cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Time-Resolved Reflectivity Measurements of Silicon And Germanium Using A Pulsed Excimer Laser *

Time-resolved reflectivity measurements of silicon and germanium have been made during pulsed KrF excimer laser irradiation. The reflectivity was measured simultaneously at both 1152 and 632.8 nm wavelengths, and the energy density of each laser pulse was monitored. The melt duration and the time of the onset of melting were measured and compared with the results of melting model calculations. For energy densities just above the melting threshold, it was found that the melt duration was never less than 20 ns for Si and 25 ns for Ge, while the maximum reflectivity increased from the value of the hot solid to that of the liquid over a finite energy range. These results, along with a reinterpretation of earlier time-resolved ellipsometry measurements, indicate that, during the melt-in process, the near-surface region does not melt homogeneously, but rather consists of a mixture of solid and liquid phases. The reflectivity at the onset of melting and in the liquid phase have been measured at both 632.8 and 1152 nm, and are compared with the results found in the literature.
The Chalkboard Versus the Avatar Comparing the Effectiveness of Online and In-class Courses

Increasingly, colleges and universities are relying on fully online classes to teach students. This article investigates how students evaluate online courses in comparison to more traditional face-...
Oligohistidine Tag Mutagenesis of the lambda Holin Gene

Holins are a diverse group of small integral membrane proteins elaborated by bacteriophages to lyse bacterial hosts and effect release of progeny phages in a precisely timed manner. Recently, the holin S gene of phage λ was overexpressed and the holin protein was purified to homogeneity by means of an oligohistidine tag procedure and immobilized metal affinity chromatography (D. L. Smith, D. K. Struck, J. M. Scholtz, and R. Young, J. Bacteriol. 180:2531–2540, 1998). Numerous locations within the S gene were tested as sites for an oligohistidine-tag-encoding insertion which preserves holin function. The lysis phenotypes of these alleles, expressed from moderate-copy-number transactivation plasmids, were characterized. A striking class of mutants, previously referred to as early-dominant, have been found to have severe lysis defects but are fully functional in the presence of wild-type protein. Results presented here reveal that the early-dominance phenotype is independent of S107 inhibitor function. The results provide insight into the mechanism of hole formation and indicate that, while oligomerization is required in the pathway to hole formation, a nucleation event may also be required.
Alternative Therapy Use Among the Young-Old (Ages 65 to 74): An Evaluation of the MIDUS Database

By the year 2020, 20% of the U.S. population will be age 65 years or older. From a health care perspective, there is growing concern about the aging population. Little is known about the elderly and their use of alternative therapies. This study included data from the National Survey of Midlife Development in the United States (MIDUS). Three-hundred and thirty-five participants between the ages of 65 and 74 completed the interview and mailback questionnaire. Onehundred and forty-five individuals (43.3%) reported using alternative medicine therapies during the past year. The most common types of alternative medicine utilized were as follows: spiritual practices, exercise/movement therapies, special diets, chiropractic, and meditation. Income, education, and sex of respondent were found to be predictors of alternative therapy use among this age group. Results from this study could provide conventional practitioners greater awareness of the health beliefs and practices of their young-old patients.
Maid to Order in Hong Kong: Stories of Filipina Workers

Maid to Order in Hong Kong: Stories of Filipina Workers. NICOLE CONSTABLE. Ithaca, NY: Cornell University Press, 1997. xxii + 230 pp., illustrations, references, index.
The role of hydrophobicity in the structure of the human plasma lipoproteins.

The plasma lipoproteins can be divided into three major classes based upon their size, structure, density and function. Each of these classes plays an important role in the balance of vascular and intracellular lipid synthesis. In our study of relationship between lipoprotein composition and structure and the dynamics of lipid and protein transport among lipoproteins and cells, we have noted a number of correlations between lipoprotein structure and the transfer of lipoprotein components, within the lipoprotein or to cell membranes. Much of this discussion will focus upon the high- density lipoproteins (HDL), since their structure and properties have been relatively amenable to scientific probes. It is hoped that these studies will be useful in understanding the properties and behavior of the other lipoproteins.
Effects of blood conservation on the incidence of anemia and transfusions in pediatric parapneumonic effusion: a hospitalist perspective.

