cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Konstantin Petrovich Pobedonostsev: An Argument for a Russian State Church

In any overall assessment of the changing relationship between the church and the state in late imperial Russia it is important to include an account of the thought and activity of Konstantin Petrovich Pobedonostsev. Although not a clergyman, he was probably the most visible of all Orthodox Church figures of the period, both in the empire and in Western Europe. As the emperor's Ober Procurator of the Most Holy Governing Synod, a post he occupied between 1880 and 1905, he was the perfectly placed official to represent the power of the Romanov government in church affairs and, in its turn, the will and needs of the church to the emperor and his chief councilors of state. Nor, in this case, was it merely the office that made the man. Pobedonostsev himself was a thoughtful and critical student of Western and Russian culture who used his authority in a way that fulfilled his own visions and not the whims of the tsar. He was not a Count Protasov, the loyal Ober Procurator of Nicholas I, and he insisted that the office of Ober Procurator stand equally in the high councils of the tsar along with all other government ministries. Finally, it must be added that Pobedonostsev revealed in his thought and in his public acts a consistent body of religious and political opinion that enjoyed a respectable following among the so-called conservatives of the educated classes, and he was known and admired in this company both for the views he espoused and for the enemies he made.
A new look at the atomic level virial stress: on continuum-molecular system equivalence

The virial stress is the most commonly used definition of stress in discrete particle systems. This quantity includes two parts. The first part depends on the mass and velocity (or, in some versions, the fluctuation part of the velocity) of atomic particles, reflecting an assertion that mass transfer causes mechanical stress to be applied on stationary spatial surfaces external to an atomic‐particle system. The second part depends on interatomic forces and atomic positions, providing a continuum measure for the internal mechanical interactions between particles. Historic derivations of the virial stress include generalization from the virial theorem of Clausius (1870) for gas pressure and solution of the spatial equation of balance of momentum. The virial stress is stress‐like a measure for momentum change in space. This paper shows that, contrary to the generally accepted view, the virial stress is not a measure for mechanical force between material points and cannot be regarded as a measure for mechanical stress in any sense. The lack of physical significance is both at the individual atom level in a time‐resolved sense and at the system level in a statistical sense. It is demonstrated that the interatomic force term alone is a valid stress measure and can be identified with the Cauchy stress. The proof in this paper consists of two parts. First, for the simple conditions of rigid translation, uniform tension and tension with thermal oscillations, the virial stress yields clearly erroneous interpretations of stress. Second, the conceptual flaw in the generalization from the virial theorem for gas pressure to stress and the confusion over spatial and material equations of balance of momentum in theoretical derivations of the virial stress that led to its erroneous acceptance as the Cauchy stress are pointed out. Interpretation of the virial stress as a measure for mechanical force violates balance of momentum and is inconsistent with the basic definition of stress. The versions of the virial‐stress formula that involve total particle velocity and the thermal fluctuation part of the velocity are demonstrated to be measures of spatial momentum flow relative to, respectively, a fixed reference frame and a moving frame with a velocity equal to the part of particle velocity not included in the virial formula. To further illustrate the irrelevance of mass transfer to the evaluation of stress, an equivalent continuum (EC) for dynamically deforming atomistic particle systems is defined. The equivalence of the continuum to discrete atomic systems includes (i) preservation of linear and angular momenta, (ii) conservation of internal, external and inertial work rates, and (iii) conservation of mass. This equivalence allows fields of work‐ and momentum‐preserving Cauchy stress, surface traction, body force and deformation to be determined. The resulting stress field depends only on interatomic forces, providing an independent proof that as a measure for internal material interaction stress is independent of kinetic energy or mass transfer.
Evidence for a 95 kDa short form of the alpha1A subunit associated with the omega-conotoxin MVIIC receptor of the P/Q-type Ca2+ channels.

Neuronal voltage-dependent Ca2+ channels have been isolated previously and shown to contain a primary α1 pore-forming subunit as well as auxiliary α2δ and β subunits, in addition to an uncharacterized 95 kDa protein. In the present study, using multiple approaches, we have extensively characterized the molecular structure of the 95 kDa protein. Separation of the P/Q- and N-type neuronal Ca2+ channels showed that the 95 kDa protein is associated exclusively with the ω-Conotoxin MVIIC receptor of the P/Q-type channels. Analysis of purified synaptic plasma membranes and the isolated P/Q-type channels, using α1A-specific antibodies, suggested a structural relationship between the α1A subunit and the 95 kDa protein. This finding was supported by protein–protein interaction data, which revealed that the β subunit can associate with the 95 kDa protein in addition to the α1A subunit. Changes in electrophoretic mobility after enzymatic treatment with Endo F indicated that the 95 kDa protein is glycosylated. Furthermore, microsequencing of the 95 kDa protein yielded 13 peptide sequences, all of which are present in the first half of the α1A subunit up to amino acid 829 of the cytoplasmic linker between repeats II and III. Taken together, our results strongly suggest that the 95 kDa glycoprotein associated with the P/Q-type Ca2+ channels is a short form of the α1A subunit.
Formation, propagation, and contraction of the plasma bullets emitted by a pulsed plasma jet

