cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
P5.29 Awareness and interest in pre-exposure prophylaxis (PREP) among young men attending a public sexually transmitted diseases (STD) clinic in a high prevalence urban setting

Introduction Young men who have sex with men (YMSM), especially African American YMSM, are disproportionately affected by HIV. Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) is a highly effective biomedical intervention that could prevent new HIV infections among YMSM. We assessed awareness and interest in PrEP among young men receiving care at the Baltimore City Health Department (BCHD) Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD) Clinics. Methods We surveyed a convenience sample of 252 men ages 18–24 who attended BCHD clinics between 4/12/2016 and 10/3/2016. Participants were provided a self-administered survey that assessed awareness and interest in PrEP. Univariate and multivariable logistic regression analysis examined predictors of awareness and interest. Data collection continues to determine if awareness and interest change over time. Results Mean age was 21.5 (SD=1.98) and the majority (93.7%) self-identified as African American. Thirty-three participants (13.1%) reported sex with other men. Among all participants, 19.4% were aware of PrEP, and 44.4% were interested in learning more about PrEP. Among YMSM, 72.7% were aware of PrEP, 63.6% were interested in learning more about PrEP, and 9.1% reported current PrEP use. No current PrEP use was found in young men who did not report sex with men. In multivariable analysis adjusting for race, YMSM were more likely to be aware (AOR=19.9, p Conclusion YMSM receiving care at the BCHD STD Clinics are likely to be aware and interested in PrEP but fewer than 10% may be taking PrEP. Given that STD Clinics serve primarily minority young males who are disproportionately affected by HIV, future work should seek to improve youth-friendly services at public health clinics and leverage awareness and interest in PrEP in order to improve uptake in this vulnerable population.
Regulation and role of large granular lymphocytes in arenavirus infections.

Cytotoxic lymphocytes have relatively large cytoplasms containing azurophilic granules and are frequently referred to as large granular lymphocytes, or LGL (Timonen and Saksela 1980). The granules appear to contain cytotoxic substances that are released upon binding of effector cell to target cell (Mallard et al. 1981). These attach to the membrane of the target cell, and, by uncertain mechanisms, induce lysis of the target (Mallard et al. 1984; Podack and Dennert 1983; Hiserodt et al. 1983; Wright et al. 1981). Both natural killer (NK) cells (Timonen and Saksela 1980; Luini et al. 1981; Reynolds et al. 1981) and cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) (Biron et al. 1986 a) bear LGL morphology, but in the healthy animal the great majority of LGL appear to be NK cells. NK cells are thymus-independent bone marrow-derived lymphocytes that have the ability to lyse on contact a variety of target cells via ill-defined receptors and with no known specificity or antigenic memory (reviewed by Welsh 1984). These are distinguished from CTL, which are thymus-derived lymphocytes having T-cell receptor gene rearrangement and expression, conferring a high level of specificity in the killing process. Resting T cells have the morphology of small lymphocytes with unremarkable cytoplasms, but the CTL that are activated during the course of a virus infection develop LGL morphology (Biron et al. 1986a). As a result, most of the LGL found at later stages in a virus infection belong to the T-cell phenotype.
Surgery versus Antibiotics for Uncomplicated Appendicitis: Which Would a Medical Student Want?

Abstract Background: Recent data suggest that treatment of acute, uncomplicated appendicitis (AUA) with antibiotics is as effective as surgery. A 2015 study indicated that more than 50% of patients would choose antibiotic therapy. Medical students represent a unique population of potential patients with greater medical knowledge than the general public and possibly less bias than practicing physicians. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate what the MEDICAL STUDENT'S treatment choice for AUA would be and what factors influence these decisions. Methods: We conducted a survey of current medical students at a single institution. Survey data included demographics, interest in surgery or a procedure-related specialty, knowledge of and experience with surgery and antibiotics, and concerns about treatments. A summary of the literature regarding the efficacy and safety of antibiotics and surgery was presented. Each participant was asked which treatment he or she would choose if affected by AUA. Results: A series of 255 ...
Pharmacodynamic Modeling of Thiopental Depth of Anesthesia

Quantitation of the degree of a central nervous depression in man necessary for surgical procedures can be achieved by measuring the anesthetic drug effect and using a pharmacodynamic modeling approach to relate drug concentration to drug effect. Using the intravenous anesthetic drug thiopental, EEG waveform analysis has been used to measure the CNS drug effect. The changes of EEG spectral edge or number of waves per second can be used to estimate CNS sensitivity Using computer-controlled infusion pumps, constant thiopental plasma concentrations can be achieved and clinical responses (movement) observed from relevant noxious stimuli to define clinical anesthetic depth. Finally, it is also possible to relate the EEG measure of anesthetic drug effect to the clinically-observed measures of anesthetic depth.
Kinetic Analysis of Aggregation Data