BACKGROUND: Children with pneumonia may develop parapneumonic effusion (PNE). The associated inflammatory process and nutritional compromise can blunt erythropoesis. Traditional treatment for these children with PNE includes repeated phlebotomy and surgical intervention, resulting in ongoing blood losses. Blood transfusions used to treat acquired anemia are associated with multiple complications. OBJECTIVES: This study evaluated the effect of hospitalists' implementation of blood conservation guidelines (BCG) on the incidence of anemia and transfusion requirements in children with PNE. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study of hospitalized children with PNE. SETTINGS: University affiliated Children's Hospital. PATIENTS: Children who were admitted to the hospital with PNE and managed using BCG (Group I) were compared to simultaneous no intervention group (S) and historical no intervention group (H). Group (I) and (S) were admitted from year 2000 to 2004 and the Group (H) were admitted from year 1997 to 1999. MEASUREMENTS: Phlebotomy frequency and volume, measured hemoglobin (Hgb) levels, and the need for red blood transfusions. RESULTS: Children in the BCG group (n = 24) compared to simultaneous no intervention group (n = 28) and historical no intervention group (n = 29) had lesser phlebotomy volumes (14 ± 8, 18 ± 14 and 69 ± 66 mL; P = 0.001), trend toward lesser Hgb drop (1.7 ± 1.4, 2.1 ± 1.2 and 2 ± 1.4 gm%; P ≤ 0.37), and lesser incidence of transfusion (8%, 18% and 31%; P = 0.11). Transfused children were younger (3.5 ± vs. 6.4 ± 4 years; P = 0.001) and had lower initial Hgb (9.9 ± 1 vs. 11.4 ± 1 gm%; P = 0.001), more phlebotomy (5.9 ± 7 vs. 1.1 ± 1 mL/kg., P = 0.001), longer hospitalization (18.7 ± 5 vs. 11.1 ± days; P = 0.001), and slightly higher (pediatric risk of mortality [PRISM]) scores (3.4 ± 5.7 vs. 1.6 ± 2.7; P = 0.25). CONCLUSION: Implementing BCG lowers phlebotomy losses and the need for transfusion. Journal of Hospital Medicine 2010;5:410–413. © 2010 Society of Hospital Medicine.
Distributed learning of the global maximum in a two-player stochastic game with identical payoffs

Little is known about the distributed learning of the global maximum in a stochastic framework when there is no communication between the decision-makers. The case of two decision-makers is considered, and prior knowledge is assumed about the expected rewards. The prior knowledge captures the asymmetries that may be present in the rewards. It is shown that each decision-maker completely unaware of the other converges to the global optimum with arbitrary accuracy over time.
Increased risk of adrenal insufficiency following etomidate exposure in critically injured patients.

Background Timely diagnosis and treatment of adrenal insufficiency (AI) dramatically reduces mortality in trauma patients. We sought to identify risk factors and populations with a high risk of developing AI. Design Retrospective registry study. Setting Academic level I trauma center. Patients All trauma patients in the intensive care unit who underwent cosyntropin stimulation testing (CST) for presumed AI from January 1, 2002, through December 31, 2004. Interventions Cosyntropin stimulation testing, in which response was defined as an increase of 9 μg/dL (248 nmol/L) or more in cortisol level. Main Outcome Measures Risk factors for developing AI in critically ill trauma patients. Results In 137 patients, CST was performed; 83 (60.6%) were nonresponders and 54 (39.4%) were responders. Age, sex, race, trauma mechanism, Injury Severity Score, and Revised Trauma Score were not statistically different between the groups. Rates of sepsis/septic shock, mechanical ventilation, and mortality were also similar between the 2 groups. However, rates of hemorrhagic shock on admission (45 [54%] vs 16 [30%]), requirement of vasopressor support (65 [78%] vs 28 [52%]), and etomidate exposure (59 [71%] vs 28 [52%]) were all significantly higher in the nonresponder group ( P Conclusions Exposure to etomidate is a modifiable risk factor for the development of AI in this sample of critically injured patients. The use of etomidate for procedural sedation and rapid-sequence intubation in this patient population should be reevaluated.
Comparing Two Proportions II

In the previous topic you discovered that you can use tests of significance to compare proportions between two experimental groups. In this topic you will learn that one can also use confidence intervals to estimate the magnitude of the difference in proportions between the experimental groups. You will also study the application of significance tests and confidence intervals to data obtained from observational studies. While you will find that the reasoning and interpretation of these inference procedures is the sam in every situation, you will be reminded that the design of the study dictates the types of conclusions that one can draw.
Lessons from the CYP3A4 promoter

There is considerable interest in determining the molecular basis for human variation in drug response. Investigations over the past 20 years have largely focused on identifying polymorphisms in genes that encode drug metabolism enzymes. Significant progress has been made for many of the cytochromes
Perception and Reality in Congressional Earmarks

Earmarks added to appropriations bills have generated a considerable amount of attention from the media, politicians, and fiscal watchdog groups. Taken as a whole, three “truths” about earmarks are frequently discussed: 1) earmarks are the reason for large budget deficits, 2) using omnibus legislation instead of regular order leads to more earmarks, and 3) “airdropped” earmarks added at the conference stage compound the problem of pork. In this paper, we examine these “truths” and find the conventional wisdom does not stand up to empirical tests. Finally, we show how Congress easily worked around new rules concerning the addition of earmarks at the confer-
The Democratic Peace and Territorial Conflict in the Twentieth Century

