cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
On electroacoustic energy flux

The electroacoustic energy flux is analyzed in the context of infinitesimal plane harmonic waves propagating in prestressed and prepolarized piezoelectric crystals.
Sputter deposition of yttria-stabilized zirconia and silver cermet electrodes for SOFC applications

Yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) thin films were deposited by reactive magnetron sputter deposition from a composite Zr-Y target in Ar-O2 mixtures. YSZ deposition rates of 2.7 μm h-1 were obtained at a sputter source power of 150 W. Deposition with total pressures from 3 to 20 mTorr yielded continuous, crack-free films in a compressive state of stres. X-ray diffraction and electron microscopy results showed that the films were polycrystalline cubic YSZ with a columnar structure and an average grain diameter of 15nm. Fully dense films were obtained at a deposition temperature of 350°C. Temperature-dependent impedance spectroscopy analysis of YSZ films with silver electrodes showed that the oxygen-ion conductivity was as expected for YSZ. Ag1-x[(Y2O3)0.1(ZrO2)0.9]x cermet thin films havew been deposited by reactive magnetron co-sputtering silver and Zr/Y targets in Ar-O2 mixtures. The resistivity ϱ of as-deposited and annealed films as a function od silver volume fraction ⨍Ag varied over several orders of magnitude. Evaporation of silver from cermet films. observed during long-term annealing at 750°C, was eliminated by depositing a 1 μm thick Sr-doped LaCoO3 cap layer on the cermet. The cermet with ⨍Ag≈0.5 is a promising air electrode material for solid oxide devices operating at temperatures <-705°C, exhibiting both low resistivity (1×10-4Ω cm) and high thermal stability.
Horizontal cell density and mosaic regularity in pigmented and albino mouse retina.

The present study has examined the density and mosaic regularity of the population of horizontal cells in the pigmented and albino mouse retina. Retinal wholemounts were immunostained for calbindin, and labeled cells within sampled fields were analyzed to determine horizontal cell soma size and density. The X-Y positional coordinates of each cell were determined, from which the geometrical properties of the mosaic were examined using nearest neighbor and Voronoi domain analyses, and regularity indices were derived from those measures. Autocorrelation and density recovery profile analyses were also conducted to identify the presence of exclusion zones within the population of horizontal cells. For each sampled field, random simulations of matched density, constrained by the physical size of the horizontal cells, were generated and analyzed in parallel. Neither retinal area, nor horizontal cell soma size, nor density differed between the pigmented and albino retinas. Mosaic regularity in pigmented and albino retinas did not differ, but each differed significantly from random simulations of identical density. Horizontal cells in the mouse retina exhibit exclusion zones extending beyond the physical size of the soma, but these were identical in size in the pigmented and albino retina. Such exclusion zones are suggested to reflect homotypic interactions between horizontal cells during early development that mediate cellular repulsion and tangential movement. The lack of any discernable effect brought about by the albino mutation, despite numerous developmental abnormalities associated with the retinal neuroepithelium in albino mice, is consistent with other results showing that homotypic interactions are sufficient for the genesis of the global patterning characteristic of mature retinal mosaics.
The effects of mechanical stress on Ca45 transport in male rat bone in Vitro

Abstract The amount and rate of release of Ca 45 from freshly excised rat radii in an oxygenated Krebs-Ringer solution was measured as a function of mechanical stress. The calcium transport process was modeled mathematically by a first-order differential equation and a constraint equation. The solution to these equations, for the radioactivity of the Krebs-Ringer solution surrounding the bone, was fitted to the experimental data using the manimum mean-square error criterion. The constants of the model, which were obtained from this fitting, were used to characterize the effects of the mechanical stress on the transport rates of Ca 45 . The results of the experimentation and modeling showed that the application of mechanical stress significantly increased the rate at which calcium entered the bone. This system offers an objective means for studying calcium transport rates in bone in normal and pathological states as well as the effects of hormones and vitamins.
Multi-objective optimal causal control of an ocean wave energy converter in random waves

In order to maximize the effectiveness of an ocean wave energy converter, its power output must be explicitly regulated via a feedback control system. It is a classical result that when ocean waves are stochastic and the converter's response is linear, the physically-maximal power generation is only obtained using an anticausal feedback law; i.e., one which regulates power based on future response quantities. More recently, it has been shown that when constrained to causality, the optimal feedback law may be found using LQG control theory. In this paper, we consider the fact that various aspects of a wave energy converter's dynamic response (i.e., its displacements, force levels, current and voltage levels, etc.) will have finite extent, beyond which the linear dynamic model is no longer valid. In particular, we consider the use of the power generators to simultaneously harvest energy and also restrain these other response quantities. We illustrate one way of accomplishing this constrained optimization, through the use of Linear Matrix Inequality methods, and illustrate its application on a cylindrical buoy-type wave energy converter with three generators, subject to a stationary JONSWAP sea state. Power generation is optimized subject to constraints on acceptable variances on displacements (both linear and rotational) of the buoy. We show that for the particular example used here, response control and energy harvesting constitute objectives with significant conflict.
Pretreatment changes in drinking: relationship to treatment outcomes.

