cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Simultaneous block triangularization and block diagonalization of sets of matrices

Abstract We consider the problem of simultaneously putting a set of square matrices into the same block upper triangular form with a similarity transformation, and obtain a result linking the size of the largest block to polynomial identities. This is used to yield a new proof of a theorem of Watters [20] which gives a necessary and sufficient condition for a set of matrices to be simultaneously, unitarily similar to block diagonal matrices with blocks of sizes one or two.
Upgrading mice to elephants: effects and end-point solutions

Short TCP flows may suffer significant response-time performance degradations during network congestion. Unfortunately, this creates an incentive for misbehavior by clients of interactive applications (e.g., gaming, telnet, web): to send "dummy" packets into the network at a TCP-fair rate even when they have no data to send, thus improving their performance in moments when they do have data to send. Even though no "law" is violated in this way, a large-scale deployment of such an approach has the potential to seriously jeopardize one of the core Internet's principles-- statistical multiplexing. We quantify, by means of analytical modeling and simulation, gains achievable by the above misbehavior. Our research indicates that easy-to-implement application-level techniques are capable of dramatically reducing incentives for conducting the above transgressions, still without compromising the idea of statistical multiplexing.
Alterations in serum thyroid hormones and thyroxine-binding globulin in patients with nephrosis.

Serum concentration, T4-binding capacity, and affinity of thyroxine-binding globulin (TBG) were studied in 10 adult males with the nephrotic syndrome who were not receiving corticosteroid therapy. There was a significant correlation (r =-0.81,P<0.001) between the degree of proteinuria and the daily urinary excretion of TBG. The only subject who showed low serum TBG concentration and capacity had the severest degree of proteinuria (24 g⁄day). In all of the other patients the serum concentration and T4-binding capacity of TBG were within the normal range despite significant urinary losses of TBG. There was a tendency to lower TBG affinity values for T4 as compared to the control group, but the mean did not reach statistical significance. The nephrotic group as a whole exhibited an abnormally high fraction of dialyzable T4 and free T4 concentration in serum, but the mean total serum T4 was normal. The mean urinary excretion of T4 was 69 μ⁄day. Only two cases had low total serum T4, one of these having a low ...
Qualitative analysis of the level of cross-protection between epidemic waves of the 1918–1919 influenza pandemic

The 1918–1919 influenza pandemic was composed of multiple waves within a period of nine months in several regions of the world. Increasing our understanding of the mechanisms responsible for this multi-wave profile has important public health implications. We model the transmission dynamics of two strains of influenza interacting via cross-immunity to simulate two temporal waves of influenza and explore the impact of the basic reproduction number, as a measure of transmissibility associated to each influenza strain, cross-immunity and the timing of the onset of the second influenza epidemic on the pandemic profile. We use time series of case notifications during the 1918 influenza pandemic in Geneva, Switzerland, for illustration. We calibrate our mathematical model to the initial wave of infection to estimate the basic reproduction number of the first wave and the corresponding timing of onset of the second influenza variant. We use this information to explore the impact of cross-immunity levels on the dynamics of the second wave of influenza. Our results for the 1918 pandemic in Geneva, Switzerland, indicate that a second wave can occur whenever R 01 o1:5 or when cross-immunity levels are less than 0.58 for our estimated R02 of 2.4. We also explore qualitatively profiles of two-wave pandemics and compare them with real temporal profiles of the 1918 influenza pandemic in other regions of the world including several Scandinavian cities, New York City, England and Wales, and Sydney, Australia. Pandemic profiles are classified into three broad categories namely ‘‘right-handed’’, ‘‘left-handed’’, and ‘‘M-shape’’. Our results indicate that avoiding a second influenza epidemic is plausible given sufficient levels of cross-protection are attained via natural infection during an early (herald) wave of infection or vaccination campaigns prior to a second wave. Furthermore, interventions aimed at mitigating the first pandemic wave may be counterproductive by increasing the chances of a second wave of infection that could potentially be more virulent than the first.
The neural basis of rationalization: cognitive dissonance reduction during decision-making

People rationalize the choices they make when confronted with difficult decisions by claiming they never wanted the option they did not choose. Behavioral studies on cognitive dissonance provide evidence for decision-induced attitude change, but these studies cannot fully uncover the mechanisms driving the attitude change because only pre- and post-decision attitudes are measured, rather than the process of change itself. In the first fMRI study to examine the decision phase in a decision-based cognitive dissonance paradigm, we observed that increased activity in right-inferior frontal gyrus, medial fronto-parietal regions and ventral striatum, and decreased activity in anterior insula were associated with subsequent decision-related attitude change. These findings suggest the characteristic rationalization processes that are associated with decision-making may be engaged very quickly at the moment of the decision, without extended deliberation and may involve reappraisal-like emotion regulation processes.
Congestion control with a multicast routing algorithm

