cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
New olive oil emulsion for lipase and new observations concerning serum lipase.

SummaryA stable olive oil emulsion has been described. Using this new emulsion the lipase activity of a series of biological materials have been studied. Sera of different mammals showed different lipase activities. Sera of some species had a wide range of activity, whereas, those of others had no activity. Wheat germ “lipase” splits olive oil only slightly. Highly purified plasma cholin-esterase was almost inert indicating that this enzyme is not involved in fat digestion. Hemoglobin is a powerful inhibitor, and Lima bean inhibitor, a powerful activator of serum lipase. A method for demonstrating anti-lipase in serum has been presented. It is well known that normal human serum and the serum of most other mammals do not contain a specific lipase similar to pancreatic lipase. The hydrolysis of olein described in this paper is affected by another type of enzyme. For convenience the term lipase has been employed in this paper.
An Application of the Parabolic Equation Method to Long-Range Propagation of Wind Turbine Noise

This paper describes the initial development of the parabolic equation (PE) method for the long-range propagation of wind turbine noise. The PE method has been used extensively for underwater propagation, but to a lesser extent for atmospheric noise propagation. The PE method is attractive because it is ecient computationally. In this paper the Crank-Nicholson Parabolic Equation (CNPE) is used to solve the PE equation numerically although the Green’s Function Parabolic Equation (GFPE) method is discussed. The CNPE method is demonstrated for axisymmetric noise propagation in both homogeneous and inhomogeneous atmospheres. In order to reduce the total computational time further, an adjoint or reciprocal version of the CNPE method has been developed. The eects of irregular and absorbing terrain are modeled through the use of the Impedance Mismatch Method (IMM), which has been applied to the PE method for the first time. This technique replaces the actual irregular surface with a region of dierent acoustic properties. This greatly simplifies the modeling of complex terrain because the computation grid does not have to be “fitted” to the ground. Example computations are presented.
Обзор Основных Моделей Обменного Курса и Анализ: Возможностей Их Применения в Российских Условиях(Overview of the Main Models of the Exchange Rate and Analysis: Their Applicability to Russian Conditions)

The goal of this work is to study models of the exchange rate, as well as to analyze the theoretical and empirical approaches to the analysis of the intervention policy of the central bank. First, we examined base models of the formation of exchange rates and identified key factors that influence the nominal exchange rate. Secondly, we reviewed main theoretical models of central bank`s foreign exchange interventions, analyzed key channels of transmission. Third, we analyzed the results of empirical studies that examined the impact of foreign exchange intervention of the monetary authorities on the level, growth rate and volatility of the nominal exchange rate.
On the limits of mutation reduction strategies

Although mutation analysis is considered the best way to evaluate the effectiveness of a test suite, hefty computational cost often limits its use. To address this problem, various mutation reduction strategies have been proposed, all seeking to reduce the number of mutants while maintaining the representativeness of an exhaustive mutation analysis. While research has focused on the reduction achieved, the effectiveness of these strategies in selecting representative mutants, and the limits in doing so have not been investigated, either theoretically or empirically. We investigate the practical limits to the effectiveness of mutation reduction strategies, and provide a simple theoretical framework for thinking about the absolute limits. Our results show that the limit in improvement of effectiveness over random sampling for real-world open source programs is a mean of only 13.078%. Interestingly, there is no limit to the improvement that can be made by addition of new mutation operators. Given that this is the maximum that can be achieved with perfect advance knowledge of mutation kills, what can be practically achieved may be much worse. We conclude that more effort should be focused on enhancing mutations than removing operators in the name of selective mutation for questionable benefit.
Investigation on Awareness of Hepatitis B Prevention Knowledge among HBsAg Negative Employees in Catering Trade in Shijiazhuang

[Objectives]To know and analyze the awareness rate of knowledge about hepatitis B among employees in catering trade in Shijiazhuang,so as to implement specific health education and take effective preventive measures.[Methods]According to cluster random sampling method,4100 employees in catering trade were investigated by questionnaire about hepatitis B prevention.The questionnaire analysis and hepatitis B surface antibody test were performed among 4065 HBsAg-negative respondents.[Results]94.74% of employees in catering trade knew hepatitis B is a kind of infectious disease,which the awareness rate was high.23.57% knew hepatitis B can not be spread through eating food,and only 8.51% can answer the transmission routes of hepatitis B roundly and correctly.There was no significant difference in awareness rate of knowledge about hepatitis B between sex and ethnic groups,and the differences among different age groups and education levels were significant.The knowledge sources mainly were broadcast and TV,and internet was uncommon.The positive rate of hepatitis B surface antibody was 44.01%.[Conclusion]There was obvious difference in awareness rates of knowledge about hepatitis B among employees in catering trade in Shijiazhuang,so the health education should be strengthened in employees.
Maximizing revenue of end of life items in retail stores

