cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Intervention to Reduce Misperception

Publisher Summary Intervention to reduce misperception is an approach to reversing misperception of sleep and misperception of daytime functioning. There is a significant subgroup of patients who accurately perceive their sleep and daytime dysfunction. One should tread gently with the approaches suggested in this chapter in case the patient falls into this group; these interventions then cease to be relevant. There is a significant subgroup of people with insomnia who display a tendency toward misperceiving their sleep. Specifically, they perceive that they have slept significantly less than they have actually slept. Also, people often assume that they can accurately gauge the quality of their sleep by how they feel on waking. Using feelings on waking to judge sleep quality is likely to lead to erroneous conclusions, as these feelings may be influenced by many factors. Patients often notice that if the day ahead involves challenges at the office, they feel worse on waking relative to if the day ahead involves a relaxing and fun outing with good friends. Moreover, for 3–20 minutes immediately on waking there is a period, known as sleep inertia, which is a transitional state between sleep and waking. During this time most people feel very tired, and experience body sensations such as a sore, heavy head and tired, heavy eyes. Monitoring at this time can lead to misinterpretations of normal feelings of tiredness on waking. The approach to reducing misperception of sleep and daytime functioning described in the chapter makes use of natural opportunities and behavioral experiments.
Apprehensive about retirement: Women, life transitions, and relationships

Understanding women's attitudes toward retirement is crucial for being able to help women adjust to this transition. The present study uses interviews and questionnaires to understand retirement ambivalence and the role that close relationships play in women's retirement experiences. Findings indicate that women have mixed feelings about retirement; they are both excited and fearful. They particularly enjoy the freedom and control this transition brings but are also moderately fearful of retirement, especially about shifting relationships. A better-quality relationship correlates with greater satisfaction and less fear. Such insights can be used to help women prepare for this major transition.
Utility-Based Scheduling for Periodic Tasks with Multiple Parallelization Options

Modern cloud computing systems have been using multiple processing units on servers to increase their processing capability. Recently, applications with multiple parallelization options have been witnessed, and serve as a promising model for efficiently utilizing the processing capacity of the system. In this paper, we consider utility-based scheduling for periodic multisegment tasks with multiple parallelization options on platforms with multiple homogeneous processing units. Our goal is to maximize the system's overall utility achieved by scheduling the tasks. We show that the problem is closely related to another problem, which minimizes the density of each task separately. We consider two typical types of utility models, namely, a uniform utility model, where all tasks have equal utility, and a general utility model, where all tasks have different utility values. For the uniform utility model, we give the optimal solution for selecting and scheduling tasks. For the general utility model, we prove that the problem can be reduced to the classic 0-1 knapsack problem, and thus is NP-complete, we then provide the Fully Polynomial Time Approximation Scheme (FPTAS) for the problem. FPTAS algorithms are known for high time complexity, especially if we want to achieve near-optimal solutions. We then provide a simple 1/2 approximation algorithm based on a greedy strategy with significantly reduced time complexity. Simulations show that tasks with multiple parallelization options can improve system utility significantly, comparisons show that the 1/2 approximation algorithm can achieve near-optimal solutions under general conditions.
Involvement of the CXCL12 System in the Stimulatory Effects of Prenatal Exposure to High-Fat Diet on Hypothalamic Orexigenic Peptides and Behavior in Offspring

Exposure to a high fat diet (HFD) during gestation stimulates neurogenesis and expression of hypothalamic orexigenic neuropeptides that affect consummatory and emotional behaviors. With recent studies showing a HFD to increase inflammation, this report investigated the neuroinflammatory chemokine, CXCL12, and compared the effects of prenatal CXCL12 injection to those of prenatal HFD exposure, first, by testing whether the HFD affects circulating CXCL12 in the dam and the CXCL12 system in the offspring brain, and then by examining whether prenatal exposure to CXCL12 itself mimics the effects of a HFD on hypothalamic neuropeptides and emotional behaviors. Our results showed that prenatal exposure to a HFD significantly increased circulating levels of CXCL12 in the dam, and that daily injections of CXCL12 induced a similar increase in CXCL12 levels as the HFD. In addition, prenatal HFD exposure significantly increased the expression of CXCL12 and its receptors, CXCR4 and CXCR7, in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN) of the offspring. Finally, the results revealed strong similarities in the effects of prenatal HFD and CXCL12 administration, which both stimulated neurogenesis and enkephalin (ENK) expression in the PVN, while having inconsistent or no effect in other regions of the hypothalamus, and also increased anxiety as measured by several behavioral tests. These results focus attention specifically on the CXCL12 chemokine system in the PVN of the offspring as being possibly involved in the stimulatory effects of prenatal HFD exposure on ENK-expressing neurons in the PVN and their associated changes in emotional behavior.
Impact of Hospital Context on Transitioning Patients From Hospital to Skilled Nursing Facility: A Grounded Theory Study

