cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Femtosecond laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy of trinitrotoluene

Femtosecond laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) has been shown to be effective in detecting TNT, RDX, and other explosive related compounds. We chose to focus on aluminum and glass substrates since these allowed us to study the effects of strong linear absorption for a metal and the multiphoton absorption for a dielectric. For the FLMS experiments only stainless steel substrates were used.
Why We Like to Call Ourselves Latinas.

This article discusses the complex and subtle reasons why many people of Spanish-speaking ancestry—both Latin Americans and Spaniards—like to call themselves “Latinos.” Among other things, this wor...
Scientific Community in a Divided World: Economists, Planning, and Research Priority during the Cold War

During the Cold War, economists utilizing mathematical methods in both the Soviet Union and the United States found they shared a common research project. After the Stalinist years in which they could communicate very little, they found that they had much to learn from each other. Mathematical economics came to bridge the divide between East and West even though the meetings and collaborations between American and Soviet colleagues were fraught with tension and misunderstanding. The Cold War excitement about mathematical economics and the East-West cooperation it allowed, however, dwindled with the end of detente, the global shift in economic science away from mathematical economics, and the end of state socialism in the East Bloc. To understand the rise and fall of this cooperation and convergence, we examine the case of the connection between Tjalling C. Koopmans, a Dutch economist living in the United States as a result of World War II, and Leonid V. Kantorovich, a Russian scientist living in the Soviet Union. These two men jointly won the Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Science in 1975. Their scientific connections reflect the broader experiences of East-West scientific collaboration during the Cold War. At the same time, they offer insights for scholars regarding struggles over scientific research priority and the potential for convergence between capitalism and socialism during the Cold War era.
Mapping change of older forest with nearest-neighbor imputation and Landsat time-series

Abstract The Northwest Forest Plan (NWFP), which aims to conserve late-successional and old-growth forests (older forests) and associated species, established new policies on federal lands in the Pacific Northwest USA. As part of monitoring for the NWFP, we tested nearest-neighbor imputation for mapping change in older forest, defined by threshold values for forest attributes that vary with forest succession. We mapped forest conditions on >19 million ha of forest for the beginning (Time 1) and end (Time 2) of a 13-year period using gradient nearest neighbor (GNN) imputation. Reference data were basal area by species and size class from 17,000 forest inventory plots measured from 1993 to 2008. Spatial predictors were from Landsat time-series and GIS data on climate, topography, parent material, and location. The Landsat data were temporally normalized at the pixel level using LandTrendr algorithms, which minimized year-to-year spectral variability and provided seamless multi-scene mosaics. We mapped older forest change by spatially differencing the Time 1 and Time 2 GNN maps for average tree size (MNDBH) and for old-growth structure index (OGSI), a composite index of stand age, large live trees and snags, down wood, and diversity of tree sizes. Forests with higher values of MNDBH and OGSI occurred disproportionately on federal lands. Estimates of older forest area and change varied with definition. About 10% of forest at Time 2 had OGSI > 50, with a net loss of about 4% over the period. Considered spatially, gross gain and gross loss of older forest were much greater than net change. As definition threshold value increased, absolute area of mapped change decreased, but increased as a percentage of older forest at Time 1. Pixel-level change was noisy, but change summarized to larger spatial units compared reasonably to known changes. Geographic patterns of older forest loss coincided with areas mapped as disturbed by LandTrendr, including large wildfires on federal lands and timber harvests on nonfederal lands. The GNN distribution of older forest attributes closely represented the range of variation observed from a systematic plot sample. Validation using expert image interpretation of an independent plot sample in TimeSync corroborated forest changes from GNN. An advantage of imputed maps is their flexibility for post-classification, summary, and rescaling to address a range of objectives. Our methods for characterizing forest conditions and dynamics over large regions, and for describing the reliability of the information, should help inform the debate over conservation and management of older forest.
Control and performance of the AGS and AGS booster main magnet power supplies

Techniques for precision control of the main magnet power supplies for the AGS and AGS booster synchrotron will be discussed. Both synchrotrons are designed to operate in a pulse-to-pulse modulation (PPM) environment with a Supercycle Generator defining and distributing global timing events for the AGS facility. Details of modelling, real-time feedback and feedforward systems, generation and distribution of real time field data, operational parameters and an overview of performance for both machines are included. >
Linearized analysis of constant-property duct flows

The conservation equations describing steady, incompressible flow in a variable-area duct with mass transfer occurring at its walls are simplified by linearizing the inertial and convective terms. Solutions to a large class of problems can be obtained by means of the general method which is presented. Particular examples considered are entrance flow with heat transfer to an isothermal wall in the presence of mass addition, constant rate of injection of a foreign gas through the wall, vaporization and sublimation of a volatile wall material, and gas-phase combustion of a fuel which enters the duct from its wall. Comparison of the present results with previous work and with new experimental results is discussed for the first of these applications. It is concluded that the present results for velocity and pressure fields are likely to be accurate for small values of the Reynolds number based on wall injection velocity, that the present results for temperature and composition fields are likely to be accurate in the absence of wall mass transfer, and that in the absence of wall mass transfer the linearization technique is likely to exhibit its highest accuracy for flows with uniform entrance conditions.
Student Perspectives on Multiracial Identity.

