cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
DIAGNOSIS OF CLOGGED CHARGE AIR COOLER FAULTS IN A DIESEL ENGINE USING SINGULAR SPECTRUM ANALYSIS

Abstract Charge air cooler faults in diesel engines are diagnosed following OBD standards. One charge air cooler fault occurs when debris blocks the charge air cooler. This leads to poor engine performance and emissions violations. An experiment has been designed to collect sensor data from a Cummins ISB5.9 liter diesel engine experiencing a charge air cooler fault. A symptom of the fault has been identified by analyzing the dynamics of the sensor signals using a technique called singular spectrum analysis. The resulting diagnostic strategy makes use of the oil pressure signal to generate symptoms of the charge air cooler fault.
Studio on demand by distributed video production over ATM

This paper presents an overview on the European ACTS project named “Distributed Video Production (DVP)”. Central to the DVP project are distributed pilot applications for professional digital video production over ATM broadband networks (LAN and WAN). The DVP project investigates the quality of service (QoS) requirements of broadcasters for several forms of distributed video production and runs a series of trials of distributed virtual studios (“studio on demand”), distributed rehearsals and remote video editing and retrieval. Additionally, this paper reports on two initial tests with a German public broadcaster and the German Telekom. The DVP project partners are GMD and about 20 broadcasters, computer and video equipment manufacturers, and video production companies.
Enceladus: A Source of Nitrogen and an Explanation for the Water Vapor Plume Observed by Cassini

Recently, the Cassini spacecraft observed an unexpected emission of plumes of water vapor, nitrogen, and icy particles from the southern polar region of Saturn's icy moon Enceladus. While these findings support previous ideas of geological activity in this icy moon, there is no experimental evidence explaining how these plumes could be produced at the low (~130-160 K) surface temperatures. Here we show that similar behavior appears when heating water-ammonia ices that have been irradiated with protons that simulate Saturn's energetic ion environment. In our experiments, the behavior results from the eruption of high-pressure bubbles of hydrogen and nitrogen molecules that accumulate in the ice due to the radiolytic decomposition of ammonia. The thermal release of nitrogen can explain the intriguing finding of N+ in the inner magnetosphere. Thus, our laboratory simulations indicate that radiation processing of the surface of Enceladus may explain much of the extraordinary phenomena that have been observed by Cassini.
Colloquium paper: uniquely human evolution of sialic acid genetics and biology.

Darwinian evolution of humans from our common ancestors with nonhuman primates involved many gene–environment interactions at the population level, and the resulting human-specific genetic changes must contribute to the “Human Condition.” Recent data indicate that the biology of sialic acids (which directly involves less than 60 genes) shows more than 10 uniquely human genetic changes in comparison with our closest evolutionary relatives. Known outcomes are tissue-specific changes in abundant cell-surface glycans, changes in specificity and/or expression of multiple proteins that recognize these glycans, and novel pathogen regimes. Specific events include Alu-mediated inactivation of the CMAH gene, resulting in loss of synthesis of the Sia N-glycolylneuraminic acid (Neu5Gc) and increase in expression of the precursor N-acetylneuraminic acid (Neu5Ac); increased expression of α2–6-linked Sias (likely because of changed expression of ST6GALI); and multiple changes in SIGLEC genes encoding Sia-recognizing Ig-like lectins (Siglecs). The last includes binding specificity changes (in Siglecs -5, -7, -9, -11, and -12); expression pattern changes (in Siglecs -1, -5, -6, and -11); gene conversion (SIGLEC11); and deletion or pseudogenization (SIGLEC13, SIGLEC14, and SIGLEC16). A nongenetic outcome of the CMAH mutation is human metabolic incorporation of foreign dietary Neu5Gc, in the face of circulating anti-Neu5Gc antibodies, generating a novel “xeno-auto-antigen” situation. Taken together, these data suggest that both the genes associated with Sia biology and the related impacts of the environment comprise a relative “hot spot” of genetic and physiological changes in human evolution, with implications for uniquely human features both in health and disease.
Lyapunov Functionals that Lead to Exponential Stability and Instability in Finite Delay Volterra Difference Equations

We use Lyapunov functionals to obtain sufficient conditions that guarantee exponential stability of the zero solution of the finite delay Volterra difference equation $$x(t+1) = a(t)x(t)+\sum\limits^{t-1}_{s=t-r}b(t,s)x(s). $$ Also, by displaying a slightly different Lyapunov functional, we obtain conditions that guarantee the instability of the zero solution. The highlight of the paper is the relaxing of the condition |a(t)| < 1. Moreover, we provide examples in which we show that our theorems provide an improvement of some recent results.
Sociocultural Issues in Adult Financial Education

This chapter introduces the volume and discusses the importance of considering sociocultural factors, such as race, gender, socioeconomic class, language, and age, in the financial education of adults.
Interpretation of intra-operative PTH changes in patients with multi-glandular primary hyperparathyroidism (pHPT).

