cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Do auditors constrain benchmark beating behavior to a greater extent in the fourth versus interim quarters

Abstract While there has been substantial interest in benchmark beating behavior, relatively little research examines differences between interim and fourth quarters. Potential differences exist because managers likely have different opportunities and incentives to manage earnings in interim versus fourth quarters. In addition, audit firms are more engaged in fourth quarters compared to interim quarters. We test three hypotheses using two earnings benchmarks: small earnings increases and zero earnings levels. First, we predict and find that the likelihood of benchmark beating behavior is lower in fourth than interim quarters. Second, we predict and find that for interim quarters, the likelihood of benchmark beating behavior is lower for Big N firm clients compared to regional firm or national firm clients. Third, we predict and find that compared to national and regional firms, Big N firms have a greater effect on lessening fourth-quarter over interim-quarter benchmark beating. Implications of our findings are discussed.
Large-N expansion of (4- epsilon )-dimensional oriented manifolds in random media.

The equilibrium statistical mechanics of a d-dimensional ``oriented'' manifold in an (N+d)-dimensional random medium are analyzed in d=(4-\ensuremath{\epsilon}) dimensions. For N=1, this problem describes an interface pinned by impurities. For d=1, the model becomes identical to the directed polymer in a random medium. Here, we generalize the functional-renormalization-group method used previously to study the interface problem, and extract the behavior in the double limit \ensuremath{\epsilon} small and N large, finding nonanalytic corrections in 1/N. For short-range disorder, the interface width scales as \ensuremath{\omega}\ensuremath{\sim}${\mathit{L}}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{\zeta}}}$, with \ensuremath{\zeta}=[\ensuremath{\epsilon}/(N+4)]{1+(1/4e)${2}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}\mathrm{u}[(\mathit{N}+2)2][(\mathit{N}+2)2/(\mathit{N}+4)]}$ [1-4/(N+2)+...]}. We also analyze the behavior for disorder with long-range correlations, as is appropriate for interfaces in random-field systems, and study the crossover between the two regimes.
Spatiotemporal Base Station Cooperation in a Cellular Network: The Worst-Case User

This paper presents a stochastic geometry model for studying spatiotemporal base station cooperation in a cellular network. Unlike most previous related works in the literature, the paper focuses on the coverage probability at the typical cellcorner user, i.e., a user that is equidistant to its three neighboring base stations (BSs). Three schemes are considered: joint transmission, base station silencing, and the Alamouti space-time code. In addition, BSs are allowed to cooperatively retransmit data across consecutive time slots, such that the cell-corner user can benefit from time diversity. For all these schemes, an expression for the coverage probability at the cell-corner user is derived. The best performing scheme is shown to be the Alamouti code, when only two BSs cooperate. Otherwise, cooperative retransmission performs the best in the high-coverage regime, while joint transmission without retransmission outperforms the remaining schemes in all other regimes. These results extend previous findings on spatiotemporal base station cooperation that only applied to the typical user in a cellular network.
A Hybrid Differential Evolution Self-Organizing-Map Algorithm for Optimization of Expensive Black-box Functions

A hybrid optimization algorithm, DE-SOM, which is a combination of Differential Evolution (DE) and Self Organizing Maps (SOM) is introduced. SOM, an unsupervised learning algorithm, is used to accelerate the convergence of DE. We compare the performance of DE, DE-SOM and Genetic Algorithm (GA) on a suite of 15 widely used benchmark functions. A subset of these benchmark functions are used in higher dimensional (10-D and 30-D) tests. DE-SOM outperforms both DE and GA across all benchmark functions in the test suite by obtaining the same quality of solutions with lower number of function evaluations. In test cases where GA converged with lesser function evaluations, the DE-SOM function value was more optimal. Similar results were obtained for higher dimensional benchmark functions. We also demonstrate the usefulness of this algorithm using an airfoil optimization example problem that involves design for maximum aerodynamic efficiency.
A05 Targeting Kmo: Basic Understanding And Gaps