This chapter describes the perspectives and experiences of multiracial college students and offers recommendations for institutions of higher education to better support college students who identify as multiracial.
Influence of Introduced CO 2 on Deep-Sea Metazoan Meiofauna

(harpacticoid copepods, nematodes, nauplii, kinorhynchs, polychaetes, and total meiofauna) were determined for each layer. CO 2 exposure did not significantly influ- ence the abundances or vertical distributions of any of the major taxa. However, other evidence suggests that abundance alone did not accurately reflect the effect of CO 2 on meiofauna. We argue that slow decomposition rates of meiofaunal carcasses can mask adverse effects of CO 2 and that longer experiments and/or careful examination of meiofaunal condition are needed to accurately evaluate CO 2 effects on deep-sea meiofaunal communities.
Role of incremental doses of intracoronary adenosine for fractional flow reserve assessment.

Abstract Background The achievement of maximal vasodilatation of the coronary microvessels is mandatory for the accurate determination of fractional flow reserve (FFR); the optimal dosing to achieve maximal vasodilation is unclear. This study was designed to address the hypothesis that incremental doses of intracoronary adenosine are necessary to ensure complete vasodilatation of the coronary microcirculation and accurate assessment of FFR. We also examined the relationship between FFR and coronary artery disease risk factors. Methods A total of 191 patients (215 vessels) with intermediate coronary lesions were examined. FFR was measured during cardiac catheterization with a pressure monitoring wire. Incremental doses of intracoronary adenosine (12–42 μg, left coronary artery; 12–48 μg, right coronary artery) were administered. Results Diabetes mellitus was present in 23% of patients, hypertension was present in 65% of patients, and prior myocardial infarction had occurred in 25% of patients. The average percent stenosis in vessels was 57% ± 15%. Vessels were subdivided on the basis of initial FFR (group 1, Conclusion This study suggests that a single high dose of 42 μg of intracoronary adenosine for both the RCA and LCA is sufficient to achieve maximum hyperemia and accurate FFR in most patients, independent of risk factors. Alternatively, when a lower initial dose is administered and FFR is in the 0.75 to 0.90 range, incremental doses of adenosine should be administered to ensure maximal hyperemia.
Meio ambiente e saúde: metodologia para análise espacial da ocorrência de malária em projetos de assentamento

Malaria at colonization sites in the Brazilian Amazon is defined as frontier malaria, a complex phenomenon including biological, ecological, socioeconomic, and behavioral issues. It follows a specific temporal transition cycle lasting approximately eight years, oscillating from extremely high rates of transmission to lower and stable ones. A broader understanding of this phenomenon that would account for its spatial and temporal idiosyncrasies is a major challenge. In this article we present a methodological approach that describes malaria risk profiles based on a multidisciplinary analysis. The approach combines spatial analysis, geostatistical tools, and fuzzy-set models. Results highlight the need for spatially and temporally targeted interventions for mitigating the spread of this disease.
Condom Availability Program in an Inner City Public School: Effect on the Rates of Gonorrhea and Chlamydia Infection

Abstract Purpose Sexual activity and sexually transmitted infection (STI) rates are high in adolescents. In this study, we sought to determine whether the initiation of a school-based condom availability program was associated with a decrease in STI rates. Methods We compared the rates of STIs in 15–19-yr-olds reported to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health for the 3 years before and after a condom availability program was introduced in Holyoke, MA, as compared with a similar city, Springfield, MA, which did not have such a program. Results Holyoke males, aged 15–19 years, showed a 47% decrease in the rates of gonorrhea and chlamydia infection combined over the 3 years after the implementation of the condom availability program, whereas similar aged males in Springfield had a 23% increase in the rates of gonorrhea and chlamydia infection. The difference in regression slopes in this period was significant ( p Females, aged 15–19 years, from either Holyoke or Springfield, showed moderate, variable changes in rates of STIs after 2005; there was no significant difference in the regression slopes of STIs between Holyoke and Springfield. Conclusions Initiating a condom availability program in a city's high school was associated with a decrease in STI rates for 15–19-yr-old males but not females.
Compressor-Specific Design of a Single Stage Pulse Tube Refrigerator

