cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Revisiting low-fidelity two-fluid models for gas-solids transport

Two-phase gas-solids transport models are widely utilized for process design and automation in a broad range of industrial applications. Some of these applications include proppant transport in gaseous fracking fluids, air/gas drilling hydraulics, coal-gasification reactors and food processing units. Systems automation and real time process optimization stand to benefit a great deal from availability of efficient and accurate theoretical models for operations data processing. However, modeling two-phase pneumatic transport systems accurately requires a comprehensive understanding of gas-solids flow behavior. In this study we discuss the prevailing flow conditions and present a low-fidelity two-fluid model equation for particulate transport. The model equations are formulated in a manner that ensures the physical flux term remains conservative despite the inclusion of solids normal stress through the empirical formula for modulus of elasticity. A new set of Roe-Pike averages are presented for the resulting strictly hyperbolic flux term in the system of equations, which was used to develop a Roe-type approximate Riemann solver. The resulting scheme is stable regardless of the choice of flux-limiter. The model is evaluated by the prediction of experimental results from both pneumatic riser and air-drilling hydraulics systems. We demonstrate the effect and impact of numerical formulation and choice of numerical scheme on model predictions. We illustrate the capability of a low-fidelity one-dimensional two-fluid model in predicting relevant flow parameters in two-phase particulate systems accurately even under flow regimes involving counter-current flow.
Method to Produce Durable Pellets at Lower Energy Consumption Using High Moisture Corn Stover and a Corn Starch Binder in a Flat Die Pellet Mill

A major challenge in the production of pellets is the high cost associated with drying biomass from 30 to 10% (w.b.) moisture content. At Idaho National Laboratory, a high-moisture pelleting process was developed to reduce the drying cost. In this process the biomass pellets are produced at higher feedstock moisture contents than conventional methods, and the high moisture pellets produced are further dried in energy efficient dryers. This process helps to reduce the feedstock moisture content by about 5-10% during pelleting, which is mainly due to frictional heat developed in the die. The objective of this research was to explore how binder addition influences the pellet quality and energy consumption of the high-moisture pelleting process in a flat die pellet mill. In the present study, raw corn stover was pelleted at moistures of 33, 36, and 39% (w.b.) by addition of 0, 2, and 4% pure corn starch. The partially dried pellets produced were further dried in a laboratory oven at 70 °C for 3-4 hr to lower the pellet moisture to less than 9% (w.b.). The high moisture and dried pellets were evaluated for their physical properties, such as bulk density and durability. The results indicated that increasing the binder percentage to 4% improved pellet durability and reduced the specific energy consumption by 20-40% compared to pellets with no binder. At higher binder addition (4%), the reduction in feedstock moisture during pelleting was 510 kg/m3 and >98%, respectively, and the percent fine particles generated was reduced to <3%.
Solidarity as a Moral and Political Concept: Beyond the Liberal/Communitarian Impasse

Whatever its historical origin may have been, the word “solidarity” seems to have a special resonance with the needs of our day.2 For many it provides a moral and political principle that counters the individualism, atomism, and fragmentation of human life, which are jointly understood as deficiencies that arise from a classically liberal culture (Rorty, 1989; Maclntyre, 1986; Taylor, 1985, 1989, 1994; for a good overview of these thinkers and others, see Kukathas, 1986–87). Advocates of solidarity, often aligning with communitarian concerns, will similarly criticize the market, and with it the commodification of human relationships and the advancement of antagonistic human interaction seen in the division of labor and competition (Bellah, 1985; Bellah, 1991). These problems arising from the market are also attributed to liberalism, understood as the broader legal and moral framework sustaining and fostering individualism and market interactions.3 In opposition to all this, the advocates of solidarity advance the notion that all people are implicated in their identity with the interests and good of all others, and that all are likewise responsible to and for others in each individual action. They thus turn people away from individually relative accounts of value and the pursuit of self-interest, and ask them to make explicit in motivation, self-consciousness, and action their identification with the community.4
From Justice in robes to Justice for hedgehogs

In this Lecture de livered at the Instituto de Investigaciones Juridicas of Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico, after receiving the Premio Internacional de Investigacion en Derecho Hector Fix-Zamudio, in Mexico City, November 23, 2006, the author describes the implications for Legal Theory and Philosophy of two recent phenomena, which have be come trends in legal practice, and challenges an idea closely as sociated with legal positivism, i.e. law is identified with a State through its sovereigns or conventions, by proposing that law escapes from national boundaries and territories. Resumen: En su conferencia magistral dictada en el Instituto de Investigaciones Juridicas de la Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico, despues de recibir el Premio Internacional de Investigacion en Derecho Hector Fix-Zamudio, en la Ciudad de Mexico, el 23 de noviembre de 2006, el autor describe las implicaciones para la filosofia y teoria juridica de dos fenomenos recientes, los cuales se han convertido en tendencias en la practica juridica, y cuestiona una idea estrechamente relacionada con el positivismo juridico, i.e. el derecho es identificado con un Estado a traves de sus soberanos o convenciones, al proponer que el derecho es capa de las fronteras y territorios nacionales.
A study of the causes of man-hour variance of naval shipyard work standards