A new multicast routing algorithm for reducing congestion is presented. The algorithm uses efficient routing by transmitting multicast packets across fewer links in the network. The algorithm balances the use of network nodes and links by reducing packet duplication in the nodes. The computation time of the algorithm is short. The results show that the algorithm can find the multicast paths by using the minimum number of links and reduce congestion.
Learning Through Play: Extending an Early Childhood Music Education Approach to Undergraduate and Graduate Music Education:

Early childhood researchers have found that play is an ideal way for young children to learn. Yet few music teacher educators have applied this finding with adult learners, and in many music education programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels, playful activities are generally few. This article presents a rationale for developing “playful” music education undergraduate and graduate programs and offer examples of engaging in play as part of coursework, socialization, and research. Observations, suggestions, and findings drawn from the fields of cognitive science, philosophy, psychology, music education, as well as early childhood research and practice are described as the authors open a discussion of how “lightening up” our curricula may actually have a weighty positive impact.
Planning for the next ICT cluster? Seoul's Digital Media City project

This paper deals with the spatial dimensions of information and communication technology (ICT) policy. Although ICT often seems to nullify the powers of distance, this does not mean that spatial concentrations of ICT activities will soon disappear. On the contrary, ICT clusters are recognized as places with competitive advantages in the globalizing knowledge economy. Therefore, cities and nations are forced to initiate policies and projects to foster ICT clusters in their jurisdictions. Asian countries are latecomers in this race. However, within a relatively short time period, a considerable number of ICT clusters were newly created in Asia, and even more clusters are being built. Moreover, perspectives from their positions as latecomers contribute not only to their own plans and strategies, but also to the future development of ICT clusters in general. This paper focuses on the DMC (Digital Media City) project by Seoul Metropolitan Government, the most recent ICT cluster development initiative in Asia, and its position within the universe of "electronic space policies" to analyze its broader context and implications. This paper is mostly based on official reports of the DMC project and in-depth interviews conducted with project managers.
Catalytic activation and reforming of methane on supported palladium clusters

The effects of reactant and product concentrations on turnover rates and isotopic tracing and kinetic isotope effects have led to a sequence of elementary steps for CH4 reactions with CO2 and H2O on supported Pd catalysts. Rate constants for kinetically-relevant C–H bond activation steps are much larger on Pd than on other metals (Ni, Ru, Rh, Ir, Pt). As a result, these steps become reversible during catalysis, because the products of CH4 dissociation rapidly deplete the required oxygen co-reactant formed from CO2 or H2O and co-reactant activation, and water–gas shift reactions remain irreversible in the time scale required for CH4 conversion. H2 and CO products inhibit CH4 reactions via their respective effects on CH4 and CO dissociation steps. These mechanistic conclusions are consistent with the kinetic effects of reactants and products on turnover rates, with the similar and normal CH4/CD4 kinetic isotope effects measured with H2O and CO2 co-reactants, with the absence of H2O/D2O isotope effects, and with the rate of isotopic scrambling between CH4 and CD4, 12C16O and 13C18O, and 13CO and 12CO during CH4 reforming catalysis. This catalytic sequence, but not the reversibility of its elementary steps, is identical to that reported on other Group VIII metals. Turnover rates are similar on Pd clusters on various supports (Al2O3, ZrO2, ZrO2−La2O3) and independent of Pd dispersion over the narrow range accessible at reforming conditions, because kinetically-relevant C–H bond activation steps occur predominantly on Pd surfaces. ZrO2 and ZrO2−La2O3 supports, with detectable reactivity for CO2 and H2O activation, can reverse the infrequent formation of carbon overlayers and inhibit deactivation, but do not contribute to steady-state catalytic reforming rates. The high reactivity of Pd surfaces in C–H bond activation reflects their strong binding for C and H and the concomitant stabilization of the transition state for kinetically-relevant C–H activation steps and causes the observed kinetic inhibition by chemisorbed carbon species formed in CH4 and CO dissociation steps.
Radial diffusion in magnetodiscs

The orbits of charged particles in magnetodiscs are considered. The bounce motion is assumed adiabatic except for transits of a small equatorial region of weak magnetic field strength and high field curvature. Previous theory and modeling have shown that particles scatter randomly in pitch angle with each passage through the equator. A peaked distribution thus diffuses in pitch angle on the time scale of many bounces. It is argued in this paper that spatial diffusion is a further consequence when the magnetodisc has a longitudinal asymmetry. A general expression for DLL, the diffusion of equatorial crossing radii, is derived. DLL is evaluated explicitly for ions in Jupiter's 20-35 radii magnetodisc, assumed to be represented by Connerney et al.'s (1982) Voyager model plus a small image dipole asymmetry. Rates are energy, species, and space dependent but can average as much as a few tenths of a planetary radius per bounce period.
On the behavior of Ag nanowires under high temperature: in situ characterization by aberration-corrected STEM

