cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Whole Body Vibration Exposures and Health Status among Professional Truck Drivers: A Cross-sectional Analysis

Many professional truck drivers suffer from low back pain (LBP) which is thought to be associated with exposure to whole-body vibration (WBV). The objectives of this study were to: (i) characterize general health, regional body pain and WBV exposures, (ii) evaluate the associations between different WBV parameters and health outcomes, and (iii) determine whether there were factors which affect a truck driver's WBV exposures. This study analyzed WBV exposures from 96 long-haul truck drivers over their regular work shift (6-15h) per International Standards Organization (ISO) 2631-1 and 2631-5 WBV standards. This study also evaluated regional body pain (10-point scale), low back disability (the Oswestry Disability Index), and physical and mental health (the Short Form 12-item Health Survey). The results demonstrated that the daily vector sum WBV exposures [A(8), VDV(8) and Sed(8)] were above action limits while the predominant z-axis exposures were below action limits. Among all the musculoskeletal outcomes, LBP was the most prevalent (72.5%) with average LBP score of 2.9 (SD: 2.0). The SF-12 health scores demonstrated that truck drivers in general had lower physical health status than the general US population (P's < 0.04) and that physical health status decreased as WBV exposures increased (P = 0.03). In addition, the correlations between the WBV measures and health outcomes indicated that A(8) exposure measures had a stronger link to musculoskeletal (LBP) and other health outcomes than the VDV(8) and Sed(8) measures. Finally, seat manufacturer and seat age were two factors which had a strong influence on WBV exposures.
Formal Analysis of Extended Well-Clear Boundaries for Unmanned Aircraft

This paper concerns the application of formal methods to the definition of a detect and avoid concept for unmanned aircraft systems UAS. In particular, it illustrates how formal analysis was used to explain and correct unexpected behaviors of the logic that issues alerts when two aircraft are predicted not to be well clear from one another. As a result of this analysis, a recommendation was proposed to, and subsequently adopted by, the US standards organization that defines the minimum operational requirements for the UAS detect and avoid concept.
The Moral Origins of God: Darwin, Durkheim, and the Homo Duplex Theory of Theogenesis

A socio-evolutionary theory of the origin of “God” is presented. Its starting point is behavioral duplexity, the fact that human beings are subject to two parallel modes of behavioral control: an older nonconscious system, and a newer conscious one. The theory posits that the fabrication of, and subsequent belief in, supernatural entities (“Gods”) is a predictable byproduct of the interaction of these two systems. Specifically, because human beings’ profoundly social and moral faculties are primarily nonconscious, individuals experience their functioning as an external and coercive moral force. Faced with the conscious mode’s need to maintain the integrity of its nomos by accounting for such experiences, individuals collectively confabulate corresponding external, coercive, and moral entities, to which they misattribute this force. In doing so, they effectively create, and re-create, their “god(s)”.
Spatiotemporal spiral magnetic resonance imaging

ABSTRACT This paper addresses the problem of Magnetic Resonance (MIt) imaging of moving targets using spiral scan echo planar data collection. A system model is developed to interpret the readouts of repeated spiralexcitations via two separate time variables, the slow-time and fast-time. This mathematical model is usedto construct an inversion for forming the time progression of the target image. A method for increasingthe repetition rate of the spiral data collection is presented. Results are provided.Keywords: Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging, spiral scan, moving target imaging I. INTRODUCTION This paper is concerned with spatio-temporal Magnetic Resonance (MR) imaging of moving targets.MR has become a valuable medical imaging modality in which low power radiowaves are used to producehigh resolution and high contrast images of biological structures [1]. The patient's motion, respiratorymotion, and cardiac motion during the MR data acquisition are known to cause ghost-like artifacts andblurring in the reconstructed MR images. Methods to suppress MR motion artifacts via signal processingof the measured MR data and/or the manner the MR data are acquired have been suggested, e.g., [2]-[8].Spiral-scan Echo Planar (SEP) is an MR imaging modality which provides the user with a high-speedMR data collection strategy. This approach was originally introduced by Likes [9] and Ljunggren [10].Cho and his co-workers at the University of California at Irvine [11] provided the first experimental MRreconstruction from SEP data with a constant angular velocity in terms of polar format processing, anddiscussed its advantages. Macovski, Meyer and their co-workers at the Stanford University introducedSEP data with a constant linear velocity [12], which does not contain the redundancy of polar format SEPdata, and have utilized it in various MR imaging problems, e.g., [6],[13]. Other SEP-MR reconstructionmethods have been suggested by Yudilevich and Stark [14], and [17]. In the following discussion, we areconcerned with SEP data with a constant linear velocity.In this paper, a method for SEP-MR imaging of moving targets in time and space is presented. Ourobjective is to utilize the high-speed SEP data collection to construct the time evolution of a movingstructure at a rate which is close to the video rate (30-60 Hz). We begin with a discussion on the principlesand parameters in SEP-MR imaging system (Section II). Next, we examine the information in a SEP-MRdatabase of a time-varying structure (Section III.A). For this, we interpret a repeated set of SEP-MRmeasurements in terms of two separate time variables, the fast-time and slow-time domains.We identify the time progression in the target motion arid repeated SEP excitations via a variablewhich we refer to as the slow-time domain. We identify the readout time for a single SEP excitation bythe fast-time domain. This mathematical view of the repeated SEP-MR system model provides a practicalinversion for these spatio-temporal MR imaging systems. (A similar view of the slow-time and fast-time
The association between metabolic health, obesity phenotype and the risk of breast cancer