Background The correct interpretation of intraoperative parathyroid hormone (IOPTH) levels in patients with primary hyperparathyroid patients (pHPT) with multiglandular disease (MGD) can impact the success rate of initial parathyroid exploration, but it remains an understudied topic. Methods In all, 592 of 823 patients were explored by a single surgeon with biochemical evidence of pHPT (1997-2007) and underwent parathyroidectomy using IOPTH. We investigated the incidence of MGD in patients with an appreciable (>50%) decrease in IOPTH levels and in patients whose levels failed to normalize after single gland excision. Results The mean age of patients was 56.7 years, and 74% of patients were women. Thirty-one patients had PTH levels that decreased by greater than 50% from baseline 10-15 min after single gland excision, but the levels failed to normalize. Of these, 9 patients (29%) had MGD (8 double adenomas, 1 hyperplasia). The incidence of MGD in the remainder of IOPTH patients was 13.9% (78 of 561 patients). Within the subgroup of 31 patients, those with single adenomas did not differ from patients with MGD in baseline IOPTH levels and weights of first adenoma excised, although they demonstrated greater serum creatinine concentrations and a decrease in mean IOPTH. Conclusion Commonly accepted decreases in IOPTH levels (>50%) for patients who undergo minimally invasive parathyroidectomy may lead to an appreciable number of missed parathyroid adenomas or hyperplastic disease.
Z ′ near the Z -pole

We present a fit to precision electroweak data in the standard model (SM) extended by an additional vector boson, ${Z}^{\ensuremath{'}}$, with suppressed couplings to the electron compared to the $Z$ boson, with couplings to the $b$-quark, and with mass close to the mass of the $Z$ boson. This scenario provides an excellent fit to forward-backward asymmetry of the $b$-quark measured on the $Z$-pole and $\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}2\text{ }\text{ }\mathrm{GeV}$ off the $Z$-pole, and to lepton asymmetry, ${A}_{e}$, obtained from the measurement of left-right asymmetry for hadronic final states, and thus it removes the tension in the determination of the weak mixing angle from these two measurements. It also leads to a significant improvement in the total hadronic cross-section on the $Z$-pole and ${R}_{b}$ measured at energies above the $Z$-pole. We explore in detail properties of the ${Z}^{\ensuremath{'}}$ needed to explain the data and present a model for ${Z}^{\ensuremath{'}}$ with required couplings. The model preserves standard model Yukawa couplings; it is anomaly-free and can be embedded into grand unified theories. It allows a choice of parameters that does not generate any flavor violating couplings of the ${Z}^{\ensuremath{'}}$ to standard model fermions. Out of standard model couplings, it only negligibly modifies the left-handed bottom quark coupling to the $Z$ boson and the third column of the Cabibbo-Kobayashi-Maskawa (CKM) quark-mixing matrix. Modifications of standard model couplings in the charged lepton sector are also negligible. It predicts an additional down-type quark, $D$, with mass in the few hundred GeV range, and an extra lepton doublet, $L$, possibly much heavier than the $D$-quark. We discuss signatures of the ${Z}^{\ensuremath{'}}$ at the Large Hadron Collider and calculate the ${Z}^{\ensuremath{'}}b$ production cross-section, which is the dominant production mechanism for the ${Z}^{\ensuremath{'}}$.
Method for tracking nanogel particles in vivo and in vitro.

Hydrogels made of N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPA) can be synthesized in the form of highly monodispersed nanoparticles. After synthesis, NIPA hydrogel nanoparticles (nanogels) can be labeled by Alexa Fluor® 488 carboxylic acid, 2,3,5,6-tetrafluorophenyl ester through amine-terminated functional groups. This choice of dye is complementary to other biological labeling methods for in vivo studies. When the nanogel/dye nanoparticles are injected into rabbits, they can be imaged via tissue sectioning and confocal microscopy, while nanoparticle concentration can be determined by fluorescent microplate assays. Time-course persistence of nanoparticles in the circulatory system can be readily tracked by direct assay of plasma and urine samples using 485 nm excitation and 538 emission wavelengths to keep background fluorescence to nearly the same level as that found using an empty well. Depending upon how the nanoparticles are injected, circulatory system concentrations can reach high concentrations and diminish to low levels or gradually increase and gradually decrease over time. Injection in the femoral artery results in a rapid spike in circulating nanogel/dye concentration, while injection into the renal artery results in a more gradual increase.
Resolving the different dynamics of the fluorine sublattices in the anionic conductor BaSnF(4) by using high-resolution MAS NMR techniques.

19F and 119Sn MAS NMR spectroscopy have been used to investigate the fluoride ion conductor, BaSnF4, a member of the MSnF4 family of fluorite-related anionic conductors containing double layers of ...
Impact of renal surgery for cortical neoplasms on lipid metabolism.