Aggregation of repeat-containing proteins is associated with neurodegenerative disorders; a specific example is the established link between expansion of the polyglutamine domain in huntingtin and the appearance of nuclear inclusions in Huntington's disease. This connection between aggregation and pathology has motivated numerous investigations into the kinetics of aggregation. Quantitative analysis of kinetic data is needed both for comparative purposes (e.g., to compare the effect of different compounds on aggregation kinetics) and for mechanistic insight. Here we describe some analytical equations that can be used to model aggregation data and demonstrate appropriate and simple methods for extracting valid model parameters by fitting equations to kinetic data.
Vapor Deposition of Transparent, p-Type Cuprous Iodide Via a Two-Step Conversion Process

Photovoltaic devices require p-type layers with high optical transparency and electrical conductivity. One promising material is cuprous iodide, CuI, thin films of which have hole mobilities in the 1–12 cm2/V·s range. However, despite adequate electrical properties in many CuI thin films, most deposition processes afford only rough films that have poor continuity and low optical transparency, hampering the final device performance. We now report an all-vapor method, amenable to large-scale processing, for preparation of CuI thin films with near record optical and electrical properties. In this process, thin films of Cu(2–x)S (x = 0–0.1) or Cu2O grown by chemical vapor deposition from bis(N,N′-di-sec-butylacetamidinato)dicopper(I) in combination with hydrogen sulfide or water, respectively, were converted to γ-CuI upon exposure to dilute hydrogen iodide vapor. The rate of this iodide-for-chalcogenide anion exchange reaction is controlled by the concentration and delivery rate of HI. The nucleation rate of ...
A seismic-based CO2-sequestration regional assessment of the Miocene section, northern Gulf of Mexico, Texas and Louisiana

Abstract Relying primarily on 3D-seismic data, an assessment of the major structural elements of the Miocene section, northern Gulf of Mexico (Texas and Louisiana), was initiated to identify prospective subsurface areas for permanent geologic storage of anthropogenic CO2. Identifying and mapping fault planes and key stratigraphic surfaces in the seismic data helped identify several areas that may be suitable for Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) projects of scale. Prospective sites that included proximity to anthropogenic sources of CO2, RMS amplitude intervals that indicate confining zones that greatly retard vertical migration of buoyant CO2, and structural closures were ranked on a regional scale. Local site (Site 1) assessment used hydrocarbon-based and volumetric-based methods to estimate the amount of CO2 that can be safely injected into a prospective site’s permanent storage reservoirs.
Impact of the hematocrit value of the blood prime unit on patient hematocrit values after therapeutic plasma exchange in children weighing 10 kg or less

We report the impact of measuring the hematocrit (HCT) of blood prime units (BPUs) on postprocedure patient HCT values in a small child with transverse myelitis undergoing therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE). Initially, the BPU HCT values were not measured, according to our apheresis policy of using our blood center's estimated HCT value. This approach resulted in unexpected increasing elevations of our patient's post-TPE HCT after the first two TPE procedures. Subsequent measurement of the BPU HCT prior to use stabilized the patient's post-TPE HCT. To our knowledge, this is the first case report describing the impact of using the measured BPU HCT vs the estimated HCT for very small children undergoing therapeutic apheresis. Our standard operating procedure for very small children has been updated after this patient's case to include measurements of the HCT values of BPUs for children who weigh 10 kg or less.
ED Door-to-Antibiotic Time and Long-term Mortality in Sepsis

Background The impact of antibiotic timing on sepsis outcomes remains controversial due to conflicting results from previous studies. Objectives This study investigated the association of door-to-antibiotic time with long-term mortality in ED patients with sepsis. Methods This retrospective cohort study included nontrauma adult ED patients with clinical sepsis admitted to four hospitals from 2013 to 2017. Only patients' first eligible encounter was included. Multivariable logistic regression was used to measure the adjusted association between door-to-antibiotic time and 1-year mortality. Secondary analyses used alternative antibiotic timing measures (antibiotic initiation within 1 or 3 h and separate comparison of antibiotic exposure at each hour up to hour 6), alternative outcomes (hospital, 30-day, and 90-day mortality), and alternative statistical methods to mitigate indication bias. Results Among 10,811 eligible patients, median door-to-antibiotic time was 166 min (interquartile range, 115-230 min), and 1-year mortality was 19%. After adjustment, each additional hour from ED arrival to antibiotic initiation was associated with a 10% (95% CI, 5-14; P 3 h vs ≤ 3 h (adjusted OR, 1.27; 95% CI, 1.13-1.43) but not > 1 h vs ≤ 1 h (adjusted OR, 1.26; 95% CI, 0.98-1.62). Conclusions Delays in ED antibiotic initiation time are associated with clinically important increases in long-term, risk-adjusted sepsis mortality.
Unintentional drug overdose deaths involving cocaine among middle-aged and older adults in New York City

