cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Oceanography and Suspended Matter Off the Amazon River February-March 1973

ABSTRACT The hydrography of surface waters in and near the Amazon River in February and March of 1973 was indicative of "flood" conditions, both in terms of the offshore extension of the freshwater plume and the high concentrations of suspended matter within the river water. While the net transport of Amazon water was NW (due to the Guiana Current), seasonal changes in wind direction resulted in formation of a nearshore counter current along the Para coast. More than 95% of the terrigenous sediment within the Amazon surface waters settles out in the river mouth, before salinity reaches 3. Most of this sediment is resuspended by tides, waves and currents; practically no terrigenous sediment appears to escape offshore. The prime components of suspended matter in the brackish water plume off the Amazon are diatom frustules. Contrary to the suggestions of other workers, Amazon outflow markedly increases the fertility of shelf waters. However, the high production of diatoms is not reflected in the sediments, probably due to rapid recycling as well as to NW transport of frustules by the Guiana Current. Although Amazon-borne silica is initially removed by biologic means, recycling releases it; the ultimate fate of the silica is unknown.
Nanoceria Coatings and Their Role on the High Temperature Stability of 316L Stainless Steels

In this work, a method is considered to produce uniform nanoceria surface coatings on 316L stainless steel such as dipping. Coated steels using the aforementioned method are exposed to high temperature 800–1000°C and their oxidation behavior is investigated. It is found that the nanoceria particles in the implemented coatings exhibit some growth during high temperature exposure. In addition, thermogravimetric determinations of oxidation resistance in coated and bare samples at 900°C clearly indicates that the nanoceria coated stainless steels exhibits a two fold reduction in mass gain when compared with bare ones. Optical and scanning electron microscopy are employed to characterize the developed oxide scale morphologies. It is found that in areas are nanoceria is not uniformly coated, Fe-rich oxide islands develop, whereas in coated regions the scale is Cr and Ce rich indicating that the scale is probably a Ce doped Cr oxide.
The Case for “Outsourcing” Diabetes Care

Diabetes has a profound effect on the health of our population as well as on our economy. Diabetic retinopathy is the leading cause of blindness in people between 20 and 74 years of age (1). Diabetic nephropathy is the leading cause of patients undergoing dialysis for end-stage renal disease (2). Diabetic peripheral neuropathy is the underlying cause of nontraumatic lower-extremity amputations in diabetic patients (3). More than half of lower-extremity amputations occur in people with diabetes (4) who at that time constituted only 4.5% of the population (5). The prevalence of coronary artery disease is twofold higher in men with diabetes and fourfold higher in women with diabetes compared with appropriate nondiabetic control subjects (6). Strokes are two to three times more common in people with diabetes than in those without the disease (7). Peripheral vascular disease is also much more common in diabetic patients compared with nondiabetic individuals (8). The total cost of caring for people with diabetes in this country in 1992 (106 billion dollars) represented 15% of the total health care budget (720 billion dollars) (5). In a more recent study, the American Diabetes Association (ADA) study found that in 1997 the specific (direct) costs for diabetes care was 44 billion dollars with another 54 billion dollars lost to the economy through indirect costs (i.e., short- and long-term disability and losses secondary to premature mortality) (9). Medicare spent 26.5% of its budget on diabetic patients (5). The excess costs for diabetes in Kaiser-Permanente in Northern California amounted to $3,494 per patient per year (10). Much of these increased costs for diabetes were for related complications. There were progressively increasing costs associated with worsening diabetic control in patients with either diabetes alone or with hypertension and heart disease (11). Increased glycated hemoglobin levels predicted higher rates of …
Insulin-like actions of glucagon-like peptide-1: a dual receptor hypothesis

GLP-1 (9-36)amide is the cleavage product of GLP-1(7-36) amide, formed by the action of diaminopeptidyl peptidase-4 (Dpp4), and is the major circulating form in plasma. Whereas GLP-1(7-36)amide stimulates glucose-dependent insulin secretion, GLP-1(9-36)amide has only weak partial insulinotropic agonist activities on the GLP-1 receptor, but suppresses hepatic glucose production, exerts antioxidant cardioprotective actions and reduces oxidative stress in vasculature tissues. These insulin-like activities suggest a role for GLP-1 (9-36)amide in the modulation of mitochondrial functions by mechanisms independent of the GLP-1 receptor. In this paper, we discuss the current literature suggesting that GLP-1(9-36)amide is an active peptide with important insulin-like actions. These findings have implications in nutrient assimilation, energy homeostasis, obesity, and the use of Dpp4 inhibitors for the treatment of diabetes.
Utility of esophageal gastroduodenoscopy at the time of percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy in trauma patients

