cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Time for “The Talk” . . . Now What? Autonomy Support and Structure in Mother-Daughter Conversations About Sex:

This study explored how mothers communicated with their young adolescent daughters about the high-stakes topic of sex, as well as more everyday topics, from a Self-Determination Theory perspective. Mothers and their 11- to 14-year-old daughters (44 dyads) participated in two conversations and reported on their experiences. In the everyday conversation, maternal autonomy support was positively related to daughters’ experience, engagement, and desire for additional conversations. In the sex conversation, maternal structure was positively associated with daughters’ engagement, experience, and desire for additional conversations. Mothers were less autonomy supportive in conversations about sex, as compared to everyday topics. Maternal perceptions of threat were associated with less autonomy support in both conversations and worry during the conversation was negatively associated with autonomy support in the everyday conversation, and with structure in the sex conversation. Implications for intervention are di...
Characterization of Carotid Artery Plaques Using Real-Time Compound B-Mode Ultrasound

The authors investigated the value of real-time compound ultrasound imaging for improving the image quality of B-mode scanning. The study cohort comprised 32 patients in whom plaques of the internal carotid artery had been identified by high-resolution B-mode scanning. Real-time compound ultrasound imaging was used to investigate the plaques, which were rated by two independent observers according to a standardized protocol. The observers classified most of the plaques as echogenic and with irregular surfaces. Agreement was similar for both compound ultrasound and conventional B-mode. Real-time compound ultrasound was rated superior in the categories of plaque texture, plaque surface definition and vessel wall demarcation. The authors concluded that real-time compound ultrasound showed good agreement with high-resolution B-mode imaging and is a useful technique for the characterization of atherosclerotic plaques.
Disentangling the effects of race/ethnicity and socioeconomic status of neighborhood in cancer stage distribution in New York City

Stage at diagnosis is an important prognostic factor for the majority of cancers; it may be an indicator for quality of access to health care and is usually correlated with socioeconomic status (SES) and ethnicity/race. We aimed to investigate the association between stage of cancer at diagnosis with neighborhood of residence (as proxy for SES) and ethnicity/race, while controlling for each other, in selected areas of New York City (NYC). The cancer summary data (1999–2008) were provided by the New York State Cancer Registry. Multinomial logistic regression models were applied to calculate risk estimates for being diagnosed with late- or unknown-stage (versus early-stage) cancers in two low-SES and two high-SES neighborhoods of NYC and among several ethnic/racial groups for all cancers combined and cancers of the female breast, lung, colorectum, and prostate, with additional adjustments for sex (for all cancers combined), age, and year of diagnosis. A total of 34,981 cancer cases were included in this study. There were significant and independent ethnic/racial and neighborhood disparities in stage of cancer at diagnosis of most of the cancers studied. The effect of ethnicity/race on the disparity appeared stronger than the effect of neighborhood. There was an overall decreasing trend in the proportion of late-stage cancers, particularly for colorectal cancer, and to a greater extent in the proportion of cancers without staging information. In this population, ethnicity/race seems to be a stronger predictor for late stage at diagnosis than SES, stressing the need for ethnicity/race-oriented programs for cancer screening and improved access to care.
THE GENERIC NATURE OF PEDAGOGICAL CONTENT KNOWLEDGE AMONG COLLEGE PROFESSORS

Abstract There is a growing body of research on teachers' pedagogical content knowledge (PCK), yet most of it has focused on subject-matter-bounded (specific) PCK and involves teachers in the general classroom (elementary and secondary grades). This study explorers the kinds of interpretative frameworks that university professors use in constructing and implementing PCK. The basic purpose of this study was to better understand the “generic” nature of PCK among exceptional university-level teachers. It analyzes generic PCK in professors across several fields (biology, business, education, kinesiology, music, nursing, special education, and speech communication). Data were obtained from phenomenological interviews with 10 university professors, all of them experienced teachers and recognized by their peers and administrators as eminent. The results emerged from qualitative analysis of the data, and indicate that these professors not only construct and use generic PCK in very similar ways but also that they apply generic PCK in ways that reflect Rubin's (1989) notion of “pedagogical intelligence” and Porter and Brophy's (1988) insights on good teaching. Five generic PCK components emerged: knowledge about (a) the subject matter, (b) the students, (c) numerous instructional strategies, (d) the teaching context, and (e) one's teaching purposes. In addition, the results problematize the traditional “scholar-teacher” dichotomy in higher education.
A Collaborative Approach to Targeted Treatment Development for Schizophrenia: A Qualitative Evaluation of the NIMH-MATRICS Project

