cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Conditional Standard Errors of Measurement for Scale Scores Using IRT

An IRT method for estimating conditional standard errors of measurement of scale scores is presented, where scale scores are nonlinear transformations of number-correct scores. The standard errors account for measurement error that is introduced due to rounding scale scores to integers. Procedures for estimating the average conditional standard error of measurement for scale scores and reliability of scale scores are also described. An illustration of the use of the methodology is presented, and the results from the IRT method are compared to the results from a previously developed method that is based on strong true-score theory.
General spatial features for analysis of multi-robot and human activities from raw position data

In this paper, we present a method of quantifying ideas from proxemics into a set of spatial features that can be used for recognizing, classifying, and modeling multirobot and human activities. We validate the features first with position data from multirobot activities such as flocking, random walk, and boundary following, and then with human activity data. These features are simple and general, and can also be used as performance measures of robot controllers and in learning robot behaviors.
Testing monophyly without well-supported gene trees: Evidence from multi-locus nuclear data conflicts with existing taxonomy in the snake tribe Thamnophiini

Ideally, existing taxonomy would be consistent with phylogenetic estimates derived from rigorously analyzed data using appropriate methods. We present a multi-locus molecular analysis of the relationships among nine genera in the North American snake tribe Thamnophiini in order to test the monophyly of the crayfish snakes (genus Regina) and the earth snakes (genus Virginia). Sequence data from seven genes were analyzed to assess relationships among representatives of the nine genera by performing multi-locus phylogeny and species tree estimations, and we performed constraint-based tests of monophyly of classic taxonomic designations on a gene-by-gene basis. Estimates of concatenated phylogenies demonstrate that neither genera are monophyletic, and this inference is supported by a species tree estimate, though the latter is less robust. These taxonomic findings were supported using gene tree constraint tests and Bayes Factors, where we rejected the monophyly of both the crayfish snakes (genus Regina) and the earth snakes (genus Virginia); this method represents a potentially useful tool for taxonomists and phylogeneticists when available data is less than ideal.
Siliceous microfossil succession in the recent history of two basins in Lake Baikal, Siberia

As part of the international cooperative Baikal Drilling Project, siliceous microfossil assemblage succession was analyzed in two short (~ 30-cm) sediment cores from Lake Baikal. One core was recovered from the north basin (Core 324, 55°15~N, 109°30~E), a second from between the central and southern basins (Core 316, 52°28'N, 106°5rE). The northern core had higher amounts of biogenic silica (40 g SiO2 per 100 g dry weight sediment) compared to the southern core, and increased deposition in the more recent sediments. Weight percent biogenic silica was lower in the southern core, ranging from approximately 20-30 g SiO2 per 100 g dry weight sediment throughout the entire core. Trends in absolute microfossil abundance mirror those of biogenic silica, with generally greater abundance in the northern core (86-275 x 106 microfossils g-1 dry sediment) compared to the southern core (94-163 x 106 microfossils g-1 dry sediment). Cluster analyses using relative abundance of the dominant diatom and chrysophyte taxa revealed four zones of microfossil succession in each core. Microfossil assemblage succession in the north basin may be reflecting shifts in nutrient supply and cycling driven by climatic changes. The most recent sediments in the northern basin (Zone 1, c. 1890's-1991 A.D.) were characterized by an increased abundance of Aulacoseira baicalensis and Aulacoseira 'spore'. Zone 3 (c. 1630's-1830's A.D.) was dominated by the endemic CycloteIla spp. and reduced abundance of the Aulacoseira spp. Zone 3 corresponds approximately to the Little Ice Age, a cooler climatic period. The microfossil assemblages between Zones 1 and 3 (Zone 2, c. 1830's-1890's A.D.) and below Zone 3 (Zone 4, c. 830's-1430's A.D.) are similar to one another suggesting they represent transitional intervals between warm and cold periods. Southern basin sediments record similar changes in the endemic taxa. However, the increased abundance of non-endemic planktonic taxa (e.g. Stephanodiscus binderanus, Synedra acus, Cyclostephanos dubius) during two periods in recent history (post World War II and late t 700's) suggests evidence for anthropogenic induced changes in southern Lake Baikal.
The Concept of Justice

In this chapter the dynamic of the consilient social brain directly confronts the concept of justice. Much of what we have covered so far relates to justice. Reciprocity, for example, implies justice. Equality and inequality imply justice. Since the time of written history, humans have expressed concerns about what is just and what is not. Justice is, in fact, one of the most central of all human concerns.
Supply function equilibrium bidding strategies with fixed forward contracts

