cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
People Feeling: Joy, More Joy, and the "Slough of Despond"

Inspiration and elation are commonly expressed outcomes of T Group experiences. Yet, compelling as such feelings may be, they are not, in themselves, sufficient for understanding what takes place in sensitivity training. To date, much research about the behavioral outcomes of T Groups has suffered from problems of faulty experimental design and imprecise measurement. We seem to be trapped in a sort of "Slough of Despond," bogged down in the mire of unsupported claims, the self-satisfaction of laboratory training advocates, and the doubt and apprehension of nonbelievers. Much of the research on interpersonal perception is summarized by our information processing model (presented here) of behavior prediction in interpersonal perception. It points up the complexities of knowing and learning to know others and summarizes many of the methodological problems which have plagued researchers. A new methodology for studying interpersonal perception judgments is described, along with results (using the new technique...
A semi-analytical model of microsegregation in a binary alloy

Abstract At small Fourier diffusion numbers semi-analytical microsegregation models, of the form suggested by Brody and Flemings, are known to perform poorly in the analysis of solidifications controlled by a parabolic solid growth. The basic inconsistency in the development of this class of models is highlighted. It is shown that an alternative, consistent development, for solidifications controlled by a constant cooling rate, results in the same microsegregation model. Comparison with predictions – maximum concentration and eutectic fractions – obtained with a numerical, constant cooling rate solution show a significant improvement in model performance. Further modification – based on curve fitting in the low Fourier number range – leads to a constant cooling rate microsegregation model that provides accurate predictions of microsegregation levels across a wide, practical range of parameters.
RGBD Point Cloud Alignment Using Lucas–Kanade Data Association and Automatic Error Metric Selection

We propose to overcome a significant limitation of the iterative closest point (ICP) algorithm used by KinectFusion, namely, its sole reliance upon geometric information. Our approach uses both geometric and color information in a direct manner that uses all the data in order to accurately estimate camera pose. Data association is performed by Lucas–Kanade to compute an affine warp between the color images associated with two RGBD point clouds. A subsequent step then estimates the Euclidean transformation between the point clouds using either a point-to-point or point-to-plane error metric, with a novel method based on a normal covariance test for automatically selecting between them. Together, Lucas–Kanade data association with covariance testing enables robust camera tracking through areas of low geometric features, without sacrificing accuracy in environments in which the existing ICP technique succeeds. Experimental results on several publicly available datasets demonstrate the improved performance both qualitatively and quantitatively.
INTERLEUKIN-4-SPECIFIC SIGNAL TRANSDUCTION EVENTS ARE DRIVEN BY HOMOTYPIC INTERACTIONS OF THE INTERLEUKIN-4 RECEPTOR ALPHA SUBUNIT

Interleukin-4 (IL-4) exerts its effects through a heterodimeric receptor complex (IL-4R), which contains the IL-4R(alpha) and gamma(c) subunits. IL-4R(alpha) also functions with other partner subunits in several receptor types, including the IL-13 receptor. To examine the roles of the individual subunits within IL-4R complexes, we employed a chimeric system that recapitulates native IL-4R function as verified by the activation of the kinases, JAK1 and JAK3, and induction of STAT-6. When a mutant gamma(c) subunit in which the four cytoplasmic tyrosines were converted to phenylalanine was paired with the cytoplasmic domain of the IL-4R(alpha) chain, specificity within the JAK-STAT pathway was not altered. Signaling events were examined further in cells expressing the IL-4R(alpha) chimera alone without the gamma(c) chimera. Ligand-induced homodimerization of these receptors activated the IL-4 signaling program despite the absence of gamma(c), including induction of JAK1 and STAT-6, phosphorylation of the insulin-related substrate 1 and cellular proliferation. Thus, homotypic interactions of the IL-4R(alpha) subunit are sufficient for the initiation and determination of IL-4-specific signaling events, and such interactions may be integral to signaling through IL-4R complexes.
Tethering the Fraud Inquiry in Letter of Credit Law

The law of abstract payment undertakings fashions a rule that the undertakings are, as their name implies, independent of the transactions out of which they arise. That independence principle admits of an important exception if the beneficiary of the undertaking fraudulently seeks payment when he has no colorable right to payment. The parameters of the fraud exception to the abstraction principle are of necessity imprecise. Although courts have developed a number of limits to the exception, some courts, unaware of the danger they pose to the commercial efficacy of these undertakings, sometimes engage in a wide-ranging fraud inquiry. This article contends that courts must limit the inquiry. The article illustrates the problem with analysis of three cases, one each from Australia, Canada and the United States.
Fructose-Enhanced Efficacy of Magnetic Nanoparticles against Antibiotic Resistant Biofilms

