cementitious Composites (ECC), which represent one type of high performance FRCC with strain hardening and multiple cracking behavior. The particular version of ECC described in this study utilizes PVA fibers (dt=39μm, lt=12mm) at a volume fraction of 2%. The presented approach is guided by consideration of the practical requirements of producing cementitious composites at large scale under field conditions. The goal of this study is to design the composite such that mixing can be conducted in a conventional, gravity-based drum mixer while retaining the required workability and mechanical properties observed when mixing in a specialized, small-scale laboratory mixer. A case study is presented for the development of a flowable ECC with self-consolidating consistency. This paper will present possible approaches to meeting these requirements, including control of the particle size distribution and chemical composition of the cementitious matrix, adjusting the mixing sequence and intervals, and proper utilization of cement types and common chemical admixtures.
Outcomes for Young Men With Localized Intermediate-Risk Prostate Cancer: An Analysis of the NCDB

Abstract Background Primary management of localized, intermediate-risk prostate cancer consists of radical prostatectomy (RP), radiation therapy with short-course androgen deprivation therapy (RT+ADT), or radiation therapy alone (RT). The purpose of this study was to determine if these treatment strategies have equivalent overall survival (OS) in patients Methods We identified 35,134 patients in the National Cancer Database with localized intermediate-risk prostate cancer treated with RP, RT+ADT, or RT from 2004-2013. Ten-year OS rates were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method. Adjusted hazard ratios (HR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were computed using multivariate (MVA) Cox regression. Results 29,920 (85.2%) patients underwent RP, 1,393 (4.0%) RT+ADT, and 3,821 (10.9%) RT. Median patient age was 51 years old, median follow-up was 59.9 months. 10-year OS was estimated to be 94.2% for RP, 80.7% for RT+ADT, and 85.2% for RT (p Conclusions RP is significantly more likely than RT+ADT or RT to be used as a primary treatment for young men with localized intermediate prostate cancer. RP was also associated with improved OS when compared to RT+ADT and RT.
The differentiation of 2,5-dimethoxy-N-(N-methoxybenzyl)phenethylamine (NBOMe) isomers using GC retention indices and multivariate analysis of ion abundances in electron ionization mass spectra

Abstract Synthetic phenethylamine derivatives known as 2,5-dimethoxy-N-(N-methoxybenzyl)phenethylamines (NBOMes) are a common class of novel psychoactive substances (NPS) that are causing many accidental deaths across the United States. Many derivatives are now banned at the federal and state levels, but such control requires reliable identification of the different positional isomers. This manuscript helps establish retention indices and characteristic ion ratios that can be used to distinguish between the positional isomers of 25C-NBOMe and 25I-NBOMe. This manuscript also provides additional support for the ortho effect as a reliable, general, fragmentation mechanism to differentiate positional isomers of NBOMes in electron ionization (EI) mass spectra. The retention indices and fragment ion abundances of the positional isomers of 25C-NBOMe and 25I-NBOMe were measured on two instruments using three different GC columns and parameters. The measured retention indices for the six compounds on three different 5% diphenyl columns are as follows: ortho-25C-NBOMe = 2614 ± 15; meta-25C-NBOMe = 2666 ± 13; para-25C-NBOMe = 2692 ± 13; ortho-25I-NBOMe = 2821 ± 16; meta-25I-NBOMe = 2877 ± 15; and para-25I-NBOMe = 2904 ± 12, where the errors represent the 95% confidence interval of the measurements. Principal component analysis (PCA) and canonical discriminant analysis (CDA) were used, respectively, to assess the variance and classification of NBOMe isomers based on the 15 most abundant ions relative to the base peak. The CDA classification accuracy for the six NBOMe compounds was 99.5% when the data set included spectra from three instrumental setups and the widest range of concentrations. Isomer classification was greater than 99.9% within an instrument and excluding low abundance spectra. These results support the use of chemometric approaches for the classification of unknown compounds, even when non-ideal lower-abundance spectra are used for classification.
Income and consumption dynamics after Cyclone Aila: How do the rural households recover in Bangladesh?

