cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Implications of Rhode Island's Global Consumer Choice Compact Medicaid Waiver for Block Granting Medicaid

On January 16, 2009, the Federal government approved Rhode Island‟s application for a Global Consumer Choice Compact Medicaid Waiver whereby the state became the first granted permission to operate its entire Medicaid program under the state plan and a single 1115 “research and demonstration” waiver. The Global Waiver has been implemented in the context of Republican proposals to turn Medicaid into a block grant which would give states substantially more flexibility administering the program in exchange for receiving an upfront allotment from the Federal government. Proponents have held up the Global Waiver as a successful example of what might be achieved nationally if all states received block grants to run their Medicaid programs. This study draws lessons from Rhode Island‟s Global Waiver for the Medicaid block grant debate. Data derive from 325 archival sources and 26 semi-structured interviews. Results indicate that the Global Waiver is not a block grant but a capped federal match where the state is required to spend its own money before receiving the federal contribution. Moreover, the state did not receive unlimited discretion to administer Medicaid under the Global Waiver nor achieved nearly as much savings as has been claimed. Indeed, most savings obtained by Rhode Island during this time period derive not from efficiencies stemming from the Global Waiver but from increased federal spending and from measures the state could have implemented independently of the waiver. The generosity of the Global Waiver is in marked contrast to most block grant proposals which would substantially reduce the level of federal fiscal support. In the near future, turning Medicaid into a block grant is not going to occur in light of President Obama‟s reelection. Identifying the implications of RI‟s experience for Medicaid retrenchment and the block grant debate is important, however, as some states eschew expanding the program under the Affordable Care Act and as proponents continue to propose block grant approach to Medicaid reform, both in future budget proposals and presidential party platforms.
Fast Scheduling of Multi-Robot Teams with Temporospatial Constraints

National Science Foundation (U.S.). Graduate Research Fellowship Program (grant number 2388357)
Efficient Time-Dependent Monte Carlo Simulations of Stimulated Raman Scattering in a Turbid Medium

Monte Carlo methods have become the gold standard for investigating the properties of light transport in turbid media due to their simple conceptual picture and quantitative agreement with experiment. However, these approaches are limited to the study of linear effects. In this work, a model capable of efficiently and accurately simulating stimulated Raman scattering in a turbid environment is presented for the first time. The method is validated using both analytical calculations and experimental data. These results will allow for a deeper understanding of nonlinear light propagation in a turbid medium and will be indispensable in understanding the processes involved in random Raman lasing.
VELUTICEPS BERKELEYI AND ITS DECAY OF PINE IN NORTH AMERICA

SUMMARY Veluticeps berkeleyi is a widely distributed wood-rotting fungus in North America. It is apparently present through much of the natural range of Pinus ponderosa in the western United States, and occurs on other pines in Central America and in Cuba. It causes a brown cubical heartrot in living trees and a saprot in down timber. Descriptions of the basidiocarps, cultural characters, and the associated rot are given. Veluticeps fusca is placed in synonymy with V. berkeleyi. In 1962 an unknown fungus was isolated from living ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa Laws.) in the Black Hills National Forest of South Dakota. The isolates had a distinctive odor similar to that of smokecured bacon or ham and the organism was referred to as the "baconodor fungus." Poorly developed fruiting areas eventually appeared in some of these original isolates in Petri dishes, and the hymenial characters were found to be identical with those of the holotype of Veluticeps
Integrated and real-time quantitative analysis using cyberphysical digital-microfluidic biochips

Considerable effort has recently been directed towards the implementation of molecular bioassays on digital-microfluidic biochips. However, today's solutions suffer from the drawback that multiple sample pathways are not supported and on-chip reconfigurable devices are not efficiently exploited. To overcome this problem, we present a spatial-reconfiguration technique that incorporates resource-sharing specifications into the synthesis flow. This technique is combined with cyberphysical integration to develop the first design-automation framework for quantitative gene expression. The proposed framework is based on a real-time resource-allocation algorithm that responds promptly to decisions about the protocol flow received from a firmware layer. Simulation results show that our adaptive framework efficiently utilizes on-chip resources to reduce time-to-result without sacrificing the chip's lifetime.
Research on LED Lightweight Block Cipher Design and Its Improvements

In the future,efficient block ciphers are needed to meet the security requirement in electricity system. To investigate the application of existing block ciphers in this field,we focus on LED block cipher and give discussions on the design principle and possible improvements.LED was published by Jian Guo et.al in CHES 2011. In a nutshell,LED achieves both reliable security and great software performance. Besides,the hardware implementation is also very compact due to a series of optimization. Possible limitation lies in the latency of the hardware implementation. Reorganizing the encryption process to reduce the number of rounds while keeping security bound might be a solution to this problem.
Modern use of modern cement for total hip replacement.

