cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Concurrent Validity of a Modified Rokeach Value Survey in Discriminating More Successful From Less Successful Students

The concurrent criterion validity of the Rokeach Value Survey (RVS) in discriminating more successful from less successful undergraduate students was investigated. An interval scaling procedure, rather than the customary rank ordering method, was used to measure Rokeach values. The success criterion was based on a seven-item index measuring student's perceived success (index of internal reliability = .76). The success index was significantly correlated with grade point average (r = .56, p < .00 1). Results indicated that the interval-scaled version of the RVS could discriminate more successful from less successful students at levels significantly beyond chance (p < .01) when applied to a validation sample. The direction of specific differences in the value profiles of the two groups was consistent with expectations.
A bright new page in portable displays

Wouldn't it be a lot easier to read a laptop's screen if the words looked as if they were printed on paper, as in a newspaper or magazine? Well, that is the case for a trio of unique displays about to hit the market. Of the three new displays, the closest to hitting the market is a liquid-crystal display (LCD) from Kent Displays Inc., Kent, Ohio. Called cholesteric because the liquid-crystal material it uses was originally derived from animal cholesterol, this LCD will be a full-color screen. The other two displays are based on entirely new concepts of how an electronic screen should work. One is the Gyricon from Xerox Corp.'s Pale Alto Research Center (PARC) in California, which can be rolled up into long sheets and cut by designers to fit the application. E Ink, the third type of display, is being developed by the eponymous E Ink Inc., a Cambridge-based spin-off of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Even thinner than the Gyricon, it uses small transparent spheres filled with a liquid blue dye in which white chips float.
Why undergraduate students choose to use e-books

As an innovation, the e-book purports to replace the printed book. However, students continue to indicate a preference for using printed books. Nevertheless, many academic libraries report e-book use rates equal to or greater than that of the printed book. In this study, eight factors were investigated as potential reasons undergraduate students chose to use an e-book. A quantitative research design using a convenience sampling method and chi-square analyses was employed in the study. The population of interest was undergraduate students attending a small, traditional, liberal arts institution. Participants indicated leisure reading, conducting research, forced adoption, and convenience were positive factors in their choice to use an e-book. In-class reading was a negative factor in their choice to use an e-book. The availability of the printed book also proved to be a negative factor in the use of e-books. Textbook use and reading assigned readings were unrelated to their choice to use an e-book. When av...
Toward a status-of-women index.

A useful index of the status of women should be mappable, in order to allow global and regional comparisons. Ideally, such an index should include political, economic, and social components. In actuality, data that measure political and economic equality are available only in Western societies. An index that measures the general well-being of women, however, can be mapped and used crossculturally. An index is proposed that includes indicators from the areas of health, education and fertility.
DESIGN OF A LOW-POWER WAY-PREDICTING CACHE USING VALID-BIT PRE-DECISION STRATEGY

Way-predicting cache is one of the set-associative caches that can effectively reduce power consumption, which only speculatively selects an MRU (most recently used) way before starting a normal cache access. Focusing on the way-predicting cache using sub-block placement, we propose a new cache scheme that uses valid bits from data memory to decide the disabled tag-subarrays and data-subarrays. By using valid-bit pre-decision, the proposed scheme has a significant improvement in average energy saving over the conventional way-predicting cache, especially for large associativity and small sub-block size. Moreover, because those original second accessed ways are first accessed during the first cycle when the valid bit of the MRU way does not exist, the proposed cache also can reduce the average access time.
CONTEXT OF LEARNING IN THE ACQUISITION OF SPANISH SECOND LANGUAGE PHONOLOGY

Studies in SLA have debated the importance of context of learning in the process of developing linguistic skills in a second language (L2). The present paper examines whether study abroad, as it provides opportunities for authentic L2 context, facilitates the acquisition of Spanish phonology. The corpus of this investigation is composed of speech samples from 46 students of Spanish: 26 studying abroad in Spain and 20 in a regular classroom environment in the United States. The students read a paragraph with 60 target words including segments such as word-initial stops (i.e., [p t k]),Throughout the article a phonetic representation of all sounds following the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) is presented. Phonetic (instead of phonological) representations avoid making assumptions about underlying L2 representations. intervocalic fricatives (i.e., [ ]), word-final laterals (i.e., [l]), and palatal nasals (i.e., ). The findings reveal the following patterns for both regular classroom and study abroad students across time: (a) similar gain in the case of voiced initial stops and word-final laterals, (b) lack of gain in the case of intervocalic fricatives, and (c) high levels of accuracy in the case of the palatal nasal in the pretest. Concerning the external data, the following factor groups predicted phonological gain among all learners: years of formal language instruction, reported use of Spanish before the semester, reported use of Spanish outside the classroom during the semester (days), reported use of Spanish outside the classroom during the semester (hours), gender, entrance Oral Proficiency Interview, exit Oral Proficiency Interview, and level at which formal instruction began.
Survival of kansas dipel-resistant European corn borer (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) on Bt and non-Bt corn hybrids.