Single crystal nanowires have been monitored at a wide range of temperatures from room temperature up to 900 °C using an aberration-corrected JEOL 2200FS scanning transmission electron microscope in both, bright field and high angle annular dark field, modes. The in situ measurements allowed heating and cooling the material instantaneously at the desired value making able to analyze the behaviour of silver nanowires at atomic resolution. The nanowires which firstly melted and subsequently vaporized left after the reaction empty carbon nanotubes. In addition, a Chevron-like defect has been also observed for the first time in silver nanowires and a structural analysis has been carried out by aberration corrected scanning transmission electron microscopy using high angle annular dark field imaging.
Computationally efficient FDTD simulation of open-region scattering problems on the Connection Machine CM-5

Presents a finite difference time domain (FDTD) code to solve large open-region scattering problems efficiently on the Connection Machine CM-5 massively parallel computer. The approach is to use the Yee algorithm along with the anechoic chamber absorbing material boundary condition. In past experience with the CM-5, the authors have found that other analytical boundary conditions such as the Liao absorbing boundary condition do not parallelize well due to necessary communication operations. The core FDTD operations, on the other hand, involve very little communication since the FDTD algorithm involves only nearest-neighbor interactions within the grid. The advantage to using an absorbing material boundary condition is that it requires only a modification of the material parameters at each node and does not require any additional communication. The benchmarks indicate that one can achieve 4.8 GFLOPS performance on a 256-node partition, a factor of 17.8 faster than the same algorithm running on a single processor of the Cray Y-MP. >
Development of High-Occupancy Vehicle Facilities: Review of National Trends

High-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes have existed for more than 30 years. As a congestion management strategy, HOV lanes have been widely applied in the United States to preserve mobility, maintain trip reliability, and improve the person-moving capability within a corridor or metropolitan area. Although there are many examples of successful HOV lanes that carry large numbers of commuters and buses, criticism has been levied toward HOV lanes in some metropolitan areas. A lack of information and data about the benefits of HOV lanes, the nationwide trend toward less carpool use, and the closure of two projects in New Jersey in 1998 have resulted in reassessment of the purpose, role, and benefits of HOV lanes by some metropolitan areas and agencies. This has led some to postulate that the HOV lane concept may no longer be viable. In response to these perceptions, available data are reviewed and some perspectives are provided on the recent past and possible future of HOV lanes, particularly the treatments applied on urban freeways that represent the majority of such applications. A summary of recent experiences, growth, type, and changes that have occurred with HOV lane operational policies is presented. Many of these trends have been influenced by federal legislation over the last 15 years, specifically the Clean Air Act and operational policies related to the development of HOV lanes as a congestion management strategy. Trends in future HOV lane development, based on the current roadway improvement plans of various states, are presented to provide a prospective for future policy and programming considerations.
SOME ORTHOPAEDIC PROBLEMS OF THE LOWER JAW, WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO UNILATERAL SHORTENING

1. Several conditions occurring in childhood may produce a unilateral shortening of the mandible, giving a deformity very similar in appearance to that found in ankylosis, but without limitation of motion of the jaw. Among these conditions are osteomyelitis and necrosis, fractures, and operative removal of a section of the mandible for tumor. 2. Marked improvement in function and appearance can be made by preliminary osteotomy or division of scar tissue to bring the chin forward and to the midline, followed by restoration of continuity by bone grafting. 3. The two most suitable forms of bone graft for the mandible are the osteoperiosteal graft from the tibia and the thick graft from the crest of the ilium.
Integration of 3-dimensional surgical and orthodontic technologies with orthognathic “surgery-first” approach in the management of unilateral condylar hyperplasia

Recent innovations in technology and techniques in both surgical and orthodontic fields can be integrated, especially when treating subjects with facial asymmetry. In this article, we present a treatment method consisting of 3-dimensional computer-aided surgical and orthodontic planning, which was implemented with the orthognathic surgery-first approach. Virtual surgical planning, fabrication of surgical splints using the computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing technique, and prediction of final orthodontic occlusion using virtual planning with robotically assisted customized archwires were integrated for this patient. Excellent esthetic and occlusal outcomes were obtained in a short period of 5.5 months.
Current rehabilitation strategy: clinical evidence for erection recovery after radical prostatectomy

Erectile function (EF) recovery remains a prominent functional outcome underachievement of radical prostatectomy (RP), despite the success of anatomic “nerve-sparing” technique and its recent refinements in the modern surgical era. Delayed (for as much as a few years) or incomplete (partial and unusable) EF recovery commonly occurs in many men still today undergoing this surgery. “Penile rehabilitation”, alternatively termed “EF rehabilitation”, originated formally as a therapeutic practice approximately 15 years ago for addressing post-RP erectile dysfunction (ED) beyond conventional ED management. Although the premise of this therapy is conceptually sound and generally accepted, in reference to the implementation of strategies for promoting EF recovery to a naturally functional level in the absence of erectile aids (distinct from the premise of conventional ED management), the optimal manner and efficacy of currently suggested therapeutic strategies are far less established. Such strategies include regimens of standard ED-specific therapies (e.g., oral, intracavernosal, and intraurethral pharmacotherapies; vacuum erection device therapy) and courses of innovative interventions (e.g., statins, erythropoietin, angiotensin receptor blockers). An endeavor in evolution, erection rehabilitation may ideally comprise an integrative program of sexual health management incorporating counseling, coaching, guidance toward general health optimization and application of demonstrably effective “rehabilitative” interventions. Ongoing intensive discovery and rigorous investigation are required to establish efficacy of therapeutic prospects that fulfill the intent of post-RP erection rehabilitation.
Effect of endocyclophotocoagulation on refractive outcomes in angle-closure eyes after phacoemulsification and posterior chamber intraocular lens implantation.