Pretreatment changes in alcohol use challenges the assumption that the major portion of the change process occurs after treatment entry. Greater understanding of the behavior change process prior to treatment has the potential to improve our understanding of behavioral changes during treatment. In this study, participants (N = 45) were recruited for a clinical trial examining multiple mechanisms of change in cognitive-behavioral treatment for alcohol dependence. Using data from both baseline and end of treatment assessments, several pretreatment intervals were created (e.g., a two-week pre-phone call interval, phone call to baseline assessment, baseline assessment to first treatment). To examine pretreatment changes in drinking, percent days abstinent and drinks per drinking day were analyzed using multi-level growth curve modeling and repeated measures ANOVAs. Initial examination of the data revealed significant increases in percent days abstinent and decreases in drinks per drinking day during the pretreatment intervals. Follow-up analyses also suggested that the majority of change in drinking occurs between the phone call and baseline assessment. Further examination of the data revealed two distinct patterns of pretreatment change: a) rapid changers who maintained changes during the course of treatment, and b) gradual changers who changed more gradually during the course of treatment. Analyses revealed that rapid changers had significantly higher rates of abstinence and lower drinks per drinking day at 90 days post-treatment compared to gradual changers. Overall, the data suggest that a more systematic investigation of pretreatment changes in alcohol use is warranted. Future studies may yield insights resulting in more efficient treatment delivery and adaptations to treatment based on an individual’s pretreatment change status.
Overview of IEEE research in Biomedical Circuits and Systems

The recent years have been marked by a surge of interdisciplinary collaborations among scientists, engineers, researchers, and medical practitioners focused on solving complex problems in medicine and related fields. These activities have resulted in the development of bio-inspired silicon, neural prosthetics, image processing systems, sensors and intravenous drug delivery devices that support diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disease in patients. The IEEE Circuits and Systems (CAS) community has a track record of excellence and has played an active role in the research and design of these and other novel systems. This paper presents an overview of the life sciences and biomedical research under investigation within the Biomedical CAS (BioCAS) technical committee.
Selection and implementation of information technology in the health care industry

A telephone survey was conducted with office representatives of 407 physician practices in Oregon. The purpose was to determine the selection and implementation processes related to software decisions. The respondents also rated the impacts of the software on the practice. The results are examined relative to practice size and type, cost of software, prior software experience and type of software.
Determining Smoking Cessation Related Information, Motivation, and Behavioral Skills among Opiate Dependent Smokers in Methadone Treatment.

Background: Over 80% of people in methadone treatment smoke cigarettes, and existing smoking cessation interventions have been minimally effective. Objective: To develop an Information-Motivation-Behavioral Skills (IMB) Model of behavior change based smoking cessation intervention for methadone maintained smokers, we examined smoking cessation related IMB factors in this population. Methods: Current or former smokers in methadone treatment (n = 35) participated in focus groups. Ten methadone clinic counselors participated in an individual interview. A content analysis was conducted using deductive and inductive approaches. Results: Commonly known IMB factors related to smoking cessation were described. These factors included: the health effects of smoking and treatment options for quitting (information); pregnancy and cost of cigarettes (motivators); and coping with emotions, finding social support, and pharmacotherapy adherence (behavioral skills). IMB factors specific to methadone maintained smokers wer...
A national study of individuals who handle migratory birds for evidence of avian and swine-origin influenza virus infections

Background Persons with occupational or recreational exposure to migratory birds may be at risk for infection with highly pathogenic avian influenza and other avian influenza viruses since wild birds are the natural reservoir of influenza A. Additionally, bird handlers may host avian and swine-origin influenza (pH1N1) virus co-infections, which generate reassortant viruses with high pathogenicity in mammals.
Watching Nanocrystals Grow

The ability to observe individual chemical reactions in real time is reshaping our understanding of molecular processes, revealing subtleties previously hidden in ensemble averages. For example, single-molecule fluorescence detection methods have revolutionized optical microscopy and in situ studies of chemical and biological systems ( 1 ). Liquid cell in situ transmission electron microscopy (TEM) is poised to write a new chapter in the solution synthesis and processing of materials. On page [1309][1] of this issue, Zheng et al. use a TEM liquid cell that allows liquids to be examined within the vacuum environment of a TEM in an elegant experiment that uncovers dynamic processes in the growth of platinum (Pt) nanocrystals ( 2 ). [1]: /lookup/doi/10.1126/science.1172104
Capital sentencing discretion in Southern Africa : a human rights perspective on the doctrine of extenuating circumstances in death penalty cases