The Kansas Dipel-resistant and susceptible European corn borer, Ostrinia nubilalis (Hubner), were evaluated in the greenhouse on different Bt transgenic events expressed in corn hybrids. There were important differences in the resistance offered by the different Bt event corn hybrids. Hybrid comparison tests indicate that these Dipel-resistant first-instar European corn borer were not able to survive to adulthood on whorl-stage MON810, Bt11, or 176 Bt event corn plants. Third instars did not survive to adulthood on whorl-stage MON810 or Bt11 event corn plants but a small number of fifth instars were found on whorl-stage DBT418 plants infested with Dipel-resistant larvae. First and third instars of these Dipel-resistant European corn borers caused more leaf-feeding damage and more tunneling on whorl-stage Bt-corn plants than did the Dipel-susceptible European corn borers. However, in the single Bt corn hybrid test, there was no survival of the Dipel-resistant European corn borers on DK580BtX or MAX454 Bt plants 35 to 42 d after they had been infested with first instars. These results demonstrate that the current Kansas selection of Dipel-resistant European corn borer strain cannot establish reproducing populations in the tested Bt corn lines and hybrids.
Aspects of N0-Categoricity

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the various aspects of N0-categoricity. The chapter describes classical algebraic theories of modules, rings, or groups. There are connections between N0-categoricity and the notions of model-completeness and QE (quantifier elimination). These connections can be exploited to deduce the question of the existence of N0-categorical structures of a given type to a fairly elementary calculation. N0-categorical modules in terms of their transitive constituents are also described in the chapter. There are many N0-categorical nilpotent groups of class 2. QE technology failed slightly, because most QE nilpotent groups are of exponent 4, which is not very satisfactory. It can be repaired by taking QE groups in a language with a predicate for the center. The chapter also describes the general model theory that includes stable No-categorical structures, and QE structures for small (microscopic) languages.
Variability of Waste Treatment Plant Performance

Time series techniques are used to analyze the variability in waste treatment plant performance of eight municipal plants. Statistical analyses of the data indicate a range in the coefficient of variation of secondary effluent BOD from 0.2 to 1.1. The coefficient of variation tends to increase as plant treatment levels increase. Power spectrum analyses show the presence of five-day-on and two-day-off oscillations for several plants. For one plant, the amplitude of this weekly oscillation is about 20% of the mean load. Cross-spectral analyses indicate a tendency for plug flow conditions across the primary treatment step. Coherencies are significant between raw influent and primary effluent but are insignificant between raw influent and secondary effluent indicating some statistical independence. Linear system analyses permit estimation of effects of this load variability on stream quality. Inputting the waste load discharge spectrum into a nondispersive stream indicates that DO variations of 1.0 mg per l appear possible in medium-size rivers (flow = 1,000 mgd).
Development and Preliminary Testing of a Screening Measure of Acceptance and Willingness in Relation to Pain, Fatigue, and Sadness in Chronic Pain.

BACKGROUND The manner in which one responds to the experience of chronic pain is a primary determinant of pain-related distress and disruptions in functioning. In particular, responses to pain that reflect substantial unwillingness, or a lack of acceptance, in relation to pain are reliably associated with greater difficulties in comparison with responses that reflect willingness and acceptance. To date, several multi-item self-report assessments have been developed to evaluate pain-related willingness and acceptance. The purpose of the present research was to develop and evaluate a single item measure, the Acceptance and Willingness screener (AWS). METHODS Participants included 172 individuals with chronic pain. The AWS consisted of 4 statements, reflecting various degrees of acceptance and willingness to experience pain, and participants were asked to endorse the statement that was most reflective of their views. RESULTS Overall, responses were fairly evenly distributed across the statements (range, 20% to 29%). Correlation and regression results indicated significant associations between AWS responses and measures of pain intensity, depression, pain interference, and engagement in activity. Furthermore, when individuals were grouped according to the statement endorsed, significant between-group differences were indicated across these same measures. Differences were particularly pronounced for groups endorsing the lowest levels of acceptance and willingness and those endorsing the highest. CONCLUSIONS These results correspond with previous work and provide initial support for the validity of a single item screening measure of acceptance and willingness in chronic pain.
On the vaso-motor nerves of the stomach

In order to demonstrate the existence of vaso-motor nerves in the stomach, the following method was resorted to: Quantitative measurements of the vascularity of the stomach were made by means of a stromuhr; while at the same time attempts were made to vary the normal bloodflow through this organ by means of stimulation of the splanchnic nerves.The stromuhr was inserted in the vena gastro-lienalis between the portal vein and the point of entrance of the vena gastrica dorsalis. The venous return from the spleen and pancreas was excluded from the stromuhr.By stimulating the left splanchnic nerve, very marked reductions in the blood supply of the stomach were obtained. The curve recorded by the stromuhr under these conditions does not differ materially from the curves contained in earlier papers of the writer on the vaso-motor nerves of the spleen, intestine and kidney.
Indirect Bandgap and Optical Properties of Monoclinic Bismuth Vanadate

