cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Abstract 3453: Eliminating Care Disparities: Does Evidence Based Practice Really Work?

Background: Disparities in stroke care have been documented throughout the U.S. Major metropolitans, rural, and academic centers alike have uncovered and experienced care disparities. Interventions that may mitigate disparities have been referenced by the Institutes of Medicine and are readily available. Yet, care inequities continue. The question remains: to what extent does evidence-based practice (EBP) eliminate care disparities. Methods: The medical records of 1100 cases from 2010 were reviewed. Mortality, thrombolytic administration, and length of stay (los) were regressed against SES, controlling for EBP and stroke type. Results: Typically reported disparities in mortality, thrombolytic administration, los, and stroke core measures were not found for patients whose care was governed by EBP. The sole exception was a slight increase in los for African Americans, which may not be indicative of care inequities but other conditions such as severity or social support. . Core measures compliance was significantly related to MD specialty, for non-stroke physicians (p> 0.002, coef= -0.04). This is consistent with evidence- based practice literature and literature documenting cohorting of patients to practitioners who have greater disease specific experience. Conclusions: Outcomes differences did not exist across differing socio-economic strata, when use of evidence based practice was controlled for
Carrier-wave shape effects in optical filamentation

Strong-field ionization in optical filaments created by ultrashort pulses with sub-cycle engineered waveforms is studied theoretically. To elucidate the physics of the recently demonstrated enhanced ionization yield and spatial control of the optical filament core in two color pulses, we employ two types of quantum models integrated into spatially resolved pulse-propagation simulations. We show that the dependence of the ionization on the shape of the excitation carrier is adiabatic in nature, and is driven by local temporal peaks of the electric field. Implications for the modeling of light–matter interactions in multicolor optical fields are also discussed.
Pore Pressure Prediction from 3D Seismic Data: A Feasibility Study for Unconventional Gas in Saudi Arabia

Summary The purpose of this study is to provide a pore pressure prediction from seismic data targeting unconventional gas plays (i.e., the Qusaiba Member hot shale and the underlying Sarah Formation). The area of interest (AOI) located in NW Saudi Arabia, and is covered by 1,600 km 2 of 3D pre-stack time migrated (PSTM) data. The pore pressure prediction workflow consists of three main steps: pre-stack seismic data conditioning, seismic velocity calibration with sonic and density logs from offset wells, calibrated effective stress vs. velocity relationship and stratigraphic model-based pore pressure prediction. Three wells in the AOI are used to calibrate the interval velocities and densities prior to pore pressure prediction. In addition, formation pressures from the Repeat Formation Tester (RFT) tool, mud weights and drilling history are incorporated to constrain the predicted pore pressures. As a result, the pore pressure gradient variations in the Qusaiba Member hot shale and the Sarah Formation are mapped in the AOI. 2D seismic lines are used in this study to extrapolate pore pressure prediction results to satellite well locations outside the 3D seismic area. The resulting pore pressure maps for the Qusaiba Member hot shale and Sarah Formation highlight potential drilling hazards. Importantly, areas of higher pore pressure may ultimately represent potential areas of higher gas production (i.e., sweet spots). This work is the first application of pore pressure prediction in unconventional resources in Saudi Aramco, opening the door for more comprehensive efforts to predict pore pressures in other areas targeting shale gas and other unconventional plays in Saudi Arabia.
Backwater Bureaucrat to Revolutionary Myth-Maker: Bernardo M. de León, Caciquismo, and Memory in Nayarit, 1920–1990

This article examines two episodes in the career of Bernardo M. de Leon, an agrarian reform leader and federal congressman from the state of Nayarit. During the first period, from 1920 to 1940, De Leon emerged as a local cacique responsible for both progressive politics and repressive maneuvers, particularly during the 1930s land reform effort undertaken by the administration of Lazaro Cardenas. During the second period, from 1970 to 1990, he functioned largely as a political elder in Nayarit. In that capacity, he promoted the official history of the Revolution, at the same time that he manipulated collective memories of his own revolutionaryparticipation. In doing so, he helpedtodefine how successive generations of Mexicans remembered their Revolution and his role within it. Even after his death in 1991, the legacy of De Leon informed civic engagement in Nayarit, as various groups, ranging from ejido-seeking peasants to local political functionaries, invoked his memory in pursuit of their own political objectives.
Effect of aldosterone and desoxycorticosterone on adrenalectomized dogs.

SummaryThe minimum daily dose of aldosterone when administered in 10% alcohol to adrenalectomized dogs is approximately 10 μg/dog/day; the dose of the free alcohol of desoxycorticosterone required is 250-125 μg/ day. Thus, aldosterone is about 25 times more active than DOC. The new steroid in low dosage is less efficient in regulating the serum K level than it is in maintaining a normal level of serum Na. Hyperpotassemia and symptoms of adrenal failure may be present in dogs presenting normal levels of serum Na. A larger dose of this mineralocorticoid is required to maintain a normal level of arterial pressure than is necessary to maintain a normal serum electrolyte pattern. Aldosterone appears to possess certain physiological properties which distinguish it from desoxycorticosterone compounds.
The relative stability of Schick and Dick reactions.

