cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effect of Equivalent Weight on Water Sorption, PTFE-Like Crystallinity, and Ionic Conductivity in Bis((Perfluoroalkyl)Sulfonyl) Imide Perfluorinated Ionomers

Measurements of water absorption and ionic conductivity as a function of relative humidity (RH) were carried out on membranes comprised of bis((perfluoroalkyl)sulfonyl) imide ionomers of equivalent weights 1470, 1200, and 1075 g equiv-1, and on a sample of the perfluorosulfonic ionomer Nafion™ ionomer of equivalent weight 1100 g equiv-1 for comparison. All of the ionomers exhibited decreased water absorption and ionic conductivity with decreasing RH. Within the sulfonyl imide series, the extents of the decreases correlated with ionomer equivalent weight, such that the highest equivalent weight ionomer (1470 g equiv-1) exhibited the lowest conductivity and the sharpest drop in conductivity with decreasing RH compared with the lower equivalent weight ionomers (1200 g equiv-1 and 1075 g equiv-1). This observation also correlates with WAXD and DSC data which indicate an increase in PTFE-like crystallinity with increasing ionomer equivalent weight. The observed dependencies of water absorption and ionic conductivity on RH and ionomer equivalent weight for the bis((perfluoroalkyl)sulfonyl) imide ionomers are similar to that which has been reported for Nafion™, which suggests that the phase-separated ionomer structures and the effect of water sorption on the phase-separated structure are qualitatively similar for the two ionomer classes.
Effect of serum blood glucose on SUV measurements: implications in quantitative brain imaging and implementation of PERCIST criteria

1848 Objectives Blood glucose is routinely measured prior to FDG administration in positron emission tomography (PET) imaging to identify hyperglycemia that may affect image quality . However, the effect of glucose levels upon quantitative standardized uptake value (SUV) measurements over a range otherwise considered acceptable for clinical PET imaging has not been extensively explored. Changes in target organ/tissue of interest FDG uptake based upon blood glucose may have significant implications in quantitative alogrithms used in the interpretation of PET imaging in dementia and in monitoring tumor treatment response with PET Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (PERCIST) criteria. Methods 436 FDG PET/CT studies from 230 patients obtained from the Ann Arbor VA were reviewed. All patients had blood glucose obtained prior to injection of FDG. SUV measurements were obtained of the liver (following PERCIST criteria), aortic arch blood pool, spleen, and the basal ganglia and overall brain. Additionally, patient demographic data was obtained to analyzed to explore confounding factors. Results A negative inverse relationship of brain SUV with increasing serum glucose, both in terms of absolute and normalized (either to blood pool or liver) measurements was demonstrated. At higher blood glucose levels (> ~150 mg/dL), brain SUV approached serum blood pool. By contrast, there was a minimal significant dependence at higher blood glucose levels in both the liver and blood pool SUV. Spleen SUV was independent of blood glucose, but had the highest variability in measurements (deviation from linear regression). Normalized liver and spleen SUV to the blood pool SUV did not depend on blood glucose at time of injection. Conclusions An inverse relationship between brain SUV and blood glucose levels otherwise considered acceptable for clinical PET imaging may affect PET scan interpretation, particularly when quantitative analyses are employed. Implementation of PERCIST criteria in assessing treatment responses may require modification to consider the effect of blood glucose upon both target organs and selection of reference tissues.
Exploring singlet deflection of gauge mediation

We embed the next-to minimal supersymmetric standard model into gauge mediation of supersymmetry breaking and study the phenomenology of scenarios where the gauge-mediation contributions to soft parameters are deflected by superpotential interactions of the gauge singlet with the messenger fields and the Higgs doublets. This kind of models provides a satisfactory solution to the $\ensuremath{\mu}\mathrm{\text{\ensuremath{-}}}{b}_{\ensuremath{\mu}}$ problem of gauge mediation, compatible with the adequate pattern of electroweak symmetry breaking and a realistic spectrum with supersymmetric partners at the TeV scale without requiring a significant fine tuning.
Microstructural and geomechanical analysis of Bakken shale at nanoscale

Abstract With the development in production from shale oil and shale gas in North America during the last decade, more studies are being conducted in order to improve our knowledge of the shale characteristics. In this paper, samples from Upper and Middle Bakken Formation, which is an oil-bearing shale formation, were collected and analyzed. Permeability, porosity and saturation of the samples were studied in the lab. 2D XRD and EDX were used to study the mineral compositions, and FESEM was used to characterize the pore structure at micro and nanoscale. Implementing the image analysis method, the pore structure and pore size distributions (PSD) of the samples at nanoscale were quantified. In addition, nanoindentation method, which is a novel technique to investigate the geomechanical behavior of rocks, was applied to quantify the mechanical properties of the shale samples including Young's modulus, hardness, and fracture toughness at nanoscale.
Diffusion coefficients of transition metals in fcc cobalt