During the last 15 years, the regulatory framework for the wholesale sector of the electricity industry has been replaced in many countries by market competition. In such an environment, electric firms compete through both spot market bidding and bilateral contract trading. Firms have to consider their forward contract positions when they make spot market decisions. In this paper, we propose a linear asymmetric supply function equilibrium (SFE) model with transmission constraints to develop firms' optimal bidding strategies considering forward contracts. The characteristics of firms' behaviors are analyzed under the induced equilibrium conditions. The model is applied to the real-time energy market of the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT). The effects of forward contracts on the ERCOT market are evaluated. It is shown that the model is able to capture features of bidding behaviors in the ERCOT market.
Hybrid Inorganic/Organic Self-Assembled Clays Nanocomposites for Roll to Roll Fabrication in Photovoltaics

We have been developing a new approach to layered hybrid (inorganic/organic) photovoltaic materials for fabrication by Roll-to-Roll (R2R) manufacturing. In this report, we combine the low cost and processability of organic electrically conducting polymers with the efficiency of dye sensitized titanium dioxide, semi-conductor quantum dots (CdSe) self-assembled on layered clay materials (Laponite) onto indium tin oxide coated flexible substrate polyethylene terephthalate (PET) substrates. We have shown electron transfer, guest-guest and host-guest interactions, charge separation, spectral line broadening, and quenching of fluorescence signals which indicate electronic coupling of the dye [Ru(bpy)3]2+ on a CdSe nanocrystal and titanium dioxide nanoparticles. Scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy demonstrate successful nanoparticle formation and thin film self-assembly, as well as surface morphology and polymer thickness.
SYNOPTIC TINKERING: INTEGRATING STRATEGIES FOR LARGE-SCALE CONSERVATION

The geographical distribution of endangered species and threatened habitats should provide useful information for identifying areas in need of special protection. It is naive, however, to assume that the identification of endangered species “hot spots” will lead to the development of a system of reserves that most efficiently protects a maximum amount of biodiversity. To achieve this also requires information on the underlying pattern of species diversity, the distribution of threats to diversity (such as relative rates of habitat loss), and the value of land in different areas. Here we focus on information for five U.S. states for which data are available on the underlying pattern of overall species diversity in one or more taxa, human population density, and land value. We analyze data for plants in California and Texas, birds in Oregon and Iowa, and “herptiles” in Florida. Our analysis indicates that the observed distribution of endangered species reflects the modification of the underlying pattern of ...
Multipoint temperature and pressure sensing system for monitoring CO 2 sequestration wells

A new interrogation scheme for pressure and temperature measurement in CO2 sequestration wells by MEMS sensors via fiber optic cable has been developed. The technique should enable sensor multiplexing for distributed downhole measurements.
Quality of life after coloanal anastomosis and abdominoperineal resection for distal rectal cancers: sphincter preservation vs quality of life

Aim A permanent colostomy is considered to have an adverse impact on quality of life (QOL). However, functional outcomes following sphincter preservation also affect QOL. Our aim was to determine differences in QOL of patients undergoing coloanal anastomosis (CAA) or abdominoperineal resection (APR) for distal rectal cancer. Method Eighty-five patients underwent CAA (72 with intestinal continuity and 13 with a stoma because of complications) and 83 patients underwent APR for a distal rectal cancer between 1995 and 2001 at a single institution and responded to our survey. QOL was evaluated using the EORTC QLQ-C30 and QLQ-CR38. Results Patients with CAA were younger than APR patients (mean age 57 vs 62 years, P < 0.001), but gender distribution, tumour stage and proportion of subjects receiving radiotherapy was not significantly different. Patients undergoing CAA had higher scores (better QOL) for physical functioning; lower scores (fewer symptoms) for fatigue, pain, financial difficulties, weight loss and chemotherapy side effects; and higher scores (more symptoms) for constipation and gastrointestinal symptoms compared with APR patients. CAA patients had higher scores (better QOL) for body image in men but not in women. Sexual functioning scores in men and women were lower (worse QOL) in CAA patients compared with APR patients. Conclusions QOL after APR is comparable to sphincter preservation, although there are some differences that need to be considered. QOL and functional results should be taken into account with the oncological outcome when devising management strategy for distal rectal cancer.
The PPAR regulatory system in cardiac physiology and disease.

Myocardial energy metabolism is an important determinant of cardiac structure and function. Modulating metabolism is therefore an attractive therapeutic avenue for the treatment of cardiac disease. The peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor family (PPARα, β/δ, γ) of nuclear receptor transcription factors is an important regulator of cardiac metabolism and has been targeted for pharmacologic therapies designed to modulate metabolism. The PPARs control myocardial metabolism by transcriptionally regulating genes encoding enzymes involved in fatty acid and glucose utilization. The expression and activity of the PPARs and their coactivator protein PGC-1α is dynamically regulated in several cardiomyopathic and metabolic diseases. This review will summarize these findings and other recent studies regarding the effects of experimental PPAR activation and deactivation and its potential impact on cardiomyopathic remodeling.
Barriers and Motivations to Exercise in Older African American and European American Women