It has been the practice for many years to require that medical students assigned to clerkships in contagious diseases hospitals be Schickand Dicknegative before reporting for duty. As a result of this policy, it is necessary to test each student for susceptibility to diphtheria and scarlet fever, and those found positive are subsequently immunized. This procedure is usually carried out by the Student Health Service. However, as a part of the course in Bacteriology, the students are Schickand Dick-tested during an earlier period of their residence in school. It has become possible, as a result of this practice, to compare the Schick and Dick reactions in the same individuals at
Headache and Vascular Events with Brain Tumors

Investigators at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, PA, performed a retrospective study of 265 children with brain tumors who received cranial irradiation and developed severe recurrent headache.
Dynamic Phosphorylation of NudC by Aurora B in Cytokinesis

Nuclear distribution protein C (NudC) is a mitotic regulator that plays a role in cytokinesis. However, how NudC is regulated during cytokinesis remains unclear. Here, we show that NudC is phosphorylated by Aurora B, a kinase critical for cell abscission. NudC is co-localized with Aurora B at the midbody and co-immunoprecipitated with Aurora B in mitosis. Inhibition of Aurora B by ZM447439 reduced NudC phosphorylation, suggesting that NudC is an Aurora B substrate in vivo. We identified T40 on NudC as an Aurora B phosphorylation site. NudC depletion resulted in cytokinesis failure with a dramatic elongation of the intercellular bridge between daughter cells, sustained Aurora B activity at the midbody, and reduced cell abscission. These cytokinetic defects can be rescued by the ectopic expression of wild-type NudC. Reconstitution with T40A phospho-defective NudC was found to rescue the cytokinesis defect. In contrast, reconstitution with the T40D phospho-mimetic NudC was inefficient in supporting the completion of cytokinesis. These results suggest that that dynamic phosphorylation of NudC by Aurora B regulates cytokinesis.
Hydrogen Assisted Fracture of Stainless Steels

The Enhanced Surveillance Sub-program has an annual NNSA requirement to submit a comprehensive report on all our fiscal year activities right after the start of the next calendar year. As most of you know, we collate all of our PI task submissions into a single volume that we send to NNSA, our customers, and use for other programmatic purposes. The functional objective of this report is to formally document the purpose, status, and accomplishments and impacts of all our work. For your specific submission, please follow the instructions described below and use the template provided. These are essentially the same as was used last year. We recognize this report may also include information on specific age-related findings that you will provide again in a few months as input to the Stockpile Annual Assessment process (e.g., in the submittal of your Component Assessment Report). However, the related content of your ES AR input should provide an excellent foundation that can simply be updated as needed for your Annual Assessment input.
Cloning and sequence analysis of the canine IFN-α1 gene

To conduct the research to the canine interferon-α(IFN-α),IFN-α1 gene of canine was cloned to pGEM-T vector from genomic DNA using the PCR method and was sequenced.The results showed that it was consisted of 564 bp of ORF and encoded for a 187 amino acids,the first 23 amino acids were signal peptides,the mature protein had a molecular mass of 19 ku and the isoelectric point of 6.217.It had 4 potential casein kinase Ⅱ phosphorylation sites,1 N-glycosylation site and 4 cysteine residues,and most of which were the hydrophilic regions.The protein was composed mainly of five sections of α-helix according to the secondary and tertiary structure prediction.The IFN-α1 gene of canine had the maximum similarity of 98% with that of raccoon dog and red fox,grouped into the same branch in the phylogenetic tree base on IFN-α1 gene.In the polypeptide chain of IFN-α,the amino acid residues at positions 15L,18L,77W,96L,99C,124F,131L,137S,140AWE142,145R and 150R were highly conserved in all analyzed species.
Long-term trends in United States highway emissions, ambient concentrations, and in-vehicle exposure to carbon monoxide in traffic

This paper reviews 16 published studies conducted between 1965 and 1992 of in-vehicle exposure to carbon monoxide (CO) in traffic on urban roadways in the United States. Analysis of these studies shows a downward trend in CO exposure, which corresponds to similar trends for CO in motor vehicle emission factors and ambient concentrations. The analysis demonstrates that emission controls on motor vehicles sold in the United States have been very effective in reducing commuter CO exposure. It is recommended that future studies of this kind be done routinely in cities nationwide to provide a more robust database for accurate estimates of commuter exposure. Such studies should relate human exposure measurements to estimates of emissions at study sites to document the progress of motor vehicle emission control programs. In addition, future studies should use standard protocols to enable comparisons of results in time and space. Previous studies have shown that typical in-vehicle exposures vary by study approach (direct versus indirect), city, season, roadway type and location, travel mode, and vehicular ventilation. Future studies should carefully account for these factors.
Retroperitoneal Struvite Calculus Causing Persistent Bacteriuria