Background Twenty-five percentage of patients who are transferred from hospital settings to skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) are rehospitalized within 30 days. One significant factor in poorly executed transitions is the discharge process used by hospital providers. Objective The objective of this study was to examine how health care providers in hospitals transition care from hospital to SNF, what actions they took based on their understanding of transitioning care, and what conditions influence provider behavior. Design Qualitative study using grounded dimensional analysis. Participants Purposive sample of 64 hospital providers (15 physicians, 31 registered nurses, 8 health unit coordinators, 6 case managers, 4 hospital administrators) from 3 hospitals in Wisconsin. Approach Open, axial, and selective coding and constant comparative analysis was used to identify variability and complexity across transitional care practices and model construction to explain transitions from hospital to SNF. Key results Participants described their health care systems as being Integrated or Fragmented. The goal of transition in Integrated Systems was to create a patient-centered approach by soliciting feedback from other disciplines, being accountable for care provided, and bridging care after discharge. In contrast, the goal in Fragmented Systems was to move patients out quickly, resulting in providers working within silos with little thought as to whether or not the next setting could provide for patient care needs. In Fragmented Systems, providers achieved their goal by rushing to complete the discharge plan, ending care at discharge, and limiting access to information postdischarge. Conclusions Whether a hospital system is Integrated or Fragmented impacts the transitional care process. Future research should address system level contextual factors when designing interventions to improve transitional care.
Chromosomes and cancer: chromatin's re-awakening

The terms cytogenetic, karyotypic and chromosomal will be used interchangeably, though it is realized that subtle and possibly significant differences may exist in the application and meaning of these terms. However, common usage during the years has led to an almost interchangeable application of these adjectives to similar, if not identical, phenomena.
User-friendly finite element design of main entries, barrier pillars, and bleeder entries

Abstract This contribution describes development and application of a user-friendly finite element program, UT3PC, to address three important problems in underground coal mine design: (1) safety of main entries, (2) barrier pillar size needed for entry protection, and (3) safety of bleeder entries during the advance of an adjacent longwall panel. While the finite element method is by far the most popular engineering design tool of the digital age, widespread use by the mining community has been impeded by the relatively high cost of and the need for lengthy specialized training in numerical methods. Implementation of UT3PC overcomes these impediments in three easy steps. First, a material properties file is prepared for the considered site. Next, mesh generation is automatic through an interactive process. A third and last step is simply execution of the program. Examples using data from several western coal mines illustrate the ease of using the application for analysis of main entries, barrier pillars, and bleeder entry safety.
PAH/Aromatic Tar and Coke Precursor Formation in the Early Stages of Triglyceride (Triolein) Pyrolysis.

There has been a limited understanding of high MW polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) product chemistry in the pyrolysis of triglycerides (TGs), though the subject has important implications for both fuel production from TGs and food science. Previous TG pyrolysis studies have been able to identify only relatively low MW GC-elutable aromatics occurring in the bulk liquid phase; products occurring in the solid phase have remained inaccessible to chemical analysis. In contrast, cold gas expansion molecular beam methods, where pyrolysis products are analyzed in real time as they are entrained in gas expansions, remove product collection difficulties, thereby allowing for analysis of coke/tar PAH precursors. In this study, the model TG triolein was heated and the ensuing products in the molecular beam were soft photoionized, enabling time-of-flight mass detection. Use of 266 nm pulses enabled selective photoionization of aromatic products. Unlike previous work on analysis of the liquid phase TG cracking pro...
OP III – 3 Using satellite observations to estimate exposure to flaring: implications for future studies of the health impacts of unconventional oil and gas operations

Background/aim Unconventional oil and gas (UOG) operations may increase exposure to hazardous air pollutants and several studies suggest they can harm the health of nearby residents. However, research is hampered by a lack of data on pollutant emissions from drilling sites and few studies have examined the potential health impacts of flaring, the common practice of combusting petroleum waste products on site. Methods We utilise a novel remote sensing data source to estimate exposure to flaring among residents of the Eagle Ford Shale region of Texas, U.S. This rural region has experienced a roughly tenfold increase in oil and gas production since 2010 and is the highest oil-producing and fourth highest gas-producing region in the U.S. We investigate the potential of the VIIRS Nightfire product – which includes satellite observations of infrared radiation at night from combustion sources – to characterise exposure to flaring and compare estimates of exposure to UOG operations derived from VIIRS and those derived from more traditional data sources (permit and self-reported production data) that have been used in previous epidemiological studies. Results Nearly 8 00 000 people live less than 5 km from one or more of the 22 000 active, permitted UOG wells in the study region. Nighttime infrared observations from VIIRS confirm reports of extensive flaring in close proximity to homes. We construct VIIRS-derived indices to characterise exposure to flaring based on residential proximity to flaring locations, flaring frequency and duration, temperature of combustion, and areal extent. We discuss the strengths and limitations of these measures for estimating air pollutant emissions, and the implications of this exposure assessment method for future epidemiological research on the health impacts of UOG operations. Conclusion While previous studies have relied on self-reported information on the location, timing, and productivity of oil and gas extraction activities, careful processing of VIIRS observations can provide novel, objective estimates of exposure to flaring that are likely better capture exposure to air pollutants resulting from UOG operations.
Microaggression, anxiety, trigger warnings, emotional reasoning, mental filtering, and intellectual homogeneity on campus: A study of what students think

