cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A survey of current policy and practice of surgical exposure for preclerkship medical students at American medical institutions.

Abstract Background The goals of this study were to (1) determine the extent of preclerkship surgical participation in American medical colleges; (2) examine policies regarding such surgical participation; and (3) elicit medical school administrators' perceptions about such exposure. Methods Surveys were sent to 128 accredited medical schools (1 administrator each). The 54 (42%) replies were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Student's t tests, with significance defined as a P value of ≤ .05. Results Of the respondents, 55.6% did not permit student surgical participation. Only 22.2% of responding institutions offered preclerkship surgical skills electives. Administrators from the former group of schools perceived significantly greater risk ( P = .001) to patient safety with student surgical participation than did administrators at schools permitting such participation, even though no respondents reported malpractice or worker's compensation cases arising from student participation. Conclusions Medical students have limited opportunities for preclerkship surgical participation at most American medical institutions, possibly because of unsubstantiated concerns for patient safety.
Robust image modeling techniques with an image restoration application

A robust parameter-estimation algorithm for a nonsymmetric half-plane (NSHP) autoregressive model, where the driving noise is a mixture of a Gaussian and an outlier process, is presented. The convergence of the estimation algorithm is proved. An algorithm to estimate parameters and original image intensity simultaneously from the impulse-noise-corrupted image, where the model governing the image is not available, is also presented. The robustness of the parameter estimates is demonstrated by simulation. Finally, an algorithm to restore realistic images is presented. The entire image generally does not obey a simple image model, but a small portion (e.g. 8*8) of the image is assumed to obey an NSHP model. The original image is divided into windows and the robust estimation algorithm is applied for each window. The restoration algorithm is tested by comparing it to traditional methods on several different images. >
Distributed optimization in wireless networks using broadcast advantage

In this paper, we consider cross layer optimization in wireless networks with wireless broadcast advantage, focusing on the problem of distributed scheduling of broadcast links. The wireless broadcast advantage is most useful in multicast scenarios. For a multicast scenario, we give a subgradient algorithm for distributed joint congestion control, network coding and session scheduling, which however requires centralized link scheduling. Under the primary interference model, link scheduling problem is equivalent to a maximum weighted hypergraph matching problem that is NP-complete. To solve the scheduling problem distributedly, locally greedy and randomized approximation algorithms are proposed and shown to have bounded worst-case performance. With random network coding, we obtain a fully distributed cross-layer design. Numerical results show promising throughput gain using the proposed algorithms, and surprisingly, in some cases even with less complexity than cross-layer design without broadcast advantage.
Observing mergers of nonspinning black-hole binaries

Advances in the field of numerical relativity now make it possible to calculate the final, most powerful merger phase of binary black-hole coalescence for generic binaries. The state of the art has advanced well beyond the equal-mass case into the unequal-mass and spinning regions of parameter space. We present a study of the nonspinning portion of parameter space, primarily using an analytic waveform model tuned to available numerical data, with an emphasis on observational implications. We investigate the impact of varied m8BS ratio on merger signal-to-noise ratios (SNR~) for several detectors, and compare our results with expectations from the test-mass limit. We note a striking similarity of the waveform phasing of the merger waveform across the available mass ratios. Motivated by this, we calculate the match between our equal-mass and 4:1 mass-ratio waveforms during the merger as a function of location on the source sky, using a new formalism for the match that accounts for higher harmonics. This is an indicator of the amount of degeneracy in mass ratio for mergers of moderate mass ratio systems.
Early Use of Daptomycin Versus Vancomycin for Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Bacteremia With Vancomycin Minimum Inhibitory Concentration >1 mg/L: A Matched Cohort Study

Background Recent reports have described decreased effectiveness with vancomycin treatment for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia (MRSAB) when the vancomycin minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) is >1 µg/mL. Methods This matched, retrospective cohort study compared the clinical effectiveness of daptomycin with that of vancomycin for the treatment of MRSAB with vancomycin MICs >1 µg/mL. The primary outcome was clinical failure, defined as a composite of 30-day mortality or bacteremia persisting for ≥7 days. Results One hundred seventy patients were matched 1:1 with respect to the antimicrobial administered. In the daptomycin group, all patients received Conclusions This is the first matched study comparing early daptomycin versus vancomycin for the treatment of MRSAB when the vancomycin MIC is >1 µg/mL. Treatment with daptomycin resulted in significantly improved outcomes, including decreased 30-day mortality and persistent bacteremia. These results support the practice of switching early from vancomycin to daptomycin for the treatment of MRSAB when the vancomycin MIC is >1 µg/mL.
Structural Basis of GLUT1 Inhibition by Cytoplasmic ATP