In 1935, South Africa reduced the harshness of the common law mandatory death penalty for murder with the passage of the doctrine of extenuating circumstances. A judge was permitted to substitute a lesser sentence if the accused proved the existence of a mitigating factor at the time of the offence. The doctrine, which operated as a rebuttable presumption in favour of death, passed to the criminal law of Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia, Swaziland, Zambia and Zimbabwe, as well as to the South Pacific nation of Papua New Guinea. The doctrine lacked the analytical rationality of an American or Indian-style discretionary death penalty, which required a judge to articulate an aggravating factor in order to sentence an accused to death, with the burden of proof on the prosecution. The doctrine has now been abolished in South Africa, Namibia, Papua New Guinea, Swaziland and Zimbabwe, and modified in Botswana and Lesotho. The decline of the doctrine of extenuating circumstances accords with the international consensus that the death penalty should be restricted only to the most serious crimes and only based on the circumstances of the individual offence and the characteristics of the individual offender.
Conducting End-of-Life Research Strategies for Success

Conducting studies at the end of life is often challenging for researchers due to the sensitive nature of the research, the vulnerability of the participants and the inherent methodological complexities. Methodological challenges include identifying and gaining access to eligible research participants, estimating the duration of patient survival time in the study, minimizing the potential burden of data collection, and attending to issues of consent and confidentiality. In this paper, the authors identify challenges when conducting end-of-life research and draw from collective research experiences to describe strategies to achieve success.
Recovering Reasoning Processes from User Interactions

Understanding how analysts use visual-analytics (VA) tools can help reveal their reasoning processes when using these tools. By examining analysts' interaction logs, the authors identified the analysts' strategies, methods, and findings when using a financial VA tool.
From visuals to vision: using GIS to inform civic dialogue about African American males

There has been considerable attention in the sociology and public policy literatures to the relationship between spatial arrangements and opportunity structures in metropolitan America. This article attempts to address this issue in the context of Metro St. Louis, Missouri, a center of biotechnology development, where the majority population in St. Louis City is African American. More specifically, it does so by examining extant social science literature related to African American males in urban America. A focus is on highlighting developmental challenges and opportunities for intervention where spatial arrangements are a consideration. Next, it provides an argument that metropolitan regions attempting to intervene would benefit from Geographic Information Systems (GIS) as part of a visual political literacy project aimed to support civic engagement and capacity related to African American male life course development. The metropolitan region of St. Louis is used as a case to illustrate the possibilities...
A critique and improvement of an evaluation metric for text segmentation

The Pk evaluation metric, initially proposed by Beeferman, Berger, and Lafferty (1997), is becoming the standard measure for assessing text segmentation algorithms. However, a theoretical analysis of the metric finds several problems: the metric penalizes false negatives more heavily than false positives, overpenalizes near misses, and is affected by variation in segment size distribution. We propose a simple modification to the Pk metric that remedies these problems. This new metric-called WindowDiff-moves a fixed-sized window across the text and penalizes the algorithm whenever the number of boundaries within the window does not match the true number of boundaries for that window of text.
Outcome of Subjects With Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis Who Fail Corticosteroid Therapy: Implications for Further Studies

To evaluate the outcome of subjects with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) whose conditions clinically deteriorate while receiving corticosteroid therapy, we studied 12 of these subjects (7 male, 5 female) who received subsequent therapy with intravenous (IV) pulse cyclophosphamide (CPX). Seven of the 12 study subjects died during the course of therapy. Six of these subjects died of respiratory failure, and one died of cholecystitis. Among those who died, the mean age at diagnosis was 63 years compared with 57 years in those who have continued to survive (p = 0.29). Smoking status and pack-years of cigarette smoking were similar between those subjects who died and those who continue to survive. However, subjects who died received CPX for a mean of 6 months, while subjects still living have received CPX for a mean of 16 months (p = 0.01). Subjects who died were given CPX a mean of 64 months after the onset of symptoms, compared with a mean of 50 months for subjects who are still alive (p = 0.57). Interestingly, there were no significant differences in measures of pulmonary function between living and dead subjects. In fact, measures of lung function and gas exchange remained stable in both groups throughout the period of observation. These data suggest that (1) measures of lung function may not be a reliable indicator of patient mortality in end-stage IPF, and (2) while not statistically significant, these data raise the possibility that duration of symptomatic disease may play a role in the outcome of IPF patients receiving alternative therapeutic agents after failure of corticosteroid therapy. In future intervention trials, controlling entry criteria for duration of disease may prove helpful in determining the effects of these agents on the disease process. These data do not permit a determination of the effect of CPX in patients with IPF.
Double deconvolution using a neural network

