cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
NOx Storage and Reduction with H2 on Pt/Rh/BaO/CeO2: Effects of Rh and CeO2 in the Absence and Presence of CO2 and H2O

The storage and reduction features of a family of Pt/Rh/BaO/CeO2/Al2O3 washcoated monolith catalysts are compared in terms of NOx conversion and product selectivity using H2 as the reductant. The catalyst composition, monolith temperature, regeneration time, and presence of H2O and CO2 in the feed were systematically varied to identify trends and to elucidate effects. In addition to cycling, experiments involving the reduction of a fixed amount of prestored NOx help to isolate differences in the regeneration features of the catalysts. The addition of both CeO2 and Rh to Pt/BaO increases the cycle-averaged NOx conversion and selectivity to N2, but oxygen storage on the ceria expectedly leads to the consumption of additional reductant during the regeneration. CeO2 is shown to be an inferior NOx storage component, but as a supplement to BaO, CeO2 provides the role of promoting the oxidation of NH3 to N2. The same stored oxygen is the likely cause for the enhanced NH3 oxidation. On the other hand, Pt/BaO is s...
Further development of a time domain boundary integral equation method for aeroacoustic scattering computations

Recently, a stable time domain boundary integral equation for the acoustic convective wave equation has been formulated and an efficient numerical solution has been proposed. The time domain boundary integral equation solver has several distinct advantages. For instances, scattering solutions at all frequencies can be obtained within one single time domain computation. Furthermore, broadband sources and time dependent transient signals can be simulated and studied directly, and it can be readily coupled with a nonlinear CFD simulation where many frequencies are generated. In the present paper, further developments of the time domain boundary integral equation solver are reported. A Fourier analysis for the general interpolation problem is formulated. In the literature, the temporal basis functions used in March-On-in-Time (MOT) schemes have been largely limited to low-order shifted Lagrange basis functions. The current work seeks an improvement on the temporal basis function. Based on the Fourier analysis, the resolutions of various temporal basis functions are quantified. Then, optimized basis functions that have significantly extended resolution in the Fourier frequency space are proposed. Substantial improvements in accuracy and efficiency of the proposed optimal high-resolution temporal basis functions for time domain integral equations are demonstrated by numerical examples. The use of optimized basis functions keeps the error low for a larger range in the frequency space. Conversely, for a given range of frequency of interest, a larger time step can used with the optimized temporal basis functions, resulting in a significant increase in computational efficiency and, at the same time, reduction in memory requirement. The time domain boundary integral equation solver is further applied to the problem of scattering by a flat plate. Computed results are compared with the experimental measurements.
Variation of the Photoelectric Threshold of Boron Doped Diamond Films

Boron doped polycrystalline diamond films grown on p-type single-crystal Si substrates using chemical vapor deposition with a gas mixture of hydrogen, methane and diborane were characterized with scanning electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy and photoelectric current measurements. The energy distributions are not sensitive to boron doping for diborane concentrations from 0 to 4.75 ppm, although the boron doping modifies the surface morphology and the photoemission intensity. The photoemission intensity is high where the microcrystalline content is highest (at diborane concentrations of 2.91 and 4.75 ppm. The photoelectric threshold is found to be at 4.38 eV, in agreement with earlier measurements. The present results are characteristic of valence band emission at 4.38, 4.63, 4.92, 5.12 and 5.30 eV for incident photons between 4.87 and 5.63 eV.
Eyeblink conditioning during an interstimulus interval switch in rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) using picrotoxin to disrupt cerebellar cortical input to the interpositus nucleus.

The role of the cerebellar cortex in eyeblink classical conditioning remains unclear. Experimental manipulations that disrupt the normal function of this region impair learning to various degrees and task parameters may be important factors in determining the severity of impairment. The present investigation was undertaken to study the role of cerebellar cortex in eyeblink conditioning under CS-US intervals known to be optimal or non-optimal for learning. Using discrete infusions of picrotoxin to the interpositus nucleus of the rabbit cerebellum, we pharmacologically disrupted input from the cerebellar cortex while training with an inter-stimulus interval (ISI) switch procedure. One group of rabbits was first trained with a 250 ms ISI (optimal) and then switched to a 750 ms ISI (non-optimal). A second group was trained in the opposite order. As expected, control rabbits learned the 250 ms ISI much faster than the 750 ms ISI. The most striking effect was that picrotoxin-treated rabbits initially trained with a 250 ms ISI learned comparably to controls, but those initially trained with a 750 ms ISI were severely impaired. These results suggest that functional input from cerebellar cortex becomes increasingly important for the interpositus nucleus to learn delay eyeblink conditioning as the ISI departs from an optimal interval of 250 ms.
Beyond Bean-Counting: The Role of Costs During the Charlotte-Douglas Airport Takeover