Summary In short, the extraordinary operation called cemented THR, which Sir John Charnley innovated and developed, has provided a remarkably high level of uniformity in its success and revolutionized reconstructive surgery of not only the hip, but all reconstructive joint surgery. However, follow-up data covering 5, 10, and 15 years have indicated that the initial excellence of the clinical results deteriorates over time, predominantly secondary to failure of fixation (and in some instances, wear of the polyethylene). Major efforts have been made to improve the durability of the cemented composite and these efforts have proven to be very successful, as shown by assessment of the results at 6 years. Specifically, major reduction in femoral component loosening has been achieved by plugging the femoral canal, using a cement gun, and improving the stem design. Subsequent to the developments that led to this improvement, three major additional improvements have strong laboratory support and are highly likely to further enhance the durability of cemented THR, and probably cemented replacement in other joints as well. These three improvements are the pressurization of the cement, porosity reduction, and precoating over a rough surface.
The Untranslatable Image: A Mestizo History of the Arts in New Spain, 1500–1600

Alessandra Russo begins her book on early colonial artistic production in New Spain with a simulated triptych consisting of a feather shield, a map, and graffiti of a crowned bird etched into the w...
Conscience, Judging, and Conscientious Judging

Judging requires applying the law instead of personal morals, philosophy, or policy of the community. Doing so requires a respect for the separation of powers between branches of government. Justice Franchini of the New Mexico Supreme Court reflects on this challenge for judges through a personal anecdote.
Structural biology: Past, present, and future.

Abstract In March 2014, a symposium was held at Aarhus University to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the founding of its Division of Biostructural Chemistry by Professor Brian Clark. This article is a lightly edited version of the talk the author gave to open that event. It consists of some reflections about the discipline known as structural biology, and some comments about the author’s interactions with Professor Clark and the Division of Biostructural Chemistry over the years.
Performance evaluation of two linear controllers for heading control of a UAV

In recent years, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) have become very popular in civil and defense sectors. Due to their numerous applications, the UAV industry is flourishing with great pace. An autopilot having the complete flight control system is the heart of a UAV. It is an onboard system which controls and navigates the in-flight UAV autonomously. These days, multiple commercial solutions for UAV autopilot are available in the market. In these commercially off the shelf (COTS) solutions, mostly ailerons are used as the input control surface. PID (Proportional-integral-derivative) based heading controllers are generally used for steering the UAV in the desired direction. In our work, performance evaluation of two different heading-controllers is carried out. In both the schemes, aileron deflection acts as the input variable for the feedback and control mechanism. One of the controllers uses PID based controller while the other one makes use of phaselag based heading controller. First step in the controller design process includes selection of a nonlinear UAV model, which is linearized at steady state trim conditions. The next step includes design of linear PID and phase-lag controllers and their subsequent application on nonlinear model. Finally, the effectiveness of deigned controllers is gauged by comparing the simulation results of compensated linear and nonlinear models. Our investigation clearly proves that PID-based heading controllers are a better choice, as these have better transient and steady-state response as compared to Phase-lag controllers.
International Expansion of United States Franchisors: A Status Report and Propositions for Future Research

Given the growth of franchising globally, now is an important time to consider the international expansion trends of franchisors. This study examines current trends in the international expansion plans of United States franchisors using a unique data set drawn from 438 announcements on the International Franchise Association's website made by 85 franchisors over nine years. The findings describe the scope, duration, markets, entry modes used, and expansion rationale. Contrary to past practices, United States franchisors are more focused on expanding into the emerging markets of Asia rather than the developed markets of the West. It appears that they are attracted by the growth in these markets. Finally, the results are used to summarize the key trends in international franchise expansion and to generate propositions for future research. Some limitations and implications for practice are discussed.
Nanoparticle Treated Stainless Steel Filters for Metal Vapor Sequestration

The ability to sequester vapor phase radioactive compounds during industrial processes reduces the exposure of workers and the environment to dangerous radioactive materials. Nanomaterials have a lot of potential in this area because they typically demonstrate size- and shape-dependent properties with higher reactivity than bulk. This is due to the increased surface area-to-volume ratio and quantum size effects. In this report, we developed a gold nanomaterial-treated stainless steel filter, namely wools and coupons, that can be efficiently used for zinc vapor sequestration. Without nanoparticle modification, stainless steel coupons do not react or alloy with Zn. Gold nanomaterials were grown onto various stainless steel filters using solution chemistry that is amenable to scaling up. Materials were characterized by electron microscopy, inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy and dynamic light scattering before and after exposure to zinc vapors. X-ray diffraction, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy mapping and ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy confirm the formation of gold-zinc alloys after Zn vapor exposure. The effect of surface topography on nanoparticle morphology, size and loading density were also investigated, and stainless steel surface defects were found to have an impact on the Au NP growth and subsequently Zn sequestration.
Initial results of tests of depth markers as a surface diagnostic for fusion devices