Abstract Classical and even contemporary global supply chains have been built to reduce lead times and minimize costs. That has led companies to compete on the value of their supply chains as a competitive weapon. In this new era, many enterprises are realizing that supply chains can be revenue producing and help their sustainability efforts. In this light, we consider the discount pricing of products that are being phased-out in retail stores. The decision to replace an item triggers a time horizon for the retailer to sell the existing inventory, hence the need to develop markdown strategies to deal with the issues of how much to discount the item, when to introduce these discounts, and if inventory should be left at the end of the time horizon to sell at some salvage price to a third party wholesaler. In this paper, we develop two models. The first one is an optimal markdown strategy that maximizes revenue from the discontinued items using multi-period nonlinear programming. The mathematical properties of the model are established and a closed form optimal solution is found. The second one is a linear programming model that addresses the issues of when and for how long during the phase-out time horizon to apply prices chosen from a pre-determined price set. These models are tested with real data provided by a retailer.
The Washington State Census Board, 1943–1967

This chapter describes the initial establishment of the Board at the University of Washington under the direction of Dr. Calvin F. Schmid in 1943. Its initial activities and reports are described and in chronological order we follow the census board through its initial period of temporary funding to the time it received long term funding as its duties expanded to include enrollment forecasts for the K-12 system and the state’s universities and colleges. It describes the key players in establishing and operating the Board as well as key legislative actions, such as tying funding to population estimates and forecasts The Chapter describes actions of administrators at Washington State University to have the Board disbanded. It concludes with a description of the move of the Board’s functions to state government under the administration of Governor Daniel J. Evans.
Variational principles for dissipative (sub)systems, with applications to the theory of linear dispersion and geometrical optics

Abstract Applications of variational methods are typically restricted to conservative systems. Some extensions to dissipative systems have been reported too but require ad hoc techniques such as the artificial doubling of the dynamical variables. Here, a different approach is proposed. We show that, for a broad class of dissipative systems of practical interest, variational principles can be formulated using constant Lagrange multipliers and Lagrangians nonlocal in time, which allow treating reversible and irreversible dynamics on the same footing. A general variational theory of linear dispersion is formulated as an example. In particular, we present a variational formulation for linear geometrical optics in a general dissipative medium, which is allowed to be nonstationary, inhomogeneous, anisotropic, and exhibit both temporal and spatial dispersion simultaneously.
Post-Marketing Assessments of Serious Adverse Drug Reactions Reported by the Manufacturer to the FDA Differ Markedly with Those from an Independent Pharmacovigilance Program: Empirical Findings Based on Bisphosphonate-Associated Osteonecrosis Descriptions by the Research on Adverse Events and Reports Project and the Product Manufacturer.

Background: The Research on Adverse Events and Reports (RADAR) project, an independent pharmacovigilance project, has reported that post-marketing dissemination of clinical information on systemic adverse drug reactions (sADRs) in the FDA approved package labels of cancer drugs is often incomplete, delayed, or absent. Methods: We compared post-marketing clinical assessments describing one previously unreported sADR: zoledronate (Z) and pamidronate (P)-associated osteonecrosis (ON) of the jaw. Data sources included 1) information submitted to the FDA by the manufacturer in support of an FDA package insert revision, 2) RADAR investigators review of case reports of BPs associated ON of the jaw reported to the FDA MedWatch program and, 3) RADAR investigators review of medical and dental records of BP treated multiple myeloma (MM) patients with confirmed, clinically obvious ON of the jaw at a large NCI-designated comprehensive cancer center. Results: The manufacturers summary material indicated that ON occurs at a rate of < 1 per 10,000 BPs treated individuals; occurs 4x more frequently in cancer versus non-cancer patients; has multiple causes including trauma, infection, radiation therapy, and long-term corticosteroids; and causal relationship with BPs is unknown. Radar investigators found that not a single case of BPs associated ON of the jaw has been reported to the FDA’s MedWatch program as of to date. RADAR investigators, however, identified 7 patients (on BPs) with confirmed ON of the jaw among 600 myeloma patients seen between March 2001 and June 2004 at our institution. Characteristics of these patients included presentation with localized jaw symptoms (n=7) requiring surgical and/or medical treatment. Conclusions: Independent toxicity assessments from the RADAR program suggest that ON is a serious, previously unrecognized ADR which can occur at a rate > 1% in MM patients, appears to be causally associated with prolonged BP therapy, and is difficult to treat. In comparison, materials submitted by the manufacturer to the FDA in support of a package insert revision as well as the FDA’s MedWatch data (with 0 cases reported) indicate that this sADR is rare, has multiple etiologies, and its association with BP is unknown. The manufacturer has informed the FDA that it will conduct a retrospective single-site study to further evaluate this toxicity but this method is likely to be limited by underreporting. In contrast, our findings highlight the need for 1) a multi-site prospective study to identify the true extent of this problem in patients receiving BPs, 2) educating health care officials about the importance of reporting ADRs to the FDA MedWatch program and, 3) careful evaluation of the source of toxicity information when assessing discrepant reports of sADRs.
Sensitivity Enhancement of a Lorentz Force MEMS Magnetometer With Frequency Modulated Output

