cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Duplicated facial nerve trunk with a first branchial cleft cyst

Objectives/Hypothesis First branchial cleft anomalies are rare and their various anatomical relationships to the facial nerve have been described. We encountered a 15-year-old female with a type II first branchial cleft cyst presenting as a right neck mass that we found during surgical excision to transverse two main facial nerve trunks. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of a first branchial cleft anomaly in conjunction with a duplicated facial nerve trunk. Laryngoscope, 124:662–664, 2014
Large stores and contracting for mall locations

We analyze the contracting problem between a shopping mall and potential anchors (large stores) in a market where consumers with high search costs must choose shopping destinations prior to learning prices. Our model incorporates the interaction between contracting and asymmetric firm sizes into a framework of competing platforms. The mall is but one of three potential destinations in the market, complemented by a stand-alone location for a large store, and a competitive ‘downtown’ centre occupied by small retailers. As in Dudey’s (1990) homogeneousgood framework, consumers choose to visit only one of these locations, based on expected prices at each site. A game of sequential contracting for slots at the mall determines the equilibrium distribution of firms across locations based on their costs and relative bargaining power. We analyze the eects of three policies. First, prohibition of the
Practical Suicide-Risk Management for the Busy Primary Care Physician

Suicide is a public health problem and a leading cause of death. The number of people thinking seriously about suicide, making plans, and attempting suicide is surprisingly high. In total, primary care clinicians write more prescriptions for antidepressants than mental health clinicians and see patients more often in the month before their death by suicide. Treatment of depression by primary care physicians is improving, but opportunities remain in addressing suicide-related treatment variables. Collaborative care models for treating depression have the potential both to improve depression outcomes and decrease suicide risk. Alcohol use disorders and anxiety symptoms are important comorbid conditions to identify and treat. Management of suicide risk includes understanding the difference between risk factors and warning signs, developing a suicide risk assessment, and practically managing suicidal crises.
Secondary traumatic stress among child protective service workers: Prevalence, severity and predictive factors

This study assesses the prevalence and severity of secondary traumatic stress (STS) symptoms among a sample of southern child protective service (CPS) workers. Using a survey research design, up to 37% of the respondents were found to be experiencing clinical levels of emotional distress associated with STS. In addition, levels of work exposure and work related personal trauma were found to be strongly associated with the presence of those symptoms. Preventive and interventive strategies to address these findings are suggested.
The Other Side of the Tradeoff: The Impact of Risk on Executive Compensation - A Reply

The principal-agent model of executive compensation is of central importance to the modern theory of the firm and corporate governance, yet the existing empirical evidence supporting it is quite weak. The key cross-sectional prediction of the model is that the executive's pay-performance sensitivity is decreasing in the variance of the firm's performance. We demonstrate strong empirical confirmation of this prediction using a comprehensive sample of executives at large corporations. In general, the pay-performance sensitivity for executives at firms with the least volatile stock prices is an order of magnitude greater than the pay-performance sensitivity for executives at firms with the most volatile stock prices. This result holds for both chief executive officers and for other highly compensated executives. We show that estimates of the pay-performance sensitivity that do not explicitly account for the effect of the variance of firm performance are biased strongly toward zero. We also test for relative performance evaluation of executives against the performance of other firms. We find little support for the relative performance evaluation model. Our findings suggest that executive compensation contracts are optimal with respect to risk-sharing but do not incorporate the potential informational advantages of relative performance evaluation.
Effects of Artificial Ultraviolet Radiation on Serum 25-Hydroxyvitamin D3 Concentrations in Captive Guinea Pigs (Cavia Porcellus)

Abstract Under natural conditions, guinea pigs ( Cavia porcellus ) are exposed to ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation. Although the role of UVB radiation in the photobiochemical synthesis of vitamin D is well documented in humans and other vertebrates, to date it has not been evaluated in guinea pigs. The purpose of this study was to determine whether artificial UVB radiation has an effect on serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D 3 levels in guinea pigs. A total of 12 juvenile guinea pigs were randomly assigned to 1 of 2 treatment groups: Group A was exposed to 12 hours of artificial UVB radiation (290 to 315nm) daily and Group B received ambient fluorescent light with no UVB supplementation for 12 hours/day. Blood samples were collected under anesthesia on days 0 and 18 to measure serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D 3 levels. Animals in both groups were offered the same diet. There was a significant difference in 25-hydroxyvitamin D 3 concentrations over time ( F = 399.3, P = 0.0001) and by group ( F = 63.6, P = 0.0001), with an average increase between sampling periods of 56.5nmol/L in Group A (UVB) and 2.33nmol/L in Group B (no UVB). This study represents the first attempt to measure the effect of UVB radiation on 25-hydroxyvitamin D 3 levels in guinea pigs. In vertebrates, vitamin D is an essential hormone that regulates many physiologic functions within the body. These preliminary findings confirm that guinea pigs can obtain vitamin D via photobiochemical synthesis, but additional work is needed to determine the physiologic importance of this finding and potential risks associated with UVB exposure in these rodents.
Ambulatory Medical Follow-Up in the Year After Surgery and Subsequent Survival in a National Cohort of Veterans Health Administration Surgical Patients.