Cytoplasmic ATP inhibits human erythrocyte glucose transport protein (GLUT1)-mediated glucose transport in human red blood cells by reducing net glucose transport but not exchange glucose transport (Cloherty, E.K., D.L. Diamond, K.S. Heard, and A. Carruthers. 1996. Biochemistry. 35:13231-13239). We investigated the mechanism of ATP regulation of GLUT1 by identifying GLUT1 domains that undergo significant conformational change upon GLUT1-ATP interaction. ATP (but not GTP) protects GLUT1 against tryptic digestion. Immunoblot analysis indicates that ATP protection extends across multiple GLUT1 domains. Peptide-directed antibody binding to full-length GLUT1 is reduced by ATP at two specific locations: exofacial loop 7-8 and the cytoplasmic C terminus. C-terminal antibody binding to wild-type GLUT1 expressed in HEK cells is inhibited by ATP but binding of the same antibody to a GLUT1-GLUT4 chimera in which loop 6-7 of GLUT1 is substituted with loop 6-7 of GLUT4 is unaffected. ATP reduces GLUT1 lysine covalent modification by sulfo-NHS-LC-biotin by 40%. AMP is without effect on lysine accessibility but antagonizes ATP inhibition of lysine modification. Tandem electrospray ionization mass spectrometry analysis indicates that ATP reduces covalent modification of lysine residues 245, 255, 256, and 477, whereas labeling at lysine residues 225, 229, and 230 is unchanged. Exogenous, intracellular GLUT1 C-terminal peptide mimics ATP modulation of transport whereas C-terminal peptide-directed IgGs inhibit ATP modulation of glucose transport. These findings suggest that transport regulation involves ATP-dependent conformational changes in (or interactions between) the GLUT1 C terminus and the C-terminal half of GLUT1 cytoplasmic loop 6-7.
The Unequal Burdens of Repatriation: A Gendered View of the Transnational Migration of Mongolia's Kazakh Population

Beginning in 1992, the newly independent government of Kazakhstan has facilitated the in-migration of 944,000 Kazakhs from neighboring countries, with the majority migrating as family units. Using the post-Soviet repatriation of Kazakhs as an example, we illustrate in this article how socially constituted notions about gender and kinship help reinforce institutional and informal power structures that favor men at three different points in the migration process: in making the decision to migrate, in dealing with the bureaucratic aspects of migration, and in facing the consequences of migration. First, patriarchal power dynamics often mean that women have less influence than men on the decision to migrate. Second, the legal framework for repatriation is based on an implicit assumption that Kazakh households correspond to a patriarchal model, and this has financial consequences for women. Third, transnational migration widens the physical separations from natal kin that women already experience due to Kazakh kinship practices that emphasize patrilineal descent, clan-based exogamy, and patrilocal marriage. [gender, migration, kinship, transnational, Central Asia]
Analysis of Time Series Data

This chapter introduces several methods to analyze time series data in the time domain; an area rich in theoretical development and in practical applications. What constitutes time series data and some of the common trends encountered are first presented. This is followed by a description of three types of time-domain modeling and forecasting models. The first general class of models involves moving average smoothing techniques which are methods for removing rapid fluctuations in time series so that the general secular trend can be seen. The second class of models is similar to classical OLS regression models, but here the time variable appears as a regressor, thereby allowing the trend and the seasonal behavior in the data series to be captured by the model. Its strength lies in its ability to model the deterministic or structural trend of the data in a relatively simple manner. The third class of models called ARIMA models allows separating and modeling the systematic component of the model residuals from the purely random white noise element, thereby enhancing the prediction accuracy of the overall model. ARMAX models, which are extensions of the univariate ARIMA models to multivariate problems, and their ability to model dynamic systems are also discussed with illustrative examples. Finally, an overview is provided of a practical application involving control chart techniques which are extensively used for process and condition monitoring of engineered systems.
Distinguishing LSP archetypes via gluino pair production at LHC13

The search for supersymmetry at run 1 of the LHC has resulted in gluino mass limits ${m}_{\stackrel{\texttildelow{}}{g}}\ensuremath{\gtrsim}1.3\text{ }\text{ }\mathrm{TeV}$ for the case where ${m}_{\stackrel{\texttildelow{}}{q}}\ensuremath{\gg}{m}_{\stackrel{\texttildelow{}}{g}}$ and in models with gaugino mass unification. The increased energy and, ultimately, luminosity of LHC13 will explore the range ${m}_{\stackrel{\texttildelow{}}{g}}\ensuremath{\sim}1.3--2\text{ }\text{ }\mathrm{TeV}$. We examine how the discovery of SUSY via gluino pair production would unfold via a comparative analysis of three LSP archetype scenarios: (1) mSUGRA/CMSSM model with a binolike LSP, (2) charged SUSY breaking (CSB) with a winolike LSP, and (3) SUSY with radiatively driven naturalness (RNS) and a Higgsino-like LSP. In all three cases we expect heavy-to-very-heavy squarks as suggested by a decoupling solution to the SUSY flavor and $CP$ problems and by the gravitino problem. For all cases, initial SUSY discovery would likely occur in the multi-$b\text{-jet}+{\overline{)E}}_{T}$ channel. The CSB scenario would be revealed by the presence of highly ionizing, terminating tracks from quasistable charginos. As further data accrue, the RNS scenario with 100--200 GeV Higgsino-like LSPs would be revealed by the buildup of a mass edge/bump in the opposite sign/same flavor dilepton invariant mass which is bounded by the neutralino mass difference. The mSUGRA/CMSSM archetype would contain neither of these features but would be revealed by a buildup of the usual multilepton cascade decay signatures.
Modeling and control of a novel home-based cable-driven parallel platform robot: PACER