The restoration of a blurred digital image usually requires accurate knowledge of the blurring process which, however, may not always be available. This paper describes a double iterative scheme for the simultaneous identification of the blurring and its removal by making use of the neural network paradigm and assumption of physical constraints on the blurring process. >
Characterizing stress fields in the upper crust using joint orientation distributions

Linear elastic fracture mechanics predicts that joint orientation is controlled by the stress field in which the joints propagate. Thus joint sets are effective proxies for stress trajectories during joint growth. Complexity in joint orientation indicates stress trajectory variability, a phenomenon quantified using an eigenvalue method that measures dispersion of joint normal vectors (i.e. poles) around the mean vector. Ratios between the eigenvalues of a joint orientation tensor give the clustering strength (ζ) and the shape factors (γ) of the distribution. A joint set that forms in a relatively isotropic rock subject to a rectilinear stress field should exhibit strong clustering and small random orientation variation that can be described by the Fisher statistical model. However, most joint orientation distributions in bedded rocks have non-random variation, greater in strike than in dip. This relative stability of the vertical stress orientation is strongest when joints are bounded by bedding interfaces, reflecting the tendency for deflection in the local stress field arising from the growth of side cracks, joint segments and adjacent joints in joint zones. Even when joint growth across bedding interfaces indicates negligible strength anisotropy, joint orientation distributions reflect less joint–joint interaction during vertical growth than during horizontal growth. As strike variation grows due to the presence of a non-rectilinear stress field, the orientation data better fit a Kent statistical model. Joint sets formed during fold development or in rocks with irregular bedding boundaries are more weakly clustered with Fisher-like orientation distributions. Orientation distributions for joint sets formed throughout a stress rotation have Kent-like shapes that indicate the magnitude of stress trajectory variation and clustering strength that depends on the joint density at each increment of the stress rotation.
Human papillomavirus vaccine series completion: Qualitative information from providers within an integrated healthcare organization.

Abstract Objective This qualitative study aimed to identify doctors’ and nurses’ perceptions of patient-, provider-, and system-level factors associated with human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine completion that may be targets for intervention. Methods We analyzed data from 61 qualitative interviews with pediatricians, family medicine physicians, and immunization nurses at medical centers that had the highest and lowest HPV vaccine completion rates within the same health care system. Results In both groups, almost all providers reported strong support for the HPV vaccine. In detailing how they talk to parents and patients about the vaccine, more of the providers working at higher completion centers described using effective communication techniques, including engaging parents and patients in two-way conversation and demonstrating awareness of cultural and practical barriers to completion that families may face. Providers at higher completion centers were also more likely to depict a local medical culture supportive of and committed to HPV vaccine completion, with greater levels of proactivity and teamwork. In contrast, providers working at lower completion medical centers described a lack of proactivity, and the strategies they suggested to improve HPV vaccine completion tended to be approaches that someone other than medical providers would implement. The comments made by these providers sometimes reflected a level of negativity and judgment absent from the comments of providers at higher completion centers. Conclusion Interventions to improve HPV vaccination completion rates should address both individual- and system-level factors. Improving communication skills, encouraging a supportive medical culture, and addressing resource issues is likely to improve vaccine adherence.
TRANSFORMATION OF TRICHODERMA SPP. WITH PLASMIDS CONFERRING HYGROMYCIN B RESISTANCE

Several plasmids with different promoter sequences, all containing the HygB gene that confers resistance to the antibiotic hygromycin B, were evaluated for their ability to transform Trichoderma viride strain T 105-227 Nic-. Plasmid pH IB, which contains a promoter sequence from Cochliobolus heterostrophus, was found to give the largest number of putative transformants. Transformation of T. harzianum strains T12-2 His- and T95-1 Lys- was attempted, and the time at which transformed protoplasts were exposed to hygromycin B was found to be critical. If hygromycin B was added before protoplasts had regenerated for at least 6 h, no transformants were obtained. However, if regeneration proceeded for more than 12 h, many nontransformed protoplasts formed thalli. Putative transformants were heterokaryotic. Even if thalli were grown in the presence of hygromycin B, the number of transformed nuclei was low; only 0.5 to 0.8% of conidia from putative transformants were capable of producing thalli in the presence of hygromycin B. Subcultures derived from single hygromycin B-resistant conidia were stable. Southern analysis indicated that the plasmid was integrated into the genome in either tandem repeat pattern or was single copy insertion.
Renal functional outcomes after surgery for renal cortical tumors.