The utility of esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) performed at the time of percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) is unclear. We examined whether EGD at time of PEG yielded clinically useful information important in patient care. We also reviewed the outcome and complication rates of EGD-PEG performed by trauma surgeons. Retrospective review of all trauma patients undergoing EGD with PEG at a level I trauma center from 1/01–6/03. 210 patients underwent combined EGD with PEG by the trauma team. A total of 37% of patients had unsuspected upper gastrointestinal lesions seen on EGD. Of these, 35% had traumatic brain injury, 10% suffered multisystem injury, and 47% had spinal cord injury. These included 15 esophageal, 61 gastric, and six duodenal lesions, mucosal or hemorrhagic findings on EGD. This finding led to a change in therapy in 90% of patients; either resumption/continuation of H2 -blockers or conversion to proton-pump inhibitors. One patient suffered an upper gastrointestinal bleed while on H2-blocker. It was treated endoscopically. Complication rates were low. There were no iatrogenic visceral perforations seen. Three PEGs were inadvertently removed by the patient (1.5%); one was replaced with a Foley, one replaced endoscopically, and one patient underwent gastric repair and open jejunostomy tube. One PEG leak was repaired during exploration for unrelated hemorrhage. Six patients had significant site infections (3%); four treated with local drainage and antibiotics, one requiring operative debridement and later closure, and one with antibiotics alone. EGD at the time of PEG may add clinically useful data in the management of trauma patients. Only one patient treated with acid suppression therapy for EGD diagnosed lesions suffered delayed gastrointestinal bleeding. Trauma surgeons can perform EGD and PEG with acceptable outcomes and complication rates.
Real-Time Computer Vision and Robotics Using Analog VLSI Circuits

The long-term goal of our laboratory is the development of analog resistive network-based VLSI implementations of early and intermediate vision algorithms. We demonstrate an experimental circuit for smoothing and segmenting noisy and sparse depth data using the resistive fuse and a 1-D edge-detection circuit for computing zero-crossings using two resistive grids with different space-constants. To demonstrate the robustness of our algorithms and of the fabricated analog CMOS VLSI chips, we are mounting these circuits onto small mobile vehicles operating in a real-time, laboratory environment.
A Parallel Algorithm for Conserving Approximation of Lattice Models Having Both Interactions and Disorder

We present a parallel algorithm for numerical calculations for electronic lattice models with interactions and disorder. In this scheme, diagonal and off-diagonal disorder are treated exactly per disorder configuration and interaction effects are evaluated using conserving approximations based on self-consistent perturbation theory. We demonstrate this method by calculating second-order corrections to the local pairing amplitude and specific heat for the attractive Hubbard model.
A “UWB” half-wavelength dipole for low-frequency gain reference

Antenna power gain measurements are frequently done using a gain-transfer method outlined in IEEE standards. This requires the use of a reference antenna with a known gain in order to reference the antenna under test. However, the conventional approach of gain calibration ultra-wideband (more than 10:1) below 200 MHz could be very tedious and not reliable using a set of half-wavelength dipoles commercially available. Such a calibration procedure requires manually switching different baluns for each subband and adjusting physical lengths of the dipole for each balun.
Faux hos: woman police attitudes about decoy sex work

This paper examines the practice of using female police officers as decoy sex workers. A snowball sample yielded 14 female police officers who are assigned to work decoy operations. Semi‐structured interview questions were related to perception of their roles in the department, job satisfaction, motivation for accepting a vice position, perceptions of opportunities for advancement, perceived risks in working the decoy role, suggestions for departmental effectiveness, and additional probes related to themes that emerged during the interviews. Narratives were transcribed and open coded. The gendered nature of the police subculture was evident as themes of collegial relationships, job satisfaction, motivations for accepting the decoy assignment, and perceptions of efficacy emerged.
Bending of Flex Leads During Thermal Cycling

A three dimensional finite-element stress model was used to simulate the lead bending incurred during thermal cycling of a Flex connector joined to a silicon carrier via an eutectic solder. Three different coating conditions (no coating, with a polyimide coating, and with a silicone coating) were simulated. With the polyimide coating, lead bending was found to occur at the corner inner leads of the Flex as a result of the plastic strains accumulated there during thermal cycling. In the case of silicone, the corresponding plastic strains grew during the first thermal cycle but saturated subsequently, confirming the negligible lead bending observed experimentally. For the case of no coating, the highest plastic strain was found to be borne in part by the polyimide film at its edge and thus no significant bending was observed. In all cases, the results provided by the model agree well with the experimental observations.
A First Look at the Proposed 'Fraudulent Joinder Prevention Act of 2015'