Beyond the current emphasis on body mass index (BMI), it is unknown whether breast cancer risk differs between metabolically healthy and unhealthy normal weight or overweight/obese women. The Sister Study is a nationwide prospective cohort study. Data came from 50,884 cohort participants aged 35 to 74 years enrolled from 2003 through 2009. Cox proportional hazards models were used to estimate multivariable adjusted hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for breast cancer risk. Metabolic abnormalities considered included: high waist circumference (≥88 cm); elevated blood pressure (≥130/85 mm Hg or antihypertensive medication); previously diagnosed diabetes or antidiabetic drug treatment; and cholesterol-lowering medication use. During follow-up (mean, 6.4 years), 1,388 invasive breast cancers were diagnosed at least 1 year after enrollment. Compared to women with BMI <25 kg/m2 with no metabolic abnormalities (metabolically healthy normal weight phenotype), women with a BMI <25 kg/m2 and ≥1 metabolic abnormality (metabolically unhealthy, normal weight phenotype) had increased risk of postmenopausal breast cancer (HR = 1.26, 95% CI: 1.01-1.56), as did women with a BMI ≥25 kg/m2 and no metabolic abnormalities (metabolically healthy overweight/obese phenotype) (HR = 1.24, 95% CI: 0.99-1.55). Furthermore, risk of postmenopausal breast cancer was consistently elevated in women with normal BMI and central obesity (normal weight central obesity phenotype) regardless of the criterion used to define central obesity, with HR for waist circumference ≥88 cm, waist circumference ≥80 cm, and waist-hip ratio ≥0.85 of 1.58, 95% CI: 1.02-2.46; 1.38, 95% CI: 1.09-1.75; and 1.38, 95% CI: 1.02-1.85, respectively. There was an inverse association between premenopausal breast cancer and metabolically healthy overweight/obese phenotype (HR = 0.71, 95% CI: 0.52-0.97). Our findings suggest that postmenopausal women who are metabolically unhealthy or have central adiposity may be at increased risk for breast cancer despite normal BMI.
PREDICTIONS OF CRUSTAL DEFORMATION CAUSED BY CHANGING POLAR ICE ON A VISCOELASTIC EARTH

Changes in polar ice could cause vertical crustal motion of up to several mm yr-1 along the edge of the Greenland and Antarctic ice caps. Measurements of the uplift could help constrain the changing ice volumes. The problem is complicated by the Earth's visco-elastic response to past loading, including the Late Pleistocene deglaciation. A method is described for removing these visco-elastic effects, by using simultaneous measurements of vertical motion and surface gravity. A linear combination of these two measurement types can be formed which is relatively independent of visco-elastic effects, and which can be interpreted in terms of present-day fluctuations in ice.
Performance of an ultrasonic-assisted drilling module

The ultrasonic-assisted drilling (UAD) process is a technology which applies high frequency vibrations (>20 kHz) at amplitudes of 2–20 μm in the feed direction to the drill tip in order to improve machining conditions and productivity. Past work in this field is reviewed, noting the valuable foundation provided by laboratory-based research systems. This work is aimed at the development of a robust UAD module, fully compatible with computer numerical control (CNC) systems, and able to function in a production environment, describing results of drilling tests on 4340 steel. The UAD module, designed using FEA methods, with a 16-mm carbide drill, attached by shrink fit, is used to study the effects of ultrasonics on thrust force, torque, surface quality, hole size, and the microstructure of drilled 4340 steel. In order to provide a better understanding of the performance of this module, two different test scenarios were designed and the results for each were compared with the results obtained from baseline settings for conventional drilling. The results show that ultrasonic vibrations not only can reduce the average values of thrust force and torque but also can improve the surface quality of the hole. It is also found that a major increase in productivity could be achieved by using ultrasonic vibrations. Finally, the effects of ultrasonic vibrations on hardness and microstructure of the drilled hole is assessed and the results show that high frequency vibrations do not have significant effect on dimensional accuracy or on the microstructure of the drilled holes.
Diagnosis and treatment planning of orthodontic patients with 3-dimensional dentofacial records