Objectives Among a national cohort of surgical patients, the authors analyzed the association between medical follow-up during the first postsurgical year and survival during the second postsurgical year. Design Retrospective cohort study. Setting US Veterans Hospitals. Participants The study included adults who received surgical care in any Veterans Health Administration facility from 2006 to 2011 who were discharged within 10 days of surgery and who survived for at least 1 year postoperatively. Interventions None. Measurements and Main Results The association between the receipt of nonsurgical ambulatory medical care during the first postoperative year and the hazard of death during postsurgical year 2 was measured. Among 236,200 veterans, 93.2% received a nonsurgical medical follow-up visit in postsurgical year 1; of those, 5.1% died during postsurgical year 2. This compares with 9.4% year-2 mortality among patients lacking year-1 medical follow-up (p Conclusions Within a national cohort of US veterans who presented for surgery, those who received nonsurgical ambulatory follow-up during the first postoperative year demonstrated lower all-cause mortality in the subsequent postoperative year than those who did not receive the same type of follow-up care. Interventions focused on postoperative care coordination of outpatient medical follow-up may have the potential to improve long-term postoperative survival.
Isomer-sensitive deboronation in reductive aminations of aryl boronic acids

Deboronation is observed during the reductive amination of formylphenylboronic acid (FPBA) to the amine termini and side chains of peptides. This deboronation is sensitive to the isomerism of the boronic acid (BA), with ortho-FPBA yielding complete deboronation in the preparation of an N-terminally-modified dipeptide. The observed behavior is also clearly mediated by the chemical identity of the amine substrate. These results reveal a previously undocumented subtlety of BA functionalization and highlight the importance of thorough spectroscopic characterization in the preparation of peptide and small molecule BAs.
Why and When to Drain the Pancreatic Ductal System

The underlying assumption behind pancreatic duct drainage procedures for the relief of pain in chronic pancreatitis is the belief that in many patients pain is caused by ductal hypertension. Therefore, decompression of the pancreatic ductal system would provide pain relief.
Patient Satisfaction with Bedside Teaching Rounds Compared with Nonbedside Rounds.

Objectives Many barriers have been cited in reference to why bedside teaching rounds have decreased in frequency during graduate medical education. One perceived barrier to the use of bedside teaching rounds is a fear of it causing patient discomfort or dissatisfaction. The objective of this study was to compare patient perception of bedside versus nonbedside teaching rounds. Methods Study participants were adults admitted to a family medicine inpatient team at a large university teaching hospital. Upon admission, participants were randomized to receive bedside or nonbedside teaching rounds conducted by a team consisting of medical students, family medicine residents, and one attending physician. Each participant completed a questionnaire administered on the day of discharge assessing patients' perception of their involvement in medical decision making, trust in the medical team, satisfaction with care, and provider compassion. Statistical analysis was performed to examine any differences between the two groups. Results The vast majority of the sample indicated that they knew what they were being treated for in the hospital (n = 105, 98%), reported the medical team spent an adequate amount of time with them (n = 100, 94%), and reported the medical team explained the diagnosis and care in easy-to-understand terms (n = 101, 94%). On 1- to 5-point scales, participants reported that the medical team involved them in making decisions (4.62, standard deviation [SD] 0.72), they trusted the medical team (4.91, SD 0.32), they were satisfied with their care (4.85, SD 0.38), and their medical team was compassionate toward them (4.84, SD 0.44). Overall levels of satisfaction were positive on all of the measures, with no statistical significance between the two groups regarding measures of involvement in medical decision making, trust in the medical team, and satisfaction with care. Interestingly, subjects perceived level of compassion of their medical team to be significantly higher with a bedside teaching approach compared with a nonbedside approach. Conclusions Despite concerns that bedside teaching rounds may lead to patient discomfort, this study found no evidence supporting this perception. In fact, patients may perceive a medical team that engages in bedside teaching rounds as being more compassionate providers, supporting a patient-centered argument that teaching rounds should return to the bedside.
Interactive Online Tools for Teaching Plant Identification