Abstract Background Cocaine is commonly involved in unintentional drug poisoning (overdose) deaths, accounting for 46% of overdose deaths in New York City (NYC) in 2016. However, little research exists regarding cocaine use by middle-aged and older adults, who are more likely than younger individuals to have underlying cardiovascular disease (CVD) and therefore, may be at increased risk for the adverse health consequences of cocaine. Methods We conducted a retrospective analysis of unintentional drug overdose deaths of middle-aged and older NYC residents age 45–84 from 2000 to 2016 using two linked sources, NYC death certificates and toxicology results from the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner. Results From 2000 to 2016, there were 6061 unintentional drug overdose deaths among New Yorkers age 45–84. Of those, cocaine was involved in 53% (n = 3183). Co-occurring opioid involvement (fentanyl, heroin, methadone, or opioid analgesics) among deaths involving cocaine was common (58%). Compared to decedents of non-cocaine involved overdose, decedents of cocaine-involved overdose were more likely to be male and non-Latino Black. Multivariable analysis showed that adults age 45–54 (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 1.34, 95% 1.05, 1.70), males (AOR = 1.30, 95% CI 1.15, 1.46), Bronx residence (AOR = 1.29, 95% CI 1.08, 1.54), and non-Latino black race/ethnicity (AOR = 2.37, 95% CI 2.07, 2.72) were independently associated with cocaine-involved overdose. Conclusion Characteristics of decedents of cocaine-involved overdose overlap with populations with high CVD burden in NYC. Studies are needed to better understand the risks of cocaine among adults with underlying CVD.
The Responsibility to Protect and International Justice

In his address to the United Nations General Assembly in 2008, Pope Benedict XVI noted that while the “responsibility to protect has only recently been defined it was always present implicitly at the origins of the United Nations, and is now increasingly characteristic of its activity.”1 He noted further that “The principle of ‘responsibility to protect’ in ancient Roman law was the foundation of every action taken by those in governments with regard to the governed.”2 Nevertheless, only in this century has the norm of Responsibility to Protect (“R2P”) come to the forefront and gained international acceptance. In 2005, at the U.N. Summit, 150 world leaders recognized a responsibility to protect their populations from genocide, war crimes, ethnic cleansing and crimes against humanity.3 The primary responsibility to protect populations from such mass atrocities rests with the individual state as an aspect of sovereignty. When states fail in this responsibility, other states, through the United Nations are committed to “use appropriate diplomatic, humanitarian, and other peaceful means” to protect threatened populations.4 If these means fail, the Security Council may authorize collective measures to deal with the situation.5 Resistance to the acceptance of R2P is primarily predicated upon concerns of state sovereignty. The key elements of sovereignty, as recognized since the Peace of Westphalia in 1648, are legal equality of nations, autonomy and non-interference by other states.6 During the last century, however, the parameters of sovereignty have changed. Professor Louis Henkin, one of the great international law scholars of our time, has long urged that the “S” word, “Sovereignty”, be banished; that it be relegated to a shelf in history.7 Although at one time, sovereignty stood as a barrier to the recognition of human rights as a matter of international
DNA damage kinase signaling: checkpoint and repair at 30 years.

From bacteria to mammalian cells, damaged DNA is sensed and targeted by DNA repair pathways. In eukaryotes, kinases play a central role in coordinating the DNA damage response. DNA damage signaling kinases were identified over two decades ago and linked to the cell cycle checkpoint concept proposed by Weinert and Hartwell in 1988. Connections between the DNA damage signaling kinases and DNA repair were scant at first, and the initial perception was that the importance of these kinases for genome integrity was largely an indirect effect of their roles in checkpoints, DNA replication, and transcription. As more substrates of DNA damage signaling kinases were identified, it became clear that they directly regulate a wide range of DNA repair factors. Here, we review our current understanding of DNA damage signaling kinases, delineating the key substrates in budding yeast and humans. We trace the progress of the field in the last 30 years and discuss our current understanding of the major substrate regulatory mechanisms involved in checkpoint responses and DNA repair.
Working together in cancer care: An academic community partnership for a diverse patient population.

10525Background: The Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Care Equity Program conducted a qualitative survey health assessment in the inner-city communities of Boston to study Black Bostonian pati...
Efficient computation for differential network analysis with applications to quadratic discriminant analysis

Abstract Differential network analysis is an important statistical problem with wide applications. Many statisticians focus on binary problems and propose to perform such analysis by obtaining sparse estimates of the difference between precision matrices. These methods are supported by excellent theoretical properties and practical performance. However, efficient computation for these methods remains a challenging problem. A novel algorithm referred to as the SMORE algorithm is proposed for differential network analysis. The SMORE algorithm has low storage cost and high computation speed, especially in the presence of strong sparsity. In the meantime, the SMORE algorithm provides a unified framework for binary and multiple network problems. In addition, the SMORE algorithm can be applied in high-dimensional quadratic discriminant analysis problems as well, leading to a new approach for multiclass high-dimensional quadratic discriminant analysis. Numerical studies confirm the stability and the efficiency of the proposed SMORE algorithm in both differential network analysis and quadratic discriminant analysis.
ApoC-III overexpression and LDLr-/- protect mice from DSS-colitis: identifying a new role for lipoprotein metabolism in Tregs