Abstract Using first-principles density functional theory (DFT), we calculate the diffusivities of 32 different solute elements—all transition metals, together with Al and Si—in fcc cobalt within the formalism of the five-frequency model. For self-diffusion in fcc cobalt, we compare the accuracy of various approximations to the exchange-correlation energy functional of DFT in estimating the activation energy, and find that only the Perdew-Burke-Ernzerhof (PBE) approximation agrees well with experimental reports and all other functionals largely overestimate it. Our calculations also show that an accurate estimation of the self-diffusion coefficient requires explicit calculation of the effective jump frequency and vacancy formation entropy via phonons. Using accurate self-diffusion data and scaling all solute-related attempt frequencies with respect to the attempt frequency for self-diffusion using a simple relation involving the atomic mass and melting temperature of the solute yields solute diffusivities in excellent agreement with experiments, where such data is available. We find that large solutes spontaneously relax toward the nearest neighbor vacancy to relieve the misfit strain, and the extent of this relaxation correlates negatively with the migration energy. Thus, in general, larger solutes have lower migration energies and diffuse faster than smaller solutes in fcc cobalt. However, extremely large solutes, e.g., group III elements Sc, Y, Lu, tend to be trapped in an energy valley located halfway toward the vacancy, and monovacancy mediated diffusion may no longer be valid in such cases. Finally, for all the solutes considered, we systematically tabulate the diffusion-related quantities calculated—diffusion prefactors, migration and activation energies—constructing an extensive and accurate first-principles database for solute diffusion in fcc cobalt.
The Risk of Failure: Trial and Error Learning and Long-Run Performance

Innovation is often the key to sustained progress, yet innovation itself is difficult and highly risky. Success is not guaranteed as breakthroughs are mixed with setbacks and the path of learning is typically far from smooth. How decision makers learn by trial and error and the efficacy of the process are inextricably linked to the incentives of the decision makers themselves and, in particular, to their tolerance for risk. In this paper, we develop a model of trial and error learning with risk averse agents who learn by observing the choices of earlier agents and the outcomes that are realized. We identify sufficient conditions for the existence of optimal actions. We show that behavior within each period varies in risk and performance and that a performance trap develops, such that low performing agents opt to not experiment and thus fail to gain the knowledge necessary to improve performance. We also show that the impact of risk reverberates across periods, leading, on average, to divergence in long-run performance across agents.
Pennsylvania's Bituminous Coal Industry: An Industry Review

The bituminous coal field in Pennsylvania covers most of western Pen sylvania, extending from the southwe t corner northward almost to Lake Erie, eastward to the Allegheny front, and northeast ward through the north-central counties of the state to the southern boundary of New York. About 14,200 square miles are included in this field which forms the northeastern end of the Appalachian coal region, which in turn is a part of the eastern coal province. The boundary of the coal field is extremely irregular. On the north, the boundary runs from the northwest corner of Crawford County across Warren and McKean to Potter and Clinton counties, then extends as outlying patches into Tioga, Bradford, and Lycoming counties. From Clinton County, the boundary follows the Allegheny front southward through Centre County, and between Cambria and Blair, and Somerset and Bedford counties. East of this line lies the Broad Top field in Huntington, Bedford, and Blair counties lying about thirty miles east of the main field and covering an area of about fifty square miles. The coal measures are folded into many anticlines and synclines extending in a general northeast-southwest direction. The folding be comes greater as it progresses eastward; so we find that the beds in the western portion of the state are only slightly folded and the sides dip slightly. The coal beds are of the Carboniferous Age (more than 250 million years old) and belong to the Pennsylvanian and Permian systems. The Pennsylvania system is again divided into the Monongahela, Cone maugh, Allegheny, and Pottsville series, with the Permian system in cluding the Dunkard series. The coal measures usually occur in de scending order: sandstone, shale, coal, clay, limestone, and sandstone. *The following paper is one of a group summarizing the development of specific Pennsylvania industries presented on 18 June 1977 at the Rose Hill Seminar.
Pitch Measurements In Chiral Lyotropic Chromonic Liquid Crystals

The recent interest in lyotropic chromonic liquid crystals (LCLCs) has resulted in significant understanding of the assembly behaviour and liquid crystal properties of these water-based systems. On...
Calcium plus vitamin D supplementation and lung cancer incidence among postmenopausal women in the Women's Health Initiative.