Introduction Cephalometrics has been the foundation of orthodontic diagnosis for many years. However, for many orthodontic patients, a lateral cephalogram might not be necessary. The aim of this study was to compare the diagnosis and treatment planning agreement between standard records and nonradiographic 3-dimensional (3D) dentofacial photogrammetry records. Methods Twenty patients had standard orthodontic records taken for their treatment as well as extraoral and intraoral 3D images. Twelve evaluators examined the standard records and then completed diagnosis and treatment planning questionnaires. They repeated the process 4 to 6 weeks later by using 3D photographic images along with the panoramic radiographs. Each evaluator also evaluated 2 random orthodontic cases twice with each method to evaluate consistency within each method. At the end of study, each evaluator was asked to complete a survey to document his or her experiences with the 3D photogrammetry method. Descriptive and kappa statistics were used to determine the agreement. Results Most diagnosis parameters had fair agreement between the methods and within each method. Skeletal and dental relationships had excellent agreement between and within the methods as well as most treatment decisions such as the need for extractions and surgery. Most evaluators (91.7%) thought that cephalometric x-rays would be needed only some of the time in diagnosis and treatment planning. Most evaluators (83.33%) thought that cephalometric radiographs are not needed in patients with a Class I ± a quarter cusp with crowding or spacing. Conclusions Most diagnostic decisions had fair agreement within and between the 2 methods. The decision to extract and the need for orthognathic surgery had excellent agreement between the cephalometric and photogrammetric methods. The majority of examiners agreed that patients with Class I malocclusions ± a quarter cusp with no obvious skeletal discrepancy can be diagnosed and planned without a cephalometric radiograph.
Technology Integration Needs for Manufacturing, Logistics, and Supply Chain Management

As the complexity of business increases, numerous technologies are being used in business. The previous chapters provided stepping stone information regarding the general aspects of technology needs and applicability. Now you may want to know more specifically how and where you can use the technology. For the purpose of a vivid presentation, this chapter limits the application domains to manufacturing, logistics, and supply chain management, and sees how the technology can improve business performance. These application domains entail more scattered business units around the globe than any other business realms. Thus, technology plays a critical role for the seamless business coordination in these areas. An OEM may have global presences in different locations of the world. The OEM headquartered in the U.S. may have a design center in Europe, an engineering center in the U.S., and manufacturing plants in both the U.S. and Asia. The OEM may have relationships with suppliers located globally as well. Globally scattered presences of business entities make the OEM’s business hard to connect those entities with one another. For example, when the OEM acquires raw materials, several business entities are involved, such as, foreign suppliers, foreign transportation carriers, domestic transportation carriers, and manufacturing plants in the U.S. After production, the OEM sells products through global sales networks. Like the procurement of raw materials, finished products are delivered to customers via logistics networks that involve domestic and international transportation carriers. This is a typical structure of the business entity network of OEMs having global presences. When the number of entities increases, its network structure becomes extremely complex. An automotive OEM in the U.S. has several thousands of suppliers and retailers. Dealing with all those business partners involves a tremendous amount of business transactions and information sharing. They must rely on technologies to handle this complexity.
Survival outcomes and patterns of failure in women with stage IIIC2 endometrial carcinoma

Abstract Objectives Para-aortic lymph node involvement in women with endometrial carcinoma (EC) is a poor prognostic factor. Many studies have included women with stage IIIC 2 in cohorts of patients with advanced stage disease. The aim of this study was to analyze survival outcomes and patterns of failure in women with solely stage IIIC 2 EC. Methods We identified women with FIGO stage IIIC 2 EC who underwent surgical staging at our institution. In addition to descriptive analyses of patient demographics, tumor characteristics, and adjuvant treatment received, univariate log-rank analyses and Cox regression multivariate analyses (MVA) were performed to identify predictors of recurrence-free (RFS), disease-specific (DSS) and overall survival (OS). Results A total of 72 women were included in this study cohort. The median follow-up time was 43 months. The median number of positive para -aortic lymph nodes was one. Of the 61 women (84.7%) who received adjuvant therapy, 40 women (65.6%) received chemotherapy and radiation therapy (CRT), 17 women (27.9%) received chemotherapy alone (CT), and only 4 women (6.6%) received radiation therapy alone. Thirty-seven women (51.4%) experienced disease recurrence. Distant metastasis was the most common pattern of failure (73%). Five-year RFS, DSS, and OS were 48%, 51%, and 48%, respectively. Due to small study size, our exploratory multivariate analysis demonstrated that histologic grade was the only significant prognostic factor for DSS ( p = 0.03) and OS ( p = 0.02). The type of adjuvant therapy did not sustain its independent predictive significance for RFS, DSS and OS. Conclusions Our findings suggest that almost half of women with stage IIIC 2 can be cured with surgical staging and adjuvant therapies. The most common pattern of failure was distant metastasis calling for further optimization of systemic therapy.
The LDIFLARE and CCM Methods Demonstrate Early Nerve Fiber Abnormalities in Untreated Hypothyroidism: A Prospective Study.