Abstract Objective Cellular metabolism is a key regulator of CD4+Foxp3+ regulatory T cell (Treg) homeostasis, but the foundational studies in this area use free fatty acid treatment as a proxy for plasma triglycerides. In vivo, plasma triglyceride is the main source of fatty acids for cells, not free fatty acids. Design/Results Using apolipoprotein C-III transgenic and LDLr-/- mice, we report that the loss of lipoprotein triglycerides transport in these models results in protection from DSS-colitis and accumulation of intestinal Tregs and plasma IL-10. Total loss of apoC-III increases colitis severity. Tregs exposed to apoC-III increase lipolysis and fatty acid oxidation and apoC-III inhibits Bodipy-triglyceride uptake. Therapeutic treatment of WT mice with apoC-III-containing lipoproteins protects mice from colitis. Conclusion Our data suggest that therapies that reduce apoC-III could have negative effects in patients who are at risk of IBD, and conversely, that apoC-III could be a new therapeutic target to stimulate intestinal Tregs and IL-10 for the management of IBD. These data identify apoC-III and lipoprotein metabolism as a novel regulator of tolerance in the intestine. Summary Box * What is already known about this subject: ▪The relative capacity to use either glucose or FFA to generate acetyl CoA for mitochondrial fatty acid oxidation is a critical driver of Treg and T cell activity and proliferation. ▪ApoC-III is a known regulator of triglyceride and fatty acid metabolism in cells via LPL and LDLr endocytosis pathways ▪ApoC-III is reduced in Crohn’s and Colitis patients. * What are the new findings: ▪We show that Tregs express triglyceride transporters, and that LDLr expression is enriched in Tregs from the mesenteric lymph nodes. ▪We show that T cells are capable of endocytosing triglyceride from lipoproteins, and this process is inhibited by apoC-III. ▪Tregs from apoC-IIITg are metabolically unique from WT Tregs and they upregulate the genes of lipolysis, and have an increase in basal respiration. ▪The inhibition of TAG endocytosis, using 2 different models (LDLrKO and apoC-III-transgenic mice), protects mice from colitis and stimulates the accumulation of Tregs and IL-10 in the gut. ▪Intraperitoneal delivery of apoC-III on chylomicrons protects WT mice from DSS colitis. * How might it impact on clinical practice in the foreseeable future? ▪Due to the protective role apoC-III plays in these mouse models of colitis, IBD risk should be carefully considered before prescribing patient anti-apoC-III lipid-lowering therapies.
Space, Time and Architecture; The Growth of a New Tradition by Sigfried Giedion: Cambridge, The Harvard University Press, 1941. xvi + 601 pp., 321 Illus. $5.00

(1941). Space, Time and Architecture; The Growth of a New Tradition by Sigfried Giedion. Parnassus: Vol. 13, No. 5, pp. 179-180.
Radiomic Features of Primary Rectal Cancers on Baseline T2 -Weighted MRI Are Associated With Pathologic Complete Response to Neoadjuvant Chemoradiation: A Multisite Study.

Background Twenty-five percent of rectal adenocarcinoma patients achieve pathologic complete response (pCR) to neoadjuvant chemoradiation and could avoid proctectomy. However, pretreatment clinical or imaging markers are lacking in predicting response to chemoradiation. Radiomic texture features from MRI have recently been associated with therapeutic response in other cancers. Purpose To construct a radiomics texture model based on pretreatment MRI for identifying patients who will achieve pCR to neoadjuvant chemoradiation in rectal cancer, including validation across multiple scanners and sites. Study type Retrospective. Subjects In all, 104 rectal cancer patients staged with MRI prior to long-course chemoradiation followed by proctectomy; curated from three institutions. Field strength/sequence 1.5T-3.0T, axial higher resolution T2 -weighted turbo spin echo sequence. Assessment Pathologic response was graded on postsurgical specimens. In total, 764 radiomic features were extracted from single-slice sections of rectal tumors on processed pretreatment T2 -weighted MRI. Statistical tests Three feature selection schemes were compared for identifying radiomic texture descriptors associated with pCR via a discovery cohort (one site, N = 60, cross-validation). The top-selected radiomic texture features were used to train and validate a random forest classifier model for pretreatment identification of pCR (two external sites, N = 44). Model performance was evaluated via area under the curve (AUC), accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity. Results Laws kernel responses and gradient organization features were most associated with pCR (P ≤ 0.01); as well as being commonly identified across all feature selection schemes. The radiomics model yielded a discovery AUC of 0.699 ± 0.076 and a hold-out validation AUC of 0.712 with 70.5% accuracy (70.0% sensitivity, 70.6% specificity) in identifying pCR. Radiomic texture features were resilient to variations in magnetic field strength as well as being consistent between two different expert annotations. Univariate analysis revealed no significant associations of baseline clinicopathologic or MRI findings with pCR (P = 0.07-0.96). Data conclusion Radiomic texture features from pretreatment MRIs may enable early identification of potential pCR to neoadjuvant chemoradiation, as well as generalize across sites. Level of evidence 3 TECHNICAL EFFICACY STAGE: 2.
A Study of Transient Voltage Peaking in Diode-Based ESD Protection Structures in 28nm CMOS