Purpose To compare postoperative refractive outcomes in angle-closure eyes having phacoemulsification and intraocular lens (IOL) implantation with or without endocyclophotocoagulation (ECP). Setting Single tertiary-level ophthalmology practice. Design Retrospective comparative study. Methods Primary angle-closure suspect (PACS), primary angle-closure (PAC), or primary angle-closure glaucoma (PACG) eyes that had phacoemulsification and IOL implantation with or without ECP from 2012 to 2014 were studied. Clinical data collected included axial length (AL), minimum and maximum keratometry (K) values, corneal powers, anterior chamber depth (ACD), corneal white-to-white (WTW), implanted IOL power, and postoperative manifest refraction. The Holladay 1 formula was used for IOL calculations. Primary and secondary outcome measures were the mean absolute error (MAE) and mean arithmetic error, respectively. Results Sixty-eight eyes with ECP and 71 eyes without ECP were included. There were no statistically significant differences between the 2 groups in age, sex, eye side, ethnicity, AL, minimum or maximum keratometry values, ACD, WTW, or implanted IOL power. The MAE was lower in the non-ECP group (0.47 ± 0.32D versus 0.62 ± 0.43D; P = .0285). The mean arithmetic error showed a more myopic result in the ECP group (−0.54 ± 0.53D versus −0.26 ± 0.52D; P = .0017). Conclusion In this study, patients with PACS, PAC, or PACG having phacoemulsification and IOL implantation with ECP had decreased predictability of the postoperative refraction and a small myopic shift compared with those without ECP. Financial Disclosure Dr. Ahmed is a consultant to Alcon, Advanced Medical Optics, Bausch & Lomb, and Carl Zeiss. None of the other authors has a proprietary or financial interest in any material or method mentioned.
Notes on Neotropical Vaccinieae (Ericaceae). III. New and noteworthy species from Mexico and Central America

Descriptions are given for five new taxa of Ericaceae-Cavendishia gentryi Luteyn,C. morii Luteyn,C. melastomoides var.coloradensis Luteyn,Gonocalyx almedae Luteyn, andEmpedoclesia stipitata Luteyn. Recently collected flowering material ofCavendishia pseudostenophylla Luteyn is also described.
Hypocholesterolemic Effect of Human Growth Hormone in Coronary-Prone (Type A) Hypercholesterolemic Subjects

SummaryThe administration of human growth hormone to four hypercholesterolemic, coronary prone (i.e., exhibiting Type A behavior pattern) subjects led to a significant fall in their average serum cholesterol level and a significant rise in their average serum triglyceride and prebeta lipoprotein levels. The glucose tolerance was impaired significantly but transiently during HGH treatment.
Effect of Chemical and Microbial Insecticides on Several Insect Pests of Lettuce in Southern California

Six experiments were conducted during 1959 and 1960 to evaluate and compare the toxicities of a variety of chemical and microbial insecticides to western flower thrips, Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande), green peach aphids, Myzus persicae (Sulzer), and larvae of the cabbage looper, Trichoplusia ni (Hubner), on lettuce, Most of the microbial dust preparations containing Bacillus thuringiensis Berliner var. thuringiensis provided effective control of the cabbage looper, including the large larvae which are very difficult to control with most chemicals, at application rates between 20 and 35 pounds of formulated material per acre. Sprays of B. thuringiensis were notably inferior to dusts. Of the chemical insecticides, Zectran® (4-dimethylamino-3,5-xylyl methylcarbamate) at 0.5 pound, Dibrom® (1,2-dibromo-2,2-dichloroethyl dimethyl phosphate), Guthion® ( O,O -dimethyl S -( 4-oxo-1,2,3-benzotriazin-3-(4 H )-ylmethyl) phosphorodithioate), and American Cyanamid 24055 (1,1-dimethyl-3-( p -acetamidophenyl)triazene) at approximately 1 pound, and DDT+toxaphene at 1.9+5.6 pounds per acre gave fair to good control of cabbage looper larvae. Repeated applications of parathion at 1 pound and DDT+toxaphene at 1.5+3 pounds per acre provided excellent control of green peach aphids and western flower thrips. In addition, single applications of Zectran at 0.5 pound and Dibrom, Dylox® ( O,O -dimethyl 2,2,2-trichloro-1-hydroxyethyl phosphonate), Guthion, malathion, and ronnel at approximately 1 pound per acre suppressed populations of the western flower thrips.
Combining proton and electron transfer to modulate the stability of cucurbit[7]uril complexes.