INTRODUCTION In 2002, the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) initiated a multistakeholder research process designed to stimulate the development and evaluation of medications targeting the cognitive deficits associated with schizophrenia. The first phase, Measurement and Treatment Research to Improve Cognition in Schizophrenia (MATRICS), sought consensus on laboratory measures for cognition, clinical trial outcome measures, and drug registration requirements. MATRICS constitutes a unique drug development model because it targeted a specific endophenotype of schizophrenia and because it engaged academic, industry, and government stakeholders in a consensus-oriented process. This study offers a preliminary qualitative evaluation of the NIMH-MATRICS project. METHOD Interview data are used to describe how MATRICS participants regard 3 aspects of the development of cognitive medications: the definition of the treatment target, stakeholders' role in the early development process, and anticipated dissemination complexities. RESULTS MATRICS participants describe the treatment target in highly varied ways and envision a wide range of public health benefits. MATRICS is perceived as inclusive, despite minimal representation from some end users. According to informants, clinical detection, documentation, and monitoring of cognition and functioning may prove problematic. More thoroughly than non-industry-employed informants, industry-employed MATRICS participants articulate strategies by which treatments can be integrated into clinical practice. DISCUSSION The MATRICS process did not produce a clinical concept of cognitive impairment in schizophrenia, and significant challenges remain to be addressed regarding the rational clinical use of novel pharmaceuticals for cognition. Broader inclusion of end users in translational science projects may streamline implementation and facilitate improvements in real-world outcomes.
Cost/performance perspectives of paging with electronic and electromechanical backing stores

An analysis is made of the cost/performance effectiveness of virtual memory systems employing paging disks or drums and those employing electronic backing stores such as charge coupled devices (CCD), MOS shift registers, or bubbles. The analysis is based on a multiprogrammed job stream and a simplified queuing model employing page-fault rates suitable for a variety of multiprogrammed environments. Smaller memory systems and single job programming are also considered. It is shown that memory access plus page transfer time is a critical parameter, in addition to cost. Curves are generated for a variety of job environments in which the cost/performance effectiveness of two-level memory hierarchies employing electronic backing stores is compared to that of systems employing paging drums. Competitive prices per bit are determined for a number of system environments. The analysis clearly demonstrates that in many problem environments, the electronic backing store will replace the traditional paging drum or disk if the cost per bit is significanfly less than the main memory cost per bit as projected. Disk and tape memories can be expected to continue as the dominant memories for bulk storage in the near future because of their already small and diminishing costs per bit.
Dietary Amino Acid Responses of Broiler Chickens

SUMMARY In commercial practice, formulating diets to adequate amino acid (AA) minimums is critical to optimize live production and meat yield of broiler chickens. The modern broiler has lower feed intake per unit BW gain and also has the potential to accrete more white meat than the commercial broiler of previous decades. Broilers consuming less feed per unit of gain have led to formulating higher AA density diets in commercial production for improved performance and meat yield. This manuscript reviews current literature in dietary AA density. In addition, it provides estimates of consumption and dietary percentages of critical AA needed to optimize growth and meat yield calculated from published research.
Geographic disparities in Healthy Eating Index scores (HEI–2005 and 2010) by residential property values: Findings from Seattle Obesity Study (SOS)

Background Higher socioeconomic status (SES) has been linked with higher-quality diets. New GIS methods allow for geographic mapping of diet quality at a very granular level.
Virtuous Financial Crises? Empirical Evidence on the Medium-Term Effects of Banking Crises on Productivity Growth

This paper aims to shed light on the medium term effects of banking crises on productivity growth, bringing the 'creative destruction' hypothesis to the data. The analysis is done at both the macro and micro levels. At the macro level, I study the differences in mean productivity growth before and after a crisis using data on aggregate productivity for a sample of 77 systemic banking crises. I find that during the subsequent seven years after a crisis productivity grows, on average, faster than during the seven years before the crisis. At the micro level, I exploit the differences in external finance dependence across twenty one economic sectors and find that sectors that rely more on external finance exhibit, on average, comparatively faster productivity growth in the seven years following a crisis. Overall, the results indicate medium term faster productivity growth after crises, in line with the creative destruction hypothesis.
SHIFT: A Formalism and a Programming Language for Dynamic Networks of Hybrid Automata

SHIFT is a programming language for the specification and simulation of dynamic networks of hybrid automata. Such systems consist of components which can be created, interconnected and destroyed as the system evolves. Components exhibit hybrid behavior, consisting of continuous-time phases separated by discrete-event transitions. Components may evolve independently, or they may interact through their inputs, outputs and exported events. The interaction network itself may evolve.
First-Year Density and Growth as They Relate to Recruitment of White Perch to the Adult Stock in Oneida Lake, New York, 1968–2011

AbstractRecruitment of fish to the adult stock is often determined early in life, and identifying relationships between first-year abundance and subsequent recruitment has significant implications for monitoring and management. Despite the importance of White Perch Morone americana as both predator and prey in systems where they are abundant, relatively little has been published on their early life history, and their recruitment patterns are generally not well understood. We use data over a period of 44 years to investigate factors related to first-year density and growth of White Perch and their recruitment to the adult stock in Oneida Lake, New York. Simple linear regression was used to examine the relationships between select physical and biological factors and first-year density and growth of White Perch estimated from Miller high-speed sampler and trawl surveys and estimates of year-class recruitment to the adult stock determined from gill-net surveys. Akaike's information criterion corrected for sma...
Estimating the elasticities of gasoline demand: an instrumental variable approach