Monoclinic scheelite bismuth vanadate (m-BiVO4) is a promising semiconductor photoanode for photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting. Despite considerable recent progress in achieving improved photocurrents and photovoltages, there remain open questions about the basic optoelectronic properties of this material. Indeed, there is disagreement about the nature of its fundamental bandgap, with theoretical predictions and some experimental observations pointing to an indirect bandgap and other experimental studies to a direct bandgap. Knowledge of this property is critical for understanding light absorption and photocarrier properties, as well as for establishing rational approaches to improved efficiency. Here, experimental spectroscopic techniques are used to resolve this issue and provide a fundamental portrait of the optical properties of the material. Resonant inelastic X-ray scattering proves conclusively that m-BiVO4 is an indirect bandgap semiconductor. These measurements are supported by UV–vis abs...
Research on the Shortest Path of Material Transportation in Interval Time

For the question of material transportation in emergency situation,the paper gives an arithmetic operators,which changes the interval number order into real number order,and gives the arithmetic of interval number shortest path.
Semantically Correct Representation of Multi-Model Interoperations.

In applying Modeling & Simulation techniques to solve complex problems, different types of models are used to address the multiple aspects of the problems. While each model might be capable of answering specific questions, interoperation between models can provide more insights and allow for those models to complement/supplement each other. We call the use of multiple interoperating models to solve complex problems Multi-Modeling. In this paper we present an approach in representing Multi-Model interoperation in the form of Multi-Modeling Workflows. This kind of representation is full of syntactic and semantic challenges. In order to address these challenges we propose the definition of a Domain Specific Multi-Modeling Workflow Language and a supporting Ontology for each class of problems. We begin with domain characterization and analysis to identify the multi-modeling concepts and modeling techniques associated with a domain of interest. Once sufficient domain analysis is performed, the Domain Specific Multi-Modeling Workflow Language and the supporting Ontology are defined. For solving a specific problem in a specific domain, workflows of interoperating models can be constructed using the new language. The ontology is used to guarantee the semantic correctness of the constructed workflows with respect to the domain of interest.
When twins collide: Twin junctions in nanocrystalline nickel

Abstract We present the results of large-scale molecular dynamics simulations of grain growth in polycrystalline nickel with nanoscale grains. The simulations show that grain growth is accompanied by coherent twin boundary (CTB) generation. As the grains grow, twins collide; such collisions result in twin junctions. We catalog all possible twin junctions and show examples of each from the simulations. These include junctions of 2–4 CTBs with grain boundaries and five-fold twin junctions (penta-twins). We elucidate the mechanisms by which all of these junctions form and their relative frequencies. Penta-twins, which are rare in coarse microstructures, occur frequently in nanocrystalline metals. Their absence in macro-scale samples can be traced to the wedge-disclination character (and, consequently, an elastic energy that diverges with sample size). In the nanocrystalline case, the presence of penta-twins can be traced to this twin collision formation mechanism, which is responsible for their wedge-disclination dipole character (relatively small elastic energy). We demonstrate how all CTB junctions, especially penta-twins, retard grain growth.
Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance Imaging: Overview of Clinical Applications in the Context of Cardiovascular CT

CMR can evaluate myocardial contractility, volumetry, strain, flow, perfusion, viability, and vascular anatomy without ionizing radiation or iodinated contrast agents. Multiple pulse sequences are acquired in different orientations to the heart and relevant vasculature, some of which require gadolinium-based contrast agents. A strength of CMR is the ability to determine tissue characteristics including edema, hemorrhage, iron content, inflammation, and diffuse and focal fibrosis useful for the diagnosis of cardiomyopathic processes, pericardial disease, and cardiac masses. CMR assessment of cardiovascular structure, function, hemodynamics, extracardiac vasculature and thoracic structure, makes it a useful adjunct to echocardiography in patients with congenital heart disease and valvular disease. Although imaging of the coronary arteries is feasible with CMR, CCTA is the gold standard for noninvasive coronary angiography providing detailed visualization of the entire coronary artery tree. Decisions related to performing CMR versus CCTA require information patient profile and strengths and limitations of each modality in relation to the posed clinical question.
Shareholder Activism and Earnings Management Incentives

In this paper, we investigate the effect of shareholder activism on earnings management. Using a sample of shareholder pay-for-performance proposals sponsored by institutional investors, we find that when compared to control firms, firms targeted by shareholder proposals have greater magnitude of discretionary accruals in their reported earnings. In addition, we find that the likelihood of meeting or beating earnings benchmarks through the use of discretionary accruals is higher for targeted firms whose managers have job security concerns due to the firms’ inferior stock performance in the past or have plans to sell company stocks. Our results are consistent with the notion that pay-for-performance proposals have unintended consequences by introducing or exacerbating incentives to manage earnings for short-term gains. The results also indicate that, for financial reporting, the short-termism effect may dominate the alignment and/or disciplinary effect of shareholder monitoring.
Employers and ex-offender reintegration: ethical issues and research opportunities