Purpose of reviewTo review the established literature on renal functional outcomes and related pathologies after surgery for renal cortical tumors.Recent findingsRecent data support the prevailing notion that radical nephrectomy is associated with higher rates of chronic kidney disease, regardless o
Shenyang Middle School Students' Daily Energy Expenditure in Physical Activity

Objective: Using the method of measurement of Shenyang 12- 14 years adolescents of daily physical activity,the objective is to test and analyze the situation of physical activity for different time periods and different populations,providing a scientific basis for exploring the daily physical activity,physical fitness,healthy relationship and data reference.Methods: A total of 1109 students of sixth,seventh and eighth grades in Shenyang were the object. Multivariate analysis of variance analysis different height,weight,BMI relationship as well as the different BMI level,different grades between learning,the difference of the average number of steps in weekend and a week was done. Results: From Monday to Friday,on Saturday and Sunday respectively,the number of daily physical activities of juniorhigh school boys and girls,height,weight,BMI,and the steps of students of different grades on weekdays,weekend days,have significant difference( P 0. 05). On steps and steps a weekday,weekend days in junior high school students,a Sunday between steps,different BMI students steps a weekday,weekend day count steps,a Sunday,have no significant difference( P 0. 05). Conclusion: Because of learning burden,physical education time,etc,students of all ages caused by a lack of physical activity in the university,the students didn't get enough exercise,in the day of rest because of heavy school let the students didn't have the energy,time to take part in the extracurricular sports,most of the time in sedentary condition. Normal BMI of junior middle school students' physical activity is higher than that of underweight and the trend of obesity,so lean and obese students lack physical activity,which will affect the physical health of students.
Complexion time-temperature-transformation (TTT) diagrams: Opportunities and challenges

Abstract Grain boundaries and other interfaces can undergo complexion transitions from one thermodynamic state to another, resulting in discontinuous changes in interface properties such as diffusivity, mobility, and cohesive strength. The kinetics of such complexion transitions has been largely overlooked until recently. Just as with bulk phase transformations, complexion transition kinetics can be represented on time-temperature-transformation (TTT) diagrams. An experimental complexion TTT diagram is presented here for polycrystalline Eu-doped spinel annealed at 1400–1800 °C. This material developed a microstructure with a bimodal grain size distribution, indicating that a complexion transition occurs within this temperature range. The time and temperature dependence of this complexion transition was analyzed and used to produce a grain-boundary complexion TTT diagram for this system. Complexion TTT diagrams have the potential to be remarkably useful tools for manipulating the properties of internal interfaces in polycrystalline metals and ceramics. The development of experimental complexion TTT diagrams is likely to have an important impact on the field of grain-boundary engineering, and hence the development of these experimental diagrams should be an intense area of focus in the coming years.
Commodity, Amenity, And Morality: The Limits of Quantification in Valuing Biodiversity

What is the value of the biological diversity of the planet? That question reminds me of a game we used to play at ice cream socials and church picnics when I was growing up in the Midwest. Someone on the entertainment committee would count an assortment of screws and gimcracks, or nuts and bolts, and put them into a mason jar. At the Christmas party, it was pecans, walnuts, and hickory nuts. Everybody else had to guess: How many whatchamacallits are in the jar?
Looking Back, Looking Forward Reflections on Tenure as Editor of Circulation

For the last 12 years, I have had the great privilege of leading the editorial team at Circulation . As my tenure as editor-in-chief comes to a close, I would like to reflect on the changes that have occurred in the journal, the role of journal editor, and the future of the journal, and do so in light of the rapidly changing landscape of cardiovascular biology and disease. Circulation has been a premier source of new and important information for researchers, practitioners, and trainees in cardiovascular biomedicine since its inception in 1950. Its editors have always prided themselves on providing the most cutting-edge information to the entire cardiovascular community, aiming to be all things to all readers. While doing so has required greater publication frequency and an ever-increasing number of pages to accommodate the rapid expansion of pertinent information, Circulation , the American Heart Association, and the publisher have risen to that challenge effectively over the last decade. In addition, very soon after I began my tenure, the journal became fully electronic and, beginning in 2008, expanded to a family of journals, with each journal focusing on select cardiovascular subspecialties. Together with the American Heart Association’s open-access journal the Journal of the American Heart Association , Circulation and the entire American Heart Association publishing enterprise set as a goal an increase in the number of papers published in this broad family of journals. We chose to do so to accommodate scientifically sound manuscripts that we historically rejected owing to space limitations. As a result of these efforts, published manuscripts increased significantly, as did reviewed manuscripts. These changes in publication format and access were necessary to adapt to the rapidly …
Building TPACK in Preservice Teachers through Explicit Course Design.