Recently non-thermal atmospheric pressure plasma jets have been playing an important role in plasma processing including biomedical applications [1]. This is due to the ability of providing plasmas not confined by electrodes. In this paper we report experimental investigations on the characteristics of the plasma jet emitted by a pulsed plasma generator, the “Plasma Pencil”. To study the formation and the discharge phenomenon of the plasma jet, we investigated the jet initiation point for three different electrodes configurations. The devices were operated by a high voltage pulse generator (up to 10 kV) with variable pulse widths and repetition rate. Using ICCD images we show that the plume is a series of plasma packets/bullets traveling at high velocities. The plasma bullet phenomenon was first observed by Teschke and co-workers for an RF jet (2005) and Laroussi and co-workers in the case of a nanoseconds pulsed jet (2006) [1]. Correlation between the discharge current and ICCD images reveals when and how the bullets are emitted from the device. The ICCD images of the jet formation point and the discharge current waveform showed that the jet generated in a discharge chamber with dielectric barrier method, begun as a surface discharge around the outlet hole of the barrier and propagated as a surface discharge, maintaining a donut shape. If the high voltage electrode is directly exposed to the ambient gas (no barrier) a filamentary discharge was found responsible for the jet formation and propagation. Depending on the input voltage and the configuration of the discharge chamber, the discharge process could be filamentary or glow-like. Even when the bullet first exhibited a donut shape, it eventually contracted and collapsed to a single head as it propagated away from the device.
An analytical model and parameter computation for universal motors

This paper presents an analytical model of universal motors with the brush shifting from its neutral position by a certain angle for the sake of improving the commutation. In universal motors, the air-gap field distribution of the armature reaction is generally far away from sinusoidal waveform. Therefore the analysis can not be based on the d- and q-axis parameters. For this reason, the paper also introduces a method for parameter computation based on the actual air-gap field distribution from the analytical field solutions by the conformal transformation. Results by the proposed analytical approach are compared with the finite element analysis (FEA) results.
Energy needed to send a bit

Earlier work demonstrated that quantum–mechanical machinery can be used to transmit classical bits without a minimal unavoidable energy cost per bit. It is shown that a very minor variation of the earlier proposal also works for qubits. In addition, some casual remarks about error control in quantum parallelism are provided.
The nature of observed schlieren patterns in isoelectric focusing gels and their use for position of banded proteins

A simple and versatile optical technique for viewing discontinuities in the thickness of horizontal isoelectric focusing gels is described. The discontinuities in the gel are reproducible and relate directly to the ampholyte distribution. Characterization of the capture of the discontinuities in the gel is presented as well as a demonstration of how they may used for localization of focused proteins.
Dual-Column Miniseparator to Separate Alpha-Fetoprotein From Fibrinogen and Immunoglobulin

This paper reports a dual-column miniseparator that depletes and separates target analytes from a mixed sample. The prototype was designed to address the need for a sample preparation stage in portable point-of-care testing devices, and its efficacy was tested with Immunoglobulin G (IgG), α-fetoProtein (AFP), and fibrinogen. The miniseparator connects two minicolumns in series: The first column is an affinity minicolumn containing Protein A/G agarose beads, and the second column is a size exclusion chromatography (SEC) minicolumn that separates mixed analytes by size. When a mixture of IgG, fibrinogen, and AFP flows through the dual-column miniseparator, IgG is depleted in the first column, and AFP is separated from fibrinogen in the second column. Each protein was conjugated with fluorescent dyes, and IgG depletion and SEC separation results were confirmed by evaluating the eluents' fluorescent intensity. Red (IgG), green (AFP), and blue (fibrinogen) intensities showed that, in 10 min, the first column (affinity minicolumn) depleted over 99.5% of IgG, and the second column (SEC minicolumn) separated AFP (1 μg/mL ) from a fibrinogen-rich solution (10 μg/mL) with 1.76 resolution and 0.093-mm plate height.
Does It Pay to Move from Welfare to Work

The 1996 Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act requires welfare recipients to look for work and has made it more difficult for nonworking recipients to remain on the welfare rolls. In addition, the economic boom of the 1990s and changes in federal and state policies have raised the net income gain associated with moving from welfare to work. This paper analyzes data from a panel survey of single mothers, all of whom received welfare in February 1997. In 1999, those who left welfare and were working had a higher household income and lower poverty rate, experienced a similar level of material hardship, engaged in fewer activities to make ends meet, and had lower expectations of experiencing hardship in the near future than did nonworking welfare recipients. Estimations of fixed-effect regressions of income that control for both observable and unobservable time-invariant characteristics show that monthly net income increases by $2.63 for every additional hour of work effort. About 60 percent of the observed monthly income difference between wage-reliant and welfare-reliant mothers can be attributed to differences in their work effort. Thus, after welfare reform, it does pay to move from welfare to work .© 2002 by the Association for Public Policy Analysis and Management.
The Folate Precursor p-Aminobenzoate Is Reversibly Converted to Its Glucose Ester in the Plant Cytosol