The development of a retroperitoneal struvite calculus that was manifest solely by persistent Pseudomonas bacteriuria is reported. The etiology of the calculus is discussed.
Loti and Women: a Re-evaluation

In the previous chapter, I examined the actual position of women in various nineteenth-century societies in order to determine whether the various Oriental women in Loti’s novels conformed to reality or whether they were simply products of an overworked, romantic, fictive vision. As the novels are discussed, the accuracy of the social reality described will become clear. But what about another reality, that of the woman as a thinking, feeling, individual personality? Does Loti try to understand her and provide motivation for her emotions and actions? Does he view her as a person or as a type? And what is her function for him? Is she an equal, a helpmate, a companion, or is she a servant, a sexual object, and an inferior being?
Radical and Thermal Reactions of N-Heterocyclic Carbene Boranes with Diazo Compounds

Reactions of NHC-boranes with several diazo compounds and one diazonium salt give new classes of N-substituted NHC-boranes. Reactions with diazo compounds and azo initiators such as AIBN provide N-(cyanoalkyl)-N-borylhydrazones. However, the reactant diazo 2,2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxane-4,6-dione adds directly to the NHC-borane to give an N-boryl hydrazone product arising formally from 1,1-hydroboration. A similar thermal reaction of an NHC-borane with a diazonium salt gives an intermediate that upon neutralization undergoes air oxidation to provide the first NHC-boryl azoxy compound.
THE CONTRIBUTION OF THE MOTHER TO THE ILLNESS AND RECOVERY OF THE CHILD

(1989). THE CONTRIBUTION OF THE MOTHER TO THE ILLNESS AND RECOVERY OF THE CHILD. Southern African Journal of Child and Adolescent Mental Health: Vol. 1, No. 2, pp. 16-24.
The Rheology of Blood in Microvessels

The concept of viscosity has been discussed in Chapters 2 and 3. We have shown that the viscosity of whole blood is non-Newtonian. But the discussion so far has considered blood as a homogeneous fluid. We know, of course, that blood is not homogeneous: it is normally a concentrated mixture with almost half its volume occupied by suspended red blood cells. There are occasions when it is useful to consider blood as a homogeneous fluid, and there are other occasions when it is necessary to consider red blood cells as acting individually. For example, in studying the pulse waves in arteries whose diameters are many times larger than the red cell diameter, we can treat blood as a homogeneous fluid. On the other hand, in studying the flow of blood in capillary blood vessels whose diameters are about the same as the diameter of the red cells, we have to consider blood as a suspension.
Simulation of Near-Fault High-Frequency Ground Motions from the Representation Theorem

“What is the maximum possible ground motion near an earthquake fault?” is an outstanding question of practical significance in earthquake seismology. In establishing a possible theoretical cap on extreme ground motions, the representation integral of elasticity, providing an exact, within limits of applicability, solution for fault radiation at any frequency, is an under-utilized tool. The application of a numerical procedure leading to synthetic ground displacement, velocity, and acceleration time histories to modeling of the record at the Lucerne Valley hard-rock station, uniquely located at 1.1 km from the rupture of the M w 7.2 Landers, California event, using a seismologically constrained temporal form of slip on the fault, reveals that the shape of the displacement waveform can be modeled closely, given the simplicity of the theoretical model. High precision in the double integration, as well as carefully designed smoothing and filtering, are necessary to suppress the numerical noise in the high-frequency (velocity and acceleration) synthetic motions. The precision of the integration of at least eight decimal digits ensures the numerical error in the displacement waveforms generally much lower than 0.005% and reduces the error in the peak velocities and accelerations to the levels acceptable to make the representation theorem a reliable tool in the practical evaluation of the magnitude of maximum possible ground motions in a wide-frequency range of engineering interest.
Cross-Disorder Cognitive Impairments in Youth Referred for Neuropsychiatric Evaluation.

Objectives Studies suggest that impairments in some of the same domains of cognition occur in different neuropsychiatric conditions, including those known to share genetic liability. Yet, direct, multi-disorder cognitive comparisons are limited, and it remains unclear whether overlapping deficits are due to comorbidity. We aimed to extend the literature by examining cognition across different neuropsychiatric conditions and addressing comorbidity. Methods Subjects were 486 youth consecutively referred for neuropsychiatric evaluation and enrolled in the Longitudinal Study of Genetic Influences on Cognition. First, we assessed general ability, reaction time variability (RTV), and aspects of executive functions (EFs) in youth with non-comorbid forms of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), mood disorders and autism spectrum disorder (ASD), as well as in youth with psychosis. Second, we determined the impact of comorbid ADHD on cognition in youth with ASD and mood disorders. Results For EFs (working memory, inhibition, and shifting/ flexibility), we observed weaknesses in all diagnostic groups when participants' own ability was the referent. Decrements were subtle in relation to published normative data. For RTV, weaknesses emerged in youth with ADHD and mood disorders, but trend-level results could not rule out decrements in other conditions. Comorbidity with ADHD did not impact the pattern of weaknesses for youth with ASD or mood disorders but increased the magnitude of the decrement in those with mood disorders. Conclusions Youth with ADHD, mood disorders, ASD, and psychosis show EF weaknesses that are not due to comorbidity. Whether such cognitive difficulties reflect genetic liability shared among these conditions requires further study. (JINS, 2018, 24, 91-103).
Stochastic multiscale modeling and simulation framework for concrete