Context Recent studies using skin biopsy suggest presence of small-fiber neuropathy in subclinical hypothyroidism. This study uses two noninvasive methods-the laser Doppler imager flare technique (LDIFLARE) and corneal confocal microscopy (CCM)-to assess small-fiber function (SFF) and small-fiber structure (SFS), respectively, in newly diagnosed hypothyroidism (HT) before and after adequate treatment. Design and setting Single-center, prospective, intervention-based cohort study. Patients and participants Twenty patients with newly diagnosed HT (15 with primary HT and 5 with post-radioiodine HT) along with 20 age-matched healthy controls (HCs). Interventions Patients with HT and HCs were assessed neurologically at diagnosis and baseline, respectively. The HT group was reassessed after optimal replacement (defined as TSH level of 0.27 to 4.20 mIU/L) with levothyroxine (LT4) and HCs were reviewed after 1 year. Main outcome measures Neurologic assessment for small fibers was performed by using LDIFLARE for SFF and CCM for SFS; large fibers were studied by sural nerve conduction velocity (SNCV) and sural nerve amplitude (SNAP). Results At baseline, both LDIFLARE (mean ± SD) (6.74 ± 1.20 vs 8.90 ± 1.75 cm2; P = 0.0002) and CCM nerve fiber density (CNFD) (expressed as number of fibers per mm2: 50.77 ± 6.54 vs 58.32 ± 6.54; P = 0.002) were significantly reduced in the HT group compared with HCs whereas neither SNCV nor SNAP was different (P ≥ 0.05). After optimal LT4 treatment, both LDIFLARE (7.72 ± 1.12 vs 6.74 ± 1.20 cm2; P ≤ 0.0001) and CNFD (54.43 ± 5.70 vs 50.77 ± 6.54 no./mm2; P = 0.02) improved significantly but remained significantly reduced compared to HCs (P = 0.008 and P = 0.01, respectively) despite normalization of TSH. Conclusions This study demonstrates that dysfunction of small fibers precedes large neural fiber abnormalities in early HT. This can be reversed by replacement therapy to achieve a biochemically euthyroid state, but small-fiber neural outcomes continued to remain low compared with values in HCs.
Artificial intelligence models for predicting the performance of hydro-pneumatic suspension struts in large capacity dump trucks

Abstract Large dump trucks are being matched with large shovels to achieve bulk economic production in surface mining operations. This process results in high impact shovel loading operations (HISLO) and exposes operators to severe levels of whole-body vibrations (WBV). The performance of the hydro-pneumatic suspension struts, responsible for vibration attenuation in large dump trucks, decreases as a truck age. There is a need for a system for monitoring and predicting the performance of the suspension struts in real time. Artificial intelligence (AI) has been applied for modeling and predicting the suspension system performance for light/smaller vehicles. However, no work has been done to implement AI for modeling and predicting the performance of hydro-pneumatic struts in large dump trucks. This paper is a pioneering effort towards developing AI models for solving this problem. These AI models would incorporate the Artificial Neural Networks (ANN), Mamdani Fuzzy Logic (MFL) and a hybrid system, the Hybrid Neural Fuzzy Interference System (HyFIS), for achieving this goal. Experiments were conducted using a 3D virtual simulator for the CAT 793D in MSC.ADMAS. RMS accelerations in the vertical and horizontal directions at the operator seat were recorded as the two main outputs for the suspension system performance. Eighty percent (80%) of the total experimental data was used in training and developing the models and the remaining 20% for testing and validating the developed models. With an R2 and RMSE of 0.98168505 and 0.00852251 for the training phase, respectively, and 0.9660429 and 0.0195620 for the testing phase, HyFIS model showed the best accuracy for predicting the hydro-pneumatic suspension struts performance for dump trucks. This is the first time that AI models have been developed for dump truck suspension system performance prediction. With the implementation of these models in the dump truck, maintenance personnel can monitor the performance of the suspension system in real-time and schedule proper maintenance and/or replacement. Implementation of such a system will improve the workplace safety, operator's health and the overall system efficiency.
Structure and Function of Avian Eggs

It is widely accepted that birds must breed successfully in order to invade and to colonize a new habitat. Although avian eggs have traditionally received credit for their important role in producing the next generation of birds and in serving as the objects of adult incubation behavior, the role of structure and function of eggs in avian reproductive biology and in adaptation of birds to extreme environments has been largely ignored.
Touch-Responsive Behaviors and Gene Expression in Plants

The abilities of plants to perceive stimuli in their environment are often overlooked. Yet hints of exquisite sensitivities abound. Indeed, although it is not generally appreciated, probably all plants can perceive and respond to simple mechanostimulation like touch. We will briefly review some of the more spectacular touch responses of specialized plants and then discuss developmental and molecular responses to touch that occur in nonspecialized plants. Many of these data and concepts have recently been reviewed by [Braam] (New Phytol. 165:373–389, 2005).
Introduction to Value Distribution Theory of Meromorphic Maps

Value distribution of functions of one complex variable has grown into a huge theory. In several complex variables the theory has not been developed to such an extent, but considerable progress has been made. In these notes an introduction to some aspects of the several variable theory is provided. The two Main Theorems are proved for meromorphic maps f : W → ℙ(V) from a complex vector space W into complex projective space, where the intersection of f(W) with hyperplanes is studied. The First Main Theorem is established along standard lines. Vitter’s Lemma of the Logarithmic Derivative is proved by a method of Biancofiore and Stoll. The Second Main Theorere and the Defect Relation is obtained by the original method of H. Cart an following ideas of Vitter. The value distribution theory of Carlson, Griffiths and King for holomorphic maps from parabolic manifolds into projective algebraic varieties is outlined without proof. These results are specialized to holomorphic maps f : W → ℙ(V) where the intersection of f(W) with hypersurfaces of degree p are studied. Here the Carlson, Griffiths, King theory has to require that rank f = dim ℙ(V). It is a difficult open question of this restriction can be removed. We formulate a recent result of A. Biancofiore which gives a partial answer and which is the best answer available at present.
Impact of Medicaid Restrictions on Availability of Buprenorphine in Addiction Treatment Programs.