This book presents a systematic reassessment of the theoretical and empirical foundations of the democratic peace literature. Three distinct theoretical models of how domestic political institutions shape the foreign policy choices of state leaders are developed and Huth and Allee then test hypotheses from each model against an original data set of 348 territorial disputes from 1919–95. Each territorial dispute is divided into three separate but related phases for empirical analysis: Challenge the Status Quo Stage, Negotiation Stage and Military Escalation Stage. Their statistical results provide strong support for the importance of democratic accountability and norms in shaping decisions to negotiate and settle disputes as well as to threaten force and escalate to war. The findings of this book address central debates and provide many insights into understanding when and why democratic leaders engage in cooperative or confrontational foreign policies.
Electronic Structure of Partially Reduced Rutile TiO2(110) Surface: Where Are the Unpaired Electrons Located?

When an oxygen atom is removed from the surface of rutile TiO2(110), to make an oxygen vacancy, two unpaired electrons are left in the oxide. We perform density functional calculations with on-site repulsion (DFT+U) to find where these electrons are located. If U ≤ 2.5 eV, they are delocalized. If 3.0 ≤ U ≤ 6.0 eV, they are both localized on different Ti atoms, reducing them (formally) from Ti4+ to Ti3+. The energy of vacancy formation depends on the location of this pair of reduced Ti atoms. Three kinds of states have low energies that are very close to each other. In these states, the electrons are located on the five-coordinated Ti atoms at the surface and on Ti atoms below the surface. Previous calculations proposed that the unpaired electrons reduced two Ti atoms located near the vacancy. We find that this state has higher energy than all other states examined here.
Ethnolinguistic and Gender Aspects of Latino Naming in Chicago: Exploring Regional Variation

The naming behavior of ethnolinguistic minorities in the US can provide insight into a group’s cultural stances, language ideologies, and even language planning efforts. This study examines the names of Latinos in Chicago, with a particular focus on those born by the second generation. Building on previous studies of Latino immigrant naming practices in Texas and Los Angeles, a comparative analysis of the ethnolinguistic and gender-related patterns of a corpus of 386 names is performed. Results show a general alignment of name type preferences across Latino communities but suggest there may be site-specific trends in the popularity of individual names. In terms of gender divergence in assimilative naming, an additional perspective is provided to complement previous conflicting findings.
Effect of denervation of nasal mucosa on pulmonary mechanics.

Eight dogs underwent denervation of the nasal mucosa by bilateral surgical interruption of the caudal nasal nerve, major palatine nerves, nerve branches traversing the pterygopalatine ganglion, and ethmoid nerve. Determinations of pulmonary resistance and compliance immediately before denervation and 1 hour, 24 hours, and 7 days after denervation did not demonstrate a tonic nasal influence on pulmonary mechanics. Changes within the range of normal did occur in the immediate period after denervation. Because pulmonary resistance and compliance approached control values by the seventh day after denervation, these variations are probably the result of atelectasis and pooling of mucus within the bronchi, secondary to prolonged general anesthesia. Thus, pulmonary mechanics probably are not significantly altered after denervation of the nasal mucosa.
Personal computer-based simulation of laser interactions with materials

A user-friendly, personal computer-based routine called SLIM (simulation of laser interaction with materials) has been developed to elucidate the nonequilibrium effects of short, high-intensity laser pulses on different materials. By employing an implicit finite-difference scheme with varying spatial- and temporal-node dimensions, the time-dependent thermal history of laser-irradiated material can be determined quickly and accurately. The program can account for the temperature-dependent optical and thermal properties of the solid, time-dependent laser pulse intensity, and formation and propagation of the melt and/or vaporization interfaces induced by intense laser irradiation.
Retail Real Estate Cycles as Markov Chains

Executive Summary. Commercial real estate markets across cities evolve with considerable risk with respect to variables such as rent levels and growth, occupancy levels and trends, capital market d...
Inquiries Into the Nature of Slow Money: Investing As if Food, Farms and Fertility Mattered, by Woody Tasch

How can we bridge the path between the current economic downturn and instability and our depleting natural resources? Because money is woven so deeply into our lives, we must understand how to inco...
The EC Domains of Human Fibrinogen420Contain Calcium Binding Sites But Lack Polymerization Pockets

The extended (E) isoform unique to Fibrinogen420 (Fib420) is distinguished from the conventional chain of Fibrinogen340 by the presence of an additional 236-residue carboxyl terminus globular domain (EC). A recombinant form of EC (rEC), having a predicted mass of 27,653 Daltons, was expressed in yeast (Pichia pastoris) and purified by anion exchange column chromatography. Purified rEC appears to be predominantly intact, as judged by N-terminal sequence analysis, mass spectral analysis of the C-terminal cyanogen bromide (CNBr) fragment, and comparison of recognition by epitope-specific monoclonal antibodies. Carbohydrate determination, coupled with analysis of CNBr digestion fragments, confirms N-linked glycosylation at Asn667, the site at which sugar is attached in E. Analysis of CNBr digestion fragments confirms that two disulfide bridges exist at cysteine pairs E613/644 and E780/793. In the presence of 5 mmol/L EDTA, rEC is highly susceptible to plasmic degradation, but Ca2+ (5 mmol/L) renders rEC resistant. No protective effect from plasmic degradation was conferred to rEC by the peptides GPRPamide or GHRP, nor did rEC bind to a GPR peptide column. These results suggest that the EC domain contains a calcium-binding site, but lacks a polymerization pocket. By analogy with the site elucidated in the gammaC domain, we predict that the EC calcium binding site involves residues E772-778: DADQWEE.
Latin nēnia and the Armenian Galen Dictionary.