This paper presents a frequency output micromachined silicon magnetometer comprised of a low stiffness thermal-piezoresistive electromechanical resonator coupled to a Lorentz force generator. The Lorentz force generator utilizes a leverage mechanism amplifying the force by ~ 55X. Upon application of a magnetic field perpendicular to the device, the leveraged Lorentz force deflects the resonator central beam changing its resonance frequency. Furthermore, different structures for the piezoresistive beam have been explored and the design has been modified to enhance the sensitivity by ~ 950X (from 7.73 to ~7200 ppm/mA.T). Frequency shifts as high as 0.123ppm/ $\mu \text{T}$ have been demonstrated, for the best-case design operating at a Lorentz force current of 17 mA, which is in good agreement with its simulated values. The drift in the resonance frequency has been experimentally measured for various operating bias currents to get an insight into the noise floor for such devices. The noise floor for the best-case design is measured to be 14 $\mu \text{T}/\surd $ Hz, which is in the same order when compared with the prior state-of-the-art frequency modulated Lorentz force MEMS magnetometers. [2016-0111]
An Initial Assessment of the Potential of Genomic Analysis to Help Inform Bighorn Sheep Management

Genetic research may be a useful approach for understanding factors that could impact productivity and restoration of bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis) herds. For example, genetic consequences of inbreeding in small populations can impact recruitment and local adaptations can influence translocation success. This modest pilot study quantified genetic attributes of bighorn sheep populations with a range of different herd histories in Montana and Wyoming to investigate genetic similarity and differences, genetic heterogeneity and genetic distance. Employing an Ovine array containing about 700,000 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) with approximately 24,000 markers that are informative for Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep, we used whole genome genotyping to analyze genetic material. This technique represents a significant advancement in genetic analysis of bighorn sheep, as most previous studies have used microsatellites and less than 200 genetic markers. We analyzed approximately fifteen individuals from each of four different populations that we predicted would differ in genetic characteristics, due to population dissimilarities that potentially impacted their genetics, including origin (native/reintroduced), population size, bottleneck history, degree of connectivity, and augmentation history. We selected four populations that provided a spectrum of these herd attributes, including the Tendoys, Stillwater and Glacier National Park in Montana and the northeastern Greater Yellowstone Area in Wyoming. We present the results of this effort and examine expected and observed heterogeneity and genetic distance estimates to evaluate the potential for links between genetics and herd demography. We discuss the utility of genetic analyses in improving knowledge of bighorn sheep populations and potential implications for bighorn sheep management.
Knowledge visualization in a musicology seminar using the SCALAR platform

A graduate-level, advanced-topics-in-music-history seminar at Mason in Spring 2017 focused on several works, themes, trends, and genres related to British and American musical theater from the 1860s to the 1930s. A special feature of the course was the construction of a shared-knowledge base comprising several student-written and –reported summaries of scholarly literature produced by others as well as detailed abstracts of their own course-related final research projects. The instructor devised a way of storing, connecting, and displaying the various components of the knowledge base through a controlled vocabulary of descriptors (“tags”) using the Scalar 2 digital publishing platform. The resulting interactive product not only enabled the retrieval of literature summaries for inspection and study but also the visualization of (and the tracing of connections between) theatrical and literary works, topical themes, works-creators (i.e. authors, composers, librettists, producers), significant dates, and perhaps most importantly, the positioning of each student’s own research work in musical theater history within this web of relationships. More broadly, the project demonstrates the applicability of Scalar 2 (which requires no special knowledge of programming or scripting) to a variety of teaching and learning scenarios wherein content (text and media), tagged with multiple descriptors, can be traversed via multiple paths in a visually interactive online medium. While this use of Scalar as a prototype was configured and populated by the instructor, co-design, input. and comment by authorized multiple contributors is also a powerful option.
Community Health Simulation with a Standardized Patient: Exploring the Experience

Abstract Background Nursing students must be prepared to care for patients in community settings; however, limited evidence exists on community health nursing simulations with a standardized patient (SP). Method Focus group interviews were used to explore baccalaureate nursing students' experiences with engaging an SP in a community health simulation. Results Four themes were identified. Students valued the safe environment to practice and prepare for community clinical experiences. Environmental props and the SP provided realistic experiential learning. Conclusion Further research is needed; however, faculty may consider community health simulations with an SP to prepare nursing students for clinical experiences in community settings.
Methodology to Identify Poly-ADP-Ribose Polymerase 1 (PARP1)–mRNA Targets by PAR-CLiP

There is a long list of important RNA-binding proteins (RBP) involved in different steps of gene expression through posttranscriptional modifications: pre-mRNA splicing, mRNA stabilization, polyadenylation, mRNA export from nucleus to the cytoplasm, and translation. The critical role of RNA-protein interaction necessitates a continuous identification of proteins involved in this process. Here we describe the identification of Poly-ADP-Ribose Polymerase 1 (PARP1) as an RNA binding protein involved in RNA splicing.
Surgical education: Lessons from parenthood.