Transient voltage peaking under very fast electrostatic discharge (ESD), like charged device model (CDM) pulse, is a serious problem to integrated circuits (ICs). A combined TCAD simulation and very fast transmission line pulse (VFTLP) testing method is proposed to thoroughly investigate the transient voltage peaking phenomena of diode-based ESD protection structures under CDM stressing. The study of a set of diode, diode-string and diode-triggered silicon-controlled rectifier (DTSCR) ESD protection structures, fabricated in a 28nm CMOS process, reveals that the inductive impedance along the ESD discharging path may be the root cause of voltage peaking under CDM stressing. The observation provides the design insights overcoming the voltage peaking problem in ESD protection designs before complicate CDM package level testing.
Modeling and Simulation of Hybrid Reversible Substation and Wayside Energy Storage System for Electric Rail Transit System

In this paper, a new method for the recuperation of regenerative braking energy in electric rail transit systems is proposed. Regenerative braking energy is the energy produced by trains during deceleration (their motors act as generators). This energy can be fed back to the main grid through a reversible substation. Another technique to capture this energy is the installation of a wayside energy storage system. To have the benefit of both techniques, these two technologies are combined and called a hybrid method. In this paper, a simulation model for hybrid reversible substation and wayside energy storage is proposed. Matlab/Simulink is used for simulating the proposed model.
Elimination of Instrument-Driven Reflex Manual Differential Leukocyte Counts

Automated peripheral blood leukocyte differential counts (LDCs) are widely accepted in routine practice. However, many laboratories still reflexively perform manual LDCs based solely on abnormal automated results or instrument “flags,” before any manual triage step. We describe our transition to a procedure that uses manual methods to validate, rather than to replace, automated LDCs (an approach recommended early in the development of automated methods, but still not used in many clinical laboratories). Manual microscopic scans were performed in lieu of manual LDCs. Each scan that revealed cell types not quantifiable by the instrument triggered a manual LDC. However, if the manual scan simply confirmed the cell types seen on automated LDC, then the automated result was released, even if clinically significant quantitative abnormalities were present. This policy reduced manual LDCs by more than 70% and was validated by a manual retrospective audit. Patient care and laboratory operations can be optimized by using manual microscopic examination as a validation procedure rather than as a reflexive substitute for automated methods. There is no clinical rationale for reflex performance of manual LDCs based solely on instrument warnings.
Action and Inaction in a Social World: Predicting and Changing Attitudes and Behavior

This book explains how actions and inactions arise and change in social contexts, including social media and face-to-face communication. Its multidisciplinary perspective covers research from psychology, communication, public health, business studies, and environmental sciences. The reader can use this cutting-edge approach to design and interpret effects of behavioral change interventions as well as replicate the materials and methods implemented to study them. The author provides an organized set of principles that take the reader from the formation of attitudes and goals, to the structure of action and inaction. It also reflects on how cognitive processes explain excesses of action while inaction persists elsewhere. This practical guide summarises the best practices persuasion and behavioral interventions to promote changes in health, consumer, and social behaviors.
A mixed-methods study of Maryland’s monetary incentives to improve the quality of child care centers

Abstract This study used a sequential explanatory equal-status mixed-method design to investigate whether Maryland’s child care tiered reimbursement system incentivized child care centers to be rated at least 3 (and receive an incentive payment) on Maryland’s 5-level Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS). The first stage of research consisted of multilevel logistic regressions to determine the association between centers’ reliance on child care subsidy payments and whether the center had a rating of 3 or higher. Reliance on subsidy payments was defined as the percentage of licensed slots filled by children receiving a child care subsidy. State administrative data on 1003 centers that received a subsidy payment in January 2018 were combined with demographic data from the U.S. Census. The second stage of research consisted of 14 interviews with center directors to understand how they made decisions about which QRIS rating to attain and how tiered reimbursements factored into their decisions. Results from the quantitative research showed that a greater subsidy density was associated with a greater likelihood of a center being rated 3 and receiving an incentive payment. However, results from the qualitative research showed that few center directors reported that tiered payments factored into their decision on what QRIS rating to reach and no directors were singularly motivated by the incentives. Rather, directors reported being intrinsically motivated to improve QRIS ratings or motivated by technical assistance providers. Additionally, directors who did not attain a rating of 3 experienced capacity challenges. Policy implications are discussed.
Mechanism of Z -Selective Hydroalkylation of Terminal Alkynes.

This paper describes a detailed mechanistic study of the silver-catalyzed Z-selective hydroalkylation of terminal alkynes. Considering the established mechanistic paradigms for Z-selective hydroalkylation of alkynes, we explored a mechanism based on the radical carbometalation of alkynes. Experimental results have provided strong evidence against the initially proposed radical mechanism and have led us to propose a new mechanism for the Z-selective hydroalkylation of alkynes based on boronate formation and a 1,2-metalate shift. The new mechanism provides a rationale for the excellent Z-selectivity observed in the reaction. A series of stoichiometric experiments has probed the feasibility of the proposed elementary steps and revealed an additional role of the silver catalyst in the protodeboration of an intermediate. Finally, a series of kinetic measurements, KIE experiments, and competition experiments allowed us to identify the turnover limiting step and the resting state of the catalyst. We believe that the results of this study will be useful in the further exploration and development of related transformations of alkynes.
Early Prediction of Student Engagement-Related Events from Facial and Contextual Features.