A single stage active valve pulse tube refrigerator has been designed to operate at 30 K and provide a nominal cooling power in excess of 30 watts. This report details the various considerations comprising the system design, focusing on the limitations imposed by the reciprocating-type compressor commonly used for GM-style pulse tube refrigerators. We describe a design method for GM-style pulse tubes to maximize the pulse tube cooling power that can be produced from a compressor of fixed capacity. The method provides a physical understanding of the various influencing factors, and is illustrated using the specifications for the Cryomech CP640 compressor, which draws a maximum electrical power of 5.5 kW. The design process begins by defining mass flow and compressor work as a function of the discharge and suction pressures, thereby producing a compressor performance map. The compressor map in turn provides a framework from which the pulse tube system geometry can be optimized for maximum cooling power. Various real constraints, such as pressure drop through the valves and regenerator, laminar boundary layer along the pulse tube walls, and conduction losses are included in the design process and are shown to significantly impact the optimized result.
A Review of: “Model of Human Occupation: Theory and Application (4th Edition), edited by Gary Kielhofner”

The evolution of the Model of Human Occupation (MOHO), an occupation-based model, is showcased in the latest revision of Dr. Kielhofner's book. The content has been expanded from the previous editi...
Más allá de la gracia: la modernidad de Manuel Gutiérrez Nájera

En 1896 Justo Sierra, en su ya clasico prologo a la poesia de Manuel Gutierrez Najera, descubrio en ella la presencia de un nuevo discurso. Pero, en lugar de identificarlo con un estilo moderno lo equiparo con modelos pertenecientes a una otredad exocentrica, creando asi un concepto truncado de la creatividad najeriana que ha perdurado hasta nuestros dias. Otros artistas, contemporaneos de Sierra, como Jose Marti y el mismo Najera, comprendieron o intuyeron el sentido de la crisis finisecular y el impulso renovador finisecular que identificamos hoy, con la etapa modernista de la modernidad hispanoamericana. Para festejar el centenario de la muerte de El Duque y la publicacion del prologo de Justo Sierra se analiza la obra de N ajera como expresion mas alla de la gracia de un artista autoconsciente del aterrador aislamiento del escritor de su epoca. Se exploran los signos discursivos de la construccion najeriana de la realidad metamorfica de la modernidad burguesa y COmo en sus textos se perfila el ego del imaginario de un escritor revolucionario que cultiva un discurso contrahegemonico del signo romantico y, a la vez, modernista.
A novel 3-dimensional approach for cardiac regeneration

Ischemic heart diseases, such as coronary artery disease and microvascular disease, are cardiovascular pathologies that cause reduced blood supply to the heart muscle. Acute and chronic ischemia cause cardiomyocytes to die, and these cells are not naturally replaced as part of the wound healing process in the heart. To promote neovascularization in the wound bed and in implanted engineered tissues, we have developed a collagen-alginate microspheres scaffold intended for local release of drugs and growth factors in order to recruit host endothelial cells to the area and provide them with geometrical cues to form new vessels. Optimization of alginate microspheres included modulation of nitrogen pressure, alginate and CaCl 2 concentrations, nozzle size, and velocity of extrusion to achieve monodisperse populations of 100 µm diameter microspheres with protein release over 3 days. In vitro incorporation of fibroblasts in the bulk collagen demonstrated cellular compatibility with embedded alginate microspheres. An in vitro vessel formation assay, performed with human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) immobilized in the collagen phase of the collagen-alginate microspheres scaffolds, showed that HUVECs formed networks following the 3-dimensional pattern of the microspheres even in the absence of growth factor. Implantation of acellular collagen-alginate microspheres scaffolds onto healthy rat hearts confirmed the invasion of host cells at one week. Together, these results suggest that the collagen-alginate microspheres scaffold is a viable, tunable therapeutic approach for directing neovascularization in engineered tissues and in the heart after ischemic events.
Identifying New Organizational Practices by Considering Different Perspectives: An Ethics Management Example

Scientific knowledge is driven by the research questions we ask. As Bergman and Jean (2016) argue, if wage earners, contract workers, and other workers are underrepresented in our research samples, we're likely to fail to investigate phenomena of importance to these populations. By focusing primarily on salaried and managerial workers, we limit the research questions we ask and fail to consider important caveats to industrial-organizational theories. As Bergman and Jean note, we cannot assume that the experiences observed in any group will generalize to other groups. We elaborate on this argument to discuss how failing to take into account the diverse perspectives and needs of the full labor market leads us to fail to ask relevant research questions. Specifically, we discuss how considering unexplored labor market perspectives opens new questions in the area of ethics management.
Uptake and release of 63Ni2+ by Xenopus embryos during early cleavage stages.