Plants synthesize p-aminobenzoate (pABA) in chloroplasts and use it for folate synthesis in mitochondria. It has generally been supposed that pABA exists as the free acid in plant cells and that it moves between organelles in this form. Here we show that fruits and leaves of tomato and leaves of a diverse range of other plants have a high capacity to convert exogenously supplied pABA to its β-D-glucopyranosyl ester (pABA-Glc), whereas yeast and Escherichia coli do not. High performance liquid chromatography analysis indicated that much of the endogenous pABA in fruit and leaf tissues is esterified and that the total pool of pABA (free plus esterified) varies greatly between tissues (from 0.2 to 11 nmol g–1 of fresh weight). UDP-glucose:pABA glucosyltransferase activity was readily detected in fruit and leaf extracts, and the reaction was found to be freely reversible. p-Aminobenzoic acid β-D-glucopyranosyl ester esterase activity was also detected in extracts. Subcellular fractionation indicated that the glucosyltransferase and esterase activities are predominantly if not solely cytosolic. Taken together, these results show that reversible formation of pABA-Glc in the cytosol is interposed between pABA production in chloroplasts and pABA consumption in mitochondria. As pABA is a hydrophobic weak acid, its uncharged form is membrane-permeant, and its anion is consequently prone to distribute itself spontaneously among subcellular compartments according to their pH. Esterification of pABA may eliminate such errant behavior and provide a readily reclaimable storage form of pABA as well as a substrate for membrane transporters.
The NICHD maternal and fetal medicine unit (MFMU) network gestational diabetes mellitus trial: Can we use the results as the basis for changing current screening approaches?

Despite widespread acceptance of screening and treatment of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), review panels have suggested that there is insufficient evidence to assess the benefits versus harms for the treatment of GDM. However, a well-designed randomized trial (MFMU Network) has now demonstrated clear benefits to the treatment of mild GDM. This evidence provides the basis for change as it effects the perceptions of healthcare advisories and payors who consider the merits of treating GDM.
A transportation security system applying RFID and GPS

Findings/value: An RFID reader and GPS tracker wirelessly connected with the databases will serve as testing grounds for the implementation of security measures that can help prevent future terrorist attacks and help in ensuring that the goods and products are not compromised while in transit. The system will also reduce the labor work of security check to its minimum.
Payment Regulations for Advanced Practice Nurses: Implications for Primary Care:

The shortage of primary care providers (PCPs) in the United States may be worsened with health reform if more individuals receive health insurance coverage. Previous research suggests that Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) can provide as high quality care and achieve the same health outcomes as physicians. However, APRNs are usually reimbursed at lower rates than physicians by both Medicare and Medicaid. Private health insurance regulations and Any Willing Provider laws vary from state to state but in general do little to facilitate the ability of APRNs to be reimbursed for their services or to be credentialed as PCPs. To maximize the utilization of APRNs as PCPs, the payment system should be remodeled. A clear regulatory framework and payment rationale are needed along with data on the type and complexity of care provided by various practitioners to increase efficiencies and improve access to health care.
Understanding student preferences in online education

Higher education is at a crossroads. Universities face a combination of increased costs, increased competition, changing enrollments, and the introduction of new disruptive technologies with the potential to threaten their core product offerings. In response to these challenges, universities across the country are moving rapidly toward offering more online courses and programs. But in doing so, they are faced with questions with no clear answers: How should university courses (online and face-to-face courses) be designed? What do prospective and current students value about university level courses today and in the future? Are there factors that if included in the design of courses will increase student selection and retention in these courses? This paper presents results from a survey of over 390 respondents that addresses student characteristics and student preferences for different educational delivery options. The purpose of this study was to gain deeper insight by identifying factors that students value in university level courses so as to inform course and curriculum design choices. In the competitive environments faced by universities today, this research can be highly valuable to universities interested in improving their courses leading to increased enrollments.
Screw angulation affects bone-screw stresses and bone graft load sharing in anterior cervical corpectomy fusion with a rigid screw-plate construct: a finite element model study.