Almost half a century ago, the American Law Institute observed, “The most marked abuse has been joinder of a party of the same citizenship as plaintiff in order to defeat removal on the basis of diversity jurisdiction. Such tactics have led to much litigation, largely futile, on the question of fraudulent joinder.” Over the last half century, the volume of litigation on this question has only increased. In response, Congress is now actively considering legislation to address the problem of fraudulent joinder. The bill is H.R. 3624, the “Fraudulent Joinder Prevention Act of 2015” (FJPA). The FJPA seeks to prevent fraudulent joinder by requiring the district court to deny a motion to remand a removed case under two circumstances: first, “if the complaint does not state a plausible claim for relief against a nondiverse defendant under applicable state law,” and second, if “there is no good faith intention to prosecute the action against a nondiverse defendant or to seek a joint judgment.” The bill also makes clear that in considering a motion to remand, the district court may consider affidavits and other evidence in addition to the pleadings. On September 29, 2015, a subcommittee of the House Judiciary Committee held a hearing on the FJPA. This statement was submitted for the record of that hearing. The statement is in five parts. Part I sketches the background: the rule of “complete diversity” and the current operation of the fraudulent joinder doctrine. Part II offers some suggestions for how the bill might be redrafted to accomplish its purposes more effectively. Part III discusses the criteria for remand proposed in the FJPA. I conclude that the “plausible claim” prong holds promise, but the “good faith intention” prong is problematic and should be dropped. Part IV suggests an alternative approach to the problem of fraudulent joinder – an approach that utilizes minimal diversity and the concept of the “primary defendant,” already part of the law in the Class Action Fairness Act. Part V is a brief conclusion.
Soil in the Anthropocene

With scholars deliberating a new name for our geologic epoch, i.e., the Anthropocene, soil scientists whether biologists, chemists, or physicists are documenting significant changes accruing in a majority of Earth's soils. Such global soil changes interact with the atmosphere, biosphere, hydrosphere, and lithosphere (i.e., Earth's Critical Zone), and these developments are significantly impacting the Earth's stratigraphic record as well. In effect, soil scientists study such global soil changes in a science of anthropedology, which leads directly to the need to transform pedostratigraphyinto an anthro-pedostratigraphy, a science that explores how global soil change alters Earth's litho-, bio-, and chemostratigraphy. These developments reinforce perspectives that the planet is indeed crossing into the Anthropocene.
Improvements in Powered Air Purifying Respirator Protection in an ABSL-3E Facility

The study of and experimentation with zoonotic pathogens such as highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) requires risk mitigation strategies including laboratory engineering controls and safety eq...
Dynamic Canary Randomization for Improved Software Security

Stack canaries are a well-known and effective technique for detecting and defeating stack overflow attacks. However, they are not perfect. For programs compiled using gcc, the reference canary value is randomly generated at program invocation and fixed throughout execution. Moreover, for software running on the Linux operating system, canary values are inherited from the parent process and only changed if/when the child process exec()s a different program. Researchers and others have exploited these behaviors to craft real-world attacks that bypass the protections of stack canaries. This paper describes a moving-target stack canary technique that prevents such attacks. The Dynamic Canary Randomization technique (DCR) rerandomizes stack canaries at runtime. DCR is applied directly to the binary using a static binary rewriter (i.e., it does not require access to the program's source code). DCR operates with minimal overhead and gives the user the flexibility to specify the conditions under which to rerandomize the canary. DCR is an improvement over existing canary rerandomizers because it allows rerandomization to be applied at any point during execution and at any frequency. We show that DCR improves software security by demonstrating its ability to prevent real-world attacks on well-known software (e.g., nginx) "protected" by traditional stack canaries.
Three Asian Dictators- The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

This article will explore the political virtues of the institutions that transformed the national economies of Philippines, Singapore, and Taiwan. In the former, institutions created the capacity for institutional development, whereas in the latter, it facilitiated the siphoning-off economic surplus in side-payments to a narrow elite. To understand the different coalitional structures that emerged in the two countries, we will explore incentives triggered by the degree of systemic vulnerability, geopolitical security and resource constraints that the leadership faced to determine the political incentives that motivate the creation of institutions for economic transformation.
Exclusion criteria in treatment research on alcohol, tobacco and illicit drug use disorders: A review and critical analysis.

Issues High rates of exclusion in substance use disorder treatment studies reduce the external validity and clinical utility of research findings to an unknown extent. Accordingly, the current review examined commonly used exclusion criteria and their effect on study samples and outcomes. Approach English-language literature was identified by PubMed searches and review of identified articles' reference lists. Studies were included if they analysed data on: (i) the prevalence and nature of exclusion criteria in the substance use disorder treatment field; and/or (ii) the impact of exclusion criteria on sample representativeness or study results. Key findings The search yielded 22 studies examining different aspects of exclusion criteria, including 15 empirical examinations of the impact of study exclusion criteria across different substance use disorder treatments on enrolment and outcome results. Aggregating across these 15 studies, we estimated that between 64 and 96% of potential study participants are excluded from substance use disorder treatment studies. Implications The widespread exclusion of large proportions of people with substance use disorders limits the external validity of the substance use disorder treatment research literature. Conclusion Although some eligibility criteria are necessary to protect participant safety and ensure internal validity, researchers conducting studies on substance use disorder treatments should thoughtfully consider the justification for and specific operationalisation of the extensive exclusion criteria they often utilise. [Moberg C, Humphreys K. Exclusion criteria in treatment research on alcohol, tobacco and illicit drug use disorders: A review and critical analysis. Drug Alcohol Rev 2016;00-000.]
A Rumor of Empathy in Kant