This paper focuses on various control strategies for a modular cable-articulated parallel robotic manipulator called PACER (Parallel Articulated-Cable Exercise Robot). The proposed robotic device is comprised of multiple cables and a single antagonistically actuated prismatic joint which connects a six degrees-of-freedom moving platform to a fixed base. This novel design provides an attractive architecture for implementation of a home-based rehabilitation device as an alternative to expensive serial robots. In this paper, after deriving the dynamic equations via Newton-Euler formulation, the development of different control strategies in the context of upper limb rehabilitation in three-dimensional space will be examined. The various control modes include: (i) passive mode through feedback linearization for recovering functionalities of the joints at the first step of post-stroke rehabilitation, (ii) active mode via admittance controller for assisting patient to do tasks better, and finally (iii) resistive mode via stiffness controller for increasing the muscle strength. This is now evaluated via a simulation case-study and development of a physical testbed is underway. Since the human arm consists of seven degrees-of-freedom, and daily activities of upper limbs are combination of motions of these simple joints, this proposed design with various control strategies has enormous potential for neurological remapping and brain plasticity in post-stroke patients with upper limb injuries.
Laboratory cultivation of caenorhabditis elegans and other free-living nematodes

Publisher Summary This chapter describes the cultivation of caenorhabditis elegans and other free-living nematodes in the laboratory. An adult C. elegans is about 1.5 mm long and, under optimal laboratory conditions, has a life cycle of approximately 3 days. There are two sexes, males and self-fertile hermaphrodites that are readily distinguishable as adults. The animals are transparent throughout the life cycle, permitting the observation of cell divisions in living animals using a differential interference microscopy. Tools for manipulating individual nematodes on plates are made by anchoring a 1.5-cm piece of 32-gauge platinum wire in a 6 inch inoculating loop holder or in a Pasteur pipette. For best results the end of the wire used for manipulation should be flattened and, if necessary, rounded to remove sharp edges. Remove supernatant and re-suspend in 15 ml of M9 buffer, divide between two 15-ml tubes, and place on ice. When cold, add 7.5 ml of cold 60% sucrose to each tube. Mix by inversion and centrifuge immediately at 1500 RCF for 5 min.
Calpers Versus Mercury News: Disclosure Comes to Private Equity

In November 2002, a California state court required the California Public Employees' Retirement Systems (CalPERS) to report publicly its returns on private-equity investments. This case examines the controversy surrounding the disclosure of private-equity returns mandated by the court decision. It includes discussions of the reaction of general and limited partners and the issues surrounding the sizable amounts of pension money placed in alternative investments. The CalPERS decision dovetailed with efforts by the Association for Investment Management and Research (AIMR) and the British and European Venture Capital Associations to reach greater agreement on disclosure standards in reporting the results of private-equity investments. The case details one set of standards, AIMR's Global Investment Performance Standards (GIPS), which became effective January 1, 2005. Students are asked to calculate the proposed metrics for a typical fund and assess their usefulness to a prospective investor. More broadly, the case addresses the type of information necessary to benchmark private-equity returns properly and the consequences of this type of disclosure to the industry.
Reducing Wire and Energy Overheads of the SMART NoC Using a Setup Request Network

Network-on-chip (NoC), due to its superior scalability, has become increasingly popular in multicore and many-core designs. A recent state-of-the-art NoC design, called single-cycle multihop asynchronous repeated traversal (SMART), enables ultralow latency performance by enabling a flit to bypass the pipelines of intermediate routers entirely. This enables a flit to traverse multiple routers within a single clock cycle. However, there are two concerns related to SMART: 1) it employs dedicated broadcast wires to transmit SMART-hop setup requests (SSRs), incurring large wire and energy overheads and 2) it needs a complex allocator to arbitrate multiple simultaneous SSRs. In this paper, we propose an SSR network to address these two concerns. This is a specialized network that replaces long and overlapping broadcast wires with shorter wires and switches. It reduces the wire and energy overheads significantly. It also eliminates low-priority SSRs before they reach the allocator and, therefore, leads to a simplified allocator design. We evaluate SSR networks in various contexts. Our evaluation demonstrates that the SSR network can reduce the wire overhead by up to $12.2\times $ . Moreover, it results in up to 63.7% area reduction, and up to 15.7% dynamic energy reduction. It also makes multiple physical networks and/or wider flits feasible. This paper shows that with fewer wires and the same amount of buffer space, multiple simple SMART-1D networks can deliver a higher bandwidth and lower latency than a single complex SMART-2D network, when our SSR network is used.
Effect of acute ethanol administration on duodenal calcium transport.