Objective To examine the incidence of and risk factors for development of hyperlipidaemia in patients undergoing radical nephrectomy (RN) or partial nephrectomy (PN) for renal cortical neoplasms, as hyperlipidaemia is a major source of morbidity in chronic kidney disease (CKD). Patients and Methods We conducted a two-centre retrospective analysis of 905 patients (mean age 57.5 years, mean follow-up 78 months), who underwent RN (n = 610) or PN (n = 295) between July 1987 and June 2007. Demographics, preoperative and postoperative hyperlipidaemia were recorded. De novo hyperlipidaemia was defined as that ocurring ≥6 months after surgery in cases where laboratory values met National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III definitions. The Kaplan–Meier method was used to assess freedom from de novo hyperlipidaemia. Multivariable analysis was conducted to determine the risk factors for de novo hyperlipidaemia. Results There were no significant differences with respect to demographics, preoperative glomerular filtration rate (GFR) <60 mL/min/1.73 m2 (P = 0.123) and hyperlipidaemia (P = 0.144). Tumour size (cm) was significantly larger in the RN group vs the PN group (7.0 vs 3.7; P < 0.001). Significantly greater postoperative GFR <60 mL/min/1.73 m2 was noted in the RN group (45.7 vs 18%, P < 0.001). Significantly, more de novo hyperlipidaemia developed in the RN group than in the PN group (23 vs 6.4%; P < 0.001). The mean time to development of hyperlipidaemia was longer for PN than for RN (54 vs 44 months; P = 0.03). Five-year freedom from de novo hyperlipidaemia probability was 76% for RN vs 96% for PN (P < 0.001). Multivariable analysis showed that RN (odds ratio [OR] 2.93; P = 0.0107), preoperative GFR <60 mL/min/1.73 m2 (OR 1.98; P = 0.037) and postoperative GFR <60 mL/min/1.73 m2 (OR 7.89; P < 0.001) were factors associated with hyperlipidaemia development. Conclusion Patients who underwent RN had a significantly higher incidence of and shorter time to development of de novo hyperlipidaemia. RN and pre- and postoperative eGFR <60 mL/min/1.73 m2 were associated with development of hyperlipidaemia. Further follow-up and prospective investigation are necessary to confirm these findings.
An improved infectivity assay combining cell culture with real-time PCR for rapid quantification of human adenoviruses 41 and semi-quantification of human adenovirus in sewage.

Abstract A protocol for the rapid detection and semi-quantification of human enteric adenovirus based on the quantification of viral mRNA during cell culture infectivity assay was developed. Infectivity assays for adenovirus incorporated cell culture and reverse transcription real-time PCR, where viral mRNA detection was used to monitor the progress of adenovirus infection (CC/mRNA qPCR). The cell line used was G293. This specific infectivity assay was calibrated against different initial concentrations of human adenovirus 41. In addition, the expression of the host's housekeeping (HK) gene, GAPDH, served as internal control for the mRNA assays for quality assurance of the mRNA extraction and reverse transcription steps. The concentrations of infectious human adenoviruses in different sewage samples were estimated semi-quantitatively using the CC/mRNA qPCR assay and calibration obtained for adenovirus 41. A linear relationship between concentrations of viral mRNA (hexon gene) and infectious units was observed between 10 7 to 10 1 infectious units per assay ( R 2 = 0.97) in samples analyzed 3–5 days post infection. The expressions of host cell GAPDH gene were not significantly affected by infections with different concentrations of human adenovirus 41, and between virus positive and negative cell cultures ( p > 0.1). The estimated concentrations of human adenoviruses in sewage samples ranged between 10 2 to 10 3 mRNA-IU/L. Most of the viruses detected in sewage samples were from human adenovirus species F. The CC/mRNA qPCR assay can be used for quantifying infectious human adenovirus 41, estimating the levels of human adenoviruses in sewage samples, and applied to other sample settings. The CC/mRNA qPCR protocol described here represents an improvement in the detection of human enteric adenoviruses by reducing incubation time (5 days); whereas the conventional cell culture method requires longer incubation periods (10–20 days). More importantly, this protocol can be used to more rapidly and semi-quantitatively estimate the levels of infectious human adenoviruses in environmental samples.
The female androgen deficiency syndrome

We evaluated the sexual functioning of 11 women who developed demonstrable androgen deficiencies after undergoing chemotherapy with cytotoxic agents and/or bilateral salpingo-oophorectomies for a variety of medical conditions. For comparison, we evaluated the sexual status of 11 subjects with comparable medical, menopausal, marital, and sexual histories, whose levels of circulating testosterone were within normal limits. The results of this clinical study confirm and extend the observations originally made by Waxenberg and his colleagues in 1959, that testosterone deficiency in women produces a marked decrease in libido and sexual responsiveness. Our findings further indicate that the female androgen deficiency syndrome is often indistinguishable from psychogenic desire disorders on clinical grounds alone.
Space Scintillator-Detector Distinguishing between Protons and Electrons

A space scintillator detector has been designed and tested which meets the following requirements: 1) detection and separation of protons with energy greater than 1.5 mev and electrons with energy greater than 50 kev; 2) power consumption of less than 350 milliwats; and 3) weight less than 5 pounds. The basic detector consists of a stilbene scintillator on an RCA 6199 photomultiplier (or the C7151C ruggedized model). The electron-proton separation is accomplished through a circuit which makes use of the different light decay times caused by electrons and protons in the scintillator. The entire package including the amplifiers, scalers, and high voltage supply occupies a space 5 inches in diameter by 10 inches long. The unit has been tested for thermal stability and vibrational shock. A second detector, not restricted to the above power and weight requirements, is being developed to obtain pulse height information as well.
Study of optical emission from laser-produced plasma expanding across an external magnetic field