Abstract In this paper we present a computational framework for generating a realistic representative volume element of concrete, which reflects its inherent structural randomness. Computed tomography (CT) images are employed to provide the necessary information for the geometric statistical characterization of aggregate and defect (voids, pores, and micro-cracks) distributions. A Monte-Carlo simulation is used to generate 1000 realizations of statistically equivalent representative volume element (SERVE) and finite element predictions of SERVEs elastic and inelastic response are compared with experiments.
Peroxisomal Biogenesis and Acquistion of Membrane Proteins

In this chapter, peroxisomal biogenesis is considered in a comprehensive view that includes at least these two major components: (a) origination, i.e. the site and means by which peroxisomes (pre-peroxisomes or mature peroxisomes) proliferate in number, and (b) differentiation, i.e. the acquisition (targeting, sorting, uptake) of matrix and membrane molecules by peroxisomes (pre-peroxisomes or pre-existing peroxisomes). Morphological changes (e.g. pleomorphic enlargement) are a manifestation of the latter. Since peroxisomes do not possess their own DNA, nuclear-encoded genes mediate all aspects of these processes.
Impact of psychiatric medication co-exposure on Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome severity.

Abstract Background Among opioid-exposed infants, psychiatric medication co-exposure is common. Our objective was to compare Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS) outcomes based on individual psychiatric medication co-exposures. Methods A retrospective study of 744 opioid-exposed mother-infant dyads from a single institution was performed. Mothers on pharmacotherapy with methadone or buprenorphine at delivery were included. Data were collected on maternal demographics, psychiatric medication use, and NAS outcomes, including any medication treatment, adjunctive medication treatment, length of hospital stay (LOS), and opioid treatment days. The extent to which individual psychiatric medication and polypharmacy exposure were associated with NAS outcomes was assessed using multivariable regression. Results Fifty-four percent of the mothers were on ≥1 psychiatric medication, with 32% on ≥2 or psychiatric medications (polypharmacy group). In adjusted models, polypharmacy exposure was associated with longer LOS (β = 4.31 days, 95% CI 2.55–6.06) and opioid treatment days (β = 3.98 days, 95% CI 2.24–5.72) and more treatment with adjunctive medication for NAS (aOR = 2.49, 95% CI 1.57–3.95). Benzodiazepines were associated with longer LOS (β = 4.94, 95% CI 2.86–7.03) and opioid treatment days (β = 4.86, 95% CI 2.61–6.75), and more adjunctive medication treatment (aOR = 2.57, 95% CI 1.49–4.42). Gabapentin was associated with longer LOS (β = 2.79, 95% CI 0.54–5.03), more NAS medication treatment (aOR = 2.96, 95% CI 1.18–7.42) including more adjunctive medications (aOR = 1.92, 95% CI 1.05–3.53). Conclusion For infants of mothers with OUD who are also on concurrent psychiatric medications, polypharmacy was associated with worse NAS severity. When medically indicated, limiting use of multiple psychiatric medications, particularly benzodiazepines and gabapentin, during pregnancy should be considered to improve NAS outcomes.
Management and outcomes of pediatric vocal cord paresis in Chiari malformation.

Abstract Introduction Pediatric vocal cord paresis (VCP) has a variety of etiologies, including congenital neurologic disease. Arnold-Chiari Malformation (ACM) is one such disease with known VCP association. However, the natural history, need for tracheostomy, and rate of decannulation in this patient population is not well characterized. Objective To provide prognostic information on infants with ACM and VCP. Methods A retrospective chart review was conducted of patients with both ACM and VCP at a single institution. Clinical outcomes and disease progression were determined using flexible laryngoscopy, serial clinical exams, and operative reports from otolaryngology and neurosurgery services. Results Eighteen patients were included in this study, four with ACM Type I and 14 with ACM Type II. These groups were analyzed separately. For ACM I, the average age at diagnosis was 25 months and two (50%) required tracheostomy. Three subjects (75%) achieved VCP resolution, with two doing so after neurosurgical decompression. For ACM II, the average age at diagnosis was eight months and 12 patients (86%) underwent tracheostomy. Four subjects with tracheostomy (33%) achieved decannulation, with three of these demonstrating VCP resolution. In total, six ACM II patients had complete and one had partial VCP resolution, all of whom underwent decompression. Two patients initially had normal endoscopic exams despite stridor and VCP was only noted on serial exams. Discussion This study represents the largest series of pediatric patients with VCP and ACM. The majority needed decompression (80%) and tracheotomy (78%). Tracheostomy decannulation typically occurred only after decompression and resolution of VCP. No children diagnosed at age
A vapor printed electron-accepting conjugated polymer for textile optoelectronics