(Ferrocenylmethyl)methylammonium (1H+) is an excellent cationic guest for inclusion complexation by the cucurbit[7]uril host. However, deprotonation of the guest leads to a decrease of 14.8 kJ mol–1 in the overall stability of its inclusion complex, and one-electron oxidation of the guest’s ferrocene residue further diminishes the complex stability by another 12.3 kJ mol–1. Overall, guest deprotonation followed by its oxidation constitutes an accessible method to lower the equilibrium association constant for the CB7·1H+ complex by more than 4 orders of magnitude.
Candidate Lasserre Integrality Gap For Unique Games.

We propose a candidate Lasserre integrality gap construction for the Unique Games problem. Our construction is based on a suggestion in [27] wherein the authors study the complexity of approximately solving a system of linear equations over reals and suggest it as an avenue towards a (positive) resolution of the Unique Games Conjecture. We use a new encoding scheme that we call the real code. The real code has two useful properties: like the long code, it has a unique local test, and like the Hadamard code, it has the so-called sub-code covering property. This write-up represents a part of a work in progress.
Glomerular hemodynamics and alpha 2-adrenoreceptor stimulation: the role of renal nerves

We evaluated the effects of alpha 2-adrenoceptor stimulation on the determinants of nephron filtration rate (SNGFR) using micropuncture in Munich-Wistar rats. Micropuncture was performed in animals 5-7 days after sham surgery (group 1) or renal denervation (DNX) (groups 2, 3, and 4). Glomerular hemodynamic measurements were made before and during a systemic infusion of the alpha 2-agonist, B-HT 933 (1.0 mg.kg-1.h-1) (groups 1, 2, and 3). Group 3 rats were pretreated with the alpha 2-antagonist, yohimbine (3 mg.kg-1.h-1). In group 4, hydralazine was substituted for B-HT 933 to dissociate specific alpha 2-effects from nonspecific effects on blood pressure. Arterial pressure declined by similar amounts between experimental periods in groups 1, 2, and 4. In group 1, B-HT 933 caused SNGFR to increase due to an increment in nephron plasma flow. In group 2, B-HT 933 caused SNGFR to decrease due to a decrement in glomerular ultrafiltration coefficient (LpA). In groups 3 and 4, SNGFR was unaffected by B-HT 933 or hydralazine. Ligand-binding studies in glomerular membranes documented the presence of alpha 2-adrenoreceptors (275 +/- 22 fmol/mg protein). Receptor density was not altered by DNX. These observations could be explained by an alpha 2-mediated inhibition of renal nerve activity combined with intrinsic sympathomimetic effects not dependent on renal nerves, with the latter effects unmasked by DNX and manifested by a decrease in LpA.
Single-Point and Multi-Point Water-Sorption Methods for Specific Surface Areas of Clay

A single-point water-vapor-sorption method for measuring specific surface area (SSA) from simplified Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) analysis is evaluated for application to natural clayey soils. The approach is predicated on the constraint that the BET C parameter related to surface hydration energy be a relatively large value. Water-vapor-sorption isotherms are obtained for 20 clayey soils along adsorption and subsequent desorption paths between 3 % relative humidity (RH) and 95 % RH. Surface areas calculated using the single-point method at 30 % RH are compared with values from conventional multi-point BET analysis. The average difference between single-point and multi-point SSA values is within 10 %. Correction factors are proposed based on measured BET C values for the suite of soils, and are shown to reduce differences between single-point and multi-point SSA to within 3 %. A simple and inexpensive method involving equilibration of specimens in closed chambers containing saturated MgCl2 solution is proposed and demonstrated.
Approaching the Cross: George Herbert and R. S. Thomas

George Herbert and R. S. Thomas reveal similar understandings of the cross as a Christian emblem. Both observe its ubiquity in nature and acknowledge their reliance on the cross as a source of comf...
The Community Champions Program at the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing

The Community Champions program at the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing provides motivated nursing students with opportunities to partner with the greater Philadelphia community and engage in hands-on learning. With several thriving initiatives, students participate in service learning outside of the classroom, which ultimately strengthens their nursing and leadership skills. Students work to improve health and health education for people of all ages. These experiences help nursing students better understand the social determinants of health and how they impact community members. Dedicated faculty members assist in guiding the students, who work collaboratively to exchange ideas and methods. This program not only has an effect on the community, but also has a profound impact on the students that participate.
What are the Barriers to and What is OK for an Exercise Study