SummaryTo determine the effect of acute administration of high concentrations of ethanol on duodenal calcium transport, experiments were performed using an in vitro everted gut sac technique. One hour after the administration of ethanol intragastrically, significant decreases in transport and necrosis of epithelium were produced while intraperitoneal administration resulted in no changes. Similar changes were observed after the addition of ethanol to the incubation system. The results suggest that the inhibition of calcium transport seen after acute administration of ethanol is the result of a direct toxic effect on the intestinal epithelium.
Analytical and biological analyses of test materials from the synthetic fuel technologies: II. Extended genetic and biochemical studies with mutagenic fractions☆

Abstract The mutagenicity of environmental effluents from modern synthetic fuel technology has been described by Epler et al. [6]. This article reports an extensive genetic and biochemical analysis of a crude synthetic fuel, Synfuel A-3, to examine certain highly mutagenic fractions. The results indicate a frameshift mechanism for the mutagenicity of this test material which correlates with the organic constituents known or suspected to occur in it [10]. The test material requires metabolic activation in order to be mutagenic; various activating or deactivating mechanisms in the metabolic transformation are discussed.
Exercise as disease detector.

Exercise is a well-known stress brief test for uncovering heart or lung disease, but it can also stress other organs and unmask a range of medical disorders. Practical case examples are given in seven areas: anemia, headache, hematuria, gastrointestinal problems, seizure, anhidrosis, and hypothyroidism. Recognizing the exercise-induced manifestations can lead to timely diagnoses that improve and save lives.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy With Religious and Spiritual Clients: A Critical Perspective

ABSTRACTReligion and spirituality (R/S) are important factors in the lives of many individuals. Yet, R/S and their impact on mental health are topics that are often overlooked in clinical practice. We offer a critical perspective on the integration of R/S in cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). We discuss factors that have contributed to the relative lack of attention to R/S in mainstream psychotherapies in general and CBT in particular, and examine the use of CBT with R/S clients. We suggest ways to conceptualize and adapt CBT strategies, including mindfulness, so that they can be effectively used with R/S clients.
Oxygen-derived free radicals contribute to neural stunning in the canine heart

Oxygen-derived free radicals (ODFR) contribute to delayed recovery of myocardial function after brief ischemia. We examined the effect of ODFR scavengers on ischemia-induced dysfunction of cardiac sympathetic nerves. Mongrel dogs were anesthetized and instrumented for recording heart rate, arterial pressure, systolic wall thickening, and left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) and left circumflex coronary artery (LCX) flow velocities. Bilateral stellate stimulation was performed, measuring changes in an index of coronary vascular resistance (% delta CVR) before and after 15 min of LAD occlusion. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) were infused intravenously for 30 min beginning 10 min before occlusion. With vehicle (n = 13), % delta CVR was significantly attenuated in LAD after ischemia and 30-min reperfusion [39 +/- 3 to 13 +/- 2%, P < 0.05; for LCX, 42 +/- 4 to 45 +/- 7%, P = not significant (NS)]; however, no attenuation was seen in dogs in which SOD and CAT were infused (n = 10; for LAD, 39 +/- 5 to 41 +/- 5%; for LCX, 46 +/- 7 to 47 +/- 6%; P = NS). Baseline and stimulated changes in hemodynamics were similar between groups. The % delta CVR in the LCX (control) bed was not affected by SOD and CAT. Recovery of myocardial function (percent of baseline) was greater in SOD and CAT after reperfusion (26 +/- 16% vs. -30 +/- 11% at 90 min of reperfusion, P < 0.05). We conclude that ODFR contribute not only to myocardial stunning but also to neural stunning of sympathetic cardiac innervation after brief ischemia.
Urban-Rural Differences in Coronary Heart Disease Mortality in the United States: 1999–2009:

Objective.Coronary heart disease (CHD) mortality has declined in the past few decades; however, it is unclear whether the reduction in CHD deaths has been similar across urbanization levels and in specific racial groups. We describe the pattern and magnitude of urban-rural variations in CHD mortality in the U.S.Methods.Using data from the National Center for Health Statistics, we examined trends in death rates from CHD from 1999 to 2009 among people aged 35–84 years, in each geographic region (Northeast, Midwest, West, and South) and in specific racial-urbanization groups, including black and white people in large and medium metropolitan (urban) areas and in non-metropolitan (rural) areas. We also examined deaths from early-onset CHD in females aged <65 years and males aged <55 years.Results.From 1999 to 2009, there was a 40% decline in age-adjusted CHD mortality. The trend was similar in black and white people but was more pronounced in urban than in rural areas, resulting in a crossover in 2007, when ru...
Vapor Pressure of Hexamethylene Triperoxide Diamine (HMTD) Estimated Using Secondary Electrospray Ionization Mass Spectrometry