ABSTRACTThis article uses a new identification strategy to estimate the demand for gasoline. I show that the monthly gasoline price is endogenous to gasoline demand at the state level, and that gasoline tax and domestic oil first purchasing price together are strong and valid instruments to correct for the endogeneity bias. In addition to estimating the price elasticity, this article also provides an estimate of the income elasticity. These updated estimates are critical factors in evaluating the environmental effect of gasoline tax and forecasting gasoline consumption.
Design of positioning and monitoring system for coal mine based on Internet of things technology

Aiming at current coal mine accidents,to realize safety management of coal mine,an underground wireless positioning and intelligent monitoring system which based on radio frequency identification(RFID)technology,gas sensor and Zig Bee wireless communication technology is designed.This system uses wireless sensor networks(WSNs) technology,wireless communication technology,combines control center database,realizes real-time tracking and positioning of miner,gas concentration real-time monitoring and alarming,personnel SOS,alarming when entering danger zone and control center issues emergency evacuation signal and other functions,which greatly strengthen security of miners and real-time management of coal mine.
Hypercalcemia complicating immobilization in the treatment of fractures. A case report.

Hypercalcemia of acute bone atrophy is a rare metabolic disorder, most common in adolescence, following immobilization. The symptoms involve almost every organ system, making the diagnosis difficult, not only because of the rarity of the syndrome but also because of the protean nature of the symptoms. Treatment consists in decreasing calcium ingestion, decreasing calcium absorption, promoting calcium diuresis, and preventing liberation of calcium from the skeletal system. A low-calcium diet, the temporary use of corticosteroid drugs, adequate parenteral fluids, and mobilization of the patient are all measures useful to accomplish this end. Parathyroid exploration is unnecessary. Although diagnosis may be difficult, adequate treatment, once instituted, is effective.
Electroosmotic Flow Rectification in Membranes with Asymmetrically Shaped Pores: Effects of Current and Pore Density

We have recently demonstrated a new electrokinetic phenomenon—electroosmotic flow rectification in membranes with asymmetrically shaped pores. Flow rectification means that at constant driving force the flow rate in one direction through the membrane is faster than the flow rate in the opposite direction. EOF rectification could be of practical use in microfluidic devices incorporating porous membranes, but additional research is required. We explore here the effects of two key experimental variables—current density used to drive flow through the membrane and membrane pore density—on EOF rectification. We have found that the extent of EOF rectification, as quantified by the rectification ratio, increases with increasing current density. In contrast, the rectification ratio decreases with increasing membrane pore density. We propose explanations for these results based on simple EOF and membrane-transport theories.
Correlation: Volcanic Ash, Obsidian

The chemical composition of natural glasses, particularly obsidians and shards in tephra deposits, has proven useful in archaeological studies. Chemical analyses have allowed identification of source locations of obsidians, correlation between widely separated archaeological sites, and direct determination of ages of some sites. Even though natural glasses span a range of compositions, most obsidians are rich in silica, as are most widespread ash layers, and are commonly referred to as rhyolites and trachytes or their peralkaline equivalents. Many analytical techniques have been used to establish the composition of natural glasses, but only electron microprobe, X-ray fluorescence, and laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry are emphasized here. While obsidians are normally unimodal (homogeneous) in composition, glass particles in tephra deposits may be unimodal, bimodal, and polymodal, and for some elements may vary continuously between fixed limits. Elimination of poor (or explainably aberrant) analyses followed by division into modes is essential to optimize use of compositional information for correlation, which is always permissive and commonly accomplished using various statistical measures. Even so, glasses in correlative tephra layers may differ in composition, particularly in alkali metals, principally as a result of post-eruption loss of these elements for which there is still no general method of recalculation to estimate their original content.
Young Lords Party

Originally the New York branch of a Chicago gang that took up radical politics, the Young Lords Party (ylp) evolved into a Puerto Rican revolutionary nationalist group with branches in New York City; Newark, New Jersey; Philadelphia; and Connecticut. The ylpresembled the Black Panther Party in its community service programs and paramilitary style, and its Thirteen Point Program was clearly modeled on the Panthers’ Ten-Point Program. The Young Lords’ pride in being Puerto Rican and their willingness to defy the police won them support in el barrio, Puerto Rican urban neighborhoods. Unlike the Black Panthers, however, the Young Lords had a notable commitment to women’s liberation. After 1972, the ylpmerged into the New Communist Movement, becoming the Puerto Rican Revolutionary Workers Organization, and declined rapidly.
Plasmids in Streptococci: A Review