United States. Department of Energy. (grant number DE-FG02-94ER54235, cooperative agreement number DEFC02-99ER54512)
Synthesis of 18F-labelled cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitor as a potential PET imaging agent

1851 Objectives: Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), the enzyme that converts arachidonic acid to prostaglandin H2, is expressed in normal brain and kidney, activated macrophages, synoviocytes during inflammation, and malignant epithelial cells. Increasing evidence also suggests a role of COX-2 in the initiation and progression of cancer and a neurotoxic role of COX-2 in neurodegenerative. In vivo imaging of COX-2 would also provide a valuable tool to gain more insight in pathophysiology of diseases involving COX-2. In this study. In this study, we will focus on an COX-2 inhibitor, 6-ethoxy-3-(4-methanesulfonylphenyl)-4-phenylpyran-2-one (EMFP), it exhibit excellent potency (IC50 = 0.10 µM) and selectivity (SI = 2880). This inhibitor has the structure which permits incorporation of 18F through a simple nucleophilic reaction between [18F]fluorine and triflate precursor. Thus, the goal of this study was to synthesize [18F]EFMP, an 18F-labelled COX-2 inhibitor that could be used for PET studies of COX-2 in vivo. Methods: Methods: The reference compound and their corresponding trimethylammonium-precursor and bromo-precursor were synthesized via multi-step synthetic approaches. The radiosyntheses of [18F]EFMP was performed in a one step reaction, it was produced by nucleophlic displacement of trimethylammonium-precursor with [18F]fluoride. After ending reaction, the reaction mixture is purified by Sep-Pak C-18 column and HPLC, the desired product was collected for further study. Results: After rapid Sep-Pak (C-18) purification, the radiolabeled product was purified by HPLC with radiochemical yields ranging10-18% (decay corrected) and total synthesis time of 60-70 min (EOB). The radiochemical purity of [18F]EFMP was verified by analytical HPLC. Co-elution of the radioactive peak with the UV peak of the unlabeled standard confirmed the identity. The specific activity was determined to be 2130±170 Ci/mmol at EOS. Conclusions: In summary, a successful synthesis of a potential 18F labeled radiotracer for studying COX-2 expression, [18F]EFMP, has been developed via a corresponding trimethylammonium-precursor and is superior to that via bromo-precursor. Radiolabelling can be accomplished in short time, the radiotracer was obtained with high specific activity and radiochemical and chemical purity. Research Support (if any): This work is supoorted in part by BRTT and NIH R24
Salicylic acid-mediated plant defense: Recent developments, missing links, and future outlook

Plant pathogens are responsible for many of history’s greatest famines. Understanding how plants defend themselves against pathogens is crucial to preventing future famines. Salicylic acid (SA)-mediated plant defense is a key defense pathway, which plants use to defend against biotrophic and hemi-biotrophic pathogens. As a master regulator of SAmediated plant defense, NPR1 interacts with TGA and WRKY transcription factor families, individual members of which positively or negatively regulate plant defense. In this review we describe the recent developments and predict future directions of research on the involvement of circadian rhythm-, autophagy-, and viral RNA silencing-related genes in SA-mediated plant defense on SA, on plant defense, the induction effects of PR proteins, and the mechanisms by which NPR1 regulates defense-related genes. We performed an extensive search of current and past literature using the PubMed, Google Scholar, and Google search engines. Our search terms included: “SA-mediated plant defense,” and “NPR1 [AND] salicylic acid.” Other search terms, wildcards, and Boolean operators were paired with “NPR1” or “plant defense” as needed to research more detailed information related to specific topics covered within this review. We also used Google to search for, “economic impact citrus greening,” “aspirin,” “Irish potato famine,” and “rice blast,” among other terms, to gather background information on the history and impact of plant diseases, and the historical use of aspirin. Of 148 sources found, 132 were directly related to plant defense. The remaining sources are related to the historical and economic impact of plant diseases and the historical use and mechanism of action of aspirin or salicylate. All reviewed sources have been documented in the references section. The topic of salicylic acid-mediated plant defense is broad, and new research is expanding our understanding of this topic quickly. In this review, we give a basic overview of the historical economic impact of plant diseases, and how an understanding of SA-mediated plant defense can prevent future famines. We provide a basic overview of plant defense, then discuss how SA acts as a defense signaling molecule.We discuss how SA regulates NPR1, which goes on to activate expression of SA-related genes including PR genes. Later, we discuss current research topics, including the role of NPR1 and SA in autophagy, circadian rhythmicity, viral gene silencing, SA biosynthesis, and SAR. We also discuss the potential roles of PR proteins, other SA binding proteins, WRKYand TGA family transcription factors, Elongator, and ER transport proteins in plant defense. Finally, we discuss the potential future routes that research into this topic could take, in order to further our understanding of role SA plays in plant defense.
Efficacy of antipsychotics for irritability and aggression in children: a meta-analysis.