Older adults, women, and minorities are the least active segments of the US population. The purpose of this study was to identify barriers and motivations to exercise associated with older African American and European American women. Eighty-nine European American and 115 African American women (mean age 72 years) completed a pencil-and-paper questionnaire composed of general demographic information and a list of 10 motivations and six barriers to exercise; participants were asked to check all barriers and motivations that applied to them. Significant ethnic differences were found for one barrier (too expensive) and one motivation (doctor’s orders). Significantly more European American women perceived expenses to be a barrier to exercise (χ 2 = 3.94, p<0.05) and significantly more African American women (χ 2 = 9.79, p<0.01) reported they exercised because their doctor told them to compared to the European American women. The African American women in our study were significantly heavier compared to the European American women. The researchers hypothesized that differences in body weight rather than ethnicity might explain the difference in frequency with which the women reported their physician’s advice as a motivation to exercise. Physicians might have viewed exercise as a way to treat a problem (i.e., overweight) rather than to prevent it.
Homing Behavior of Chipmunks in Central New York

Homing movements ranging from about 150 to 700 yards have been recorded for Tamias by Seton (life histories of northern animals, vol. 1: 341, 1909), Allen (Bull. N. Y. State Mus., 314: 87, 1938), Burt (Misc. Publ. Mus. Zool. Univ. Mich., 45: 45, 1940), and Hamilton (American mammals, p. 283, 1939). While engaged in other studies during the summer of 1952, I had the opportunity of making additional observations on the homing behavior of the eastern chipmunk, Tamias striatus lysteri (Richardson), on the campus of Cornell University at Ithaca, Tompkins County, New York. Live-trapping was conducted from July 26 to August 3 in a tract of approximately 3 acres of hemlock and mixed hardwood forest bordering a small artificial lake. A maximum of 12 traps was employed. The chipmunks taken were sexed, aged (subadult or adult), marked by clipping patches of fur on various parts of the body, and transported in a cloth bag to one of six release points. The latter were situated in similar continuous habitat or in an area of campus buildings, lawns, shrubbery, and widely spaced trees adjacent to the woodland. An individual was considered as having homed when it was …
Philosophical Reflections from a Chinese Mirror

George Orwell may have had the date wrong, but the frightening world he described in 1984 could yet become a reality if current geopolitical trends at home and abroad continue unchecked. Here in the U.S. the misnamed Patriot Act, tortured legal arguments for torture, warrantless surveillance, military adventurism fueled by a defense budget that is out of control, being labeled a terrorist sympathasizer if you challenge the government—all of this and more can only make Big Brother smile.
Beam Normal Single Spin Asymmetry Measurements from QWeak

The Q weak experiment has made several interesting beam normal single spin asymmetry measurements. Preliminary result from a 3.2% measurement of the beam normal single spin asymmetry in elastic e+p scattering at E = 1.155 GeV and {\theta} lab = 7.8(deg) is presented. We have also made measurements of this asymmetry in elastic and inelastic scattering in the Delta resonance region from Hydrogen, Aluminum and Carbon targets and e+e scattering from Hydrogen target. Some initial results from these measurements are also presented.
Dental Rounds: An Evolving Process of Curriculum Integration at the LSU School of Dentistry

With the support for curriculum change expressed by the American Dental Education Association’s Commission on Change and Innovation in Dental Education (ADEA CCI), the Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center School of Dentistry (LSUSD) initiated a course that vertically integrates the basic sciences and clinical sciences and promotes critical thinking. The resulting Dental Rounds course includes presentations by D3 and D4 students on interesting clinical cases, which the entire student body is required to attend. Following the third year of the program, a formal evaluation was conducted, in which surveys were disseminated to students, recent graduates, and faculty members to collect feedback on the efficacy of the course, its perceived value, and its success as an educational tool. Of the 242 students and graduates who were sent surveys, 181 responded, a 74 percent response rate. Of the eighty full-time faculty members, sixty-one responded, a 76 percent response rate. Most respondents reported that the objectives of the course were being achieved, but they identified case-related discussion as an area for strengthening critical thinking skills. As a result, modifications were planned to include formal participation of D1 and D2 students in the presentations, less frequent sessions to accommodate more complete cases, more emphasis on basic science, more structured mentoring, and a modified question format. Dental Rounds was a necessary integration step in dental education for LSUSD, and it is anticipated that the planned modifications will lead to strengthening of critical thinking skills in both students and faculty.
Preparation and Characterization of (La_xSr_(1-x))(Ga_yMg_(1-y))O_3 Solid Electrolyte

Strontium and magnesium double doped LaGaO_3 (LSGM) solid electrolytes were prepared by means of solid state process. The phase structure, microstructure and ionic conductivity of these materials were measured. The XRD analysis shows that the LSGM samples possess orthorhombic perovskite structure. The different microstuctures of LSGM samples were affected by sintering time.The conductivity properties of LSGM samples are calculated by impedance data. It was found that LSGM samples possess the properties that when the quantity of Sr is fixed, the conductivity reducing with the increasing of Mg content; while the quantity of Mg is fixed, the conductivity increasing with the increasing of Sr content.
STAGING OF BREAST CANCER WITH MR IMAGING