Interactive review exercises were developed as an online learning component of an existing native plant landscaping course. The instruments were designed with specific goals for students to 1) test their plant identification knowledge, 2) practice leaf terminology with specific plant examples, and 3) associate landscape performance with native ecosystem characteristics. The plant identification tool was developed within a spreadsheet application using formulas consisting of logic statements. This tool tests the students’ ability to identify plants and spell scientific and common names associated with high-resolution plant images. The leaf terminology tool was developed using a multimedia platform. It uses a drag-and-drop interface where students are asked to associate a specific leaf term (i.e., margin, apex, base, texture, arrangement) with a scanned image that best matches the taxonomic term. The ecosystem tool, also developed using a multimedia platform, uses digital images captured for each of Florida’s major ecosystems in conjunction with sets of plant combinations and site characteristics. Students select the appropriate choices and submit their answers online, after which they receive immediate feedback. Students reported an improvement in plant recognition after they had access to these identification tools. These interactive learning tools not only benefit students enrolled in this specific course but can be adapted to a variety of online courses nationwide.
Dispersion interpretation from synthetic seismograms and multi-channel analysis of surface waves (MASW)

Summary Synthetic seismograms and multi-channel analysis of surface waves (MASW) enhance interpretations of a field site’s velocity characteristics. MASW layer models were numerically modeled to produce synthetic shot gathers. Iteratively updating the P- and S-wave synthetic velocity models created shot gathers with first-arrivals and Rayleighwave dispersion that closely matched field data. The resulting velocity models gave an estimation of the Vp:Vs ratio. Dispersion images generated from synthetic shot-gather subsets linked acquisition parameters to modal phenomena observed in initial processing of field data. Similar comparisons gave qualitative estimations of phase-velocity averaging over the spread-length for specific frequency bands. We suggest integrating modeling, using MASW Vs interval velocities, to differentiate between true velocity structure and transformation artifacts.
Cooling anomaly detection for servers and datacenters with Naïve ensemble

We propose a novel approach to predictive analysis of potential cooling failures in servers and datacenters in which unsupervised anomaly detection is performed in multi-dimensional temperature sensor data. A naive and obviously invalid independence assumption is employed to model the probability distribution. We provide a theoretical justification demonstrating that the approach relies on correctly comparing the probabilities estimated rather than accurate probability estimation. The approach is also justified empirically in simulation experiments for two different predictive failure analysis scenarios: identifying potentially worn-out fans based on the server component temperature sensor data and identifying computer room air-conditioner failures before hotspots arise based on server inlet temperature sensor data.
Serological survey of hepatitis B among adult population in Henan

Aim:To investigate and analyze seroepidemiology of HBV in Henan adult population. Methods:The cluster random sampling was used. A total of 17 986 people aged 15 ~ 74 years who lived in thirty districts or counties of Henan were investigated. The ELISA was used for detecting the HBV serological markers. The positive samples were detected repeatedly by the other kits produced by different company. The case-control was selected 1∶3 to analyze the risk factors. Results:The infection ratio of HBV in adults of Henan was 45. 29%,the positive ratio of HBsAg was 3. 99%,the positive ratio of anti-HBc was 44. 95%,and the positive ratio of anti-HBs was 45. 16%. 15 ~ years group had the lowest positive ratio of HBsAg( 3. 04%) and the highest anti-HBs positive ratio( 46. 08%). 55 ~ 74 years group had the highest positive ratio of HBsAg( 4. 97%) and the lowest anti-HBs positive ratio( 10. 15%). There were different linear relation between the different serological index and age. The multiple-factor analysis results showed that the infection happened in family was the main risk factor. Conclusion:The HBV infection rate of adults in Henan was declining little by little.
Non-Supportive Participatory Involvement in Eastern Europe

Political involvement in communist party states has not been well understood.1 Individual-level data, with rare exceptions, are absent as there are almost no comparative data over time regarding political behavior in communist systems. The presence of certain forms of political involvement can be gauged in communist systems. Studies concerning the USSR and East Europe have made use of the data regarding political activities, particularly of voting, membership in local soviets or people’s councils, strikes and other protest events, letters written to newspapers, and other supportive or non-supportive actions. 2
Progress in Our Understanding of the Gut Microbiome: Implications for the Clinician

The investigation of the role of the microbial communities of our gastrointestinal tract (microbiota) has accelerated dramatically in recent years thanks to rapid developments in the technologies that allow us to fully enumerate and evaluate the full complement of bacterial species and strains that normally inhabit the gut. Laboratory studies in a range of inventive animal models continue to provide insights into the role of the microbiota in health and to generate plausible hypotheses relating to its potential involvement in the pathogenesis of human disease. Studies of the composition of human gut microbiota continue to accumulate but their interpretation needs to be tempered by an appreciation of the limitations of single-point-in-time studies of fecal samples from small study populations. Nevertheless, clinically important examples of a central role for microbiota-host interactions in disease pathogenesis have emerged and many more have been postulated but await confirmation in appropriately powered and conducted studies.
Collecting in Washington's Wenatchee National Forest

(1991). Collecting in Washington's Wenatchee National Forest. Rocks & Minerals: Vol. 66, No. 4, pp. 285-285.
The Clinical Severity of Patients Diagnosed With an In-Hospital Pulmonary Embolism Following Modern, Elective Joint Arthroplasty Is Unrelated to the Location of Emboli in the Pulmonary Vasculature.