Abstract Although one might think surgery and parenting have little in common, there are clear parallels. Historically there has been little formal education for either role. Educators and parents relied on modelling the behavior of others, or trial and error techniques. Mentorship and role models have played a critical role in professional development and continue to have a profound impact. Over the past two decades there has been a marked increase in the resources that are available. Coaching, debriefing, deliberate practice, and formal training are now incorporated in residency programs. Specific lessons from parenthood that can be applied to surgical education include: providing a framework, learning through graduated responsibility, communicating expectations, creating a culture, setting the example, encouraging resilience, promoting autonomy, providing feedback, and navigating failure. The final lesson from parenthood: trust that you have taught them well. And you have to let them go.
Uncertainty Quantification of Stochastic Simulation for Black-box Computer Experiments

Stochastic simulations applied to black-box computer experiments are becoming more widely used to evaluate the reliability of systems. Yet, the reliability evaluation or computer experiments involving many replications of simulations can take significant computational resources as simulators become more realistic. To speed up, importance sampling coupled with near-optimal sampling allocation for these experiments is recently proposed to efficiently estimate the probability associated with the stochastic system output. In this study, we establish the central limit theorem for the probability estimator from such procedure and construct an asymptotically valid confidence interval to quantify estimation uncertainty. We apply the proposed approach to a numerical example and present a case study for evaluating the structural reliability of a wind turbine.
Early Outcomes With a Slim, Modiolar Cochlear Implant Electrode Array.

Objective To describe outcomes from cochlear implantation with a new, slim modiolar electrode array. Study design Retrospective cohort study. Setting Tertiary referral centers. Patients Adult cochlear implant candidates. Interventions Cochlear implantation with CI532 (Cochlear Corp). Main outcome measures Pre- and postoperative speech perception scores, operative details, and postoperative computed tomography (CT) reconstructions of array location. Results One hundred seventeen patients are implanted to date. There were eight tip rollovers identified with intraoperative x-ray and resolved with reinsertion. An additional rollover was identified on postoperative CT. CT reconstructions in 17 of 23 patients showed complete scala tympani placement with a wrap factor of 58% (range 53-64%) and a mean insertion angle of 406 degrees (range 360-452 degrees). Three implants demonstrated array translocation with electrodes in the scala vestibuli. Consonant-nucleus-consonant word scores improved from 10% preoperatively to 48% at 3 months postoperatively. Pure-tone thresholds were preserved postoperatively in 37 to 52% of patients across frequencies from 250 to 4000 Hz. Functional pure-tone thresholds (≤80 dB) were recorded in 9 to 25% of patients. Conclusion CI532 array insertion results in consistent scala tympani location and provides expected audiologic performance. Initial hearing preservation results are not consistent with current electro-acoustic arrays.
Diversionary Tactics and the Ethiopia–Eritrea War (1998–2000)

Diversionary theories of war suggest that leaders may engage in bellicose foreign policies to divert the public’s attention from domestic problems and capitalize on a ‘rally around the flag’ type o...
Spatiotemporal visualization of traffic paths using color space time curve

In spatiotemporal data visualization, integrating the time dimension with the spatial dimensions is a challenging problem. In this paper, we propose a new time representation method by mapping time onto a time curve in a color space. Since no spatial dimension is needed for the time axis, this approach is more effective in integrating time space and spatial dimensions. Several designs of the time curves in a 3D color space will be discussed. We apply this approach to the visualization application for a large taxi GPS dataset. The visualization is applied directly over an interactive map to depict the time patterns of a large set of driving paths on city roads. Spatial optimization techniques are also implemented to process large volumes of GPS data. This approach provides a new alternative for many spatiotemporal data visualization application.
Defining the Rhythmogenic Elements of Mammalian Breathing.