Abstract Reactive vapor printing has emerged as an advantageous method to create conjugated polymer films with enviable electronic properties on prewoven fabrics. However, the conjugated polymers that have been vapor printed to date are exclusively hole transporters, since only monomers that can form radical cations participate in the oxidative polymerization reaction that underpins all existing vapor printing recipes. Here, we vapor print a conjugated polymer, PDTCPD, containing electron-withdrawing cyclopentadienone (CPD) moieties that depress its electronic energy levels and qualify it to serve as an electron acceptor when interfaced with known vapor-printed polymers. A custom-built hot wall reactor is shown to enable vapor-phase oxidative polymerization of a heavy CPD derivative to create PDTCPD films. Vapor printing is particularly useful for creating films of CPD-containing polymers because these intractable materials cannot be processed using solution-based methods. Vapor printing yields uniform and conformal PDTCPD films on topographically complex fabrics with minimal evident erosion upon solvent rinsing. This work provides a route to construct wearable optoelectronic devices that include monolithically-integrated active layers.
Application of Artificial Intelligence in the National Airspace System – A Primer

The National Airspace System (NAS), as a portion of the US’ transportation system, has not yet begun to model or adopt integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology. However, users of the NAS, i.e., Air transport operators, UAS operators, etc. are beginning to use this technology throughout their operations. At issue within the broader aviation marketplace, is the continued search for a solution set to the persistent daily delays and schedule perturbations that occur within the NAS. Despite billions invested through the NAS Modernization Program, the delays persist in the face of reduced demand for commercial routings. Every delay represents an economic loss to commercial transport operators, passengers, freighters, and any business depending on the transportation performance. Therefore, the FAA needs to begin to address from an advanced concepts perspective, what this wave of new technology will affect as it is brought to bear on various operations performance parameters, including safety, security, efficiency, and resiliency solution sets. This paper is the first in a series of papers we are developing to explore the application of AI in the National Airspace System (NAS). This first paper is meant to get everyone in the aviation community on the same page, a primer if you will, to start the technical discussions. This paper will define AI; the capabilities associated with AI; current use cases within the aviation ecosystem; and how to prepare for insertion of AI in the NAS. The next series of papers will look at NAS Operations Theory utilizing AI capabilities and eventually leading to a future intelligent NAS (iNAS) environment.
Antonio Gramsci on religion

This article provides an introduction to Antonio Gramsci’s understanding and analysis of religion. It shows that Gramsci’s conceptual constellation and key terms – from hegemony to organic intellec...
Inhibiting PI3 kinase-γ in both myeloid and plasma cells remodels the suppressive tumor microenvironment in desmoplastic tumors

Phosphoinositide-3-kinases (PI3Ks) are part of signal transducing enzymes that mediate key cellular functions in cancer and immunity. PI3K-γ is crucial for cellular activation and migration in response to certain chemokines. PI3K-γ is highly expressed in myeloid cells and promotes their migration and the production of inflammatory mediators. We found that PI3K-γ was also highly expressed in tumor-associated B cells. IPI-549, the only PI3K-γ inhibitor in clinical development, offers a unique approach to enhance the anti-tumor immune response. We encapsulated IPI-549 in targeted polymeric nanoparticles (NP) and tested its activity in both murine pancreatic cancer and melanoma models. IPI-549 NP significantly decreased tumor growth and prolonged host survival in both models. Importantly, IPI-549 NP treatment reduced the suppressive tumor microenvironment by decreasing both suppressive myeloid and plasma cells in the tumor. We concluded that IPI-549 NP delivery could be a promising method for treating pancreatic cancer and other immune-suppressive tumors.
Rather be known as Haitian: identity construction of the ethnically-identified second generation

ABSTRACTIn this article, I examine how city context influences ethnic identity development and construction of the mainstream. Based on forty-one in-depth interviews and ten months of ethnographic ...
LIPS: Learning Based Indoor Positioning System using mobile phone-based sensors

In this paper we investigate the problem of localizing a mobile device based on readings from its sensors utilizing machine learning methodologies. We consider a real-world environment, collect a dense set of 3110 datapoints, and examine the performance of a substantial number of machine learning algorithms. We found algorithms that have a mean error as accurate as 0.76 meters, outperforming other indoor localization systems. We also propose a hybrid instance-based approach that results in a speed increase by a factor of ten with no loss of accuracy in a live deployment over standard instance-based methods. Further, we determine how less dense datasets affect accuracy, important for use in real-world environments. Finally, we demonstrate that these approaches are appropriate for real-world deployment by evaluating their performance in an online, in-motion experiment. The Learning Based Indoor Positioning System (LIPS) Android application source has been made available on the web.
It Didn't Sound Good with My Cochlear Implants: Understanding the Challenges of Using Smart Assistants for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Users