A single line in Kant regarding the “communicability of feelings” is taken as a clue. A full, robust definition of empathy makes use of the four moments of the judgment of aesthetic taste— disinterestedness, universality, purposiveness without purpose, and necessity. Like taste, empathy is disinterested, involves universal communicability of feelings, recruits the form of purposiveness, and relates necessarily to the other. Empathy then also requires bringing in the distinction of “the other.” This inquiry is possible because empathy recruits the same underlying aspects of the human mental apparatus as does taste—the sensus communis in both forms—though it is applied differently. The cultivation of empathy enhances taste and vice versa.
Medicine, Insects in

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the role of insects in therapeutic treatment. Throughout history, humans have used insects and their products therapeutically. Ingested, injected, or topically applied, insects have been used to treat an assortment of respiratory, gastrointestinal, cardiac, neuromuscular, and infectious diseases. To this day, therapeutic insects are prescribed worldwide. Medicinal maggots and honey bee venom therapy are two commonly prescribed insect-based treatments. In honey venom therapy, Honey bee ( Apis mellifera ) venom, propolis, royal jelly, beeswax, and honey all are used therapeutically. Medicinal use of any of these products can be considered to be “apitherapy,” but many authorities use the term specifically to denote the clinical use of honeybee venom itself known more precisely as bee venom therapy. Bee venom therapy has been used successfully to treat rheumatological disorders (rheumatoid and psoriatic arthritis, gout, fibromyalgia), neurological diseases (multiple sclerosis, chronic pain syndromes), immunological diseases (scleroderma, systemic lupus erythematosis), and other chronic illnesses. Bee venom contains a multitude of polypeptides, enzymes (phospholipase A 2 , hyaluronidase), and biologically active amines (histamine, dopamine, and noradrenaline). The mechanisms by which venom exerts its beneficial actions are unknown, but might include an anti-inflammatory effect resulting from alterations seen in pituitary and adrenal gland function, local effects on the nerves and blood vessels, and stimulation of acupuncture-like pathways. A combination of these and other mechanisms may explain the diversity of benefits attributed to venom therapy.
Efficacy of magnetic sphincter augmentation in patients with large hiatal hernias.

Magnetic sphincter augmentation (MSA) has demonstrated long-term safety and efficacy in the treatment of patients with gastroesophageal reflux (GERD), but its efficacy in patients with large hiatal hernias has yet to be proven. The aim of our study was to assess outcomes of MSA in patients with hiatal hernias ≥3 cm. We retrospectively reviewed all patients who underwent MSA at our institutions over a 6-year period. Information obtained consisted of patient demographics, symptoms of GERD, preoperative GERD Health-Related Quality-of-Life (HRQL) scores, perioperative details, and implantation of the MSA device. Primary endpoints included postoperative GERD-HRQL scores, proton-pump inhibitor (PPI) use, symptom change, and procedure-related complications. A large hiatal hernia was defined as a hernia measuring ≥3 cm by intraoperative measurement. A total of 192 patients were reviewed. Median follow-up was 20 months (3–75 months). Mean GERD-HRQL scores in the overall population before and after MSA were 18.9 and 5.0, respectively (p < 0.001). In the majority of patients symptoms improved or resolved (N = 177, p < 0.001). Fifty-two patients (27.0 %) had a hiatal hernia ≥3 cm (range 3–7 cm). Their mean GERD-HRQL score decreased from 20.5 to 3.6 (p < 0.001) following MSA. When compared to patients with smaller hernias, patients with large hiatal hernias had decreased postoperative PPI requirement (9.6 vs. 26.6 %, p = 0.011) and lower mean postoperative GERD-HRQL scores (3.6 vs. 5.6, p = 0.027). The percent of patients requiring postoperative intervention for dysphagia was similar (13.5 vs. 17.9 %, p = 0.522), as was the incidence of symptom resolution or improvement (98.1 vs. 91.3 %, p = 0.118). MSA in patients with large hiatal hernias demonstrates decreased postoperative PPI requirement and mean GERD-HRQL scores compared to patients with smaller hernias. The incidence of symptom resolution or improvement and the percentage of patients requiring intervention for dysphagia are similar. Short-term outcomes of MSA are encouraging in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease and large hiatal hernias.
Statistical Evaluation of Symbolic Regression Forecasting of Time-Series

Abstract This is an evaluation of the ability of symbolic regression to predict timeseries. Symbolic regression is an application of genetic programming. Three codes GPCPP, GPQuick, and Vienna University GP Kemel-written in C++ were tested. Six models generated data by linear, nonlinear, and pseudo-random processes, and the three codes were employed to search for the six data generating processes. The results suggest that: (1) complexity and predictability are inversely related, (2) the symbolic regression technique is successful in predicting less complex processes, and (3) all three failed to find a data generating process for pseudo-nmdom data.
Long term follow up of kidney donors with asymptomatic renal stones

Patients with asymptomatic kidney stones have a high rate of progression to becoming symptomatic kidney stones when followed for several years. Small kidney stones are often found incidentally on imaging when evaluating patients for kidney donation, and there is a concern that after nephrectomy, the donor may become symptomatic and incur damage to the remaining kidney. We reviewed kidney donors at our institution with asymptomatic stones and surveyed them several years after donation to see if the stones became clinically active.
Older Manufacturing Workers and Adaptation to Age-Related Changes.