Breathing’s remarkable ability to adapt to changes in metabolic, environmental, and behavioral demands stems from a complex integration of its rhythm-generating network within the wider nervous sys...
Reactor physics analysis of a new Accident Tolerant Fuel called Fuel-in-Fibers

Abstract Fuel-in-Fibers (F-in-F) is an Accident Tolerant Fuel (ATF) concept aimed at significantly increasing the fission product retention capability of nuclear fuel at high temperatures, similar to another ATF concept, Fully Ceramic Microencapsulated Fuel (FCM). FCM, however, when implemented in a conventional Pressurized Water Reactor (PWR) fuel geometry, is not able to maintain an 18-month fuel cycle length and remain below the proliferation enrichment limit of 20 w/o 235U using the standard cycle reload strategy. The F-in-F enrichment is decreased by putting the fuel in a cylindrical fiber instead of a spherical particle in order to increase the volume fraction of fuel in the pellet. The fibers are created with a direct manufacturing process that allows for the minimization of the volume occupied by the SiC matrix and the maximization of uranium loading via direct deposition of high density fuels like uranium nitride (UN). The full core reactor physics simulation showed that when the F-in-F design used UN as a fuel, it only required enrichments of 6% to maintain an 18-month fuel cycle length. Based on a full core analysis when compared to the current reference fuel for a standard 4-loop Westinghouse PWR, F-in-F has a similar steady state thermal hydraulic and neutronic performance.
LAND-ATMOSPHERE INTERACTIONS | Overview

Land through its vegetation and soil exchanges with the atmosphere energy, water vapor, carbon dioxide, and other important trace gases. Absorption of solar energy is a major determinant of these exchanges. Both models and data are needed to describe these processes.
Visualization of the intrarenal distribution of capillary blood flow.

This study describes a modified technique to fill the renal vasculature with a silicon rubber (Microfil) compound and obtain morphologic information about the intrarenal distribution of capillary blood flow under a variety of conditions. Kidneys and cremaster muscles of rats were perfused in vivo with Microfil using a perfusion pressure equal to the animal's mean arterial pressure at body temperature. Microfil did not alter arteriolar diameter or the pattern of flow in the microcirculation of the cremaster muscle. The modified protocol reproducibly filled the renal vasculature, including; glomerular, peritubular, and vasa recta capillaries. We compared the filling of the renal circulation in control rats with that seen in animals subjected to maneuvers reported to alter the intrarenal distribution of blood flow. Infusion of angiotensin II, hypotension, volume expansion, and mannitol- or furosemide-induced diuresis redistributed flow between renal cortical and medullary capillaries. The advantage of the current technique is that it provides anatomical information regarding the number, diameter, and branching patterns of capillaries in the postglomerular circulation critical in determining the intrarenal distribution of cortical and medullary blood flow.
Dispersion-Engineered Guided-Wave Resonators in Anisotropic Single-Crystal Substrates—Part I: Concept and Analytical Design

This paper presents an analytical approach for the implementation of high quality-factor ( $Q$ ) resonators with arbitrary cross-sectional vibration mode shapes in anisotropic single-crystal substrates. A closed-form dispersion relation is analytically derived to characterize the dynamics of guided waves in rectangular waveguides. Three categories of waves with propagating, standing-evanescent, and propagating-evanescent dynamics are identified and used for energy localization of acoustic excitations with arbitrary cross-sectional vibration patterns. An analytical design procedure is presented for dispersion engineering of waveguides to realize high- $Q$ resonators without the need for geometrical suspension through narrow tethers or rigid anchors. The effectiveness of the dispersion engineering methodology is verified through the development of experimental test vehicles in 20- $\mu \text{m}$ -thick single-crystal silicon substrate with 500-nm aluminum nitride transducers. Various proof-of-concept resonators, representing guided waves with different dispersion types, are presented and compared to highlight the optimum design procedures for $Q$ enhancement and spurious mode suppression. Part I of this paper presents the operation principle of guided-wave resonators based on the analytical derivation of dispersion relation followed by a systematic resonator design procedure. Numerical and experimental characterizations for verification of the proposed design procedure and extensive measurement data on proof-of-concept resonators are presented in Part II.
Clinical impact of improvement in the ankle–brachial index after endovascular therapy for peripheral arterial disease

Predictive ability of changes in the ankle–brachial index (ABI) after revascularization for long-term clinical outcomes remains unclear. Pre- and postprocedural ABI were recorded for 1307 consecutive patients who underwent their first successful EVT for symptomatic aortoiliac (n = 710) or femoropopliteal (n = 597) lesions. The patients were divided into two groups according to the increase in ABI: ∆ABI ≥ 0.15 (n = 980) and ∆ABI < 0.15 (n = 327). We investigated the association between ABI improvement after EVT and long-term clinical outcomes. The clinical outcome measures included all-cause mortality, myocardial infarction, stroke, target limb revascularization, EVT for target lesion revascularization, major amputation of the target limb, and a composite endpoint that included both target limb revascularization and major amputation. All-cause mortality was significantly lower in the ∆ABI ≥ 0.15 group than in the ∆ABI < 0.15 group [crude hazard ratio (HR) 0.77, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.60–0.98, P = 0.03]; however, this was no longer statistically significant after adjusting for baseline characteristics (adjusted HR 0.82, 95% CI 0.63–1.07, P = 0.14). A composite of target limb revascularization and major amputation was less often observed at 10 years in the ΔABI ≥ 0.15 group (258 patients, 38%) compared with the ΔABI < 0.15 group (112 patients, 59%; adjusted HR 0.54, 95% CI 0.42–0.68, P < 0.001), mainly because of a lower risk of target limb revascularization (adjusted HR 0.54, 95% CI 0.42–0.69, P < 0.001). No significant interactions were noted with regard to the locations of the treated lesions (P for the interaction, 0.13) or preprocedural ABI (P for the interaction, 0.40). An increase of ABI ≥ 0.15 after successful EVT was an independent predictor for freedom from a composite of target limb revascularization and major amputation, irrespective of the locations of the treated lesions and the preprocedural ABI.
Trends in Hepatitis B Infection and Immunity Among Women of Childbearing Age in the United States