Objectives. To examine how utilization restrictions on state Medicaid benefits for buprenorphine are related to addiction treatment programs’ decision to offer the drug.Methods. We used data from 2...
Management of Xanthomonas fragariae with Pre- and Postharvest Treatments to Overcome Trade Barriers for California Strawberries.

Xanthomonas fragariae, the causal agent of angular leaf spot (ALS) of strawberry, is a quarantine pathogen in some export markets, causing trade restrictions and economic loss to the California fre...
Lipidomic analysis of urinary exosomes from hereditary α‐tryptasemia patients and healthy volunteers

Exosomes are nano-sized vesicles that are involved in various biological processes including cell differentiation, proliferation, signaling, and intercellular communication. Urinary exosomes were isolated from a cohort of hereditary α-tryptasemia (HαT) patients and from healthy volunteers. There was a greater number of exosomes isolated from the urine in the HαT group compared to the control volunteers. Here, we investigated the differences in both lipid classes and lipid species within urinary exosomes of the two groups. Lipids were extracted from urinary exosomes and subjected to liquid chromatography mass spectrometry using a targeted approach. Various molecular species of glycerophospholipids, glycerolipids, and sterols were significantly reduced in HαT patients. Out of a possible 1127 lipids, 521 lipid species were detected, and relative quantities were calculated. Sixty-four lipids were significantly reduced in urinary exosomes of HαT patients compared to controls. All significantly reduced sphingolipids and most of the phospholipids were saturated or mono-unsaturated lipids. These results suggest exosome secretion is augmented in HαT patients and the lipids within these exosomes may be involved in various biological processes. The unique lipid composition of urinary exosomes from HαT patients will contribute to our understanding of the biochemistry of this disease.
Models for MHC-Restricted T Cell Recognition of a Synthetic H-2Ld Peptide

Class I and class II major histocompatibility (MHC) antigens are polymorphic cell surface glycoproteins which play central roles in controlling target cell recognition by antigen specific cytotoxic and helper T cells. The class I molecules are expressed ubiquitously and, in general, are involved in the presentation of intracellular and cell surface viral antigens to cytotoxic T-lymphocytes (CTLs). On the other hand, class II molecules are expressed primarily on antigen presenting cells such as macrophages and B cells, where they are involved in the presentation of phagocytized or internalized foreign antigens to helper T cells (Zinkernagel and Doherty 1979; Schwartz 1984). As a rule, T cells exhibit an obligatory requirement of corecognition of antigen and MHC antigen of their own haplotype or “restriction element.” Therefore, T cell recognition is said to be “MHC restricted.”
Scheduled Empiric Antibiotics May Alter the Gut Microbiome and Nutrition Outcomes in Pediatric Intestinal Failure

Background In this study, we aim to determine the effect of scheduled antibiotics on gut microbiome in pediatric intestinal failure (IF) and to evaluate the effect of the gut microbiome on nutrition outcomes in IF. Methods Fecal samples were collected at regular intervals from pediatric patients with IF for gut microbiome comparison between 2 cohorts: (group 1) those on scheduled prophylactic antibiotics and (group 2) those who were not on scheduled antibiotics. Gut microbiome composition and diversity were compared among the 2 cohorts. The association among gut microbiome composition, diversity, and nutrition outcomes (mainly ability to decrease parenteral nutrition [PN] energy requirement and ability to attain positive growth) was also determined. Results The microbiome of patients with IF on scheduled antibiotics differed significantly from those not on scheduled antibiotics. Abundance of certain Gram-negative and pathogenic bacteria (Pseudomonas, Prevotella, and Sutterella) was higher in the scheduled cohort. Patients with decreased Enterobacteriaceae demonstrated a greater ability to demonstrate a reduction in PN requirement, as well as attain positive growth. Conclusion Scheduled antibiotics may alter the gut microbiome in children IF, which in turn may have an influence on important nutrition outcomes in pediatric IF. Further larger, multicenter studies are needed to determine the effect of scheduled antibiotics on the gut microbiome in this patient population and their overall effect on nutrition outcomes.
Implementation of the Family HELP Protocol: A Feasibility Project for a West Texas ICU