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to understand the age-related changes, adaptations, and contexts that support older workers in the manufacturing sector. METHOD In a multiple-case study, 10 older workers from two manufacturing companies completed the Job Content Questionnaire, Health and Productivity Questionnaire, and semistructured interviews and underwent task observations for 8 hr over 4 mo. RESULTS Age-related changes affecting job tasks included near vision, upper extremity strength, grip strength, joint stiffness, and endurance. Older workers adapted job tasks by changing their work style, using equipment available, and relying on close coworkers for assistance. They adapted their personal lifestyle to maintain the energy necessary to meet job demands. Organizational contexts that supported older workers highlighted job control, social support, and mutual respect. CONCLUSION This study suggests that occupational therapy practitioners can provide individualized adaptations, environmental modifications, and health promotion strategies to help older workers meet job demands while balancing work and home occupations.
Methodology of a multispecialty outpatient Obesity Treatment Research Program.

Abstract Despite the large number of U.S. adults who overweight or obese, few providers have ready access to comprehensive lifestyle interventions, the cornerstone of medical obesity management. Our goal was to establish a research infrastructure embedded in a comprehensive lifestyle intervention treatment for obesity. The Obesity Treatment Research Program (OTRP) is a multi-specialty project at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota designed to provide a high intensity, year-long, comprehensive lifestyle obesity treatment. The program includes a nutritional intervention designed to reduce energy intake, a physical activity program and a cognitive behavioral approach to increase the likelihood of long-term adherence. The behavioral intervention template incorporated the Diabetes Prevention Program and the Look AHEAD trial materials. The OTRP is consistent with national recommendations for the management of overweight and obesity in adults, but with embedded features designed to identify patient characteristics that might help predict outcomes, assure long-term follow up and support various research initiatives. Our goal was to develop approaches to understand whether there are patient characteristics that predict treatment outcomes.
Arrestins and G proteins in cellular signaling: The coin has two sides

Several studies have suggested that arrestin-mediated signaling by GPCRs requires G protein activation; however, in this issue of Science Signaling, Luttrell et al. documented arrestin-dependent activation of ERK1/2 by a number of GPCRs. These studies do not contradict each other, but illustrate the complexity of cellular signaling that cannot and should not be reduced to simplistic models.
Dynamic Multi-Clock Management for Embedded Systems

Modern microcontrollers come with a selection of clock sources that have widely differing frequencies and power consumptions. For applications whose workloads vary over time, dynamically changing the clock can provide significant energy savings. The varying constraints of embedded hardware environments and the complex interactions of multiprogrammed systems makes this approach burdensome to do in application logic. Power Clocks orchestrates energy optimizing clock management in the kernel, obviating the need for application involvement while still achieving acceptable performance for typical workloads. This poster describes Power Clocks's design and presents preliminary results.
A Scalable Dual-Polarized 256-Element Ku-Band SATCOM Phased-Array Transmitter with 36.5 dBW EIRP Per Polarization

This paper presents a Ku-band dual-polarized transmit phased-array with 256-elements spaced $\lambda/\mathbf{2}$ apart at 14 GHz in the x and y directions. The design is based on 64 silicon quad-core transmit chips with 8 channels, and these chips are used to feed a $\mathbf{2x2}$ quad antennas with dual polarizations. The output PldB per channel is 12 dBm at 14 GHz. The silicon core-chips are flipped directly on a 12-layer low-cost printed circuit board (PCB) with stacked patch antennas and Wilkinson dividers. The 256-element phased-array results in a measured EIRP of 64.5 dBm and 66.5 dBm at PldB and Psat, respectively, at normal incidence, per polarization. Measured patterns show a scan region of $\pm \mathbf{60}^{\mathbf{o}}$ in E-and H-planes with low sidelobes and near-ideal patterns. The design achieves a cross polarization level $ up to $\pm \mathbf{45}^{\mathbf{o}}$ and $ at $\pm \mathbf{60}^{\mathbf{o}}$ scan angle, in both planes. The array is scalable to allow the construction of large-scale phased-arrays (1024 elements or more). To our knowledge, this represents state-of-the-art in Ku-band transmit phased-arrays in terms of integration level making it suitable for a low-cost mobile Ku-band SATCOM terminal.
Lab on Chip Microfluidic Sensor for Individual Red Blood Cell Water Permeability Measurement