The authors of this study utilized the TPACK (Technological, Pedagogical, and Content Knowledge) framework in developing and assessing these skills within an advanced technology integration course for preservice teachers. The research contributes to the use of TPACK as a metric for measuring technology integration of pre-service teachers. Two groups of students enrolled in an undergraduate teaching certification program, at a medium size liberal arts university participated in this study. One group was explicitly taught the TPACK framework while the other group was not. Both groups then completed a pre/post TPACK assessment. Analysis of the pre/post TPACK assessment instrument and fieldwork reflections revealed positive results in explicitly using the TPACK framework in developing these skills in preservice teachers. However, the positive results were not as evident when analyzing the student lesson plans.
The fate of Osterix-expressing mesenchymal cells in dental root formation and maintenance.

Structured AbstractObjectives Osterix (Osx)-expressing mesenchymal cells are progenitors for tooth root forming cells. The aim of this study was to reveal the fates of Osx-expressing cells during and after root formation using a lineage tracing experiment. Material and Methods To reveal the fates of Osx-expressing dental mesenchymal progenitors, we took advantage of tamoxifen-inducible Cre reporter system. Osx-creER; R26R-tdTomato mice received tamoxifen (0.1 mg/body) at postnatal day 3 (P3). In this system, Osx-expressing at P3 (Osx-P3) cells undergo recombination, and they and their descendants continue to express Tomato red fluorescence protein permanently. Mandibles were dissected at serial time points ranging from P4 to P116 to investigate how Osx-P3 cells participated in root formation. Tomato+ cells on frozen sections were imaged under fluorescence microscopy. Results Osx-P3 cells and their descendants differentiated into all kinds of cells that contributed to the root and periodontal tissues, such as odontoblasts, cementoblasts, alveolar bone osteoblasts and periodontal ligament (PDL) cells during root formation. Even after root formation was completed, they persisted in dental pulp and PDL to provide progenitor cells for odontoblasts and cementoblasts. Conclusion Osx-expressing cells play important roles in the entire processes of tooth root formation; their progeny continue to contribute to maintenance of tooth root even after root formation is complete.
A Method of Optimizing Programming Topics to Succeed in IT Certification Exams

This paper focuses on the skill sets required for an information technology (IT) graduate to be successful in the fast-changing technological world. It addresses the value of professional IT certifications offered by various technological companies in the job market. Specifically, it focuses on how to optimize various topics that should be covered in a graduate-level programming course such that students are not only technically prepared for their professional careers but also equipped to succeed in the widely recognized Microsoft Certification exams on programming. The authors investigate the use of the Solver feature of Microsoft Excel to evaluate strategies for selecting topics that should be included in a graduate-level programming course. The results indicate that to succeed in the Windows-based Microsoft certification exams, we need to increase the coverage in the areas of object-oriented programming, database, XML, COM and other advanced topics . To succeed in the Web-based Microsoft certification exams, we need to increase the coverage in the areas of database, storage and advanced topics . This increase in effective coverage correlates with an increase in passing rates from approximately 40% to over 50% after making a change in our curriculum. Our findings can be useful for instructors who wish to reformulate their programming courses and challenge students with professional certifications that prepare students for successful IT careers DOI:10.2458/azu_itet_v5i2_rob
Innovative Care Models in Liver Disease: the Role of Multidisciplinary Teams

Patients with chronic liver disease have diverse healthcare and psychosocial needs across a multitude of care domains. Incorporation of multidisciplinary teams (MDT) enhances care coordination between physician, patient, and other healthcare providers. A MDT approach may be beneficial to provide comprehensive care for all cirrhotics. MDT are successfully used for management of hepatocellular carcinoma and evaluating candidacy for liver transplantation (LT). Among patients with alcoholic liver disease, lower rates of post LT recidivism are observed with MDT. The Practice Guide on Obesity and Weight Management, Education and Resources program, a comprehensive care model developed to increase collaboration and patient-centered care may help in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Furthermore, telemedicine and telemonitoring may help expand a MDT approach. The MDT model benefits many stakeholders, including the patient, physician, as well as the broader healthcare system. Further studies are needed to identify its long-term benefits.
Additive Interactions Between Gender and Bullying Victimization on Depressive Symptoms and Suicidality: Youth Risk Behavior Survey 2011-2015.