A rapid method for vapor pressure measurement was developed and used to derive the vapor pressure curve of the thermally labile peroxide-based explosive hexamethylene triperoxide diamine (HMTD) over the temperature range from 28 to 80 °C. This method uses a controlled flow of vapor from a solid-phase HMTD source that is presented to an ambient-pressure-ionization mass spectrometer equipped with a secondary-electrospray-ionization (SESI) source. The subpart-per-trillion sensitivity of this system enables direct detection of HMTD vapor through an intact [M + H](+) ion in real time at temperatures near 20 °C. By calibrating this method using vapor sources of cocaine and heroin, which have known pressure-temperature (P-T) curves, the temperature dependence of HMTD vapor was determined, and a Clausius-Clapeyron plot of ln[P (Pa)] vs 1/[T (K)] yielded a straight line with the expression ln[P (Pa)] = {(-11091 ± 356) × 1/[T (K)]} + 25 ± 1 (error limits are the standard error of the regression analysis). From this equation, the sublimation enthalpy of HMTD was estimated to be 92 ± 3 kJ/mol, which compares well with the theoretical estimate of 95 kJ/mol, and the vapor pressure at 20 °C was estimated to be ∼60 parts per trillion by volume, which is within a factor of 2 of previous theoretical estimates. Thus, this method provides not only the first direct experimental determination of HMTD vapor pressure but also a rapid, near-real-time capability to quantitatively measure low-vapor-pressure compounds, which will be useful for aiding in the development of training aids for bomb-sniffing canines.
Primary care physician continuity and end-of-life care intensity among Medicare cancer decedents.

38Background: While continuity with one’s primary care physician (PCP) care may be expected to reduce the intensity of end-of-life care, evidence to date has been inconclusive. Methods: Using the S...
Development and testing of a community audit tool to assess rural built environments: Inventories for Community Health Assessment in Rural Towns

Abstract Rural populations face unique challenges to physical activity that are largely driven by environmental conditions. However, research on rural built environments and physical activity is limited by a paucity of rural-specific environmental assessment tools. The aim of this paper is to describe the development and testing of a rural assessment tool: Inventories for Community Health Assessment in Rural Towns (iCHART). The iCHART tool was developed in 2013 through a multistep process consisting of an extensive literature search to identify existing tools, an expert panel review, and pilot testing in five rural US communities. Tool items represent rural built environment features that influence active living and physical activity: community design, transportation infrastructure, safety, aesthetics, and recreational facilities. To assess reliability, field testing was performed in 26 rural communities across five states between July and November of 2014. Reliability between the research team and community testers was high among all testing communities (average percent agreement = 77%). Agreement was also high for intra-rater reliability (average kappa = 0.72) and inter-rater reliability (average percent agreement = 84%) among community testers. Findings suggest that the iCHART tool provides a reliable assessment of rural built environment features and can be used to inform the development of contextually-appropriate physical activity opportunities in rural communities.
The Versatile Personality of Beryllium: Be(O2)1–2 vs Be(CO)1–2

To reveal the diverse chemistry of beryllium, we employ multireference methodologies to study the ground and several excited electronic states of the titled beryllium oxides and carbonyls. The two types of complexes serve as model systems to describe the various ways that beryllium can form chemical bonds. Be(O2), its isomer OBeO, and Be(O2)2 are ionic compounds where beryllium is best represented in its Be(II) oxidation state. On the other hand, CO induces the excitation of one or two 2s electrons of beryllium to its 2p shell. In this manner, the beryllium core (Be2+) is exposed and enables the formation of dative bonds from the lone pair of carbonyls to Be. For all of the considered electronic states, we provide accurate optimal geometries and excitation energies.
Investigation of a Canine Parvovirus Outbreak using Next Generation Sequencing.

Canine parvovirus (CPV) outbreaks can have a devastating effect in communities with dense dog populations. The interior region of Alaska experienced a CPV outbreak in the winter of 2016 leading to the further investigation of the virus due to reports of increased morbidity and mortality occurring at dog mushing kennels in the area. Twelve rectal-swab specimens from dogs displaying clinical signs consistent with parvoviral-associated disease were processed using next-generation sequencing (NGS) methodologies by targeting RNA transcripts, and therefore detecting only replicating virus. All twelve specimens demonstrated the presence of the CPV transcriptome, with read depths ranging from 2.2X – 12,381X, genome coverage ranging from 44.8–96.5%, and representation of CPV sequencing reads to those of the metagenome background ranging from 0.0015–6.7%. Using the data generated by NGS, the presence of newly evolved, yet known, strains of both CPV-2a and CPV-2b were identified and grouped geographically. Deep-sequencing data provided additional diagnostic information in terms of investigating novel CPV in this outbreak. NGS data in addition to limited serological data provided strong diagnostic evidence that this outbreak most likely arose from unvaccinated or under-vaccinated canines, not from a novel CPV strain incapable of being neutralized by current vaccination efforts.
The Evolving Role of Computer-Aided Engineering: A Case Study in the Aeronautical Structural Design

This chapter discusses some aspects of how the evolution of computer-aided engineering has affected product design practise. As a case study we describe the main challenges of aeronautical structural design and how the role of Computer-Aided Engineering—CAE evolves to deliver fundamental process improvements. It is outlined the double function of simulation: early in the initial design phases, it supports engineering and decision-making, whereas in later phases it helps in validating the design with respect to specifications. The validation function is widely practised in the industry and this is where most investment in simulation is made. While its importance is recognized, the engineering function is still underestimated in terms of technology availability, resources and investment. Zooming-in on the technology aspect, two industrial applications of Finite Element-based structural optimization are presented, which illustrates the important impact of such technology on the engineering function. These examples allow us to lead the discussion further on how to close the gap between “state-of-the-art” technology and its exploitation in “state-of-the-art” processes.
Disparities in cancer screening by occupational characteristics.