This paper presents the investigation of a microfluidic lab on a chip sensor for real time red blood cells (RBCs) membrane permeability measurements at the single cell level. The device detects impedances within 0.26 s after mixing with different media, measures impedance values at all ten electrodes at this rate and allows tracking of individual cell volume changes caused by cell osmosis in anisosmotic fluids over a 1.3 s postmixing timespan, facilitating accurate individual cell estimates of water permeability. The device was tested using rat RBCs to evaluate the equilibration volume-osmolality relationship, and to determine membrane water permeability. By using this sensor, we anticipate that this device can be used to evaluate water permeability parameters in cells covering three orders of magnitude in volume.
Enhancing the imaging performance of electrical capacitance tomography for monitoring osseointegrated prostheses

Osseointegrated prostheses (OIP) are an alternative to traditional socket-based prostheses, since amputees can experience unrestricted ranges of motion and improved sensory feedback. However, the risk of infection at the tissue-OIP interface is very high. Subcutaneous infections, if undetected at an early stage, can result in prosthesis loosening, bone fracture, and OIP mechanical failure. In order to avoid such issues, most of the current OIP monitoring techniques depend on physician inspection or by conventional imaging techniques. Recent studies showed that electrical capacitance tomography (ECT), which is inherently noncontact and does not require radiation, could be potentially used for imaging OIPs. In addition, embedded passive nanocomposites interrogated by ECT could reveal pH changes indicative of infection. However, the ECT images suffer from limited resolution. Thus, this study investigated a rotational ECT (RECT) system in which the ECT electrode array is rotated with respect to the central axis of the cylindrical electrode array. It was found that RECT was capable of producing better quality images as a result of an increased number of independent boundary measurements. Furthermore, a limited region tomography algorithm (LRT) was also developed and implemented to image only the region corresponding to the OIP-tissue interface. By limiting the region of interest, the ill-posed nature of the ECT inverse problem can be significantly reduced, which results in an enhanced resolution of the reconstructed images. The advantages of such a combined RECT-LRT system was first investigated using numerical simulations. Second, to demonstrate proof-of-concept, a RECT was designed a and tested in the laboratory. Several image quality metrics were calculated to critically evaluate the RECT-LRT images as compared to conventional ECT images. The results showed that the RECT-LRT system was able to generate ECT permittivity maps with higher resolution.
A Non-Outer Sphere Mechanism for the Ionization of Aryl Vinyl Sulfides by Triarylaminium Salts

Evidence is presented that the formation of aryl vinyl sulfide cation radicals from the corresponding neutral precursors via reaction with tris(4-bromophenyl)aminium hexachloroantimonate in the context of a cation radical Diels−Alder addition to 1,3-cyclopentadiene does not occur via outer sphere electron transfer but by a mechanism involving strong covalent interaction between the aminium salt acting as an electrophile and the aryl vinyl sulfide substrate acting as a nucleophile.
Age differences in electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) usage motivations and behaviors, perceived health benefit, and intention to quit.

Abstract Introduction Data from comprehensive studies are sparse regarding age differences in issues related to electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) usage. This study examined age differences in usage motivations and behaviors, perceived health benefit, and quit intentions in a large and diverse sample recruited online. Methods The sample included 1,432 current ENDS users, ages 18–64, drawn from a national online survey conducted in 2016. Descriptive and multivariable analyses were used. Results The sample included participants in the following age groups: 18–24 (17.5%), 25–34 (38.6%), 35–44 (23.3%), and 45–64 (20.7%). With multiple adjustments, the 18–24 age group was more likely to vape for reasons such as flavors or friends’ use, and to use multiple flavors and products with varying nicotine content. For example, the odds (95% CI) of vaping initiation due to flavor attraction vs. other reasons in the 18–24 age group were 1.40 (1.02–1.92), 2.73 (1.85–3.99), and 2.12 (1.41–3.18) compared to the 25–34, 35–44, and 45–64 age groups, respectively. In contrast, compared to older age groups, the 18–24 age group was less likely to use ENDS as an alternative to cigarettes or as a quitting device; they also used ENDS less frequently and perceived less health benefit of ENDS use. The 18–24 age group, especially those who had only used ENDS, had the lowest odds of likely quitting use of tobacco/nicotine products compared to other groups (lower by 44–73%). Conclusion There were significant age differences in ENDS usage motivations and behaviors, perceived health benefit, and quit intentions.
Reflective Writing: Enhancing Students Cognitive Complexity Through Ethics Education

Counselors will inevitably encounter ethical dilemmas. Since they are expected to practice within the code of ethics, the skills to make an appropriate decision are necessary. It is generally agree...
Analytical Methods in Transportation: Left-Turn Penalties in Traffic Assignment Models

An examination of the use of linear programming is presented for the assignment of traffic to routes in a network when the origins and destinations of the trips are known. The formulation of the traffic assignment problem as a linear programming problem is given. The simplex computational technique and an equivalent geometric algorithm are presented side-by-side in the solution of a sample problem so that the relationship of the two methods can be seen. Also mentioned is an intersection mode that permits time penalties to be assigned to individual turning maneuvers within the intersection. Essentially the intersection node is broken into several sub-nodes so that, for visualization purposes, a spacial separation can be substituted for the temporal one. Adaptations of the model for several types of intersections are presented. The intersection model can be applied equally well to the linear programming approach to assignment or to presently used techniques.
In situ surface protection of lithium metal anode in Lithium–Selenium disulfide batteries with ionic liquid-based electrolytes