ABSTRACTCollege campus life is changing based on pressures to create safe environments for students to learn. Much of this change has been outlined in an article by Lukianoff and Haidt entitled “The Coddling of the American Mind.” The authors of the present article asked 188 students from two universities if microaggressions, trigger warnings, emotional reasoning, and mental filtering are prevalent on campus and whether colleges are promoting these concepts. The results show that the majority of students believe that universities must change the way these concepts are addressed to prevent intellectual homogeneity and to adequately prepare them for their business professions.
Young Adult Eating and Food-Purchasing Patterns: Food Store Location and Residential Proximity

Background Young adulthood is a critical age for weight gain, yet scant research has examined modifiable contextual influences on weight that could inform age-appropriate interventions. Purpose The aims of this research included describing where young adults eat and purchase food, including distance from home, and estimating the percentage of eating/purchasing locations contained within GIS-generated buffers traditionally used in research. Methods Forty-eight participants (aged 18–23 years, n =27 women) represented diverse lifestyle groups. Participants logged characteristics of all eating/drinking occasions (including location) occurring over 7 days ( n =1237) using PDAs. In addition, they recorded addresses for stores where they purchased food to bring home. Using GIS, estimates were made of distances between participants' homes and eating/purchasing locations. Data collection occurred in 2008–2009 and data analysis occurred in 2010. Results Among participants living independently or with family ( n =36), 59.1% of eating occasions were at home. Away-from-home eating locations averaged 6.7 miles from home; food-shopping locations averaged 3.1 miles from home. Only 12% of away-from-home eating occasions fell within -mile residential buffers, versus 17% within 1 mile and 34% within 2 miles. In addition, 12%, 19%, and 58% of shopping trips fell within these buffers, respectively. Results were similar for participants residing in dormitories. Conclusions Young adults often purchase and eat food outside of commonly used GIS-generated buffers around their homes. This suggests the need for a broader understanding of their food environments.
Identification of a mutation in the structural alpha-L-fucosidase gene in fucosidosis.

Fucosidosis is an autosomal recessive lysosomal storage disorder characterized by progressive neurological deterioration and mental retardation. The disease results from deficient activity of alpha-L-fucosidase (E.C.3.2.1.51), a lysosomal enzyme that hydrolyzes fucose from fucoglycoconjugates. In an attempt to identify the mutation(s) that result(s) in fucosidosis, we performed Southern blot analysis of the structural gene encoding alpha-L-fucosidase (FUCA 1) in 23 patients affected with fucosidosis. In five patients Southern blot analysis showed obliteration of an EcoRI restriction site in the open reading frame of FUCA 1 encoding mature alpha-L-fucosidase. This abnormality was not observed in 80 controls, and it may be the basic defect responsible for fucosidosis in these patients. Both patients with the severe type I form of fucosidosis and patients with the less severe type II were shown to be homozygous for this presumed mutation. In the remaining 18 patients the EcoRI site obliteration, major-gene deletions, or insertions were not detected. This suggests that at least two different mutations are involved in fucosidosis. The heterogeneity found at the DNA level was not present at the protein level, as all fucosidosis patients investigated had low fucosidase protein (less than 6% of normal) and negligible fucosidase activity in fibroblasts and lymphoblastoid cell lines.
Eliminating the Achievement Gap: The 21ST Century Program:

According to professor of psychology Claude Steele, practices such as support services for so-called at-risk students and the sidelining of minority interests in university life can actually underm...
Talent alone is not enough: lessons learned in a decade as chief.

Purpose of review In this review, we explore the change in what is required for outstanding and successful clinical practice and the challenges of putting our teams in positions to succeed. Recent findings We review the benefits of sleep in the training of physicians, acknowledge the science and practice of quality, safety, professionalism and communication in clinical practice. Summary The talented physician has more than scientific knowledge and technical expertise; they must incorporate a commitment to patient safety, personal and colleague well being and a culture that is built on values of professional behavior.
Book Review: Musicians in Transit by Matthew Karush and The Tango Machine by Morgan Luker

Matthew Karush. Musicians in Transit: Argentina and the Globalization of Popular Music . Duke University Press, 2017 Morgan Luker. The Tango Machine: Musical Culture in the Age of Expediency . University of Chicago Press, 2016 These two original works on Argentina’s music history and tango
Teaching Asp.Net in an Information Systems Curriculum

The challenge of providing computer science graduates with the optimal balance between the old and new technology is a never ending process. This paper introduces Microsoft's ASP.Net technology which can be used as a bridge to integrate mainframe and client/server technologies. The paper also describes practical ways to use this bridge technology in the classroom and discusses our experiences using ASP.NET in a recent course.
Pre-clinical magnetic resonance imaging of retroplacental clear space throughout gestation.