ABSTRACTBackground: Aggression and irritability in children occur across a range of diagnoses, and are associated with both economic cost and negative psychosocial outcomes. Antipsychotics are frequently prescribed in these cases.Methods: A random effects meta-analysis of 14 random controlled trials was conducted. Overall effect sizes for antipsychotics for irritability and aggression were extracted. Subgroup analyses were conducted according to diagnostic indication, specific medication and degree of sedation. Meta-regression examined effects of antipsychotic dose.Results: Overall, antipsychotics were effective in reducing aggression and irritability (SMD = 0.74, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.57–0.92, z = 8.4, p < 0.0001). In stratified subgroup analysis, individual antipsychotic agents did not differ in efficacy (χ2 = 1.1, df = 3, p = 0.78). However, aripiprazole and risperidone demonstrated significant benefit over placebo. Antipsychotic efficacy did not differ significantly based on diagnostic indica...
Low-Power Low-VHF Ad-Hoc Networking in Complex Environments

A low-power, low-frequency, ad hoc networking paradigm is considered for robust communications among mobile agents in complex non-line-of-sight (NLOS) indoor and urban-type scenarios. Compared with higher frequency, the lower portion of the very high frequency (VHF) band offers improved penetration and reduced multipath in such scenarios. Low VHF is underutilized for mobile ad hoc networking due to the lack of compact low-power systems and efficient miniature antennas. We investigate the proposed approach through experiments in realistic scenarios. In order to carry out the experiments, we leverage a compact, low-power ZigBee radio operating seamlessly in the low-VHF band by introducing a bi-directional frequency converter, which translates ZigBee signals into low-VHF carriers, along with a recently developed highly miniaturized efficient antenna. The experimental low-VHF radio system and a conventional ZigBee operating at 2.4 GHz are both integrated on a compact ground robotic platform for autonomous experimentation and comparison in NLOS indoor and outdoor settings. Measurements quantify the significant advantages of the low-VHF radio system in terms of packet error rate, fading, radio signal strength, and extended spatial coverage, in a number of complex communication environments.
RNA-guided transcriptional silencing in vivo with S. aureus CRISPR-Cas9 repressors

CRISPR-Cas9 transcriptional repressors have emerged as robust tools for disrupting gene regulation in vitro but have not yet been adapted for systemic delivery in adult animal models. Here we describe a Staphylococcus aureus Cas9-based repressor (dSaCas9KRAB) compatible with adeno-associated viral (AAV) delivery. To evaluate dSaCas9KRAB efficacy for gene silencing in vivo, we silenced transcription of Pcsk9, a regulator of cholesterol levels, in the liver of adult mice. Systemic administration of a dual-vector AAV8 system expressing dSaCas9KRAB and a Pcsk9-targeting guide RNA (gRNA) results in significant reductions of serum Pcsk9 and cholesterol levels. Despite a moderate host response to dSaCas9KRAB expression, Pcsk9 repression is maintained for 24 weeks after a single treatment, demonstrating the potential for long-term gene silencing in post-mitotic tissues with dSaCas9KRAB. In vivo programmable gene silencing enables studies that link gene regulation to complex phenotypes and expands the CRISPR-Cas9 perturbation toolbox for basic research and gene therapy applications.
Optimal Conditionally Unbiased Equivariant Factor Score Estimators

Some approaches to generating equivariant conditionally unbiased estimators of the factor scores in a confirmatory factor analytic model are defined. In order to select among these estimators, weighted (WLS) and generalized least squares (GLS) functions are optimized, optimal minimum variance estimators are obtained, and fifteen multivariate criterion functions are used to define optimality. Optimality is achieved by only the WLS and GLS estimators, which are found to be equivalent under standard conditions. It is shown that when the factor loading matrix consists of a simple cluster structure, and some conditions hold on the loadings and unique variances, the estimators simplify substantially and some simple estimators used in practice can be justified. The well-known Bartlett WLS estimator is not applicable when the unique variance matrix is singular, but the GLS estimator can be applied more generally. However, it also can break down when the observed variables are linearly dependent. A modified estimator remains valid.
Distribution of interevent avalanche times in disordered and frustrated spin systems

Hysteresis loops and the associated avalanche statistics of spin systems, such as the random-field Ising and Edwards-Anderson spin-glass models, have been extensively studied. A particular focus has been on self-organized criticality, manifest in power-law distributions of avalanche sizes. Considerably less work has been done on the statistics of the times between avalanches. This paper considers this issue, generalizing the work of Nampoothiri et al. [Phys. Rev. E 96, 032107 (2017)] in one space dimension to higher space dimensions. In addition to the interevent statistics of all avalanches, we also consider what happens when events are restricted to those exceeding a certain threshold size. Doing so raises the possibility of altering the definition of time to count the number of small events between the large ones, which provides for an analog to the concept of natural time introduced by the geophysics community with the goal of predicting patterns in seismic events. We analyze the distribution of time and natural time intervals both in the case of models that include only nearest-neighbor interactions, as well as models with (sparse) long-range couplings.
The role of preoperative therapy prior to pancreatoduodenectomy for distal cholangiocarcinoma.