The laser-induced plasma obtained from the liquid target and expanding across a steady magnetic field has been studied using atomic emission spectroscopy. The line emission from the plasma was enhanced (>1.5 times) in the presence of a magnetic field, whereas background emission decreases. Enhancement in line intensity was found to be mainly a function of plasma beta (β). An increased rate of three-body recombination in plasma particles due to the cooling of the plasma during its expansion and an increase in effective plasma density as a result of its confinement seems to be the reason behind this enhancement.
Design and Fabrication of an In-Vitro Torque Device

A theory for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis was proposed by Dr. Stokes [1] in which a lateral spinal curvature produces asymmetrical loading of the skeletally immature spine, which in turn causes asymmetrical growth and therefore progressive wedging deformity. There have been many studies performed to evaluate the effect of compression-tension loading on wedging of the spine. Despite all these studies, only [2] investigated the effect of torque on segmented bodies, but did not incorporate independent torque control. The goal of this project was to design a torque device that allows controlled torque to be applied to segmented bodies and to validate the design through in-vitro testing.© 2010 ASME
Recharge of electrochemical energy storage devices at pulsed elevated rates

It has been shown previously that high power lithium-ion battery cells, such as the Saft VL8V [1] and GAIA 27 Ahr battery [2], are capable of discharging currents at rates much higher than their rated C values for time scales on the order of tens of milliseconds. This ability makes them an attractive prime power source for pulsed power applications. While these cells are capable of elevated rate discharge, recharge at an elevated rate is traditionally thought of as being catastrophic to the cell lifetime. In both defense and automotive applications, there is a high desire to recharge electrochemical energy storage devices at a faster rate. Previous research in this area has applied charge rates to batteries that are a few times the cell's rated C value in a steady state application with findings that recharge time can be significantly reduced [3]. New research in this area is being conducted at the University of Texas at Arlington. The aim of the research is to understand the charge rate limitations of electrochemical energy storage devices, such as lithium-batteries, supercapacitors, and lithium-ion capacitors, when the elevated charge is applied in a pulsed fashion. The effect these types of elevated recharge rates have on the fundamental material properties inside the cells is being researched as well. This paper describes the rationale behind the experiments, the experimental setup developed, and the research progress made thus far.
Effect of Copper Film Surface Properties on CMP Removal Rate

It has been observed that CMP removal rate of copper varies for films from different sources. While the film hardness and static wet etch rate in the absence of inhibitors are similar for various films, the static etch rate in the presence of inhibitors is significantly different. Analysis by AFM, XPS, and ion beam sputtering showed the film roughness and surface composition were different for different Cu films within 160 angstroms of the surface. Thus the different in Cu CMP removal rates can be explained by a synergetic effect of copper film roughness (grain size), surface composition, and effective adsorption of inhibitors. This explanation suggests that if polishing is initiated by an aggressive polishing step, removal rate of the remaining bulk copper films become more consistent. Based on these findings, the polishing slurry and process were further optimized.
CC Chemokine Receptor-1 Activates Intimal Smooth Muscle–Like Cells in Graft Arterial Disease

Background— Graft arterial disease (GAD) limits long-term solid-organ allograft survival. The thickened intima in GAD contains smooth muscle–like cells (SMLCs), leukocytes, and extracellular matrix. The intimal SMLCs in mouse GAD lesions differ from medial smooth muscle cells in their function and phenotype. Although intimal SMLCs may originate by migration and modulation of donor medial cells or by recruitment of host-derived precursors, the mechanisms that underlie their localization within grafts and the factors that drive these processes remain unclear. Methods and Results— This study of aortic transplantation in mice demonstrated an important function for chemokines beyond their traditional role in leukocyte recruitment and activation. Intimal SMLCs, but not medial smooth muscle cells, express functional CC chemokine receptor-1 (CCR1) and respond to RANTES by increased migration and proliferation. Although RANTES infusion in vivo promoted inflammatory cell accumulation in the adventitia of aortic all...
Cracks in the curriculum: an appreciation

> There is a crack, a crack in everything. > > That’s how the light gets in. > > “Anthem” — Leonard Cohen Many academics and clinicians like us, who teach in medical schools do not have formal training in education, yet that does not mean that we are not effective teachers, or
Development and validation of benomyl birdseed agar for the isolation of Cryptococcus neoformans and Cryptococcus gattii from environmental samples

One of the difficulties of isolating Cryptococcus neoformans and Cryptococcus gattii from environmental samples is the abundant overgrowth of other yeast and mold species that occurs on the plates. Here we report the application of benomyl to Guizotia abyssinica seed extract growth medium to improve the isolation of C. neoformans and C. gattii from environmental samples. We validated this medium by recovering C. neoformans and C. gattii from convenience soils and swabs from a region of the United States where these yeasts are endemic.
A century and a half of psychiatric rehabilitation in the United States.