The Latin word nenia 'lament' appears with small frequency but clear meaning in various authors from Plautus to Sextus Festus. In a number of its appearances it is said to be of Greek provenance, though no supporting example of vrlvia appears in a Classical Greek text. A single example of Gk. vrlvia is found in the sixth century Byzantine author John of Lydia, though, as we shall see, under suspicious circumstances. However, in a recently edited Greek-Armenian dictionary of pharmaceutical terms, known as the Galen Dictionary, the word vrlvia mysteriously appears, appropriately glossed as 'lament, grief. These are the points I wish to discuss in this brief paper. In Latin, the use of nenia by Cicero and Horace is particularly clear. In the de legibus (2.24.62) it appears as follows:
Platelet-Monocyte Aggregates and C-Reactive Protein are Associated with VTE in Older Surgical Patients

Emerging evidence implicates platelets as key mediators of venous thromboembolism (VTE). Nevertheless, the pathways by which platelets and circulating procoagulant proteins synergistically orchestrate VTE remain incompletely understood. We prospectively determined whether activated platelets and systemic procoagulant factors were associated with VTE in 32 older orthopedic surgery patients. Circulating platelet-monocyte aggregates (PMAs), p-selectin expression (P-SEL), and integrin αIIbβ3 activation (PAC-1 binding) were assessed pre-operatively and 24 hours post-operatively. The proinflammatory and procoagulant molecule C-reactive protein (CRP), which induces PMA formation in vitro, along with plasma d-dimer and fibrinogen levels were also measured. The primary outcome was VTE occurring within 30 days post-operatively. Overall, 40.6% of patients developed VTE. Patients with VTE had a significant increase in circulating PMAs and CRP post-operatively, compared to those without VTE. Changes in PMA and CRP in VTE patients were significantly correlated (r2 = 0.536, p = 0.004). In contrast, P-SEL expression and PAC-1 binding, fibrinogen levels, and d-dimers were not associated with VTE. This is the first study to identify that increased circulating PMAs and CRP levels are early markers associated with post-surgical VTE. Our findings also provide new clinical evidence supporting the interplay between PMAs and CRP in patients with VTE.
Helping the Homeless: What About the Spirit of God?

This paper argues that the Holy Spirit is missing from services for the homeless. Spirituality is reviewed as a concept, and it is argued that the transforming Spirit that Paul described is not often present in discussions. Instead, the Social Gospel and Modernism have replaced the role of the Holy Spirit, and people who are homeless are being provided with very limited options to transform their lives and escape the desperation they so often feel.
The earliest thrombolytic treatment of acute myocardial infarction: ambulance or emergency department?

Because the effectiveness of thrombolytic therapy is inversely related to the time interval before it is given, prehospital thrombolytic administration has been proposed and implemented to shorten the time between acute myocardial infarction (AMI) symptom onset and definitive therapy. Regardless of how effective these prehospital approaches prove to be, they have the potential to shorten the time to thrombolytic therapy in only a minority of the affected U.S. population because only approximately half of AMI patients are transported by the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) system. Preliminary efforts to shorten patient delay in response to AMI symptoms and to increase the number of patients who use the paramedic system have met with limited success. Other potential problems relating to prehospital thrombolytic administration include the high cost of electrocardiographic and communication equipment per ambulance, field drug stock cost and breakage, and additional medicolegal risks for physicians and prehospital providers. The medicolegal risk can be estimated by setting up a clinical decision analysis model. If prehospital treatment were to become standard care in the United States, half of the 1.5 million AMI patients per year (750,000) who are transported by paramedics would be candidates for prehospital treatment. Assuming a 30% treatment rate (225,000), a 5% major bleed and a 1% stroke complication rate, then 11,250 major bleeds and 2,250 strokes would occur in field-treated AMI patients. If we assume that the absence of physician screening might increase the incidence of complications between 1% and 10%, then 113 to 1,125 extra bleeds and 23 to 225 extra strokes would result from prehospital treatment compared with treatment in the emergency department (ED).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Rate equation model for the evolution of χ(2) gratings In optical fibers