Abstract Background In the event of a postoperative pulmonary embolism (PE), it is generally believed that patients with centrally located emboli will have worse clinical symptoms than those with segmental or subsegmental ones. We studied if a relationship exists between the clinical severity at the time of PE diagnosis and the location of the emboli within the pulmonary vasculature. Methods All 269 patients who developed an in-hospital, computed tomography pulmonary angiography-proved, PE following elective total hip arthroplasty or total knee arthroplasty in our institution were studied. The clinical severity of the PE was calculated using the Pulmonary Embolism Severity Index (PESI) that classifies patients in 5 classes (class 5: most severe). All computed tomography pulmonary angiographies were re-reviewed to determine the location of the emboli within the pulmonary vasculature (central, segmental, or subsegmental—unilateral or bilateral). The association between PESI and the PE location was examined. Results The most proximal location of the emboli was central in 62, segmental in 139, and subsegmental in 68. There were 180 unilateral and 89 bilateral PE patients. There was no association between the PESI and the location of the emboli within the pulmonary vasculature ( P = .32). Patients with bilateral or unilateral lung involvement had similar PESI ( P = .78). Conclusion The PESI, a recognized, validated predictor of mortality after PE was similar in patients with central, segmental, or subsegmental PE; and in patients with unilateral or bilateral lung involvement. The present study may aid clinicians while assessing and discussing the severity of PE symptoms with patients at the time of diagnosis.
Aerospace Coolers: A 50-Year Quest for Long-Life Cryogenic Cooling in Space

Cryogenic temperatures are critical to allow infrared, gamma-ray and X-ray detectors to operate with low background noise and high sensitivity. As a result, the world’s aerospace industry has long dreamed of having the means for multiyear cryogenic cooling in space to enable long-life sensors of various forms for scientific, missile defense, and reconnaissance observations. Not long after the first Sputnik was launched into space in October 1957, engineers and scientists were actively seeking means of providing cryogenic cooling for evermore sophisticated and sensitive detectors in a variety of spectral regions. Although both passive cryoradiators and stored cryogens have provided a source of cryogenic cooling for many missions, the consistent dream of scientists and mission planners was always for a mechanical refrigerator that could achieve the temperatures of the coldest cryogens (vastly colder than possible with passive radiators) and have multiyear life without the finite life limitations of stored cryogens. The first cryocoolers in space were short-life Joule–Thomson and Stirling cryocoolers flown on both US and USSR missions around 1970. Since that time, extensive research and development of evermore sophisticated cryocoolers (Stirling, Vuilleumier, Brayton, magnetic, sorption, and pulse tube) has taken place in the world’s aerospace industry. This chapter examines the enormous progress made by the aerospace industry over the past 50 years in developing both cryostats and cryocoolers to enable the widespread use of cryogenic temperatures in space.
Kernel reconstruction methods for Doppler broadening Temperature interpolation by linear combination of reference cross sections at optimally chosen temperatures

This article establishes a new family of methods to perform temperature interpolation of nuclear interactions cross sections, reaction rates, or cross sections times the energy. One of these quantities at temperature T is approximated as a linear combination of quantities at reference temperatures (Tj). The problem is formalized in a cross section independent fashion by considering the kernels of the different operators that convert cross section related quantities from a temperature T0 to a higher temperature T namely the Doppler broadening operation. Doppler broadening interpolation of nuclear cross sections is thus here performed by reconstructing the kernel of the operation at a given temperature T by means of linear combination of kernels at reference temperatures (Tj). The choice of the L2 metric yields optimal linear interpolation coefficients in the form of the solutions of a linear algebraic system inversion. The optimization of the choice of reference temperatures (Tj) is then undertaken so as to best reconstruct, in the L sense, the kernels over a given temperature range [Tmin,Tmax]. The performance of these kernel reconstruction methods is then assessed in light of previous temperature interpolation methods by testing them upon isotope 238U. Temperature-optimized free Doppler kernel reconstruction significantly outperforms all previous interpolation-based methods, achieving 0.1% relative error on temperature interpolation of 238U total cross section over the temperature range [300K,3000K] with only 9 reference temperatures. Developed cross section independent methods to perform temperature interpolation as L2 kernel reconstruction optimization problems.A cross section is approximated as a linear combination of reference temperatures cross sections.L2 norm is physically justified, yielding formulae for optimal interpolation coefficients.Optimal reference temperature grids are developed.Kernel reconstruction significantly outperforms previous temperature interpolation methods.
Target Detection Capability of the Active Sonar System