How do deaf and hard of hearing (DHH) individuals use smart assistants (SAs)? Does the prominent use of voice interfaces in most SAs pose unique challenges for DHH users? In this work, we aim to answer these questions by conducting 4 in-depth interviews, as well as collecting survey data from 73 DHH individuals. Our findings show that individuals, even with profound deafness, can leverage SAs to accomplish complex daily tasks. However, we also identified a number of common challenges DHH individuals face when interacting with SAs (e.g., high pitch used in the default SA voice interfaces can be incompatible with hearing aids, difficulty using mobile SAs in public places with loud background noise). Based on these insights, we provide a set of suggestions for designing SAs that can better accommodate a wide range of hearing abilities. Specifically, SAs should provide more customization options to allow the user to tailor their SA to meet their hearing needs over time. For example, using a pitch-frequency test feature, much like audiograms conducted by audiologists, could allow users to calibrate their SA's voice to fit within their optimal range. We also see a need to provide more clear and actionable error messages conveyed beyond audio notifications, such as more meaningful light notifications. These recommendations and findings provide the first step forward toward a more inclusive SA by addressing accessibility needs unique to this group.
Operando Electrochemical Spectroscopy for CO on Cu(100) at pH 1 to 13: Validation of Grand Canonical Potential Predictions

Electrochemical reduction of CO2 to value-added products is an attractive strategy to address issues of increasing atmospheric CO2 concentration. Cu is the only pure metal catalyst known to electro...
Persistent failure? International interventions since World War II

Abstract We analyze the findings of the existing literature on foreign interventions–efforts by one international actor to alter or preserve the structure of political authority within another–which reveal a striking pattern: foreign interventions overwhelmingly fail to achieve their purported objectives. We suggest that the results may be explained by three general phenomena: econometric issues of measurement, sample selection, and endogeneity; theoretical issues regarding assumptions made of the interveners' objectives; or alternatively, a persistent tendency of policy makers to pursue strategies that consistently fail to achieve their objectives. Finally, we offer our assessment of some promising directions for the advancement of the study on foreign interventions. Future research faces both daunting challenges and exciting opportunities in the face of newly available data and empirical methods, as well as the changing nature of intervention itself.
Quasi-differential neutron induced neutron emissions from 235U, and 239Pu

Abstract Uncertainty in nuclear reaction cross sections, angular distributions, and other nuclear data directly impact how well simulations of nuclear systems represent physical observations. To determine how well the nuclear data in ENDF/B-VIII.0, JEFF-3.3, and JENDL-4.0 evaluations describe the physical behaviour of 235U, and 239Pu when subjected to a neutron flux, the neutron emission spectrum was measured for carbon, 93.0% 235U, and 93.9% 239Pu samples, and compared against detailed MCNP6 simulations. The measurements were performed at the Los Alamos Neutron Science Center using a quasi-differential method previously developed at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. The measurement spanned 0.82–20 MeV and 30–150 degrees. The measurements show there are a significant number of discrepancies between library predictions of the neutron yield and physical observation. A few of the main discrepancies found are described in this paper. Based on these results a new evaluation utilizing these results for carbon, 235U, and 239Pu is recommended.
Towards cyber-physical systems robust to communication delays: A differential game approach.

Collaboration between interconnected cyber-physical systems is becoming increasingly pervasive. Time-delays in communication channels between such systems are known to induce catastrophic failure modes, like high frequency oscillations in robotic manipulators in bilateral teleoperation or string instability in platoons of autonomous vehicles. This paper considers nonlinear time-delay systems representing coupled robotic agents, and proposes controllers that are robust to time-varying communication delays. We introduce approximations that allow the delays to be considered as implicit control inputs themselves, and formulate the problem as a zero-sum differential game between the stabilizing controllers and the delays acting adversarially. The ensuing optimal control law is finally compared to known results from Lyapunov-Krasovskii based approaches via numerical experiments.
Bacon Causes Cancer: Do Consumers Care?

In October 2015, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) released a report classifying processed meat as a type 1 carcinogen. The report prompted headlines and attracted immediate public attention, but the economic impacts remain unknown. In this paper, we investigate the impacts of the IARC report on processed meat prices and purchases using retail scanner data from U.S. grocery stores. We compare changes in prices and sales of processed meat products to a constructed synthetic control group (using a convex combination of non-meat food products). We find a significant decrease in bacon prices and revenues in the wake of the IARC report release, but we find no evidence of a demand reduction in ham and sausage. At the same time, we find beef sales and revenue increased significantly after the report, while beef price significantly fell.
"Costless" War: American and Pakistani Reactions to the U.S. Drone War

Since 2004, the CIA has conducted approximately 290 known strikes in Pakistan’s remote Waziristan region, using robotic planes known as “drones” to carry out missions. Targeted against militant strongholds along the Afghani border, this covert effort has successfully eliminated key Taliban leaders, such as infamous terrorist Baitullah Mehsud in 2009. In addition to its success in targeting military enemies, drone technology eliminates all risk to American military personnel. As a result, the American political and popular response has been largely positive, and the program has continued to escalate. However, U.S. policymakers have failed to recognize the Pakistani reaction to drone warfare, which has been overwhelmingly hostile. This paper will analyze how the psychological nature of drone warfare—on both American attackers and Pakistani victims—has shaped the development and results of drone strikes in Pakistan. It will discuss the disparity between Americans’ view of drones as riskless and humane and Pakistanis’ belief that they are dishonorable and cruel. The paper suggests that drone warfare is radicalizing and destabilizing on Pakistani society.
Where Should My Baby Sleep: A Qualitative Study of African American Infant Sleep Location Decisions