Intelligent tutoring systems have great potential in personalizing the educational experience by processing some key features from the user and educational task to optimize learning, engagement, or other performance measures. This paper presents an approach that uses a combination of facial features from the user of an educational app and contextual features about the progress of the task to predict key events related to user engagement. Our approach trains Gaussian Mixture Models from automatically processed screen-capture videos and propagates the probability of events over the course of an activity. Results show the advantage of including contextual features in addition to facial features when predicting these engagement-related events, which can be used to intervene appropriately during an educational activity.
Perceived Heart Attack Likelihood in Adults with a High Diabetes Risk.

BACKGROUND Heart disease is the leading cause of death for women and men in the United States. Yet, little is known about the motivation for care-seeking behavior for heart attack and the perception of self-risk of a heart attack in individuals, especially those at high risk for developing type 2 diabetes. OBJECTIVES This study aimed to describe knowledge and awareness of heart attacks and perceived risk for future heart attacks and evaluate factors associated with a low perceived risk of a heart attack in adults with a high risk for type 2 diabetes. METHODS In this secondary data, cross-sectional study, the screening/baseline data of 80 adults participating in the mobile phone-based diabetes prevention program trial were analyzed. Validated measures assessed knowledge, self-efficacy, and heart attack risk perception were used. Logistic regressions were performed. RESULTS The mean (standard deviation) age of participants was 55.4 (9.0) years. 32.5% of the sample failed to identify any heart attack symptoms. Half of the sample did not perceive their risk of having a heart attack in their lifetime. Older age, lower body mass index, not having a family history of heart attack, and current smokers were significantly associated with a lower perceived risk of heart attack (P < .05). CONCLUSIONS Healthcare providers need to assess the discrepancies between the individual's risk perception and the presence of actual risk factors of a heart attack in adults with a high risk for type 2 diabetes.
Use of Interpreters by Physicians.

D ear Editors, We read with interest Lopez et al.'s recent article. Patient–provider communication during hospitalization and at the time of discharge is increasingly recognized as important to quality of care and safety for all patients. This field of inquiry is of importance as the number of limited English proficiency (LEP) patients in our country grows, and as the authors document once again, interpreters are greatly underutilized in health care. The question asked by the authors is of great import—how does the use of an interpreter impact length of hospital stays (LOS) and post-discharge outcomes? However, we question the interpretation and importance of their findings, given the significant limitations of their measure of LEP, the fact that there is no measure of the providers’ use of non-English language, and the very weak measure of interpreter use. The authors’ measure of LEP was based on patients’ documented language preference at the time of hospital admission. Karliner et al. document well that the optimal method of identifying LEP patients should be a two part process. Patients should be asked how well they can discuss their symptoms in English and this should be followed by a language preference question. Lower specificity of the language preference question alone could lead to misclassification of some patients as LEP who are, in fact, able to effectively communicate in English with their physicians. Further, the authors did not consider the possibility that some of the patients in the study may have had physicians who spoke their language. This language-concordant care could have resulted in better communication and shorter length of stay. There was also no documentation of the presence or absence of English proficient family members or use of phone interpretation. Finally, as we understand it, patients were included in the interpreter service utilized group if patients received interpreter services as little as one time. As LOS was, on average, more than 5 days, it would be highly unlikely that one-time use of an interpreter would have any impact on LOS or other outcomes. We recognize that many of these limitations were a consequence of conducting a retrospective study. These results should be interpreted within the context of these limitations and within the greater context of the existing literature, which overwhelmingly supports the use of professional interpreters as important to the quality of care delivered to LEP patients.
Synthesis of Carbon Nanotubes and Silicon Carbide Nanofibers as Composite Reinforcing Materials

The excellent mechanical properties ofnanomaterials are driving research into the creation of strong and tough nanocomposite systems and new forms ofnanomaterials. It is critical to select an appropriate reinforcing material with desired microstructures and properties to achieve better nanocomposite performance. The present study focused on synthesis and processing-microstructure relationships of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and SiC nanofibers with chemical vapor deposition (CVD). Various CNTs grown by CVD with anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) templates were examined with scanning and transmission electron microscope (SEM and TEM). It was demonstrated that the experimental conditions, especially catalysts and plasma, have significant impact on CNT growth rates and microstructures. Both catalyst and plasma can increase the deposition rate about one order of magnitude. In addition, catalysts promote the secondary growth of CNTs inside the primary CNTs and plasma may improve the stiffness of primary and secondary CNTs. The SiC nanofibers grown by CVD with catalysts were also investigated. SiC diameters match well with the diameters of precursor CNTs. indicating SiC nanofiber size is controlled by the catalysts originated from CNTs. Generally, CNTs fabricated with CVD-template method have disordered graphitic structures and thus have lower tensile strength, but the disordered structures may help for the load transfer between graphitic layers. In the present study, CVD-SiC nanofibers appear to be stiffer than multiwalled CNTs and may also serve as a good candidate for composite reinforcing materials.
On the Informational Asymmetry between Upper and Lower Bounds for Ultrametric Evolutionary Trees