The achievement of high conversion efficiencies for second harmonic generation (SHG) in optical fibers can lead to many practical applications. However, to enhance conversion efficiencies, saturation phenomena limiting the growth of x(2) must be understood. We report the results of experiments which provide new insight into the evolution of x(2) gratings in optical fibers conditioned for SHG.
Macrophage polarization and MRSA infection in burned mice

Mortality associated with Staphylococcus aureus infection remains high during the sub-acute phase of burn injury. In this study, we aimed to improve antibacterial resistance of sub-acutely burned mice through macrophage polarization. Sepsis did not develop in mice at the sub-acute phase of 5% total body surface area (TBSA) burn after being infected with methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA), and M1 macrophages (interleukin (IL)-10-IL-12+ inducible nitric oxide synthase+ Mφ) were isolated from these mice. In contrast, predominantly M2b macrophages (C-C motif chemokine ligand 1 (CCL1)+IL-10+IL-12- Mφ) were isolated from mice with >15% TBSA burn, and all of these mice died after the same MRSA infection. Comparing NOD scid gamma mice inoculated with Mφ with 25% TBSA burns, all mice treated with CCL1 antisense oligodeoxynucleotide (ODN) survived after MRSA infection, whereas all untreated mice given the same infection died within 4 days. CCL1 antisense ODN has been characterized as a specific polarizer of M2bMφ. M1Mφ were isolated from MRSA-infected mice with 25% TBSA burn after treatment with CCL1 antisense ODN, and these mice were shown to be resistant against a lethal dose of MRSA infection. M1Mφ were also isolated from 25% TBSA-burned mice infected with MRSA when the ODN was administered therapeutically, and subsequent sepsis was effectively controlled in these mice. These results indicate that the M2bMφ polarizer is beneficial for controlling MRSA infection in mice at the sub-acute phase of severe burn injury.
An Analysis of Time-Based Pricing in Electricity Supply Chains

This paper empirically evaluates the impact of time-based tariffs on the electricity supply chain. We investigate the residential electricity demand and supply equilibrium, using data from a field experiment conducted by the Ireland Commission for Energy Regulation: We first estimate individual households’ demand as a function of retail electricity prices. Then, we characterize the optimal retail prices under the flat rate, time-of-use (TOU) and real-time pricing (RTP) schemes for the social planner, the monopolist retailer and in a perfectly competitive retail electricity market. We find that time-based pricing schemes can be effective in reducing the peak load. Specifically, a simple TOU tariff with predetermined rates for different hours of the day can reduce the peak load as much as RTP. However, time-based tariffs do not reduce consumers’ electricity bills or total consumption significantly. Finally, time-based prices only slightly increase the carbon dioxide emissions in Ireland. Nonetheless, the environmental impact of these tariffs can be significant in other electricity markets with different generation mix and dispatch decisions.
Exchange Status, Ability Status, and Reputation within Venture Capital Markets

This study finds status that derives from new entrant venture capitalists' (VCs') information reach and frequency of repeated partnerships (exchange status) - the status construct generated by conventional implementations of the Bonacich (1987) construct - does not have any forecast power for future realizations of market reputations or future realizations of its own construct within venture capital markets. In empirical tests that substitute estimates of intrinsic ability for 'frequency of repeated partnerships' in implementation of the Bonacich (1987) construct, the resulting hybrid variable, ability status is shown to have forecast power for future realizations of market reputations and future realizations of exchange status. Forecast outcomes of ability status reveal strategies that enhance future realizations of market reputations do not simultaneously enhance future realizations of exchange status, and vice versa. A formal theoretical model demonstrates exchange status fails to have forecast power for future outcomes because the value of syndication is conditional on estimates of VCs' ability at timing of syndication activity. The formal model predicts, and empirical results show separating price equilibriums within venture capital markets can be characterized as arising out of a market structure within which strata of ability coexist with strata of project innovativeness, with higher ability VCs more likely to invest in, and more likely to syndicate investments in more innovative projects.
A beverage intake tracking system based on machine learning algorithms, and ultrasonic and color sensors: poster abstract

We present a novel approach for monitoring beverage intake. Our system is composed of an ultrasonic sensor, an RGB color sensor, and machine learning algorithms. The system not only measures beverage volume but also detects beverage types. The sensor unit is lightweight that can be mounted on the lid of any drinking bottle. Our experimental results demonstrate that the proposed approach achieves more than 97% accuracy in beverage type classification. Furthermore, our regression-based volume measurement has a nominal error of 3%.
Nonlinear propagation of 100 ps, UV laser pulses in water with strong stimulated Raman stokes coupling

Underwater UV laser pulse propagation experiments were performed at intensities spanning the linear and nonlinear regimes. Measurements and simulations show strong coupling to molecular Raman modes and suggest strong ionization-induced refraction near the beam focus.
Perspectives on Mussel-Inspired Wet Adhesion