When it is discussed, accounting is often viewed as a technical subject that is often of little consequence to politics or political science. The cost of a project or the cost of a program is, however, an important political issue – especially in times of fiscal stress. So, while it is well known that cost is a politically salient issue, much less is known about the role of costs and how the cost process gets elevated into the political discussion. This research looks at the role of cost accounting and cost development in the recent takeover of the Charlotte-Douglas airport by the state of North Carolina. It examines the statements made in the North Carolina media and in technical documents concerning the costs of the airport. This case represents a pathway case study of the politicization of costs in the relatively technical area of accounting for a local government enterprise fund. Specifically, it seeks to answer the question of whether costs were a major concern from the beginning of the takeover or whether they were elevated to prominence as further justification once the takeover was contested? The research makes three important contributions to the study of politics and government financial management. First, it shows that costs were important to the discussion of the takeover. Second, it provides some evidence on how costs become politicized. Third, it provides more research on cost accounting in the United States, which is an area that is severely underdeveloped and in need of scholarship.
Noninvasive Ventilation in Difficult Endotracheal Intubation

Prediction of the difficulty of intubation should include the ease of visualizing the airway as well as the tolerance of apnea during the intubation process. NIV can be useful in difficult intubation by improving the quality of preoxygenation. In addition, clinicians can use NIV during endotracheal intubation. NIV can provide a pneumatic stent for the upper airway and maintain oxygenation and ventilation during the intubation process.
Environmental peer persuasion: How moral exporting and belief superiority relate to efforts to influence others

Abstract Traditional research on environmental behavior has explored the predictors of behavior change as a function of intervention efforts from an authority. The current research examines self-reported environmental behavior outside of these contexts, and in particular demonstrates the value in asking who attempts to influence the environmental behaviors of their peers. Environmental moral exporting and environmental belief superiority both related to efforts to influence the environmental behaviors of others, albeit in different ways. People high in moral exporting were more active in their efforts to influence the environmental behaviors of others, preferred a two-way dialogue between individuals, and enjoyed such interactions. Alternatively, individuals high in environmental belief superiority put relatively less effort into influencing others, compared to those high in environmental moral exporting, and tended to avoid environmental conversations. When individuals high in environmental belief superiority did have those conversations, they were likely to get frustrated and attempted to dominate the conversations. This research demonstrates the value in asking who tries to influence the environmental behavior of others and how they do so.
A highly stable and scalable photosynthetic reaction center–graphene hybrid electrode system for biomimetic solar energy transduction

A photosynthetic reaction center (RC)-based electrode system is one of the most promising biomimetic approaches for solar energy transduction which is a renewable and environment-friendly source of energy. However, the instability of RCs in a non-cellular environment and the unfeasible scalability of electrode materials hamper the promising application of these systems. Herein, we report a highly stable and scalable RC-electrode system in which RCs are directly immobilized on a flexible and transparent mercapto reduced graphene oxide (mRGO) electrode. RCs immobilized on a mRGO film retain their photoactivity after twenty-week storage under darkness and even after 24 h continuous illumination at room temperature under aerobic conditions. The remarkable stability and mechanical flexibility of our system offer great potential for the development of a flexible RC-based biomimetic device for solar energy transduction.
The epistemic significance of perceptual learning

AbstractFirst impressions suggest the following contrast between perception and memory: perception generates new beliefs and reasons, justification, or evidence for those beliefs; memory preserves old beliefs and reasons, justification, or evidence for those beliefs. In this paper, I argue that reflection on perceptual learning gives us reason to adopt an alternative picture on which perception plays both generative and preservative epistemic roles.
Isotopically zoned carbonate cements in Early Paleozoic sandstones of the Illinois Basin: δ18O and δ13C records of burial and fluid flow

Abstract SEM/SIMS imaging and analysis of δ 18 O and δ 13 C in sandstones from a transect through the Illinois Basin (USA) show systematic μm-scale isotopic zonation of up to 10‰ in both carbonate and quartz cements of the middle-Ordovician St. Peter and Cambrian Mt. Simon formations. Quartz δ 18 O values are broadly consistent with the model of Hyodo et al. (2014), wherein burial and heating in the Illinois Basin is recorded in systematically zoned quartz overgrowths. Observations of zoned dolomite/ankerite cements indicate that they preserve a more extended record of temperature and fluid compositions than quartz, including early diagenesis before or during shallow burial, and late carbonates formed after quartz overgrowths. Many carbonate cements show innermost dolomite with δ 18 O values (21–25‰ VSMOW) that are too low to have formed by deposition at low temperatures from ancient seawater (δ 18 O > − 3‰) and most likely reflect mixing with meteoric water. A sharp increase in Fe content is commonly observed in zoned carbonate cements to be associated with a drop in δ 18 O and an abrupt shift in δ 13 C to higher or lower values. These changes are interpreted to record the passage of hot metal-rich brines through sandstone aquifers, that was associated with Mississippi-Valley Type (MVT) Pb-Zn deposits (ca. 270 Ma) of the Upper Mississippi Valley. Local variability and individual trends in δ 13 C are likely controlled by the sources of carbon and the degree to which carbon is sourced from adjacent carbonate units or thermal maturation of organic matter. Quartz overgrowths in sandstones provide an excellent record of conditions during burial, heating, and pressure-solution, whereas carbonate cements in sandstones preserve a more-extended record including initial pre-burial conditions and punctuated fluid flow events.
Effect of Cigarette Smoking on Risk for Adverse Events in Patients With Heart Failure and Preserved Ejection Fraction.