This paper presents the results of a study conducted at a U.S. Navy shipyard during 1987 concerning the relationship between engineering standards and the variances that were occurring in production budget and charged man-hours. The ten engineering standards having the greatest man-hour variances were examined
The distribution of the components of mixed-function oxidase between the rough and the smooth endoplasmic reticulum of liver cells

Mixed-function oxidase activity, when measured by the N-demethylation of ethylmorphine or the hydroxylation of aniline, is significantly higher in the smooth hepatic endoplasmic reticulum than in the rough. In the rabbit the smooth membrane/rough membrane activity ratios are significantly greater than 1 whether the activities are expressed per g. of liver (ratio 5), per mg. of protein (ratio 3-5), per mug. of phospholipid phosphorus (ratio 2), per unit of cytochrome P-450 (ratio 1.7) or per unit of NADPH-cytochrome c reductase activity (ratio 2). On the other hand, if the activities are normalized to the NADPH-cytochrome P-450 reductase, there is no significant difference between the rough and smooth membranes. These results suggest that, in the rabbit, the rate-limiting step is the reduction of cytochrome P-450. In contrast, in the rat the difference in activities can be explained by differences in the concentration of cytochrome P-450.
Examining the Effects of Reading Modality and Passage Genre on Reading Comprehension in Middle School Students.

The purpose of the present study was to examine the effects of reading modality (oral versus silent) and passage genre (narrative versus expository) on the reading comprehension of middle school students. A normative sample of sixth- and seventh-grade students (n = 175) read narrative and expository texts from the Qualitative Reading Inventory, Fifth Edition (QRI-5; Leslie & Caldwell, 2011) aloud or silently and then answered questions about what they read. General reading skill was assessed by the Test of Silent Contextual Reading Fluency, Second Edition (TOSCRF-2; Hammill, Wiederholt, & Allen, 2014). A 2 (passage genre) X 2 (reading modality) mixed between-within subjects ANOVA was conducted separately by grade. Findings suggest that text genre influenced reading comprehension across both sixth- and seventh-grade students. Expository text was more challenging than narrative text in terms of students' understanding. Importantly, reading modality was not found to influence the reading comprehension of sev...
Optimal light storage with full pulse-shape control

We experimentally demonstrate optimal storage and retrieval of light pulses of arbitrary shape in atomic ensembles. By shaping auxiliary control pulses, we attain efficiencies approaching the fundamental limit and achieve precise retrieval into any predetermined temporal profile. Our techniques, demonstrated in warm Rb vapor, are applicable to a wide range of systems and protocols. As an example, we present their potential application to the creation of optical time-bin qubits and to controlled partial retrieval.
Palliative Care in Surgery: Defining the Research Priorities.

Abstract Given the acute and often life-limiting nature of surgical illness, as well as the potential for treatment to induce further suffering, surgical patients have considerable palliative care needs. Yet, these patients are less likely to receive palliative care than their medical counterparts and palliative care consultations often occur when death is imminent, reflecting poor quality end-of-life care. Surgical patients would likely benefit from early palliative care delivered alongside surgical treatment to promote goal-concordant decision making and to improve patients' physical, emotional, social, and spiritual well-being and quality of life. To date, evidence to support the role of palliative care in surgical practice is sparse and palliative care research in surgery is encumbered by methodological challenges and entrenched cultural norms that impede appropriate provision of palliative care. The objective of this article was to describe the existing science of palliative care in surgery within th...
Simulation-based machine shop operations scheduling system for energy cost reduction

Abstract Owing to the ever increasing requirements in sustainability, manufacturing firms are trying to reduce their energy consumption and cost. In this paper, we propose a simulation-based machine shop operations scheduling system for minimizing the energy cost without sacrificing the productivity. The proposed system consists of two major functions: (1) real-time energy consumption monitoring (through power meters, a database server, and mobile applications) and (2) simulation-based machine shop operations scheduling (through a machine shop operations simulator). First, the real-time energy consumption monitoring function is developed to collect energy consumption data and provide real-time energy consumption status monitoring/electrical load abnormality warnings. Second, the simulation-based machine shop operations scheduling function is devised to estimate the energy consumptions and cost of CNC machines. In addition, an additive regression algorithm is developed to formulate energy consumption models for each individual machine as simulation inputs. The proposed system is implemented at a manufacturing company located in Tucson, Arizona state of USA. The experiment results reveal the effectiveness of the proposed system in achieving energy cost savings without sacrificing the productivity under various scenarios of machine shop operations.
Reflectance feedback control