SUMMARY The vastly improved sensitivity of new MR methods can be used to define disease within the breast that cannot be seen with conventional breast imaging methods. Breast MR imaging is expected to have a significant role for the staging of breast cancer in breast conservation candidates. Ultimately, breast MR will be integrated with interstitial laser photocoagulation as a treatment method for breast cancer.
Zionism and Palestinian Nationalism: A Closer Look

We are about to enter the world of the Arab-Israeli dispute, the world of “Black September,” Henry Kissinger, the “Year of Decision,” the “Decade of Decision,” the “Rejectionist Front,” three Arab-Israeli wars (1956, 1967, 1973), the Israeli invasion of Lebanon, massacres at Sabra and Shatila, the Johnston Plan, the Rogers Plan, the Rogers Initiative, the First Geneva Conference, the Second Geneva Conference, the 1978 Framework for Peace in the Middle East, the Schultz Plan, the Reagan Plan, and the Madrid Conference. We might therefore be forgiven if we pause before we dive into this rather depressing phase of the conflict and take one more look at the nationalisms that lie at the conflict's core. When I say “nationalisms that lie at the conflict's core,” I mean, of course, Zionism and Palestinian nationalism. Defining the conflict in these terms, however, is a bit of an oversimplification. As we have seen, neither nationalism is monolithic. In the case of Zionism, I have described Labor Zionism, Revisionism, and Religious Zionism. In the case of Palestinian nationalism, I have described it as it was conceived by society's elites and as it was conceived by its nonelites. Even these breakdowns are oversimplifications, since not all Revisionists are the same, nor do all nonelite Palestinians hold to the same agenda. Although every nationalism attempts to present itself to the world as a monolithic bloc, beneath its indivisible exterior lurk class, gender, geographic, generational, and ideological cleavages. This fact alone is enough to raise a number of questions. How do nationalisms draw their doctrinal boundaries? How does one strain of a nationalism achieve dominance over others? What happens to those other strains when this occurs? How do the symbols chosen by nationalist movements to represent themselves restrict the meaning of the nationalisms they advocate?
Military Deployments and Mental Health Utilization Among Spouses of Active Duty Service Members.

ABSTRACTSince the onset of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan attention has increased on the importance of mental health with military service members. An integral component, although far less studied, are the ties between mental health and military spouses. Military deployments place considerable stress on military families. This study analyzed the mental health utilization of military spouses of active duty service members assigned to an aircraft carrier between 2011 and 2014. A negative binomial generalized estimating equation was used to examine the rate of change in mental health utilization over time against various deployment phases. Associations emerged between select deployment phases (i.e., deployment 1, between deployments, deployment 2) with increases in mental health utilization ranging between 12% and 20% for military spouses. This study demonstrated, for military spouses, the in between deployment phase has associations with mental health utilization rates similar to actual deployed periods. ...
A high precisions stereo Analog-to-Digital converter

A single die, stereo delta sigma ADC is designed for high precision measurement applications. A single loop, fifth-order, thirty-three level delta-sigma analog modulator with positive and negative feedforward path is implemented. An interpolated multilevel quantizer with unevenly weighted quantization levels replaces a conventional 5-bit flash type quantizer in this design. Circuit board layout is also optimized for achieving the performance target. Integrated with an on-chip bandgap reference circuit and decimation filter, the ADC achieves 128dB dynamic range, -114dB THD over 1kHz bandwidth.
Use of flow cytometry and RT-PCR for detecting gene expression by single cells.

We have developed a method for reliably detecting gene expression by individual, phenotypically defined cells. Cells were sorted by flow cytometry into 96-well plates containing a Nonidet® P-40 (NP...
Selenoprotein K modulate intracellular free Ca 2+ by regulating expression of calcium homoeostasis endoplasmic reticulum protein.

Selenoprotein K (SelK) is an 11-kDa selenoprotein, which may be involved in the regulation of oxidative stress, endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and immune response. To explore the function of SelK in the process of immune response, several short-hairpin RNAs (shRNA) were designed for the construction of recombinant plasmids to down-regulate the expression of SelK gene in vitro. These shRNAs specifically and efficiently interfered with the expression of SelK at both mRNA and protein levels. The expression of calcium homoeostasis endoplasmic reticulum protein (CHERP) and the intracellular free Ca2+ concentration were significantly down-regulated in anti-CD3 stimulated SelK-knockdown cells. The expression of Interleukin 2 receptor alpha chain (IL-2Rα) and the secretion of Interleukin 4 (IL-4), which play a significant role in the process of T cell activation and proliferation, were also reduced in SelK-knockdown cells. Selenomethionine (Se-Met) at an optimum concentration of 5 μM could up-regulate SelK expression and reverse the change of the expression of CHERP and the intracellular free calcium caused by SelK-knockdown. These results hereby imply SelK may regulate the release of Ca2+ by CHERP and play an important role in the proliferation and differentiation of T cell by TCR stimulation.
The Role of Self-Efficacy and Autonomy Support in School Psychologists’ Use of ABA