Abstract Background context Anterior corpectomy and reconstruction with bone graft and a rigid screw-plate construct is an established procedure for treatment of cervical neural compression. Despite its reliability in relieving symptoms, there is a high rate of construct failure, especially in multilevel cases. Purpose There has been no study evaluating the biomechanical effects of screw angulation on construct stability; this study investigates the C4–C7 construct stability and load-sharing properties among varying screw angulations in a rigid plate-screw construct. Study design A finite element model of a two-level cervical corpectomy with static anterior cervical plate. Methods A three-dimensional finite element (FE) model of an intact C3–T1 segment was developed and validated. From this intact model, a fusion model (two-level [C5, C6] anterior corpectomy) was developed and validated. After corpectomy, allograft interbody fusion with a rigid anterior screw-plate construct was created from C4 to C7. Five additional FE models were developed from the fusion model corresponding to five different combinations of screw angulations within the vertebral bodies (C4, C7): (0°, 0°), (5°, 5°), (10°, 10°), (15°, 15°), and (15°, 0°). The fifth fusion model was termed as a hybrid fusion model. Results The stability of a two-level corpectomy reconstruction is not dependent on the position of the screws. Despite the locked screw-plate interface, some degree of load sharing is transmitted to the graft. The load seen by the graft and the shear stress at the bone-screw junction is dependent on the angle of the screws with respect to the end plate. Higher stresses are seen at more divergent angles, particularly at the lower level of the construct. Conclusion This study suggests that screw divergence from the end plates not only increases load transmission to the graft but also predisposes the screws to higher shear forces after corpectomy reconstruction. In particular, the inferior screw demonstrated larger stress than the upper-level screws. In the proposed hybrid fusion model, lower stresses on the bone graft, end plates, and bone-screw interface were recorded, inferring lower construct failure (end-plate fractures and screw pullout) potential at the inferior construct end.
Sagnac Interferometer for Two-Dimensional Spectroscopy in the Pump-Probe Geometry

An intrinsically phase-stable Sagnac interferometer is introduced for enhanced sensitivity detection in partially collinear two-dimensional spectroscopy. The sensitivity and phase accuracy of the apparatus are demonstrated on the dye IR-26 in the short-wave IR.
Observation and Reliable Detection

Empiricists worry about the division between the observable and the unobservable because they want epistemic security. Direct perceptual knowledge of the observable might be defeasible, they reason, but it does not have the shaky status of phlogiston, the superego, noxious effluvia, and all the rest of those entities that turned out to be unobservable because they did not exist. I am an empirical realist, so I worry about the security of my data too. Hence our first step ought to be to take the security issue as primary and the observable versus unobservable distinction as merely one attempt to resolve that issue. That is, it is not the intrinsic status of something as ‘observable’ or ‘unobservable’ that should concern us, but how good are the detectors we use at producing secure knowledge. In that respect, the traditional human sensory modalities are neither particularly reliable nor all that versatile. We all know that eyewitness reports of who was present at a crime scene are unreliable, and that evidence in the form of ‘unobservables’, such as DNA profiles and blood types, is far more secure than the unaided observations of humans. I know that on a dark Warsaw street, my eyes are not reliable indicators of the street names on a Polish map, and although I can confidently tell the aural difference between a piano and a harpsichord, I cannot reliably discern a trumpet from a cornet. The superiority of instruments over human senses is, of course, widely recognized. Photo-finishes in horse races, electronic timing in Olympic swimming and sprints, touch sensors in fencing, automatic pilots, light meters for camera exposures, and so on are all reflections of this superiority. Readers of a certain age may remember the use of a ‘personal equation’ as a corrective in some scientific experiments such as scintillation counts before the era of automatic detectors. As a last example, many of the optical illusions that fool the human visual apparatus do not affect computerized image analyzers.2
Prime vendor purchasing of pharmaceuticals in the Veterans Affairs health care system

The development of a prime vendor system of pharmaceutical procurement and distribution in the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is described. The traditional system of pharmaceutical procurement and distribution in the VA required large stockpiles of the pharmaceuticals that had been needed the previous year, a system that was inefficient and full of hidden markups and other unnecessary fees. In late 1991, the VA began a pilot test of a prime vendor system, in which three wholesalers were selected to provide pharmaceuticals to 33 VA medical centers. Under the new system, pharmacies placed orders electronically, directly with the prime vendor, and payments were taken from funds obligated in advance. The benefits of the new system included reduced costs, faster turnaround of orders, higher fill rates, and higher satisfaction among users. In 1994, the VA ceased operation of its traditional depot system for pharmaceuticals. The implementation of a prime vendor procurement system for pharmaceuticals within the VA improved system responsiveness, increased satisfaction of system users, and reduced expenses.
Amorphous Alumina Nanoparticles: Structure, Surface Energy, and Thermodynamic Phase Stability

To provide a complete picture of the energy landscape of Al2O3 at the nanoscale, we directed this study toward understanding the energetics of amorphous alumina (a-Al2O3). a-Al2O3 nanoparticles wer...
QCM-based measurement of chlorine-induced polymer degradation kinetics.