The emergence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a major cause of hospital-acquired infections (HAI). HAI affect approximately 1.7 million patients each year in the U.S., resulting in up to 100,000 excess deaths, which leads to an estimated cost of more than $35 billion per year. Hence, there is an urgent clinical need to develop new therapies to reduce infections, without resorting to the use of antibiotics for which bacteria are developing a resistance towards. In this study, we designed superparamagnetic iron-oxide nanoparticles (SPION) to treat antibiotic-resistant biofilms and showed that SPION efficacy increases when they are used in combination with fructose.
Initial Model Construction for Elastic Full Waveform Inversion using Envelope Inversion Method

We developed an elastic envelope inversion method. The envelope of the wavefields carries ultra low frequency information which can be used to recover the large-scale component of the model, and the initial model dependence of waveform inversion can be reduced. We derived the misfit function and the corresponding gradient operator for elastic envelope inversion. Numerical tests using synthetic data for the Marmousi II model proved the validity and feasibility of the proposed approach. The inverted p-wave velocity and s-wave velocity from the combined envelope inversion plus waveform inversion (EI+WI) indicated that it can deliver much improved results compared with regular elastic full waveform inversion. Furthermore, to test the independence of the elastic envelope inversion to the source frequency band, we used a low-cut source wavelet (cut from 5Hz below) to generate the synthetic data. The envelope inversion and the combined EI+WI showed no appreciable difference from the full-band source results.
Memoirs of the Soul: A Writing Guide, By Nan Merrick Phifer

Memoirs of the soul: A writing guide transcends the art of writing. This guide will force the reader to think and feel at a deeper level in order to create a true and genuine account of his/her sou...
Who enrolls in competency-based education? An examination of the demographics and finances of competency-based education programs

Background The concept of competency-based education (CBE), in which some or all of a student's progression through a degree program is separated from the traditional credit hour model, has gained popularity in the last few years. However, little research has examined the types of students who enroll in CBE programs and whether CBE results in cost savings for different groups of students. Methods In this paper, I examine some of the first colleges with CBE programs and detail their student bodies, pricing structures, and whether CBE programs represent a lower-cost route to a degree than traditional programs for students with financial need. Results I find that while CBE programs can result in significant cost savings for students making quick progress toward a degree, traditional models may be better for low-income students taking fewer courses per year. However, as more CBE programs become eligible to receive federal financial aid dollars, CBE programs can make financial sense for more students. Conclusion Little research has been done on the details of CBE, and more is needed before programs enroll a larger percentage of students. I suggest additional research on the cost of providing CBE degrees, as well as a closer examination of what types of students and programs are well-suited to competency-based models.
Comparison of Culm Characteristics with Different Nitrogen Use Efficiencies for Rice Cultivars

The morphological and physiological characteristics of low-yielding and low N-efficiency,high-yielding and medium N-efficiency,high-yielding and high N-efficiency of rice cultivars were investigated using six representative japonica varieties under their respective optimal N application levels.The results showed that compared with low-yielding varieties,high-yielding varieties showed shorter basal 1st internodes,longer basal 6th internodes,increased plant height,larger culm diameter and wall thickness,significantly higher dry weight of stem and sheath,obviously increased K and Si content in culm and sheath,and a higher ratio of Si to N.As a result of their improved stalk physical characteristics and the different chemical compositions,the comprehensive breaking resistance of the culm of high-yielding cultivars was improved evidently,and the lodging index reduced as well.The cultivars with different N-efficiencies displayed diverse culm morphological and physiological characteristics even though they were all in one high-yielding level.Comparing with medium N-efficiency genotypes,the high N-efficiency ones had longer 4th and 5th internode lengths,increased culm wall thickness,in spite of slightly decreased culm diameter,resulted in higher dry weight and strengthened plumpness status of culm,significantly decreased content of Si in stem and sheath,decreased N content,and remarkably unchanged K content.Given these results,for the purpose of further increasing the nitrogen fertilizer use efficiency of the high-yielding varieties,it would be favorable to properly increase 4th and 5th internode length,thus improving top three leaves configuration,to appropriately reduce the culm diameter while increasing wall thickness and filling degree for the sake of stalk breaking resistance and transporting capability,and to properly reduce the content of Si in culm and sheath tofacilitate the translocation of nitrogen.
The Valvetrain Dynamic Analysis based on ADAMS

In this paper,the dynamic simulation of the engine valvetrain is carried out by using the virtual prototype technology and its sup-ported software MSC.ADAMS.The dynamics results are obtained such as the lift,velocity,acceleration of valve,the contact stress between cam and tappet,it gives the foundation for the optimization design of the valvetrain.
Three-Dimensional Array/Network Whorls of Processors