Abstract Background Magnesium and calcium are antagonistic in many physiologic processes. However, few studies have investigated the associations of supplemental calcium with lung cancer risk taking this antagonism into account. We evaluated the effect of calcium and vitamin D supplementation on lung cancer incidence and explored whether the ratio of baseline calcium to magnesium (Ca:Mg) intake modifies the association in the Women’s Health Initiative (WHI) calcium plus vitamin D supplementation (CaD) trial. Methods The intervention phase of the WHI CaD was a double-blinded, randomized, placebo-controlled trial in 36,382 postmenopausal women aged 50–79 years, recruited at 40 U.S. centers. Post-intervention follow-up continued among 29,862 (86%) of the surviving participants. Risk of lung cancer in association with CaD supplementation was evaluated using proportional hazard regression models. Results After 11 years’ cumulative follow-up, there were 207 lung cancers (incidence 0.11% per year) in the supplement arm and 241 (0.12%) in the placebo arm (hazard ratio (HR) for the intervention, 0.91; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.71–1.17). Subgroup analyses suggested that the HR for lung cancer varied by baseline Ca:Mg intake ratio among women who were current smokers at enrollment ( p = 0.04 for interaction). Conclusions Over the entire follow-up period, calcium and vitamin D supplementation did not reduce lung cancer incidence among postmenopausal women. In exploratory analyses, an interaction was found for the baseline Ca:Mg intake ratio on lung cancer among current smokers at the trial entry. This findings need to be further studied for the role of calcium with magnesium in lung carcinogenesis in current smokers.
HIV Linkage to Care and Retention in Care Rate Among MSM in Guangzhou, China.

Quantifying HIV service provision along the HIV care continuum is increasingly important for monitoring and evaluating HIV interventions. We examined factors associated with linkage and retention in care longitudinally among MSM (n = 1974, 4933 person-years) diagnosed and living in Guangzhou, China, in 2008–2014. We measured longitudinal change of retention in care (≥2 CD4 tests per year) from linkage and antiretroviral therapy initiation (ART). We examined factors associated with linkage using logistic regression and with retention using generalized estimating equations. The rate of linkage to care was 89% in 2014. ART retention rate dropped from 71% (year 1) to 46% (year 2), suggesting that first-year retention measures likely overestimate retention over longer periods. Lower CD4 levels and older age predicted retention in ART care. These data can inform interventions to improve retention about some subgroups.
Characterization of SenseGaN current-mirroring for power GaN with the virtual grounding in a boost converter

This paper presents an implementation of the SenseGaN current sensing technique using Gallium Nitride (GaN) transistors as a representative of Wide Bandgap (WBG) semiconductors. For effective feedback control, fast over-current protection, and diagnostics-prognostics developments, precise current measurement becomes more important. While the integration and miniaturization of power semiconductors are getting more feasible to operate at higher current as well as switching frequency, most of the available current measurement techniques have some technical challenges such as bandwidth limitations, higher power dissipation, and sensitivity variations. SenseGaN technique along with the integration of semiconductors to monitor the power module current without significant effects on power stage performance and opens a new era for smart devices in future power electronics; however, in practice, implementation of this method has some difficulties that should be addressed during the design process. This paper presents of SenseGaN in WBG-based power converters with Spice simulations and mathematical analysis. Finally, a prototype using power 650V-GaN is successfully tested at 150kHz, and verifies the consistency with the proposed model.
Comprehensive solutions to the Bloch equations and dynamical models for open two-level systems

The Bloch equation and its variants constitute the fundamental dynamical model for arbitrary two-level systems. Many important processes, including those in more complicated systems, can be modeled and understood through the two-level approximation. It is therefore of widespread relevance, especially as it relates to understanding dissipative processes in current cutting-edge applications of quantum mechanics. Although the Bloch equation has been the subject of considerable analysis in the 70 years since its inception, there is still, perhaps surprisingly, significant work that can be done. This paper extends the scope of previous analyses. It provides a framework for more fully understanding the dynamics of dissipative two-level systems. A solution is derived that is compact, tractable, and completely general, in contrast to previous results. Any solution of the Bloch equation depends on three roots of a cubic polynomial that are crucial to the time dependence of the system. The roots are typically only sketched out qualitatively, with no indication of their dependence on the physical parameters of the problem. Degenerate roots, which modify the solutions, have been ignored altogether. Here the roots are obtained explicitly in terms of a single real-valued root that is expressed as a simple function of the system parameters. For the conventional Bloch equation, a simple graphical representation of this root is presented that makes evident the explicit time dependence of the system for each point in the parameter space. Several intuitive, visual models of system dynamics are developed. A Euclidean coordinate system is identified in which any generalized Bloch equation is separable, i.e., the sum of commuting rotation and relaxation operators. The time evolution in this frame is simply a rotation followed by relaxation at modified rates that play a role similar to the standard longitudinal and transverse rates. These rates are functions of the applied field, which provides information towards control of the dissipative process. The Bloch equation also describes a system of three coupled harmonic oscillators, providing additional perspective on dissipative systems.
HNRNPH1 is required for rhabdomyosarcoma cell growth and survival

Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) is an aggressive and difficult to treat cancer characterized by a muscle-like phenotype. Although the average 5-y survival rate is 65% for newly diagnosed RMS, the treatment options for metastatic disease are limited in efficacy, with the 5-y survival rate plummeting to 30%. Heterogenous nuclear ribonucleoprotein H1 (HNRNPH1) is an RNA-binding protein that is highly expressed in many cancers, including RMS. To determine the role HNRNPH1 plays in RMS tumorigenesis, we investigated its expression and effect on growth in three cellular models of RMS: RD, RH30, and RH41 cells. Upon knockdown of HNRNPH1, growth of all cell lines was reduced, most likely through a combination of apoptosis and cell cycle arrest. We then recapitulated this finding by performing in vivo xenograft studies, in which knockdown of HNRNPH1 resulted in a reduction of tumor formation and growth. We used RNA sequencing to identify changes in gene expression after HNRNPH1 knockdown and found altered splicing of some oncogenes. Our data contribute to understanding the role of HNRNPH1 in RMS development.
Impact of surface chemistry on the adhesion of an energetic small molecule to a conducting polymer surface