Abstract Introduction Visualization of the retroplacental clear space (RPCS) may provide critical insight into the development of abnormally invasive placenta (AIP). In this pre-clinical study, we characterized the appearance of the RPCS on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) during the second half of gestation using a liposomal gadolinium contrast agent (liposomal-Gd). Materials and methods Studies were performed in fifteen pregnant C57BL/6 mice at 10, 12, 14, 16, and 18 days of gestation. MRI was performed on a 1T permanent magnet scanner. Pre-contrast and post-contrast images were acquired using T1-weighted gradient-recalled echo (T1w-GRE) and T2-weighted fast spin echo (T2w-FSE) sequences. Animals were euthanized after imaging and feto-placental units harvested for histological examination. Visualization of the RPCS was scored by a maternal-fetal radiologist and quantified by measuring the contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) on T1w images. Feto-placental features were segmented for analysis of volumetric changes during gestation. Results Contrast-enhanced T1w images enabled the visualization of structural changes in placental development between days 10–18 of gestation. Although the placental margin on the fetal side was clearly visible at all time points, the RPCS was partially visible at day 10 of gestation, and clearly visible by day 12. Hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining of the placental tissue corroborated MRI findings of structural and morphological changes in the placenta. Conclusions Contrast-enhanced MR imaging using liposomal-Gd enabled adequate visualization of the retroplacental clear space starting at day 12 of gestation. The agent also enabled characterization of placental structure and morphological changes through gestation.
Highly efficient Pt/Mo-Fe/Ni-based Al2O3-CeO2 catalysts for dry reforming of methane

Abstract Herein, the activity and stability of Ni-based Al2O3-CeO2 supported monometallic Mo, bimetallic Fe-Mo and Pt-Mo, and trimetallic Pt-Fe-Mo complex catalysts were evaluated in the carbon dioxide dry reforming of methane. The catalysts were prepared by incipient wetness impregnation method using various amounts of Ni, Fe, Mo and Pt, and were characterized by BET, XRD, XRF, H2-TPR, CO2-TPD, and FTIR-Pyridine techniques. The catalytic performance of the as-synthesized Ni-based Al2O3-CeO2 complex catalysts were investigated in a fixed-bed continuous-flow reactor at various reaction temepratures (550–700 °C), space velocity of 12,000 ml g c a t - 1 h−1 and different feedstocks (pure CH4 or 50% CH4/CO2 mixture) under atmospheric pressure for 10 h time-on-stream. The co-doped Ni/Al2O3-CeO2 catalyst with Mo and Fe was found to significantly enhance the catalyst performance (more than 80% methane and 86% CO2 conversions). Further, our results indicated that the addition of 0.005 wt% Pt to the FeMo/Ni/Al2O3-CeO2 complex catalyst leads to an excellent catalytic performance at 700 °C during the dry reforming reaction. Pt/FeMo/Ni/Al2O3-CeO3 demonstrated good activity/selectivity with very low carbon deposition.
Obesity, Asthma, and Sleep-Related Breathing Disorders

Obesity, asthma, and sleep-related breathing disorders are highly comorbid conditions. Their prevalence rates have continued to rise, contributing to alarming negative effects for individuals’ health and well-being. Additionally, these conditions present a disproportionate burden for ethnic minority, low-income, and urban populations. In this chapter, we describe pathophysiological mechanisms that underlie the association between these conditions, as well as contextual factors (e.g., urban stressors, overcrowding, lack of safe spaces to exercise) that may increase their prevalence and negative impact on health outcomes. Current data supports a growing understanding of common genetic, pathophysiological, and contextual factors that contribute to the risk for developing obesity, asthma, and sleep-related breathing disorders. Further research is needed to understand these underlying mechanisms and to develop integrated treatment strategies that prioritize targets of intervention according to level of risk.
ReTracker: an open-source plugin for automated and standardized tracking of retracted scholarly publications

In this paper we present ReTracker, an open-source plugin for tracking retracted scientific journal articles. ReTracker helps Zotero users detect any papers in their current libraries that were retracted on PubMed. At its first release, ReTracker plugin adds metadata for each entry on its "retraction status" as the plugin performs local cache checking and sends a query to the tool's database. If there is a match in the paper's full title between the query and ReTracker's database, the retraction status metadata will be updated. We believe that ReTracker, as an open-source, free tool, is a necessary solution that is distinctive from existing tools (e.g. Open Retractions, Cross-Mark, etc.), in that it enables researchers to manage their existing citation libraries without extra efforts to repetitively search for and manually flag retracted papers from external database(s). With future releases, the tool aims to expand its functionalities in terms of standardizing retraction tags, adding retraction data for other item types, and providing pop-up notices for web browser plugins.
Asia’s naval expansion: an arms race in the making?