Metabolites of kynurenine pathway (KP) are implicated in the pathophysiology of neurodegenerative disorders including Huntington’s disease (HD). Enzyme Kynurenine 3-monooxygenase (KMO) plays an important role in the KP since its inhibition leads to the increase of neuroactive metabolite kynurenine (KYN) and kynurenic acid (KYNA) and decreases levels of the presumed neurotoxic metabolites 3-hydoxykynurenine (3-HK) and quinolinic acid (QA) in the brain. Inhibition of KMO leads to the increase of kynurenine (KYN) in the blood and peripheral tissues. KYN crosses the BBB and is consequently converted to the KYNA by the enzyme kynurenine aminotransferase (KAT II) in brain astrocytes. Recently, it was demonstrated that peripheral inhibition of KMO with small molecule 1 or KYNA up-regulation by means of KYNA analogue 2,3 modulate synaptic plasticity and have neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory role in the Huntington’s disease models. The mechanism how KMO inhibition achieves these effects, i.e. relative contribution and importance of KP metabolites KYN and KYNA in modulation of synaptic plasticity has not yet been elucidated. As a part of our drug development program, CHDI has developed a series of potent KMO inhibitors including the lead KMO inhibitor CHDI-340246, which are promising tools to analyse the consequences of KMO inhibition in animal HD models as well in HD patients through experimental medicine. This talk will describe the CHDI efforts to understand the effects of KMO inhibition in HD rodent models and normal nonhuman primates as well as other experiments towards the translational medicine of KMO inhibitors. References 1Zwilling et al . Cel 2011;145:1–12 2Zadori et al . J. Neural Transm 118 3Vecsei et al . Nature Rev Drug Discovery 2013;12:64–82
Legal Briefs: Fetal Tachycardia and Neonatal Seizures: A Case Settled Before Depositions

A 36-3/7 weeks’ gestation, 2,955-g infant was delivered to a 32-year-old woman whose pregnancy was complicated by a history of asthma and Graves’ disease being treated with propylthiouracil (PTU). She was not compliant with taking her PTU. The mother presented to the emergency department (ED) twice on the day of delivery because of shortness of breath and coughing. The second time the mother came to the ED, she was admitted. The mother was placed on an external fetal heart monitor immediately after arriving at the ED. The fetal heart rate was 190 beats per minute, had good variability, and no decelerations. The mother was afebrile and except for an elevated respiratory rate and a heart rate of 125 beats per minute, she was stable. A chest radiograph revealed pneumonia for which she was given antibiotics. The status of her thyroid condition was not considered, and thyroid studies were not drawn. The nursing staff requested that the mother be transported to a higher-level facility, but the obstetrician pointed out that it was “just pneumonia” and she could be adequately cared for in the community hospital. Several hours later, the mother was transferred from the ED to a medical ward where fetal monitoring was discontinued. Soon thereafter the mother began spiking a fever of 38.2°C. The mother began to experience contractions 5 hours after being admitted to the medical ward. A fetal heartbeat could not be auscultated. At that point, a fetal heart rate monitor was placed, but it could not pick up a signal. Forty minutes later, the mother was admitted to the labor and delivery area where she had to be intubated for respiratory failure and soon thereafter became obtunded. Approximately an hour later, the membranes were ruptured and heavy meconium-stained fluid was noted. A female infant was delivered 30 …
A Barrier Function for the Origin of a Concave n-Dimensional Hyperspherical Sector

(1967). A Barrier Function for the Origin of a Concave n-Dimensional Hyperspherical Sector. The American Mathematical Monthly: Vol. 74, No. 6, pp. 677-680.
Evaporative Water Loss Rates of Four Species of Aquatic Turtles from the Coastal Plain of the Southeastern United States

Abstract Many isolated wetlands in the southeastern United States are naturally ephemeral, productive habitats that can support a high diversity of aquatic reptiles. As wetlands begin to dry, reptile species exhibit different behavioral responses including overland dispersal and terrestrial aestivation. Regardless of strategy, one of the greatest risks to individual survival is desiccation. We measured evaporative water loss rates (EWL; % body mass lost per hour) and total % body mass lost over 24 h in four species of semiaquatic turtles that frequent isolated wetlands in the southeastern United States: Chicken Turtles (Deirochelys reticularia), Eastern Mud Turtles (Kinosternon subrubrum), Common Musk Turtles (Sternotherus odoratus), and Yellow-Bellied Sliders (Trachemys scripta scripta). Mean percent body mass lost over 24 h ranged from 4.44–10.26% among individuals, was negatively correlated with body mass and varied among species, with higher EWL rates occurring in species with reduced shell robustness...
Design and Realization of Security Isolation Function in the Waterpower Scheduling Automation System of Hunan Power Grid

The waterpower scheduling automation system is an important part of an electric power dispatching and management system,and its security protection function is vital.The importance of security isolation is introduced,and the structure of the waterpower scheduling automation system of the Hunan Power Grid and the realization of security isolation on the network configuration and software application of the system are described in detail.
Adrenergic blockade prevents endotoxin-induced increases in glucose metabolism