In this chapter, we will begin to examine the active sonar capabilities of dolphins by considering their target detection capabilities. However, it will be helpful to first take a short excursion and consider the reflection of acoustic energy by underwater targets and the application of the sonar equation to dolphin target detection. The subject of acoustic scattering by targets under water is an extremely complicated one, with physical processes often described by extremely complex mathematical functions and operations. This topic has been the subject of much research since the end of World War II. A good review of some of the modem research on acoustic scattering has been written by Neubauer (1986). Even after much intensive research, only problems involving simple geometrical shapes such as spheres, cylinders, spheroids, and plates are well understood and have lent themselves to some form of analytical solution. In the next section we will examine the acoustic backscatter from spheres and cylinders in order to gain an appreciation of the complex nature of echoes from targets.
The Marketization of Bollywood

Who has not heard the name Bollywood? It boasts of a worldwide audience spanning across almost six continents (3.3 million in North America, 2.3 million in the United Kingdom, 2.6 million in the Gu...
The Impact of Climate Change on Hazardous Convective Weather in the United States: Insight from High-Resolution Dynamical Downscaling

AbstractThis study explores the potential impact anthropogenic climate change may have upon hazardous convective weather (HCW; i.e., tornadoes, large hail, and damaging wind gusts) in the United States. Utilizing the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) Model, high-resolution (4 km) dynamically downscaled simulations of the Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory Climate Model, version 3 (GFDL CM3), are produced for a historical (1971–2000) and future (2071–2100) period. Synthetic HCW day climatologies are created using upward vertical velocity (UVV) exceeding 22 m s−1 as a proxy for HCW occurrence and subsequently compared to the environmental approach of estimating changes in daily frequency of convective environments favorable for HCW (NDSEV) from the driving climate model. Results from the WRF simulations demonstrate that the proxy for HCW becomes more frequent by the end of the twenty-first century, with the greatest absolute increases in daily frequency occurring during the spring and summer. Compar...
Understanding the association between discrimination and depression among sexual minority people of color: Evidence for diminishing returns of socioeconomic advantage

Objective To examine the differential association of heterosexism and racism on depression as moderated by socioeconomic status (SES) among sexual minority people of color. Method A cross-sectional sample of sexual minority people of color (n = 170) was surveyed on their experiences of heterosexism, racism, depression, and SES in a national online study based in the United States. Results Bivariately, SES was inversely associated with depression, racism, and heterosexism. Moderation analyses found that for individuals with less socioeconomic advantage, the associations between heterosexism and depression were not as strong. However, at higher socioeconomic advantage, heterosexism was more strongly positively associated with depression. Conclusion These results suggest that the effects of discrimination on depression in sexual minority individuals of color may be accentuated at higher socioeconomic levels. Implications suggest helping sexual minority clients of color from higher SES backgrounds explore the effects of discrimination on their mental health.
The Myspace-Ag Agreement: A Model Code of Conduct for Social Networking?

The agreement between MySpace and 49 state Attorney Generals, which contains several Principles of Social Networking, is a major step forward for online safety. Specifically, these involve technical tools, educational efforts, improved law enforcement cooperation, and the creation of an Internet Safety Technical Task Force. Indeed, many of the principles in the agreement could form a potential model code of conduct that other social networking sites could adopt.However, some initiatives of concern include the proposed child e-mail registry, where parents would submit addresses that would subsequently be barred from opening a MySpace account, raising questions regarding privacy and security. The registry could also be easily circumvented by simply acquiring an alternate e-mail address. The proposed Task Force must not be a rubber stamp for age verification mandates, as some AGs seemed to imply. Age verification is a complicated technical issue, and it also has profound implications for privacy and freedom of speech.While the actions taken by MySpace and the Attorneys General to promote online safety do much to subdue the concerns of parents and policymakers, parents need to both monitor their children's activities online and use the many technical and educational tools now at their disposal. If for whatever reason, parents are not taking advantage of these tools and options, their inaction should not be used to justify government regulation as a surrogate for household choice / parental responsibility.
Abstract 15175: A Study Analyzing the Effect of Using Accelerometer in a Lifestyle Intervention Program

Introduction: With about 59% of the entire US population currently in the work force, there is much more emphasis on worksite-based interventions to improve health. The present study aimed to verif...
CORONARY ANGIOGRAPHY IN THE DIAGNOSIS OF ANOMALOUS RIGHT CORONARY ARTERY

Anomalous coronary arteries represent a rare but significant cause of morbidity and mortality amongst active adults A 46 year old male with no significant past medical history presented with exertional chest pain and worsening exercise tolerance for the past year. He was an active firefighter and
Pilot for the Implementation of a Telemedicine Program (Home Video Visits) at an ALS Center of Excellence (P2.063)