Abstract Cancer screening patterns according to occupation characteristics in the United States are not well known, but could be used to help inform cancer control efforts. We examined cervical (CC), breast (BC) and colorectal cancer (CRC) screening prevalence and prevalence ratios (PR) by occupational characteristics in 2010, 2013 and 2015 National Health Interview Surveys (NHIS) among eligible US workers (CC women 21–65 years; n = 20,997), (BC women ≥ 40 years; n = 14,258) and (CRC men and women ≥ 50 years; n = 17,333). Cervical, breast and colorectal cancer screening prevalence among US workers was 84.0%, 68.9%, and 56.8%, respectively. Unadjusted prevalence ratios for cervical (PR = 0.92, 95%CI 0.90, 0.94), breast (PR = 0.86, 95%CI 0.83, 0.90) and colorectal cancer screening (PR = 0.83, 95%CI 0.80, 0.87) were lower among workers in small (
Effects of Pro-Oxidants and Antioxidants on the Total Antioxidant Capacity and Lipid Oxidation Products of Milk During Refrigerated Storage.

Oxidized flavor is a major problem that affects the dairy industry because of its adverse effect on milk acceptability. The objectives of this research were to examine the roles of pro-oxidants and antioxidants on the oxidative stability of whole milk. In the 1st experiment, the effect of light (2300 Lux) and/or cupric sulfate (0, 0.5, and 1.0 mg/kg) as pro-oxidants in milk were investigated during an 11-d refrigerated storage period. The effects of added retinyl palmitate (1.16 mg/L; 2113 IU Vitamin A/L) and tocopheryl acetate (100 mg/kg milk fat; 5.02 IU Vitamin E/L) as antioxidants in the presence of light (2300 Lux) and light with cupric sulfate (0.05 mg/kg) during a 7-d study were investigated in the 2nd experiment. The presence of pro-oxidants significantly (P 0.05) difference in oxidized flavor intensity was detected between milk with and without added antioxidants. Practical application Production and processing variables can affect the content of pro-oxidants and antioxidants in milk, which has an impact on flavor. An understanding of the role of these components in contributing to or minimizing off-flavor formation in milk, will help dairy producers to provide quality products to consumers.
Optimal locations of fresh produce aggregation facilities in the United States with scale economies

Abstract This article identifies through modeling the optimal locations of regional fresh produce facilities across the U.S. In contrast to much of the literature, we introduce establishment-level economies of scale to assess their impact on optimal solutions of facility locations, numbers and sizes. The facility location problem is formulated as a mixed integer linear programming model with the objective of minimizing total costs associated with fresh produce assembly, distribution facility operation. Our results suggest that the effect of scale economies is significant when large capacity facilities enjoy a comparative cost advantage. This article provides a replicable empirical framework to conduct impact and cost assessments for building and locating regional and local food system infrastructure. In addition, a number of future modeling scenarios are suggested.
The Influence of Social Media Influencers: Understanding Online Vaping Communities and Parasocial Interaction through the Lens of Taylor’s Six-Segment Strategy Wheel

The purpose of this research is to increase understanding of Taylor’s six-segment strategy wheel (SSSW) by exploring how message strategy makes use of commenters’ parasocial interactions (PSIs) wit...
Statistical optics and effective medium theories of color

Measurements of color are typically made by determining the spectral intensity of light diffusely reflected from images. In xerography color images are heterogeneous systems composed of light absorbing pigments of different colors and sizes suspended in a semitransparent binder. Classical textbook optics predicts the intensity of light specularly reflected from smooth homogeneous surfaces, but cannot provide the detailed information required for these complex optical systems. On October 30, 1992 Robert J. Meyer from Webster Research Center of Xerox has described how statistical optics and effective medium theories predict the intensity of light diffusely reflected from a rough surface of a body containing many small particles; such systems occur within the color image photocopier. He indicated some shortcomings of the dynamic effective medium theory and presented open problems.
Catalytic Antisense RNA (Ribozymes): Their Potential and Use as ANTI-HIV-1 Therapeutic Agents

Catalytic RNAs were first discovered as natural processes in several biological systems 1,2,3.Their discovery is one of the landmark accomplishments of modern science since it was the first demonstration that an informational molecule could also possess enzymatic activity, and hence changed our views on the possible origins of life. The discovery and characterization of the reactions carried out by RNA molecules has facilitated the development of an entirely distinct approach to antiviral therapy, the site specific, cleavage of viral RNAs mediated by catalytic, anti-sense ribozymes. We are using ribozymes as a novel antiviral strategy. In the following paragraphs, we weill describe the development of anti-sense ribozymes with the primary emphasis being their application as anti-HIV-1 therapeutic agents.
Aircraft Traffic Forecast and Communications Requirements in the Year 2000