BACKGROUND The current opioid injection drug use epidemic has been associated with an increase in hepatitis C virus infections among women of childbearing age in the United States, but changes in hepatitis B virus (HBV) infections have not been studied. METHODS A retrospective analysis of HBV statuses among women of childbearing age nationally and by state was conducted, utilizing the Quest Diagnostics database. Rates of HBV in women born before and after the implementation of universal HBV vaccination recommendations were determined. RESULTS We identified 8 871 965 women tested for HBV from 2011-2017. Nationally, the annual rate of acute HBV infections was stable, but rates increased in Kentucky, Alabama, and Indiana (P < .03). The national prevalence of new, chronic HBV diagnoses decreased significantly, from 0.83% in 2011 to 0.19% in 2017 (P < .0001), but increased in Mississippi, Kentucky, and West Virginia (P ≤ .05). A declining prevalence of HBV seroprotection was evident over time, especially within the birth-dose cohort (which dropped from 48.5% to 38.5%; P < .0001). CONCLUSIONS National rates of newly diagnosed acute and chronic HBV infections declined or were stable overall, but increased significantly in specific Appalachian states. The HBV vaccine is effective in decreasing infections, but seroprotection wanes over time. These trends in new infections may be related to increased injection drug use and highlight potential gaps in HBV vaccine protection.
Influence of Employees’ Functional Competencies on Employees’ Job Performance

Contemporary organizations are seeking workforce with professional competencies to achieve goals and objectives of the organization. Earlier, organizations focused on motivation, job satisfaction, and rational administration to receive the best possible use of individuals, but nowadays organizations recognize the significance of competencies to win the challenges in the business environment.
Projecting a Wide Surface-Normal Gaussian Beam from an Apodised Grating Supporting Spatially-Broad Standing Wave Resonances

We present an apodised grating converter capable to couple a waveguide single-mode to a surface-normal collimated Gaussian beam in free space. Mode conversion proceeds via coupling to a spatially-broad standing-wave resonance supported inside the grating.
Rebound Bilirubin Levels after Phototherapy in Neonates with Hyperbilirubinemia.

Rebound elevation of bilirubin levels after phototherapy discontinuation in healthy term neonates is infrequent (fewer than 2% of infants with levels less than 14 mg per dL [239 mmol per L] at initial discontinuation). Obtaining a repeat bilirubin level four to six hours after phototherapy discontinuation is not recommended.
Measuring Caregiver Retention in Nursing Homes.

Background and objectives Retention of nursing home caregivers is examined. This represents the concept of continuously employing the same caregivers in the same facility for a defined period of time. In this research, several measures of caregiver retention are examined and the utility of these measures for practitioners and policy makers is discussed. Research design and methods A survey of nursing home administrators conducted in 2016 was used to collect staffing data from 2,898 facilities. This was matched with Nursing Home Compare and the Certification and Survey Provider Enhanced Reporting data. The association of four measures of retention for each of three of types of caregivers with six quality indicators was examined. Results The descriptive statistics show rates of retention at five-years for Nurse Aides [NAs], Registered Nurses [RNs], and Licensed Practical Nurses [LPNs] to be low. The regression estimates show some support for the relationship that high caregiver retention is associated with better overall quality. The relationship was strongest for NAs and RNs. Support was also found for the notion that different measures of retention were more/less associated with quality. The three- and five-year retention measures had the strongest associations with the quality indicators. Discussion and implications The findings presented provide some evidence that caregiver retention may be an important metric that can be used as a means of improving quality of care in nursing homes. However, the findings also show practitioners and policy makers should be more nuanced in the use of caregiver retention metrics.
Software Packet-Level Network Analytics at Cloud Scale