In this paper, I take up the topic of the role of employers in meeting the challenges of ex-offender reintegration following incarceration, specifically through their efforts to hire and retain ex-...
Ambulatory Surgery Procedures

Ambulatory surgery anesthesia requires attention to specific goals and patient outcomes particularly with respect to rapid and smooth transition from OR to PACU and discharge. The chapter uses the case of a 6-month-old infant undergoing inguinal hernia to question and highlight these issues. The appropriate selection of patients for ambulatory surgery is reviewed together with critical elements of the preoperative evaluation. Induction and maintenance of anesthesia choices are examined. Provision of appropriate pain management strategies will likewise be questioned for this patient and other typical outpatient procedures.
Cross-linked matrix rigidity and soluble retinoids synergize in nuclear lamina regulation of stem cell differentiation

Synergistic cues from extracellular matrix and soluble factors are often obscure in differentiation. Here the rigidity of cross-linked collagen synergizes with retinoids in the osteogenesis of human marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). Collagen nanofilms serve as a model matrix that MSCs can easily deform unless the film is enzymatically cross-linked, which promotes the spreading of cells and the stiffening of nuclei as both actomyosin assembly and nucleoskeletal lamin-A increase. Expression of lamin-A is known to be controlled by retinoic acid receptor (RAR) transcription factors, but soft matrix prevents any response to any retinoids. Rigid matrix is needed to induce rapid nuclear accumulation of the RARG isoform and for RARG-specific antagonist to increase or maintain expression of lamin-A as well as for RARG-agonist to repress expression. A progerin allele of lamin-A is regulated in the same manner in iPSC-derived MSCs. Rigid matrices are further required for eventual expression of osteogenic markers, and RARG-antagonist strongly drives lamin-A-dependent osteogenesis on rigid substrates, with pretreated xenografts calcifying in vivo to a similar extent as native bone. Proteomics-detected targets of mechanosensitive lamin-A and retinoids underscore the convergent synergy of insoluble and soluble cues in differentiation.
The Effect of Religious Orthodoxy: A Statistical Analogy:

In a study of religious and social attitudes of Mormon students at Brigham Young University, Christensen and Cannon (1978) found dramatic increases in religious orthodoxy from 1935 to 1973. The pre...
Molecular genetic testing for hereditary ataxia: What every neurologist should know.

Purpose of review Because of extensive clinical overlap among many forms of hereditary ataxia, molecular genetic testing is often required to establish a diagnosis. Interrogation of multiple genes has become a popular diagnostic approach as the cost of sequence analysis has decreased and the number of genes associated with overlapping phenotypes has increased. We describe the benefits and limitations of molecular genetic tests commonly used to determine the etiology of hereditary ataxia. Recent findings There are more than 300 hereditary disorders associated with ataxia. The most common causes of hereditary ataxia are expansion of nucleotide repeats within 7 genes: ATXN1 , ATXN2 , ATXN3 , ATXN7 , ATXN8 , CACNA1A (spinocerebellar ataxia type 6), and FXN (Friedreich ataxia). Recent reports describing the use of clinical exome sequencing to identify causes of hereditary ataxia may lead neurologists to start their clinical investigation with a less sensitive molecular test providing a misleading “negative” result. Summary The majority of individuals with hereditary ataxias have nucleotide repeat expansions, pathogenic variants that are not detectable with clinical exome sequencing. Multigene panels that include specific assays to determine nucleotide repeat lengths should be considered first in individuals with hereditary ataxia.
Getting to the Right Place at the Right Time: Another Piece of the STEMI Puzzle.

Primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is the preferred revascularization strategy for patients presenting with ST-segment–elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI).1 The association between timely performance of primary PCI and reduced mortality has been well established in several observational studies.2,3 These and other studies have resulted in a series of performance metrics, including door-to-balloon (D2B) time, first medical contact (FMC)-to-device time, and door-in-door-out time (for patients presenting to non–PCI-capable hospitals), which constitute goals for best medical practice. Current guidelines recommend FMC-to-device time of ≤90 minutes for patients presenting to PCI-capable hospitals and ≤120 minutes for patients presenting to non–PCI-capable hospitals.1 Despite substantial efforts during the past 2 decades to develop systems of care for the treatment of STEMI as well as to promote these recommendations, a significant percentage of patients (>30%) do not receive reperfusion therapy within guideline-recommended timeframes.4,5 See Article by Green et al Several barriers to timely treatment of patients with STEMI exist across the continuum of care. The recognition of symptoms by patients is often the largest delay in revascularization.6 In addition, the availability and delivery of emergency medical services (EMS) nationwide is heterogeneous and dependent on local resources. Although use of EMS transport is associated with reductions in ischemic time and treatment delays, previous data have shown that only ≈60% of patients with STEMI nationwide use EMS for transport to the hospital.7 The recognition of ST-segment elevation by prehospital ECG can be another barrier to timely care and has been the target of programs to improve early identification of patients with STEMI. Such prehospital diagnosis of STEMI can also be challenging because symptoms can at times be vague and nonspecific, and only a minority of patients presenting with chest pain are actually experiencing an STEMI. Even if symptoms are …
Sexual assault interventions may be doing more harm than good with high-risk males