Abstract This research applies the consumption-income dynamic theoretical model and investigates three research hypotheses empirically. Firstly, how, after experiencing asset and income shocks from cyclone Aila, households accelerate their income in the post cyclone period. Secondly, how the consumption pattern behaves in the post cyclone period. Thirdly, whether the cyclone causes income loss and the households show resilience in income growth in the recovery period. The data used in this research is based on a household survey conducted in the area affected by cyclone Aila in southern Bangladesh. This research puts forward a number of key findings which are; a) asset losses of low income people are more sensitive to income generation compared to the high income people; b) people in the recovery period don't sacrifice their consumption in proportion with their income loss; c) income losses from the disaster are almost equally sensitive to consumption for different income groups; d) the speed of convergence in income generation is much higher than that of consumption in the recovery period; e) the disaster causes income loss, but people show their resilience by accelerating higher income growth compared to the non-affected areas; and f) people on a low income show more resilience in income generation compared to people on a high income in the post cyclone recovery period.
Recent advances in machine learning towards multiscale soft materials design

Abstract The multiscale design of soft materials requires an ensemble of computational techniques spanning quantum-chemistry to molecular dynamics to continuum modeling. The recent emergence of machine-learning (ML) and modern optimization algorithms has accelerated material property prediction, as well as stimulated the development of hybrid ML/molecular modeling methodologies capable of providing physical insights unobtainable from purely physics-based modeling and intuition. Such hybrid techniques also have important ramifications for the ML-enhanced interpretation of results from simulations and experiments alike. Leveraging ML techniques for the design of chemical or morphological structures based on a target property or functionality represents an exciting goal for the general area of soft materials, including polymers, liquid crystals, colloids, or biomolecules, to name a few representative classes of systems. Here, we provide a perspective on recent work using ML techniques of relevance for the multiscale design of soft materials and outline potential future directions of interest to the soft materials community.
Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s Failed Pastoral and the Environments of the Poor

In her poetry about environmental issues, Elizabeth Barrett Browning rejected the romantic pastoral mode, but stopped short of the ecological view which, during the second half of the nineteenth century, informed much of the Victorian response to environmental decay. Barrett Browning’s first polemical poem about the horrors of child labor was written at the behest of Richard Henghist Horne, anonymous author a parliamentary report on children in factories and mines. “The Cry of the Children” (1843) protests effectively against conditions that killed innocent children, body, and soul. In contrast, Barrett Browning’s depiction of the London poor in her novel poem Aurora Leigh (1856) describes the squalor and moral degradation of the London poor without analysis of why these conditions exist. Even though a singular working-class character Marian Erle is treated sympathetically, Barrett Browning’s descriptions in Aurora Leigh of the poor en masse is negative and makes for difficult reading, as does a second polemical poem, “A Song for the Ragged Schools” (1854). The tension in Barrett Browning’s work is instructive: Her environmentalist poems suggest the difficulty of finding rhetorical balance between representing the fragmentation of community attendant on modernity and the contrary impulse to romanticize nature.
µChemLab: twenty years of developing CBRNE detection systems with low false alarm rates

Gas Chromatography (GC) is routinely used in the laboratory to temporally separate chemical mixtures into their constituent components for improved chemical identification. This paper will provide a overview of more than twenty years of development of one-dimensional field-portable micro GC systems, highlighting key experimental results that illustrate how a reduction in false alarm rate (FAR) is achieved in real-world environments. Significantly, we will also present recent results on a micro two-dimensional GC (micro GCxGC) technology. This ultra-small system consists of microfabricated columns, NanoElectroMechanical System (NEMS) cantilever resonators for detection, and a valve-based stop-flow modulator. The separation of a 29-component polar mixture in less than 7 seconds is demonstrated along with peak widths in the second dimension ranging from 10-60 ms. For this system, a peak capacity of just over 300 was calculated for separation in about 6 s. This work has important implications for field detection, to drastically reduce FAR and significantly improve chemical selectivity and identification. This separation performance was demonstrated with the NEMS resonator and bench scale FID. But other detectors, suitably fast and sensitive can work as well. Recent research has shown that the identification power of GCxGC-FID can match that of GC-MS. This result indicates a path to improved size, weight, power, and performance in micro GCxGC systems outfitted with relatively non-specific, lightweight detectors. We will briefly discuss the performance of possible options, such as the pulsed discharge helium ionization detector (PDHID) and miniature correlation ion mobility spectrometer (mini-CIMS).
Inspiring the next generation mobility workforce through innovative industry–academia partnerships