Considerable time and effort has been devoted to predictions of the extent of thermal damage owing to laser photocoagulations. To establish a suitable radiation dose requires a complete understanding of the optical-thermal response of tissue to laser radiation and an accurate assessment of the optical and thermal properties of tissue. This is a formidable and mostly unsolved problem. Even the best predictions and algorithms are no better than the accuracy of measurement of parameters used in the governing equations. One problem is the tissue optical properties. Typically these properties are determined from in vitro samples. From the wide range of values of absorption and scattering coefficients reported in the literaturel, it is difficult to judge the average optical properties of a particular in vivo tissue, much less extract values for a particular region that will be radiated. One solution eliminates dosimetry uncertainty by monitoring the progression of photocoagulation during laser radiation and stopping irradiation when a specified endpoint has been reached.
Capitalism, Socialism, and “The Gap Between”: Review of Communist Study: Education for the Commons by Derek R. Ford

Derek R. Ford’s Communist Study: Education for the Commons advances communist pedagogy. What is surprising about Ford’s project is that his contribution to Marxism comes from an engagement with wor...
Insulin Action Gene Regulation

Insulin regulates metabolism by altering the concentration of critical proteins or by inducing post-translational modifications of preexisting molecules. The latter represents a well-recognized action of insulin, and it has been extensively studied for many years.1, 2, 3By contrast, it is only recently that considerable advances have been made in understanding several aspects of insulin-regulated gene expression.
Locating Si atoms in Si-doped boron carbide: A route to understand amorphization mitigation mechanism

Abstract The well-documented formation of amorphous bands in boron carbide (B4C) under contact loading has been identified in the literature as one of the possible mechanisms for its catastrophic failure. To mitigate amorphization, Si-doping was suggested by an earlier computational work, which was further substantiated by an experimental study. However, there have been discrepancies between theoretical and experimental studies, about Si replacing atom/s in B12 icosahedra or the C-B-C chain. Dense single phase Si-doped boron carbide was produced through a conventional scalable route. A powder mixture of SiB6, B4C, and amorphous boron was reactively sintered, yielding a dense single phase Si-doped boron carbide material. A combined analysis of Rietveld refinement on XRD pattern coupled with electron density difference Fourier maps and DFT simulations were performed in order to investigate the location of Si atoms in the boron carbide lattice. Si atoms occupy an interstitial position, between the icosahedra and the chain. These Si atoms are bonded to the chain end C atoms, which result in a kinked chain. Additionally, these Si atoms are also bonded to the neighboring equatorial B atom of the icosahedra, which is already bonded to the C atom of the chain, forming a bridge like structure. Owing to this bonding, Si is anticipated to stabilize the icosahedra through electron donation, which is expected to help in mitigating stress-induced amorphization. Possible supercell structures are suggested along with the most plausible structure for Si-doped boron carbide.
An Assessment of Perceived Barriers to Farmers' Market Access.

Abstract Objective To explore whether Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program–Education (SNAP-Ed) stakeholders (individuals involved in work to increase access to farmers’ markets [FMs] for low-income populations) perceive the same barriers to shopping at FMs as those reported by SNAP participants in Washington State. Design Descriptive study; data included a stratified clustered random sample of SNAP participants and stakeholder interviews. Setting Washington State. Participants A total of 400 SNAP participants and 51 SNAP-Ed stakeholders. Main Outcome Measures The SNAP participants’ reported barriers to accessing FMs and the SNAP-Ed stakeholders’ perceptions of FM access barriers. Analysis Thematic content analysis, descriptive statistics, 2-sample tests of proportion, and Pearson chi-square tests (P Results A majority of SNAP participants reported they did not shop at an FM because it is inconvenient (n = 193; 51%) and not financially viable (n = 84; 22%). Moreover, 9% of SNAP participants (n = 34) stated that they experienced no barriers. The SNAP-Ed stakeholders placed increased emphasis on transportation and cost barriers compared with the SNAP participants. Conclusions and Implications Comprehensive, multilevel strategies that reflect the perspectives of SNAP participants could increase SNAP use at FMs. Opening FMs in diverse locations at variable operating times may address convenience barriers while engaging the targeted populations’ communities to promote FMs, and FM incentive programs may address financial and awareness barriers.
Hypoglossal schwannomas: A systematic review of the literature

Abstract Background Schwannomas of the hypoglossal nerve are rare and account for a very small percentage of non-vestibular schwannomas. Objectives In this systematic review of the literature, we examined the epidemiology, symptomatology, management, and outcomes of patients with hypoglossal schwannomas. Methods The electronic database Pubmed was searched for all reports of hypoglossal schwannomas with descriptions of symptoms, management, and outcome characteristics. Data was extracted from each study and compiled in a spreadsheet. Continuous variables were reported as means and medians. Categorical variables were reported as proportions. Additional analysis was not done due to inconsistent reporting of outcomes and small sample sizes. Results A total of 59 studies (94 total individual cases) were included. 64% of patients were female with mean age of 44.6 years. The majority were intracranial/extracranial (50%). The most common symptoms were tongue deviation or speech disturbance (38%) and headaches (33%). Hypoglossal nerve dysfunction was present in 80% of patients. Surgical excision was performed in 93%, with a 15% complication rate. Evidence of residual mass after surgery was noted in 29%. Permanent hypoglossal nerve deficits occurred in 67%. Recurrence of tumor burden was reported in 6 studies, with median time to recurrence of 16.5 months. Conclusion Current evidence suggests overall favorable outcomes with surgical resection of hypoglossal schwannomas, with a large percentage of patients experiencing mild and usually well-tolerated neurologic deficit. Limitations of this study include the use of retrospective data taken from case reports/series with highly selected patients, selective reporting, and absence of control groups.
Novice Rationales for Sketching and Tracing, and How They Try to Avoid It