Abstract The modification of the surface chemistry of a film is a key strategy to enhance the binding of molecules of interest in various sensing and detection applications. For example, the adhesion of explosive residues to a swab is critical for the detection of trace explosives in air transportation environments, and it can be enhanced by increasing the affinity of the swab to target molecules through favored chemical interactions. Here, the surface chemistries of polypyrrole (PPy) films were systematically tuned through the electropolymerization of thin layers of N-substituted pyrrole monomers to evaluate their interactions with a model explosive compound, trinitrotoluene (TNT). The surface groups examined included carboxylic acid, methyl, and amino-phenyl groups, in order to address a wide range of chemical functionalities. The interaction between the functionalized PPy films with TNT was compared with the interactions between TNT and commercial swabbing materials in a vapor deposition process. The amount of TNT deposited from the vapor phase on each of the different films was quantified by the ultraviolet–visible (UV–vis) light absorbance of the Meisenheimer complex formed from the interaction of TNT with a basic solution. The PPy films with surface functionalities that allowed for hydrogen bonding displayed the highest deposition of TNT, while Teflon-coated commercial materials had the lowest interaction with TNT. Thus, this work provides insight into the surface groups of interest for the enhanced collection of trace explosives as well as the critical design criteria for the next generation of swabbing materials.
English language teaching in South America. Policy, preparation and practices

True to the title of this volume, the themes of English language policy development, preparations for language teaching innovations, and the practices of new foreign language programs in South Amer...
Chlorine Production by HCl Oxidation in a Molten Chloride Salt Catalyst

A molten salt mixture containing 45 mol % KCl and 55 mol % CuCl2 was investigated as a catalyst for the reaction of HCl with O2 to produce Cl2. The HCl conversion for an HCl:O2 molar feed ratio of 1:2 at 450 °C and a total pressure of 1 atm was 80% at a residence time of less than 1 s in a lab scale bubble column reactor. The equilibrium conversion at this temperature and pressure is 84%. The catalyst system was found to remain stable throughout a continuous 24-h experiment. The use of a mixed transition metal/alkali metal molten salt catalyst for HCl oxidation reduces the volatility of supported chlorides and may avoid the mechanical stability limitations of solid catalysts caused by volume changes between the halide and the oxide.
Mastery Motivation: Retrospect, Present, and Future Directions

Abstract In this chapter, we discuss our perspective on mastery motivation, including its origins, current tenets, measurement, research based on it, and future directions. White (1959) proposed a special, nonhomeostatic motive for curious, playful exploration and the desire to effectively interact with the environment, which he labeled “effectance motivation.” This concept inspired the research by Yarrow and his colleagues (e.g., Yarrow, Morgan, Jennings, Harmon, & Gaiter, 1982 ; Yarrow, Rubenstein, & Pedersen, 1975 ) that led to our own mastery motivation approach. We view mastery motivation as multifaceted, because instrumental and expressive/affective aspects of mastery motivation are both crucial for understanding and for measuring mastery motivation, and because mastery motivation may differ across different domains of development. Mastery motivation is observed in individuals’ persistent striving in the face of moderate challenge, and in the emotions that play important roles in motivating persistence vs withdrawal and giving up. Mastery motivation is best observed as a process, in context; moreover, it is likely to be different in different domains and on different types of tasks, for the same individual (see also J. Wang & Barrett, 2013 ). An important, but underresearched, domain is self-mastery; this domain enables growth of self-regulatory skills. We describe our past and current research aimed at accurate measurement of mastery motivation and its correlates, as well as directions for future research.
"The Siege of the Cultural City Is Underway:" Adolescents with Developmental Disabilities Make "Art".

As art educators are asked to broaden their scope to include children with a variety of abilities, they are beginning to seek answers from sources that might traditionally be outside their field. In an era of hybridization, appropriation, and bricolage, the divide among fields has become anachronistic and unfruitful. A new form of scholarship in art education might be derived from lessons learned in disability studies. This essay shows how this relatively new field has given way to first-person narratives. A pilot program called Arts-2-gether for preservice teachers puts theory into practice that illuminated and transformed learning. Through trial and error art educators encouraged non-verbal adolescents with developmental disabilities to communicate their own stories.
Coronary Blood Flow and Myocardial Ischemia