Abstract Based on legal requirements and other considerations, there have been many well-meaning interventions intended to reduce sexual assault on university campuses throughout the US. There is no legal requirement, however, to evaluate the effectiveness of these programs, and few evaluations have been conducted. Those that have suggest that at best only a small number of these interventions have been effective and those involve bystander interventions. More importantly, there has been very little research examining the effects of such interventions on men at high risk for sexual aggression, who presumably are a key target of such interventions. Research on similar campaigns in other domains should have alerted investigators to the possibility of boomerang reactance effects wherein interventions can actually have the opposite of the intended effects for high-risk college males. The few studies that directly have examined this possibility indeed are supportive of the substantial likelihood of such negative effects. Commonly used interventions may fail with high-risk men because they are likely to generate “hostility reactance” — one of the key causes of both sexual violence itself and the unintended adverse effects of the interventions. We address the question of why universities have failed to address this possible effect of interventions and why previous reviews have not highlighted this possible danger.
Advancement in Gemcitabine Delivery for Cancer Treatment

Gemcitabine is utilized as the first-line treatment for adenocarcinoma of the pancreas that has been considered as one of the most challenging diseases. The major drawback of the gemcitabine formulations is its high hydrophilicity and short half-life. To compensate for those shortcomings, a large dose of infused gemcitabine is usually used to achieve the desire therapeutic effects. However, using this dose, could lead to a high toxicity and severe adverse effects. Hence, there has been a great of interest in the development of gemcitabine to increase the hydrophobicity, half-life, and stability of the drug. In this review, we summarize the latest approaches in drug delivery of gemcitabine to clarify the unsolved problems of drug resistance and discuss the effectiveness of the advanced delivery systems on different types of cancer.
Dopaminergische Mechanismen und Gonadotropin Releasing Faktoren

Meine Untersuchungen sind neuroendokrinologischer Natur und gehoren zu einem besonders in den letzten zehn Jahren entwickelten Gebiet der reprodiiktiven Physiologie: Die Aufgabe des zentralen Nervensystems bzw. des Diencephalon in der Steuerung der Hypophysentatigkeit, hier insbesondere der Gonadotropinse- kretion des Hypophysenvorderlappens. Die Aufklarung dieses WirkungsZusammenhanges ist unerlaslich fur ein Verstandnis der reproduktiven Funktion der Gonaden und damit des Uterus und fur die Erarbeitung gezielterer und klarer umschriebener Methoden der Fertilitatskontrolle als es die Steroide sind.
Overcoming the Limitations of an Urban Setting Through Field-based Earth Systems Inquiry

Disconnection between students and nature in an urban setting thwarts student engagement and impedes geoscience teaching and learning. Conducting field trips is one way to engage students, but the urban environment does not provide an ideal setting with respect to the availability of appropriate field sites and safety. A field-based inquiry project focusing on Earth systems and system interactions overcomes the obstacles imposed by the urban environment by permitting teachers to focus on student observations and student initiated research questions rather than solely being limited to the use of text and laboratory activities. Using a problem based learning model, students make observations in the field to compile a matrix addressing “What do I know?”, “What do I need to know?”, and “How or where do I get this information?” This latter question guides student activities for subsequent visits to the field. This approach is not limited to specific field sites and enables teachers to utilize local community f...
Structural Integrity of Spent Nuclear Fuel Storage Casks Subjected to Drop

An experimental cask drop program initiated by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission and conducted by AEA Technology under contract to British Nuclear Fuels, Inc., is evaluated and compared with analytical techniques. The dropped cask was a full-scale storage cask. Targets included the International Atomic Energy Agency's unyielding surface and a specially constructed concrete pad representative of those in use at actual spent fuel storage installations. Drop heights were 45.7, 101.6, and 152.4 cm.
Comparing the Mini-Mental State Examination and the modified Mini-Mental State Examination in the detection of mild cognitive impairment in older adults