Smoking is an important risk factor in the development of heart failure with preserved ejection (HFpEF), and previous reports have identified smoking as a significant predictor of death in this population. However, the relation between smoking and heart failure-specific outcomes has not been examined in patients with HFpEF. This analysis included 1,717 patients (mean age = 71 ± 10 years; 50% men; 78% white) with HFpEF enrolled in the Treatment of Preserved Cardiac Function Heart Failure with an Aldosterone Antagonist Trial from the Americas. Smoking was ascertained by self-reported history and categorized as never, former, or current. Multivariable Cox regression was used to examine the risk of hospitalization for heart failure, death, and cardiovascular death across smoking categories. There were 116 current smokers (7%), 871 former smokers (51%), and 729 never smokers (42%) in this analysis. Current smoking was associated with an increased risk of hospitalization for heart failure (never: hazard ratio [HR] 1.0; former: HR 1.25, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.99 to 1.57; current: HR 1.68, 95% CI 1.08 to 2.61), death (never: HR 1.0; former: HR 1.02, 95% CI 0.81 to 1.29; current: HR 1.82, 95% CI 1.19 to 2.78), and cardiovascular death (never: HR 1.0; former: HR 1.00, 95% CI 0.74 to 1.35; current: HR 1.85, 95% CI 1.09 to 3.24) compared with former or never smokers in a multivariable model adjusted for cardiovascular risk factors. A similar increased risk of hospitalization for heart failure (former: HR 1.0; current: HR 1.54, 95% CI 1.01, 2.36), death (former: HR 1.0; current: HR 1.81, 95% CI 1.19, 2.75), and cardiovascular death (former: HR 1.0; current: HR 1.76, 95% CI 1.04, 2.98) was observed for current smokers when we limited the analysis to those with a history of smoking. In conclusion, current smoking is associated with an increased risk for adverse outcomes in HFpEF, including hospitalization for heart failure. Smoking cessation strategies possibly have a role to reduce the risk for adverse cardiovascular outcomes in patients with HFpEF.
Multigated Carbon Nanotube Field Effect Transistors-Based Physically Unclonable Functions As Security Keys

Enabling data security from unauthorized access is a major challenge for electronics devices. Most of the conventional cryptographic techniques store “keys” in nonvolatile memory, which is vulnerable to external attacks like physical attacks, side-channel attacks, fault attacks, etc. Physically unclonable functions (PUFs) have the potential to overcome these challenges because they do not store keys permanently and are difficult to reproduce. The next generation of electronic and opto-electronic devices may use semiconducting materials like carbon nanotubes (CNTs) or 2-D materials due to their superior electrical, optical, thermal, and mechanical properties. There is a need for PUFs, which are low-cost and more efficient than existing silicon-based PUFs and compatible with future electronic technologies. We propose multigated CNT field effect transistors (CNT-FETs)-based PUFs, where inherent randomness of CNT network and a multigated channel are utilized to generate high-quality random keys. We have shown that while conventional single-gate channel FETs can generate binary keys, multigated CNT-FETs, where different gate voltages are applied in different sections of the channel, can enable the creation of multiple challenges and current levels to produce not only ternary but up to base-17 (heptadecimal) keys. Such keys can create significantly more entropy than binary or ternary keys of the same size generated by typical PUFs.
A Dissipative Galerkin Method for the Numerical Solution of First Order Hyperbolic Equations

Publisher Summary This chapter focuses on connection between dissipative finite difference operators and a certain Galerkin-type method, for the numerical solution of first order one-dimensional hyperbolic problems, and discusses the extension of the Galerkin method to certain equations that are of third order in the space derivative. It also discusses the question of the accuracy in L 2 of the ordinary Galerkin method. The chapter also discusses the dissipativity of the Galerkin operator and discussion on higher order education.
Awakening of the Invertebrate Egg at Fertilization

The previous chapter dealt with mechanisms by which the invertebrate sperm responds to the egg, first undergoing the acrosome reaction and then binding to it before gamete membrane fusion. The fusion of sperm and egg is catastrophic for both the organism and the species. A new individual is formed with a reassortment of meiotic products that constitutes a new roll of the evolutionary dice. The mechanism of formation of the zygote has received increasing attention over the past decade with the application of modern techniques in molecular and cellular biology. In this chapter I will focus on some recent insights concerning several phenomena associated with activation of the sea urchin egg after fertilization. Work in this field occurs in the context of an excellent scientific literature that dates back well over a century; I shall try to point out some of the classical antecedents of the modern study of fertilization mechanisms.
Genetic Diversity of Arcobacter and Campylobacter on Broiler Carcasses during Processing