Despite growing evidence supporting the safety of physical activity during pregnancy and possible benefits, there are many women who do not stay active or become active during pregnancy. There are many reasons women do not participating in activity during gestation. Understanding these reasons is important for health-care providers who should be encouraging women to stay active while pregnant. Furthermore, it is important for providers to understand what motivates pregnant women to change their behavior. In order to effectively intervene regarding activity and pregnancy, providers must know the current guidelines regarding safe practices for exercising while pregnant. Current recommendations for aerobic and strength training are provided. Considering the potential gains for mother and child, it is imperative for pregnant women to know and understand what activities can be done during pregnancy and how it affects pregnancy outcomes.
Diffraction Studies of Molecular Organization and Membrane Interactions in Myelin

The myelin sheath derives from the spiral infolding about the axon of a membrane-bound, glial cell process. The major part of the sheath consists of closely packed membrane pairs separated by narrow fluid spaces. The periodic nature of this membrane array makes myelin well suited for examination of its molecular organization by diffraction techniques. Diffraction provides a means of monitoring the separation between membranes and of analyzing the forces and interactions between them. This method, which is nonperturbing, is uniquely suited to analyzing myelin structure and stability in physiologically intact tissue, even in the living animal. X-ray and neutron diffraction results on myelin can be correlated with its chemical composition, its structure as seen by electron microscopy (EM), and its responses to nerve conduction and to physical-chemical treatments. This correlation has led to a description of the average distribution of lipid, protein, and water in the membrane array and to the localization of specific proteins and lipids within the myelin membrane bilayer. It has also led to an understanding of the role of ions in membrane-membrane interactions in myelin and the possible involvement of these ions in nerve conduction.
The Oxidation of Aldehydes by Horse Liver Alcohol Dehydrogenase

A lag phase in the spectrophotometric assay progress curve of aldehyde oxidation by HLADH was observed and characterised.
Estimating Divisional Cost of Capital for Insurance Companies

In a competitive market, what should the rate of return on insurance companies’ equity be? What premiums should insurance companies charge? Traditionally, the answers to these questions have been based on actuarial and accounting concepts.1 More recently financial models of the insurance firm have been developed. Ferrari (1968) suggested a descriptive model which allowed an algebraic expression for the rate of return on equity as a function of the premiums charged to be derived. Combining this with the capital asset pricing model (CAPM) meant that an equilibrium value for the return on equity and the corresponding level of premiums could be found. This model is known as the insurance CAPM.2 The development of other asset pricing models in finance has also led to insurance counterparts. Thus the Arbitrage Pricing Theory, and option pricing models have been used to derive the return on equity and the level of premiums.3 Although the approaches based on asset pricing models have advantages compared to those based on traditional actuarial and accounting concepts, they are not ideal. One of the most important problems is that they are not well suited for finding premiums when an insurance company has multiple divisions. The difficulty is that it is not clear how earnings on reserves should be allocated among the various divisions of the firm.
Buriat Syllable Weight and Head Prominence

In this paper I examine the relation between syllable structure and weight in Buriat. In general, syllables which have maximal constituency are heavy. However, I argue here that in some cases a syllable may have maximal constituency without being heavy. I will show that Buriat syllables generally conform to a typology in which only vowels contribute weight and a CVVC syllable form is maximal, as it has the maximal two moras as well as a maximal onset and coda. Yet one case appears to be the exception to this generalization. (C)Vηg is the only syllable form in Buriat with a final consonant cluster ( η represents a velar nasal stop here and in subsequent transcription). Furthermore, it has two apparently conflicting properties, namely that it is maximal in its constituency, so CVV ηg is not possible, yet it patterns as light with respect to stress. In a derivational framework, these facts appear to require the elaborated nuclear moraic model of syllable structure proposed by Shaw (1992, 1993). However, I will demonstrate that this patterning can in fact be explained with a simpler moraic constituent structure for syllables in an optimality theoretic framework, where constraints are conceived of as violable (see Prince & Smolensky 1993, McCarthy & Prince 1993a, b). In this discussion I propose a violable constraint penalizing branching constituency in moras. I argue that this constraint in combination with standard syllable structure constraints and the independently motivated notion of head prominence can predict precisely the set of Buriat syllable forms and their patterning with respect to weight without requiring the nuclear moraic model. Concluding discussion shows that the analysis proposed here has interesting implications for both maximal constituency effects and moraic domination of coda consonants. The organization of this paper is as follows. In section 1 I describe the Buriat syllable typology and the apparent paradox presented by the (C)V ηg syllable form and then outline the generalizations that may be drawn concerning Buriat syllable structure. In section 2 I show that although it appears that a nuclear moraic structure is necessary to account for the patterning of Buriat (C)V ηg syllables in a derivational framework, a simpler structure without the nuclear moraic structure approach is sufficient in an optimality theoretic analysis. Section 3 presents the concluding discussion.
Using Machine Learning-Based Multianalyte Delta Checks to Detect Wrong Blood in Tube Errors.