Abstract Background African American infants are at higher risk for sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) and accidental suffocation than other infants and are up to 4 times more likely to bedshare with their parents. Objective To investigate, using qualitative methods, factors influencing African American parents’ decisions regarding infant sleep location (room location and sleep surface). Methods Eighty-three mothers participated in focus groups or individual interviews. Questions probed reasons for infant sleep location decisions and influences on decision making. Results Most of the mothers in this study slept in the same room as their infant. Reasons for roomsharing included space, convenience, and safety. Mothers largely decided on infant sleep surface because of space for/availability of crib, comfort, convenience, and safety. Both roomsharing and bedsharing were often chosen to make feeding and checking on the infant more convenient. Mothers who chose not to bedshare cited privacy, concern that the infant would become attached to the parents’ bed, and fears about suffocation. Mothers who chose to bedshare often cited the ability to maintain vigilance while asleep. Low-income mothers also used bedsharing as a defense against environmental dangers. Conclusion African American mothers in this study viewed both roomsharing and bedsharing as strategies to keep their infants safe. Efforts to encourage roomsharing without bed-sharing must address parental concerns about space for/ availability of a crib, convenience, infant and parent comfort, and infant safety.
Could accelerated aging explain the excess mortality in patients with seropositive rheumatoid arthritis

Objective To determine whether the mortality pattern in patients with seropositive rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is consistent with the concept of accelerated aging, by comparing the observed mortality rates in patients with RA with the age-accelerated mortality rates from the general population. Methods A population-based inception cohort of patients with seropositive RA (according to the American College of Rheumatology 1987 criteria) was assembled and followed up for vital status until July 1, 2008. The expected mortality rate was obtained by applying the death rates from the general population to the age, sex, and calendar year distribution of the RA population. The observed mortality was estimated using Kaplan-Meier methods. Acceleration factors for the expected mortality were estimated in accelerated failure time models. Results A total of 755 patients with seropositive RA (mean age 55.6 years, 69% women) were followed up for a mean of 12.5 years, during which 315 patients died. The expected median survival was age 82.4 years, whereas the median survival of the RA patients was age 76.7 years. Results of statistical modeling suggested that, in terms of mortality rates, patients with RA were effectively 2 years older than actual age at RA incidence, and thereafter the patients underwent 11.4 effective years of aging for each 10 years of calendar time. Conclusion The overall observed mortality experience of patients with seropositive RA is consistent with the hypothesis of accelerated aging. The causes of accelerated aging in RA deserve further investigation.
Tactics of Resistance and the Evolution of Identity from Subjects to Citizens: The AIDS Political Movement in Southern Africa

Over the last decade, thousands of HIV/AIDS associations have sprung up across Africa to deal with high infection rates. This essay compares associations in South Africa, Mozambique, and Swaziland by examining how they work within the public arena, how issues are framed, and what the implications are for citizenship. Overall, I argue that South Africans are most free in their ability to critique government and vocalize opposition; associations have varying levels of “civicness” (with Swaziland least civic, South Africa most, and Mozambique in between); the framing of HIV issues as pertaining to human rights is a positive aspect for development; association tactics are a mix of African reciprocity and new identities; and international linkages do help build up, albeit sporadically, transnational networks of volunteers in new public space who stand up for what they define as their rights.
Industrial design and human factors: design synergy for medical devices

Research has shown the impact design may have on apparent, as well as inherent, usability. Through collaboration, Industrial Designers and Human Factors Engineers can design medical devices that address emotional design and thus contribute to apparent usability. This collaboration must overcome challenges common in the industry including design influences and standards, business factors, and regulatory processes. Integrating the two disciplines, their tools and methods, and ensuring their incorporation in the product development process can overcome these challenges. In doing so, end users will benefit from medical devices with both improved usability and elegance.
Acetylhexosamine compounds enzymically released from Micrococcus lysodeikticus cell walls. III. The structure of DI- and tetra-saccharides released from cell walls by lysozyme and Streptomyces F1 enzyme.