Abstract Selenium disulfide (SeS2)–based composites have received much attention as a promising cathode material for high-energy lithium metal batteries due to their higher theoretical capacity (1342 mAh g−1) than that of selenium (675 mAh g−1) and less severe shuttle effect than that of sulfur. However, Li–SeS2 batteries still suffer from two main challenges: (1) the development of stabilized lithium metal anodes maintaining the functional interface during cycling and (2) the high-performance SeS2 cathodes allowing long cycle life with good rate capability. Herein, we report a dense, stable LiF-rich, and conductive Li3N-rich protection layer formed in situ on lithium metal surface by the co-presence of pyrrolidinium-based ionic liquid and LiNO3 in the electrolyte. Such unique protective layer led to little morphological changes of lithium anode over cycling and effectively mitigated the growth of lithium dendrites and the unwanted side reactions with soluble cathode intermediates. The protected lithium metal anode also showed good cycling stability of repeated plating/stripping over 400 h at a practical current density of 2 mA cm−2, which is important for the safe operation of lithium metal batteries. When paired with 3D interconnected hierarchical SeS2 cathodes, Li–SeS2 battery showed good cycling performance over 500 cycles with much improved Coulombic efficiency (>98.9%) with the capacity decay of less than 0.08% per cycle after stabilization. These findings suggest a promise of stabilized lithium metal anode through the in situ formation of protective layer coupled with functional cathode design, taking one step closer toward the development of high-energy Li metal batteries with long cycle life.
Separation and Divorce Among LGBTQ-Parent Families

Although there is ample literature regarding the couple relationships of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) individuals, particularly same-sex LG couples, less is known about processes of separation and divorce in instances where these relationships are not enduring. This topic is timely to consider as a growing number of countries worldwide have moved toward marriage equality for same-sex couples, which also means that legal same-sex divorce is becoming an increasing reality. As many couples including LGBTQ-identified persons have children, it is likely that at least some of these children will experience the dissolution of their parents’ relationship, yet few studies have attended to outcomes and experiences of LGBTQ-parent families who experience divorce. In this chapter, we review data on LGBTQ relationship separation and divorce, particularly those LGBTQ adults who are parents. We underscore dynamics unique to LGBTQ parents and their children who experience dissolution of the couple relationship. In doing so, we describe both quantitative and qualitative studies in this area, and we draw on related research among cisgender heterosexual parent families who have experienced separation and divorce. We conclude with implications and recommendations for policy, practice, and future research.
Two-Stage Total Sacrectomy

Latin for “sacred bone” and so named for its recurrent role in ancient Greek and Egyptian mythology [1], the os sacrum remains the subject of much discourse and scholarship in modern-day musculoskeletal oncology. The treatment of sacral tumors demands attention to the complex interplay of anatomic, biomechanical, and oncologic considerations. However, with meticulous preoperative planning and input from a specialized multidisciplinary team, good functional and oncologic results can be obtained in the surgical management of these tumors.
Can Sharing Economy Platforms Increase Social Equity for Vulnerable Populations in Disaster Response and Relief? A Case Study of the 2017 and 2018 California Wildfires

Author(s): Wong, Stephen D; Broader, Jacquelyn C; Shaheen, Susan A | Abstract: Ensuring social equity in evacuations and disasters remains a critical challenge for many emergency management and transportation agencies. Recent sharing economy advances – including transportation network companies (TNCs, also known as ridehailing and ridesourcing), carsharing, and homesharing – may supplement public resources and ensure more equitable evacuations. To explore the social equity implications of the sharing economy in disasters, we conducted four focus groups (n=37) of vulnerable populations impacted by California wildfires in 2017 or 2018. To structure these data, we employed the Spatial Temporal Economic Physiological Social (STEPS) equity framework in an evacuation context. We contribute to the literature by: 1) summarizing the focus groups and their opinions on the sharing economy in evacuations; 2) capturing wildfire evacuation obstacles through the STEPS transportation equity framework; and 3) linking STEPS and focus group results to explore the future potential of shared resources. Using STEPS, we also expand our shared resource exploration to 18 vulnerable groups.We found that all focus groups were highly concerned with driver availability and reliability and the ability of vehicles to reach evacuation zones, not necessarily safety and security. Each group also expressed specific limitations related to their vulnerability. For example, individuals with disabilities were most concerned with inaccessible vehicles and homes. Using the STEPS framework, we found that while multiple vulnerable groups could gain considerable benefits from shared resources, 10 of the 18 groups experience three or more key challenges to implementation. We offer several policy recommendations to address equity-driven planning and shared resource limitations.
Revisiting phonotactic repairs in Cantonese loanword phonology: it’s all about sC