Psychiatric rehabilitation, which is aimed at helping persons who have long-term mental illness to develop their capacities to the fullest possible extent, has been an integral part of psychiatric treatment in the U.S. since the beginnings of moral treatment in the early 19th century. The author outlines broad historical developments and prominent current modalities and models of psychiatric rehabilitation, including the introduction of family care, the day hospital, social skills training, psychoeducation, and the Fountain House model. He discusses the conceptual underpinnings of the field, such as the need to work with the healthy part of the patient and changes in views on vocational rehabilitation. Current concerns include the possibility of overselling rehabilitation and of misusing the term "recovery."
On orthorexia nervosa: A review of the literature and proposed diagnostic criteria

There has been a growing interest among clinicians and researchers about a condition where people restrict their diet based not on quantity of food they consume, but based on its quality. Bratman (1997) coined the term “orthorexia nervosa” to describe people whose extreme diets – intended for health reasons – are in fact leading to malnutrition and/or impairment of daily functioning. There has also recently been intense media interest in people whose highly restrictive “healthy” diet leads to disordered eating. Despite this condition being first described in the U.S., and receiving recent media interest here, orthorexia has largely gone unnoticed in the North American literature. This review article details the literature of orthorexia nervosa, describing its emergence as a condition first described by a physician in a yoga magazine, to its being discussed in the scientific literature. It also reviews prevalence studies and discusses marked shortcomings in the literature. Finally, diagnostic criteria are proposed, as are future directions for research.
Monstrosity and the Not-Yet: Edward Scissorhands via Ernst Bloch and Georg Simmel

This article explores and discusses Tim Burton's film Edward Scissorhands by applying a Georg Simmel/Ernst Bloch (Simmelean/Blochian) analysis. Aside from each of the philosophical approaches serving as insightful analyses of the symbolism and narrative of the film, it is also theoretically useful to compare and unpack the similarities and differences in aspects of both Simmel's and Bloch's philosophical ideas and metaphors, influenced by their collaboratory experiences; Bloch became associated with Georg Simmel in 1908. The association and friendship with Simmel lasted until 1911; at this time Bloch became increasingly disillusioned with Simmel's apparent inability to commit to any particular philosophical position. Correspondence finally drew to a close when Simmel openly supported the war policy of Imperial Germany in 1914. The influences of many of Simmel's ideas in relation to the development of Bloch's philosophy are implicitly noticeable in the cross-referencing of similar ideas, metaphors and themes. This article will suggest and tentatively work through aspects of some similarities and differences. The aim of this comparison and contrast of Simmel in relation to Bloch via Edward Scissorhands , will also serve to highlight Bloch's philosophical departure from Simmel's fragments. By exploring and discussing Simmel's essays 'The Aesthetic Significance of the Face', 'The Ruin' and 'The Stranger,' in the context of Edward Scissorhands , I will suggest that the film can be seen as a particularly poignant and effective cultural metaphor of not only the problematic nature of human ideals, but also urban ennui and disconnectedness. By comparison, the Blochian treatment of Edward Scissorhands will emphasise the Gothic, the radical stridency of Youth, and, potential utopian possibilities that are, so far, 'Not-Yet'. These frameworks will suggest that Edward Scissorhands be understood as a beautiful-monster, a cultural refraction of the utopian incognito of Not-Yet articulated future possibilities.
Brief Report: Sensory Reactivity in Children with Phelan-McDermid Syndrome

Phelan-McDermid syndrome (PMS), a monogenic form of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), results from deletion or mutation of the SHANK3 gene. Atypical sensory reactivity is now included in the diagnostic criteria for ASD. Examining the sensory phenotype in monogenic forms of ASD, such as PMS, may help identify underlying mechanisms of sensory reactivity. Using the Short Sensory Profile, the current study compared sensory reactivity in 24 children with PMS to 61 children with idiopathic ASD (iASD). Results suggest that children with PMS show more low energy/weak symptoms and less sensory sensitivity as compared to children with iASD. This study is the first to demonstrate differences in sensory reactivity between children with PMS and iASD, helping to refine the PMS phenotype.
Effect of Dehydroepiandrosterone and Testosterone Supplementation on Systemic Lipolysis

Context: Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and T hormones are advertised as antiaging, antiobesity products. However, the evidence that these hormones have beneficial effects on adipose tissue metabolism is limited. Objective: The objective of the study was to determine the effect of DHEA and T supplementation on systemic lipolysis during a mixed-meal tolerance test (MMTT) and an iv glucose tolerance test (IVGTT). Design: This was a 2-year randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Setting: The study was conducted at a general clinical research center. Participants: Sixty elderly women with low DHEA concentrations and 92 elderly men with low DHEA and bioavailable T concentrations participated in the study. Interventions: Elderly women received 50 mg DHEA (n = 30) or placebo (n = 30). Elderly men received 75 mg DHEA (n = 30), 5 mg T (n = 30), or placebo (n = 32). Main Outcome Measures: In vivo measures of systemic lipolysis (palmitate rate of appearance) during a MMTT or IVGTT. Results: At baseline th...
Creating a New Generation of Pediatric Dentists: A Paradigm Shift in Training