Abstract Background Although increasingly administered to patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, the role of preoperative therapy for patients with distal cholangiocarcinoma is undefined. Methods All patients with distal cholangiocarcinoma who underwent pancreatoduodenectomy between 1999 and 2014 were retrospectively reviewed. Differences in clinicopathologic characteristics and overall survival (OS) were compared between patients who underwent surgery de novo and those who received preoperative therapy. Results Twenty-one patients (46.7%) received preoperative therapy and 24 (53.3%) did not. Five-year OS rates were not statistically significantly different between patients who received preoperative therapy and those who did not (46.6% vs 49.1%, p > 0.05). On multivariate cox proportional hazards analysis, lymph node positivity was the strongest predictor of OS (HR 4.68 (95%CI 1.52–14.42)). Whereas preoperative therapy was not associated with improved OS (HR 1.06 (95%CI 0.42–2.66)), the receipt of either pre- or post-operative therapy was (HR 0.40 (95%CI 0.16–1.00)). Conclusion While these results do not support the routine administration of preoperative therapy to patients with distal cholangiocarcinoma, it may be an alternative treatment strategy appropriate for a subset of patients with high risk clinical or pathologic features.
Signet-Ring Cell Carcinoma Presenting as Hematochezia in a Patient with Crohn's Disease.

Signet-ring cell carcinoma is a rare adenocarcinoma, predominantly affecting the stomach and ovaries. Primary sites elsewhere are rarer. It is recognized that there is an increased cancer risk with the diagnosis of Crohn’s disease. We report a patient with Crohn’s disease who was diagnosed with signet-ring cell carcinoma in the setting of a Crohn’s flare. Diagnosis was made with endoscopy. Treatment included laparoscopic-assisted right hemicolectomy with ileostomy with subsequent chemotherapy as an outpatient.
Mothering in the Context of Poverty: Disciplining Peruvian Mothers through Children’s Rights

This article explores discourses surrounding poverty and mothering in the context of Peru. It specifically suggests that claims in the name of children’s rights provide a more morally acceptable way to discipline economically disadvantaged mothers. Mothers are framed as ‘bad parents’ when their children fail to experience so-called ‘global childhoods’, spent in school and the home, and not in paid work. However, in Andean culture, children begin working alongside their parents at a young age as they learn to become active members in society. Rather than recognising motherhood as socially constructed, internationally-funded NGOs and government officials emphasise a need to teach mothers about the cultural dangers of work. However, I suggest that in doing so, poverty is reframed as a cultural problem, of which mothers are to blame. This overlooks significant economic inequality as well as different conceptions of motherhood and childhood. The article examines how mothers negotiate competing demands in the context of discourses of global childhood, and is based on field work conducted over 14 months in 2009 and 2010, with follow up research in 2011 and 2014.
Characterization of the Place of the Human in Enterprise Integration

The Purdue Enterprise Reference Architecture (PERA) has developed a unique methodology for determining the place of the Human in any particular enterprise. This methodology will be described in this paper to initiate discussion of this important topic in the ICEIMT97.
Radiation doses in esophageal cancer.

An estimated 17,000 new cases of esophageal cancer will be diagnosed in the United States this year alone along with an estimated 16,000 deaths (1). Neoadjuvant chemotherapy with or without concurrent radiotherapy followed by surgery has emerged as a treatment of choice for locally-advanced esophageal cancer after several studies demonstrated a survival benefit of concurrent neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy versus surgery alone (2).
Regulatory Considerations for Fecal Microbiota Transplantation Products

Fecal microbiota for transplantation (FMT) is being studied as a potential intervention for numerous conditions. The regulation of FMT by the FDA is discussed along with FMT donor screening and manufacturing considerations. The FDA is committed to ensuring that FMT products can be safely tested in clinical trials.
Relating reactivity to structure in cokes and carbon materials: Temperature-programmed oxidation and microscopy techniques

Abstract A series of carbon materials and composites has been characterized by temperature-programmed oxidation (TPO), polarized light microscopy (PLM), scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), and temperature-programmed desorption coupled with mass-spectrometry analysis. For materials containing anisotropic carbons, a consistent relationship was found between oxidation reactivity and optical texture. Polarized-light microscopy in combination with TPO can help assessing the relationships between oxidation reactivity and optical texture of anisotropic carbons. Deconvolution of TPO profiles and PLM observations can effectively identify the individual components of multi-component carbon materials with important implications in structure-property relationships and their applications. For amorphous carbons with isotropic optical textures, TPO profiles were found to be influenced by the surface chemistry of the materials. It appears that the TPO technique under controlled conditions provides a rapid analysis of solids carbons with respect to their structure and properties. This is particularly useful for the analysis of carbon composites with multiple phases in combination with microscopic examination and elemental analysis using EDS.
Combinatorial Ski Rental and Online Bipartite Matching