This chapter reviews coronary flow regulation in normal and pathophysiological states. Under normal conditions, the heart maximally extracts oxygen and as a result, increases in oxygen demand are met by proportionate increases in coronary blood flow. Mechanisms responsible for the regulation of coronary resistance in the microcirculation include metabolic, myogenic, and flow-dependent resistance vessel control. There is substantial vasodilator reserve in the normal heart such that, in the presence of an epicardial coronary stenosis, local vasodilation decreases vascular resistance and autoregulates flow at the normal level as coronary pressure falls. As stenosis severity increases, however, flow reserve is exhausted and the subendocardium becomes vulnerable to reversible ischemia during increased myocardial oxygen demands. When ischemia is severe and prolonged following a total coronary occlusion, irreversible myocyte injury develops leading to a wave front of myocardial necrosis that extends from subendocardium to subepicardium. When ischemia is brief (as in angina), myocardial function remains depressed after flow normalizes indicative of myocardial stunning. Repetitive reversible ischemia leads to persistent dysfunction followed by intrinsic adaptive responses characteristic of hibernating myocardium. These protect the heart from irreversible injury and acute stunning at the expense of producing chronically depressed but reversible contractile dysfunction. A thorough understanding of coronary physiology and myocardial ischemia is essential in the management of patients with coronary artery disease.
Successful Design in Engineering and Architecture

Design is at the heart of both Architecture and Engineering. However, the factors that bear on design decisions and outcomes differ for architects and engineers. For engineers, the design of an artifact or a system is approached with questions of utility and efficiency foremost in mind. For the architect, function and aesthetics take center stage, with aesthetics sometimes overriding the ability of the object to perform its function. These differences raise questions of how to determine when a design is successful. Despite the fact that issues concerning architectural design are more prominent in the popular imagination than design issues in engineering, I will argue that the question of what constitutes successful design is especially troubling in architecture. The difficulty of establishing criteria for evaluating the success of a design raises questions as to the very meaning of “design” in the context of architecture, if not in the context of engineering.
Research in Integrated Psychiatric Care

Advances in neuroscience have brought us closer to a better understanding of the pathology and etiology of psychiatric illness and substance use disorders, and led to new efforts in treatment development. However, any new treatments will be of limited utility if they are not implemented in standard clinical practice. Integrated care has been shown by research studies to be one potential way of improving care for those patients who are seen in primary care settings and to some extent improve medical care delivered in mental health settings. This chapter presents research outlining the issues regarding health care services for those with psychiatric illness and substance abuse, a description of current models of integrated care, research on these models, limitations of current research, future research needs, and implications of research findings for current practice and policy.
Phosphatidylinositol transfer proteins regulate megakaryocyte TGF-β1 secretion and hematopoiesis in mice

We hypothesized that megakaryocyte (MK) phosphoinositide signaling mediated by phosphatidylinositol transfer proteins (PITPs) contributes to hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) and hematopoietic progenitor cell (HPC) regulation. Conditional knockout mice lacking PITPs specifically in MKs and platelets (pitpα-/- and pitpα-/-/β-/-) bone marrow (BM) manifested decreased numbers of HSCs, MK-erythrocyte progenitors, and cycling HPCs. Further, pitpα-/-/β-/- BM had significantly reduced engrafting capability in competitive transplantation and limiting dilution analysis. Conditioned media (CM) from cultured pitpα-/- and pitpα-/-/β-/- BM MKs contained higher levels of transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1) and interleukin-4 (IL-4), among other myelosuppressive cytokines, than wild-type BM MKs. Correspondingly, BM flush fluid from pitpα-/- and pitpα-/-/β-/- mice had higher concentrations of TGF-β1. CM from pitpα-/- and pitpα-/-/β-/- MKs significantly suppressed HPC colony formation, which was completely extinguished in vitro by neutralizing anti-TGF-β antibody, and treatment of pitpα-/-/β-/- mice in vivo with anti-TGF-β antibodies completely reverted their defects in BM HSC and HPC numbers. TGF-β and IL-4 synergized to inhibit HPC colony formation in vitro. Electron microscopy analysis of pitpα-/-/β-/- MKs revealed ultrastructural defects with depleted α-granules and large, misshaped multivesicular bodies. Von Willebrand factor and thrombospondin-1, like TGF-β, are stored in MK α-granules and were also elevated in CM of cultured pitpα-/-/β-/- MKs. Altogether, these data show that ablating PITPs in MKs indirectly dysregulates hematopoiesis in the BM by disrupting α-granule physiology and secretion of TGF-β1.
Racial and Ethnic Differences in Diagnostic Imaging Utilization During Adult Emergency Department Visits in the United States, 2005 to 2014.