Broiler carcasses (n = 325) were sampled at three sites along the processing line (prescalding, prechilling, and post-chilling) in a commercial poultry processing plant during five plant visits from August to October 2004. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) was used to determine the genomic fingerprints of Campylobacter coli (n = 27), Campylobacter jejuni (n = 188), Arcobacter butzleri (n = 138), Arcobacter cryaerophilus 1A (n = 4), and A. cryaerophilus 1B (n = 31) with the restriction enzymes SmaI and KpnI for Campylobacter and Arcobacter, respectively. Campylobacter species were subtyped by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention PulseNet 24-h standardized protocol for C. jejuni. A modification of this protocol with a different restriction endonuclease (KpnI) and different electrophoresis running conditions produced the best separation of restriction fragment patterns for Arcobacter species. Both unique and common PFGE types of Arcobacter and Campylobacter strains were identified. A total of...
A New Civic Spirit for Garden City-states: On the Lifework of Sybella Gurney

Sybella Gurney (1870–1926) made important and largely unrecognized contributions to British community design theory and practice. This essay begins with an exploration of her youthful social reform...
Cognitive Performance in Adolescence: Links With Early Maternal Stimulation and Children’s Anxious Behaviors

AbstractThis study tested a developmental model of cognitive performance in adolescence and explored potential mechanisms explaining the relations of early maternal stimulation and children’s anxious behaviors with adolescents’ cognitive performance. We utilized the NICHD SECCYD dataset (n = 1,112). Measures included questionnaires, coded observations, and self-report measures from infancy to adolescence. Results revealed that children who experienced greater early maternal stimulation and less anxious behaviors had better cognitive performance at age 15. Children’s English self-efficacy, the quality of child–teacher relationships, and children’s behavioral classroom engagement in middle childhood mediated the relation between early maternal stimulation and adolescent cognitive performance. Identifying pathways from earlier maternal and children’s characteristics to children’s later cognitive performance is an important step toward further understanding why early precursors have a long lasting impact on c...
One-dimensional Deep Image Prior for Time Series Inverse Problems

We extend the Deep Image Prior (DIP) framework to one-dimensional signals. DIP is using a randomly initialized convolutional neural network (CNN) to solve linear inverse problems by optimizing over weights to fit the observed measurements. Our main finding is that properly tuned one-dimensional convolutional architectures provide an excellent Deep Image Prior for various types of temporal signals including audio, biological signals, and sensor measurements. We show that our network can be used in a variety of recovery tasks including missing value imputation, blind denoising, and compressed sensing from random Gaussian projections. The key challenge is how to avoid overfitting by carefully tuning early stopping, total variation, and weight decay regularization. Our method requires up to 4 times fewer measurements than Lasso and outperforms NLM-VAMP for random Gaussian measurements on audio signals, has similar imputation performance to a Kalman state-space model on a variety of data, and outperforms wavelet filtering in removing additive noise from air-quality sensor readings.
GWU NLP Lab at SemEval-2019 Task 3: EmoContext: Effective Contextual Information in Models for Emotion Detection in Sentence-level in a Multigenre Corpus.

In this paper we present an emotion classifier model submitted to the SemEval-2019 Task 3: EmoContext. The task objective is to classify emotion (i.e. happy, sad, angry) in a 3-turn conversational data set. We formulate the task as a classification problem and introduce a Gated Recurrent Neural Network (GRU) model with attention layer, which is bootstrapped with contextual information and trained with a multigenre corpus. We utilize different word embeddings to empirically select the most suited one to represent our features. We train the model with a multigenre emotion corpus to leverage using all available training sets to bootstrap the results. We achieved overall %56.05 f1-score and placed 144.
Design and Validation of a Cervical Laminectomy Simulator using 3D Printing and Hydrogel Phantoms.

BACKGROUND The development of technical skills for a cervical laminectomy are traditionally acquired through intraoperative learning and cadaveric courses. These methods provide little objective assessment, involve financial and biohazard considerations, and may not incorporate desired pathology. OBJECTIVE To develop an inexpensive cervical spine laminectomy simulator capable of measuring operative performance and to assess its face, content, and construct validity. METHODS A virtual model was generated and 3D printed into negative molds. A multilayered surgical phantom was fabricating by filling molds with hydrogels, plaster, and fiberglass. A pressure transducer measured simulated spinal cord manipulation. Participants completed full-procedural laminectomy simulations. Post-simulation surveys assessed face and content validity. Construct validity was assessed by comparing expert and novice procedural metrics. RESULTS Twelve surgeons participated. The simulator received median face and content validity ratings of 4/5. Differences between experts and novices were found in mean intrathecal pressure wave count (84 vs 153, P = .023), amplitude (4 vs 12% > 2SD above expert mean, P 2SD above expert mean, P < .001), procedure time (35 vs 69 min P = .003), and complication rates (none vs 3 incorrect levels decompressed and 1 dural tear, P = .06). Insignificant differences were found in mean pressure wave slope and blood loss. CONCLUSION This inexpensive cervical laminectomy simulator received favorable face and content validity ratings, and distinguished novice from expert participants. Further studies are needed to determine this simulator's role in the training and assessment of novice surgeons.
Hydrogen Peroxide Interference in Chemical Oxygen Demand Assessments of Plasma Treated Wastewaters