We consider a combinatorial variant of the classical ski rental problem --- which we call combinatorial ski rental --- where multiple resources are available to purchase and to rent, and are demanded online. Moreover, the costs of purchasing and renting are potentially combinatorial. The dual problem of combinatorial ski rental, which we call combinatorial online bipartite matching, generalizes the classical online bipartite matching problem into a form where constraints, induced by both offline and online vertices, can be combinatorial. We give a 2-competitive (resp. e / (e - 1)-competitive) deterministic (resp. randomized) algorithm for combinatorial ski rental, and an e / (e - 1)-competitive algorithm for combinatorial online bipartite matching. All these ratios are optimal given simple lower bounds inherited from the respective well-studied special cases. We also prove information-theoretic impossibility of constant-factor algorithms when any part of our assumptions is considerably relaxed.
Impact of Measurement Bias on Screening Measures

In psychology and medicine, diagnostic and screening measures are often used to make decisions by comparing the observed score to a cut score. If these measures contain items that exhibit measurement bias, then there might be systematic inaccuracies of who gets “caught” by the selection process. Traditionally, approaches that flag items for bias do not provide guidance about how measurement bias affects the decisions from the overall measure. In previous work on the area of selection, Millsap and Kwok developed a procedure that described the impact of ignoring measurement bias as changes in test sensitivity and specificity across groups. Recently, the Millsap and Kwok procedure has been extended to handle discrete items and make less stringent distributional assumptions. In this chapter, we discuss a version of the Millsap and Kwok procedure that accommodates discrete items and illustrate the use of this approach to evaluate how measurement bias affects the sensitivity and specificity of a measure comprised of binary items.
Self-Powered Cardiac Monitoring: Maintaining Vigilance With Multi-Modal Harvesting and E-Textiles

Remote patient monitoring has emerged from the intersection of engineering and medicine. Advances in sensors, circuits and systems have made possible the implementation of small, wearable devices capable of collecting and streaming data for long periods of time to help physicians track diseases and detect conditions in a non-intrusive manner. Cardiac monitoring comprises many of these applications, with the need to capture transient cardiac events motivating the adoption of wearable monitors in standard clinical practice. However, user burden and battery life limit the duration of monitoring or require heavy duty cycling, thus preventing the adoption of these technologies for use cases that require long-term vigilant monitoring, in which the sensor system cannot miss a critical cardiac event. To overcome these challenges, this paper introduces a self-powered system for uninterrupted vigilant cardiac and activity monitoring that senses and streams electrocardiogram (ECG) and motion data continuously to a smartphone while consuming only $683~\mu \text{W}$ on average. To achieve self-powered operation under environmental and wearability constraints, the system incorporates an energy combining technique to support multi-modal energy harvesting from indoor solar and thermoelectric energy. A custom ECG shirt made of a knitted compression fabric with embedded dry electrodes addresses issues of user comfort, skin irritation and motion artifacts. Vigilant Atrial Fibrillation (AF) monitoring is used as an example case study, analyzing sampling frequency and bit-depth quantization and their correlation to vigilant, self-powered operation. The integrated system demonstrates an important step forward for remote patient monitoring beyond the clinic.
Phasic Versus Tonic Irritability: Differential Associations With Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Symptoms.

Objective Irritability is a multifaceted construct in pediatric psychopathology. It has been conceptualized as having a phasic dimension and a tonic dimension. Disruptive mood dysregulation disorder is defined by the presence of both dimensions. Severe irritability, or disruptive mood dysregulation disorder, is highly comorbid with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). However, it is unknown whether the presence of ADHD modulates the expression of phasic and tonic irritability. Method A data-driven, latent variable approach was used to examine irritability and ADHD symptoms in a transdiagnostic pediatric sample (N = 489) with primary disruptive mood dysregulation disorder, ADHD, subclinical irritability symptoms, or no diagnosis. Using latent profile analyses, we identified 4 classes: high levels of both irritability and ADHD symptoms, high levels of irritability and moderate levels of ADHD symptoms, moderate levels of irritability and high levels of ADHD symptoms, and low levels of both irritability and ADHD symptoms. Confirmatory factor analysis operationalized phasic irritability and tonic irritability. Results As expected, the 2 latent classes characterized by high overall irritability exhibited the highest levels of both phasic and tonic irritability. However, between these 2 high irritability classes, highly comorbid ADHD symptoms were associated with significantly greater phasic irritability than were moderately comorbid ADHD symptoms. In contrast, the 2 high irritability groups did not differ on levels of tonic irritability. Conclusion These findings suggest that phasic, but not tonic, irritability has a significant association with ADHD symptoms and that phasic and tonic might be distinct, though highly related, irritability dimensions. Future research should investigate potential mechanisms underlying this differential association.
Online Instrument Delivery and Participant Recruitment Services: Emerging Opportunities for Behavioral Accounting Research