Abstract Objective To compare the use of medical imaging (x-ray [XR], CT, ultrasound, and MRI) in the emergency department (ED) for adult patients of different racial and ethnic groups in the United States from 2005 to 2014. Methods We performed a multilevel stratified regression analysis of the National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey ED Subfile, a nationally representative database of hospital-based ED visits. We examined race (white, black, Asian, other) and ethnicity (Hispanic versus non-Hispanic) as the primary exposures for the outcomes of ED medical imaging use (XR, CT, ultrasound, MRI, and any imaging). We controlled for other potential patient-level and facility-level determinants of ED imaging use. Results Approximately half (48.8%) of the 225,037 adult patient ED visits underwent imaging; 36.1% underwent XR, 16.4% CT, 4.1% ultrasound, and 0.8% MRI. White patients received imaging during 51.3% of their encounters, black patients received imaging during 43.6% of their encounters, Asians received imaging during 50.8% of their encounters, and other races received imaging during 46% of their encounters. As compared with white patients, black patients had decreased adjusted odds of receiving imaging in the ED (odds ratio [OR] = 0.86, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.84-0.89). Comparatively, black patients had a lower odds of CT scan (OR = 0.80, 95% CI: 0.77-0.83) or MRI (OR = 0.74, 95% CI: 0.65-0.85). Hispanic patients and Asian patients had a higher odds of receiving ultrasound (OR = 1.36, 95% CI: 1.27-1.44 and OR = 1.25, 95% CI: 1.10-1.42), respectively. Implications We observed significant racial and ethnic differences in medical imaging use in the ED even after controlling for patient- and facility-level factors.
Chiral Brønsted acid-catalyzed enantioselective ionic [2+4] cycloadditions

Abstract The first asymmetric chiral N-triflylphosphoramide-catalyzed ionic [2+4] cycloaddition reaction of unsaturated acetals is described. This reaction proceeds through the intermediacy of a vinyl oxocarbenium/chiral anion pair, and the chiral N-triflylphosphoramide anion controls the stereoselectivity of the cycloaddition step. Moderate enantioselectivities (up to 80:20 e.r.) have been obtained when α,β-unsaturated dioxolanes were employed as the dienophiles. These reactions demonstrate strong dependence on the counterion coordinating properties and solvent polarity, a behavior characteristic of oxocarbenium ions.
Mixed Methods Evaluation of Formal Mentoring: Journey UP for Aging out of Foster Care

There are 415,000 children in foster care in the USA. Many of those children will turn 18 before being adopted, meaning they will “age-out” and essentially be on their own as adults. We wanted to see if formal mentoring programs improved outcomes for those aging out of foster care and the Journey Up Mentorship Program in Salt Lake City offered such a program. Forty-nine youth who had aged out of foster care with the help of mentors were surveyed and found they scored significantly higher in their ability to get jobs and were less at risk for addiction, homelessness, and incarceration compared to data from the National Youth in Transition for Utah. Fifteen additional youth were interviewed in focus groups to explore the results further. Qualitative data showed participants were not less at risk given their stories, and benefited from mentors’ consistency, positive role modeling, and lessons on being an adult. This is consistent with other studies on the topic of mentoring but should be expanded into more specified comparative studies and use larger sample sizes.
A Machine Learning Algorithm to Predict Severe Sepsis and Septic Shock: Development, Implementation, and Impact on Clinical Practice.

Objectives:Develop and implement a machine learning algorithm to predict severe sepsis and septic shock and evaluate the impact on clinical practice and patient outcomes.Design:Retrospective cohort for algorithm derivation and validation, pre-post impact evaluation.Setting:Tertiary teaching hospital
Computer Vision for Fashion: From Individual Recommendations to World-wide Trends

The fashion domain is a magnet for computer vision. New vision problems are emerging in step with the fashion industry's rapid evolution towards an online, social, and personalized business. Style models, trend forecasting, interactive search, and recommendation all require visual understanding with rich detail and subtlety. As a result, research in this area is poised to have great influence on how people shop, how the fashion industry analyzes its enterprise, and how we model the cultural trends revealed by what people wear. In this talk, I will present our work over the last few years developing computer vision methods for fashion. To begin, we explore how to discover styles from Web photos, learning how people assemble their outfits and the latent themes they share. Leveraging such styles, we show how to infer compatibility of new garments, optimize personalized mix-and-match capsule wardrobes, suggest minimal edits to make an outfit more fashionable, and recommend clothing that flatters diverse human body shapes. Next, turning to the world stage, we investigate fashion forecasting and influence. Given photos of fashion products, we learn to forecast what looks and styles will be popular in the future. We further boost those forecasts by modeling the spatio-temporal style influences between 44 major world cities. Throughout, by learning models from unlabeled Web photos, our approaches sidestep subjective manual annotations in favor of direct observations of what people choose to wear.
“It’s Just Easier”: Reflections on the Intersections of Kinship, Race, and Ethnicity in Asian American Adoptive Families

This paper reports Phase II findings of an exploratory study of 26 families who have adopted children with Asian heritage, where at least one parent is Asian American. In-depth interviews provided ...
Adenovirus-associated Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome: Need for a Protocol-based Approach.