As networks grow in speed, scale, and complexity, operating them reliably requires continuous monitoring and increasingly sophisticated analytics. Because of these requirements, the platforms that support analytics in cloud-scale networks face demands for both higher throughput (to keep up with high packet rates) and increased generality and programmability (to cover a wider range of applications). Recent proposals have worked toward these goals by offloading analytics application logic to line-rate programmable data plane hardware, as scaling existing software analytics platforms is prohibitively expensive. The rigid design and constrained resources of data plane devices, however, fundamentally limit the types of analysis and the number of tasks that can run concurrently. In this article, we demonstrate that generality need not be sacrificed for high performance. Rather than offloading entire analytics applications to hardware, the core idea of our work is to offload only critical preprocessing tasks that are shared among applications (e.g., load balancing) to a line-rate hardware frontend while optimizing the core analytics software to exploit properties of network analytics workloads. Based on this design, we present Jetstream, a hybrid platform for network analytics that can run custom software-based analytics pipelines at throughputs of up to 250 million packets per second on a 16-core commodity server. Jetstream makes sophisticated, network-wide packet analytics feasible without compromising on generality or performance.
Assessment of Three Commercial Over-the-Row Sprayer Technologies in Eastern Washington Vineyards

Washington wine grape growers are rapidly adopting vineyard management technologies such as mechanical pruners and harvesters but have been slower to adopt new chemical application technologies. Therefore, this study was aimed at generating technical information about commercial over-the-row sprayers deposition and drift, which could be used by growers during sprayer selection and optimization for different vineyard systems and wine grape canopies. Three commercial sprayer technologies, i.e. multi-fan heads, pneumatic, and electrostatic sprayer, were evaluated for their canopy deposition and drift in the 2016 and 2017 production seasons. Data were collected in Vitis vinifera ‘Chardonnay’ and ‘Riesling’ vineyards at two application timings, early season and mid-season, to determine sprayer deposition patterns in opposed and unopposed application spray row canopy and in-field aerial as well as ground drift. All sprayer technologies showed consistent in-canopy deposition and drift patterns at both application timings. Regardless of sprayer technology, the most deposition was in the upper canopy compared to the fruiting zone of the vines. Similarly, the most aerial and ground drift was in the row closest to the sprayed row, indicating that drift is relatively low with the three evaluated sprayer technologies.
Trading Virtual Goods? Implications on Virtual Goods Developer and Consumer

First-sale doctrine has been recognized by the United States Supreme Court since 1908. This doctrine protects consumers’ rights to resell purchased products. In recent years, consumers have begun to purchase an increasing amount of virtual goods, which renders the first-sale doctrine unclear. There are two main challenges leading to the uncertainty of the first-sale doctrine in the digital age: lack of proper technology, and economic implications for developers and consumers. The advent of the block-chain solves the technology challenge, as it can track provenance and establish chain of custody. In this study, we construct an analytical model to investigate the economic impact of trading pre-owned virtual items. Specifically, our model captures the decentralized nature of block-chain technology by allowing peer-to-peer (P2P) trading, and considers the possibility that consumers prefer second-hand virtual items over new ones since pre-owned items may be upgraded between purchase and resale. Lawmakers seek to strike a balance between the interests of virtual item developers and individual consumers. We show that, surprisingly, the introduction of a block-chain-based pre-owned virtual item transaction can actually benefit both the developer and consumer. The main intuition is that the developer can adjust the price when forward-looking consumers incorporate the expected future transaction into their purchase decision. Our analysis also reveals that developers are more willing to embrace the secondary market when they can take a cut during the transaction. Our results provide important policy implications to the burgeoning debate of the first-sale doctrine in the new digital world.
Escaping Nash Inflation

An ordinary differential equation (ODE) gives the mean dynamics that govern the convergence to self-confirming equilibria of self-referential systems under discounted least squares learning. Another ODE governs escape dynamics that recurrently propel away from a self-confirming equilibrium. In a model with a unique self-confirming equilibrium, the escape dynamics make the government discover too strong a version of the natural rate hypothesis. The escape route dynamics cause recurrent outcomes close to the Ramsey (commitment) inflation rate in a model with an adaptive government.
Allies Welcomed to Advance Racial Equity (AWARE) Faculty Seminar Series: Program Design and Implementation.

Introduction:In the wake of George Floyd’s murder, White faculty in our department began to express the desire to gain a greater understanding of structural racism and racial inequity. To facilitat...
Laser Ultrasonic and Photoacoustic NDE Using Front-Surface Piezoelectric Detection

Laser based NDE techniques offer a potential solution to many of the NDE problems found in the applications of high performance materials and aerospace structures. Typical of these structures and materials are the ones being developed for high speed civil transport as well as the currently used structures such as found in the commercial fleet. The response of the structure to a modulated laser beam can be used to probe both its thermal and mechanical properties which are often critical to its proper performance. Anther often mentioned advantage of laser based inspections is the laser beam can be remotely scanned over the surface of the object enabling the inspection of complex geometries.
The Legalization of Drugs