Combined alpha- and beta-adrenergic blockade was used to investigate the role of catecholamines in endotoxin-induced elevations in glucose kinetics. Glucose kinetics were measured before and for 4 h after the injection of endotoxin [100 micrograms/100 g body wt iv, 30% lethal dose (LD30) at 24 h]. Adrenergic blockade was achieved by the bolus injection of phentolamine and propranolol followed by their continuous infusion. Endotoxin-treated rats exhibited a transient hyperglycemia and sustained (greater than 4 h) increase in plasma lactate concentration, as well as elevated rates of glucose appearance (Ra, 83%), disappearance (Rd, 58%), recycling (160%), and metabolic clearance (23%). Adrenergic blockade prevented endotoxin-induced increases in plasma glucose concentration, Ra, Rd, and recycling but not glucose clearance. The increase in plasma lactate concentration was blunted by 35%. After 2 h, endotoxic animals infused with adrenergic antagonists developed hypoglycemia, which may have resulted from an increased plasma insulin concentration. The attenuation of elevated glucose turnover by adrenergic blockade in the endotoxin-treated animals was not due to a reduction in plasma glucagon level or differences in plasma insulin concentration. Administration of the alpha- or beta-adrenergic antagonists separately blunted but did not prevent endotoxin-induced changes in glucose kinetics, and therefore the efficacy of the adrenergic blockade could not be assigned to a single receptor class. These results indicate that catecholamines are important contributory factors to many of the early alterations in carbohydrate metabolism observed during endotoxemia.
Adolescents with Mild Traumatic Brain Injury Get SMART: An Analysis of a Novel Web-Based Intervention

Abstract Background: There have been few trials of interventions to facilitate recovery following mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) in adolescence. To address this gap, we developed and piloted a novel Web-based intervention, entitled Self-Management Activity Restriction and Relaxation Training (SMART), and examined its impact on symptom burden, functional disability, and executive functioning during the month following mTBI in adolescents. Materials and Methods: Open-label, single arm study. Adolescents with recent mTBI and a parent were recruited from the emergency department and provided access upon discharge to SMART—a Web-based program designed to facilitate recovery via self-management and education about symptoms and sequelae associated with mTBI. Symptom burden, functional disability, and executive functioning were rated by both the adolescent and the parent initially and at assessments at 1-, 2- and 4-weeks postinjury. Mixed models analyses were used to examine trajectories on these outcomes. Re...
Clear, Unambiguous Password Policies: An Oxymoron?

Password policies – documents which regulate how users must create and manage their passwords – can have complex and unforeseen consequences on organizational security. Since these policies attempt to govern user behavior, users must be clear as to what is expected of them for a policy to be effective. While a culprit of misinterpretation, policy ambiguity also prevents researchers from comparing and contrasting policy statements. To tackle ambiguity, we developed a formal language for stating what behavior is and is not allowed when creating, managing, and changing passwords. This formal language lends itself to policy analysis and visualization. A corpus of 41 password policies was translated into the formal language and analyzed. Having these clear, unambiguous policy statements enables us to explore password policies in much greater detail, discuss the relative merits of different statements, compare and contrast policies, and begin to examine the interplay between usability and security in password policies.
The Rise of State Preemption Laws in Response to Local Policy Innovation

This article analyzes the increasing use of state preemption law by conservative state leaders as a tool to rein in progressive local governments. The scope and special qualities of recent state preemption laws are explored by examining legislation preempting local fracking bans, preventing minimum wage ordinances, targeting sanctuary city policies, overturning LGBT rights ordinances, and enacting blanket preemption measures. Reasons for the recent surge of state preemption laws are suggested, and the overall effectiveness of these laws is discussed. I conclude that rising conservative dominance of state legislatures has provided the opportunity to thwart progressive local policies, and these efforts have been aided by various industry and conservative organized groups. State preemption laws are not always successful in their aims. In some cases, state supreme courts have sided with local officials’ claims of state overreach. In others, local officials have simply refused to comply. In any case, the threat of preemption may have a chilling effect on local policy innovation.
Trunk movement compensations and corresponding core muscle demand during step ambulation in people with unilateral transtibial amputation.