This chapter describes several global structures and the way they might be used productively. A sphere seems an especially compact, elegant, and simple structure. A three-dimensional sphere is the simplest to realize with actual physical processors built and housed within the three-dimensional world. Its surface is a convenient receptacle for storing and processing images. Its entire structure or a substructure carved out from it seems well structured for mapping a three-dimensional slice of atmosphere, earth, or other sections of the universe. For a variety of reasons some variant shape, for example, pyramid, lattice, dumbbell, torus, bulging cone, or flattened sphere, may be preferable for particular classes of problems. The chapter discusses spheres within spheres of onion-layered faceted arrays, dense three-dimensional whorls with programs pipeline-swirling through them, and array/networks that are sections of a whorl.
Feminist Figures or Damsels in Distress? The Media’s Gendered Misrepresentation of Disney Princesses

A gender bias seems to exist when discussing Disney princesses in entertainment media that could have significant consequences for girls who admire these heroines. Prior research and my own extensions have shown that modern princesses display almost equal amounts of masculine and feminine qualities; however, my research on film reviews shows an inaccurate representation of these qualities. These media perpetuate sexist ideals for women in society by including traditionally feminine vocabulary, degrading physical descriptions, and inaccuracies about the films, as well as syntax and critiques that trivialize the heroines' accomplishments and suggest the characters are not empowered enough. The reviews also encourage unhealthy competition between the princesses and devote significantly more words to these negative trends than to positive discussions. These patterns result in the depiction of the princesses as more stereotypically feminine and weak than is indicated by the films themselves, which hinders the creation of role models for girls.
Effectiveness of an image response assessment team (IRAT) approach to advance imaging biomarker inclusion in cancer therapy trials

1003 Objectives Imaging biomarker assessment for early response outcome measures in cancer therapy trials has become a significant priority for patient management decisions and research. Molecular imaging using PET has an important role in this assessment. A major barrier to overcome is the lack of early and effective interaction between oncologists and nuclear medicine (NM) physicians for selection of appropriate imaging modality and proper design of imaging protocols. Over the past three years the University of Pittsburgh has developed an organizational structure for providing IRAT recommendations on imaging utilization in cancer therapy trials. The goal of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of this structure. Methods Cancer disease sites were categorized in terms of lung, breast, melanoma, hematological, Head & Neck (HN), GI, GU, CNS, and OB/GYN. Cancer therapy trials were monitored for appropriate utilization of imaging modality and inclusion of a NM physician during cancer imaging trial design before and after IRAT implementation. Image utilization growth was measured by increases in PET imaging in cancer therapy trials. Interaction growth between oncologists and NM physicians was measured by increases in the inclusion of NM physicians in the initial design of cancer therapy trials. Results PET utilization on cancer therapy trials in CNS, GI, lymphoma, lung, GU, GYN, and breast increased from zero to 3, 2, 3, 3, 4, 2, and 1. PET utilization in HN increased from 1 to 9 and in melanoma from 2 to 4. The NM physician inclusion on trial design increased from one to 1, 3, 3, 1, 1 on GI, HN, lung, melanoma, and breast (total increase from 1 to 9). Conclusions An administrative structure to provide IRAT recommendations on cancer therapy trials significantly enhances oncologist awareness of the value of imaging and increases the use of PET imaging biomarker assessment in cancer therapy trials. Research Support NIH P30 CA04790
Molecular dynamics simulations of mechanical behavior in nanoscale ceramic–metallic multilayer composites

ABSTRACTThe mechanical behavior of nanoscale ceramic–metallic (NbC/Nb) multilayer composites with different thickness ratios is investigated using molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. Based on the obtained stress–strain behavior and its dependence on temperature, strain rate, and loading path, the flow stress for the onset of plasticity is identified and modeled based on the nucleation theory, and the in-plane yield loci for different layer thicknesses are constructed. The results are used to establish the plastic flow potential for developing a continuum viscoplastic constitutive model for potential use in large-scale applications.
Experimental study of thermal and airtightness performance of structural insulated panel joints in cold climates

Abstract The extreme climate and limited nature of local resources in the arctic create serious challenges for the many Inuit communities. Homelessness and housing shortages are still common, underlining the need for the construction of durable, sustainable, and affordable housing. The building envelope is highly susceptible to moisture damage and deterioration if not well designed and constructed, especially in the arctic. For this project, the thermal and airtightness performance of structural insulated panel (SIP) joints are studied. A full-scale test hut built with SIPs was constructed and tested in an environmental chamber at −20 °C and −40 °C, simulating arctic conditions. Eight types of SIP joints were monitored with thermocouples, with at least 6 thermocouples per joint. The SIPs were subjected to temperature differences of up to 62 °C and pressure differences up to 15 Pa. It is found that joints connecting three envelope elements are leakier and more susceptible to moisture damage than those connecting two. Though all joints are dependent on the tape seal to maintain airtightness, it is more difficult to ensure good air seal for the more complex joints. All the joints can be improved to be less dependent on the tape, though the joints most susceptible to moisture damage and mold growth are the top joints since moist indoor air tends to exfiltrate at those locations due to stack effect.
Analysis of imported malaria epidemic situation and implication for prevention and control strategy in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region in 2014