Background Bullying victimization is common among adolescents and increases the likelihood of depressive symptoms and suicidality. Two previous meta-analyses have shown that these relationships do not significantly vary by gender. Objectives This research investigated whether there are significant positive additive interactions between bullying victimization and female gender on depressive symptoms, suicidal ideation, suicide attempts, and suicide attempts that required treatment. Methods For this research, analyses of pooled data from the 2011, 2013, and 2015 Youth Risk Behavior Survey (N = 44,632) were performed to estimate measures of additive interaction, as well as measures of multiplicative interaction in order to examine whether the relationship between bullying victimization and depressive symptoms or suicidality significantly varied by gender. Results Measures of additive interaction show that the magnitude of the relationship between bullying victimization and depressive symptoms or suicidality is significantly greater among female than male individuals. In contrast, measures of multiplicative interaction indicate that the magnitude of the relationship between bullying and depressive symptoms or suicidality is not significantly greater among female than male individuals. Discussion Measures of additive interaction are relevant for nursing and population health research. Future research should further explore how and why bullying victimization appears to more profoundly affect female individuals more than male individuals and how to mitigate it.
Commentary on Socias et al. (2018): Clinical research perspectives on cannabis use in opioid agonist treatment.

Research is needed to determine clinical criteria as to who should be using cannabis therapeutically, how to implement therapeutic use of cannabis in opioid agonist treatment (OAT) settings optimally, and other behavioral approaches to improving OAT retention and outcomes.
Abstract TP298: Early and Extended Time Window Prehospital Large Vessel Occlusion Scale Application: A Retrospective Analysis

Introduction: Multiple trials have validated thrombectomy as a viable option in acute stroke patients with Anterior Large Vessel Occlusion (LVO). As a consequence, there has been a dire need for pr...
Metropolitan rebellions and the politics of commoning the city

This article analyzes the remarkable wave of metropolitan rebellions that inaugurated the 21st century around the world (2000–2016). It argues that they fuel an emergent politics of city-making in ...
Reconsidering partisanship as a constraint on the persuasive effects of debates

This study tests persuasive effects of 30 debate performances drawn from samples (n = 5780) of 22 states over four election cycles (2004–2016). We test partisanship of the candidate, type of debate...
Mitohormesis, UPRmt, and the Complexity of Mitochondrial DNA Landscapes in Cancer

The discovery of the Warburg effect, the preference of cancer cells to generate ATP via glycolysis rather than oxidative phosphorylation, has fostered the misconception that cancer cells become independent of the electron transport chain (ETC) for survival. This is inconsistent with the need of ETC function for the generation of pyrimidines. Along with this misconception, a large body of literature has reported numerous mutations in mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), further fueling the notion of nonfunctional ETC in cancer cells. More recent findings, however, suggest that cancers maintain oxidative phosphorylation capacity and that the role of mtDNA mutations in cancer is likely far more nuanced in light of the remarkable complexity of mitochondrial genetics. This review aims at describing the various model systems that were developed to dissect the role of mtDNA in cancer, including cybrids, and more recently mitochondrial-nuclear exchange and conplastic mice. Furthermore, we put forward the notion of mtDNA landscapes, where the surrounding nonsynonymous mutations and variants can enhance or repress the biological effect of specific mtDNA mutations. Notably, we review recent studies describing the ability of some mtDNA landscapes to activate the mitochondrial unfolded protein response (UPRmt) but not others. Furthermore, the role of the UPRmt in maintaining cancer cells in the mitohormetic zone to provide selective adaptation to stress is discussed. Among the genes activated by the UPRmt, we suggest that the dismutases SOD2 and SOD1 may play key roles in the establishment of the mitohormetic zone. Finally, we propose that using a UPRmt nuclear gene expression signature may be a more reliable readout than mtDNA landscapes, given their diversity and complexity.
Human Auditory Detection and Discrimination Measured with the Pupil Dilation Response

In the standard Hughson-Westlake hearing tests (Carhart and Jerger 1959), patient responses like a button press, raised hand, or verbal response are used to assess detection of brief test signals such as tones of varying pitch and level. Because of its reliance on voluntary responses, Hughson-Westlake audiometry is not suitable for patients who cannot follow instructions reliably, such as pre-lingual infants (Northern and Downs 2002). As an alternative approach, we explored the use of the pupillary dilation response (PDR), a short-latency component of the orienting response evoked by novel stimuli, as an indicator of sound detection. The pupils of 31 adult participants (median age 24 years) were monitored with an infrared video camera during a standard hearing test in which they indicated by button press whether or not they heard narrowband noises centered at 1, 2, 4, and 8 kHz. Tests were conducted in a quiet, carpeted office. Pupil size was summed over the first 1750 ms after stimulus delivery, excluding later dilations linked to expenditure of cognitive effort (Kahneman and Beatty 1966; Kahneman et al. 1969). The PDR yielded thresholds comparable to the standard test at all center frequencies tested, suggesting that the PDR is as sensitive as traditional methods of assessing detection. We also tested the effects of repeating a stimulus on the habituation of the PDR. Results showed that habituation can be minimized by operating at near-threshold stimulus levels. At sound levels well above threshold, the PDR habituated but could be recovered by changing the frequency or sound level, suggesting that the PDR can also be used to test stimulus discrimination. Given these features, the PDR may be useful as an audiometric tool or as a means of assessing auditory discrimination in those who cannot produce a reliable voluntary response.
Intensive trauma-focused therapy with victims of crime