The most recent version of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEIA) emphasizes research-based intervention in the school setting. Administrators expect school psychologists to lead initiatives introducing interventions and techniques derived from scientific approaches, such as applied behavior analysis (ABA). However, in the field of school psychology, the use and possible barriers of ABA are largely unknown. The study’s purpose was to gather data to evaluate whether self-efficacy and autonomy support mediate the relationship between school psychologists’ training and reported use of ABA. Participants included 405 practicing school psychologists who provided information about their training and completed measures of self-efficacy, autonomy support, and reported practice. Structural equation modeling revealed that training predicted reported ABA practice, and these direct relationships were mediated by self-efficacy. Autonomy support was related to both training and reported practice but did not mediate the association between them. Although ABA training for school psychologists is increasing, results provide preliminary support for the mediating relationship between a school psychologists’ perception of self-efficacy for ABA and the use of ABA in practice. In addition to traditional training and coursework, findings suggest that practicing school psychologists need opportunities in the field to enhance their self-efficacy related to the practice of ABA.
Genetic dissociation of morphine analgesia from hyperalgesia in mice

Morphine is the prototypic mu opioid, producing its analgesic actions through traditional 7 transmembrane domain (7TM) G-protein-coupled receptors generated by the mu opioid receptor gene (Oprm1). However, the Oprm1 gene undergoes extensive alternative splicing to yield three structurally distinct sets of splice variants. In addition to the full-length 7TM receptors, it produces a set of truncated variants comprised of only 6 transmembrane domains (6TM). This study explored the relative contributions of 7TM and 6TM variants in a range of morphine actions. Groups of male and mixed-gender wild-type and exon 11 Oprm1 knockout mice were examined in a series of behavioral assays measuring analgesia, hyperalgesia, respiration, and reward in conditioned place preference assays. Loss of the 6TM variants in an exon 11 knockout (E11 KO) mouse did not affect morphine analgesia, reward, or respiratory depression. However, E11 KO mice lacking 6TM variants failed to show morphine-induced hyperalgesia, developed tolerance more slowly than wild-type mice, and did not display hyperlocomotion. Together, our findings confirm the established role of 7TM mu receptor variants in morphine analgesia, reward, and respiratory depression, but reveal an unexpected obligatory role for 6TM variants in morphine-induced hyperalgesia and a modulatory role in morphine tolerance and dependence.
Individuating population lineages: a new genealogical criterion

Contemporary biology has inherited two key assumptions from the Modern Synthesis about the nature of population lineages: sexual reproduction is the exemplar for how individuals in population lineages inherit traits from their parents, and random mating is the exemplar for reproductive interaction. While these assumptions have been extremely fruitful for a number of fields, such as population genetics and phylogenetics, they are increasingly unviable for studying the full diversity and evolution of life. I introduce the “mixture” account of population lineages that escapes these assumptions by (1) dissolving the Modern Synthesis’s sharp line separating reproduction and development and (2) characterizing reproductive integration in population lineages by the ephemerality of isolated subgroups rather than random mating. The mixture account provides a single criterion for reproductive integration that accommodates both sexual and asexual reproduction, unifying their treatment under Kevin de Queiroz’s generalized lineage concept of species. The account also provides a new basis for empirically assessing the effect of random mating as an idealization on the empirical adequacy of population genetic models.
Does CSR Asymmetry Reduce Alliance Value Creation

Economic and relational perspectives have provided core understandings into alliance value creation. They, however, tend to overlook the roles of important social and institutional stakeholders des...
KDOQI US Commentary on the 2017 KDIGO Clinical Practice Guideline Update for the Diagnosis, Evaluation, Prevention, and Treatment of Chronic Kidney Disease–Mineral and Bone Disorder (CKD-MBD)