Prior research has shown that sketching out a code trace on paper is correlated with higher scores on code reading problems. Why do students sometimes choose not to draw out a code trace, or if they do, choose a different sketching technique than their instructor has demonstrated? In this study, we interviewed 13 CS1 students retrospectively about their decisions to sketch and draw on a recent programming exam. When students do sketch, we find that their sketching choices do not always align with a strict execution of the notional machine. Sketching choices are driven by a search for a program's patterns, an attempt to create organizational structure among intermediate values, and the tracking of prior steps and results. When novices don't sketch, they often report that they've identified the goal that the code achieves. In either case, novices are searching for the functionality of code, rather than merely tracing its behavior.
Factors associated with switching between low and super utilization in the surgical population: A study in medicare expenditure.

Abstract Background Considered the top 5% of healthcare utilizers, “super-utilizers” are estimated to consume as much as 40–55% of all healthcare costs. The aim of this study was to identify factors associated with switching between low- and super-utilization. Methods Low and super-utilizers who underwent abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair, coronary artery bypass graft (CABG), colectomy, total hip arthroplasty (THA), total knee arthroplasty (TKA), or lung resection between 2013 and 2015 were identified from 100% Medicare Inpatient Standard Analytic Files. Results Among 1,049,160 patients, 788,488 (75.1%) and 21,700 (2.1%) patients were low- or super-utilizers prior to surgery, respectively. Among patients who were super-utilizers before surgery, 23% remained super-utilizers post-operatively, yet 26.8% patients became low-utilizers after surgery. Factors associated with moving from low-to super-utilization in the pre-versus post-operative setting included AAA repair, higher Charlson, and pulmonary failure. In contrast, pre-operative super-utilizers who became low-utilizers in the post-operative setting were less likely to be African American or have undergone CABG. Conclusion While 3% of pre-operative low-utilizers became super-utilizers likely due to complications, nearly one quarter of all pre-operative super-utilizers became low-utilizers following surgery suggesting success of the surgery to resolve underlying conditions associated with preoperative super-utilization.
Mixed Lineage Kinase 3 Regulates Blood Pressure through Kinase Independent Effects in the Vasculature

Background Many anti-remodeling signaling molecules also modulate blood pressure. Thus, therapeutic modulation of these potential therapeutic targets has been limited by hypotension. Mixed lineage kinase 3 (MLK3) opposes pathologic cardiac remodeling, but its role in blood pressure (BP) has not been studied. MLK3 activates JNK signaling through kinase dependent effects, and opposes RhoA activation through kinase-independent mechanisms, but the relevance of these mechanisms to BP is unknown. We investigated the effect of genetic deletion of MLK3 on BP. Methods and Results Using ambulatory telemetric monitoring in 3 month old male mice, MLK3 -/- mice had significant hypertension compared to wild type (WT) littermates (WT systolic BP 121 ± 2 mmHg, MLK3-/- 162 ± 5 mmHg; n=3; p Conclusions These data demonstrate that MLK3 deletion leads to hypertension with increased arterial stiffness, reduced distensibility and eutrophic remodeling of resistance vessels, but retained BP responsiveness to downstream ROCK inhibition. Together with previous work, these findings support that MLK3 modulates cardiac remodeling through a kinase dependent mechanism while modulating blood pressure through kinase-independent effects. Because hypotension limits many heart failure therapies, delineating vascular versus cardiac mechanisms of MLK3 signaling has the potential to suggest novel approaches to heart failure treatment.
Changes in Arctic moisture transport over the North Pacific associated with sea ice loss

Recent work has emphasized the important role of midlatitude moisture fluxes in enhancing Arctic warming and sea ice loss. Conversely, less attention has been paid to the impact of Arctic warming and sea ice loss on midlatitude moisture fluxes. Analysis of an atmosphere-only general circulation model indicates that sea ice loss promotes changes in the large-scale midlatitude atmospheric circulation that have a substantial impact on moisture transport into and out of the Arctic. While poleward moisture transport into the Arctic does increase in a reduced sea ice climate, the increase in equatorward moisture transport out of the Arctic is larger, particularly in boreal winter over the North Pacific. A decomposition of the meridional moisture transport reveals that this increase in equatorward moisture transport is driven, at least in part, by changes in the background circulation. Specifically, sea ice loss drives a series of large-scale tropospheric circulation changes, including an increase in cyclonic Rossby wave breaking over the North Pacific that results in a preferential enhancement of equatorward moisture transport out of the Arctic in the days following the peak of the Rossby wave breaking event.
Microstructure morphology and concentration modulation of nanocomposite thin-films during simulated physical vapor deposition