Behavioral accounting researchers have historically been constrained in their ability to reach externally valid research participants. The purpose of this paper is to familiarize researchers with two relatively new and innovative ways to overcome this issue. First, this paper discusses two online instrument delivery services provided by SurveyMonkey and Qualtrics that can be used to distribute experimental materials to geographically distributed participants quickly and inexpensively. Second, it reviews a number of participant recruitment services that behavioral accounting researchers can use to identify and recruit externally valid research participants. Specifically, this paper discusses commercial participant recruitment services provided by SurveyMonkey Audience, Qualtrics, Amazon’s Mechanical Turk, and other commercial firms, as well as several non-commercial participant recruitment services associated with industry and professional organizations. Each service is evaluated against three criteria that are important to behavioral accounting researchers: (1) cost, (2) flexibility, and (3) access to populations of interest.
Sentence formulation is easier when thematic and syntactic prominence align: evidence from psych verbs

We use the visual world eye-tracking paradigm to investigate how the mapping from thematic event structures to grammatical structures, known as sentence formulation, unfolds during real time senten...
Transcriptome foundations of low FDG uptake in prostate cancer

1571 Objectives FDG uptake in prostate cancers is commonly low for unclear reasons. We examined RNA transcriptomes of prostate cancer vs. normal prostate using microarray approaches. Methods 69 cancer and 20 normal prostate tissues transcriptomes from prostate cancer study (GSE6956) was selected from the public GEO dataset.Affy U133A 2.0 chips were used (14,500 well characterized genes). After RMA normalization, Spotfire software analysis was performed. Each volume change of major metabolic pathways was estimated with Chi square test using Stata software. Results Comparing gene profiles of cancer with normal tissues, 5 out of 77 probesets in glycolysis were up, & 7 probesets down in the cancer group. The balance in positive and negative direction didn9t change the volume (Chi square test p=0.38). In Krebs-TCA, 5 out of 54 probesets were up and 6 down in prostate cancer. The whole volume showed no significant change (p=0.5). There was an increase of the cell cycle pathway in the prostate cancer group even though the sum change (16.9%) of up and down regulation of gene expression is smaller than that we have seen in lung cancer (64.9%). 22 of 154 probesets in prostate cancer were up and 4 of 154 probesets were down (p=0.0002). HIF, MYC, Ki67, PCNA, VDAC, and UCP were studied. There was no significant difference between cancer and normal groups. Conclusions Prostate cancers have a mild increase in cell proliferation transcriptome , however no statistically significant changes in major glycolytic metabolic pathways in prostate cancers were seen. vs. normal prostate. These transcriptome findings help explain the relatively low FDG PET signal seen in many prostate cancers.
Probability of Plastic Collapse Failure

The probability of a plastic collapse failure for a structure of random material strength acted on by random loads can be evaluated considering that failure may occur by any one of the possible failure mechanisms for the structure. A single-bay single-story structure acted on by wind and snow loads is considered. Probability distributions are selected for the loads and for the yield strength of the structural material. The probability of failure for the frame can be closely approximated by using the sum of the probabilities of failure for the individual mechanisms for those frames in which a single failure mechanism has considerably higher P\DF\N than P\DF\N for the other possible failure mechanisms. For the case in which two or more individual failure mechanisms have near equally high probabilities of failure, the P\DF\N for the frame can be closely approximated by the sum of the P\DF\N for individual mechanisms minus the probabilities of the intersection of those events that have individually high probabilities of occurring.
Identifying Barriers to Delirium Screening and Prevention in the Pediatric ICU: Evaluation of PICU Staff Knowledge

Delirium in the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) setting is often unrecognized and undertreated. The importance of screening and identification of ICU delirium has been identified in both adult and pediatric literature. Delirium increases ICU morbidity, length of mechanical ventilation and length of stay. The objective of this study was to determine the current knowledge level about delirium and its risk factors among pediatric critical care nurses through a short questionnaire. We hypothesized that before a targeted educational intervention, PICU care providers do not have an adequate knowledge base for accurate screening and diagnosis of delirium in critically ill children. A 17 question online survey was given to all nurses in a tertiary 36-bed PICU to assess current knowledge about delirium in children. The response rate was 73% (105/143). When asked to identify the correct way to diagnose pediatric delirium, 11.4% of nurses surveyed (12/105) incorrectly believed that Glasgow Coma Score is the appropriate screening tool. A large proportion of respondents (40/105) believed that benzodiazepines are helpful in treatment of delirium. The results of the survey identified specific knowledge gaps about risk factors and treatment of pediatric delirium in the critically ill child. There is a critical need for education about pediatric delirium and its risk factors among PICU staff prior to unit-wide implementation of a delirium screening and prevention program, specifically with regards to screening methods and pharmacologic risk factors. These results are likely generalizable to all physicians, nurses and staff who care for critically ill children.
Isolation and characterisation of a fourth hemagglutinin from the red alga, Gracilaria verrucosa, from Japan