Aviation activity during the coming decade is expected to grow at about the same rate as the general economy. Aviation will continue to dominate all other transportation modes in the commercial intercity passenger market. Regional/Commuter aircraft activity and the business use of general aviation is expected to experience greater growth than the larger, established airlines and personal use of general aviation (Federal Aviation Administration, 1988).
Deep Brain Stimulation Versus Peripheral Denervation for Cervical Dystonia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background Cervical dystonia is a disabling medical condition that drastically decreases quality of life. Surgical treatment consists of peripheral nerve denervation procedures with or without myectomies or deep brain stimulation (DBS). The current objective was to compare the efficacy of peripheral denervation versus DBS in improving the severity of cervical dystonia through a systematic review and meta-analysis. Methods A search of PubMed, MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Web of Science electronic databases was conducted in accordance with PRISMA guidelines. Preoperative and postoperative Toronto Western Spasmodic Torticollis Rating Scale (TWSTRS) total scores were used to generate standardized mean differences and 95% confidence intervals (CIs), which were combined in a random-effects model. Both mean percentage and absolute reduction in TWSTRS scores were calculated. Absolute reduction was used for forest plots. Results Eighteen studies met the inclusion criteria, comprising 870 patients with 180 (21%) undergoing DBS and 690 (79%) undergoing peripheral denervation procedures. The mean follow-up time was 31.5 months (range, 12–38 months). In assessing the efficacy of each intervention, forest plots revealed significant absolute reduction in total postoperative TWSTRS scores for both peripheral denervation (standardized mean difference 1.54; 95% CI 1.42–1.66) and DBS (standardized mean difference 2.07; 95% CI 1.43–2.71). On subgroup analysis, DBS therapy was significantly associated with improvement in postoperative TWSTRS severity (standardized mean difference 2.08; 95% CI 1.66–2.50) and disability (standardized mean difference 2.12; 95% CI 1.57–2.68) but not pain (standardized mean difference 1.18; 95% CI 0.80–1.55). Conclusions Both peripheral denervation and DBS are associated with a significant reduction in absolute TWSTRS total score, with no significant difference in the magnitude of reduction observed between the 2 treatments. Further comparative data are needed to better evaluate the long-term results of both interventions.
As raízes religiosas da moderna ciência histórica alemã: Wilhelm von Humboldt e Leopold von Ranke

Resumo: O presente artigo visa realizar um estudo a respeito dos vinculos da moderna ciencia historica alema com elementos da teologia e religiao cristas. Pensando o historicismo nos termos de Wolfgang Hardtwig - como uma forma de religiao da historia (Geschichtsreligion) -, busca-se realizar dois estudos de caso a respeito das biografias e das obras de Wilhelm von Humboldt (1767-1835) e Leopold von Ranke (1795-1886). Considerados os pais fundadores do moderno pensamento historico alemao, nos escritos dos referidos intelectuais e possivel compreender como a consciencia historica contemporânea emergiu em sintonia com o nexo religioso de mundo produzido pela teologia protestante. Analisando este processo de transposicao, pretendemos contribuir com tendencias historiograficas que, nas ultimas decadas, visaram repensar os vinculos entre ciencia e religiao no pensamento ocidental moderno.
Degeneracy in the diffraction of orbital angular momentum carrying beams

Symmetry constraints on the far-field diffraction of Laguerre–Gauss vortex beams by planar aperture arrays with N-fold rotational symmetry are considered. The experiments reveal a simple structure for the diffraction pattern and high degree of degeneracy in its dependence on the orbital angular momentum index of the incident beam in agreement with analytical and numerical results.
Extremal isosystolic metrics with multiple bands of crossing geodesics

We apply recently developed convex programs to find the minimal-area Riemannian metric on $2n$-sided polygons ($n\geq 3$) with length conditions on curves joining opposite sides. We argue that the Riemannian extremal metric coincides with the conformal extremal metric on the regular $2n$-gon. The hexagon was considered by Calabi. The region covered by the maximal number $n$ of geodesics bands extends over most of the surface and exhibits positive curvature. As $n\to \infty$ the metric, away from the boundary, approaches the well-known round extremal metric on $\mathbb{RP}_2$. We extend Calabi's isosystolic variational principle to the case of regions with more than three bands of systolic geodesics. The extremal metric on $\mathbb{RP}_2$ is a stationary point of this functional applied to a surface with infinite number of systolic bands.
Latina Mothers of Emergent Bilinguals as Policymakers? Barriers and Opportunities toward Critical Participation in LCAP

Understanding why and how stakeholders become involved in education governance, and with what consequence, is critical to the success of any equity-minded participatory policy. This area of inquiry...
Normal Human Copper Metabolism