Abstract Metallic, nanocomposite, thin-films with intertwined morphologies can be synthesized via physical vapor deposition of two immiscible metals. Understanding the phase-ordering kinetics controlling the way the microstructure develops is crucial to obtaining reliable and enhanced functionalities in these nanostructured thin-films. Here, we study the complex relationship between the vapor-deposition conditions and the resulting self-assembled nanoscale morphologies by using phase-field simulations. Our phase-field model accounts for the deposition of the incident vapor phase of a binary alloy onto a substrate, surface interdiffusion, and the subsequent spinodal decomposition in the resulting elastically inhomogeneous thin-film. We systematically investigated the effects of deposition rate, dissimilar bulk and surface kinetics, phase fraction, and dissimilar elastic response on the resulting microstructure. Four distinct classes of achievable self-assembled microstructure morphologies are observed throughout: lateral, vertical, random, and nanoprecipitate concentration modulations. Through our systematic investigation of competing mechanisms, we provide insights on the complex relationships between alloy species and deposition conditions to obtain specific nanostructured morphologies of binary, nanocomposite, thin-films.
One-Pot Double-Annulation Strategy for the Synthesis of Unusual Fused Bis-Heterocycles.

A novel metal-free double-annulation cascade for the construction of unusual fused heterocyclic systems is described. This simple protocol enables the sequential assembly of two rings in one pot fr...
Trifarotene for the Treatment of Facial and Truncal Acne.

Objective:This article reviews clinical trials to assess the efficacy, safety, and clinical application of trifarotene 0.005% cream (Aklief).Data Sources:A systematic review of the literature was p...
“Our Stories Are Powerful”: The Use of Youth Storytelling in Policy Advocacy to Combat the School-to-Prison Pipeline

The use of narratives and storytelling has become an increasingly common strategy in grassroots organizing and advocacy efforts to influence policy change. Drawing on qualitative interviews and obs...
Screening of Children for Procedural Sedation Outside the Operating Room

Procedural sedation of children outside the operating room is common. Physician-nurse sedation teams must efficiently and accurately assess each child’s risk profile and decide which child is appropriate for procedural sedation versus anesthesia; however, evidence-based tools are lacking to objectively assess a child’s risk of adverse events during procedural sedation outside of the operating room. In this chapter, we review the data for the most common factors associated with failure to complete sedation and same-day cancellation of procedures due to an increase in frequency of sedation-related adverse events. To improve pediatric sedation efficiency, a framework for assessing risk with suggested scoring systems is described to help sedation providers decide which children, both in the hospital and outpatient settings, would be better suited for general anesthesia versus procedural sedation.
Perinatal Postmortem Procedures and the Law

Law, ethical discussions, and religion play a large role in the procedures in the mortuary and for the autopsy, and pathologists dealing with autopsies, especially those of children, babies, and fetuses, need to be aware of the wider legal and social issues involved. Over the last 20 years or so, national inquiries and investigations have focused on this area, becoming news headlines, often leading to similar investigations in other countries. These issues have led to huge distress to the families and professional staff in pathology departments, with loss of established departments of pediatric pathology, early retirements from pediatric pathology, and introduction of new laws, regulations, and codes of practice.
Bariatric Surgery for Uncontrolled Hypertension

Hypertension is a common comorbid condition associated with obesity and is a significant risk factor for cardiovascular disease and the related morbidity and mortality. Improvement in hypertension is directly associated with weight loss. Bariatric surgery is correlated with durable weight loss as compared to life-style and medical treatment with associated improvement in hypertension. Bariatric surgery is a recommended treatment for patients with uncontrolled hypertension and obesity to prevent long-term cardiovascular morbidity and mortality.
Mental Illness Public Stigma and Treatment Seeking among University Students

While stigma is a complex, multidimensional concept, research regarding mental illness stigma has not been clearly defined or consistently measured across studies, thus limiting the broad applicati...
Screening for Lung Cancer: US Preventive Services Task Force Recommendation Statement.