The genus Streptococcus contains several clinically, industrially and ecologically important species, and many relevant properties resemble, phenotypically, similar traits known to be associated with plasmids among members of other bacterial genera. Studies on the contributions of plasmids to the virulence and metabolic versatility of the streptococci have, however, only recently begun. The purpose of this review is two-fold: 1) to highlight some of the major developments in the field of streptococcal plasmid biology over the past eight years, and 2) to present data relevant to areas of current activity in the field.
Electrodeposition of Ni/Ni(OH)2 Catalytic Films for the Hydrogen Evolution Reaction Produced by using Cyclic Voltammetry

Effective artificial photosynthesis to produce hydrogen from water requires active, earth-abundant and low-cost electrocatalysts. In this communication, we present a novel electrodeposition method to produce Ni/Ni(OH)2 catalytic films in situ on conductive surfaces. The new method involves two cycles of cyclic voltammetry, and produces a catalytic film with a surface morphology consisting of a monolayer of firmly packed walnut-shaped particles. It has superior catalytic activity compared to catalysts produced by traditional electrodeposition methods under constant current density. The method is a simpler and more cost-effective way to fabricate highly-effective hydrogen evolution electrocatalysts, creating large numbers of Ni(OH)2/Ni interfaces that shift the catalyst's performance significantly towards that of platinum.
Enzymatic incorporation and utilization of an emissive 6-azauridine

To display favorable fluorescent properties, the non-emissive native nucleosides need to be modified. Here we present a motif that relies on conjugating 5-membered aromatic heterocycles (e.g., thiophene) to a 6-azapyrimidine (1,2,4-triazine) core. Synthetic accessibility and desirable photophysical properties make these nucleosides attractive candidates for enzymatic incorporation and biochemical assays. While 6-azauridine triphosphate is known to be poorly tolerated by polymerases in RNA synthesis, we illustrate that conjugating a thiophene ring at position 5 overcomes such limitations, facilitating its T7 RNA polymerase-mediated in vitro transcription incorporation into RNA constructs. We further show that the modified transcripts can be ligated to longer oligonucleotides to form singly modified RNAs, as illustrated for an A-site hairpin model RNA construct, which was employed to visualize aminoglycoside antibiotics binding.
Boltzmann Transport: Beyond the Drift–Diffusion Model

This chapter discusses a more sophisticated charge transport model based on the BTE. It derives this equation from conservation principles, and then uses it to deduce the generalized moment equation (or the hydrodynamic balance equation) which governs charge transport in the presence of both local and nonlocal effects. The steady-state drift–diffusion equations of Chap. 1 are shown to be special cases of the last equation. Two methods of solving the BTE—the relaxation time approximation and the Monte Carlo (MC) simulation method—are discussed and some analytical results are obtained from the relaxation time approximation. This chapter also discusses linear response transport or ohmic conduction and finds an expression for the linear response conductivity. It then distinguishes chemical potential from electrostatic potential inside a device and discusses a few important thermodynamic concepts pertinent to charge transport. Overall, the purpose of this chapter is to provide a sound basis for understanding both linear and nonlinear (or hot-carrier) transport in solids.
2D maneuverable robotic fish propelled by multiple ionic polymer–metal composite artificial fins

Bio-inspired robotic fish are proving to be promising underwater vehicles whose high propulsion efficiency, stealth, and compact size make them suitable for remote sensing missions in intelligence collection, environmental monitoring, and fishing agriculture. In this research, a two-dimensional (2D), maneuverable, bio-inspired robotic fish propelled by multiple ionic polymer-metal composite artificial fins was developed. The movement of this fish, equipped with one caudal fin and two pectoral fins, was then modeled by a nonlinear dynamic model for design and control purposes. Experiments were conducted to verify the model’s capabilities of characterizing the robotic fish’s 2D movement. The forward-swimming speed reached about 12 mm/s and the turning speed reached about 2.5 deg/s.
An Update on the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act

Despite its prominence, the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) is often misinterpreted and misapplied. This chapter clarifies historical developments, common misconceptions, and modern applications of the law.
Energetics-informed behavioral states reveal the drive to kill in African leopards

The drive to kill prey is central to understanding the population viability and ecological effects of large carnivores. This drive is modulated by behaviorally determined energetic expenditures, yet current methods of estimating the energetics of terrestrial carnivores are too coarse to inform the fine time scale behavioral decisions that incur the energetic costs leading to predation. Here, we use combined GPS and accelerometer collars calibrated to measure energetic outputs at scales of seconds to months on African leopards in Kenya. Fine-scale data on energetic expenditures and movement allowed us to determine energetically informed behavioral states that accurately identified when animals killed or scavenged prey, and allowed us to visualize novel details concerning the cryptic natural history of these predators. Our results revealed large variation in daily field metabolic rate ranging from 11,000 to 32,000 kJ depending on the animal and the specific behaviors undertaken. Leopards expended 47,470 kJ between kill events on average, but this was increased if meal size from the previous kill was large. Our methods also allowed us to estimate the energetic costs of dispersal, territorial patrol, and parental care, considered important factors in overall energetic balance and thus the drive to kill. Based on this approach, we demonstrate how the cycle of behavior, energetic expenditure, and predatory drive underlies population trajectories of large carnivores as well as their direct and indirect effects on ecosystems.
Don't Let Clients Become Identity Theft Victims