Objective: To demonstrate the feasibility of a telemedicine program in an ALS center. Background: Increasing physical disability and geographic distance from centers can limit the access of ALS patients to specialized care. Telemedicine improves access, but start-up cost and technical limitations may prevent more widespread utilization. Design/Methods: A telemedicine pilot was initiated at a single center. An existing enterprise platform (Microsoft Lync) was used. The mobile app for Lync (Skype for Business) was downloaded for free by participants. Availability of high-speed home Internet, email and phone access and a personal device with camera were required. Patient education about the pilot and technical set-up were developed. Workflows were created to triage telemedicine visits with patients. An encounter-type request was submitted to the EMR and billing departments. Results: Twelve patients and three providers (physicians, nutritionist) participated in the pilot. One patient terminated participation due to technical difficulties and fatigue. Technical difficulties occurred in all other test encounters as well, but were readily resolved. Technical challenges were related to personal device set-up, Internet connectivity at home, handling of devices, and use of video/volume controls during videoconferencing. Patients and providers reported high levels of satisfaction with the availability of telemedicine. Visits effectively addressed sensitive issues (advance directives and end of life care), but required adjustments in the process of care delivery (reading caretaker emotions off-screen, maintaining eye contact, etc.). Conclusions: It is feasible to create a telemedicine program prototype with minimal start-up cost. Technical and disease-specific barriers require ongoing, rapid-cycle adaptations. Satisfaction of participants in this pilot was high. Charge capture is essential for financial sustainability. We plan a randomized-controlled research study to investigate the impact of telemedicine on quality of care, patient and caregiver satisfaction and cost of care. Disclosure: Dr. Maiser has nothing to disclose. Dr. Molnar has nothing to disclose. Dr. Rossini has nothing to disclose. Dr. Spaeth has nothing to disclose. Dr. Meeks has nothing to disclose. Dr. Moua has nothing to disclose. Dr. Esse has nothing to disclose. Dr. Tiryaki has nothing to disclose.
Synthesis of VERCORS and Phebus data in severe accident codes and applications.

The Phebus and VERCORS data have played an important role in contemporary understanding and modeling of fission product release and transport from damaged LWR fuel. The data from these test programs have allowed improvement of MELCOR modeling of release and transport processes for both low enrichment uranium fuel as well as high burnup and MOX fuels. The following paper describes the derivation, testing and incorporation of improved radionuclide release models into the MELCOR severe accident code.
Extreme Precipitation Estimation Using Satellite-Based PERSIANN-CCS Algorithm

The need for frequent observations of precipitation is critical to many hydrological applications. The recently developed high resolution satellite-based precipitation algorithms that generate precipitation estimates at sub-daily scale provide a great potential for such purpose. This chapter describes the concept of developing high resolution Precipitation Estimation from Remotely Sensed Information using Artificial Neural Networks-Cloud Classification System (PERSIANN-CCS). Evaluation of PERSIANN-CCS precipitation is demonstrated through the extreme precipitation events from two hurricanes: Ernesto in 2006 and Katrina in 2005. Finally, the global near real-time precipitation data service through the UNESCO G-WADI data server is introduced. The query functions for viewing and accessing the data are included in the chapter.
Comparison of radiological tests in the detection of presellar meningiomas

Twenty-nine cases of presellar meningiomas were reviewed to determine the value of each of several radiological tests in the detection of these tumors. Tumor size was correlated with the test results. Skull films and brain scans were false negative in a significant number, particularly in the group of tumors of less than 2 cm in height. Pneumoencephalograms and carotid angiograms were positive in all cases studied except for one anterior clinoid meningioma detected only by sellar polytomography. Tumor stain was noted on 75% of angiograms and tumor vascular supply was analyzed. These high rates of detection were believed to be due to the use of stereoscopic subtractions of selective internal and external carotid angiograms and the use of tomography during pneumoencephalography.
Fast And Robust Recursive Filter for Image Denoising

Image denoising on mobile cameras requires low complexity, but many state-of-the-art denoising methods are computationally intensive. We present a low complexity denoising algorithm using an edge-aware recursive filter (RF). We make two contributions. First, we modify the original RF so that it is significantly more robust when estimating the gradients from noisy inputs. We extend the RF to high-order for texture and heavy noise images. Second, we introduce a SURE-based image fusion technique. We show that while individual RFs have different performance, the fused result is often better. Experimental results show that the new RF performs much faster than other denoisers while providing good quality images.
Abstracts From the Proceedings of the 2013 Annual Meeting of the Association for Surgical Education (ASE)

Thirty of 89 submitted abstracts were selected for podium presentation at the 33rd annual meeting of the Association for Surgical Education (ASE), held in Orlando, Florida, from April 23 to 25, 201...
Tiered Spectrum Measurement Markets for Joint Licensed and Unlicensed Secondary Access

We consider a three-tier spectrum sharing framework, recently adopted in the United States for the Citizens Broadband Radio Service, which enables commercial users to share this spectrum with the incumbent users. This sharing can be further assisted by environmental sensing capability operators (ESCs) that monitor the spectrum occupancy to determine when the incumbents are absent. Two key aspects of this framework that impact how spectrum access firms (SAs) using this spectrum may compete are the differences in information provided by different ESCs and how different firms bundle their services using the licensed and unlicensed band. We show that if the SAs tend to use the unlicensed band more, they will prefer to obtain information from different ESCs. On the other hand, if one of the SAs uses the licensed band more, both the SAs tend to obtain information from the same ESC. If both the SAs tend to differ more in accessing the unlicensed bandwidth, they tend to obtain information from the same ESC more. Our analysis reveals that regulation is required if there is a single ESC, as the unlicensed spectrum may be unused if the user's valuation is high.
What Women Want: Factors Impacting Contraceptive Satisfaction in Privately Insured Women.