Importance Lung cancer is the second most common cancer and the leading cause of cancer death in the US. In 2020, an estimated 228 820 persons were diagnosed with lung cancer, and 135 720 persons died of the disease. The most important risk factor for lung cancer is smoking. Increasing age is also a risk factor for lung cancer. Lung cancer has a generally poor prognosis, with an overall 5-year survival rate of 20.5%. However, early-stage lung cancer has a better prognosis and is more amenable to treatment. Objective To update its 2013 recommendation, the US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) commissioned a systematic review on the accuracy of screening for lung cancer with low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) and on the benefits and harms of screening for lung cancer and commissioned a collaborative modeling study to provide information about the optimum age at which to begin and end screening, the optimal screening interval, and the relative benefits and harms of different screening strategies compared with modified versions of multivariate risk prediction models. Population This recommendation statement applies to adults aged 50 to 80 years who have a 20 pack-year smoking history and currently smoke or have quit within the past 15 years. Evidence Assessment The USPSTF concludes with moderate certainty that annual screening for lung cancer with LDCT has a moderate net benefit in persons at high risk of lung cancer based on age, total cumulative exposure to tobacco smoke, and years since quitting smoking. Recommendation The USPSTF recommends annual screening for lung cancer with LDCT in adults aged 50 to 80 years who have a 20 pack-year smoking history and currently smoke or have quit within the past 15 years. Screening should be discontinued once a person has not smoked for 15 years or develops a health problem that substantially limits life expectancy or the ability or willingness to have curative lung surgery. (B recommendation) This recommendation replaces the 2013 USPSTF statement that recommended annual screening for lung cancer with LDCT in adults aged 55 to 80 years who have a 30 pack-year smoking history and currently smoke or have quit within the past 15 years.
Spillovers from State and Local Pensions to Social Security: Do Benefits for Uncovered Workers Meet Federal Standards?

Federal law allows certain state and local government employees to be excluded from Social Security coverage if they are covered by an employer pension of sufficient generosity. Public sector retirement systems have grown less generous in recent years, and a couple of plans could exhaust their assets in the next decade, putting benefits at risk. If pension sponsors are inattentive to federal generosity requirements when cutting benefits, current and future initiatives to curb costs may conflict with their obligations to the U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA). This project combines data from a variety of sources to assess whether state and local governments are currently satisfying the federal standards and whether the standards continue to provide benefits of equal generosity to Social Security. The paper found that: -Although public plans satisfy the regulations, uncovered state and local government employees do not always receive Social Security-equivalent resources in retirement because the law regulates benefits only at age 67 (rather than lifetime benefits) and allows for long vesting periods. -State and local pensions often set very long vesting periods and are increasingly unlikely to grant full cost-of-living adjustments (COLA) after retirement. Yet, they also allow members to collect full benefits at much younger ages than Social Security. Incorporating vesting, the COLA, and the normal retirement age into a generosity test based on lifetime pension wealth shows that some plans fall short, but this finding is very sensitive to the employment patterns of the uncovered employees. -Additionally, a couple of plans that exclude their members from Social Security could soon exhaust the assets in their trust funds and revert to pay-as-you-go systems, endangering future benefits and putting them in violation of federal generosity standards. The policy implications of the findings are: -Federal generosity standards for state and local pensions could be updated to ensure Social Security-equivalent protections. -Over time, mandatory enrollment of state and local government employees in Social Security would obviate the need for federal monitoring of their pensions.
Computational modeling reveals strategic and developmental differences in the behavioral impact of reward across adolescence.

Studies of reward effects on behavior in adolescence typically rely on performance metrics that confound myriad cognitive and non-cognitive processes, making it challenging to determine which process is impacted by reward. The present longitudinal study applied the diffusion decision model to a reward task to isolate the influence of reward on response caution from influences of processing and motor speed. Participants completed three annual assessments from early to middle adolescence (N = 387, 55% female, Mage = 12.1 at Wave 1; Mage = 13.1 at Wave 2, Mage = 14.1 at Wave 3) and three annual assessments in late adolescence (Mages = 17.8, 18.9, 19.9). At each assessment, participants completed a two-choice reaction time task under conditions of no-reward and a block in which points were awarded for speeded accuracy. Reward reduced response caution at all waves, as expected, but had a greater impact as teens moved from early to middle adolescence. Simulations to identify optimal response caution showed that teens were overly cautious in early adolescence but became too focused on speed over accuracy by middle adolescence. By late adolescence, participants adopted response styles that maximized reward. Further, response style was associated with both internalizing and externalizing symptoms in early-to-middle adolescence, providing evidence for the construct validity of a diffusion model approach in this developmental period.
Understanding an Afrocentric World View: Introduction to an Optimal Psychology

Understanding an Afrocentric World View: Introduction to an Optimal Psychology stands as a groundbreaking and timeless classic in the field of Africana Studies, Psychology, and Human Development. Its reverberating in-depth analysis of and prescriptive cure for racism and other societal isms identifies the essential factors at their core and how to change them. Dr. Linda James Myers provides rare insights into social forces behind the systemic racism that have been with us for over 400 years. Her time tested Optimal Conceptual Theory and its corollary psychotherapeutic strategies unearth the characteristics of the suboptimal mindset that keeps us trapped in the vicious pattern of oppressive injustice that is harmful to ourselves as well as others, and its optimal alternative. Unlike other treatise on the subject, James Myers offers readers the tools and developmental processes for making the shift in consciousness needed for improving the quality of their own lives and for creating a just, sacred, and sustainable world. Her comprehensive holistic and integrative approach reflects a Black cultural perspective seldom heard, but proven effective and traceable to the beginnings of all human culture and civilization.
Abstract W P176: Relationship Between Right-to-Left Shunting and Microembolic Signals on Transcranial Doppler Monitoring