The purpose of this project was to determine if bedside intensive care unit (ICU) nurse buy-in to the Family Hospital Elder Life Program (HELP) protocol was sufficient to make implementation feasible at one county hospital in West Texas. Surveys were anonymous with ballot box collection being available to the bedside ICU nurses for one week each. Questions were based on literature findings of expected outcomes, identified barriers and facilitators, Calgary Family Intervention Method framework domains, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Framework for program evaluation. Outcome measures were taken from the stated aims of the project and evaluated from paired baseline and summative survey questions. Survey participation was approximately half of nurses employed in the studied ICU. Analysis of the surveys showed a positive perception of family presence decreasing patient delirium symptoms, and a positive perception of the Family HELP protocol. The results described a high perception of family members as partners in care and high intention to implement the Family HELP protocol, indicating strong support of a full implementation of the protocol. The high level of bedside nurse buy-in present in this study has large implications for successful implementation of the Family HELP protocol in the near future, with sustainability and continued use supported by potential inclusion of the task in the electronic health record charting.
The Bishop’s Church: Berkeley’s Master Argument and the Paradox of Knowability

We can find in the passages that set out the Master Argument a precursor to the paradox of knowability. That paradox shows that if all truths are knowable, all truths are known. Similarly, Berkeley might be read as proposing that if all sensible objects are (distinctly) conceivable, then all sensible objects are conceived.
Rethinking Telerehabilitation: Attitudes of Physical Therapists and Patients

COVID-19 has accelerated the adoption of telehealth among various specialties, including rehabilitation. The fast-paced implementation of telerehabilitation has laid bare its challenges, providing an opportunity for innovation in order to enhance the experience of remote care. The purpose of this study sought to understand the attitudes toward telerehabilitation from physical therapist (PT) and patient perspectives. Two surveys administered to PTs, and the general patient population explored beliefs regarding telerehabilitation. There were a total of 289 participant responses in this study. There were 228 PT respondents and 61 patients who responded to the patient survey. Qualitative results describe current attitudes toward telerehabilitation. Results indicated both groups were receptive to virtual therapy sessions; however, some challenges were also reported. Current challenges and trends in utilizing telerehabilitation are further discussed.
The Future of Private Pensions: Proceedings of the 2001 Annual Meeting of the Association of American Law Schools, Section of Employee Benefits

Summary of the Proceedings: Our first two speakers, Jonathan Barry Forman and Norman Stein, will discuss cash balance conversions, one of the hottest issues in employee benefits today. Jon Forman will explain what cash balance plans are and why he believes that conversions from traditional defined benefit plans to cash balance plans are legal. Norman Stein will talk about the public policy implications of cash balance conversions - whether they should be legal. Our next two speakers, Dana Muir and Jeffrey Lewis, will discuss three key unsettled areas in employee benefits today: preemption, remedies, and fiduciary duties. Dana Muir will focus on fiduciary issues and remedies. Then Jeffrey Lewis will focus on preemption and will also discuss remedies and fiduciary duties. Finally, we are delighted to introduce Merton Bernstein, who is the author of The Future of Private Pensions. He will talk about the future of private pensions.
Self-interacting neutrinos as a solution to the Hubble tension?

Self-interaction among the neutrinos in the early Universe has been proposed as a solution to the Hubble tension, a discrepancy between the measured values of the Hubble constant from CMB and low-redshift data. However, flavor-universal neutrino self-interaction is highly constrained by Big Bang Nucleosynthesis and other laboratory experiments such as, tau and K-meson decay, double-neutrino beta decay etc. We study the cosmology when only one or two neutrino states are self-interacting. Such flavor-specific interactions are less constrained by the laboratory experiments. Lastly, we address the feasibility of resolving the Hubble tension within the framework of such flavor-specific neutrino self-interaction.
Verifying commit-atomicity using model-checking

The notion that certain procedures are atomic provides a valuable partial specification for many multithreaded software systems. Several existing tools verify atomicity by showing that every interleaved execution reduces to an equivalent serial execution (in which the actions of each atomic procedure are not interleaved with actions of other threads). However, experiments with these tools have highlighted a number of interesting procedures that, although atomic, are not reducible.
Standards and related intellectual property issues for climate change technology

Almost every product sold today must conform to standards, whether relating to its design, manufacture, operation, testing, safety, sale or disposal, and sometimes to many of these at once. At their root, standards are no more than written requirements or design features of a product, service or other activity. They can be breathtakingly detailed or disarmingly general, ranging from thousands of pages in length to just a few sentences. Standards are set by a wide range of bodies, from governmental agencies to industry consortia to multinational treaty organizations. Some standards are adopted into local, state or federal legislation and attain the force of law, others remain voluntary, yet are adopted by entire industries. This chapter provides a brief overview of the standards development landscape as it pertains to climate change technologies, also sometimes referred to as "clean tech", "green tech" and sustainability technologies, as well as the critical intellectual property issues that affect standards setting today.
T-cell receptor affinity in thymic development

Understanding the thymic processes that support the generation of functionally competent and self-tolerant lymphocytes requires dissection of the T-cell receptor (TCR) response to ligands of different affinities. In spatially segregated regions of the thymus, with unique expression of proteases and cytokines, TCR affinity guides a number of cell fate decisions. Yet affinity alone does not explain the selection paradox. Increasing evidence suggests that the 'altered peptide' model of the 1980s together with the affinity model might best explain how the thymus supports conventional and regulatory T-cell development. Development of new tools to study the strength of TCR signals perceived by T cells, novel regulatory T-cell transgenic mice, and tetramer enrichment strategies have provided an insight into the nature of TCR signals perceived during thymocyte development. These topics are discussed and support for the prevailing hypotheses is presented.
Fragile X syndrome: the FMR1 CGG repeat distribution among world populations.