OBJECTIVE To analyze the epidemic characteristics of the imported malaria cases in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region in 2014, so as to assess the transmission risk and explore the prevention and control strategy. METHODS The data of the malaria epidemic situation in the network direct report system of Guangxi in 2014 and the annual report of malaria epidemic situation in 14 cities were collected. The epidemiological information of the imported malaria cases was analyzed. RESULTS A total of 184 malaria patients were reported in Guangxi in 2014, with a descent rate of 85.29% when compared to that in 2013 (1 251 cases), and the incidence rate was 0.35/100 000. All the cases were imported from abroad, and four species of Plasmodium were found in their blood samples. The number of falciparum malaria cases was the most (49.46%), followed by the ovale malaria cases (32.07%). All the cases were distributed in 32 counties (districts) of 11 cities, and 65.76% of them were distributed in Shanglin County. Most of the cases were male (98.37%), and those aged in 20-49 years accounted for 87.50%. The imported cases came from 14 countries of Africa (86.41%) and 2 countries of Southeast Asia (13.59%), in which, 48.37% of the cases were imported from Garner. The main occupation of the cases in abroad was gold mining work (86.96%). The cases were reported all the year around, with no obvious seasonality. The interval time of back home to attack of the patients with tertian malaria and ovale malaria was longer. CONCLUSIONS Africa and Southeast Asia is the main source of imported malaria cases in Guangxi, and the migrant workers returning home may have the risk of malaria recurrence, which should be paid enough attention to.
Intraoperative imaging for pituitary surgery

Pituitary adenomas are benign tumors that account for 10–15% of intracranial neoplasms. These tumors often are benign incidental findings, but can cause significant morbidity through excess hormone production or mass effect on the optic chiasm or other adjacent structures. Surgery via the transsphenoidal route remains the primary treatment, with craniotomy approaches reserved for more extensive tumors. Maximal safe resection is typically the goal of any surgical procedure for pituitary adenomas. A number of strategies are utilized in an effort to maximize safe adenoma resection including optimizing surgical exposure, using stereotactic navigation to confirm anatomical landmarks and predict the extent of removal (Charalampaki et al. J Clin Neurosci 16:786–789, 2009), and implementing endoscopy to provide a high-resolution panoramic view of the surgical field, but despite these approaches, incomplete tumor removal is still a potential issue.
Thermotropic liquid-crystalline properties of extended viologen bis(triflimide) salts

ABSTRACTA series of extended, symmetric viologen triflimides were synthesised by the metathesis reaction of lithium triflimide with the respective viologen tosyalates in methanol. Their chemical st...
Perfluoroalkyl Substances Increase the Membrane Permeability and Quorum Sensing Response in Aliivibrio fischeri

Perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are used in a variety of products and are ubiquitous in the environment. They have been found to associate with eukaryotic cell membranes and alter membrane properties. Bacteria are exposed to elevated concentrations of PFAS in some environments; nevertheless, the effect of PFAS exposure on microbial membranes has not yet been studied. Some quorum sensing pathways require the passive diffusion of signaling molecules through cell membranes. Quorum sensing initiates a variety of bacterial processes, such as biofilm formation and antibiotic production. If PFAS exposure increased the microbial quorum sensing response, these processes could be initiated at lower population densities, with wide-ranging ramifications for PFAS-impacted environments. This study examined the effect of perfluorinated alkyl sulfonates and carboxylates on quorum sensing in a model bacterium, Aliivibrio fischeri. Results showed that cultures exposed to PFAS were brighter after they received the signalin...
Terrorist Group Types and Tactic Choice

Using a new dataset, this study examines the role of ideology on specific operational decisions within terrorist groups, namely choice of tactic. Five groups are considered: nationalist/separatist,...
The effects of organizational commitment and harmonious passion on voluntary turnover among social workers: A mixed methods study

Abstract Voluntary turnover among Social Workers (SWs) is increasing at an alarming rate. Not only is voluntary turnover rising, but employees’ organizational commitment and harmonious passion are declining. This study explored and examined the effect organizational commitment and harmonious passion have on voluntary turnover among Child Protective Services (CPS) SWs. The study used a concurrent mixed-method design. Data collected during the quantitative phase provided information on the perceptions of SWs regarding organizational commitment, harmonious passion, and their intent to leave. The qualitative aspect of the study consisted of one-on-one interviews, which provided an opportunity for the SWs to tell their story in a meaningful way and provided a deeper explanation of their perceptions of organizational commitment, harmonious passion, voluntary turnover, and intent to leave. There were 226 SWs who completed the survey, and 29 SWs participated in an interview. The results of the study indicated organizational commitment and harmonious passion levels are low among CPS SWs who participated in the current study. The SWs of this study feel undervalued and need support and respect from CPS leaders to increase their levels of organizational commitment and harmonious passion.
Antimicrobial agents. Selection and use.