Nature employs sophisticated control of a structure’s properties at multiple length scales to achieve its wet adhesion. However, the translation of such structures has very often been missing in biomimetic adhesives; in turn, their performance is significantly limited as compared to that of biological adhesion, e.g., from mussels. In this Perspective, we overview the major breakthroughs in this field, highlighting the recent advances that demonstrate that holistic multiscale translation is essential to biomimetic design. We argue that the multiscale coordination of numerous key elements in the natural adhesive system is essential to replicate the strong, instant, and durable wet adhesion of the marine sessile organism.
Connecting to Nigeria

It should be easy to connect the institutions of Africa's most populous country with the global tech community. The web extra at https://youtu.be/Nxkbiy89jq0 is an audio recording of author David Alan Grier reading his Global Code column.
Targeting NRF2 for improved skin barrier function and photoprotection: Focus on the achiote-derived apocarotenoid bixin

The transcription factor NRF2 (nuclear factor-E2-related factor 2) orchestrates major cellular defense mechanisms including phase-II detoxification, inflammatory signaling, DNA repair, and antioxidant response. Recent studies strongly suggest a protective role of NRF2-mediated gene expression in the suppression of cutaneous photodamage induced by solar UV (ultraviolet) radiation. The apocarotenoid bixin, a Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved natural food colorant (referred to as ‘annatto’) originates from the seeds of the achiote tree native to tropical America, consumed by humans since ancient times. Use of achiote preparations for skin protection against environmental insult and for enhanced wound healing has long been documented. We have recently reported that (i) bixin is a potent canonical activator of the NRF2-dependent cytoprotective response in human skin keratinocytes; that (ii) systemic administration of bixin activates NRF2 with protective effects against solar UV-induced skin damage; and that (iii) bixin-induced suppression of photodamage is observable in Nrf2+/+ but not in Nrf2−/− SKH-1 mice confirming the NRF2-dependence of bixin-induced antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. In addition, bixin displays molecular activities as sacrificial antioxidant, excited state quencher, PPAR (peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor) α/γ agonist, and TLR (Toll-like receptor) 4/NFκB (nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells) antagonist, all of which might be relevant to the enhancement of skin barrier function and environmental stress protection. Potential skin photoprotection and photochemoprevention benefits provided by topical application or dietary consumption of this ethno-pharmacologically validated phytochemical originating from the Americas deserves further preclinical and clinical examination.
Scope of the Problems

Pain, whether acute, chronic, or recurring, is a major source of morbidity and disability, costing uncounted billions of dollars annually in both direct and indirect costs. The diagnosis and treatment of pain have taken on increased importance in recent years and are now identified as a “vital sign” by the Joint Commission on Accreditation Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO). The treatment of both acute and chronic pain with opiate pain relievers has led to a national crisis over opiate abuse and dependence. For women, pelvic pain is by far the most common type of pain complaint for which treatment is sought. The cyclic pain of dysmenorrhea has been estimated to affect up to 80% of women at some point in their life, with 50% or more experiencing it on a regular basis. Without access to effective treatments, this scope of incapacity should be intolerable to any developed society.
Energy impact evaluation for eco-routing and charging of autonomous electric vehicle fleet: Ambient temperature consideration

Abstract This paper studies the heterogeneous energy cost and charging demand impact of autonomous electric vehicle (EV) fleet under different ambient temperature. A data-driven method is introduced to formulate a two-dimensional grid stochastic energy consumption model for electric vehicles. The energy consumption model aids in analyzing EV energy cost and describing uncertainties under variable average vehicle trip speed and ambient temperature conditions. An integrated eco-routing and optimal charging decision making framework is designed to improve the capability of autonomous EV’s trip level energy management in a shared fleet. The decision making process helps to find minimum energy cost routes with consideration of charging strategies and travel time requirements. By taking advantage of derived models and technologies, comprehensive case studies are performed on a data-driven simulated transportation network in New York City. Detailed results show us the heterogeneous energy impact and charging demand under different ambient temperature. By giving the same travel demand and charging station information, under the low and high ambient temperature within each month, there exist more than 20% difference of overall energy cost and 60% difference of charging demand. All studies will help to construct sustainable infrastructure for autonomous EV fleet trip level energy management in real world applications.
Unconditional stability for multistep ImEx schemes: Practice

Abstract This paper focuses on the question of how unconditional stability can be achieved via multistep ImEx schemes, in practice problems where both the implicit and explicit terms are allowed to be stiff. For a class of new ImEx multistep schemes that involve a free parameter, strategies are presented on how to choose the ImEx splitting and the time stepping parameter, so that unconditional stability is achieved under the smallest approximation errors. These strategies are based on recently developed stability concepts, which also provide novel insights into the limitations of existing semi-implicit backward differentiation formulas (SBDF). For instance, the new strategies enable higher order time stepping that is not otherwise possible with SBDF. With specific applications in nonlinear diffusion problems and incompressible channel flows, it is demonstrated how the unconditional stability property can be leveraged to efficiently solve stiff nonlinear or nonlocal problems without the need to solve nonlinear or nonlocal problems implicitly.
FRAMEWORKS FOR ORGANIZATIONAL INFORMATION PROCESSING AND DECISION MAKING