Abstract Purpose To identify factors associated with high contraceptive method satisfaction among privately insured, adult women in Pennsylvania. Methods We used cross-sectional survey data collected in 2014 from 874 privately insured women participating in the MyNewOptions study who were currently using contraception. Binomial logistic regression assessed the relationship of contraceptive attributes, attitudes, and sociodemographic variables with contraceptive method satisfaction. Findings More than one-half of the analytic sample (53%) was “very satisfied” with their current contraceptive method. The strongest predictors of high method satisfaction were having a method that was easy to use (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 2.65; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.79–3.91), high perceived method effectiveness (aOR, 2.52; 95% CI, 1.68–3.78), cost not being a factor in method selection (aOR, 2.88; 95% CI, 2.08–4.00), and not being troubled by side effects (aOR, 2.27; 95% CI, 1.54–3.34). In contrast with previous studies, long-acting reversible contraception (i.e., intrauterine devices and contraceptive implant) was not independently associated with high method satisfaction, but other hormonal methods were (versus nonprescription methods; aOR, 2.48; 95% CI, 1.65–3.75). Conclusions The strongest predictors of high method satisfaction were having a method that was easy to use and effective and for which cost was not a factor in method selection.
Instructional Practices of Part-Time Faculty at Two-Year Institutions: Observations and Implications

This paper attempts to shed more light on the teaching practices of part-time faculty members and their impacts on community college students. It has been found that part-time faculty members employ traditional teaching practices compared to full-time faculty members. These teaching practices have, to varying degrees, negative effects on community college students. It has also been found that some of the compelling factors that hinder part-time faculty from utilizing effective teaching practices are institutional and departmental policies and practices. This paper identifies some gaps in the literature and calls future studies. It delineates a couple of recommendations aiming at improving the teaching practices of part-time faculty as well as their working condition.
Exploring our solar system with CubeSats and SmallSats: the dawn of a new era

We are on the threshold of a new era in robotic exploration of our solar system, one in which CubeSats and SmallSats will play an important role. As the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)’s lead center for robotic solar system exploration, JPL has a strategic interest in these new capabilities that enable planetary scientists to expand our knowledge of how our solar system formed, how it works, and even how life originated. In November 2018, JPL’s two Mars Cube One (MarCO) spacecraft, launched with the InSight Discovery mission, made history as they flew past Mars. This first pair of interplanetary CubeSats navigated their way independently to Mars to provide a relay capability for the InSight lander back to Earth. Lunar Flashlight and Near-Earth Asteroid Scout, two CubeSats that are currently under development, will form part of the ‘swarm’ of CubeSats escorted onto a lunar trajectory by NASA’s Artemis-1 mission—the first launch of its new Space Launch System (SLS) rocket. This paper provides an overview of these and other CubeSat and SmallSat mission developments at JPL from the author’s perspective. It is intended to inspire others to follow the trail blazed by these pioneering missions.
Dual targeting of TGF-β and PD-L1 via a bifunctional anti-PD-L1/TGF-βRII agent: status of preclinical and clinical advances.

Immunosuppressive entities in the tumor microenvironment (TME) remain a major impediment to immunotherapeutic approaches for a majority of patients with cancer. While the immunosuppressive role of transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) in the TME is well known, clinical studies to date with anti-TGF-β agents have led to limited success. The bifunctional agent bintrafusp alfa (previously designated M7824) has been developed in an attempt to address this issue. Bintrafusp alfa consists of an IgG1 targeting programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) moiety fused via peptide linkers to the extracellular domain of two TGF-β receptor II molecules designed to ‘trap’ TGF-β in the TME. This agent is able to bring the TGF-β trap to the TME via its anti-PD-L1 component, thus simultaneously attacking both the immunosuppressive PD-L1 and TGF-β entities. A number of preclinical studies have shown bintrafusp alfa capable of (1) preventing or reverting TGF-β-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition in human carcinoma cells; this alteration in tumor cell plasticity was shown to render human tumor cells more susceptible to immune-mediated attack as well as to several chemotherapeutic agents; (2) altering the phenotype of natural killer and T cells, thus enhancing their cytolytic ability against tumor cells; (3) mediating enhanced lysis of human tumor cells via the antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity mechanism; (4) reducing the suppressive activity of Treg cells; (5) mediating antitumor activity in numerous preclinical models and (6) enhancing antitumor activity in combination with radiation, chemotherapy and several other immunotherapeutic agents. A phase I clinical trial demonstrated a safety profile similar to other programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1)/PD-L1 checkpoint inhibitors, with objective and durable clinical responses. We summarize here preclinical and emerging clinical data in the use of this bispecific and potentially multifunctional agent.
The Incremental Predictive Information Associated with Using Theoretical New Keynesian DSGE Models vs. Simple Linear Econometric Models