Uptake and release of 63Ni was studied in dejellied Xenopus laevis embryos exposed to 63Ni2+ (0.3-30 mumol/l) for 0.5-h intervals during the period 1-4.5 h post-fertilization (i.e. from first cleavage to early blastula stage). At first cleavage, the mean uptake of 63Ni by embryos was 12-17 times that by non-fertilized eggs, suggesting that conversion of the vitelline envelope to the fertilization envelope enhanced integumental permeability to 63Ni2+. 63Ni uptake by embryos at the 1-2-cell stage averaged 1.8-2.5 times that at the early blastula stage. An average of 5% of total 63Ni in washed embryos was recovered in isolated fertilization envelopes, indicating that 63Ni2+ passed through the envelope into internal compartments. Progressive increases of 63Ni uptake were seen with increasing exposure levels; after exposure during 1-1.5 h post-fertilization to the highest concentration of 63Ni2+ (30 mumol/l), 63Ni uptake averaged 11.4 (SD +/- 5.1) pmol/embryo. Rapid efflux of 63Ni was noted after 63Ni2(+)-exposed embryos were transferred to nickel-free medium; mean 63Ni contents at 0.25 h and 2 h post-exposure diminished to 50% and 15% of the initial values, regardless of the exposure level. The finding that Xenopus embryos are permeable to 63Ni2+ during early cleavage stages provides a convenient experimental system to investigate the embryotoxicity and teratogenicity of nickel.
Ab-Initio Simulations to Study the Configurational Entropy of Column IV Microclusters

We directly simulate the dynamics of carbon and silicon clusters to study the relevance of the probability distribution of coordinates to experimentally measured phenomena. We believe that the high temperature conformations are not necessarily related to the ground state minimum, and that care should be exercised when comparing ground state T = 0 calculations to experiments performed at high temperature.
Investigation and analysis on behavioral problems among children with obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome

Objective To investigate behavioral problems in children with obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome(OSAHS),so as to provide scientific basis for psychological health education and ensure children's physical and mental health.Methods A total of 28 children aged from 6 to 12 years were selected from the department as the OSAHS group and another 28 healthy children were chosen as the control group.Results The scores of OSAHS children in social withdrawal,body complain,aggression and hyperactivity were significantly higher than the healthy group(P0.01 or P0.05).Conclusion Compared with the healthy children,the OSAHS children have certain behavior problems.It's essential to give psychological and behavioral intervention to the children with OSAHS.
Problems and Suggestions on Coordinated Development of Power Grid and Renewable Energy of Shaanxi Province

This paper introduces the development situation and planning of centralized renewable energy of Shaanxi Province,and analyzes the main problems of harmonious development between renewable energy and power grid focusing on Yulin area with the richest renewable resource.The analysis is carried out from the aspects of renewable energy transmission planning,integrating detection and power grid operating situation,technical support and so on.Based on which,the paper gives some corresponding measures and suggestions for Shaanxi power gird to adapt the development of the renewable energy.
Enforcing Neutrality: The Tenth U. S. Cavalry on the Mexican Border, 1913–1919

The Mexican Revolution caused chaos along the U. S. -Mexican border, forcing the United States to send the army to the region in order to enforce neutrality laws. The experiences of the Tenth U S. Cavalry demonstrate the difficulties the army faced in carrying out this task.
Positivity in Operator Algebras and Operator Spaces

This article is aimed at a general reader familiar with the basics of functional analysis. It begins with a quick summary of the most basic ‘facts of life’ of positivity for Hilbert space operators, or for algebras of operators on a Hilbert space. It being impossible to adequately survey the fundamental role of positivity in the field of operator algebras, since this is so extensive and ubiquitous, in the present article we review selectively some of the general principles in the subject, and give some examples of how positivity plays a central role in the field, even in settings where positivity is not at first in evidence. The topics become more progressively more specialized towards our own current interests, ending with some very recent work of ours and of others.
The political economy of biodiesel in an era of low oil prices

Abstract Global biodiesel production grew by 23% per annum between 2005 and 2015, leading to a seven-fold expansion of the sector in a single decade. Rapid development in the biodiesel sector corresponded to high crude oil prices, but since mid-2014, oil prices have fallen dramatically. This paper assesses the economic and policy factors that underpinned the expansion of biodiesel, and examines the near-term prospects for biodiesel growth under conditions of low fossil fuel prices. We show that the dramatic increase in biodiesel output would not have occurred without strong policy directives, subsidies, and trade policies designed to support agricultural interests, rural economic development, energy security, and climate targets. Given the important role of policy—and the political context within each country that shapes policy objectives, instruments, and priorities—case studies of major biodiesel producing countries are presented as a key element of our analysis. Although the narrative of biodiesel policies in most countries conveys win-win outcomes across multiple objectives, the case studies show that support of particular constituents, such as farm lobbies or energy interests, often dominates policy action and generates large social costs. Looking out to 2020, the paper highlights risks to the biodiesel industry associated with ongoing regulatory and market uncertainties.
Psychiatric disease in surgically treated colorectal cancer patients.