Objectives An unfortunate reality of laboratory medicine is that blood specimens collected from one patient occasionally get mislabeled with identifiers from a different patient, resulting in so-called "wrong blood in tube" (WBIT) errors and potential patient harm. Here, we sought to develop a machine learning-based, multianalyte delta check algorithm to detect WBIT errors and mitigate patient harm. Methods We simulated WBIT errors within sets of routine inpatient chemistry test results to develop, train, and evaluate five machine learning-based WBIT detection algorithms. Results The best-performing WBIT detection algorithm we developed was based on a support vector machine and incorporated changes in test results between consecutive collections across 11 analytes. This algorithm achieved an area under the curve of 0.97 and considerably outperformed traditional single-analyte delta checks. Conclusions Machine learning-based multianalyte delta checks may offer a practical strategy to identify WBIT errors prior to test reporting and improve patient safety.
Tamm Review: Reforestation for resilience in dry western U.S. forests

The increasing frequency and severity of fire and drought events have negatively impacted the capacity and success of reforestation efforts in many dry, western U.S. forests. Challenges to reforestation include the cost and safety concerns of replanting large areas of standing dead trees, and high seedling and sapling mortality rates due to water stress, competing vegetation, and repeat fires that burn young plantations. Standard reforestation practices have emphasized establishing dense conifer cover with gridded planting, sometimes called ‘pines in lines’ followed by shrub control and pre-commercial thinning. Resources for such intensive management are increasingly limited, reducing the capacity for young plantations to develop early resilience to fire and drought. This paper summarizes recent research on the conditions under which current standard reforestation practices in the western U.S. may need adjustment, and suggests how these practices might be modified to improve their success. In particular we examine where and when plantations with regular tree spacing elevate the risk of future mortality, and how planting density, spatial arrangement, and species composition might be modified to increase seedling and sapling survival through recurring drought and fire events. Within large areas of contiguous mortality, we suggest a “three zone” approach to reforestation following a major disturbance that includes; (a) working with natural recruitment within a peripheral zone near live tree seed sources; (b) in a second zone, beyond effective seed dispersal range but in accessible areas, planting a combination of clustered and regularly spaced seedlings that varies with microsite water availability and potential fire behavior; and (c) a final zone defined by remote, steep terrain that in practice limits reforestation efforts to the establishment of founder stands. We also emphasize the early use of prescribed fire to build resilience in developing stands subject to increasingly common wildfires and drought events. Finally, we highlight limits to our current understanding of how young stands may respond and develop under these proposed planting and silvicultural practices, and identify areas where new research could help refine them.
Capacitance-based stress self-sensing in cement paste without requiring any admixture

Abstract This work reports capacitance-based stress self-sensing in cement paste without requiring any particular admixture (whatever type). The in-plane capacitance is measured between two coplanar electrodes (aluminum foil) adhered to the cement slab by double-sided adhesive tape. The capacitance decreases with increasing normal stress, whether the stress is purely compressive or flexural compressive, due to piezoelectricity. The capacitance decrease is completely reversible in the low-stress regime (normal stress up to 19 kPa), and partially reversible above this stress. The minimum normal stress change detected is 0.2 kPa, which, in case of flexure, corresponds to a flexural stress change of 8.5 kPa. The change in capacitance per unit normal stress change is up to 0.061 and 0.101 pF/kPa for purely compressive and flexural compressive loading, respectively; the value is higher in the low-stress regime, which gives superior linearity and reversibility. Low-stress sensing is relevant to pedestrian monitoring and room occupancy monitoring.
Functional independence after acquired brain injury: Prospective effects of health self-efficacy and cognitive impairment.

OBJECTIVE To examine how health self-efficacy and cognitive impairment severity relate to functional independence after acquired brain injury (ABI). DESIGN Observational. SETTING Outpatient rehabilitation hospital. PARTICIPANTS Seventy-five adults with predominately stroke or traumatic brain injury who were beginning a course of occupational therapy. MAIN MEASURES Health self-efficacy was assessed with the Self-Rated Abilities for Health Practices. Cognitive functioning was assessed via a composite z score of neuropsychological tests. Trait affectivity was assessed with the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule. Functional independence was assessed with the Barthel Index and Lawton Instrumental Activities of Daily Living Scale. RESULTS Health self-efficacy correlated moderately with functional independence. A moderation threshold effect was detected that revealed for whom health self-efficacy predicted functional independence. Among participants with normal to mildly impaired cognition (>-2 z cognitive composite), health self-efficacy correlated positively with functional independence, which held after accounting for trait affectivity. In contrast, health self-efficacy was not correlated with functional independence among participants with greater impairment (<-2 z cognitive composite). CONCLUSIONS Health self-efficacy predicts functional independence and may serve as a protective factor after ABI among individuals with relatively intact cognition. However, health self-efficacy does not predict functional independence among individuals with moderate or severe cognitive impairment, possibly due to limited self-awareness. This study extends the literature linking health self-efficacy with rehabilitation outcomes and reinforces the need for promoting self-management in ABI. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2018 APA, all rights reserved).
Positive psychology, the classification of character strengths and virtues, and issues of measurement