This paper addresses the informational asymmetry for constructing an ultrametric evolutionary tree from upper and lower bounds on pairwise distances between n given species. We show that the tallest ultrametric tree exists and can be constructed in O(n2) time, while the existence of the shortest ultrametric tree depends on whether the lower bounds are ultrametric. The tallest tree construction algorithm gives a very simple solution to the construction of an ultrametric tree. We also provide an efficient O(n2)-time algorithm for checking the uniqueness of an ultrametric tree, and study a query problem for testing whether an ultrametric tree satisfies both upper and lower bounds.
Addressing Minority Vote Dilution Through State Voting Rights Acts

Passed largely to address the problem of vote dilution and racially polarized voting, the Voting Rights Act of 1965 (VRA) bans racial discrimination in voting practices by federal, state, and local governments. While the VRA has been successful in many respects, several large gaps remain. In an effort to narrow some of the gaps left by the federal VRA, four states have enacted or proposed individual state-VRAs or functional equivalents (herein referred to as individual state-VRAs).In this paper, I seek to explore how these states have attempted to use individual VRAs — and how successful they have been — in closing the gaps in coverage existing under the federal VRA. For each of the four enacted or proposed VRAs, I explore the background of the legislation, followed by an analysis of how the legislation operates. For California, Illinois, and Florida — the three states with enacted individual state-VRAs — I then examine how successful the legislation has been in increasing minority representation, and how it can be strengthened to further the state’s goals. Since Washington’s VRA has yet to become law, I explore the background, followed by an analysis of the proposed legislation. I conclude by assessing which individual state-VRAs — or aspects thereof — are best suited to serve as models for the forty-six other states without such legislation.I find that all four state-VRAs are ultimately successful insofar as they expand protection against minority vote dilution beyond that which is afforded to minority voters under the federal VRA. However, the level of success varies by state plan.
Search for evidence of alpha particle beams during a solar flare

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the presence of alpha particle beams during a solar flare. The NOAA Active Region 9090 (N13 W39) was observed with the Coronal Diagnostic Spectrometer (CDS) and the Extreme-ultraviolet Imaging Telescope (EIT) aboard the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO) spacecraft to search for evidence of alpha particle beams during solar flares. Theoretically, an alpha particle beam will manifest itself during the impulsive phase of a flare through an enhancement in the red wing of the He II Lyα emission line, without a corresponding blue wing enhancement. This enhancement is due to downstreaming nonthermal alpha particles undergoing charge exchange with chromospheric neutral hydrogen atoms to form downstreaming nonthermal He II ions. Although the red wing and blue wing backgrounds for He II Lyα remain relatively constant during the observation, the blue wing undergoes a more significant enhancement during the impulsive phase than does the red wing.
Dentrification of coal by mild pyrolysis in a novel coal feeder

A series of experiments have been performed with Ohio No. 8 coal in a novel coal feeder device to investigate the fate of coal nitrogen during processing. The feeder has been primarily designed to remove organic sulfur from coal prior to combustion, but tests have shown that a significant portion of the fuel nitrogen may also be removed under mild pyrolysis conditions of temperatures from 350-550 °C. The degree of devolatilization and denitrification has been found to depend on the coal particles residence time in the feeder and the feeder temperature. A linear relationship was found between the percentage of devolitilization and denitrification indicating that denitrification of the volatile fraction of the coal nitrogen occurs in conjunction with the other non-nitrogen containing volatile species. The activation energies for both denitrification and devolatilization indicate the loss of volatiles and coal nitrogen are limited by heat transfer in the device, as the addition of stainless steel balls to the coal during feeding substantially increases the loss rates of both. The results indicate that it may be possible to reduce the formation of NOx from coal combustion by the use of mild pyrolysis prior to combustion of the char.
Crossing Borders and Transgressing Boundaries: Metaphors for Negotiating Multiple Identities

he idea of borders is a popular metaphor for thinking about multiple identities, especially for scholars who see culture as a process involving negotiating differences of all kinds. The salience of the border emerges from a confrontation between anthropology's old idea of bounded cultures with a recent focus on the flow of people, ideas, and goods across national borders. The international political border, on which the border metaphor is founded, is a distinct, physically marked perimeter encircling the nation-state. It defines the national identity of the population living within that perimeter in territorial terms. It also creates the anomaly of ethnic identities that do not correspond to territorially based identities, as well as the political, social, and cultural phenomenon of "border crossing." Borders within this discourse of nationstates thus create a particular identity that is peculiar to our historical period. The specific juxtaposition of the essays in this collection prompts me to reflect on the limits of this metaphor of border crossing for thinking about issues facing Muslims as they negotiate multiple identities. The concept of borderlands as a way of thinking about identity has emerged through the process of metaphorical extension, as in Gloria Anzaldua's work:
CONTRASTING PATTERNS OF ALLOMETRY AND REALIZED PLASTICITY IN THE SISTER SPECIES MAZZAELLA SPLENDENS AND MAZZAELLA LINEARIS (RHODOPOHYTA)1