In this paper we construct output gap and inflation predictions using a variety of dynamic stochastic general equilibrium (DSGE) sticky price models. Predictive density accuracy tests related to the test discussed in Corradi and Swanson [Journal of Econometrics (2005a), forthcoming] as well as predictive accuracy tests due to Diebold and Mariano [Journal of Business and Economic Statistics (1995), Vol. 13, pp. 253–263]; and West [Econometrica (1996), Vol. 64, pp. 1067–1084] are used to compare the alternative models. A number of simple time-series prediction models (such as autoregressive and vector autoregressive (VAR) models) are additionally used as strawman models. Given that DSGE model restrictions are routinely nested within VAR models, the addition of our strawman models allows us to indirectly assess the usefulness of imposing theoretical restrictions implied by DSGE models on unrestricted econometric models. With respect to predictive density evaluation, our results suggest that the standard sticky price model discussed in Calvo [Journal of Monetary Economics (1983), Vol. XII, pp. 383–398] is not outperformed by the same model augmented either with information or indexation, when used to predict the output gap. On the other hand, there are clear gains to using the more recent models when predicting inflation. Results based on mean square forecast error analysis are less clear-cut, although the standard sticky price model fares best at our longest forecast horizon of 3 years, it performs relatively poorly at shorter horizons. When the strawman time-series models are added to the picture, we find that the DSGE models still fare very well, often outperforming our forecast competitions, suggesting that theoretical macroeconomic restrictions yield useful additional information for forming macroeconomic forecasts.
Toward Hybrid Relational-Normative Models of Robot Cognition

Most previous work on enabling robots' moral competence has used norm-based systems of moral reasoning. However, a number of limitations to norm-based ethical theories have been widely acknowledged. These limitations may be addressed by role-based ethical theories, which have been extensively discussed in the philosophy of technology literature but have received little attention within robotics. My work proposes a hybrid role/norm-based model of robot cognitive processes including moral cognition.
Frankenstein: a creation of artificial intelligence?

Throughout Mary Shelley’s early life, she was exposed to numerous well-known and influential people regarding cultural, political, and socio-economic matters. As she began writing, these influences undoubtedly played a role in her narrative. Her novel, Frankenstein, written during the time of the first Industrial Revolution in Britain, was one such novel that exhibited her political and economic influences through science fiction. This article addresses many of those influences, including the introduction of the machine into manufacturing. It further addresses how Frankenstein’s Monster may have been one of the first created forms of artificial intelligence (AI). We further expound upon many economic concepts that have persisted through time and are relevant today given the faciliatory aspects, as well as the uncertainty, of AI. We relate these through the literary piece Frankenstein to explore how a two-century-year-old tale provides a blueprint for understanding the conflict among humans and machines and provides a roadmap for harmonization in the past, present, and future.
University students experience the COVID-19 induced shift to remote instruction.

The COVID-19 pandemic required an abrupt shift from face-to-face to online instruction for many students in higher education in the United States. Prior research has raised some concerns about both equitable access to online courses, and the quality of instruction in online courses compared to face-to-face courses. This survey study included a retrospective pretest approach to comparing students experiences before and after the transition to online instruction. The sample of 1731 students ranged across all available topics of study and all class standings from first-year students to doctoral students at a R1: Doctoral Universities—Very High Research Activity university according to the Carnegie classifications. Quality of instruction was addressed through the three principles of Universal Design for Learning. Students reported that most areas of quality of instruction were poorer after the transition, with having Engagement dropping by the largest effect size. However, Representation showed a small effect of improvement following the transition. Students who preferred online instruction reported less loss of instructional quality. Similarly, students eligible for disability services also reported less loss of instructional quality. Doctoral students reported significantly poorer access on multiple measures compared to all four years of undergraduate students’ standings. Results are discussed in terms of patterns, exceptions, effect sizes, and recommendations for future research.
A Brief Interlude

The people of Haiti and St. Dominique have always known that Joseph and Mary were too smart to stay in an inn where Herod’s men could easily find them. No, as early as 1780 a mambo, a priestess of the island and the slave of a plantation owner, told an adolescent boy who worked in the cane field next to her that Mary and Joseph wisely hid in a cave.