Abstract There are currently available a bewildering array of antimicrobial agents marketed in hundreds of dosage forms. Each physician has the responsibility of choosing the most effective, safest and least expensive agent for treating a given infection. To accomplish this requires some knowledge of the significant differences in these drugs. In some cases, the major difference lies in spectrum of antimicrobial activity; in others, the difference lies in some pharmacologic property such as reliability of absorption from the gastrointestinal tract or rapidity of excretion by the kidneys. Certain new antibiotics such as the semi-synthetic penicillins and cephalosporins have significantly added to the therapeutic armamentarium. Other drugs such as lincomycin and polymyxin E (colistin) are very similar to older and well-studied antimicrobial agents and do not have any significant advantages which warrant their use in preference to the older drugs.
Aerosol Spray Synthesis of Porous Molybdenum Sulfide Powder

Highly porous, nanostructured MoS2 spheres have been prepared by ultrasonic spray pyrolysis (USP), an aerosol synthesis technique.[1] An aqueous solution of ammonium tetrathiomolybdate, (NH4)2MoS4, and colloidal silica, SiO2, was ultrasonically nebulized using a household humidifier; the resulting aerosol droplets are heated in a furnace where solvent evaporation and precursor decomposition occurs, yielding a MoS2/SiO2 composite. Leaching of the colloidal SiO2 with hydrofluoric acid, HF, results in a porous, high surface area MoS2 network. The resulting material is a highly active hydrodesulfurization catalyst.
Criticity in Chaos

The first chapter of this book included commentary from Wolfgang’s (2013) online article in The Washington Times. The trolling nature of that commentary initiated reflections of popular thinking regarding education. Trolling (2013a, 2013b) in cyberspace is slang for anonymous users starting online arguments by posting inflammatory messages in an online community with the deliberate intent of provoking readers into an emotional response.
Streams, cascades, and pools: various water cluster motifs in structurally similar Ni(II) complexes

Hydrogen bonding (HB) interactions are well known to impact the properties of water in the bulk and within hydrated materials. A series of Ni(II) complexes based on chelates containing N-(2-aminoethyl)-1-methylimidazole-2-carboxamide have been synthesized and fully characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction, spectroscopic methods, and thermal analysis. The complexes reveal a variety of water cluster motifs dependent on the packing arrangement in the solid state. A key feature is the orientation of the carboxamide moiety, which leads to the formation of void spaces that accommodate water through HB interactions. The water motifs contain 1D water chains (streams), 2D tapes of infused rings (cascades), and isolated water dimers (pools). The HB motifs in the hydrated structures vary as a function of the crystal packing of the host molecules. Thermal analyses show a correlation between the HB motif in the hydrated crystals and the temperature range of the dehydration process. The conductivity of the hydrated crystals varies as a function of the crystal packing interactions between metal complexes.
Diaryl hydroxylamines as pan or dual inhibitors of indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase-1, indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase-2 and tryptophan dioxygenase

Tryptophan (Trp) catabolizing enzymes play an important and complex role in the development of cancer. Significant evidence implicates them in a range of inflammatory and immunosuppressive activities. Whereas inhibitors of indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase-1 (IDO1) have been reported and analyzed in the clinic, fewer inhibitors have been described for tryptophan dioxygenase (TDO) and indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase-2 (IDO2) which also have been implicated more recently in cancer, inflammation and immune control. Consequently the development of dual or pan inhibitors of these Trp catabolizing enzymes may represent a therapeutically important area of research. This is the first report to describe the development of dual and pan inhibitors of IDO1, TDO and IDO2.
A Sears-type self-adjointness result for discrete magnetic Schrödinger operators

Abstract In the context of a weighted graph with vertex set V and bounded vertex degree, we give a sufficient condition for the essential self-adjointness of the operator Δ σ + W , where Δ σ is the magnetic Laplacian and W : V → R is a function satisfying W ( x ) ≥ − q ( x ) for all x ∈ V , with q : V → [ 1 , ∞ ) . The condition is expressed in terms of completeness of a metric that depends on q and the weights of the graph. The main result is a discrete analogue of the results of I. Oleinik and M.A. Shubin in the setting of non-compact Riemannian manifolds.
Coiled tubing software models and field applications – A review