Phenotypic differences between the low wave exposure Mazzaella splendens (Setchell et Gardner) Hommersand and the high exposure Mazzaella linearis (Setchell et Gardner) Fredericq could be due to plasticity or genetic differentiation. Common gardens were used to assess their levels of plasticity after describing allometric relationships. As thalli lengthened, stipe development for M. splendens almost ceased even though blades continued to expand, but M. linearis formed a larger stipe before developing a blade that continued to stay narrow at longer thallus lengths. Common gardens demonstrated that M. splendens regrown in the site of M. linearis produced a wider blade than M. splendens regrown in its natural low energy site and that M. linearis regrown in low wave energy either could not form a wider blade or became narrower than thalli from its high energy site. Tetrasporophytes of M. splendens produced a longer and thicker stipe in the high energy site, but the larger M. linearis stipe was not realized because its wider blades made it vulnerable to hydrodynamic removal. Mazzaella splendens therefore had low survivorship in the high wave energy site, and survivors were not long enough to reproduce. Survivorship and reproduction of M. linearis was similar in both environments. Some of the M. splendens and M. linearis characters are plastic, but this plasticity was insufficient for convergence of phenotypes, and blade width plasticity was maladaptive at least for M. splendens. Developmental systems producing the stipe and blade phenotypes of each species have undergone genetic differentiation.
Ready-to-Adopt-and-Implement Curriculum to Enhance Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Education (SNAP-Ed) Reach in Pennsylvania Middle Schools

The 4 TRAILS For Bones lessons: • target 11-14 year old students; • focus on Ca2+ (calcium) and its relationship to health; • are intended for delivery by school teachers; • align with Pennsylvania Department of Education Academic Standards; • are approximately 45-minute classroom sessions; • are compiled from existing nutrition education materials. In Pennsylvania, SNAP-Ed is delivered by PENNSYLVANIA NUTRITION EDUCATION TRACKS (TRACKS). A 2009 needs assessment indicated low milk intake among youth in TRACKS-participating schools; 70.2% of 8th graders (n=785) reported drinking ≤ 1 glass of milk/day in the past week. TRACKS educators addressed this need with an intervention in a ready-to-use format known as TRAILS (TRACKS Ready to Adopt & Implement Learning Structures). TRAILS are designed to minimize the administrative burden for SNAP-Ed educators and to enlist interest of potential new partners.
Analysis of a capacitive sensor for the evaluation of circular cylinders with a conductive core

A capacitive sensor has been developed for the purpose of measuring the permittivity of a cylindrical dielectric that coats a conductive core cylinder. The capacitive sensor consists of two identical curved patch electrodes that are exterior to and coaxial with the cylindrical test piece. The permittivity of the cylinder is determined from measurements of capacitance by means of a physics-based model. In the model, an electroquasistatic Green function due to a point source exterior to a dielectric-coated conductor is derived, in which the permittivity of the dielectric material may take complex values. The Green function is then used to set up integral equations that relate the unknown sensor surface charge density to the imposed potentials on the electrode surfaces. The method of moments is utilized to discretize the integral equation into a matrix equation that is solved for the sensor surface charge density and eventually the sensor output capacitance. This model enables the complex permittivity of the dielectric coating material, or the geometry of the cylindrical test-piece, to be inferred from the measured sensor capacitance and dissipation factor. Experimental validation of the numerical model has been performed on three different cylindrical test-pieces for two different electrode configurations. Each of the test-pieces has the structure of a dielectric coated brass rod. A good agreement between measured and calculated sensor capacitance (to an average of 7.4%) and dissipation factor (to within 0.002) was observed. Main sources of uncertainty in the measurement include variations in the test-piece geometry, misalignment of sensor electrodes, strain-induced variation in the test-piece permittivity and the existence of unintended air gaps between electrodes and the test-piece. To demonstrate the effectiveness of the sensor, measurements of capacitance have been made on aircraft wires and the permittivity of the insulation inferred. A significant change in permittivity was observed for thermally degraded wires.
Conventional vs. Newer Antipsychotics in Elderly Patients

Elderly patients with schizophrenia and dementia patients with agitation are frequently candidates for antipsychotic treatment. Conventional neuroleptics have relatively little effect on negative symptoms and may cause considerable side effects, especially in elderly patients. The authors have found a 29% cumulative annual incidence of tardive dyskinesia (TD) in middle-aged and elderly outpatients treated with relatively low doses of conventional neuroleptics. Newer antipsychotics are less likely to cause extrapyramidal symptoms and may be associated with a lower risk of TD. They are generally effective for both positive and negative symptoms and may also improve some aspects of cognition, but these drugs have their own side effects. Dosing requirements for elderly patients tend to be much lower than those for younger adults.