Abstract Intensive trauma-focused psychotherapy is a relatively recent clinical practice innovation that has the potential to reduce treatment time, risk, and dropout rate while improving treatment efficiency. We conducted an open trial of trauma-focused intensive therapy featuring progressive counting (PC) and eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) for 61 multiply-traumatized treatment-seeking victims of crime. Results showed strong participant retention as well as significant improvement at two weeks and 12 weeks post-treatment, with large to very large effect sizes on all outcomes, including posttraumatic stress and related symptoms, severity of primary presenting problems, quality of life, and overall stability and level of functioning. Outcomes were similar for PC and EMDR. The mean treatment time was 30.73 hours, or a little less than a week, enabling participants to quickly move on with their lives. Intensive trauma-focused psychotherapy may represent an important advance in the delivery of psychotherapy.
A 2D refreshable Braille display based on a stiffness variable polymer and pneumatic actuation

Visual impairments limit a person’s ability to process information such as obstacles, environments, reading and especially multimedia content (e.g., photographs and videos). In this work, we present the design and operating mechanism of Braille PolyPad, a prototype 2D refreshable braille display featuring 4×10 braille cells, enabling the transformation of images to 2D braille information. The Braille Polypad is based on a miniature pump enabled pneumatic actuation of Braille pins. The encoder transformed the pattern information to a heating circuits to trigger the softening of a stiffness variable polymer, allowing for large pneumatic actuation in the softened pin area. The braille pattern can switch on and off in 0.5s each regardless of the number of braille cells and pins, with low operation voltage and low power consumption. The technical features in this work could enable low-cost, large-size matrix refreshable braille displays in compact form factor. Full development of the prototype device is still ongoing, including materials optimization, actuation uniformity, and improvement of user-friendly control interface.
Crossing the Water's Edge: Elite Rhetoric, Media Coverage, and the Rally-Round-the-Flag Phenomenon

The most widely accepted explanation for the rally-round-the-flag phenomenon is a relative absence of elite criticism during the initial stages of foreign crises. In this study we argue that the nature and extent of elite debate may matter less than media coverage of any such debate and that these often systematically diverge. We also argue that not all messages in this debate matter equally for public opinion. Rather, the persuasiveness of elite messages depends on their credibility, which, in turn, arises out of an interaction between the sender, receiver, and message. Hence, only by understanding the interactions between elites, the public, and the press can we account for variations in public responses to presidential foreign policy initiatives. We test our theory by examining public opinion data and a new dataset on network news coverage of all major U.S. uses of military force from 1979 to 2003. We content analyze all congressional evaluations of the president and the executive branch of government ...
Operative Management of Spinal Deformity Secondary to Hajdu-Cheney Syndrome.

Hajdu-Cheney syndrome (HCS) is an exceedingly rare disease with fewer than 100 cases described in the medical literature. It is most strongly associated with a defect in the transmembrane protein NOTCH2. Though the exact mechanism in humans is not yet known, the defect results in various skeletal abnormalities including severe osteoporosis placing these patients at high risk for progressive spinal deformity. Due to various common syndromic features including ligamentous laxity, increased osteoclast activity, skeletal malformations, patency of cranial sutures, and the aforementioned severe osteoporosis, these patients require special consideration from treating surgeons. There are currently only nine reported cases of spinal surgery in HCS patients. Herein, we describe the cases of two patients with HCS requiring surgery for progressive spinal deformity. Six months following surgery, both patients reported excellent outcomes with significant improvement in symptoms.
Impact of gate area on plasma charging damage: the "reverse" antenna effect

We report for the first time, a peak in the failure fraction when plotted as a function of the gate area (for a fixed antenna area). This peak is a consequence of competition between failure probability decrease due to reducing antenna ratio and failure probability increase due to increasing gate area. The position of this peak depends on plasma/oxide parameters, and is likely to be more prevalent in damage arising from high-density plasma processes for ultra-thin dielectrics. The presence of this peak results in a region where the decrease in antenna ratio (by increasing gate area) actually results in higher fail probability ("reverse" antenna effect).