Abstract During the last three decades, a coiled tubing (CT) modeling software package has been continuously developed to assist in the planning and executing of global CT operations. The first models were steady state. In the past decade, these models have been extended to consider transient effects of operations as they are executed. The transient models are starting to be used to automate CT operations. The development of a computer program discussed in this article was initiated in the early 1980s to help understand the downhole flow and pressure conditions during CT operations. Utilizing multiphase rheological and frictional correlations obtained from laboratory flow loop testing, the CT flow model was extensively validated against global field data. Later, CT force and stress analysis models, considering such effects as the specific well geometry, mechanical friction, CT size, shape and material strength, were developed to predict lateral reach and assist in preventing downhole CT failures. Although the most common and simplest approach within the industry is still to use steady state models, in practice, the downhole conditions during CT operations, such as well cleaning, well unloading, well control, stimulation, cementing, underbalanced drilling with nitrified fluid, etc., are transient. Consequently, the steady state models have been extended to account for downhole transient effects at the pre-planning and execution stages of CT operations. In addition, with the advent of the state-of-the-art CT telemetry systems, it is possible to acquire the downhole data in real time and use the transient CT software model to automate and optimize CT operations, increasing their safety and efficiency. A comprehensive review of 30 years of global experience with the CT modeling software program is presented. Results and discussions regarding the extensive validation of the software against laboratory and field data are also presented. Two field cases from around the world help illustrate the transient nature of CT operations and the benefits of using the transient simulation in the pre-planning and execution stages of these operations. With the current trends within the industry leading to a shortage of experienced CT field engineers, the use of CT software models to increase the efficiency, compliance and safety of CT operations has never been as important as now.
Local FK506 delivery at the direct nerve repair site improves nerve regeneration.

Introduction The objective of this study is to assess the efficacy of local tacrolimus (FK506) delivery to improve outcomes in the setting of nerve transection injury. Methods FK506 embedded poly(lactide-co-caprolactone) films capable of extended, localized release of FK506 were developed. FK506 rate of release testing and bioactivity assay was performed. Mouse sciatic nerve transection and direct repair model was used to evaluate the effect extended, local delivery of FK506 had on nerve regeneration outcomes. Results Linear release of FK506 was observed for 30 days and released FK506 matched control levels of neurite extension in the dorsal root ganglion assay. Groups treated with local FK506 had greater gastrocnemius muscle weight, foot electromyogram, and number of axons distal of the repair site than non-FK506 groups. Discussion Results of this study indicate that extended, localized delivery of FK506 to nerve injuries can improve nerve regeneration outcomes in a mouse sciatic nerve transection and repair.
Open Problem—M/G/1 Scheduling with Preemption Delays

The problem of preemptively scheduling jobs in the M/G/1 queue to minimize mean response time is a classic problem in computer systems. Typically, one assumes that the time it takes to preempt a jo...
Educating Students about Sex Trafficking and Responding to Students’ Needs: Principals’ Perceptions and Practices

There is growing interest in educating youth about sex trafficking, coupled with a recognition that both traditional and alternative schools are promising venues for addressing sex trafficking and ...
Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Willingness to Pay for Improved Health: Evidence from the Aging Population

An important area of inquiry for economists is understanding individuals’ willingness to sacrifice current consumption of goods and services for a change in some non-market good (e.g., improvement in the environment or health), and especially how results may vary across diverse subgroups and populations. This study explores racial and ethnic disparities in willingness to pay (WTP) for improved health among an aging population sample, while also examining the impact of health status and risky health behaviors. Using contingent valuation survey data from the Health and Retirement Study (HRS) and a Heckman two-step modeling technique to correct for selection effects, findings reveal racial and ethnic disparities in absolute mean WTP but not relative mean WTP. Although minorities are more likely to have a positive WTP, they are not willing to pay increasing absolute dollar amounts for improved health. However, when compared with non-Hispanic Whites, minorities’ annual mean WTP is an higher percentage of their annual household income. In addition, while risky health behaviors do not affect WTP valuations, current morbidity affects whether or not an individual will have a positive WTP for improved health.
Empirical research on comprehensive evaluation system for evaluating the level of radiation safety culture in medical institutions

Objective To establish a safety culture evaluation model to conduct empirical research with regard to the assessment of both the radiation safety culture and management at different levels of health institutions. Methods Delphi method is used to develop a model to define the effectiveness and operational practice of safety culture system in hospitals. Results The research had achieved good reliability assessment, with Cronbach coefficient α of all indicators higher than 0.60. There were 16 hospitals with scores less than 75 (61.54%), at the primary stage of radiation safety culture, and 9 hospitals among 75-95 (34.62%), at the middle stage, only 1 hospital with score of 95.48 (3.85%), at the high grade stage. Conclusions At present, the level of radiation safety culture in medical institutions is lower as a whole. The evaluation model established in the present research is practicable to some extent and can provide reference for strengthening radiation safety management. Key words: Health institutions; Radiation safety culture; Comprehensive evaluation; Empirical research
Impact of Insurance Status on Survival Outcomes in Adults With Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL): A Single-center Experience.