Abstract The transportation industry is at the cusp of an entirely new landscape brought about by advanced technologies. These technologies are fundamentally changing the way the industry operates, shifting the required skills and abilities for existing occupations, and creating new jobs with work functions and requirements that did not previously exist. Science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) competencies will dominate requirements for the future workforce, whether in traditional STEM occupations or not. These changes create exciting opportunities for the new mobility workforce, but also require new approaches to how we attract, educate, and retain workers to combat serious pipeline challenges. Effective strategies must be coherent and collaborative to create comprehensive solutions across the workforce continuum (K-12 to career). And, attracting diversity must be considered from the outset rather than as an afterthought. Industry–academia partnerships are at the core of transformative approaches that will move the needle for inspiring the next generation workforce.
P44 Gastrointestinal Tolerance of Snacks Fortified with Fiber in Children with Low Fiber Intake

Background Fiber intakes of most US children are inadequate, increasing the risk of gastrointestinal problems, obesity, and diet-related chronic diseases. Commonly consumed foods with added fiber may be help to achieve recommended intakes in children; however, research is needed to determine if added fiber contributes to gastrointestinal (GI) side effects. Objective The aim was to assess the effects of fiber-fortified snacks on GI function and appetite in children. Study Design, Settings, Participants Children (8-15 y) were recruited for an eight-week randomized, double-blind, crossover pilot study. Following a two-week baseline, participants consumed two snacks/day fortified with or without 10g of ground pea hulls (8.5g dietary fiber) each for two-week periods separated by a two-week washout period. Measurable Outcome/Analysis Participants completed an appetite questionnaire twice per week, the GI Symptom Rating Scale (GSRS) by interview bi-weekly, and the Bristol Stool Form chart daily. ASA-24 was used to assess dietary intake. Linear mixed models were used for data analyses. Results Of 16 recruited, 15 participants (5 Male, 10 Female; 9.5 ± 1.2 y) completed the study. Fiber intake at baseline was 10.4 ± 4.9 g/day with no change in background fiber with interventions (12.9 ± 5.4 g/day; 11.1 ± 3.1 g/day; NS). Snacks with added fiber significantly increased fiber intake (P 60%) in all study periods, suggestive of constipation. Conclusion In children with low fiber intakes, consuming snacks with added fiber may help to increase dietary fiber intakes without significant GI side effects. Funding Saskatchewan Pulse Growers.
PROTECTION OF COMPETITION THROUGH THE PRINCIPLE OF LEGAL CERTAINTY - THE ROLE OF THE COURT OF JUSTICE OF THE EUROPEAN UNION

The present work is concentrated on the analysis of the rule of reason of law in European Union law and especially in the sector of european competition law, where the rule of reason is a guarantee of the crystallization of the rules that constituted the normative basis for the law to access to the market, to the tariffs of regulated services rather than to the management of infrastructures, etc. The rule of reason stands as predictability of the consequences of behavior as we see from the analysis of the Court of Justice of the European Union and especially according to the preliminary ruling trying to guarantee the principle under examination as fundamental of the good functioning of the European market, both in the access phase and in the operational phase, to the point that any other Community law is applied only in coherence and full compatibility with the latter.
The existence of an energy minimizing configuration for multiple solid objects floating in a bath of three liquids

We consider the physical configuration of a container which holds a finite number of movable solid objects and three immiscible fluids. Each fluid volume is prescribed, and the container is completely filled. The configuration is modeled using sets of finite perimeter, and the energy of the configuration is given using the theory of functions of bounded variation. We show that there exists an admissible configuration that attains the minimum energy.
Longer-lived tropical songbirds reduce breeding activity as they buffer impacts of drought