Objectives:To show enhanced psychometric properties and clinical utility of the modified Mini-Mental State Examination (3MS) compared to the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) in mild cognitive impairment (MCI).Design:Psychometric and clinical comparison of the 3MS and MMSE.Setting:Neuropsychological clinic in the northeastern USA.Participants:Older adults referred for cognitive concerns, 87 of whom were cognitively intact (CI) and 206 of whom were diagnosed with MCI.Measurements:The MMSE, the 3MS, and comprehensive neuropsychological evaluations.Results:Both instruments were significant predictors of diagnostic outcome (CI or MCI), with comparable odds ratios, but the 3MS explained more variance and showed improved classification accuracies relative to the MMSE. The 3MS also demonstrated greater receiver operating characteristic area under the curve values (0.85, SE = 0.02) compared to the MMSE (0.74, SE = 0.03). Scoring lower than 95/100 on the 3MS suggested MCI, while scoring lower than 28/30 on the MMSE suggested MCI. Additionally, compared to the MMSE, the 3MS shared more variance with neuropsychological composite scores in Language and Memory domains but not in Attention, Visuospatial, and Executive domains. Finally, 65.5% MCI patients were classified as impaired (scoring ≤1 SD below the mean) using 3MS normative data, compared to only 11.7% of patients who were classified as impaired using MMSE normative data.Conclusions:Broadly speaking, our data strongly favor the widespread substitution of the MMSE with the 3MS in older adults with concerns for cognitive decline.
Service, Faith, and Race: North Park College During World War II

In “Service, Faith, and Race: North Park College During World War II,” John J. Laukaitis puts forward that North Park College placed a significant responsibility on itself to contribute to America’s victory and a sustained postwar peace. Hundreds of men from North Park entered the armed services. Governed by a non-creedal denomination, North Park College entered into a larger discourse on Christian realism and found a balance between just war theory and pacifism. Additionally, in an era of racial segregation and racial injustice, North Park expressed a commitment to racial equality and racial understanding during the war. Using the rhetoric of America’s war involvement and expressing its Christian mission toward others, North Park called attention to the realities of racial prejudices in the United States.
Smartglasses/smartphone needle guidance AR system for transperineal prostate procedures

In transperineal prostate biopsy or ablation, a grid-template is typically used to guide the needle. The guidance method has limited positioning resolution and lack of needle angulation selections that are referenced to ultrasound imaging or TRUS-MRI fusion targets. To overcome the limitation, a novel augmented reality (AR) system that use smart see-through glasses and smartphone as a needle guidance device for transperineal prostate procedure was developed. The AR system is comprised of a MRI/CT scanner, a pre-procedural image analysis and visualization software, AR devices (smart-glasses, smartphone), a newly-developed AR app, as well as a local network. The AR app displays the lesion and planned needle trajectory, which are derived from the pre-procedural images, on the AR devices. A special designed image marker frame that affixed to the patient’s perineum was used to track the pre-procedural image with the AR devices. The displayed needle plan was always referenced to the patient and remains independent from the position and orientation of the devices. Multiple devices can be used simultaneously and communicate via a local network. We evaluated the AR system accuracy with iPhone and R-7 glasses in a phantom study. The image overlay accuracy was 0.58±0.43o and 1.62±1.52o in iPhone and R-7 glasses respectively. The accuracy of iPhone guidance was 1.9±0.97 mm (lateral) and 1.0±0.5 mm (in-direction), the accuracy of R-7 guidance was 2.8±1.4mm (lateral) and 2.3±1.5mm (indirection). AR system using smart-glasses and smartphone can provide accurate needle guidance and see-through-the-skin display for needle based transperineal prostate interventions like biopsy and ablation.
THE EFFECT OF FOULING ON BOILING HEAT TRANSFER

Abstract The published information on the fouling of heat transfer surfaces in the presence of boiling is reviewed. The fundamental processes of fouling are discussed, and the terminology and nomenclature that is commonly used is described. The interaction between fouling and boiling is then considered for precipitation fouling, corrosion fouling, particulate fouling and chemical reaction fouling. The complexity of the topic and the difficulties of satisfactorily predicting the fouling performance of heat transfer surfaces under boiling conditions are pointed out. Quantitative data and theoretical predictions, where they are available, are presented.
Optimal jersey retirement in the National Basketball Association

AbstractOne of the highest honors an individual player in the National Basketball Association (NBA) can receive is to have their jersey number retired by a franchise. Players selected for jersey re...
James Buhler, Theories of the Soundtrack

James Buhler, Theories of the Soundtrack New York: Oxford University Press, 2019 [xiv, 318 pp. ISBN: 9780199371082. $35.00 (trade paper)]. Oxford Music/Media Series. Illustration, figures, and index.
Solving Inverse Wave Scattering with Deep Learning

This paper proposes a neural network approach for solving two classical problems in the two-dimensional inverse wave scattering: far field pattern problem and seismic imaging. The mathematical problem of inverse wave scattering is to recover the scatterer field of a medium based on the boundary measurement of the scattered wave from the medium, which is high-dimensional and nonlinear. For the far field pattern problem under the circular experimental setup, a perturbative analysis shows that the forward map can be approximated by a vectorized convolution operator in the angular direction. Motivated by this and filtered back-projection, we propose an effective neural network architecture for the inverse map using the recently introduced BCR-Net along with the standard convolution layers. Analogously for the seismic imaging problem, we propose a similar neural network architecture under the rectangular domain setup with a depth-dependent background velocity. Numerical results demonstrate the efficiency of the proposed neural networks.
Simulation of the stochastic one-dimensional cutting stock problem to minimize the total inventory cost