Abstract Background Socioeconomic factors including race, ethnicity, and poverty level have been associated with disparities in survival among adult patients with acute leukemia. Insurance status is also likely to affect survival outcomes in these patients but has not been well studied. We investigated the impact of insurance status at time of diagnosis on survival in adult patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Patients and Methods Adult patients diagnosed with B-lineage ALL between January 1, 2007 and October 31, 2017 were included, with follow-up through January 19, 2018. Kaplan-Meier survival curves were used to estimate overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) for the 2 groups. Cox proportional hazard regression methods were used for univariate and multivariate analyses. Results A total of 136 patients were included in the study, 29 without insurance and 107 with insurance at time of diagnosis. Patients without insurance were younger and more likely to be Hispanic or Latino compared with insured patients. When controlling for confounding variables, patients without insurance had worse PFS. There was no statistically significant difference in OS between the 2 groups. Hispanic or Latino ethnicity was associated with improved PFS and OS in multivariate analyses. Conclusions Adult patients with ALL without health insurance at time of diagnosis had worse PFS when controlling for other relevant clinical factors. Lack of insurance may be an obstacle to timely, effective maintenance therapy in the outpatient setting. Further research is needed to understand how insurance status impacts survival and ways to mitigate any disparities.
Left ventricular circumferential strain and coronary microvascular dysfunction: A report from the Women's Ischemia Syndrome Evaluation Coronary Vascular Dysfunction (WISE-CVD) Project.

Abstract Aims Women with ischemia but no obstructive coronary artery disease (INOCA) often have coronary microvascular dysfunction (CMD). Left ventricular (LV) circumferential strain (CS) is often lower in INOCA compared to healthy controls; however, it remains unclear whether CS differs between INOCA women with and without CMD. We hypothesized that CS would be lower in women with CMD, consistent with CMD-induced LV mechanical dysfunction. Methods and results Cardiac magnetic resonance (cMR) images were examined from women enrolled in the Women's Ischemia Syndrome Evaluation-Coronary Vascular Dysfunction Project. CS by feature tracking in INOCA women with CMD, defined as myocardial perfusion reserve index (MPRI) Conclusion The data indicate that LV circumferential strain is related to and predicts CMD, although in a direction contrary with our hypothesis, which may represent an early sign of LV mechanical dysfunction in CMD.
Impact of a psychiatry elective on mental health stigma among pharmacy students

Abstract Background and purpose Mental health stigma among healthcare providers remains a significant barrier to patients receiving optimal care for psychiatric conditions. This study's purpose is to evaluate the impact of a psychiatry elective on pharmacy students' attitudes toward patients with mental health disorders. Educational activity and setting This study cohort included pharmacy students enrolled in a Special Topics in Psychiatry elective. Attitudes toward mental health disorders were measured at baseline (first day of class) and post-exposure (last day of class) using the 21-item Beliefs toward Mental Illness (BMI) Scale. Wilcoxon signed-rank tests were used to compare each component of the BMI scale as well as each subscale (dangerousness, poor social and interpersonal skills, and incurability) at baseline and post-exposure. Findings Fifty-eight pharmacy students (68% response rate) participated in this study. Most respondents were in their first year of the pharmacy program (44%), female (72%), and Asian (59%). There was a statistically significant decline in each BMI subscale at the end of the course: dangerousness, poor interpersonal and social skills, and incurability. There was no significant difference in mean change for the BMI sub-scores by gender, race, or personal experience with mental health disorders. Summary Incorporating a psychiatry elective into the pharmacy school curriculum can improve attitudes toward patients with mental health disorders. Future areas of research are warranted on the influence of specific components of a psychiatry elective that impact BMI scores and whether this translates to improved quality of care during clinical practice.
Human Papillomavirus-Associated Head and Neck Cancer

Oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) has historically been attributable to tobacco and alcohol exposure and saw a decline in incidence after societal norms shifted away from smoking. In recent decades, this disease has had a re-emergence due to human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, now surpassing cervical cancer as the number 1 cause of HPV-related cancer in the United States. HPV-positive OPSCC differs from HPV-negative disease in epidemiology, prognosis, treatment, and prevention. Additionally, there is a deficit in awareness of the causal relationship between HPV and OPSCC. This, coupled with low vaccination rates, puts primary care providers in a unique position to play a vital role in prevention and early diagnosis. In this review, we highlight the epidemiology, screening, patient presentation, diagnosis, prognosis, and prevention of HPV-positive OPSCC, with a focus on the primary care provider's role.
REVIEW: Power Moves: Transportation, Politics, and Development in Houston

Shelton describes the histories of Houston’s major road building projects during the 1950s and early 1960s, the voter rejection in 1973 of the Houston Area Rapid Transit Authority, and the approval in 1978 of The Metropolitan Transit Authority of Houston and Harris County (METRO), followed by development of a system of toll roads. The different outcomes of the transportation proposals in Houston, Shelton recounts, resulted in part from the actions of an increasingly effective Mexican American population and its occasional coalitions with African Americans, white middle-income people and white suburbanites. Houston is special also because it lacked a dense core and traditional zoning. It was characterized by the ‘‘absence of political machines or significant labor unions that could swing political contests [and that] meant that elites could ignore residents on most decisions.’’ As a history of urban and transportation, Power is a valuable addition to our knowledge of infrastructure decision-making. But Shelton strives to do more. He introduces the concept of ‘‘infrastructure citizenship’’ to explain outcomes.
Assessing Potential Circadian, Diurnal, and Ultradian Variations in Skin Biophysical Properties.