Droughts are expected to increase in frequency and severity with climate change. Population impacts of such harsh environmental events are theorized to vary with life history strategies among species. However, existing demographic models generally do not consider behavioural plasticity that may modify the impact of harsh events. Here we show that tropical songbirds in the New and Old Worlds reduced reproduction during drought, with greater reductions in species with higher average long-term survival. Large reductions in reproduction by longer-lived species were associated with higher survival during drought than predrought years in Malaysia, whereas shorter-lived species maintained reproduction and survival decreased. Behavioural strategies of longer-lived, but not shorter-lived, species mitigated the effect of increasing drought frequency on long-term population growth. Behavioural plasticity can buffer the impact of climate change on populations of some species and differences in plasticity among species related to their life histories are critical for predicting population trajectories. Climate change impacts on population dynamics will depend on species’ life history strategies. In contrast to short-lived species, longer-lived tropical songbirds reduced reproduction during drought, leading to higher survival and mitigating the effect on long-term population growth.
Enhanced Simulation Methodology For High-Speed Data Center Application

Comparisons among commonly used EDA tools[]–[] are demonstrated, simulations are conducted on a simple but canonical low-loss test coupon. Then HSIO routings on a real design PCB using same material, including long via-stub and short via-stub nets, are used to test the reliability of simulation near via and breakout region. In our experiments, hybrid simulation is highly recommended to better covering the electromagnetic effect beyond 15 GHz and finishing jobs in a reasonable time. All the simulation results are compared with measurement result and simulation time is recorded to compare the accuracy and efficiency. A comprehensive summary table is provided to compare these EDA tools used in this experiment.
Minimum wages for domestic workers: impact evaluation of the Indian experience

Abstract What impact does minimum wage legislation have on wages and employment opportunities in an informal sector in a developing country? The paper answers this question in the context of minimum wage legislation for domestic workers in India over the period of 2004–2012. Combining, matching procedure with difference-in-difference estimation approach, supported by extensive robustness checks, the paper estimates both the short-run and the long-run impact of the legislation on real wages and employment. Results show a positive impact of the legislation on real wages in the shortrun, while there is limited evidence of this effect persisting in the long-run. Further, the legislation did not seem to have any impact at the extensive margin on the probability of being employed as a domestic worker over short or long run. Our analysis further reveals that the wages of majority of workers remain below the minimum wage. Available evidence from the ground, in line with theoretical predictions, point towards weak enforcement of the legislation as the potential driving factor of observed results. As India recently extended national level minimum wage for all workers, the paper provides a cautionary tale on the potential pitfalls of implementation of this legislation in informal sector and suggests some ways to overcome the same.
Surface and microstructure investigation of picosecond versus femtosecond laser pulse processed copper

Abstract A comparison is made between the self-organized surface features that form on copper using femtosecond versus picosecond laser pulses. Modification of material surfaces (like metals and dielectrics) have shown to affect the properties for applications including enhancing heat transfer and producing anti-corrosive or antibacterial surfaces. Femtosecond laser surface processing is a precise and repeatable technique to produce uniform self-organized quasi-periodic structures on the surface for most metals. However, it is difficult to produce uniform quasi-periodic structures on noble metals (e.g. copper). Using femtosecond pulses in the processing of copper results in non-uniform structure formation with areas that have little to no mound development. Lengthening the pulses from femtoseconds to picoseconds is shown to result in uniform quasi-periodic structure formation with high repeatability. The subsurface microstructure formed using femtosecond versus picosecond pulses while keeping other processing parameters the same was investigated, providing insight into mound formation processes. Picosecond pulses resulted in finer-grained regions within the mounds, and after a critical pulse count threshold was reached, onion-like layers with alternating high-density copper and highly porous copper oxide regions formed near the surface and blanketed the mounds. Multiple formation mechanisms are proposed to help explain the microstructures that formed using picosecond pulses.
Is pelvic MRI imaging sufficient cross-sectional imaging for staging intermediate and high-risk prostate cancer?