Plasma-liquid interaction generates hydrogen peroxide, ozone, and other reactive species along with ultraviolet radiation and short-lived highly reactive hydroxyl radicals, thus representing a novel advanced oxidation process for removal of recalcitrant organic compounds and overall chemical oxygen demand (COD). The COD test is ubiquitous in wastewater treatment as a measurement of the pollution potential of organic matter present in the waste stream; however, residual hydrogen peroxide from plasma treatment interferes with COD analysis by reducing the potassium dichromate oxidizing agent. The magnitude of this interference is investigated by dosing waters with hydrogen peroxide by chemical solution and by dielectric barrier discharge plasma jet, and then measuring the residual peroxide and COD of the samples. Corresponding samples are aerated to strip the hydrogen peroxide and the COD is assessed. Tests are performed with deionized water, as well as diluted solutions of methylene blue and ethylene glycol.
Detection and Mitigation of Data Manipulation Attacks in AC Microgrids

This paper presents a resilient control framework for distributed frequency and voltage control of AC microgrids under data manipulation attacks. In order for each distributed energy resource (DER) to detect any misbehavior on its neighboring DERs, an attack detection mechanism is first presented using a Kullback-Liebler (KL) divergence-based criterion. An attack mitigation technique is then proposed that utilizes the calculated KL divergence factors to determine trust values indicating the trustworthiness of the received information. Moreover, DERs continuously generate a self-belief factor and communicate it with their neighbors to inform them of the validity level of their own outgoing information. DERs incorporate their neighbors’ self-belief and their own trust values in their control protocols to slow down and mitigate attacks. It is shown that the proposed cyber-secure control effectively distinguishes data manipulation attacks from legitimate events. The performance of proposed secure frequency and voltage control techniques is verified through the simulation of microgrid tests system implemented on IEEE 34-bus test feeder with six DERs.
Shifting Organizational Cultures: Developing Leaders in Humanistic Interprofessional Education

Organizational cultures significantly influence faculty and clinician well-being, trainees’ professional identity formation, and the care of patients and families. The ability of interprofessional healthcare teams to work collaboratively is important for safe, high quality, relationship-centered care. A multi-site project, Faculty Development for the Interprofessional Teaching of Humanism,* was initiated to create a national curriculum in humanism and professionalism designed to train interprofessional education (IPE) faculty leaders. Boston Children’s Hospital / Harvard Medical School (BCH/HMS) is the first pediatric site selected to design and implement this curriculum. Our objectives were to: 1) develop a national curriculum in humanism and professionalism for IPE faculty leaders; 2) adapt the curriculum for pediatrics; and 3) create and sustain a faculty fellowship for IPE leaders at BCH/HMS that promotes humanistic values in organizational culture and learning and care environments. We designed and implemented the curriculum at nine national sites. Topics focus on collaboration, communication, and relationships and include: highly functioning teams; advanced team formation; patients’ perspectives; empathy; well-being, resilience, renewal; diversity & inclusion; appreciative inquiry; values; IPE and others. To achieve sustainability at BCH/HMS, we created a unique Faculty Fellowship for Leaders in Humanistic Interprofessional Education. To increase impact, we recruited co-sponsors from departments across BCH. Fellows participate in 1½-hour, twice-monthly small-group sessions for 8 months and design and implement a group project. Twenty-one faculty applied. The first cohort included 11 faculty representing medicine, social work, nursing, and psychology. The Faculty Fellowship provides opportunities for IPE faculty leaders to enhance teaching skills, collaboration, relationships, reflective capacities, and role modeling in humanism and professionalism, and to work together to foster humanistic values within organizational culture. *Supported by a multi-institutional grant from the Josiah Macy, Jr. Foundation (Dr. Branch as national PI; Dr. Rider as site PI)
Influence of aerodynamic particle size on botulinum neurotoxin potency in mice.

For many agents, the aerodynamic particle size can affect both the virulence and disease course in animal models. Botulinum neurotoxins (BoNTs), which are widely known as potential bioterrorism age...
Human Papilloma Virus self-sampling performance in low- and middle-income countries