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the division of information-processing labor within an organization and abilities required of a decision maker. It presents two conceptual frameworks for information processing and decision making. These frameworks provide a common thread with which the various aspects of decision support may be joined, thereby offering a more complete picture of this field. The frameworks allow introducing various computer-based techniques into a human–machine information-processing view. Without the perspective that the frameworks afford, the techniques look like the backside of a tapestry, that is, they are analogous to many strands that appear to be related in some way, but the nature of that relationship and the pattern it produces are not discernible. The frameworks permit to view the front as well, to see not only behind-the-scenes mechanics but also the nature of relationships among the mechanics and the patterns produced. The frameworks furnish a basis for comparative study of various human–machine systems, which differ according to the aspects accomplished by humans and those accomplished by machines. It also discusses the methods for operationalizing the concepts involved in these frameworks.
A deoxyribonuclease from calf spleen. I. Purification and properties.

The deoxyribonucleases1 of animal tissues are of two types which are readily distinguishable by the conditions necessary for activity on their substrate, DNA. The pancreatic DNase, which has been crystallized by Kunitz (1), is active in neutral solution in the presence of magnesium or certain other divalent cations (2). The DN ase predominant in most other tissues is active at a lower pH, in the presence of adequate ionic strength, but does not specifically require divalent ions.
The Role of the Managed Care Organization in Ensuring Quality of the Service System

A preliminary requirement in discussing the role of the managed care organization in maintaining a full continuum of services is to define the target population or populations for a continuum of care in behavioral health. Typically, severely and persistently mentally ill adults have been identified, often referred to as “revolving door” patients, given their frequent acute care readmissions. This is the population for which the community mental health centers program was initiated in the early 1960s, as an alternative to state mental hospitals (Feldman, 1994). By contrast, the largely employed or employee-dependent populations served under managed care plans tend to have relatively low rates of severe chronic mental illness compared to public sector recipients.
Unification of some MIMO adaptive control algorithms and global convergence analysis

This paper presents the general direct adaptive scheme which can control linear schastic multivariable systems with arbitrary interactor matrix. For this scheme some MIMO adaptive control structures derived by specific approaches are special cases. A proof of global convergence of this adaptive scheme using a modified least squares algorithms is also given.
Interpersonal effects of parents and adolescents on each other's health behaviours: a dyadic extension of the theory of planned behaviour.

Objective: Interpersonal relationships are important predictors of health outcomes and interpersonal influences on behaviours may be key mechanisms underlying such effects. Most health behaviour th...
LAB: Linguistic Annotated Bibliography – a searchable portal for normed database information

This article presents the Linguistic Annotated Bibliography (LAB) as a searchable Web portal to quickly and easily access reliable database norms, related programs, and variable calculations. These publications were coded by language, number of stimuli, stimuli type (i.e., words, pictures, symbols), keywords (i.e., frequency, semantics, valence), and other useful information. This tool not only allows researchers to search for the specific type of stimuli needed for experiments but also permits the exploration of publication trends across 100 years of research. Details about the portal creation and use are outlined, as well as various analyses of change in publication rates and keywords. In general, advances in computational power have allowed for the increase in dataset size in the recent decades, in addition to an increase in the number of linguistic variables provided in each publication.
Molecular Diagnostics of Sexually Transmitted Diseases: Bacterial, Trichomonas, and Herpes Simplex Virus Infections

One of the most common groups of infections is sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), and they have posed a significant medical and public health problem worldwide. Over 1 million new cases are documented each day. With a heavy burden of disease in the population, significant resources have been applied to the detection and treatment of STDs. More manual and traditional methods have been replaced with cutting-edge molecular tests for detecting these organisms. Non-amplification (e.g., nucleic acid hybridization), signal amplification (e.g., Digene Hybrid Capture), and target amplification (e.g., PCR and transcription-mediated amplification) nucleic acid techniques have been applied to STD diagnostics which has greatly improved throughput, sensitivity, specificity, and turnaround time for laboratory diagnosis. This has improved the way we treat the patient and how we address public health disease control and prevention. This chapter reviews the molecular diagnostic techniques for detection of bacterial (Treponema pallidum, Haemophilus ducreyi, Chlamydia trachomatis, Neisseria gonorrhea, Mycoplasma and Ureaplasma), Trichomonas vaginalis, and Herpes simplex virus STD infections.
Optical contrast signatures of hexagonal boron nitride on a device platform