Summary Fragile X syndrome (FXS) is characterized by moderate to severe intellectual disability, which is accompanied by macroorchidism and distinct facial morphology. FXS is caused by the expansion of the CGG trinucleotide repeat in the 5′ untranslated region of the fragile X mental retardation 1 (FMR1) gene. The syndrome has been studied in ethnically diverse populations around the world and has been extensively characterized in several populations. Similar to other trinucleotide expansion disorders, the gene-specific instability of FMR1 is not accompanied by genomic instability. Currently we do not have a comprehensive understanding of the molecular underpinnings of gene-specific instability associated with tandem repeats. Molecular evidence from in vitro experiments and animal models supports several pathways for gene-specific trinucleotide repeat expansion. However, whether the mechanisms reported from other systems contribute to trinucleotide repeat expansion in humans is not clear. To understand how repeat instability in humans could occur, the CGG repeat expansion is explored through molecular analysis and population studies which characterized CGG repeat alleles of FMR1. Finally, the review discusses the relevance of these studies in understanding the mechanism of trinucleotide repeat expansion in FXS.
Cost-estimation for landscape-scale restoration planning in the Upper Midwest, U.S.

Landscape-scale restoration planning requires cost estimates that reflect different site conditions and project goals. Estimates that assume a homogenous landscape are insufficient for project budgeting and optimizing scenarios. Currently, few resources and little guidance exist for those seeking restoration cost data. We developed a method to generate cost estimates for prairie and wet meadow restoration in the Upper Midwest United States. Using scenarios to provide hypothetical site- and project-specific detail, we surveyed restoration practitioners about their preferred actions and associated costs for 16 restoration transitions from common start states, reflecting vegetative cover, and end states, reflecting restoration targets and project goals. We estimated average seed cost for each end state using example seed mixes and pricing information from regional vendors. Baseline hydrologic restoration costs for wet meadows were estimated via expert consultation. We summed average costs for seed and individual restoration actions to produce total estimated costs for each transition. As expected, average restoration transition costs varied widely, with costs ranging more than four-fold. Differences were driven primarily by seed cost and intensity of vegetation management. Practitioners also varied considerably in both their reported sequence of actions and estimated costs for each action; individual transition costs ranged by as much as 25-fold. Within-practitioner variability of this magnitude presents serious challenges for restoration planning at multiple scales. Scenarios are an effective tool for generating coarse-resolution restoration cost estimates that reflect important site and project differences; however incentivizing practitioners to provide cost data and understanding sources of variability in their estimates remain important challenges.
Chandra Observations of V407 Vul: Confirmation of the Spin-Up

V407 Vu1 (RX J1914.4+2456) is a candidate double-degenerate binary with a putative 1.756 mHz (9.5 min) orbital frequency. In a previous timing study using archival ROSAT and ASCA data we reported evidence for an increase of this frequency at a rate consistent with expectations for gravitational radiation from a detached ultracompact binary system. Here we report the results of new Chandra timing observations which confirm the previous indications of spin-up of the X-ray frequency, and provide much tighter constraints on the frequency derivative, nu (raised dot). We obtained with Chandra a total of 90 ksec of exposure in two epochs separated in time by 11.5 months. The total time span of the archival ROSAT, ASCA and new Chandra data is now approximately equal to 10.5 years. This more than doubles the interval spanned by the ROSAT and ASCA data alone, providing much greater sensitivity to a frequency derivative. With the addition of the Chandra data an increasing frequency is unavoidable, and the mean nu (raised dot) is 7.0 plus or minus 0.8 x l0(exp -18) Hz per second. Although a long-term spin-up trend is confirmed, there is excess variance in the phase timing residuals, perhaps indicative of shorter timescale torque fluctuations or phase instability associated with the source of the X-ray flux. Power spectral searches for periods longward of the 9.5 minute period do not find any significant modulations, however, the sensitivity of searches in this frequency range are somewhat compromised by the dithering of the Chandra attitude. The observed spin-up is of a magnitude consistent with that expected from gravitational radiation decay, however, the factor of approximately equal to 3 variations in flux combined with the timing noise could conceivably result from accretion-induced spin-up of a white dwarf. Continued monitoring to explore correlations of torque with X-ray flux could provide a further test of this hypothesis.
Depolymerizable poly(benzyl ether)-based materials for selective room temperature recycling

This communication addresses the question of whether it is possible to design a polymer that can be modified easily to create various traditional classes of polymeric materials while also incorporating a mechanism into the backbone of the polymer for facilitating selective end-of-life recycling capabilities into the new types of materials. We illustrate these capabilities using depolymerizable poly(benzyl ethers), which we modify to access desired properties in plastics. The poly(benzyl ethers) also are designed for selective, programmed, room temperature, and continuous depolymerization of plastics to monomers when the plastic is no longer needed.
Bayesian analysis of color preferences: An application for product and product line design