Abstract This paper utilizes Monte Carlo simulation to identify the distribution of the optimal values of the one-dimensional cutting stock problem to help decide the stock order quantity before the demand mix becomes known. Due to the lead time when ordering the raw material, it is not possible to wait and see what the demand mix is. Thus, a “here and now” approach of stochastic programming is used to hedge against future demand uncertainty. The LINGO software is used as a subroutine of a MATLAB code to set up and solve the model in each iteration by drawing random demand values. Once the raw material order is placed and later the demand mix becomes known, decisions concerning the cutting patterns and shortage or overage amounts are determined with a second mathematical model. This paper presents a novel solution approach (using the optimizer software LINGO as a subroutine in a MATLAB simulation code) to a classic problem encountered in production planning by proposing a new method to account for demand randomness. Two raw material ordering rules (mean plus ½ standard deviation and mean plus 1 standard deviation) were considered and implemented using three random cut demand cases (exponential, uniform, and normal). For the exponentially distributed cut length demands, both rules resulted in ordering an excessive number of rails suggesting a need for a different ordering rule. For the normally distributed cut length demands, in some cases shortages may result for either of the two rules. For uniformly distributed cut length demands both ordering rules were effective in meeting cut length demands.
The linker region of LINEs modulates DNA cleavage and DNA polymerization

Abstract Long interspersed elements (LINEs) replicate by target primed reverse transcription (TPRT). Insertion involves two half reactions. Each half reaction involves DNA cleavage followed by DNA synthesis. The linker region, located just beyond the reverse transcriptase in the LINE open reading frame, contains a set of predicted helices that may form an α-finger, followed by a gag-like zinc-knuckle. Point mutations of moderately conserved amino-acid residues in the presumptive α-finger severely impair the DNA endonuclease and reverse transcriptase activities of the integration reaction during both half reactions. Mutations in the gag-like zinc-knuckle also impair DNA cleavage and DNA synthesis in some instances. Mutations in core residues that presumably disrupt the protein structure of the presumptive α-finger and the gag-like zinc-knuckle lead to a promiscuous DNA endonuclease and protein-nucleic acid complexes that get stuck in the well during analysis. The linker region appears to function as a protein, DNA, and RNA conformational switching area. The linker is used to properly position nucleic acid substrates into the active sites of the reverse transcriptase and of the DNA endonuclease.
The Challenge of Metrics in Automated Dietary Monitoring as Analysis Transitions from Small Data to Big Data

Many works in the field of automated dietary monitoring (ADM) have analyzed small data sets consisting of <10 subjects and <20 meals. This is often the first step in researching new sensors or body positions for detecting consumption. Metrics tend to focus on within-meal accuracy by quantifying physiological event detection (bites, chews, swallows). As analysis shifts to larger datasets containing many days of data from everyday life and researchers build methods that can be used in everyday life, it becomes equally important to quantify the accuracy of how many meals are detected. In small data sets most meals can be detected at least partially. In larger datasets, some meals are missed and false positives occur. In this work we discuss the pros and cons of time-based metrics and episodelevel metrics. We demonstrate how class imbalance affects some of the commonly used time metrics, and discuss why episode level metrics need to be reported as the field transitions from small data sets to big data sets.
Preexisting respiratory diseases and clinical outcomes in COVID-19: a multihospital cohort study on predominantly African American population.

Comorbidities play a key role in severe disease outcomes in COVID-19 patients. However, the literature on preexisting respiratory diseases and COVID-19, accounting for other possible confounders, is limited. The primary objective of this study was to determine the association between preexisting respiratory diseases and severe disease outcomes among COVID-19 patients. Secondary aim was to investigate any correlation between smoking and clinical outcomes in COVID-19 patients. This is a multihospital retrospective cohort study on 1871 adult patients between March 10, 2020, and June 30, 2020, with laboratory confirmed COVID-19 diagnosis. The main outcomes of the study were severe disease outcomes i.e. mortality, need for mechanical ventilation, and intensive care unit (ICU) admission. During statistical analysis, possible confounders such as age, sex, race, BMI, and comorbidities including, hypertension, coronary artery disease, congestive heart failure, diabetes, any history of cancer and prior liver disease, chronic kidney disease, end-stage renal disease on dialysis, hyperlipidemia and history of prior stroke, were accounted for. A total of 1871 patients (mean (SD) age, 64.11 (16) years; 965(51.6%) males; 1494 (79.9%) African Americans; 809 (43.2%) with ≥ 3 comorbidities) were included in the study. During their stay at the hospital, 613 patients (32.8%) died, 489 (26.1%) needed mechanical ventilation, and 592 (31.6%) required ICU admission. In fully adjusted models, patients with preexisting respiratory diseases had significantly higher mortality (adjusted Odds ratio (aOR), 1.36; 95% CI, 1.08–1.72; p = 0.01), higher rate of ICU admission (aOR, 1.34; 95% CI, 1.07–1.68; p = 0.009) and increased need for mechanical ventilation (aOR, 1.36; 95% CI, 1.07–1.72; p = 0.01). Additionally, patients with a history of smoking had significantly higher need for ICU admission (aOR, 1.25; 95% CI, 1.01–1.55; p = 0.03) in fully adjusted models. Preexisting respiratory diseases are an important predictor for mortality and severe disease outcomes, in COVID-19 patients. These results can help facilitate efficient resource allocation for critical care services.
Axial Articular Manifestations in Primary Sjögren Syndrome: Have We Been Missing Spondyloarthritis for All This Time?