Atomic layers of hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) crystal, primarily serving as atomically-smooth dielectric layers in two-dimensional (2D) electronics and structural materials in 2D nanoelectromechanical systems (NEMS), have recently emerged as a promising platform for nanoscale optics and photonics. Ultrawide bandgap (~5.9 eV) of h-BN promises ultraviolet (UV) and deep ultraviolet (DUV) responsivity; it can host defect states related to single photon generation. Meanwhile, it also gives rise to the visibility challenge of these atomically-thin crystals, because of the optical transparency in the visible range. In this work, we conduct a comprehensive study, synergizing numerical modeling and experimental efforts, to reveal the optical contrast signatures of h-BN on various substrates. We demonstrate that the visualization and thickness identification based on optical contrast are applicable to mechanically suspended h-BN crystals, without interference enhancement from the commonly used oxidized silicon (SiO2 on Si) wafer. The understanding and protocols developed here offer a non-contact, rapid thickness estimation method for h-BN thin films on suspended device platforms, where conventional contact methods such as scanning probes are incapable or cumbersome. The results and methods presented here also serve as valuable guidelines for engineering the h-BN platform towards 2D nanophotonic and optoelectronic applications.
Development of an Assessment of Student Conception of the Nature of Science.

Universities across the country have begun to make changes in their science curriculum, especially with regards to non-science majors. Assessment of courses and curricula, however, lags far behind implementation. In an effort to determine the effectiveness of science courses for non-majors, a series of general education and introductory courses were assessed using a Likert-scale instrument. Results from 991 students permitted a statistical analysis of this instrument's validity and reliability. This evaluation prompted the removal of a number of non-correlated items and indicated that the test consists of three scales: Attitude towards Learning Science, Attitude towards Science, and Conception of Science. Examples from two courses, one laboratory-based and the other grounded in collaborative learning, are provided to demonstrate the utility of these types of scales in assessing both prior knowledge and course outcomes.
Risk Factors for Perioperative Respiratory Failure following Mandibular Distraction Osteogenesis for Micrognathia: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND The frequency of respiratory events in the perioperative period, and optimal duration of intubation during early mandibular distraction osteogenesis activation, are poorly understood. This study assesses potential risk factors associated with perioperative respiratory events, particularly the need for reintubation, following mandibular distraction osteogenesis surgery. METHODS A retrospective review was conducted for infants (younger than 1 year) undergoing mandibular distraction osteogenesis for tongue-based airway obstruction between November of 2010 and December of 2017. Univariate and multivariate analyses of sentinel events and outcomes were performed. RESULTS Ninety infants (median age, 35 days) were included (50 percent were syndromic). Twenty-seven subjects (30 percent) experienced a respiratory event requiring intervention before discharge, including 14 subjects who failed initial extubation. Subjects extubated earlier than postoperative day 5 failed extubation more frequently (33%) compared to those extubated later (9%; p = 0.005). Respiratory events occurred more frequently when extubation was attempted at distraction lengths of 5 mm or less (42 percent) compared to greater than 5 mm (21 percent; p = 0.032). Logistic regression modeling showed that syndromic status (OR, 14.8) and secondary airway anomaly (OR, 6.1) were significant predictors for respiratory events, whereas greater length of distraction at the time of extubation was protective (OR, 0.8; p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS Postoperative intubation of at least 5 days with associated mean distraction of 5 mm appears to be associated with successful extubation trial following mandibular distraction osteogenesis surgery. Patients with congenital syndromes and secondary airway anomalies are more likely to experience perioperative respiratory events. CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Risk, III.
Perceptual and Semantic Phases of Face Identification Processing: A Multivariate Electroencephalography Study.

Rapid identification of a familiar face requires an image-invariant representation of person identity. A varying sample of familiar faces is necessary to disentangle image-level from person-level p...
Class and Kinetics of Weakly Reactive Pretransplant Donor-specific HLA Antibodies Predict Rejection in Kidney Transplant Recipients.

Background The clinical impact of weakly reactive pretransplant donor-specific antibody (DSA) in kidney transplantation is controversial. While some evidence suggests that weakly reactive DSA can lead to rejection, it is unclear which patients are at risk for rejection and whether posttransplant changes in weakly reactive DSA are clinically meaningful. Methods We retrospectively studied 80 kidney transplant recipients with weakly reactive pretransplant DSA between 2007 and 2014. We performed a multivariate Cox regression analysis to identify immunologic factors most associated with risk of biopsy-proven rejection. Results Biopsy-proven rejection occurred in 13 of 80 (16%) patients. The presence of both class I and II DSA before transplant (hazards ratio 17.4, P < 0.01) and any posttransplant increase in DSA reactivity above a mean fluorescence intensity of 3000 (hazards ratio 7.8, P < 0.01) were each significantly associated with an increased risk of rejection, which primarily occurred within the first 18 months. Conclusions Pretransplant DSA class and DSA kinetics after transplantation are useful prognostic indicators in patients with weak DSA reactivity. These results identify a small, high-risk patient group that warrants aggressive posttransplant DSA monitoring and may benefit from alternative donor selection.