Screening for HPV has led to significant reductions in cervical cancer deaths in high-income countries. However, the same results have not been achieved in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). HPV self-sampling is a novel approach that could improve screening rates. This study’s objective is to summarize the recent literature on HPV self-sampling in LMICs, focusing on sensitivity/specificity, and feasibility/acceptability of self-sampling compared to traditional screening methods. We conducted a PubMed search for articles published in English within the last 10 years on self-sampling in LMICs. Fifty eligible articles from 26 countries were included, 19 of which came from sub-Saharan Africa and 18 from Latin America/Caribbean. Seven studies examined sensitivity, with five reporting rates higher than 91%. Six reported on specificity, which was also very high at 86–97.8%. Six studies examined self-sampling concordance with provider-collected sampling, with concordance rates ranging from 87 to 97.5%. A total of 38 studies examined the feasibility/acceptability of HPV self-sampling. Participation rates were very high in all studies, even when self-sampling was done at participants’ homes (over 89% participation). Overall, participants reported that HPV self-sampling was easy to perform (75–97%, 18 studies), painless (60–90%, nine studies), and preferred over provider-collected sampling (57–100%, 14 studies). Eight studies reported follow-up rates for participants who completed self-sampling; however, these rates varied widely-from 13.7 to 90%. The major benefits of self-sampling include convenience of screening from home, less embarrassment, and less travel. Improved education and awareness of self-sampling, combined with support from community health workers, could reduce perceptions of self-sampling being inferior to provider-collected sampling. Improving follow-up of abnormal results and improving linkages to treatment are also essential. Our literature review highlights HPV self-sampling is a well-performing test that shows promise in terms of expanding screening efforts for the prevention of cervical cancer-related deaths in LMICs.
The relationship between restless sleep and symptoms of the knee: data from the Osteoarthritis Initiative

To examine the associations between restless sleep and knee symptoms among individuals with radiographically confirmed KOA. Cross-sectional and longitudinal associations were examined using Osteoarthritis Initiative (OAI) data. Participants with radiographic KOA (n = 2517) were asked how often sleep was restless in the past week over the 4 years, and the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index (WOMAC) was used to measure knee symptoms. Adjusted β coefficients (aβ) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were derived from generalized estimating equations (GEEs) models stratified by sex. One in 7 participants reported ≥ 3 nights with restless sleep. Cross-sectional analyses indicated that restless sleep 5–7 nights was associated with worse symptoms (Women: pain: aβ 1.93, 95% CI 1.12–2.74, stiffness: aβ 0.57, 95% CI 0.19–0.94, physical function: aβ 5.68, 95% CI 3.09-8.27; Men: pain: aβ = 1.85, 95% CI 0.85–2.86; stiffness: aβ 0.63, 95% CI 0.15–1.12; physical function: aβ 5.89, 95% CI 2.68–9.09) compared with < 1 night. Longitudinal analyses confirmed that more nights with restless sleep were associated with worse pain (P trend = 0.01) and function (P trend = 0.04) in women and physical function in men (P trend = 0.04), although estimates did not meet thresholds for minimal clinically meaningful differences. While the analysis of cross-sectional data supported the association between restless sleep and KOA symptoms, such relationships were not confirmed in more robust longitudinal analysis. Further research examining whether sleep quality, duration, or disorders is associated with worsening symptoms in persons with KOA is warranted.
Methodological Considerations for Auditory Training Interventions for Adults With Hearing Loss: A Rapid Review.

Purpose The aim of this study was to evaluate literature on auditory training published since 2013. Method A rapid review or a streamlined approach to systematically identify and summarize relevant...
An Abnormal Heart Lung Connection: A Case of Coronary Artery Fistula Formation Post Orthotropic Heart Transplantation

Introduction Coronary artery fistulas (CAF) are rare anomalies often congenital in origin, however, they have been seen after orthotropic heart transplantation (OHT). The mechanism of CAF formation is unclear, but it has been proposed that angiogenesis may occur in response to inflammation, surgical trauma, and hypoxia. Most are incidentally discovered on coronary angiography, and a majority of patients are asymptomatic. However, a potentially serious complication of CAF is ischemia due to coronary steal phenomenon. Case Report A 23-year-old male with a past medical history significant for nonischemic cardiomyopathy thought secondary to viral etiology who had OHT one year prior presented for post-transplant biopsy and angiography to evaluate for rejection. His post-transplant course was uncomplicated. Coronary angiography was notable for collaterals between diagonal branches of left anterior descending artery to pulmonary vasculature (Figure 1). To further evaluate, he had a gated cardiac computerized tomography scan which showed multiple small vessels from the left upper lobe that appeared to directly communicate with the pericardial surface at the left ventricular apex (Figure 2). After multidisciplinary discussion, decision was made to monitor patient with annual echocardiogram with strain imaging and coronary angiography. Summary Management of patients post OHT is a complex process. Surveillance and management of patients found to have CAF is not well established due to its rarity and unclear clinical significance. Additional research is necessary to better understand this phenomenon.
The Lost Doctrine: Suggestion Theory in Early Media Effects Research:

This monograph examines the history of the “suggestion doctrine,” a theory of communicative influence that arose in social psychology at the turn of the 20th century and was applied to the study of...
Wildfire and topography drive woody plant diversity in a Sky Island mountain range in the Southwest USA.