This essay raises concerns about positive psychology’s classification of character strengths and virtues and issues of measurement. Part I examines the process whereby the classification was compil...
Aortic Insufficiency during LVAD Support: A Mock Loop Study

Purpose Aortic valve (AoV) insufficiency (AI) is a serious complication in more than 20% of Left Ventricle Assist Device (LVAD) patients within 12 months of LVAD implantation. Normal AoV have developed AI following long-term LVAD support,which has been associated with a significant reduction in LVAD patient survival. During LVAD support, the AoV pressure difference is increased, which reduces systolic opening and worsens regurgitant flow through an incompetent valve. The goal of this study was to measure the effect of LVAD support on intraventricular flow during AI. Methods The velocity field was measured in the midplane of a dilated silicone LV model attached to a rotary LVAD (Abbott Labs, Chicago IL) in a mock circulatory loop. A Pre-LVAD without AI condition (BL) of 20% ejection fraction was established, followed by testing at three LVAD speeds. AI was created with a small 3-D printed stent which was nonobstructive to forward flow but prevented the leaflets from fully closing. LV and aortic pressure, and LVAD and distal aortic flow, were recorded. Results At the Pre-LVAD BL condition, the mean aortic pressure was 63 mmHg and the cardiac output was 2.3 L/min; AI maintained a similar pressure but reduced flow to 1.8 L/min producing a 32% regurgitant fraction (mild-moderate AI). At an LVAD speed of 6400rpm, total systemic flow was 4.3 L/min and 3.1 L/min for BL and AI, respectively, and LVAD flow was 4.2 and 3.6 L/min, producing a 45% regurgitant fraction (moderate-severe AI). The reduction of systemic flow was accompanied by higher LVAD flow, confirming that a regurgitant loop was present. Net forward flow through AoV during BL decreased progressively by 23%, 12% and 0.5% for 4800, 5400, and 6400rpm respectively. AI reduced forward flow and increased backward flow, such that net forward flow was 0.5%, -14%, and -17% at 4800, 5400 and 6400rpm. The AI vena contracta width increased from 2.3 to 3.4 mm as LVAD speed increased. Conclusion Overall, the results showed that an initially mild level of AI worsened with LVAD support prior to any remodeling, simply due to the altered biomechanics of the AoV. These findings provide a foundation for new strategies that can restore AoV biomechanics and reduce the impact of AI on patients with LVAD support.
A Front Row Seat: Sala Udin Remembers August Wilson

Lifelong friend of August Wilson, Sala Udin, shares his memories of knowing the playwright from their childhood in the Hill District until the dramatist's death in 2005. Written as a narrative, Udin's account of his friendship with August Wilson offers a unique glimpse into Wilson's development as a writer and a poignant look into the playwright's affection for his hometown of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Editorial: How badly do we undercount chronic maltreatment, and how much should clinicians care?

Child maltreatment is both common1-4 and costly5,6 for children, communities, and society. Recent estimates suggest that roughly 1 in 8 American children will experience confirmed maltreatment,4 and the average lifetime cost per maltreatment victim is in excess of $210,000.5 This is the farthest thing from news for those who work in the child welfare system. But for those of us-whether adolescent and child psychiatrists, demographers, criminologists, or economists-who have an interest in marginalized children but are less "in the weeds" of the child welfare system, both the cost and the scope of maltreatment in the United States is jarring.
Outcomes of Liver Transplantation in Patients on Renal Replacement Therapy: Considerations for Simultaneous Liver Kidney Transplantation Versus Safety Net.

As the liver transplant (LT) waiting list continues to outpace organ availability, many patients require renal replacement therapy (RRT) before LT. It is unclear which patients will benefit from simultaneous liver kidney (SLK) transplant as opposed to awaiting a Safety Net kidney transplant (KT) post-LT. Methods In this study, a retrospective analysis of the United Network for Organ Sharing dataset was performed to identify risk factors associated with poor outcome for patients on RRT before LT who were listed for SLK and received either SLK vs LT alone (LTA). Results Between January 2003 and December 2016, 8971 adult LT recipients were on RRT at the time of LT. 5359 were listed for and received LTA (Group 1). Of 3612 patients listed for SLK, 3414 (38.1%) received SLK (Group 2) and 198 (2.2%) received LTA (Group 3). Overall, Group 3 had lower graft and patient survival post-LT when compared with Groups 1 and 2 (P 60 (P 90 days; P = 0.001) were associated with lower patient survival in Group 3. Conclusions Among LT recipients on RRT before LT who were listed for SLK, RRT >90 days, and age >60 were associated with poor outcome following LTA. This suggests that programs should carefully weigh the decision to proceed with LTA vs waiting for SLK in this patient population. Future access to Safety Net KT will be an important consideration for these patients moving forward.