Abstract Background Underlying psychiatric conditions may affect outcomes of surgical treatment for colorectal cancer (CRC) because of complex clinical presentation and treatment considerations. We hypothesized that patients with psychiatric illness (PSYCH) would have evidence of advanced disease at presentation, as manifested by higher rates of colorectal surgery performed in the presence of obstruction, perforation, and/or peritonitis (OPP-surgery). Materials and methods Using data from the 2007-2011 National Inpatient Sample, we identified patients with a diagnosis of CRC undergoing colorectal surgery. In addition to somatic comorbid conditions flagged in the National Inpatient Sample, we used the Clinical Classification Software to identify patients with PSYCH, including schizophrenia, delirium/dementia, developmental disorders, alcohol/substance abuse, and other psychiatric conditions. Our study outcome was OPP-surgery. In addition to descriptive analysis, we conducted multivariable logistic regression analysis to analyze the independent association between each of the PSYCH conditions and OPP-surgery, after adjusting for patient demographics and somatic comorbidities. Results Our study population included 591,561 patients with CRC and undergoing colorectal cancer surgery, of whom 60.6% were aged 65 years or older, 49.4% were women, and 6.3% had five or more comorbid conditions. Then, 17.9% presented with PSYCH. The percent of patients undergoing OPP-surgery was 13.9% in the study population but was significantly higher for patients with schizophrenia (19.3%), delirium and dementia (18.5%), developmental disorders (19.7%), and alcohol/substance abuse (19.5%). In multivariable analysis, schizophrenia, delirium/dementia, and alcohol/substance abuse were each independently associated with increased rates of OPP-surgery. Conclusions Patients with PSYCH may have obstacles in receiving optimal care for CRC. Those with PSYCH diagnoses had significantly higher rates of OPP-surgery. Additional evaluation is required to further characterize the clinical implications of advanced disease presentation for patients with PSYCH diagnoses and colorectal cancer.
Oklahoma Kickapoo Culture Change

The Kickapoo are one of the more traditionally oriented Indian tribes in the state of Oklahoma. This is not only a view held by the writer, it has been expressed by another anthropologist (Pope 195...
Examining Interdependencies between Seller’s and Buyer’s Strategies in Online Auctions: (The Case of Seller’s Choice of Auction Duration)

In online auction research, sellers’ and buyers’ strategies have been largely examined as separate research streams and the interdependencies inherent in their strategies to understanding price premium and buyer behaviors have not been adequately explored. This deficiency is a serious limitation since an integrative approach could build the conceptual bridge necessary to provide sellers with a deeper understanding of how to achieve desired auction outcomes. Consequently, the present study integrates these two perspectives by proposing that seller auction duration strategy impacts bidders’ strategy, their winning likelihood, and their financial outcomes. Results from cluster analysis and ANCOVA support our model, showing that different auction durations attract different types of bidders. Auctions with shorter durations were found more attractive to those buyers attempting to keep monitoring cost low, while longer durations appeared to be more attractive to those benefitting from observing other bidders’ actions. The paper concludes with implications for research and practice.
Multi-Beam MTM High Power Microwave Source

Microwave sources transform the kinetic energy of an electron beam into microwaves through the interaction of the electrons with a periodic slow wave structure (SWS). A metamaterial (MTM) waveguide is proposed for use in a microwave oscillator instead of a SWS, which have been used for a long time to generate high power. MTMs have interesting properties such as negative refractive index, low group velocity, below cut-off propagation, among others.
Susceptibility of cultivars of several dogwood taxa to powdery mildew and spot anthracnose.

Abstract Incidence of powdery mildew (Microsphaera penicillata) and spot anthracnose (Elsinoe corni) was assessed on 37 selections or cultivars of flowering dogwood (Cornus florida), kousa dogwood ...
Metalanguage and Revelation: Rethinking Theology’s Language and Relevance

What distinguishes theology (in specific Christian theology) from the other uses of language? Is theology a specific language, or is it a specific situation of language, a specific way to consider language? I start with the issue of language’s inadequacy before (and because of) divine revelation. By analyzing the variety of answers to this inopia verborum, I show that the theological inadequacy of language is not conceptual, but formal: it concerns the metalinguistic definition of inadequacy. Then, I formalize the relationship between metalanguage and object language, and I argue that theology applies precisely to this formal relationship. From this, I deduce that the function of theology is to question the need for metalinguistic foundation and validation—given that this need characterizes human language, that is, what is not divine revelation. I end with two applications: on one hand, to the axiomatization of theology; on the other hand, to the methodology for inter-religious dialogue.
The research of the lens opacification in radiographers of Changzhou

Objective To research the lens opacification in radiographers of Changzhou.Methods To examine the lens’ change with slit lamp in 1829 (3658 eyes) radiographers in Changzhou.Results 256 eyes have the lens opacification in 3658 eyes,the recurrence rate is 7.00％.The longer time working in radiation,the more opacity.The recurrence rate in X-ray group is higher than that of industrial injury group.Conclusions Occupational radiation for long timc and low dose may cause lens opacity.Preventive measure for every radiographer and management of radiation by supervision should be strengthen. Key words: Radiographers ; Lens opacity ; Seniority
Pre-treatment graph measures of a functional semantic network are associated with naming therapy outcomes in chronic aphasia.