In January 2018, the United States released its 2018 National Defense Strategy that sought, amongst other things, to reorient US strategic priorities away from jihadist terrorists and towards the r...
Detection and Description of Change in Visual Streams.

This paper presents a framework for the analysis of changes in visual streams: ordered sequences of images, possibly separated by significant time gaps. We propose a new approach to incorporating unlabeled data into training to generate natural language descriptions of change. We also develop a framework for estimating the time of change in visual stream. We use learned representations for change evidence and consistency of perceived change, and combine these in a regularized graph cut based change detector. Experimental evaluation on visual stream datasets, which we release as part of our contribution, shows that representation learning driven by natural language descriptions significantly improves change detection accuracy, compared to methods that do not rely on language.
COMPARING THE MODIFIED HISTORY, ELECTROCARDIOGRAM, AGE, RISK FACTORS, AND TROPONIN SCORE AND CORONARY ARTERY DISEASE CONSORTIUM MODEL FOR PREDICTING OBSTRUCTIVE CORONARY ARTERY DISEASE AND CARDIOVASCULAR EVENTS IN PATIENTS WITH ACUTE CHEST PAIN

Identification of low-risk acute chest pain patients prior to non-invasive testing can be challenging. The objective of this study was to compare the History, Electrocardiogram, Age, Risk factors, and Troponin (HEART) score and clinical coronary artery disease (CAD) consortium model (CADC) for
P66 The ‘Healthy’ Dining Hall: How Does Student Perception Influence Eating Behaviors and Perceived Healthiness of College Dining Halls?

Background College dining halls offer a variety of menu offerings; however, little is known about how student perception of a dining hall's menu healthiness influences student eating habits. Objective To determine factors that influence eating behaviors in dining halls in order to shape future nutrition education efforts in college dining. Study Design, Setting, Participants Twenty freshmen living on campus with all-access meal plans participated in 5 focus groups. Focus groups discussed factors that affect healthy eating: time, convenience, stress, peers, environment, social interaction, location, and menu offerings. Focus groups designed their ideal dining hall and ranked dining halls according to health, alleviating anxiety, social interaction, and best overall. Measurable Outcome/Analysis Focus group responses were transcribed verbatim from audio recordings. Qualitative analysis was performed using MAXQDA software to systematically categorize focus group responses. Inter-rater reliability was established at 86% for coding and analyzing themes. Grounded theory was used as the qualitative data analysis strategy. Results Layout, customer base, choice architecture, convenience, and menu offerings influenced student perception of dining hall healthiness. Focus groups could not dissociate “healthiest” from their definition of “best” when ranking dining halls. Healthiness, time, and crowds were key themes for all 5 focus groups when designing their ideal dining hall. Students reported eating healthier in the dining hall they ranked as “healthiest.” Conclusions Students had widely varying opinions on which dining hall was the “healthiest” despite 80% of menu offerings being the same across dining halls. Student perception of dining hall healthiness was influenced by layout, choice architecture, convenience, menu offerings, and personal preferences. Healthy options were key determinants in the design of students’ ideal dining hall, even when students stated they were not currently eating healthy or did not have healthy eating goals. Perception of healthiness may be an important area for nutrition education efforts to influence student eating habits. Funding University of Georgia Auxiliary Services.
The Politics of War Powers: The Theory and History of Presidential Unilateralism: Burns, Sarah. Lawrence, KS: University Press of Kansas, 2019. 328 pages. $27.95 (hardcover).

With much consternation of late, scholars are raising warning signs about the health and stability of the United States political system. Arguably, of most concern is the accretion of presidential ...
The Role of Thromboxanes in Renal Disease

The thromboxanes constitute a family of carboxylic acids containing an oxane ring. They are formed from the prostaglandin endoperoxides enzymatically by the enzyme thromboxane synthetase. Thromboxane biosynthesis has been demonstrated in several biological tissues, e.g., platelets,1,2 lung,3 spleen,4 stomach,5 brain,6 and kidney.7–9 The biologically active species thromboxane A2 is a C-20 carboxylic acid containng an oxetane-oxane structure and is derived from the parent fatty acid 5,8,11,14-eicosatetraenoic acid (arachidonic acid). Thromboxane A2 is rapidly converted to thromboxane B2 by addition of H2O (t 1/2 in aqueous media at 37°, 30–40 sec). This shortlived compound owes its biological interest mainly to two characteristics: (1) In the platelet it is produced during aggregation, and inhibition of its production is associated with inhibition of aggregation and (2) it is a potent constrictor of smooth muscle (rabbit aorta-contracting substance) and its production has been implicated in the vasocontriction which mediates the reduction in blood flow associated with platelet vascular homeostasis.
Counterfactual Blends as Instruments of Research in the Social and Behavioral Sciences

The essential cognitive mechanism of counterfactual thinking is conceptual blending. In blending, structure from input mental spaces is projected to a separate, "blended" mental space. The projection is selective. Through completion and elaboration, the blend develops structure not provided by the inputs. Inferences, arguments, and ideas developed in the blend can lead us to modify the initial inputs and to change our view of the corresponding situations. In the social and behavioral sciences, counterfactual blends have two functions — the spotlight and the lab rat. The spotlight picks out interesting structure in the input spaces; it is an instrument for improving conceptual structure and for designing research. The lab rat is modeled on the classic laboratory experiment; it is an instrument for isolating causal factors and causal relations. The spotlight and the lab rat have different criteria. In practice, they work together.
The Missing Piece - SARS-CoV-2 Testing and School Reopening.