Different factors have been claimed to affect the choice of repair on English words with ill-formed Cantonese phonotactics in Cantonese loanword phonology. The first half of this paper presents experimental evidence showing that variation is observed only when repairing different onset cluster types: there is vowel epenthesis for s + consonant (sC) clusters but deletion of the second consonant for other (OR) clusters. I propose that the Syllable Mapping Grammar (SMG), the syllable structure mapping component of the perception grammar, drives such variation: Cantonese speakers assign different phonological representations based on cluster well-formedness. When they perceive words with an sC cluster, their SMG assigns [s] as syllabic. A full OT grammar is also provided. I present evidence for the knowledge of cluster well-formedness from speakers of languages like Cantonese where complex onsets are absent. Potential sources of such knowledge and other alternatives to my proposal are also discussed.
‘His eyes commanded me to come to him’: Desire and Mesmerism in Rhoda Broughton’s ‘The Man with the Nose’

This chapter examines Rhoda Broughton’s short story ‘The Man with the Nose’ (1872) from Twilight Stories (1879), focusing on representations of anxiety surrounding female sexuality. Published during the Victorian period, when female sexual desire was rarely given voice in realist fiction, Broughton’s stories reveal both desire and fear surrounding women’s sexuality. This chapter argues that both the genre of speculative fiction and the story’s concentration on mesmerism opened up the space for Broughton to explore female desire years before New Women writers’ frank portrayals during the fin de siecle.
Investigating Urban Growth and the Dynamics of Urban Land Cover Change Using Remote Sensing Data and Landscape Metrics

This study presents the result of an investigation into the dynamics of urban growth and urban land cover change in the Dallas-Fort Worth area of the United States using landscape metric and Landsa...
Variation in Arterial and Central Venous Catheter Use in Pediatric Intensive Care Units.

Objective:Describe patient and hospital characteristics associated with Arterial Catheter (AC) or Central Venous Catheter (CVC) use among pediatric intensive care units (ICUs).Design:Hierarchical m...
Challenges for Women Entering Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder

Women with opioid use disorder (OUD) face unique challenges the moment they enter treatment. This narrative review focused on recent literature regarding sex- and gender-based issues that could affect treatment outcomes in women with OUD. Women respond differently to opioids based on hormonal factors, are more likely to present to treatment with mental health conditions, especially depression, and are more likely to have experienced trauma via intimate partner violence compared with men. Women also face stigma when entering OUD treatment, particularly if they have children. Future research to improve OUD treatment outcomes in women should account for sex as a biological variable and gender as a social construct. Women have a fundamentally different experience than men during the course of OUD and upon treatment entry. Programs that address childcare/family support, mental health, and trauma are warranted for women with OUD.
Abstract PO-235: Choroid plexus papilloma: A report of a benign but rare entity

Choroid plexus papilloma (CPP) accounts for Citation Format: Hansini Laharwani, Vijay Kumar, James Neill. Choroid plexus papilloma: A report of a benign but rare entity [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Virtual Conference: Thirteenth AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; 2020 Oct 2-4. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2020;29(12 Suppl):Abstract nr PO-235.
Human capital and Black-white earnings gaps, 1996-2017

This paper estimates the contribution of human capital to the Black-white earnings gap in three separate samples of men spanning from 1966 through 2017, using both educational attainment and performance on standardized tests to measure human capital. There are three main findings. First, the magnitude of reductions in the Black-white earnings gap that occur after controlling for human capital has become much larger over time, suggesting a growing contribution of human capital to Black-white earnings disparities. Second, these increases are almost entirely due to growth in the returns to human capital, which magnify the impact of any racial differences in human capital levels, rather than to increasing racial gaps in the human capital traits themselves. Finally, growth in the explanatory power of human capital has been primarily due to increases in the association between human capital and the likelihood of nonwork, with no clear increases in the extent to which human capital explains Black-white wage differences. These findings highlight how apparently race-neutral structural developments in the U.S. labor market, such as increasing skill prices and falling labor force participation rates among less-skilled men, have had large impacts on racial inequity.
Estimation and Failure Detection: An Overview

In this chapter, we present an overview of estimation and failure detection for linear systems. In Section 2.2, we discuss linear filtering and its past and current development. First, Section 2.2.1 gives a brief description of the Wiener and Kaiman filters, the most commonly used filters for dynamic systems. Only the basic results are summarized in the section; while the derivation and other topics are treated in Appendix A. Next, in Section 2.2.2, we briefly discuss problems that are more general than linear least squares estimation, including robust filtering, which is one of our main concerns in subsequent chapters. We then motivate the need for robust filters in Section 2.2.3 by demonstrating the deleterious effect of model uncertainties on the Kaiman filter. A formulation of the robust filtering problem is given in Section 2.2.4. The small gain theorem, which is the key to solving that problem, is also introduced in that section. In Section 2.2.5, we describe how the small gain theorem is used in robust estimation. The actual derivation of the filters is left to Chapter 3. Further discussion on robust estimation is found in Section 2.2.6. The robust filtering problem is formulated in Section 2.2.4 in a deterministic context. In Section 2.2.7, we introduce the risk sensitive estimation problem, a stochastic version of robust filtering.