Highly structured network polymers are prepared via a molecular layer by layer technique (mLbL) and used as a model system to study aqueous degradation of polymer thin films in real time. Quantitative analysis of the degradation kinetics was enabled by the use of a quartz crystal microbalance (QCM). We conclude that the common metric of halogen, specifically chlorine, exposure (concentration × time) to be an ineffective normalization unit and showed a multistage adsorption process consistent with the established chemical mechanism. Additionally, degradation progression was tracked at multiple points of exposure to determine the effects of chlorination on the chemical and morphological state of the polymer structure with X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and atomic force microscopy (AFM), respectively. The formation of known halogenation products were corroborated with XPS through the high resolution spectra. Insight into the heterogeneous nature of the nanostructural degradation was derived from the ...
Linguistic Minority Students Go to College: Preparation, Access, and Persistence by Yasuko Kanno and Linda Harklau

Research investigating linguistic minority (LM) students has generally focused on teaching within different student populations, contexts, and programs (Harklau, Losey, & Siegal, 1999). Most recent...
Colored Sticky Traps for Monitoring Frankliniella bispinosa (Morgan) (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) During Flowering Cycles in Citrus

Colored sticky traps were tested in citrus groves in Lee, Hendry, and Polk counties, Florida, for attraction of Frankliniella bispinosa (Morgan) adults. White was superior to yellow, red, or orange in attracting F. bispinosa and had a higher spectral reflectance at wavelengths below 500 nm. Kromecote white was superior to Olson white or Chromolux metallic mother-of-pearl and comparable to Chromolux and Duo-Tang blues. Kromecote white, Chromolux blue, and Duo-Tang blue had 30-50% reflectance values in the range of 400-450 nm wavelengths, and their spectral reflectance curves were similar to those of ‘Valencia’ and navel orange petals. White trap catches of F. bispinosa increased from 24 to 72 h, whereas yellow traps did not. Corresponding trap catches of adult F. bispinosa using a Mark V Krome Kote trap were not significantly different at 24-h intervals over 4-d periods. Weathering did not adversely affect trap catch between 24- and 96-h exposures. Use of disposable traps reduces degradation of color from sunlight. Mark V white, Chromolux blue, and Duo- Tang blue disposable cards have potential for use in assessing population activity of F. bispinosa in the field.
Demographic Substructure in a California Vole Population Inhabiting a Patchy Environment

We employed a live-trapping grid encompassing several discrete vegetation patches to analyze spatial differences in demographic structure of California voles ( Microtus californicus ). Densely populated patches had female-biased sex ratios, longer individual persistence of females, higher per individual productivity and emigration rates, and lower immigration rates than did sparsely populated patches. Male density was relatively constant among patches, while female density varied by a factor of three. The high degree of stability this population exhibited over the four years in which density was estimated may be a result of the presence of perpetually unfilled dispersal sinks. A laboratory study showed that demographic performance in a given patch is strongly associated with the dietary quality of the vegetation present in that patch. Vegetative cover may also be important in contributing to demographic differences among patches, but is less important than food. Because the quality of diet and, presumably, protective cover, had the same effect on both males and females, it appears that sex differences in response to habitat heterogeneity are a result of differences in spacing behavior.
How people with serious mental illness use smartphones, mobile apps, and social media.

Objective Research shows that people with serious mental illness are increasingly using mobile devices. Less is known about how these individuals use their mobile devices or whether they access social media. We surveyed individuals with serious mental illness to explore their use of these technologies. Method Individuals with serious mental illness engaged in lifestyle interventions through community mental health centers completed a survey about their use of mobile and online technologies. Responses were compared with data from the general population. Results Among respondents (n = 70), 93% owned cellphones, 78% used text messaging, 50% owned smartphones, and 71% used social media such as Facebook. Most respondents reported daily use of text messaging, mobile apps, and social media. Technology use was comparable to the general population, though smartphone ownership was lower. Conclusions and implications for practice These findings can inform future interventions that fully leverage this group's use of popular digital technologies. (PsycINFO Database Record
High-Resolution Water Vapor Spectroscopic Measurements in the 720-nm Region for Lidar Meteorological Applications

The Differential Absorption Lidar (DIAL) technique allows one to remotely measure profiles of atmospheric gases such as water vapor. This method makes use of the difference observed in pulsed laser backscatter from the atmosphere when a pulsed laser transmitter is tuned on and off a water vapor absorption line. This technique requires accurate water vapor spectroscopic data on line strength, pressure broadening, and pressure shifts in the wavelength region of interest. As part of the atmospheric research program, NASA is currently involved in the Lidar Atmospheric Sensing Experiment (LASE)[1]. This DIAL system uses tunable Alexandrite lasers and operates from a high altitude ER-2 (extended range U-2) aircraft. To support this experiment, a high-resolution spectroscopy setup consisting of a CW ring dye laser and two White cells is being used to provide measurements of needed water vapor line parameters.
Electoral Systems and Political Context: How Democratic Experience and Party System Development Condition the Effects of Electoral Rules on Disproportionality and the Number of Parties