SARS-CoV-2 Testing and School Reopening Most U.S. school reopening plans focus on screening for Covid-19 symptoms. But because an estimated 40% of Covid-19 cases are asymptomatic and 50% of transmi...
Supporting Simultaneous Air Revitalization and Thermal Control in a Crewed Habitat With Temperate Chlorella vulgaris and Eurythermic Antarctic Chlorophyta.

Including a multifunctional, bioregenerative algal photobioreactor for simultaneous air revitalization and thermal control may aid in carbon loop closure for long-duration surface habitats. However, using water-based algal media as a cabin heat sink may expose the contained culture to a dynamic, low temperature environment. Including psychrotolerant microalgae, native to these temperature regimes, in the photobioreactor may contribute to system stability. This paper assesses the impact of a cycled temperature environment, reflective of spacecraft thermal loops, to the oxygen provision capability of temperate Chlorella vulgaris and eurythermic Antarctic Chlorophyta. The tested 28-minute temperature cycles reflected the internal thermal control loops of the International Space Station (C. vulgaris, 9 C to 27 C; Chlorophyta-Ant, 4 C to 14 C) and included a constant temperature control (10 C). Both sample types of the cycled temperature condition concluded with increased oxygen production rates (C. vulgaris; initial: 0.013 mgO2 L-1 , final: 3.15 mgO2 L-1 and Chlorophyta-Ant; initial: 0.653 mgO2 L-1, final: 1.03 mgO2 L-1) and culture growth, suggesting environmental acclimation. Antarctic sample conditions exhibited increases or sustainment of oxygen production rates normalized by biomass dry weight, while both C. vulgaris sample conditions decreased oxygen production per biomass. However, even with the temperature-induced reduction, cycled temperature C. vulgaris had a significantly higher normalized oxygen production rate than Antarctic Chlorophyta. Chlorophyll fluorometry measurements showed that the cycled temperature conditions did not overly stress both sample types (FV/FM: 0.6-0.75), but the Antarctic Chlorophyta sample had significantly higher fluorometry readings than its C. vulgaris counterpart (F = 6.26, P < 0.05). The steady state C. vulgaris condition had significantly lower fluorometry readings than all other conditions (FV/FM: 0.34), suggesting a stressed culture. This study compares the results to similar experiments conducted in steady state or diurnally cycled temperature conditions. Recommendations for surface system implementation are based off the presented results. The preliminary findings imply that both C. vulgaris and Antarctic Chlorophyta can withstand the dynamic temperature environment reflective of a thermal control loop and these data can be used for future design models.
The effect of guided imagery upon first semester nursing students performing their first injections.

This study examined the effect of guided imagery upon the anxiety of baccalaureate nursing students learning to perform their first injections. The quasi-experimental post test design used a treatment (imagery) group and a control group of subjects who were first semester undergraduate students. Anxiety was measured by State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), Biodot stress dots, performance time, and performance score. Analyses of covariance were performed on the post treatment STAI scores, performance times, and performance scores. A Kruskal-Wallis was performed on post treatment Biodot stress dot reading. Results indicated statistically significant lower anxiety levels by self-report (STAI), p = .008, in the experimental group. No statistically significant differences were found in the Biodot stress dot readings, p = .6777, performance times, p = .130, or performance scores, p = .774. The significance of the findings is that if guided imagery reduces self-reported anxiety levels in nursing students, introduction of this teaching strategy early in the curriculum may be beneficial to students.
CSTR Performance Limitations Due to Cooling Jacket Dynamics

Abstract The classical exothermic CSTR is known to exhibit complex static and dynamic behavior, although only a two-state (reactor concentration and temperature) model is used. Adding a third state to account for the cooling jacket temperature dynamics has an important influence on the open and closed-loop behavior of exothermic CSTR’s. In this paper we show that a stabilizing inner-loop cascade controller is implicitly assumed in the two-state model, because the three-state model may be open-loop unstable in regions where the two-state model is open-loop stable. The affect of process parameters on the open-loop stability of the two-state and three-state CSTR models is examined. We show that when the CSTR is operated at an open-loop unstable operating point, there are right-half-plane zeros in the secondary process transfer function, causing an inherent performance limitation in the closed-loop system.
Advanced X-ray Astrophysics Facility