Aim Drastic changes in fire regimes are altering plant communities, inspiring ecologists to better understand the relationship between fire and plant species diversity. We examined the impact of a 90,000-ha wildfire on woody plant species diversity in an arid mountain range in southern Arizona, USA. We tested recent fire-diversity hypotheses by addressing the impacts on diversity of fire severity, fire variability, historical fire regimes, and topography. Location Chiricahua National Monument, Chiricahua Mountains, Arizona, USA, part of the Sky Islands of the US-Mexico borderlands. Taxon Woody plant species. Methods We sampled woody plant diversity in 138 plots before (2002-2003) and after (2017-2018) the 2011 Horseshoe Two Fire in three vegetation types and across fire severity and topographic gradients. We calculated gamma, alpha, and beta diversity and examined changes over time in burned versus unburned plots and the shapes of the relationships of diversity with fire severity and topography. Results Alpha species richness declined, and beta and gamma diversity increased in burned but not unburned plots. Fire-induced enhancement of gamma diversity was confined to low fire severity plots. Alpha diversity did not exhibit a clear continuous relationship with fire severity. Beta diversity was enhanced by variation in fire severity among plots and increased with fire severity up to very high severity, where it declined slightly. Main Conclusions The results reject the intermediate disturbance hypothesis for alpha diversity but weakly support it for gamma diversity. Spatial variation in fire severity promoted variation among plant assemblages, supporting the pyrodiversity hypothesis. Long-term drought probably amplified fire-driven diversity changes. Despite the apparent benign impact of the fire on diversity, the replacement of two large conifer species with a suite of drought-tolerant shrubs signals the potential loss of functional diversity, a pattern that may warrant restoration efforts to retain these important compositional elements.
An Introduction to the Theory of Knowledge: The problem of the criterion

In examining theories about what makes beliefs justified or instances of knowledge and in considering various responses to skepticism, we have assumed that we can pick out instances of justified belief and knowledge. We have rejected various philosophical claims about knowledge and justification because they were incompatible with what we take ourselves to know or be justified in believing. For example, when we considered in the last chapter the view that knowledge required certainty, we argued that since we do know things that aren't certain, knowledge does not require certainty. We rejected a view about what knowledge required because it conflicted with what we took ourselves to know. Similarly, we have assumed in various chapters that children and animals have knowledge, and therefore certain theories of knowledge are mistaken. To some it may seem that this is the wrong way to approach the problems of epistemology. To others this seems like a reasonable approach. In this chapter we shall consider one way of defending this approach to the problems of epistemology and we shall consider a variety of objections to it. Chisholm and the problem of the criterion In The Problem of the Criterion , Roderick Chisholm identifies two main questions in the theory of knowledge: A What do we know? What is the extent of our knowledge? B How are we to decide whether we know? What are the criteria of knowledge? Chisholm distinguishes between three general approaches to these questions: skepticism, methodism, and particularism. Let us consider briefly what he says about each.
Global Epigenetic Screening Technologies: a Novel Tool to Address Cancer Health Disparities in High-Risk Population Groups

Racial, ethnic and class disparities in cancer incidence and mortality have been well documented. Disparities in the utilization of preventive, curative and treatment services among ethnic minorities have been reported. Screening can be effective at detecting cancer at treatable stages, but a large proportion of people at risk have not been screened or are not regularly screened, as recommended by the American Cancer Society's national guidelines. Early detection technologies have the potential of both influencing mortality from cancer, as well as enhancing primary prevention through detection and removal of lesions that could potentially develop into cancer. Cancer is an epigenetic disease characterized by the breakdown of DNA methylation and histones modification patterns. Epigenetic approaches may contribute to a reduction in cancer health disparities impacting early detection and increasing cancer treatment options. Epigenetic events represent important mechanism(s) by which gene function is selectively activated or inactivated, through genetic and non-genetic manifestations. Emerging evidence indicates that various epigenetic alterations, such as global histones modifications and DNA hypomethylation, common to most types of cancer, are modified by environmental exposures throughout the life course. A simple, easily explained and easy to understand non-invasive test, such as the DNA methylation index, that may screen for several cancer sites at once, may remove some of the existing barriers to cancer screening utilization, and contribute to the reduction of cancer disparities. Epigenetic approaches may also prove to be useful in identifying environmental and lifestyle factors that contribute to the prevalence of other chronic conditions in high risk populations, such as Puerto Rican populations in the United States and Puerto Rico.
Efficient Rijndael implementation for high-speed optical networks

The current fast growing use of the Internet for commercial transactions has created large demands for data protection and network security. IPsec standard and protocols address these demands by providing different mechanisms to ensure integrity, privacy, and authentication of data when it is transmitted, or accessed, via the IP network. Encryption algorithms are by far the most important tools for network and communication security in the IPSec standard. This paper presents a summary of our work to design an efficient implementation of Rijndael algorithm. Rijndael is the new Advanced Encryption Standard adopted by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). Two different hardware implementations are presented and analyzed. In the first approach, only one lookup table is used to implement the S-Box that performs substitution for all round transformations, which is the bottleneck in the Rijndael algorithm. To achieve optimum speed of data encryption in the feedback mode, access to S-Box is pipelined between rounds. The second realization is based on systolic architecture where sets of Interconnected cells are performing intermediate round transformations. Each cell consists of an S-Box instance with a small combinational circuit to run the round transformation. Verilog design code were developed and synthesized for both implementations, then compared to the existing hardware implementations. It is found that our implementation using standard cell libraries provides much faster encryption rate compared to the reported FPGA and software approach hence it can be deployed in high-speed optical networks.
Functional analysis of the Notch ligand Jagged1 missense mutant proteins underlying Alagille syndrome