Probably the most well-known literature on electoral systems highlights how electoral rules shape the number of parties (see especially Cox 1997; Duverger 1954; Lijphart 1994; Taagepera and Shugart 1989). We, therefore, begin our analysis by exploring how different rules affect the number of parties, but we then turn to how political context – in the form of democratic experience and party institutionalization – conditions the effects of rules. In this chapter, we lay out the concepts necessary to explore the relationship between electoral rules, context, and the number of parties. First, we discuss the principal expectations about how electoral rules affect disproportionality (i.e., the extent to which parties’ seat shares deviate from their share of the vote) and the number of parties. Second, we consider how democratic experience and party system development may condition these effects. Third, we explain how we measure the central variables – especially disproportionality, the effective number of parties, democratic experience, and party institutionalization. Finally, we discuss how specific institutional features of mixed-member systems might also shape the number of parties. Cutting to the chase, and laying out our most important expectation, we expect restrictive electoral rules (especially FPTP) to be much less likely to constrain the number of parties in new democracies, especially those with poorly developed party systems, than in established democracies.
Essential Public Health Competencies for Medical Students: Establishing a Consensus in Family Medicine

Phenomenon: The integration of public health (PH) competency training into medical education, and further integration of PH and primary care, has been urged by the U.S. Institute of Medicine. Howev...
Using implementation facilitation to foster clinical practice quality and adherence to evidence in challenged settings: a qualitative study

We evaluated a facilitation strategy to help clinical sites likely to experience challenges implement evidence-based Primary Care-Mental Health Integration (PC-MHI) care models within the context of a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) initiative. This article describes our assessment of whether implementation facilitation (IF) can foster development of high quality PC-MHI programs that adhere to evidence, are sustainable and likely to improve clinical practices and outcomes. Utilizing a matched pair design, we conducted a qualitative descriptive evaluation of the IF strategy in sixteen VA primary care clinics. To assess program quality and adherence to evidence, we conducted one-hour structured telephone interviews, at two time points, with clinicians and leaders who knew the most about the clinics’ programs. We then created structured summaries of the interviews that VA national PC-MHI experts utilized to rate the programs on four dimensions (overall quality, adherence to evidence, sustainability and level of improvement). At first assessment, seven of eight IF sites and four of eight comparison sites had implemented a PC-MHI program. Our qualitative assessment suggested that experts rated IF sites’ programs higher than comparison sites’ programs with one exception. At final assessment, all eight IF but only five comparison sites had implemented a PC-MHI program. Again, experts rated IF sites’ programs higher than their matched comparison sites with one exception. Over time, all ratings improved in five of seven IF sites and two of three comparison sites. Implementing complex evidence-based programs, particularly in settings that lack infrastructure, resources and support for such efforts, is challenging. Findings suggest that a blend of external expert and internal regional facilitation strategies that implementation scientists have developed and tested can improve PC-MHI program uptake, quality and adherence to evidence in primary care clinics with these challenges. However, not all sites showed these improvements. To be successful, facilitators likely need at least a moderate level of leaders’ support, including provision of basic resources. Additionally, we found that IF and strength of leadership structure may have a synergistic effect on ability to implement higher quality and evidence-based programs.
The current status of transgender health education in doctor of pharmacy curricula in North America

Abstract Doctor of pharmacy programs across the country strive to prepare culturally competent pharmacy professionals who are trained to provide compassionate and evidence-based care to a variety o...
Plugging Into Word Learning: The Role of Electronic Toys and Digital Media in Language Development

Abstract Digital media and electronic toys are changing the landscape of childhood. How does this change impact language learning? In this chapter, we explore potential alignment between six established principles of language learning and children's engagement with digital media and electronic toys. We argue that electronic toys and digital media are not solely beneficial or solely costly for children's language development. Rather, today's technology has opened up a wide range of new features and possibilities for children's play and media, and each of these affordances must be considered in the context of what research shows us about how children learn language. Certainly, the existing research has shown some ways that these digital media can have negative effects on children's ability to learn, but if used in a thoughtful and responsible way, these sources may be able to be used to have a positive impact on language development.
Iterative Methods for Linear Systems

In this chapter we present the idea of iterative solution methods for linear systems, in contrast with direct methods such as Gaussian elimination. The Jacobi, Gauss-Seidel, Successive Over-Relaxation, and Conjugate Gradient methods are presented. For each we discuss time to solution and the convergence of the method on an example problem and through a graphical demonstration. The concept of implementation improvement versus numerical improvement is introduced. In particular, the Jacobi method is shown to be faster than Gauss-Seidel even though it has more iterations to get the solution. Finally, we show that iterative methods tuned for the matrix structure can lead to even better performance.
Truth-Value Semantics for the Theory of Types