As a trusted financial planner, part of your role is to protect client assets and safeguard their privacy. This is an opportunity for you to advise clients on protecting their personal privacy, preventing identity theft, and suggesting proven strategies to greatly reduce their risks. The primary types of identity theft are: financial identity theft, driver's license identity theft, Social Security and IRS identity theft, medical identity theft, child identity theft, and synthetic identity theft. Meanwhile, the greatest tool in preventing information from being stolen and used illegally is the security freeze. Additionally, your clients should never use their home address because that information is sold to marketing lists and becomes public information. Avoid being hacked by using a two-factor authentication, which involves using a username and password plus a secondary level of security, such as security codes sent via text. Also, always use a Virtual Private Network service when using public WiFi.
Early Detection and Prevention of Emotional or Behavioral Disorders: Developmental Aspects of Systems of Care:

Although current systems of care for children with emotional or behavioral disorders generally focus on wrap-around services in an interagency or interdisciplinary network, it is not clear that pot...
Two-Peak 24-Hour Patterns in Sleep, Mortality, and Error

Man has generally expressed a mixed regard for sleep in our culture. While our literature recognizes sleep as a process that “knits the ravell’d sleave of care,” humans have also expressed concern about mortal and morbid events during the night since recorded history. The Bible states that Solomon’s bed was guarded by 60 valiant men throughout the night for fear of death (Song of Solomon 3:7–8). Virgil referred to sleep as “the kinsman of death” (The Aeneid). In the sixteenth century, St. John of the Cross referred to this issue in The Ascent of Mount Carmel (circa: 1578–1580). In modern times, F. Scott Fitzgerald [12] wrote: “In the real dark night of the soul it is always three o’clock in the morning.” Ray Bradbury [3] used the term “the soul’s midnight” to refer to the clock-time 3:00 a.m. There is some scientific justification for such concerns. Medical statistics dating to the late 1800s indicate that human mortality does rise rapidly from a low at 00:00–02:00 a.m. to a peak at 06:00–08:00 a.m. [39].
Background on Superfluid Turbulence

This symposium on superfluid turbulence is intended to introduce this subject to experts in classical turbulence, but who may not have much background in low temperature physics. This paper, in particular, is intended to give the necessary background on superfluidity to allow one to understand the papers following by Vinen and Barenghi.
Experiments in Missionary Writing: Protestant Missions and the Imprensa Evangelica in Brazil, 1864–1892

The Imprensa Evangelica, published between 1864 and 1892 in Brazil by Presbyterian missionaries, furnished Brazilian Evangelical minorities with a means of crafting new religious identities and of asserting their presence in the public arena. Its editors defended the political rights of non-Catholics in the country, took part in religious controversies with Catholic publications in Brazil and Portugal, and intervened in on-going public debates on the separation of Church and State and the abolition of slavery. This article also examines how the periodical's circulation generated new reading practices in Brazil.
Allogeneic stem cell transplantation for FLT3 mutated acute myeloid leukemia in first complete remission: does age really matter?

Since its first discovery[1][1] and initial report on the prognostic impact in patients with FMS-related tyrosine kinase 3 ( FLT3 )-mutated acute myeloid leukemia (AML),[2][2] a large amount of data has been accumulated which have helped devise the best therapeutic approach for patients with this
The acoustic response of Burke–Schumann counterflow flames

Abstract The acoustic response of strained nonpremixed flames is investigated using as a canonical model problem the planar counterflow configuration subject to small harmonic fluctuations of the stagnation-point pressure and strain rate. To focus on effects of modified transport rates the analysis employs the limit of infinitely fast reaction for a general non-unity Lewis number of the fuel, including values of interest in hydrogen-oxygen and hydrocarbon-oxygen systems. For both acoustic-pressure and acoustic-velocity response, differential–diffusion effects are shown to promote the fluctuations of the flame location and reactant consumption rates (while in the pressure response, distinct behaviors of the flame temperature were observed depending on stoichiometry). The results are used, together with the Rayleigh criterion, to investigate the frequency dependence of the amplification/attenuation rate relevant in computations of acoustic instabilities. The analysis predicts acoustic amplification for all frequencies in the pressure response, whereas a critical crossover frequency is identified in the strain response demarcating the transition from attenuation to amplification of acoustic energy.
Age- and weight-based differences in haemodialysis prescription and delivery in children, adolescents and young adults