The University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) School of Dentistry has implemented a Health Resources and Services Administration-funded program to prepare dentists for the complex and comprehensive needs of pediatric patients within rapidly changing demographics and a paradigm shift in dentistry. Traditional dental education has focused on how to respond to oral disease, whereas UCLA's program shifts the paradigm to emphasize early assessment, risk-based prevention, and disease management. A holistic approach to dental care that considers social and environmental determinants is used with minimally invasive techniques for restorative care. To support this change, pediatric dental residents receive traditional training combined with new didactics, advocacy opportunities, and applied learning experiences at community-based organizations. These new elements teach residents to recognize the causal factors of disease and to identify interventions that promote oral health at the individual, family, community, and policy level. Consequently, they are better prepared to treat a diverse group of patients who historically have faced the greatest burden of disease as well as an increased number of barriers to accessing oral health care; these consist of low-income, minority, and/or pediatric populations including children with special health needs. The program's ultimate goal is for residents to deploy these skills in treating vulnerable populations and to demonstrate greater interest in collaborating with non-dental health providers and community organizations to increase access to dental services in private or public health practice settings.
GaAs Heteroepitaxy on Substrate-Engineered Silicon Using SixGe1−x Multilayer Structures

The novel concept of using a Si x Ge 1–x multilayer structure as a buffer layer between a silicon substrate and a GaAs epitaxial layer to accommodate the GaAs/Si 4.1% lattice mismatch is introduced. Initial results using a 340 nm trilayer Si x Ge 1–x multilayer structure are presented and are critically assessed. Significant potential is demonstrated, and the work to date indicates that certain guidelines and procedures must be adhered to for this method of threading dislocation reduction to be effective.
Mental health treatment in primary care: physician treatment choices and psychiatric admission rates.

Objective To evaluate how primary care physician characteristics, patient characteristics, and adequacy of local specialty resources influenced 1) primary care physician mental health treatment practices, and 2) inpatient psychiatric admission rates. Methods A mailed survey was conducted of a stratified sample of 107 primary care physicians in six rural and urban locations. Small area variation data were examined for the six areas to relate survey findings to psychiatric admission rates. We compared characteristics and specialty resources to treatment practices and admission rates through linear and logistic regression analyses. Results Survey responses were received from 52% of physicians (n = 56). Respondents and nonrespondents had similar demographic characteristics. Physician characteristics, particularly self-rated confidence, were related to referral, prescription, and on-site counseling practices. Primary care treatment practices were associated with admission rates, especially for substance abuse and dependence. Conclusions Attention to studies of physician confidence is indicated, as is attention to studies of providing mental health training and treatment guidelines to primary care physicians, especially for substance abuse.
Constraint-Driven Layout Synthesis

Research on CAD systems for reliable physical assembly of analog circuits has progressed at a considerably slower pace than that for digital counterparts. Part of the reason has been the intrinsic difficulty of defining and controlling performance in analog circuits. High performance can be achieved by talcing advantage of the physical characteristics of integrated devices and of the correlation between electrical parameters and their variations due to statistical fluctuations of the manufacturing process. Device matchings, parasitics, thermal and substrate effects must all be taken into account. The nominal values of performance functions are subject to degradation due to a large number of parasitics which are generally difficult to estimate accurately before the actual layout is completed.
Endoscopic evaluation and treatment of patients with idiopathic gross hematuria.

AbstractWe evaluated 4 patients with long-standing unilateral essential gross hematuria by newer endourological techniques. All 4 patients underwent ureterorenoscopy and 3 underwent percutaneous nephroscopy. Nephroscopy identified a bleeding site in 3 patients and ureteroscopy in 1. The bleeding sites were fulgurated and the hematuria has not recurred during followup. Percutaneous nephroscopy and/or ureterorenoscopy should be considered in selected patients with unilateral essential gross hematuria.
Domestic institutions and the Political Norms Model

The Political Norms Model becomes the focus of our theory building efforts in this chapter. In the Political Accountability Model, competitive elections, independent legislative powers, and the threat of military coups are key sources of accountability for leadership decisions in foreign policy. In the Political Norms Model, analytical attention shifts to the principles that shape political elite beliefs about how to bargain and resolve political conflicts with domestic and international opponents. In the Accountability Model, state leaders are rational and self-interested politicians who strategically respond to a political environment in which institutions affect the ability of political opposition to reward and punish them for the policies they adopt. In the Norms Model, leaders from democratic and non-democratic states have different beliefs about the acceptability of compromising with and coercing political adversaries. The theoretical focus of the Norms Model therefore differs in comparison to the Accountability Model. In the Accountability Model, the analysis centers on state leaders as rational actors who desire to remain in power and therefore they are attentive to the domestic political implications of foreign policy choices. While there is no reason why the logic of the Norms Model would contest the idea that leaders are rational and strategic acting politicians, the theoretical focus is directed at explaining why political leaders develop varying beliefs about the legitimacy of different strategies of accommodation and coercion in political bargaining, and then explores the implications of such beliefs for foreign policy decision-making.
User-Aided Geo-location of Untagged Desert Imagery