Abstract This paper describes the Advanced X-ray Astrophysics Facility (AXAF), a program of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). AXAF is a large free-flying observatory featuring a high performance x-ray telescope. Through advances in the technology of large x-ray optics and science instrumentation, AXAF will be capable of forming images of astronomical objects in x-ray light that will go far beyond the previous highly successful HEAO-B (Einstein) Observatory. Its pictures will be 10 times sharper; it will be able to detect sources 100 times fainter; it will cover twice the energy band; and it will be 1,000 times more sensitive for observing the detailed energy profile of sources. The increased sensitivity of AXAF will permit the study of active galaxies, quasars, and clusters of galaxies at very large distances. The optical system, pointing and control system, and instrument complement are presented in sufficient detail for a good understanding of overall AXAF advancements and capabilities.
Addictive sexual behavior

A rationale for the conceptualization of repetitive sexual behaviors as an addiction is presented. Five cases treated by individual psychotherapy are described and certain problems inherent in such treatments are delineated. Other treatment approaches, such as those involving the use of medication, twelve-step groups and cognitive-behavioral techniques are also detailed.
High Local Deformation Correlates with Optical Property Change in Cortical Bone

Bone is a biocomposite of collagen and apatite crystals which together constitute a striking hierarchical organization, though it can still become structurally compromised when external load exceeds its threshold. Mechanisms of bone damage have been proposed on different length scales corresponding to its hierarchical structure. However, the damage process was still not completely understood due to the complexity of bone’s hierarchy. We previously reported an opaque process zone feature in bone under tensile loading, which could be stained only when samples were kept in loaded condition, in contrast to the classical damage, which could be stained after the removal of loading. In this study, Digital Image Correlation (DIC) methods have been used to quantify the local strain value at the micro-scale upon dark zone emergence. The process zones observed under transmission illumination was found to colocalize with the high-strain (up to 14%) regions calculated by DIC, and overlap best with the shape of principal strain (e1). The average strain value recorded at the edges of the process zones was about 1.1%, around the proposed threshold for collagen interfibrillar sliding. Thus, we speculate that collagen interfibrillar sliding might be among the causes for this dark zone phenomenon.
A Dynamic Model of the Demand for Oil: Specification and Estimation with the Putty-Semiputty Hypothesis

Abstract This study proposes a dynamic model of oil demand based on the vintage structure, and on the generalized technological assumption, called the putty-semiputty hypothesis (PSH). Unlike a putty-clay model, the PSH allows for the ex post factor substitution after machines are installed. A nonlinear specification of oil demand is derived from the optimal control problem. Estimation results from the data of seven leading industrialized countries show that the ex post elasticity of substitution ranges from 0.14 to 0.30. Japan has a higher value than other countries. It suggests that Japan suffered less from the adverse oil shocks in the 1970s.
On a certain metaplectic Eisenstein series and the twisted symmetric square L-function

In our earlier paper, based on a paper by Bump and Ginzburg, we used an Eisenstein series on the double cover of $${\text {GL}}(r)$$ to obtain an integral representation of the twisted symmetric square L-function of $${\text {GL}}(r)$$ . Using that, we showed that the (incomplete) twisted symmetric square L-function of $${\text {GL}}(r)$$ is holomorphic for $${\text {Re}}(s)> 1$$ . In this paper, we will determine the possible poles of this Eisenstein series more precisely and show that the (incomplete) twisted symmetric square L-function is entire except possible simple poles at $$s=0$$ and $$s=1$$ .
The IMF and Economic Development

Why do governments turn to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and with what effects? This book argues that governments enter IMF programs for economic and political reasons, and finds that the effects are negative on economic growth and income distribution. By bringing in the IMF, governments gain political leverage - via conditionality - to push through unpopular policies. Note that if governments desiring conditions are more likely to participate, estimating program effects is not straightforward: one must control for the potentially unobserved political determinants of selection. This book addresses the selection problem using a dynamic bivariate version of the Heckman model analyzing cross-national time-series data. The main finding is that the negative effects of IMF programs on economic growth are mitigated for certain constituencies since programs also have distributional consequences. But IMF programs doubly hurt the least well off in society: they lower growth and shift the income distribution upward.
The Effect of CEO IT Expertise on the Information Environment: Evidence from Earnings Forecasts and Announcements

ABSTRACT: Firms depend on information technology to provide high-quality internal information, but prior research suggests that IT is underutilized. Prior research suggests that when CEOs have experience with IT, then IT is more likely to be accepted throughout their firms. We take these arguments a step further by asserting that CEOs with IT expertise are more likely to encourage the utilization of IT throughout the firm, thus improving the information environment that is revealed through numerous outputs of the firm. We first investigate whether firms that employ CEOs with IT expertise make forecasts that are more accurate, even if they already use an enterprise system (Dorantes, Li, Peters, and Richardson 2013). Overall, we find that CEOs with IT expertise do make forecasts that are more accurate. We also find that firms with IT-expertise CEOs announce earnings on a timelier basis than firms with non-IT-expertise CEOs. Data Availability: The data used are publicly available from sources cited in the text.
Modeling and Simulation of the Impact of Air Traffic Operations on the Environment