A variety of skin measurements are routinely made in various clinical and research settings to evaluate the skin’s biophysical properties for diagnostic and research purposes. Such measurements include transepidermal water loss (TEWL), skin pH, sebum, skin blood flow (SBF), and tissue dielectric constant (TDC) as a measure of skin water. Given the various reported circadian, diurnal, and possible ultradian and other temporal variations in skin physiological processes, it is of value to have clarity as to possible temporal variations in skin’s biophysical properties associated with such processes. It was thus the purpose of this investigation to review and detail key elements of what is currently known regarding such variations and to provide a characterization that will permit informed judgments as to the sensitivity of the timing of measurements to optimize measurement reproducibility. Understanding these variations and their possible oscillatory effects on skin biophysical properties may aid physicians in providing optimal treatment timing for dermatological conditions and offer researchers insight into optimal measurement timing. The major findings of the present investigation that systematically searched multiple databases and critically examined pertinent findings, revealed that of the several skin parameters reviewed, which included TEWL, pH, sebum, SBF, TDC, and thickness, each had at least one study describing a statistically significant within-a-day temporal change. The magnitude of these changes varied and may be large enough to be seriously considered when assessing these parameters in clinical and research settings. However, inconsistencies in reported temporal variations suggest that further systematic research is well warranted especially with respect to temporal within-a-day and day-to-day variabilities of TEWL, TDC, and mechanical properties. At present, the impact of this type of confounding variability on reported values for skin biophysical parameters is unclear and worthy of further clarification.
Linear Viscoelasticity: Review of Theory and Applications in Atomic Force Microscopy

Recently, much research has been performed involving the mechanical analysis of biological and polymeric samples with the use of Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM). Such materials require careful treatments which consider the rate-dependence of their viscoelastic response. Here, we review the fundamental theories of linear viscoelasticity, as well as their application to the analysis of AFM spectroscopy data. An outline of general viscoelastic mechanical phenomena is initially given, followed by a brief outline of AFM techniques. Then, an extensive outline of linear viscoelastic material models, as well as contact mechanics descriptions of AFM systems, are presented.
Anti-Ge3 causes late-onset hemolytic disease of the newborn: the fourth case in three Hispanic families.

Hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn (HDFN) is a rare, but significant, cause of neonatal morbidity and mortality. HDFN occurs when a maternal immunoglobulin (Ig)G antibody, directed against an antigen on fetal red blood cells (RBCs), crosses the placenta and attacks fetal RBCs, causing hemolytic anemia. Maternal antibodies develop after exposure to foreign RBC antigens, for example, via blood transfusion or via transplacental fetomaternal hemorrhage. Historically, ABO antibodies have caused the majority of mild cases of HDFN, and D alloimmunization has caused the majority of severe cases.1 The prevalence of HDFN associated with anti-D has declined with routine anti-D prophylaxis for all D– women.1 Other antibodies, such as anti-K, anti-c, and anti-E, now cause an increasingly large percentage of severe HDFN cases, although anti-D still causes the majority of them.1,2 IgG antibodies to any of the 300 RBC antigens other than ABO and Rh can also cause HDFN but are much rarer. Many of these antigens (e.g., Lub, Yta, and Vel) are not well developed on fetal RBCs or are of high prevalence so only a small percentage of the population is at risk for making these antibodies. The Gerbich blood group system consists of 11 antigens carried on RBC membrane glycophorins C (GPC) and D (GPD), proteins that help maintain RBC membrane shape and stability.3 Five of the Gerbich antigens (Ge5, Ge6, Ge7, Ge8, Ge9) are of low prevalence and have not been reported to be clinically significant.3 The other six Gerbich antigens (Ge2, Ge3, Ge4, Ge10, Ge11, Ge12) are high-prevalence antigens (found in >99.9% of the population).3 Three Gerbich-negative types have been identified: Ge:–2,3,4 (Yus type); Ge:–2,–3,4 (Gerbich type); and Ge:–2,–3,–4 (Leach type).3 Anti-Ge3 is usually IgG and reacts at the anti-human globulin phase of antibody detection tests, but IgM forms of anti-Ge3 have also been reported.3 Anti-Ge3 can cause autoimmune hemolytic anemia and alloimmune transfusion reactions3,4 but was not known to be associated with severe HDFN until recently. Two relatively recent reports described three infants who developed severe, late-onset anemia and hyperbilirubinemia up to 40 days after birth to mothers with anti-Ge3.5,6 We now report a fourth such case.