Background: Transcranial doppler-monitoring (TCM) has been used to identify patients at risk for embolic stroke and aids in identification of stroke mechanism. Limited data exists on the occurrence of microembolic signals (MES) on TCM and the presence of right-to-left shunting (RLS), most commonly through a patent foramen ovale. Our objective was to determine if a relationship exists between the presence of a RLS on transcranial doppler-bubble (TCB) and MES on TCM, and if the degree of shunting correlated with increased number of MES. Methods: A retrospective chart review was conducted of 113 inpatients that underwent both TCB for the detection of a RLS and TCM during their admission for ischemic stroke at the Cleveland Clinic between 2011 and 2012. TCM was performed for 20 minutes in all patients. Both TCM and TCB used standardized protocols and machines. Data collected included demographics, presence of a shunt, and stroke mechanism. Results: Mean age of the study cohort was 57.9 years and 46.9% were female. RLS on TCB was found in 30.1% of patients and MES were seen on TCM in 33.6% of patients. The occurrence of MES was similar in patients with and without RLS (38.2% vs. 31.6% respectively) (p=0.50). In patients with undetermined stroke mechanism and RLS, there was a trend towards higher occurrence of MES (42.9% vs 30.8%, p=0.35). No significant difference was seen between the occurrence of MES and degree of shunting according to Spencer Grades I-IV (p=0.48). Patients with MES and RLS had an insignificantly greater number of MES than patients without RLS (59.8 vs 10.8. p=0.33). This difference in the number of MES was more pronounced in patients with undetermined stroke etiology (73.1 vs 14.4, p=0.42). Conclusions: There was no overall relationship between RLS and MES on TCM. However, the number of MES in patients with positive TCM was greater in those with a RLS compared to those without RLS, particularly in patients with undetermined stroke mechanism. Although, more data is needed, in patients with strokes of undetermined etiology, the presence of MES on TCD may suggest the presence of a RLS, especially if the number of MES is high.
A programmable bandpass array using floating-gate elements

In order to meet the demands of low-power real-time audio signal processing, we present a programmable array of bandpass filters using floating-gate transistors. This bank of analog bandpass filters can be placed before an analog-to-digital converter to perform a frequency decomposition of an audio signal and also allow for analog preprocessing before being transformed into the digital domain. Individual filter taps can easily be tuned to any given frequency and bandwidth because capacitively coupled current conveyers (C/sup 4/s) are used with floating-gate transistors as biasing elements. Offsets and mismatches within the circuit elements are shown to be inconsequential because they can be accounted for and programmed out.
DO CREDIT RATING AGENCIES ADD VALUE? EVIDENCE FROM THE SOVEREIGN RATING BUSINESS

The debt crisis in several European Union nations has resulted in a set of downgrades in sovereign ratings, sparking a lively debate whether these opinions actually matter. Ratings and bond spreads may both be considered as noisy signals of fundamentals. Ratings only add value if, controlling for spreads and observable country fundamentals, they help explain other market variables. We employed a unique dataset of over 75 000 daily observations on emerging countries around rating actions by the three major agencies. We found that ratings do indeed add information, and this finding is robust to a variety of different tests. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Stories of Resistance

Abstract This study explores the ways that women are shaped by hearing and telling stories of resistance to violence. By examining the narratives of women discussing stories of resistance, this analysis treats resistance as forms of resilience and empowerment that women knit together to create lives free of abuse. This research suggests that women view themselves as actively working to create violence-free relationships, that women's construction of violence resistant identities often grows from small acts, and that shared stories of resistance serve as powerful resources to help women avoid or leave abusive relationships.
Effects of apolipoproteins A-IV and A-I on the uptake of phospholipid liposomes by hepatocytes

We examined the effects of apolipoproteins A-IV and A-I on the catabolism of whole particles by hepatoma G2 cells and cultured primary hepatocytes. For this type of experiment, high density lipoprotein is unsuitable, because all of its lipid and protein components independently dissociate and exchange and hence poorly trace whole particle catabolism. We therefore used phosphatidylcholine liposomes with radioactive tracers entrapped within their aqueous cores. Apolipoproteins A-IV, A-I, or E added to liposomes became liposome-associated and produced no detectable release of encapsulated label. As a positive control, apolipoprotein E doubled the uptake of labeled liposomes by hepatoma cells, compared to apolipoprotein-free controls, and this increase could be blocked by the addition of excess unlabeled low density lipoprotein. Degradation of labeled liposomes by hepatoma cells was increased 6-fold by the addition of apolipoprotein E. In contrast, neither apolipoprotein A-IV nor A-I increased cellular uptake or degradation of the particles. Similar results were obtained with primary hepatocytes. In studies using apolipoprotein combinations, apolipoproteins A-IV and A-I were each able to displace apolipoprotein E from liposomes and thereby reduce cellular uptake. Our data indicate that apolipoproteins A-IV and A-I do not facilitate uptake or degradation of whole particles by liver-derived cells in vitro. However, these apolipoproteins may modulate receptor-mediated uptake of particles by reducing the amount of particle-bound apolipoprotein E.
Convective cooling of simulated core debris beds