Background Limited systematic data are available on prescription and dosing of haemodialysis (HD) in children and adolescents compared with adults. We aimed to characterize age- and weight-based differences in HD delivery in children, adolescents and young adults. Methods This is a retrospective observational study including 1852 patients 100 kg: QB/kg = 3.1-4.0 mL/min/kg, spKt/V = 1.22-1.47, respectively). Adolescents had significantly lower QB/kg, KD/kg and spKt/V (1.34-1.71) compared with adults (1.45-1.79) and children 18 years). Conclusion Delivered HD treatment varies with age and weight and is more intensified in children aged <12 years, compared with adolescents and overweight young adults, who appear to be at highest risk of receiving suboptimal treatment. Still, delivery of target or higher spKt/V values did not result in appropriate growth in these children, questioning the value of spKt/V as a measure of HD adequacy in children. Provided ranges of outpatient HD prescription can help clinicians and researchers in personalizing and optimizing delivery of dialysis treatment.
Upper airway dynamic imaging during tidal breathing in awake and asleep subjects with obstructive sleep apnea and healthy controls.

We used magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to quantify change in upper airway dimension during tidal breathing in subjects with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA, N = 7) and BMI-matched healthy controls (N = 7) during both wakefulness and natural sleep. Dynamic MR images of the upper airway were obtained on a 1.5 T MR scanner in contiguous 7.5 mm-thick axial slices from the hard palate to the epiglottis along with synchronous MRI-compatible electroencephalogram and nasal/oral flow measurements. The physiologic data were retrospectively scored to identify sleep state, and synchronized with dynamic MR images. For each image, the upper airway was characterized by its area, and linear dimensions (lateral and anterior-posterior). The dynamic behavior of the upper airway was assessed by the maximum change in these parameters over the tidal breath. Mean upper airway caliber was obtained by averaging data over the tidal breath. There was no major difference in the upper airway structure between OSA and controls except for a narrower airway at the low-retropalatal/high-retroglossal level in OSA than in controls. Changes in upper airway size over the tidal breath ((maximum - minimum)/mean) were significantly larger in the OSA than in the control group in the low retropalatal/high retroglossal region during both wakefulness and sleep. In the four OSA subjects who experienced obstructive apneas during MR imaging, the site of airway collapse during sleep corresponded to the region of the upper airway where changes in caliber during awake tidal breathing were the greatest. These observations suggest a potential role for dynamic OSA imaging during wakefulness.
Immunostimulatory-sequence DNA is an effective mucosal adjuvant.

The respiratory, gastrointestinal, vaginal, and rectal mucosa are major portals of entry for infectious agents and foreign proteins (Czerkinsky and Holmgren 1995; Staats and McGhee 1996). Locally produced and secreted immunoglobulin A (IgA) and cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) within the mucosal tissue and draining lymph nodes protect against microbial infection (Gallichan et al. 1993; Czerkinsky and Holmgren 1995; Staats and McGhee 1996; Ada and McElrath 1997). Because the mucosal immune system serves a front-line role in protecting us from our environment, there is a great deal of interest in developing strategies for stimulating protective mucosal immune responses. Unfortunately, traditional vaccination methods are not effective and, at present, there is no simple, safe, and generally applicable approach for the induction of mucosal immune responses.
Non-osseous imaging manifestations of plasma cell dyscrasias on PET/CT

1052 Learning Objectives 1. Review clinical scenarios where imaging of plasma cell dyscrasias is employed. 2. Demonstrate the complementary value of combined anatomic and functional imaging in these scenarios. 3. Illustrate the range and most classic patterns of imaging findings. Plasma cell dyscrasias comprise a diverse group of hematologic disorders that include multiple myeloma. Imaging plays an important role in identifying osseous and non-osseous disease and in guiding therapy selection. Most radiologic imaging focuses on osseous findings and can miss or misdiagnose non-osseous manifestations of the same disease process. Less commonly, plasma cell dyscrasias can present without any osseous findings. Functional imaging with PET can assist greatly in the proper diagnosis and staging of plasma cell dyscrasias. Here we review the basic clinical scenarios and imaging manifestations related to plasma cell dyscrasias. We show the range of and emphasize the patterns of non-osseous imaging findings that can be seen. Integrated PET/CT is useful to accurately identify non-osseous disease in multiple myeloma and related plasma cell dyscrasias
Protein Biomarkers in Patients with Subarachnoid Hemorrhage, Vasospasm, and Delayed Ischemic Neurological Deficits

Aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) is a devastating neurological disease. It has many sequelae, including vasospasm and delayed ischemic neurological deficits (DINDs). We explored the blood proteome in patients with aSAH using transcranial Doppler (TCD) velocity as a guide to patients who are at risk for symptomatic vasospasm and DIND. Blood was drawn on all days that patients were observed in the neurocritical care unit (NCCU) after aSAH. A team of neurologists and neurosurgeons identified patients with clinical evidence of vasospasm and DIND. Serum was fractionated using protein chips and surface-enhanced laser desorption and ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (SELDI-TOF MS). We detected a pattern of protein expression associated with those at risk for elevated TCD velocities by day 8, compared with blood collected in the presymptomatic stage (days 1-3). We further analyzed serum using pooled samples from study entry to the time of elevated TCD velocities using a protein microarray that analyzed 500 human proteins thematically oriented toward inflammation. After identifying several candidates with elevated concentrations in the pooled samples, we then used reverse protein arrays to quantitate the concentration of potential candidate proteins in the individual samples. Proteins with significantly elevated concentrations included apolipoprotein-E, apolipoprotein-A, serum amyloid protein-4, and serum amyloid protein-P. Future studies in larger sample populations are needed to evaluate these biomarkers further as representative of biosystems involved in vasospasm and DIND or as potential biomarkers predictive of risk associated with disease.
Photography's Dependence on Equipment

Taking pictures, whether at a basic or professional level, requires the use of equipment. In this era of technological transformation, taking pictures also requires the upgrading of equipment at frequent intervals. From the moment that there is a need for photography to be undertaken and concluding with the final image delivery, various pieces of equipment are required in each step of the photographic process. The word “equipment” is often used to describe a single entity, rather than taking into account the many individual types of equipment required at various stages in the picture-making process. A number of essays in this encyclopedia explore various photographic tools in all the eras such as cameras, lenses, light, and imaging software. However, in each essay the tool is considered separately rather than as part of a continuum of linked and related pieces. Cameras, for example, can make exposures, which do not result in usable photographic images. In each step in this process, influences occur that affect how the final image will be formed and how it may appear.
Some Applications of Vertex Operators to Kac-Moody Algebras

This is an account of some of my recent work [2,3] which has involved applications of vertex operators to Kac-Moody Lie theory. For V the basic A1 (1)-module in the principal realization given by Lepowsky and Wilson [13], one may use vertex operators to describe the decomposition \( V \otimes \;V = S(V)\; \oplus \;A(V) \) of V ⊗ V into symmetric tensors S(V) and antisymmetric tensors A(V). This turns out to be precisely the decomposition of V ⊗ V into two “strings” of level two standard A1 (1)-modules which I found in [1].This result has a remarkable application to the construction of the hyperbolic algebra F with Dynkin diagram Open image in new window .
Heterogeneous dividend behaviors: The role of restaurant franchising

Abstract The so called “dividend puzzle” has prompted many researchers to examine industry-specific factors in order to explain the dividend behaviors of various industries. However, due to the unique differences in characteristics between franchise and non-franchise restaurants, it may not be appropriate to view the restaurant industry as one entity displaying homogenous dividend behaviors. In this regard, this study investigated the role of franchising in explaining the dividend behaviors of the restaurant industry. The results of this study demonstrate that the dividend behaviors of franchise restaurants are a function of the size of institutional holdings and prior dividend payments, while those of non-franchise restaurants depend on the degree of growth opportunity and financial leverage. The findings further imply that franchise restaurants with higher free cash flows and the resulting information asymmetry closely follow agency theory and signaling theory, whereas non-franchise restaurants with insufficient internal cash strictly follow the pecking order theory.
DC-Link Current Sensor Extension for Dead-Beat Direct Torque and Flux Control of Non-Salient Electric Machines

Dead-beat Direct Torque and Flux Control (DB-DTFC) emerges as the promising standard for motor drives due to its dynamic properties and parameter variation resilience. Since the knowledge of at least two phase currents is required to successfully implement the control scheme, drives equipped with a DC link current sensor are not intrinsically supported. This paper proposes a technique to modify the voltage pattern produced by DB-DTFC such that only the machine flux is affected; machine torque output is not altered. It is shown that since this artificial voltage disturbance is known, it has negligible effect on drive performance as both current and flux observers utilize the final voltage vector in their feedforward paths.
Reductions in anxiety sensitivity cognitive concerns prospectively mitigate trauma symptom development

Abstract Identifying a malleable pre-trauma risk marker for posttraumatic stress is crucial to preventing symptom development among at-risk individuals. One such candidate is anxiety sensitivity cognitive concerns (ASCC), which represents the fear of psychological incapacitation due to anxious arousal. While the extant literature suggests that applying ASCC interventions prior to trauma exposure should mitigate development of posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS), this has not been formally tested. We examined whether individuals randomized to receive a Cognitive Anxiety Sensitivity Treatment (CAST; n = 44) prior to a trauma film paradigm would report lower film-specific PTSS after one week compared to individuals randomized to a physical health education training control condition (n = 47). Results revealed that post-intervention ASCC and week-one PTSS were both lower among the CAST condition, and reductions in ASCC mediated the relationship between intervention condition and follow-up PTSS. The current study demonstrated that reducing ASCC prior to an analog trauma can mitigate the development of PTSS. This is critical for establishing ASCC as a causal risk factor for PTSS and encourages the use of ASCC interventions in samples at-risk for trauma exposure.
A Fact-Finding Model for Conducting a Title IX Self-Evaluation Study in Athletic Programs

(1976). A Fact-Finding Model for Conducting a Title IX Self-Evaluation Study in Athletic Programs. Journal of Physical Education and Recreation: Vol. 47, No. 5, pp. 26-30.
Apixaban in Comparison to Warfarin for Stroke Prevention in Nonvalvular Atrial Fibrillation: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Observational Studies.