Aim Viral causes of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) are mostly limited to influenza A; however, adenovirus has been emerging as a cause of fulminant ARDS with a high mortality rate and no consensus on its management. Here we present a series of five patients with confirmed adenovirus infection treated for ARDS at our quaternary referral institution. Materials and methods All patients were above 18 years old, had confirmed adenovirus infection, and were treated for acute hypoxic respiratory failure requiring mechanical ventilation in our medical intensive care unit (MICU). Demographic and clinical data were collected and analyzed. Results Among these patients, the median age was 28 years, median BMI 28 kg/m2 median sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) score 9, and median acute physiology and chronic health evaluation (APACHE) III score 74. All patients received lung-protective mechanical ventilation with high positive end-expiratory pressure and low plateau pressures. Three patients developed severe ARDS, two received prone position ventilation, and one was placed on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. The median duration of mechanical ventilation, MICU length of stay, and hospital length of stay were 24, 19, and 27 days, respectively. One out of five patients died in our study. Conclusion The mortality rate for adenovirus-associated pneumonia in the literature is estimated to be 40% in those requiring mechanical ventilation. The lower mortality at our institution could be attributed to the use of standardized protocols, which include low tidal volume ventilation, early use of neuromuscular blockade, targeting low plateau pressures, conservative fluid management, and comfort and familiarity with the use of adjunctive and rescue therapies. We recommend testing for adenovirus as part of a routine respiratory viral panel in ARDS patients, and if tested positive, transfer to tertiary or quaternary centers with the experience and rescue modalities needed to manage complicated ARDS patients. How to cite this article Vashisht R, Mirzai S, Koval C, Duggal A. Adenovirus-associated Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome: Need for a Protocol-based Approach. Indian J Crit Care Med 2020;24(5):367-368.
SigPrep: Open Source Web-Based Prework for Signals and Systems [SP Education]

An introductory course in signals requires a wide background of prerequisites covering complex numbers, series, calculus, and basic mathematical logic. Students often fail to engage with the material and find the course difficult because they do not recall the prerequisites. Time and curricular constraints usually limit in-class review. To address these issues, we present SigPrep, a set of open source, web-based preparatory modules for introductory courses in signals. SigPrep is designed as a preclass assignment that students can do independently at a self-set pace. SigPrep is designed in WeBWorK, a widely used platform for free, open source problems for science and math classes. Using WeBWorK features, SigPrep provides students instant feedback and linkages to relevant external e-learning resources as a refresher for concepts in which they fail to exhibit adequate proficiency. Instructors are also able to track students? progress and performance. We outline the pedagogical design of SigPrep, which provides problems of particular relevance and applicability covering prerequisites for signals classes. Finally, we share results and feedback from our own experience with using SigPrep as part of our teaching of an introductory class on signals.
Treatment Timing, EEG, Neuroimaging, and Outcomes After Acute Necrotizing Encephalopathy in Children.

Background:Acute necrotizing encephalopathy (ANE) is a rare condition associated with rapid progression to coma and high incidence of morbidity and mortality.Methods:Clinical, electroencephalograph...
Consumer acceptance of watermelon flesh‐rind blends and the effect of rind on refreshing perception

Watermelon flesh is widely consumed for its appealing flavor and refreshing properties, though the rind of the fruit also has traits of interest, especially its nutritional benefits. This study aimed to determine if watermelon flesh blended with 0%, 10%, 20%, and 30% w/w rind could appeal to consumers, and the effect of rind on the refreshing perception was investigated. Consumers (n = 102) evaluated the liking and intensity levels of overall flavor, sweet, sour, green, watermelon flavor, and refreshing quality along with questions regarding the texture, off flavors, and aftertaste of the samples. The addition of rind was acceptable up to the 20% rind level, which was given an overall rating above the midpoint of the scale, while the 10% and 0% rind samples did not differ significantly (P < 0.001). Overall liking most strongly correlated with sweet liking (r = 0.78, P < 0.001) and watermelon flavor liking (r = 0.77, P < 0.001). Refreshing liking most strongly correlated with watermelon flavor liking (r = 0.75, P < 0.001) and decreased with addition of rind in the samples (P < 0.001). The excessive green notes, off flavors, and undesirable texture of rind decreased the hedonic and refreshing ratings of samples with 20% and 30% rind, respectively. This research demonstrated the acceptability of using up to 20% rind to supplement watermelon juice blends and results suggested that watermelon flavor drives the refreshing perception. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: These findings exhibit the diversity in consumer preferences for watermelon flesh blended with rind using a consumer test. The refreshing properties of watermelon flesh as related to sweetness and watermelon flavor, along with the flavor and mouthfeel attributes contributed by watermelon rind, are highlighted. Manufacturers of fruit-based beverages can apply this research to inform development of refreshing products, watermelon flavored products, or products that utilize rind waste.
Machine learning assisted holography