Abstract Naming treatment outcomes in post-stroke aphasia are variable and the factors underlying this variability are incompletely understood. In this study, 26 patients with chronic aphasia completed a semantic judgment fMRI task before receiving up to 12 weeks of naming treatment. Global (i.e., network-wide) and local (i.e., regional) graph theoretic measures of pre-treatment functional connectivity were analyzed to identify differences between patients who responded most and least favorably to treatment (i.e., responders and nonresponders) and determine if network measures predicted naming improvements. Responders had higher levels of global integration (i.e., average network strength and global efficiency) than nonresponders, and these measures predicted treatment effects after controlling for lesion volume and age. Group differences in local measures were identified in several regions associated with a variety of cognitive functions. These results suggest there is a meaningful and possibly prognostically-informative relationship between patients’ functional network properties and their response to naming therapy.
Power Divergence Family of Statistics for Person Parameters in IRT Models

We generalize the power divergence (PD) family of statistics to the two-parameter logistic IRT model for the purpose of constructing hypothesis tests and confidence intervals of the person parameter. The well-known score test statistic is a special case of the proposed PD family. We also prove the proposed PD statistics are asymptotically equivalent and converge in distribution to $$\chi _{1}^2$$ . In addition, a moment matching method is introduced to compare statistics and choose the optimal one within the PD family. Simulation results suggest that the coverage rate of the associated confidence interval is well controlled even under small sample sizes for some PD statistics. Compared to some other approaches, the associated confidence intervals exhibit smaller lengths while maintaining adequate coverage rates. The utilities of the proposed method are demonstrated by analyzing a real data set.
Novel On-Demand 3-Dimensional (3-D) Printed Tablets Using Fill Density as an Effective Release-Controlling Tool

This research demonstrates the use of fill density as an effective tool for controlling the drug release without changing the formulation composition. The merger of hot-melt extrusion (HME) with fused deposition modeling (FDM)-based 3-dimensional (3-D) printing processes over the last decade has directed pharmaceutical research towards the possibility of printing personalized medication. One key aspect of printing patient-specific dosage forms is controlling the release dynamics based on the patient’s needs. The purpose of this research was to understand the impact of fill density and interrelate it with the release of a poorly water-soluble, weakly acidic, active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) from a hydroxypropyl methylcellulose acetate succinate (HPMC-AS) matrix, both mathematically and experimentally. Amorphous solid dispersions (ASDs) of ibuprofen with three grades of AquaSolveTM HPMC-AS (HG, MG, and LG) were developed using an HME process and evaluated using solid-state characterization techniques. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), powder X-ray diffraction (pXRD), and polarized light microscopy (PLM) confirmed the amorphous state of the drug in both polymeric filaments and 3D printed tablets. The suitability of the manufactured filaments for FDM processes was investigated using texture analysis (TA) which showed robust mechanical properties of the developed filament compositions. Using FDM, tablets with different fill densities (20–80%) and identical dimensions were printed for each polymer. In vitro pH shift dissolution studies revealed that the fill density has a significant impact (F(11, 24) = 15,271.147, p −0.99; p < 0.0001) with the release performance, where 20% infill demonstrated the fastest and most complete release, whereas 80% infill depicted a more controlled release. The results obtained from this research can be used to develop a robust formulation strategy to control the drug release from 3D printed dosage forms as a function of fill density.
Is sore throat an underreported and under-estimated quality indicator for endoscopic procedures? Results from a large prospective cohort.

Background and study aims Patients often develop sore throat after upper endoscopy procedures but there data are very limited on the magnitude of the problem. The aim of this study was to evaluate and identify independent risk factors of sore throat in patients undergoing endoscopy. Patients and methods Data were collected prospectively on consecutive outpatient endoscopy procedures performed at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center from October 2018 to February 2019. Procedure nurses collected pre-procedure, intra-procedure, and immediate post-procedure surveys including evaluation of sore throat (pain scale from 1 – 10). Significant univariate variables (P Results Data were collected on 715 patients. Four hundred seventy-two patients (mean age = 61 years, females = 53 %) were included in the analysis and 85 patients (18 %) experienced post-procedure sore throat. On univariate analysis, female gender, oral endoscopic ultrasound (EUS), oral double balloon enteroscopy (DBE), fellow involvement, throat suctioning, general anesthesia, oral airway, and prolonged procedure (> 30 minutes) were risk factors for sore throat (all P Conclusions Contrary to popular belief, our study found that post-procedural sore throat is more common (18 %) than previously reported. Two types of endoscopic procedures, two anesthesia maneuvers, female gender, and fellow involvement were all independent risk factors. This is of particular concern for interventionalists who perform EUS and oral DBE as these patients are at higher risk for sore throat.
Business as a Collaborative Partner: Understanding Firms' Socio-Political Support for Policy Formation