Abstract Objectives The American Urological Association's (AUA) and National Comprehensive Cancer Network's (NCCN) provide highly recognized guidelines for staging prostate cancer (CaP). However, both are vague as to specific type of cross-sectional imaging (CT vs. MRI) and extent (abdominal vs. pelvis), thereby raising concern for overlapping imaging. We investigated if current AUA and NCCN CaP staging guidelines can become more specific yet maintain sufficient staging. Methods We identified 493 patients diagnosed with CaP between 2011 and 2017 and focused analysis on those with AUA and NCCN Intermediate risk (IR) and High risk (HR) groups. Type of staging imaging was recorded and frequency of overlapping (CT + MRI) and abdominal imaging determined. Significance of radiologist findings, for both overlapping and abdominal imaging, were classified as nonurologic, nonsignificant urologic, and CaP significant. Results Among IR and HR AUA and NCCN risk groups, 82 (35.7%) and 95 (37.3%) patients, respectively, experienced overlapping imaging, of which only 7 patients in AUA and 9 patients in NCCN risk groups had an abnormal CT with normal MRI. However, only 3 of these CTs had CaP significant findings, of which 2 identified bone metastases, which were subsequently detected on bone scan. In regard to the extent of imaging, a total of 157 (68.2%) AUA and 178 (69.8%) NCCN IR and HR patients received abdominal scans, of which only 46 (20.0%) and 49 (19.2%) were abnormal among AUA and NCCN risk groups, respectively. Among these abnormal abdominal scans, only 10 showed CaP significant findings, of which half were suspected bone metastases, and confirmed on recommended bone scan. Conclusions Due to nonspecific staging guidelines in IR and HR CaP regarding type and extent of cross-sectional imaging, patients are frequently receiving imaging of overlapping locations. Based on low occurrences of unique CaP significant findings on CT and abdominal imaging, our exploratory analysis suggests that narrowing cross-sectional imaging recommendations to pelvic MRI may reduce imaging overlap while maintaining sufficient staging.
The Bethesda System for Reporting Thyroid Cytopathology: A Retrospective Review of its Diagnostic Utility at Johns Hopkins Aramco Healthcare, Saudi Arabia.

Abstract Purpose Fine needle aspiration (FNA) is the gold standard for assessment of thyroid nodules, with the Bethesda System for Reporting Thyroid Cytopathology (TBSRTC) used to predict the malignancy risk of these nodules. Our aim was to evaluate the diagnostic utility of the TBSRTC for a Saudi population, by comparing the malignancy risk based on histopathology to FNA-based diagnosis of each of the TBSRTC categories and to previously published malignancy risk in other population. Materials and methods This was a retrospective study of the data of 241 patients who underwent FNA assessment of thyroid nodules and surgical resection with histopathology at John Hopkins Aramco Healthcare, Dhahran, Saudi Arabia, between January 2016 and December 2019. Results The malignancy risk for each of the TBSRTC categories was as follows: non-diagnostic, 25%, benign; 5.74%; atypia of undetermined significance, 37%; suspicious for follicular neoplasm, 38%; suspicious for malignancy, 100%; and malignant, 95%. Our finding were comparable to previously published malignancy risks, except for a higher rate of malignancy in the benign category at 18% compared to 0–3%. Conclusion Our findings validate the diagnostic reproducibility of the TBSRTC for a Saudi population, with the risk of malignancy confirmed by histopathological assessment being consistent with those previously reported for other populations.
Preoperative level II/III MRI measures predicting long-term prolapse recurrence after native tissue repair

To identify preoperative level II/III MRI measures associated with long-term recurrence after native tissue prolapse repair. Women who previously participated in pelvic floor research involving MRI prior to undergoing primary native tissue prolapse repair were recruited to return for repeat examination and MRI. Recurrence was defined by POP-Q (Ba/Bp > 0 or C > –4), repeat surgery, or pessary use. Preoperative MR images were used to perform five level II/III measurements including a new levator plate (LP) shape analysis at rest and maximal Valsalva. Principal component analysis (PCA) was used to evaluate LP shape variations. Principal component scores calculated for two independent shape variations were noted. Thirty-five women were included with a mean follow-up of 13.2 ± 3.3 years. Nineteen (54%) were in the success group. There were no statistical differences between success versus recurrence groups in demographic, clinical, or surgical characteristics. Women with recurrence had a larger preoperative resting levator hiatus [median 6.4 cm (IQR 5.7, 7.1) vs. 5.8 cm (IQR 5.3, 6.3), p = 0.03]. This measure was associated with increased odds of recurrence (OR 8.2, CI 1.4-48.9, p = 0.02). Using PCA, preoperative LP shape PC1 scores were different between success and recurrence groups (p = 0.02), with a more dorsally oriented LP shape associated with recurrence. Larger preoperative levator hiatus at rest and a more dorsally oriented levator plate shape were associated with prolapse recurrence at long-term follow-up. For every 1 cm increase in preoperative resting levator hiatus, the odds of long-term prolapse recurrence increases 8-fold.