Jarrot and colleagues1 present a retrospective evaluation of 148 patients with primary Sjogren syndrome (SS) who fulfilled the American College of Rheumatology/European League Against Rheumatism criteria for SS, and also fulfilled the criteria for spondyloarthritis (SpA). The patients were largely from Marseille, France, and were followed over a prolonged time period.
Echocardiographic findings in acromegaly: prevalence of concentric left ventricular remodeling in a large single-center cohort.

Acromegaly is a rare disease and is associated with increased cardiovascular (CV) morbidity and mortality, especially in patients with uncontrolled disease. We aimed to analyze the prevalence and severity of cardiomyopathy and valvular heart disease in a large cohort of patients with a confirmed acromegaly diagnosis, at baseline and after treatment. We retrospectively reviewed an institutional approved database; 190 patients with confirmed acromegaly and follow-up data available (years 2006–2018). Patients with at least one baseline echocardiogram, were included. Demographic, disease control and echocardiogram variables were collected for analysis. Of the 190 patients 110 (58%) had a baseline echocardiogram and 43 (39.1%) had at least one follow-up echocardiogram after surgical, medical or multimodal treatment. Baseline left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) prevalence was 17.8% (64.7% concentric; 35.3% eccentric), diastolic and systolic dysfunction, and overt cardiomyopathy with heart failure were 15.8, 7.9, and 3.0%, respectively. Concentric remodeling of the left ventricle (LV) was noted in 31.4% of patients without LVH. Valve defects were found in 87.3% of patients (14.6% with significant valvular heart disease). Early diagnosis of acromegaly and disease control should be attempted to prevent LVH/LV dysfunction and development of valvular heart disease. Concentric LV remodeling develops prior to obvious LV hypertrophy in almost a third of patients with acromegaly, which is a novel finding. Similar to other epidemiological studies, we found a high prevalence of LVH/LV dysfunction. Although possible, reversal of systolic and diastolic dysfunction is sporadic after treatment of acromegaly.
Darwin’s Science’s Impact on the Evolution of the Microbiological Sciences

Charles Darwin is not known as a pioneer of the microbiological sciences, but examinations of his correspondence demonstrate that he was informed about and supportive of early investigations of the microbial world. His theories influenced the work of early microbiological investigators who were trained in late nineteenth-century natural history. However, those who tried to carry on this work into the twentieth century soon found that bacteria did not have characteristics necessary to examine evolutionary questions as had been done with plants and animals. Consequently, studies of evolution and efforts to create natural taxonomies of bacteria failed to create a solid evolutionary science for microorganisms. It was not until the advent of macromolecular sequencing, when characters that could be compared to reveal phylogenetic relationships appeared, that solid data could be used to test Darwin’s theories. Subsequent full genome sequencing and reintroduction of laboratory evolution of bacteria both generated new discoveries of the mode, extent, and course of microbial evolution. Darwin’s place as a pioneer in the microbiological sciences has finally been established.
Validation of an Improved Method for Detection of Mycoplasma bovis in Milk

M. bovis and several other Mycoplasma spp cause intramammary, respiratory and joint infections that have serious economic consequences for the dairy industry (Gonzalez RN et al, 1994). Mycoplasma mastitis is resistant to treatment, therefore control of mycoplasma mastitis relies primarily on early detection and culling of infected animals to reduce transmission and herd prevalence. The current method of detection with culture is less than ideal because this group of fastidious organisms requires special enrichment media, CO2 supplemented incubation chambers with a positive or negative determination requiring an average of 10 days. Previously published molecular methods for the detection of Mycoplasma spp nucleic acids in milk samples have been demonstrated to have similar sensitivity to conventional culture methodology (Cai et al, 2005; Bashiruddin et al, 2005; McAuliffe et al, 2005). Such assays present several challenges beginning with the extraction of DNA from milk samples to the DNA amplification procedures which are technically complex. The goal of our research was to develop and validate a simple, efficient extraction process and couple it with a sensitive real-time PCR assay to detect M. bovis in bulk tank samples.
Topological censorship in spacetimes compatible with $\Lambda > 0$

Currently available topological censorship theorems are meant for gravitationally isolated black hole spacetimes with cosmological constant $\Lambda=0$ or $\Lambda 0$ and which can be applied to whole universes containing possibly multiple collections of black holes. The main assumption in the theorem is that distinct black hole collections eventually become isolated from one another at late times, and the conclusion is that the regions near the various black hole collections have trivial fundamental group, in spite of there possibly being nontrivial topology in the universe.