While many scholars have discussed the merits of collaborative governance, especially for addressing complicated modern policy challenges, the literature has paid less attention to how business can serve as an effective collaborative partner during the formation of mandatory policies and regulations. Drawing on scholarship in the management sciences and combining it with literature in public administration and public policy, we elaborate on four distinct types of business responses to proposed regulations based on degrees of political activity and social responsiveness: defensive, reactive, proactive, and anticipatory. We then characterize the reasons why proactive firms are more likely to be valuable collaborative partners with policy makers and public managers in that their engagement may avoid costly stalemates that frequently hinder policy making, and develop cost-effective, flexible policy approaches to complex social problems.
Evaluation of thermal performance of green roofs via field measurements and hygrothermal simulations

Abstract Several studies have analyzed the heat flow impact of green roofs in hot weather, but few studies have examined the thermal performance during cold climate conditions. This study presents an experimental and numerical investigation of a large extensive green roof on the Onondaga County Convention Center in Syracuse, NY in both summer and winter conditions. Measured temperatures across the multilayers of the roofing system reveal the spatial and temporal variation of thermal conditions in the roofing system and the impact of the green roof. The CHAMPS-BES model (coupled heat, air, moisture and pollutant simulations for building envelope systems) has been applied to simulate the temperature profile through the layers of the green roof in which a new approach is developed to account for the evapotranspiration in the vegetation. In late fall without snow, the temperatures of the growth medium and roof membrane follow the diurnal cycle of ambient air temperatures but with smaller amplitude. Under extremely cold weather in winter with snow on the roof, the snow acts as an insulator, and heat flux is dominated by the temperature gradient between interior space and the snow layer. During the summer, the green roof significantly reduces the daily peak temperature of the membrane. In addition, the green roof moderates the heat flow through the roofing system and reduces the amount of air conditioning needed. This work also shows that the CHAMPS-BES model can be used to inform green roof design decisions.
The quick carotid scan for prevention of strokes due to carotid artery disease

There are approximately 800,000 strokes in the United States (U.S.) annually. This number has remained the same for decades despite efforts at prevention. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) estimates that 80% of strokes could be prevented. A prime reason for failure of prevention is that the three immediate modifiable causes of strokes, carotid artery disease (CAD), atrial fibrillation (AFib), and hypertension (HTN) are asymptomatic in 80% of cases prior to the stroke. Strokes occur predominantly in seniors and the only possible means of reducing strokes on a large scale is to screen seniors for the asymptomatic disease so that it can be preemptively managed. We present a quick, accurate and cost-effective method of screening the senior population for asymptomatic carotid disease. The technique is a quick carotid scan (QCS). The QCS is a 1-minute long, image only, rapid, color flow ultrasound scan of the cervical carotid arteries that had a sensitivity of 97% when evaluated at New York University (NYU). Once identified by the QCS the approximately 8% of those screened found to have a positive QCS can then be referred for a full carotid duplex ultrasound (DUS). Those patients with a positive DUS can then be referred for further evaluation and appropriate stroke prevention management. The use of a full carotid DUS for screening widely for carotid disease is too time consuming and too costly. Approximately 160,000 or nearly 20% of the 800,000 strokes that occur annually in the U.S. are due to CAD that could in large part be prevented by screening the senior population with the QCS, finding those with CAD, evaluating them, and preemptively managing them prior to the occurrence of the stroke.
Hospitalization for Heart Failure and Subsequent Ventricular Tachyarrhythmias in Patients With Left Ventricular Dysfunction.

Abstract Objectives This study aimed to evaluate the risk of sustained life-threatening ventricular tachyarrhythmias (VTAs) after hospitalization for heart failure (HHF). Background HHF is common a...
What does team science look like across the CTSA consortium? A qualitative analysis of the Great CTSA Team Science Contest submissions.

Introduction The Great CTSA Team Science Contest (GTSC) was developed to discover how Clinical and Translational Science Award (CTSA) hubs promote and support team science [1]. The purpose of this study was a secondary qualitative analysis of the GTSC submissions to better understand the diversity of team science initiatives across the CTSA consortium. Methods Secondary qualitative analysis of the GTSC data addressed the following research questions, which defined the top-level coding: (1) What CTSA component sponsored it? (2) Who was the team doing the work? (3) Who were the intended beneficiaries? (4) What was the intended outcome? (5) What strategies did they use? (6) What translational science (TS) stage was addressed? (7) How do they align with the NCATS team science strategic goals? (8) How do the CTSA's team science efforts align with the National Academies Research Council (NRC) recommendations for enhancing the effectiveness of team science? Results The GTSC received 170 submissions from 45 unique CTSA hubs. Qualitative analysis revealed a great variety of team science strategies for virtually all team science stakeholders. In addition to strategies to promote team science, results show successful examples that focus on outcomes and illustrate ways of measuring success. Conclusions The GTSC shows that the CTSA consortium is involved in an extremely diverse array of team science activities, which align well with both the NRC recommendations for enhancing the effectiveness of team science and the NCATS strategic goals for team science. Future research should evaluate the efficacy of team science strategies.
Diagnosing autonomous vehicle driving criteria with an adversarial evolutionary algorithm