We propose a system for user-aided visual localization of desert imagery without the use of any metadata such as GPS readings, camera focal length, or field-of-view. The system makes use only of publicly available datasets—in particular, digital elevation models (DEMs)—to rapidly and accurately locate photographs in nonurban environments such as deserts. Our system generates synthetic skyline views from a DEM and extracts stable concavity-based features from these skylines to form a database. To localize queries, a user manually traces the skyline on an input photograph. The skyline is automatically refined based on this estimate, and the same concavity-based features are extracted. We then apply a variety of geometrically constrained matching techniques to efficiently and accurately match the query skyline to a database skyline, thereby localizing the query image. We evaluate our system using a test set of 44 ground-truthed images over a \(\text {10,000}\,\mathrm{km}^{2}\) region of interest in a desert and show that in many cases, queries can be localized with precision as fine as \(100\,\mathrm{m}^{2}\).
Reinhold Niebuhr: Prophetic Conservative

This chapter explores the ideas of Reinhold Niebuhr, the eminent Christian ethicist and theologian, whose teachings about original sin have influenced generations of thinkers, especially those in the realist tradition. He held that unchecked optimism and ambition, susceptible to corruption by the will-to-power which resides within everyone, can turn into hubris and political overreach. At the same time, Niebuhr qualified his realism with Christian faith. He believed that the Christian law of love inspires people to transcend their flawed nature and work toward a more just world, but without ever forgetting that this noble aim can never be fully realized. Progress is possible, but only if we remain modest about what we hope to accomplish and attentive to the lessons of experience, past and present.
14 – Alanates as hydrogen storage materials

Publisher Summary Group I and II salts of alanates have recently received considerable attention as potential hydrogen storage materials. These materials are referred to as “complex hydrides,” although alanates contain anionic metal complexes. Complex hydrides were not considered as the candidates for application as rechargeable hydrogen carriers until recently. This situation was changed by B. Bogdanovic and M. Schwickardi. Their pioneering studies demonstrated that upon doping with selected titanium compounds, the dehydriding of anionic aluminum hydrides could be kinetically enhanced and rendered reversible under moderate conditions in the solid state. This breakthrough has led to a worldwide effort to develop doped alanates as practical hydrogen storage materials. Any effort to develop complex hydrides as practical hydrogen storage materials requires knowledge of their atomic structure and the thermodynamics of their fundamental dehydrogenation and re-hydrogenation reaction chemistry. This chapter provides a summary of information and an overview of the progress that has been made towards the utilization of alanates as on-board hydrogen carriers. It focuses on the materials with high practical potential and excludes those with properties that clearly preclude practicality. One attractive feature of alanates is that lithium and sodium salts are readily available commercially. Magnesium alanate can be readily prepared with sodium alanate and magnesium hydride via a metathesis reaction. The mixed metal alanate, Na2LiAlH6, is prepared through ball milling of sodium hydride, lithium hydride, and sodium alanate. Potassium alanate can be prepared by the direct synthesis of potassium hydride and aluminum under high temperature and pressure.
Assessment of Texan pharmacists' attitudes, behaviors, and preferences related to continuing pharmacy education

Background: Whether the available Continuing Education (CE) programs meet pharmacists’ continuously increasing needs and preferences is open to question.Objectives: to investigate pharmacists’ perceptions and attitudes concerning available CE programs, evaluate the pharmacists’ choices with regard to selecting among different CE programs, and investigate the factors that are associated with preference to utilize online CE programs.Method: A 17-question survey was developed and mailed to a random sample of 600 Texan pharmacists. In addition to collecting basic demographic information, the survey investigated pharmacists’ choices with regard to delivery and content of CE programs, motivations to participation in CE programs, and pharmacists’ preferences for future CE programs.Results: A total of 161 pharmacists completed the survey and mailed back their responses. Excluding the 75 undeliverable surveys, the response rate was 31%. Approximately 83% of respondents found that currently available CE programs met their educational needs. The most important factors influencing pharmacists’ choices with regard to CE programs were the scope programs, the location where programs are held, and the cost associated with enrolling in such programs. Online CE was the most preferred mode of CE among participants. The factors that were associated with pharmacists’ preferences to complete 50% or more of required CE through online programs were previous use of online CE programs, preference to limit the duration of CE programs to 1 or 2 hour-long, and perceived ability to find adequate CE programs among currently available CE programs.Conclusion: The findings suggest modalities for CE programs providers on how to improve CE programs in the future in order to meet the preferences of local pharmacists.
Mutism Caused by Severe Demyelination in a Patient With Marchiafava–Bignami Disease