Heterozygous mutations in the JAG1 gene, encoding Notch ligand Jagged1, cause Alagille syndrome (ALGS). As most of the mutations are nonsense or frameshift mutations producing inactive truncated proteins, haplo-insufficiency is considered the major pathogenic mechanism of ALGS. However, the molecular mechanisms by which the missense mutations cause ALGS remain unclear. Here we analyzed the functional properties of four ALGS missense mutant proteins, P163L, R184H, G386R and C714Y, using transfected mammalian cells. P163L and R184H showed Notch-binding activities similar to that of the wild-type when assessed by immunoprecipitation. However, their trans-activation and cis-inhibition activities were almost completely impaired. These mutant proteins localized mainly to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), suggesting that the mutations induced improper protein folding. Furthermore, the mutant proteins bound more strongly to the ER chaperone proteins calnexin and calreticulin than the wild-type did. C714Y also localized to the ER, but possessed significant trans-activation activity and lacked enhanced binding to the chaperones, indicating a less severe phenotype. The properties of G386R were the same as those of the wild-type. Dominant-negative effects were not detected for any mutant protein. These results indicate that accumulation in the ER and binding to the chaperones correlate with the impaired signal-transduction activities of the missense mutant proteins, which may contribute to the pathogenic mechanism of ALGS. Our findings, which suggest the requirement for cell-surface localization of Jagged1 for cis-inhibition activities, also provide important information for understanding the molecular basis of Notch-signaling pathways. Structured digital abstract • Jagged-1physically interacts with Calreticulin and Calnexin by anti tag coimmunoprecipitation (View Interaction: 1, 2) • Jagged-1physically interacts with NOTCH3 by anti tag coimmunoprecipitation (View interaction)
Caterpillar, Inc: The Impact of Decision Biases and Risk on Capital Budgeting

Managers at the Caterpillar plant in Aurora, Illinois were facing a request from senior executives at the home office in Peoria, Illinois for a “Footprint Study” – Identify the best global source (location) for production of the company’s new hybrid/electric exoloader. Using Caterpillar’s capital expenditure model (CapX model), students must decide whether to recommend expanding and refocusing an existing production facility in Aurora IL (Scenario A), or building a new facility in China (Scenario B). On the surface, the standard capital budgeting template looks like a clear manifestation of the rational decision making model. Decision makers, however, are subject to a predictable set of psychological biases (decision heuristics) that may surreptitiously influence the underlying assumptions used to produce a “rational decision” (Bazerman, 2009; Kahneman et al. 2011). The case introduces students to a variety of these decision biases in the context of the capital budgeting decision. Students are required to examine how the assumptions underlying Caterpillar’s capital budgeting template could be influenced by individuals’ decision biases. Furthermore, the case provides an opportunity for students identify the risk factors identified in Caterpillar’s 10-K and consider how the overall risk environment influences the company’s financial statements. Given their assessments of the overall risk environment, student must incorporate their assessments into a determination of the investment hurdle rates appropriate for the alternative capital expenditure scenarios. Ultimately, students must identify the assumptions underlying the CapX model and evaluate these assumptions on two dimensions: (1) importance of the assumption, and (2) uncertainty of the assumption. Students can use the resulting 2 × 2 matrix of assumptions to think about how they would prioritize their time in terms validating the model assumptions and assess how decision biases might influence assumptions uncertainty. In the terms of class implementation, the case is structured to essentially create a debate between those who support Scenario A (U.S. production) and those who support Scenario B (China production). For every argument in support of Scenario A, students also must develop a counter-argument against Scenario A and in favor Scenario B. The objective is to increase students’ ability to think using a 360° perspective. By pursuing a 360° perspective students open themselves up to a wider decision making perspective that might include innovative and potentially superior decision alternatives.
Goodness-of-Fit Tests

Goodness-of-fit tests are batteries of tests that test that the distribution of a sample is equal to some fixed-in-advance distribution. We already saw Q–Q plots in Chap. 5 where the samples were compared to some theoretical distributions but in a descriptive fashion, without formal inference. In this chapter we discuss the celebrated Pearson's χ 2-test and the Kolmogorov–Smirnov (KS) test.
African-Atlantic Cultures and the South Carolina Lowcountry

1. Place, culture, and power 2. Land of the living 3. African spirits of the land and water 4. African landscapes of the Lowcountry 5. Spiritual guardians in the wilderness 6. Mermaid histories and power.