When choosing which colors to offer in their product lines, firms often rely upon consumer preference models that do not account for the heterogeneity of their target market and do not consider the trade-offs consumers are willing to make for different color options. For this research we used visual conjoint analysis to assess preference for backpack color and then modeled respondent utilities with a Bayesian hierarchal multinomial logit model. This provided counter intuitive results in which product line color options are not additive but each color changes depending on the number of options the firm is willing to offer and that colors which seem to dominate secondary preferences within a target market may not be the best colors to choose for product line expansion. (C) 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Col Res Appl, 41, 445-456, 2016; Published Online 26 August 2015 in Wiley Online Library (wileyonlinelibrary.com).
PLANTING DENSITY INFLUENCES THE EXPRESSION OF GENETIC VARIATION IN SEED MASS IN WILD RADISH (RAPHANUS SATIVUS L.: BRASSICACEAE)

To determine the effects of density, genotype, and their interaction on individual seed mass in Raphanus sativus L., we replicated maternal and paternal families of seed across two planting densities in an experimental garden. Seeds were produced by a nested breeding design performed in the greenhouse. Among garden-raised plants, density had a strong negative effect on the mass of seeds produced. At low density, the identity of the greenhouse-grown maternal plants had a strong effect on F2 seed mass, while in high-density plots, there were no significant parental effects on mean seed mass. Significant parental genotype x density interactions contributed to variation in F2 seed mass. Norms of reaction for each of the 15 paternal sibships illustrate paternal family x density interactions. Three sibships exhibited significant declines in mean seed mass with increasing density; 12 sibships showed no change. Maternal family x density interaction effects on seed mass were also detected; among maternal sibships, mean seed mass at low density was negatively correlated with mean seed mass at high density. These results demonstrate: a) planting density has a strong effect on mean individual seed mass produced by adults; b) density influences the magnitude of maternal effects on progeny phenotype; and c) genotype x density interactions influence seed mass, potentially contributing to the maintenance of maternal genetic variation in seed mass in natural populations of wild radish.
Induction of heat shock proteins by tyrosine kinase inhibitors in rat cardiomyocytes and myogenic cells confers protection against simulated ischemia.

Abstract Previous studies have shown that in rodent myogenic cells and in the hearts of transgenic mice in which heat shock protein expression is increased there is a marked tolerance to ischemic/reperfusion injury. Furthermore, a recent study has shown that the benzoquinoid ansamycin antibiotic and tyrosine kinase inhibitor, herbimycin A, is capable of inducing the expression of heat shock proteins in fibroblasts. Our intention, in the present study, was to investigate if exposure of rat cardiomyocytes and the myogenic cell line H9c2 to herbimycin A would induce these proteins and, thus, confer protection against ischemic stress. For this purpose, we exposed both rat neonatal cardiomyocytes and H9c2 cells to herbimycin A and another related benzoquinoid ansamycin antibiotic, geldanamycin. We found that cells exposed to these compounds overexpressed heat shock proteins and are also rendered more tolerant to simulated ischemia as measured by the release of cytoplasmic enzymes. In addition, we found that the mechanism of induction of heat shock proteins by these compounds is similar, if not identical, to that of a heat shock (42°C, 60 min). These results suggest that these benzoquinoid ansamycin antibiotics, or closely related analogues, may offer a pharmacological means of increasing the level of heat shock proteins in cardiac tissue and thus protect the heart against ischemic/reperfusion injury.
Computational Prediction of G-Quadruplex Formation

Guanine-rich regions of genomic DNA can spontaneously fold into secondary structures called G-quadruplexes (GQs). Akin to tiny switches, GQs regulate genetic processes through their folding and unfolding. Their interest to basic science, as well as their potential as therapeutic targets for human diseases, has motivated the creation of computational tools for their prediction. Currently, GQ folding predictors are based on results from structural and biochemical studies of GQ formed in single-stranded (ss) DNA. As a result, existing tools perform poorly when applied to the prediction of GQ formation in double-stranded (ds) DNA, the native context within which genomic GQs are found. Here, we present a probabilistic model of GQ formation, which is learned from large-scale human genomic pull-down experiments and applied to the analysis of gene ontological data. Advances in the characterization of GQs in dsDNA have enabled us to integrate results from small-molecule binding assays and single-molecule FRET microscopy into our model. In order to obtain training sets of sequences, we identified nearly 700,000 unique, potential GQs and categorized them according to pull-down experiment outcomes. Model parameters learned from these training sets agree with experimental evidence and, when asked to predict the folding of dsDNA GQ sequences, outperformed existing models of GQ folding. To further explore the model's utility, we screened potential GQ drug targets by selecting high-scoring sequences for gene ontological analysis. Our results indicate that highly scoring sequences are preferentially located near cancer-related genes. This tool can be applied to genomic sequences to locate the most strongly forming GQs, revealing valuable information for the design of GQ-targeting therapies, and represents the next step toward the practical, widespread use of GQs in medicine and technology.