Godel showed in 1931 that the valid wffs of T, the simple theory of types, outrun the theorems of T, and in fact cannot but outrun them. It was to be almost two decades before Henkin supplied a semantic characterization of these theorems, when he showed in [5] that a wff A of T is provable in T if and only if A is what he calledvalid in the general sense or what we shall call generally valid. Further semantic characterizations of provability in T then came in rapid succession, among them Hintikka [7] and Schutte [12]. Both of these dispense with Henkin’s general models, the former using general model sets, the latter total valuations.
Spare Allocation Problems

A parallel algorithm for spare allocation problems is introduced in this Chapter. In manufacturing memory chips, the Redundant Random Access Memory (RRAM) technology has been widely used because it not only provides the repairability of faulty cells but also enhances the production yield. RRAM has several rows and columns of spare memory cells which are used to replace the faulty cells. The goal of our algorithm is to find a spare allocation which repairs all the faulty cells in the given faulty cell map. The proposed parallel algorithm requires 2n processing elements for the n×n faulty cell map problem. The algorithm is verified by a large number of simulation runs. Under the simulation the algorithm finds one of the near- optimum solutions in a nearly constant time with O(n) processors. This Chapter is based on a paper published in IEEE Trans, on Reliability (Funabiki and Takefuji 1991).
The clinical and psychosocial impact of Peyronie's disease

Peyronie's disease (PD) is characterized by the formation of palpable fibrotic tissue in the tunica albuginea of the penis. It is thought to manifest in response to recurrent microtrauma during erection in those with risk factors that may include wound-healing disorders. The initial stage of PD is thought to last from 6 to 18 months, and it is characterized by an inflammatory period with pain in approximately one-third of men. This initial phase is followed by a chronic phase when pain typically resolves and the deformity stabilizes with no additional plaque development. PD has been reported to develop in up to 9% of adult males according to published literature, but the incidence may be even higher. The most frequently affected age group is men between 50 and 59 years. Because of the associated penile deformity and effect on sexual relations, psychosocial distress is very common in those with PD. It has been reported to negatively affect self-image, sexual activity, intimacy, and mood, and it is often associated with depression and erectile dysfunction (ED). At this time, nonsurgical treatments are unreliable and have variable efficacy, and surgical treatments are reserved for those with disabling disfigurement. Moreover, surgery may result in loss of penile length and ED, and there are only a few physicians in the United States that perform such surgeries. There is a great need to increase awareness of PD in patients and general practitioners, to elucidate the pathogenesis of PD, and for the development of novel treatments for this disfiguring disease.
Remembrance of ernst L. Moerk.

I visited Ernst while he was convalescing from brain surgery in Los Angeles. It was the first time we had officially met, although I had attended talks he had given and we had corresponded via email several times when I was editor of The Analysis of Verbal Behavior. Ernst greeted me at the door of his room in the convalescent center and asked if I wanted a beer. It was early afternoon and I said I didn't but that I would get something else to drink. So we walked down to the corner store, where Ernst bought himself a beer, and treated me to a bottle of water. We walked back to the center and sat in chairs by the windows outside his room. For the next hour or so, we talked about various topics, including behaviorism, language, and Ernst's life. He admitted he still wasn't completely facile with behavior analysis, although it was clear that was where his sympathies lay. We discussed the problem of mental events in a science of behavior, with me trying to describe a radical behavioral approach. Ernst talked about his new book, which he said was almost finished, and his homes in Austria and Fresno. When I told him I might be in the market for a full-time academic position, he offered to put me in contact with people in the psychology department at California State University—Fresno. He described Fresno as a good place to live and spoke fondly of his house and life there. Most of the other patients in the convalescent center were older than Ernst, and he mentioned more than once how he felt out of place. Otherwise, he was in good spirits and seemed to have little difficulty talking and remembering, despite the fact that he had just undergone brain surgery. But he grew tired and I told him that I should probably leave. Ernst walked me downstairs to the front door and thanked me for the visit. I wished him a speedy recovery and we agreed to stay in touch via email. I am sorry I did not get a chance to spend more time with Ernst, but glad for the opportunity to visit with him when I did.
Sugar-Sweetened Beverages and Hydration

Sugar-sweetened beverages (SSB) contribute to fluid intake/requirements in the same manner as water and other fluids. SSB are equally effective in maintaining euhydration as as water alone during everyday conditions. SSB and similar beverages such as carbohydrate-electrolyte solutions (CES) can be ergogenic during endurance exercise by helping spare liver glycogen, maintain blood glucose levels, and increase water absorption. SSB and water are equally effective in maintaining normal thermoregulatory and cardiovascular function during exercise. During rehydration, SSB and CES are more effective in restoring fluid balance back to normal levels compared to water due to their ability to aid in fluid retention and minimize urinary losses. High carbohydrate content of a single type may delay gastric emptying rate and thus fluid delivery. However, ingestion of multiple carbohydrate types, as with SSB, can increase the rate of fluid absorption and delivery from the gastrointestinal tract The carbonation or composition of SSB does not influence the volume of ad libitum fluid intake. The low-to-moderate caffeine levels in most SSB are not detrimental with acute or chronic ingestion.
Front-end system for modeling modern apparel manufacturing systems