We repurposed an adversarial evolutionary algorithm, Gremlin, from finding driving scenarios where a model of an autonomous vehicle drove poorly to troubleshooting driving quality evaluation criteria. We evaluated the driving performance of a "perfect driver" robot in a virtual town environment using the same fitness criteria intended for a deep learner (DL) trained driver. We found that the fitness evaluation criteria poorly handled turns, and used Gremlin to iteratively improve that criteria. We were confident that the same criteria could then be applied to the DL-based models as originally intended, and that this approach could be used as a general means of troubleshooting autonomous vehicle driving criteria.
ESTIMATION OF FUEL-AIR RATIO FROM CYLINDER PRESSURE IN SPARK IGNITED ENGINES

A novel approach to the estimation of equivalence ratio in spark-ignited internal combustion engines is proposed, based on a certain cycle-by-cycle statistical analysis of indicated cylinder pressure data. A classical ("zero-dimensional") first law cylinder pressure thermodynamic model is re-parameterized into a difference equation in which crank-angle is the independent variable, and parameters in the combustion model are estimated from observation of cylinder pressure alone. An efficient algorithm based on statistical maximum-likelihood techniques is derived to produce estimates of combustion duration, ignition delay, and total heat released on a cycle-by-cycle basis. It is then shown that the statistical signature of the estimated parameters (combustion duration in particular) can be exploited to develop a Bayesian estimator for equivalence ratio. Experimental results from a CFR engine are presented together with potential simplifications to the required data processing requirements.
Authoring Tools for Adaptive Training – An Overview of System Types and Taxonomy for Classification

The Intelligent Tutoring Systems (ITS) community has recently renewed its interest in authoring tools, as evidenced in recent workshops, publications, and developments. Part of this renewal of effort has been in the development of authoring tools systems for maturing products and processes. As an example, the Cognitive Tutor Authoring Tools (CTAT), AutoTutor Script Authoring Tools (ASAT), and Generalized Intelligent Framework for Tutoring (GIFT) Authoring Tool (GAT) are all available for community use and feedback through their various portals. As these authoring tools come available, it is helpful to classify them into groups, for the purpose of study, based upon their similarities and differences.
Lower Dimensional Coarse Spaces for Domain Decomposition

Methods are presented for automatically constructing lower dimensional coarse spaces for domain decomposition algorithms. The coarse spaces are fully continuous and well suited for use in two-level or multi-level preconditioners such as overlapping Schwarz. An analysis for scalar elliptic problems reveals that significant reductions in the coarse space dimension can often be achieved while not sacrificing the favorable condition number estimates for larger coarse spaces. Three dimensional examples are presented to illustrate the methods and to confirm the analysis.
Alcohol and Burn Injury Decreases STAT3 Expression in Intestinal Epithelial Cells

Gut leakiness and subsequent bacterial translocation can contribute to sepsis and multiple organ failure following ethanol exposure and burn injury. Our laboratory has previously shown alterations in tight junction proteins following combined ethanol and burn injury, however, the mechanism by which this occurs remains largely unexplored. STAT3 has been shown to play a role in proliferation and differentiation of intestinal epithelial cells (IECs), but its role in regulation of tight junction proteins has yet to be established. Therefore, we examined the effect of alcohol and burn injury on STAT3 expression in intestinal epithelial cells. C57BL/6 mice were gavaged with ~3 g/kg ethanol. Four hours after gavage, mice were subjected to a ~12.5% total body surface area dorsal scald burn. One day following injury, IECs were isolated from small intestine and expression of STAT3, occludin, and a subset of claudins were examined. We observed significantly decreased STAT3 expression in ethanol and burn injured mice...
Cardiac Arrhythmia Suppression Trial (CAST)

The development of new antiarrhythmic agents seemed to herald a new era in which the treatment of serious ventricular arrhythmias would be reduced. The arrhythmia suppression hypothesis, for example, the suppression of mild ventricular arrhythmias would reduce the subsequent rate of adverse arrhythmic clinical events, was accepted by many, and FDA approval of these agents preceded a formal proof of the theory. Keywords: arrhythmias; early termination; one-tailed testing
Competent Families, Collaborative Professionals

ABSTRACT A brief empowered parent education strategy was developed and evaluated on African American, Head Start parents against a conventional parent education approach. Parents who participated in this unique approach to parent education critiqued the content and process of a conventional parent education strategy and collaborated with professionals to design and conduct their own culturally relevant parent workshop. Engagement for parents who participated in the empowered strategy was significantly greater than parents who participated in the conventional one. Content was judged as more relevant and presenter behavior was judged as more respectful than in the conventional approach. Ninety percent of participants queried preferred empowered parent education when asked which workshop they would attend if given the choice. Implications for our understanding of the construct of empowerment as well as for the design and implementation of parent education strategies with low-income and minority parents are d...