Two compounds, both of which have been isolated from cell walls of Micrococcus lysodeikticus digested with lysozyme or Streptomyces F1 enzyme, have been identified as di- and tetra-saccharides. The reducing groups of the di- and tetra-saccharides and those of the high-molecular weight, non-dialysable compounds belong to muramic acid. β-glucosidase yields free N-acetylglucosamine and N-acetylmuramic acid from the di- and tetra-saccharides. The proposed structure for the di-saccharide liberated by lysozyme and F1 is: 6-O-β-N-acetylglucosaminyl-N-acetylmuramic acid. The tetra-saccharides isolated from lysozyme and F1 digests appear to be identical. The structure proposed for the tetra-saccharide isolated from lysozyme digested walls is: O-β-N-acetylglucosaminyl-(I→6)-O-β-N-acetylmuraminyl-(I→4)-O-β-N-acetylglucosaminyl- (I→6)-β-N-acetylmuramic acid. Both lysozyme and Streptomyces F1 enzyme degrade di- and tetra-chitobiose, indicating their β(I→4) N-acetyl hexosaminidase activity.
Monoclonal antibodies that target the immunogenic proteins expressed in colorectal cancer

In an attempt to improve upon the end results obtained in treating colorectal cancer it was apparent that the earlier the diagnosis that could be obtained, the better the chance for obtaining desired results. In the case of more advanced tumors typified by later stage colorectal cancer, surgical debulking is an important part of the treatment strategy. Here the use of additional therapeutic modalities including chemotherapy and present day immunotherapy has failed to accomplish the desired improvements that have been sought after. Adjuvant therapy, has offered little to the overall survival. The concept of early detection is now recognized as the initial step in reaching proper end results and can readily be demonstrated from colorectal cancer studies. Here survival has been found to be a reflection of the stage at which the tumor is first identified and treated. When specific monoclonals targeting colorectal cancer are employed diagnostically, we have been able to demonstrate detection of colorectal cancer at its inception as a premalignant lesion, such that genotypic features can be identified before the phenotypic appearance of cancer can be noted.
The Transformation of China from an Emerging Economy to a Global Powerhouse

Throughout the past three decades of fast growth, China has undergone tremendous structural changes in its economy and financial system. This chapter examines China's evolving financial landscape so as to assess whether it can catch up with or even drive economic growth. China has achieved remarkable growth over the past quarter of a century despite a relatively inefficient financial system. Just as the public sector around the world has not proved to be an efficient manager of enterprises, it also has not been an efficient manager of banks. A solution that would seem to work in theory would be to grow the private sector’s role in the banking system, using banks that operate on market principles as a way to continually starve inefficient enterprises of credit, while supplying credit to the productive enterprises. Finding a way to make this work in practice will require both finesse and good fortune on a scale commensurate with China’s growing importance in the world economy.
Replication, integration and stable germ-line transmission of foreign sequences injected into early zebrafish embryos

To generate stable lines of transgenic fish, early zebrafish embryos were injected with high concentrations of a linear bacterial plasmid. After injection, the foreign DNA was converted into a high molecular weight form and then amplified approximately tenfold during the initial rapid cleavages characteristic of the early embryo prior to gastrulation. While most of this DNA was subsequently degraded during gastrulation, some of the foreign sequences survived the gastrula stage and could be found in most of the injected fish at 3 weeks of age. Only about 5% of fish analysed 4 months after the injection retained foreign DNA in their fins, usually at less than one copy per cell. One of these fish was also found to contain about 100 copies per cell of foreign DNA in a fraction of its germ cells. Approximately 20% of the F1 offspring from this germ-line-positive parent inherited the foreign DNA, whereas 50% of F2 progeny obtained from an identified F1 individual inherited these sequences. The 50% transmission rate in F2 progeny was as expected for a single, heterozygous genomic insert. These observations indicate that injected DNA can be integrated into the fish genome, that the resulting transgenic fish are mosaic and that some of these mosaic individuals give rise to stable lines of transgenic fish.
Differential Diagnosis of Physical Findings and States

There are a number of abnormal states which are found in both vascular conditions and in musculoskeletal disorders, the most common of which are pitting edema, lymphedema, ulceration, and gangrene. The present chapter is devoted to a discussion of the pathogenesis and differential diagnosis of these entities.
Macrophage Migration Inhibitory Factor -173 G/C Polymorphism is Not Associated with An Increased Risk of Necrotizing Enterocolitis in Preterm Neonates in NICU

Background: Necrotizing Enterocolitis (NEC) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality among preterm neonates. To identify subsets of neonates at high risk of NEC is a challenge. Local pro-inflammatory response of the host could be of relevance in the still unclear pathogenesis of NEC. Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) is a pro-inflammatory cytokine, implicated in the pathophysiology of inflammatory bowel diseases, such as chronic colitis and gastric inflammation. The MIF promoter contains a functionally relevant single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) G/C at position -173. The MIF -173 C allele is associated with higher MIF expression in vitro.
Thermal equation-of-state of osmium: a synchrotron X-ray diffraction study

Abstract The pressure–volume–temperature behavior of osmium was studied at pressures and temperatures up to 15 GPa and 1273 K. In situ measurements were conducted using energy-dispersive synchrotron X-ray diffraction in a T-cup 6–8 high pressure apparatus. A fit of room-temperature data by the third-order Birch–Murnaghan equation-of-state yielded isothermal bulk modulus K0=435(19) GPa and its pressure derivative K′0=3.5(0.8) GPa. High-temperature data were analyzed using Birch–Murnaghan equation of state and thermal pressure approach. The temperature derivative of bulk modulus was found to be −0.061(9) GPa K−1. Significant anisotropy of osmium compressibility was observed.