Air traffic affects the environment locally, regionally, and globally. Recent studies indicate an increased urgency to understand and mitigate the impact of air traffic on climate. Greenhouse gases...
Nonlinear harmonic generation by diurnal tides

Abstract Recent observations from the South China Sea have demonstrated that semi-diurnal tides sometimes generate a double-frequency harmonic. Similar harmonic generation has been found in laboratory experiments and numerical simulations of internal wave beams refracting into a pycnocline. Here, a weakly nonlinear theory of internal wave refraction is applied to oceanic internal tides in an idealized stratification profile. The steady state harmonic amplitude is calculated as a function of the tidal frequency and the pycnocline characteristics. The results indicate that harmonic generation by nonlinear refraction of semi-diurnal tides is consistent with the South China Sea observations.
Population Dynamics near an Oasis with Time-Dependent Convection

We investigate the time evolution of a bacterial population near a favorable spot with time-dependent convection. Diffusion, growth, and saturation effects lead to a localized colony which spreads out in the surroundings. Convection by a time-dependent but spatially uniform random velocity introduces fluctuations. Equations of motion for ensemble averages are derived and compared to numerical simulations.
Is transparency an effective anti-corruption strategy? Evidence from a field experiment in India

Can freedom of information laws be harnessed by underprivileged members of society and used to obtain greater access to basic public goods that are otherwise attainable only through bribery? Drawing on a field experiment on access to ration cards among New Delhi's slum dwellers, we demonstrate that India's recently adopted freedom of information law is almost as effective as bribery in helping the poor to secure access to a basic public service. We find support for the theoretical proposition that greater transparency and voice lowers corruption even in highly hierarchical and unequal societies.
Data cleaning in Stata using Internet search engines

Open-ended questions can be a nightmare for statistical processing. Any mistake in spelling can result in a mismatch during merging, or multiple counting of the same object. For example, the answers to the "place-of-birth" question might be "Chicago" and "San Francisco", but in practice they are often "Chicaga" and "SanFrancisko". Manual correction of hundreds of answers is tedious, and becomes infeasible with a larger dataset. For a long time, algorithms like SOUNDEX remained the only alternative for researchers. A new Stata command allows taking advantage of Internet search engines, like Google or Yahoo to find proper substitutes for an unclear word or multiple words. The distinctive feature of the search engines is that they rely not only on the spelling similarity, but are also context driven: other words may affect the suggestion, such as including "city" into the query. This will hint to the search engine to give more priority to the names of cities. This presentation will demonstrate this new command and explain the main steps necessary to programmatically acquire information available on the Internet and convert it into Stata-usable format.
A Stochastic Successive Minimization Method for Nonsmooth Nonconvex Optimization with Applications to Transceiver Design in Wireless Communication Networks

Consider the problem of minimizing the expected value of a cost function parameterized by a random variable. The classical sample average approximation method for solving this problem requires minimization of an ensemble average of the objective at each step, which can be expensive. In this paper, we propose a stochastic successive upper-bound minimization method (SSUM) which minimizes an approximate ensemble average at each iteration. To ensure convergence and to facilitate computation, we require the approximate ensemble average to be a locally tight upper-bound of the expected cost function and be easily optimized. The main contributions of this work include the development and analysis of the SSUM method as well as its applications in linear transceiver design for wireless communication networks and online dictionary learning. Moreover, using the SSUM framework, we extend the classical stochastic (sub-)gradient method to the case of minimizing a nonsmooth nonconvex objective function and establish its convergence.
What Can the United States Learn from Spain's Pork Sector? Implications from a Comparative Economic Analysis

This study provides a comparative economic analysis of the primary production of pork and its marketing channel in Spain and the United States. The focus on Spain is due to the profound growth and transformation of its pork sector over the last 20 years, compared with other major players in the world market for pig meat. The analysis reveals a number of similar characteristics but also important differences between the two countries. The significant expansion of Spain's pork production sector stemmed from a number of factors that apply, to a relatively large extent, to some U.S. states (in particular, North Carolina) but do not apply to the U.S. pork production sector as a whole. This implies that it is unlikely that the U.S. pork production sector as a whole will mimic an expansion driven by the same type of factors in the future. Likewise, it seems highly unlikely that the U.S. consumption of pig meat will expand in the future based on the same driving forces behind the sharp increase in Spain's domestic demand for pig meat over the last 20 years. The analysis also indicates that Spanish pig producers are currently being subjected to more stringent environmental and animal welfare regulations than their U.S. counterparts and that these regulations are becoming increasingly more restrictive. It would not be surprising to see similar trends emerging in the United States, leading to a substantially more restrictive regulatory environment for U.S. hog producers.