Isolation and characterisation of marine algal hemagglutinins or lectins are essential for their potential industrial application as specific carbohydrate affinity ligands. The phosphate buffer extract of the red alga, Gracilaria verrucosa (Huds.) Papenfuss (Gigartinales, Rhodophyta) from Japan is known to contain three different hemagglutinins. The extract of the alga collected in March 1993 from Kagawa Prefecture, Japan, was purified by ammonium sulphate fractionation, ion exchange and gel filtration chromatography. Using gel filtration, two peaks were obtained (hereafter Peak 1 and Peak 2) which differed in molecular size and hemagglutinating activity against horse erythrocytes. Peak 1 corresponded to the known high molecular weight hemagglutinin, H-GVH. Peak 2 contained large amounts of hexose and sulphate along with a small amount of protein. It had a low molecular weight (gel filtration) similar to that of two of the previously reported G.verrucosa hemagglutinins but differed in its electrophoretic behaviour. Peak 2 is therefore a fourth hemagglutinin. Its activity was not inhibited by any of the monosaccharides tested but by the complex glycoproteins such as asialofetuin and fetuin. It had no divalent cation requirement for hemagglutination. The properties of this novel hemagglutinin could prove useful in industrial applications.
Performance evaluation of delta connected 9-phase induction machine for electric propulsion application

A performance evaluation of Delta connected, 9-phase, cage rotor induction machine for electric propulsion application is presented. The analysis was implemented in natural variable reference frame. Four different connections of the machine's stator windings to form ‘Delta’ configurations in addition to the traditional Star connection were compared using natural reference frame. Simulation and experimental results for the Star/Delta connections are presented. Results show that Delta IV connection has the highest electromagnetic torque capability. The different electromagnetic torques for each of the five stator winding configurations make the machine an ideal candidate for electric vehicle propulsion application.
Ferroelectric polymers: current and future ultrasound applications

Current commercial applications of ferroelectric polymers for both nondestructive testing (NDT) and medical ultrasound are reviewed. Cases are made for their future need in such applications as embedded sensors for structural NDT and health monitoring, extremely high-frequency broadband materials characterization, and 'disposable' invasive medical imaging. A brief overview of some of these fabrication techniques includes multilayer film-forming, robust electrical interconnects, direct polymer deposition, and combining the ferroelectric polymer and semiconductor technologies to produce integrated ultrasonic devices. >
Incorporating Glucagon-like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists Into Clinical Practice

Two glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists are currently approved for use in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: exenatide and liraglutide. Both of these injectable agents improve glycemic control as monotherapy or as combination therapy with oral agents. Overall, GLP-1 receptor agonists provide additive effects in dual and triple therapy regimens. In a clinical trial, the use of liraglutide resulted in greater improvements in glycosylated hemoglobin and fasting plasma glucose levels compared to exenatide, although the effects of exenatide on postprandial plasma glucose levels were greater. Clinical trials have also demonstrated statistically significant weight reduction, small beneficial effects on blood pressure, and unchanged lipid profiles with GLP-1 receptor agonists. The author reviews clinical trial data on the use of GLP-1 receptor agonists for patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, outlines potential contraindications of these agents, and discusses the role of GLP-1 receptor agonists in algorithms for the initiation and advancement of treatment.
Density Waves in Galaxies of Finite Thickness

The effect of the finite thickness of a galaxy on the propagation of density waves of the type described by Lin and his collaborators has been calculated. The calculated effect does not differ appreciably from what has been estimated previously on the basis of heuristic arguments.
Step by step to soft-skills training: How to enhance employability skills in students

Purpose – Emphasizes the need to give soft-skills training equal importance with other core subjects in Indian educational institutions to enhance students’ employability. Design/methodology/approach – Illustrates with a blueprint to ensure industry – institute interaction and co-ordination from all stakeholders including educators, industry, training and placement officers and soft-skills trainers. Findings – Highlights the need to treat soft skills like any other core subject to make students understand their importance. Practical implications – Shows that soft skills will enable students to grow not only as an enlightened and empowered individuals but also as an employable and self-employable individuals. Social implications – Seeks strong support from all stakeholders, including educators, students, parents, industry, non-governmental organizations and government, to enhance employability skills in students. Originality/value – Turns the spotlight on the importance of soft skills to students and the Indian economy as a whole.