Chronic kidney disease–mineral and bone disorder (CKD-MBD) encompasses laboratory and bone abnormalities and vascular calcification and has deleterious effects on clinical outcomes. KDOQI (Kidney Disease Outcomes Quality Initiative), an initiative of the National Kidney Foundation, addressed this issue with the publication of a clinical practice guideline for bone metabolism and disease in CKD in 2003, and 2 years later, a new definition and classification scheme for CKD-MBD was developed following a KDIGO (Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes) Controversies Conference. The initial KDIGO guideline on CKD-MBD was then published in 2009. New evidence was subsequently reviewed at the 2013 KDIGO Controversies Conference, and in 2017, KDIGO issued a clinical practice guideline update for the diagnosis, evaluation, prevention, and treatment of CKD-MBD. This commentary presents the views of the KDOQI CKD-MBD work group convened by the National Kidney Foundation. The KDOQI work group agrees with most of the KDIGO guideline update recommendations, particularly the suggestions regarding bone mineral density testing, joint assessments of longitudinal trends in mineral metabolism markers, and dietary phosphate counseling focused on phosphate additives. However, the KDOQI work group has some concerns about the suggestions related to hypocalcemia and hypercalcemia, phosphate-binder choice, and treatment of abnormal parathyroid hormone concentrations. The overall goal of this commentary is to provide a broad discussion for the US nephrology community regarding CKD-MBD and its diagnosis, prevention, and treatment.
Transfer Operators with a Riesz Property

A well known theorem (Riesz) in analysis states that every positive linear functional L on continuous functions is represented by a Borel measure. More precisely, let X be a locally compact Hausdorff space and C c (X) the space of continuous functions with compact support. Then the well-known Riesz representation theorem from analysis says that, for every positive linear functional L, there exists a unique regular Borel measure μ on X such that $$\displaystyle L(f) = \int _X f\; d\mu. $$
Algebraic formula manipulation in a functional language: a first attempt

This paper represents the author's attempt to come to grips with some of the practical problems that arise out of conventional algebraic manipulation and leads to a discussion of the possibilities of generalising algebraic concepts such as commutativity and associativity to other algebraic systems. An account is given of a class instance providing manipulation and simplification of 'school' algebraic formulae. A concept of variability is introduced which controls the order in which terms and factors appear in sums and products. Rules based on the commutative, associative and distributive laws of algebra, for simplification of sums, products and a few basic operators are presented. Some discussion is given of how an advanced class system could possibly be of help in general algebraic simplification problems.
History of Food Microbiology (A Brief)

This article is a revision of the previous edition article by N.D. Cowell, volume 2, pp. 1066–1071, © 1999, Elsevier Ltd.
Geropsychiatric Nursing Staff: The Role of Empowerment, Geriatric Caregiving Self-efficacy, and Emotional Labor at Work

GEROPSYCHIATRIC NURSING STAFF: THE ROLE OF EMPOWERMENT, GERIATRIC CAREGIVING SELF-EFFICACY, AND EMOTIONAL LABOR AT WORK By Ann Caldwell Smolen-Hetzel, M.S. A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy at Virginia Commonwealth University. Virginia Commonwealth University, 2010. Major Director: Victoria A. Shivy, Ph.D., Department of Psychology The current research examined the influence of the emotional labor strategies of faking emotion and suppression of emotion, empowerment, and geriatric caregiving selfefficacy on the relationship between work stress and emotional exhaustion—one dimension of burnout—for a sample of nursing staff members employed in a state-level geriatric psychiatric hospital. The total sample included 79 participants, which included registered nurses (n = 15), licensed practical nurses (n = 23) , and human service care workers (n = 41) who completed the Stress in General scale (Stanton, Balzer, Smith, Parra, & Ironson, 2001), Maslach Burnout Inventory (Human Services Survey; Maslach, Jackson & Leiter, 1996), Discrete Emotions Emotional Labor Scale (Glomb & Tews, 2004), Psychological Empowerment Scale (Spreitzer, 1995), and Geriatric Nursing Self-efficacy Scale (Mackenzie & Peragine, 2003). The mean emotional exhaustion score for the sample fell in the moderate range of burnout. First, it was hypothesized that work stress and emotional labor strategies (i.e., faking emotion and suppression of emotion) would have positive relationships with the burnout domain of emotional exhaustion while empowerment and geriatric caregiving selfefficacy would have negative relationships with this outcome. Next, a series of regression analyses tested emotional labor (i.e., faking emotion and suppression of emotion), empowerment, and geriatric caregiving self-efficacy as moderators for the relationship between stress and burnout. Results indicated that study variables were all related to emotional exhaustion in the expected direction, although several relationships fell short of statistical significance. In addition, emotional labor was a significant predictor of emotional exhaustion, with suppression of emotion playing a larger role. There was no support for the potential moderating role of emotional labor or empowerment on the relationship between work stress and burnout. However, geriatric caregiving self-efficacy was a significant moderator of this relationship. More specifically, when staff reported high work stress, those who had low self-efficacy experienced the highest emotional exhaustion values. However, when self-efficacy was high for this group, their emotional exhaustion scores decreased. For this sample, higher levels of self-efficacy appeared to play a protective role from experiencing more emotional exhaustion when in a high stress condition.
Seasonal Variation of Testicular Tissue in Northern Rough Greensnakes, Opheodrys a. aestivus, from Alabama