Part I. Husak: 1. The meaning of drug decriminalization 2. How should we evaluate alternative drug policies? 3. Reasons to criminalize drug use 4. Reasons to decriminalize 5. Drug legalization Part II. de Marneffe: 6. An argument for drug prohibition 7. Drug prohibition and liberalism 8. Alcohol and other drugs 9. Epistemic concerns.
A Foundation of Parallel Programming

This monograph introduces a programming theory (called UNITY) that is applicable to the design of parallel (concurrent/distributed/multi-process) programs. This theory consists of a simple computational model and a logic that is appropriate for specifying and reasoning about such programs. The computational model was first proposed in Chandy [1]; a full account of this work appears in Chandy and Misra [2]. This manuscript contains an abbreviated version of the theory and a few small examples to illustrate the theory.
Conformational analysis—III: The reactions of the cyclooctenes with halogen, and the dipole moments of thecis- andtrans-1,2-dichlorocyclooctanes

Abstract The addition of chlorine tocis-cyclooctene yields thetrans-dichloride, which has a dipole moment of 3·1D, that is slightly solvent dependent. The correspondingcis-dichloride was not obtained by the chlorination of thetrans-olefin, but was synthesized indirectly, and found to have a dipole moment of 2·3D, which is also solvent dependent. The addition of halogen totrans-cyclooctene was shown to yield a complex mixture of products, the major one being 1,3-dihalo-2-methylcycloheptane.
Bollywood: A Guidebook to Popular Hindi Cinema

'Bollywood' is the dominant global term to refer to the prolific Hindi language film industry in Bombay (renamed Mumbai in 1995). Characterised by music, dance routines, melodrama, lavish production values and an emphasis on stars and spectacle, Bollywood films have met with box-office success and enthusiastic audiences from India to West Africa to Russia, and throughout the English-speaking world. In Bollywood, anthropologist and film scholar Tejaswini Ganti provides a guide to the cultural, social and political significance of Hindi cinema, outlining the history and structure of the Bombay film industry, and the development of popular Hindi filmmaking since the 1930s. Providing information and commentary on the key players in Bollywood, including directors and stars, as well as material from current filmmakers themselves, the areas covered in Bollywood include: history of Indian cinema narrative style, main themes, and key genres of Hindi cinema significant films, directors and stars production and distribution of Bollywood films interviews with actors, directors and screenwriters.
Sprouting a new take on stem cell aging

Age associated changes in stem cell function are widely implicated as having a causal role to the declines in tissue function, homeostasis and regenerative ability that accompany aging. However, the signals and mechanisms that lead to altered stem cell functionality in aging are unclear. A recent study published in Nature (Chakkalakal et al , 2012) proposes a unique mechanism whereby a signal from the aged niche causes a cell autonomous and persistent change in the ability of a stem cell to maintain the quiescent state, which, over time, leads into impaired tissue regenerative capacity.
The Flipped Classroom of Operations Management: A Not-for-Cost-Reduction Platform.

By delivering lectures online using screen capture technology, students can learn course material at the time and location of their choice, when they are in control to pause, rewind, and fast forward the professor. Class time is no longer spent teaching basic concepts, but rather focused on more value-added activities such as problem solving, systems thinking and active learning, as well as potential collaborative exercises such as case studies, web-based simulation games, and real-world applications. A flipped classroom is an online course because its online components must compete with the best of the online courses. It is also a traditional course since not even a single class session is cancelled while all the lectures are delivered online. This core concept is reinforced by a network of resources and learning processes to ensure a smooth, lean, and synchronized course delivery system. Our pilot statistical analysis indicates that a flipped classroom, when implemented in a quantitative and analytical course, can outperform its alternatives.
REVIEW OF SCHREIBMAN'S: THE SCIENCE AND FICTION OF AUTISM

Although the awareness of autism in the general public has increased significantly over the past 20 years, much of the widely disseminated information is not fully grounded in scientific fact. In The Science and Fiction of Autism (2005), Laura Schreibman addresses a series of debates and controversies in areas ranging from diagnostic practices and etiological theories to effective clinical practices. This book provides an overview of the field of autism that is suitable for well-educated parents and new professionals in the field.
Competition, Representation and Redistricting The Case against Competitive Congressional Districts

A redistricting plan that maximizes the frequency of competitive elections does not maximize the representativeness of political outcomes. A plan more closely resembling a ‘bipartisan gerrymander’ ...
Double objects in causatives: towards a study of coding conflict

L'A. examine les caracteristiques syntaxiques et communicatives des objets dans les propositions causatives. Il analyse les constructions causatives a double objet dans deux langues non liees genetiquement: le kinyarwanda et le tamoul, dans le but d'expliciter les relations grammaticales construites par l'agent causal et le patient. Il analyse les caracteristiques communicatives des deux objets dans les constructions a double objet et identifie une distinction communicative entre ces objets