Abstract Background Marchiafava–Bignami (MB) disease is a rare disorder that causes primary degeneration of the corpus callosum. It is associated with chronic alcohol consumption caused by either a toxic or nutritional etiology. Case Report We report a case of a 54-year-old woman who presented to our emergency department with complete mutism caused by MB disease that completely resolved with intravenous thiamine and dextrose therapy. Why Should An Emergency Physician Be Aware of This? Emergency physicians frequently encounter patients with alcohol abuse and its complications. We report a rare presentation of a potential alcohol-related spectrum disease that may be encountered by an emergency physician. Early diagnosis and prompt management are critical to potentially reversing the disease, and this case shows the importance of including this disease in the differential diagnosis in patients with speech difficulty and alcohol abuse.
A simulation approach to estimate energy savings potential of occupant behavior measures

Abstract Occupant behavior in buildings is a leading factor influencing energy use in buildings. Low-cost behavioral solutions have demonstrated significant potential energy savings. Estimating the behavioral savings potential is important for a more effective design of behavior change interventions, which in turn will support more effective energy-efficiency policies. This study introduces a simulation approach to estimate the energy savings potential of occupant behavior measures. First it defines five typical occupant behavior measures in office buildings, then simulates and analyzes their individual and integrated impact on energy use in buildings. The energy performance of the five behavior measures was evaluated using EnergyPlus simulation for a real office building across four typical U.S. climates and two vintages. The Occupancy Simulator was used to simulate the occupant movement in each zone with inputs from the site survey of the case building. Based on the simulation results, the occupant behavior measures can achieve overall site energy savings as high as 22.9% for individual measures and up to 41.0% for integrated measures. Although energy savings of behavior measures would vary depending upon many factors, the presented simulation approach is robust and can be adopted for other studies aiming to quantify occupant behavior impact on building performance.
The Diagnosis and Management of Patients with Renal Colic across a Sample of US Hospitals: High CT Utilization Despite Low Rates of Admission and Inpatient Urologic Intervention

Objectives Symptomatic ureterolithiasis (renal colic) is a common Emergency Department (ED) complaint. Variation in practice surrounding the diagnosis and management of suspected renal colic could have substantial implications for both quality and cost of care as well as patient radiation burden. Previous literature has suggested that CT scanning has increased with no improvements in outcome, owing at least partially to the spontaneous passage of kidney stones in the majority of patients. Concerns about the rising medical radiation burden in the US necessitate scrutiny of current practices and viable alternatives. Our objective was to use data from a diverse sample of US EDs to examine rates of and variation in the use of CT scanning, admission, and inpatient procedures for patients with renal colic and analyze the influence of patient and hospital factors on the diagnostic testing and treatment patterns for patients with suspected renal colic. Methods We conducted a retrospective cohort study of adult patients who received a diagnosis of renal colic via a visit to an ED at 444 US hospitals participating in the Premier Healthcare Alliance database from 2009–2011. We modeled use of CT, admission, and inpatient urologic intervention as functions of both patient characteristics and hospital characteristics. Results Over the 2-year period, 307,612 patient visits met inclusion criteria. Among these patients, 254,211 (82.6%) had an abdominal CT scan, with 91.5% being non-contrast (“renal protocol”) CT scans. Nineteen percent of visits (58,266) resulted in admission or transfer, and 9.8% of visits (30,239) resulted in a urologic procedure as part of the index visit. On multivariable analysis male patients, Hispanic patients, uninsured patients, and privately insured patients were more likely to have a CT scan performed. Older patients and those covered by Medicare were more likely to be admitted, and once admitted, white patients and privately insured patients were more likely to have a urologic intervention. Only hospital region was associated with variation in CT rates, and this variation was minimal. Region and size of the hospital were associated with admission rates, and hospitals with more practicing urologists had higher intervention rates. Conclusions In this dataset, the majority of patients did not require admission or immediate intervention. Despite this, the large majority received CT scans, in a cohort representing 15–20% of all US ED visits. The CT rate was minimally variable at the hospital level, but the admission rates varied 2-fold, suggesting that hospital-level factors affect patient management. The high rate of CT usage coupled with the low rate of immediate intervention suggests that further research is warranted to identify patients who are at low risk for an immediate intervention, and could potentially be managed with ultrasound alone, expectant management, or delayed CT.
Relations of Sexual Objectification and Racist Discrimination with Latina Women’s Body Image and Mental Health

In the current study, we tested direct and mediated associations of objectification theory constructs and racist discrimination with eating disorder and depressive symptomatology in a sample of 180 Latina women (age range = 18-66). Results of a path analysis indicated that internalization of sociocultural standards of attractiveness was related to greater eating disorder and depressive symptomatology in part through the mediating roles of body shame and body surveillance, and body surveillance was related to greater eating disorder and depressive symptomatology through the mediating role of body shame. Sexual objectification did not yield hypothesized direct and indirect unique relations with criterion variables. However, racist discrimination was directly associated with greater depressive symptomatology and indirectly associated, through the mediating role of body shame, with greater eating disorder and depressive symptomatology. These results extend tenets of objectification theory to Latina women and ...