Computer-generated holography (CGH) has enabled the formation of arbitrary images through complex spatial light modulation. The optimization of spatial light modulators (SLMs) and diffractive optical elements (DOEs) is aimed to solve the well-known phase retrieval problem. This paper proposes a physically constrained artificial neural network (ANN) designed to solve the phase retrieval problem for CGH. We show that through careful selection of model structural parameters and by limiting the scope of model optimization, we can encode Fresnel Diffraction equations directly into an ANN. We train the proposed model to overfit to a single image, i.e., the model finds the SLM phase delays required to produce the desired image. The proposed model performs well with outputs that qualitatively compare well with ideal images. The method proposed in this work holds value for those who require confidence that their machine learning techniques are physically realizable.
Title: CHANGES IN SUBJECTIVE AND OBJECTIVE SLEEP MEASURES DURING RECOVERY IN PEDIATRIC CONCUSSION:

Background:Sleep problems after concussion have been associated with longer recovery times and more severe symptoms. Early research has primarily evaluated sleep via subjective measures; however, a...
Vesicular spotted fever due to Rickettsia parkeri simulates the clinicopathologic features of rickettsialpox

Spotted fever group rickettsiae (SFGR) represent gram-negative intracellular bacteria transmitted to human hosts through tick bites.1,2 Although Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF) represents the prototypical rickettsiosis associated with SFGR, this group also includes Rickettsia parkeri. Among the SFGR, R parkeri may produce a distinct vesicular eruption preceded by an eschar. Thus, R parkeri rickettsiosis may clinically and histopathologically simulate rickettsialpox due to Rickettsia akari. Herein, we present a case of vesicular spotted fever due to R parkeri.
Ancient Rhetoric and Paul's Apology: The Compositional Unity of 2 Corinthians

Second Corinthians is Paul's apology to the Corinthians for failing to visit them, using rhetorical persuasion in his letters, and appearing unapproved for the collection. The scholarly consensus maintains that 2 Corinthians is a conglomeration of letters due to its literary and logistical inconsistencies. Consequently, most interpretations of 2 Corinthians treat only parts of it. However, a different consensus is emerging. Fredrick Long situates the text within Classical literary and rhetorical conventions and argues for its unity based upon numerous parallels with ancient apology in the tradition of Andocides, Socrates, Isocrates and Demosthenes. He provides a comprehensive survey and rigorous genre analysis of ancient forensic discourse in support of his claims, and shows how the unified message of Paul's letter can be recovered. His study will be of relevance to Classicists and New Testament scholars alike.
Decoupling of Linear Multivariable Plants by Dynamical Output Feedback

This paper presents an algebraic theory for decoupling linear multivariable feedback systems. A global parametrization of all diagonal nonsingular I/O maps and all D/O maps achievable by a stabilizing compensator or a given plant is given in the theorem.
NASA space cryocooler programs - an overview

Mechanical cryocoolers represent a significant enabling technology for NASA’s Earth and Space Science Enterprises. An overview is presented of ongoing efforts at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) and Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) in support of current flight projects, near-term flight instruments, and long-term technology development. Highlights of the past year include the launch into space of three new cryocooler systems aboard NASA missions: 1) a Sunpower 80 K Stirling cooler on the RHESSI gamma-ray spectrometer spacecraft launched February 5, 2002, 2) an 80 K Creare turbo-Brayton cooler added to the NICMOS instrument during the Hubble Space Telescope servicing mission of March 1–12, 2002, and 3) a pair of TRW 55 K pulse tube coolers on the AIRS instrument aboard the EOS Aqua platform launched May 4, 2002. In addition, a major NASA cryocooler development initiative referred to as the Advanced Cryocooler Technology Development Program (ACTDP) was kicked off with four parallel industry contracts in April, 2002. The ACTDP concepts are required to provide dual cooling at 6K and 18 K and are focused at NASA low temperature applications.
Paths to health equity: Local area variation in progress toward eliminating breast cancer mortality disparities, 1990‐2009

BACKGROUND US breast cancer deaths have been declining since 1989, but African American women are still more likely than white women to die of breast cancer. Black/white disparities in breast cancer mortality rate ratios have actually been increasing. METHODS Across 762 US counties with enough deaths to generate reliable rates, county-level, age-adjusted breast cancer mortality rates were examined for women who were 35 to 74 years old during the period of 1989-2010. Twenty-two years of mortality data generated twenty 3-year rolling average data points, each centered on a specific year from 1990 to 2009. Mixed linear models were used to group each county into 1 of 4 mutually exclusive trend patterns. The most recent 3-year average black breast cancer mortality rate for each county was also categorized as being worse or not worse than the breast cancer mortality rate for the total US population. RESULTS More than half of the counties (54%) showed persistent, unchanging disparities. Roughly 1 in 4 (24%) had a divergent pattern of worsening black/white disparities. However, 10.5% of the counties sustained racial equality over the 20-year period, and 11.7% of the counties actually showed a converging pattern from high disparities to greater equality. Twenty-three counties had 2008-2010 black mortality rates better than the US average mortality rate. CONCLUSIONS Disparities are not inevitable. Four US counties have sustained both optimal and equitable black outcomes as measured by both absolute (better than the US average) and relative benchmarks (equality in the local black/white rate ratio) for decades, and 6 counties have shown a path from disparities to health equity. Cancer 2015;121:2765-2774. © 2015 American Cancer Society