Introduction. Atrial fibrillation leads to increased risk of systemic embolism and stroke. To decrease these adverse events, anticoagulation is routinely prescribed. Nonvitamin K anticoagulants like apixaban and rivaroxaban are becoming popular and being used more frequently nowadays. We here compare the efficacy and safety of apixaban with those of warfarin. Methods and Analysis. This systematic review aims to assess the efficacy and safety of apixaban compared to those of warfarin. Eligible participants were adults diagnosed with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation. The intervention was apixaban, and the comparator was warfarin. The primary efficacy endpoint is the first admission with systemic embolism or stroke, and the primary safety outcome is the occurrence of major bleeding. Relevant studies were searched in the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, MEDLINE, PubMed, and clinicaltrials.gov. After being independently reviewed by two authors, five articles were included in the systematic review. The risk of bias of included studies was assessed using the Cochrane risk of bias tool and SIGN methodology. The RevMan software was used to assess the effect size and perform meta-analysis. Results. Apixaban was found to be superior to warfarin in terms of safety (RR 0.58; CI 0.52–0.66) but not superior to warfarin in terms of efficacy (RR 0.93; CI 0.70–1.24). Conclusion. Apixaban is superior to warfarin in terms of safety, but no difference in efficacy is noted. The choice of anticoagulation should be individualized based on the risk factor profile of the patient.
Real option-based optimization for financial incentive allocation in infrastructure projects under public–private partnerships

Financial incentives that stimulate energy investments under public-private partnerships are considered scarce public resources, which require deliberate allocation to the most economically justified projects to maximize the social benefits. This study aims to solve the financial incentive allocation problem through a real option-based nonlinear integer programming approach. Real option theory is leveraged to determine the optimal timing and the corresponding option value of providing financial incentives. The ambiguity in the evolution of social benefits, the decision-maker’s attitude toward ambiguity, and the uncertainty in social benefits and incentive costs are all considered. Incentives are offered to the project portfolio that generates the maximum total option value. The project portfolio selection is formulated as a stochastic knapsack problem with random option values in the objective function and random incentive costs in the probabilistic budget constraint. The linear probabilistic budget constraint is subsequently transformed into a nonlinear deterministic one. Finally, the integer non-linear programming problem is solved, and the optimality gap is computed to assess the quality of the optimal solution. A case study is presented to illustrate how the limited financial incentives can be optimally allocated under uncertainty and ambiguity, which demonstrates the efficacy of the proposed method.
Exploring Autonomy and Relatedness in Church as Predictors of Children’s Religiosity and Relationship with God:

Concerns about the shifting religious landscape for young people in the United States provides the impetus to expand research investigating children’s experiences in Christian education. A signific...
California's New Gold Rush: Marketplace Enrollees Switch To Gold-Tier Plans In Response To Insurance Premium Changes.

The individual health insurance market has grown significantly since the 2014 implementation of the Affordable Care Act’s state-based and federally facilitated Marketplaces. During annual open enro...
Motor vehicle towing: An analysis of injuries in a high-risk yet understudied industry.

Abstract Objectives: National fatality rates for commercial tow truck operators exceed those of other first responders who also perform traffic incident management services. The objectives of the current study are to (1) characterize causal factors associated with injuries among commercial tow truck operators engaged in roadside assistance through analysis of coded and free text data obtained from U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) investigation files, and (2) utilize supplemental data sources to analyze environmental factors for injuries in which commercial tow truck operators were struck by roadway traffic. Methods: Searches of OSHA’s online IMIS database were performed to identify investigations of incidents in which tow truck operators were injured while performing roadside assistance duties. Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests were submitted to obtain full investigation files for each case. Coded and narrative text analyses were performed to identify causal themes across the identified cases. Results: One-hundred and six cases of tow truck operators being killed or severely injured were identified in IMIS; 41 FOIA requests for related investigation documents were fulfilled. Two major event type themes were identified which accounted for 9 in 10 of the cases identified. These were (1) ‘struck-by’ incidents, which were primarily injuries resulting from contact with roadway traffic, rolling vehicles and equipment or other non-motorized objects; and (2) ‘caught-in or -between’ incidents, which were primarily injuries resulting from being pinned beneath and between vehicles and being caught in moving parts. Conclusions: The towing industry should provide initial and refresher safety training on vehicle loading and unloading, defensive techniques when exposed to traffic on roadways, and proper wheel chocking and braking procedures. States should include tow trucks as a first responder vehicle type in their “Move Over” laws and implement public awareness campaigns to protect all first responders, including tow truck operators.