Gamete production is a fundamental component of the reproductive cycle of an organism. Studies dedicated to the testicular cycle in mammals and birds vastly outnumbers those discussing the process in reptiles. To help increase the availability of such knowledge for reptiles, we histologically examined the testicular cycle of Opheodrys a. aestivus (Northern Rough Greensnake) from populations in Alabama. We measured seminiferous tubule diameter and seminiferous tubule epithelial height from 30 specimens. The individuals in our sample exhibited small seminiferous tubule diameters in spring followed by increases in summer. By October, the lumen was mostly empty of sperm because they had migrated to the vas deferens for winter storage. Seminiferous tubule epithelial height was significantly correlated with seminiferous tubule diameter. Using AIC model selection, we compared both additive and interactive models to determine if either seminiferous tubule diameter or season influenced seminiferous tubule epithelial height. We found that only seminiferous tubule diameter was a significant predictor of seminiferous tubule epithelial height. Like other temperate snakes, Northern Rough Greensnakes in Alabama have postnuptial spermatogenesis where sperm are produced in the summer following spring mating. Future studies of this species need to investigate the testicular cycle in other parts of its geographic distribution to see if this monthly pattern is consistent.
How far have we really come? Trends in survival and mortality for gliomas between 1973 to 2014 from SEER.

2038Background: Historical controls are often used as benchmarks for early stage, single arm trials of novel agents. We have investigated whether general or specific changes in the treatment of pat...
Modeling the surface of fast-cured polymer droplet lenses for precision fabrication.

Optical lenses with diameter in the millimeter range have found important commercial use in smartphone cameras. Although these lenses are typically made by molding, recent demonstration of fast-cured polymer droplets by inkjet printing has gained interest for cost-effective smartphone microscopy. In this technique, the surface of a fast-cured polydimethylsiloxane droplet obtains dynamic equilibrium via the interplay of surface tension, gravity, thermalization, and a steep viscosity hike. The nature of surface formation involves multiple physical and chemical domains, which represent significant challenges in modeling with the Young–Laplace theory, assuming constant surface tension and viscosity. To overcome these challenges, we introduce the concept of effective surface tension, which allows fast-cured polymer droplets to be modeled as normal liquid droplets with constant viscosity.
Explicit and Unconditionally Stable FDTD with Analytical Method for Identifying Unstable Modes

In existing explicit and unconditionally stable time-domain methods, the root cause of instability has been identified to be the eigenmodes of the governing system matrix whose eigenvalues are too high to be accurately simulated by a given time step. The unstable modes have been found numerically, and subsequently deducted from the system matrix to permit an unconditionally stable time marching. In this work, we show that such unstable modes as well as stable modes can be found for the FDTD method in an analytical way. Numerical results have validated the proposed method.
Ability of magnetic resonance imaging to accurately determine alar ligament integrity in patients with atlanto-occipital injuries.

Objective: The objective of this study is to evaluate the the reliability of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in diagnosing alar ligament disruption in patients with potential atlanto-occipital dissociation (AOD). Materials and Methods: Three-blinded readers performed retrospective review on 6 patients with intra-operative confirmed atlanto-occipital dissocation in addition to a comparison cohort of patients with other cervical injuries that did not involve the atlanto-occipital articulation. Ligament integrity was graded from 1 to 3 as described by Krakenes et al. The right and left ligaments were assessed separately. Inter-observer agreement by patient, by group (AOD vs. non-AOD), and intra-observer agreement was calculated using weighted Cohen's kappa. Results: Interobserver agreement of alar ligament grade for individual patients ranged from slight to fair (κ = 0.05–0.30). Interobserver agreement of alar ligament grade for each group (AOD vs. non-AOD) ranged from fair to substantial (κ = 0.37–0.66). No statistically significant difference in categorical analysis of groups (AOD vs. non-AOD) and grade (0–1 vs. 2–3) was observed. Intraobserver agreement of individual patient's alar ligament grade ranged from moderate to substantial (κ = 0.50–0.62). Conclusion: The use of MRI to detect upper cervical ligament injuries in AOD is imperfect. Our results show inconsistent and unsatisfactory interobserver and intraobserver reliability in evaluation of alar ligament injuries. While MRI has immense potential for detection of ligamentous injury at the craniovertebral junction, standardized algorithms for its use and interpretation need to be developed.
Rank-Based Error Tracking for Agency MBS Prepayment Models