Abstract Copper is a versatile divalent metal needed as a cofactor for numerous metalloenzymes but can also induce toxic oxidative stress, for which reason its levels are tightly regulated. Multiple gene products maintain copper homeostasis in various cell types. Copper importers, such as copper transporter 1 (CTR1), are responsible for copper uptake into the cytoplasm of cells. In the intracellular milieu, copper chaperones escort the metal ion to designated cellular compartments and other copper transporters. Cytosolic proteins such as metallothioneins bind Cu+ and act as buffers to prevent the production of toxic reactive oxygen species. Finally, the copper transporters ATP7A and ATP7B have dual major functions dictated by intracellular copper levels. In normal copper states, they pump copper into the secretory pathway for metalation of cuproenzymes. When faced with excessive intracellular copper levels, they traffic to the plasma membrane and remove copper from the cell.
Polypharmacy and deprescribing in people with learning disabilities

In order to effectively manage problematic polypharmacy and stop medicines safely, it is imperative that there is an appreciation of all the factors that are involved in the deprescribing process. ...
Alarming Events in the Corner of Your Eye: Do They Trigger Early Saccades?

Is the eye drawn to configurations of objects in the periphery that would imply imminent danger? In three separate studies, subjects viewed color photographs that were either innocuous (e.g., a couple tossing a beach ball while a baby sat nearby in a stroller) or depicted the same objects rearranged to imply a potential for harm (e.g., couple tossing baby while beach ball lay in the stroller). The key elements in the danger scenes were fixated earlier as well as longer than the same items in control images. Low-level salience of the scenes was analyzed (according to the methods of Itti, Koch, and Niebur, 1998) and does not seem to account for the results. It is concluded that considerable configural semantic analysis occurs in the periphery; the finding extends previous research showing that individual emotionally charged objects can attract saccades (Calvo & Lang, 2004, 2005).
Accommodation of gender-related phonetic differences by listeners with cochlear implants and in a variety of vocoder simulations

Speech perception requires accommodation of a wide range of acoustic variability across talkers. A classic example is the perception of "sh" and "s" fricative sounds, which are categorized according to spectral details of the consonant itself, and also by the context of the voice producing it. Because women's and men's voices occupy different frequency ranges, a listener is required to make a corresponding adjustment of acoustic-phonetic category space for these phonemes when hearing different talkers. This pattern is commonplace in everyday speech communication, and yet might not be captured in accuracy scores for whole words, especially when word lists are spoken by a single talker. Phonetic accommodation for fricatives "s" and "sh" was measured in 20 cochlear implant (CI) users and in a variety of vocoder simulations, including those with noise carriers with and without peak picking, simulated spread of excitation, and pulsatile carriers. CI listeners showed strong phonetic accommodation as a group. Each vocoder produced phonetic accommodation except the 8-channel noise vocoder, despite its historically good match with CI users in word intelligibility. Phonetic accommodation is largely independent of linguistic factors and thus might offer information complementary to speech intelligibility tests which are partially affected by language processing.
Determining the coordination environment and electronic structure of polymer-encapsulated cobalt phthalocyanine under electrocatalytic CO2 reduction conditions using in situ X-Ray absorption spectroscopy

Encapsulating cobalt phthalocyanine (CoPc) within the coordinating polymer poly-4-vinylpyridine (P4VP) results in a catalyst–polymer composite (CoPc–P4VP) that selectively reduces CO2 to CO at fast rates at low overpotential. In previous studies, we postulated that the enhanced selectively for CO over H2 production within CoPc–P4VP compared to the parent CoPc complex is due to a combination of primary, secondary, and outer-coordination sphere effects imbued by the encapsulating polymer. In this work, we perform in situ electrochemical X-ray absorption spectroscopy measurements to study the oxidation state and coordination environment of Co as a function of applied potential for CoPc, CoPc–P4VP, and CoPc with an axially-coordinated py, CoPc(py). Using in situ X-ray absorption near edge structure (XANES) we provide experimental support for our previous hypothesis that Co changes from a 4-coordinate square-planar geometry in CoPc to a mostly 5-coordinate species in CoPc(py) and CoPc–P4VP. The coordination environment of CoPc–P4VP is potential-independent but pH-dependent, suggesting that the axial coordination of pyridyl groups in P4VP to CoPc is modulated by the protonation of the polymer. Finally, we show that at low potential the oxidation state of Co in the 4-coordinate CoPc is different from that in the 5-coordinate CoPc(py), suggesting that the primary coordination sphere modulates the site of reduction (metal-centered vs. ligand centered) under catalytically-relevant conditions.
How Does Paper Mean

At a 2004 conference at Princeton University, the leading practitioners of two influential approaches to studying the history of texts—the “history of the book” and “intellectual” history—compared the underpinnings of their respective methods. Robert Darnton contended that while seemingly “made for each other,” book history and intellectual history had proceeded along parallel paths over the late twentieth century, with the latter focused on the analysis of discourse, while historians of the book concerned themselves with the diffusion of texts. Quentin Skinner responded to Darnton by elaborating on these “contrasts.” He characterized the history of the book as “a specialized form of inquiry into the production, diffusion and enjoyment of printed and scribally published material,” while describing intellectual historians as primarily concerned with the meanings that actors in the past have ascribed to concepts as they expressed them in language. Intellectual historians, Skinner suggested, had paid relatively little attention to the social histories of how texts were produced and received, including questions of their physical attributes.