Natural convection heat transfer in simulated core debris beds has been examined. The debris beds are simulated using electrically heated packed tube bundles arranged in either a square or staggered lattice with porosities varying between 0.31 and 0.95. The effects of bed height, heat generation rate, particle size, porosity, overlying liquid layer height, and top surface boundary condition on the downward and upward power fractions and Nusselt numbers have been determined. Flow patterns within the bed and overlying fluid region have been visualized using particle tracing techniques. Correlations for the downward and upward Nusselt numbers, Nu /SUB B/ and Nu /SUB T/ , as functions of the internal Rayleigh number have been developed. In all cases, the beds are bounded from below by a cooled isothermal surface. When the overlying fluid is bounded from above by a cooled solid isothermal surface, the Nusselt numbers are given by Nu /SUB B/ = 0.424 Ra /SUP 0.226/ and Nu /SUB T/ = 1.61 Ra /SUP 0.220/ . When the upper surface of the overlying fluid is free, the downward Nusselt number is given by Nu /SUB B/ = 0.503 Ra /SUP 0.180/ . These correlations are valid for the ranges 10/sup 2/more » less than or equal to Ra less than or equal to 10/sup 7/ and 0.1 less than or equal to /eta/ less than or equal to 1.0, where /eta/ is the ratio between the heights of the overlying fluid layer and the bed.« less
A NONLINEAR OSCILLATION THEOREM

This chapter discusses a nonlinear oscillation theorem. The equation y “ + q ( t, y ) = 0 is said to be oscillatory if all solutions that exist on right hald-lines have arbitrarily large zeros. The results demonstrate that without the condition f ≥ 0, no condition can be both necessary and sufficient for oscillation of y ” + q ( t, y ) = 0. A necessary and sufficient condition that ρ satisfies with equality is that ρ be of the form ( t + k ) β , β = with k constant.
The Female Chronic Offender

Data from files on 1,076 incarcerated female felons were analyzed to provide answers for questions regarding female chronic offenders: (1) How similar are female chronic offenders to male chronics? (2) How do female chronic offenders compare with female non-chronics? and (3) Which variables were the most powerful discriminators between these female groups? The results indicated that: (1) Like male offenders, female chronics in comparison to non-chronics were more likely to be younger, of minority group status, single, substance abusers, committing crimes alone, and involved in spouse abuse; (2) When comparing female chronics to female non-chronics, it was found that the process of becoming a female chronic offender appeared to be more complex than for males in that more criminogenic forces were required to overcome the crime inhibiting effects of female socialization; and (3) The core variables that most strongly discriminated between the female chronics and non-chronics were; age at first adult arrest, s...
Identifying Dissident Circles in Sixth-Century Byzantium: The Friendship of Prokopios and loannes Lydos

Prokopios' Wars, released to the public in 551, was an instant success. When Prokopios published a supplement two years later he noted that his work had appeared in every part of the Roman empire. The popularity of the work was in every way to be expected. Thoughtful men who had experienced the eventful reign of Justinian would respond with enthusiasm to a book as superb as the Wars. After all, Prokopios, who had traveled to Africa, Italy, and the east with Belisarios, had witnessed many of the events he described and had access to the court and contacts throughout the known world. His prose was concise and elegant and always reflected the humanity and cultural discretion of what he himself called a "liberal education," έλeυθέριοι λόγοι και παιδeία (e.g., in 1.24.12). It was inevitable that he would be admired and imitated by his successors, such as Agathias, Menandros, Evagrios, and the last historian of antiquity, Theophylaktos. Later Byzantine accounts of the sixth century, e.g., the chronicle of Theophanes, consisted in large part of excerpts from the Wars. It is no accident that modern surveys still rely heavily on that work.
BioPAX Support in CellDesigner

BioPAX is a pathway data exchange language that is widely used by pathway database resources. Here we describe a mechanism that allows users to curate pathway data in diagrams using CellDesigner, a pathway graphical editing tool, and save the pathway data in BioPAX format. We used this mechanism to create BioPAX files for all 165 pathways from the PANTHER database. In addition, we are also working on graphically visualizing BioPAX data by importing them into CellDesigner.
Using centrality algorithms on directed graphs for synonym expansion

This paper presents our explorations in using graph centrality measures to solve the synonym expansion problem. In particular, we use the concept of directional similarity to derive directed graphs on which we apply centrality algorithms to identify the most likely synonyms for a target word in a given context. We show that our method can lead to performance comparable to the state-of-the-art.