Mode testing, also called error tracking, is a key requirement for collateral behavior forecasting models in securitized product, including models of prepayment, default, response, utilization, etc. The high dimensionality and statistical noise associated with agency mortgage-backed securities prepayment behavior make error tracking a complex task. The traditional method focuses on single dimension, for example, along vintage coupon, and does not provide a clear measure of model accuracy and effectiveness. The new method, a rank-based error-tracking methodology, provides an efficient and comprehensive approach to measure model performance. It provides a clear definition of accuracy-which allows clear measure to compare among models. This is superior to the existing one-dimensional method, and other supplement methods (e.g., lift curve method for loans). We discuss these issues as well as applicable statistical theory, and potential applications. TOPICS:MBS and residential mortgage loans, factor-based models Key Findings • The proposed ranked-based error tracking provides a comprehensive and consistent measure for model performance across macroeconomic environment and across pool/loan attributes, superior to the prevailing one-dimensional error-tracking methodology. • Two key measures are the steepness and accuracy of the ranking curve. The steepness measures quantify the model’s ability differentiating across macro and pool variables. The accuracy measures quantify the model’s ability forecasting the prepayment intensity. • The rank-based methodology can be applied to any selected sample pool universe and performance periods. It can be systematically used for model review and model comparison.
Does pornography consumption lead to intimate partner violence perpetration? Little evidence for temporal precedence

The relationship between pornography use and violence has been extensively researched. Numerous studies suggest that the violent content depicted in pornography may be a risk factor for relationshi...
Train for the Game: What Is the Learning Environment of Deployed Navy Emergency Medicine Physicians?

Objectives Medicine is a practice characterized by ongoing learning, and unique qualities of the operational learning environment (LE) may affect learner needs. When physicians move between differing practice environments learners may encounter situations for which they are unprepared. Using a conceptual framework specific to the LE, we therefore asked the following research question: what is the difference in LE for Navy emergency medicine (EM) physicians who practice in U.S. hospitals but serve an operational environment, and how do these differences shape their learning needs? Methods We interviewed Navy EM physicians who recently deployed to explore their perceptions of the deployed LE, how it differed from the LE they practice in stateside, and the perceived effect this difference had on their learning needs. We used the constant comparative method to gather and analyze data until thematic saturation was achieved. Results We interviewed 12 physicians and identified six interconnected themes consistent with the LE framework in the literature: 1) patient care is central to the learning experience; 2) professional isolation versus connectedness; 3) a sense of meaningful practice engages the learner in the LE; 4) physicians as educators shape the LE; 5) team trust impacts the LE; and 6) the larger military organization impacts the LE. Conclusions Our themes span the conceptual framework put forth by previous work and did not find themes outside this framework. These interconnected themes describe the difference in LE between the stateside and deployed setting and impact the learning needs of Navy EM physicians. These results inform strategies to position the deployed medical unit for success.
Coming Together to Save Babies: Our Institution's Quality Improvement Collaborative to Improve Infant Safe Sleep Practices.

Many hospitalized infants are not observed in an American Academy of Pediatrics-recommended safe sleep environment, which can translate to unsafe sleep practices at home. We implemented this collaborative to reduce our county's sleep-related death rate by improving infant safe sleep practices in the freestanding children's hospital setting and increasing safe sleep screening and education in our clinics and emergency departments (EDs). Methods Physicians from our institution's primary care clinics, EDs, neonatal intensive care units, and general inpatient units created and led multidisciplinary safe sleep teams. Teams have used standardized data tools to collect information on infant patient ages and sleep position and environment, both in the hospital and at home. Based on audit data, teams have implemented multiple Plan-Do-Study-Act cycles during this collaborative. We have calculated changes in safe sleep practices in the hospital and changes in screening and education on safe sleep behaviors over time. Results Our teams have significantly increased compliance with safe sleep practices in the inpatient and neonatal intensive care unit settings (P < 0.01). We have also increased screening and education on appropriate safe sleep behaviors by ED and primary care providers (P < 0.01). Our county's sleep-related death rate has not significantly decreased during the collaborative. Conclusions Our collaborative has increased American Academy of Pediatrics-recommended safe sleep practices in our institution, and we decreased sleep-related deaths in our primary care network. We have created stronger ties to our community partners working to decrease infant mortality rates. More efforts will be needed, both within and outside of our institution, to lower our community's sleep-related death rate.
NeuroPAL: A Multicolor Atlas for Whole-Brain Neuronal Identification in C. elegans.

Comprehensively resolving neuronal identities in whole-brain images is a major challenge. We achieve this in C. elegans by engineering a multicolor transgene called NeuroPAL (a neuronal polychromatic atlas of landmarks). NeuroPAL worms share a stereotypical multicolor fluorescence map for the entire hermaphrodite nervous system that resolves all neuronal identities. Neurons labeled with NeuroPAL do not exhibit fluorescence in the green, cyan, or yellow emission channels, allowing the transgene to be used with numerous reporters of gene expression or neuronal dynamics. We showcase three applications that leverage NeuroPAL for nervous-system-wide neuronal identification. First, we determine the brainwide expression patterns of all metabotropic receptors for acetylcholine, GABA, and glutamate, completing a map of this communication network. Second, we uncover changes in cell fate caused by transcription factor mutations. Third, we record brainwide activity in response to attractive and repulsive chemosensory cues, characterizing multimodal coding for these stimuli.