Abstract This article reviews the development of a front-end system for quickly and easily creating simulations of modern apparel manufacturing systems. The system assists a modeler in defining the manufacturing process and then automatically generates and executes a WITNESS model. A sample system is used to present the details of model creation and evaluation. The article concludes with a brief review of three industrial implementations that benefitted from the front-end system.
The Birth of Neuroplasticity Interventions: A Twenty Year Perspective

Fast ForWord® was the first, computer/Internet delivered, neuroplasticity-based training program ever developed to enhance neural performance. It grew out of over 25 years of basic and clinical research in two distinct scientific disciplines. One utilized behavioral, electrophysiological and neuroimaging methods to study individual differences in language development and the etiology of developmental language-based learning disabilities (including Specific Language Impairment, Autism and Dyslexia). The other utilized neurophysiological and behavioral methods in animals to study neuroplasticity, that is, changes at the cellular level driven by behavioral training techniques. This chapter reviews (1) how these two lines of research were integrated to form the scientific basis of Fast ForWord® and (2) the steps taken to translate and instantiate our collaborative laboratory research into clinical and classroom interventions that could be scaled up for broad distribution around the world, while remaining efficient, effective and enduring. In 1996, Scientific Learning Corporation (SLC) was co-founded by four research scientists (Paula Tallal, Michael Merzenich, William Jenkins and Steve Miller). To date, nearly three million children in 55 countries have received Fast ForWord® interventions. On any given school day approximately 100,000 children log in to train on one of twelve Fast ForWord®Language, Literacy or Reading programs. More recently, Fast ForWord® language and reading programs are being used increasingly as an effective method for improving English as a second language (ESL), including success for ESL children whose first language is non-alphabetic.
Antibacterial properties of electrospun Ti3C2Tz (MXene)/chitosan nanofibers

Electrospun natural polymeric bandages are highly desirable due to their low-cost, biodegradability, non-toxicity and antimicrobial properties. Functionalization of these nanofibrous mats with two-dimensional nanomaterials is an attractive strategy to enhance the antibacterial effects. Herein, we demonstrate an electrospinning process to produce encapsulated delaminated Ti3C2Tz (MXene) flakes within chitosan nanofibers for passive antibacterial wound dressing applications. In vitro antibacterial studies were performed on crosslinked Ti3C2Tz/chitosan composite fibers against Gram-negative Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) – demonstrating a 95% and 62% reduction in colony forming units, respectively, following 4 h of treatment with the 0.75 wt% Ti3C2Tz – loaded nanofibers. Cytotoxicity studies to determine biocompatibility of the nanofibers indicated the antibacterial MXene/chitosan nanofibers are non-toxic. The incorporation of Ti3C2Tz single flakes on fiber morphology was analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy equipped with an energy-dispersive detector (TEM-EDS). Our results suggest that the electrospun Ti3C2Tz/chitosan nanofibers are a promising candidate material in wound healing applications.
Billing of cataract surgery as complex versus routine for Medicare beneficiaries.

Purpose To estimate ophthalmologist-level variation in cataract surgery billing and evaluate patient and ophthalmologist characteristics associated with complex cataract surgery coding. Setting Cross-sectional study. Design Retrospective case series. Methods Medicare beneficiaries aged 65 years or older who had cataract surgery between January 1, 2016, and December 31, 2017, were included. Billing of cataract surgery as complex versus routine and patient and physician characteristics associated with billing of cataract surgery as complex were evaluated. Results An estimated 3.5 million cataract procedures were performed on Medicare beneficiaries in 2016 and 2017. Men (odds ratio [OR], 1.79; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.75-1.82), patients 75 years or older (versus those aged 65 to 74 years: OR, 1.35; 95% CI, 1.33-1.36), and racial minorities (blacks versus whites: OR, 1.80; 95% CI, 1.75-1.85) had increased odds of having cataract surgery coded as complex. The mean rate of coding for complex cataract surgery by individual surgeons (n = 10 075) in the United States was 11.2%, with significant variation. A high-risk clinical diagnosis code was associated with 40.0% of complex cataract surgeries. Adjusted for patient characteristics, ophthalmologists who graduated from medical school within the past 10 years (OR, 1.35; 95% CI, 1.22-1.49) were more likely to code for complex cataract surgery. Higher volume ophthalmologists were less likely to code for complex cataract surgery than low-volume ophthalmologists. Conclusions There was marked variation among ophthalmologists in the use of complex cataract surgery. Some variability might represent inaccurate coding and was not entirely based on differences in referral patterns for more complex patients.