Abstract The objective of this investigation was to identify demands from core muscles that corresponded with trunk movement compensations during bilateral step ambulation in people with unilateral transtibial amputation (TTA). Trunk rotational angular momentum (RAM) was measured using motion capture and bilateral surface EMG was measured from four bilateral core muscles during step ascent and descent tasks in people with TTA and healthy controls. During step ascent, the TTA group generated larger mediolateral (P = 0.01) and axial (P = 0.01) trunk RAM toward the leading limb when stepping onto the intact limb than the control group, which corresponded with high demand from the bilateral erector spinae and oblique muscles. During step descent, the TTA group generated larger trunk RAM in the sagittal (P
Modified two-step emulsion solvent evaporation technique for fabricating biodegradable rod-shaped particles in the submicron size range

Abstract Hypothesis Though the emulsion solvent evaporation (ESE) technique has been previously modified to produce rod-shaped particles, it cannot generate small-sized rods for drug delivery applications due to the inherent coupling and contradicting requirements for the formation versus stretching of droplets. The separation of the droplet formation from the stretching step should enable the creation of submicron droplets that are then stretched in the second stage by manipulation of the system viscosity along with the surface-active molecule and oil-phase solvent. Experiments A two-step ESE protocol is evaluated where oil droplets are formed at low viscosity followed by a step increase in the aqueous phase viscosity to stretch droplets. Different surface-active molecules and oil phase solvents were evaluated to optimize the yield of biodegradable PLGA rods. Rods were assessed for drug loading via an imaging agent and vascular-targeted delivery application via blood flow adhesion assays. Findings The two-step ESE method generated PLGA rods with major and minor axis down to 3.2 µm and 700 nm, respectively. Chloroform and sodium metaphosphate was the optimal solvent and surface-active molecule, respectively, for submicron rod fabrication. Rods demonstrated faster release of Nile Red compared to spheres and successfully targeted an inflamed endothelium under shear flow in vitro and in vivo.
Patterns of acute poisoning among children admitted tomaternity and children,teaching hospital,Al Diwaniyah city,Iraq

Acute poisoning,a common pediatric emergency,is one of the important causes of morbidity and mortality in children,especially in developing countries. The patterns of poisoning usually differ from country to country and from province to another within the same country.The purpose of this study was to clarify the characteristics of acute chemical and drug poisoning.cases admitted to the emergency department (ED)ofmaternity and children,teaching hospital in Al- Diwaniyah city and to compare poisoning characteristics between different age groupsin the region. A review of medical records of 125 poisoningcases under 7 years of age, except for cases of food poisoning,snake bite,scorpion stings and cases with incomplete data were not included in this study,presenting to the Emergency Department (ED) during 2016 were determined.The mean age of all poisoned patients (mean ± standard deviation) was 2.26 ± 0.750.One hundred and twenty five children,forming 2.2% (125/5494) of total emergency unit admissions of all patients,were under seven years of age. Slightly more boys 71 (56.8%) than girls 54 (43.2%) were intoxicated with the male to female ratio of 1.3:1. The majority of all cases were due to accidental poisoning. In patients younger than one year of age 23 (18.4%),of all poisonings were due to therapeutically error,1 – 3 year 47 (37.6%),4 – 7 year 55 (44%). Chemical agents (58.4%) mostly kerosene (30.1%),agriculturalpesticides/insecticides (19.1%),were the most frequent offending agent,followed by drugs comprised (41.6%),mostly due to Cold and cough medication (15.3%),The vast majority of these materials was stored in non-original containers,These drugs were available at home,being used either by the child or the parents and grandparents.The most common route of poisoning was ingestion of the poison (118 patients; 94.4%) and most were ingested inside the house (73.6%). No deaths were reported.There were obvious seasonal variations and most cases were admitted during in summer (42.4%) and spring (29.6%). Patients from rural areas (57.6%) were more than the patients from the urban areas (42.4%). Effective health promotional programs for parents regarding poisoning hazards are needed to increase the awareness and reduce the incidence of poisoning among children in our region in addition correct dealing with the chemical materials. A relationship exists between the parents’ level of education and the occurrence of pediatric poisoning particularly mothers. Since the level of education in this study was lower in the mothers and for mothers are those who take primary care of children at home; they should be educated regarding care and prevention of lethal injuries to their children at home.
Genesa: An Adjunct to Art Therapy in the Treatment of Drug and Alcohol Abuse Clients

The population of drug/alcohol users and misusers is a hetrogeneous one (age, mental abilities, ethnicity, race, and social background, etc.). Under such conditions, no one treatment method or ideology can apparently claim a consistent record of success.
Inert competitive adsorption for the inhibition of oligomerization of alkenes during alcohol dehydration

Inhibition of secondary chemistries in a linear series of reactions remains a catalytic challenge, particularly when targeting the selective synthesis of intermediate chemicals. In this work, the inhibition of cyclohexene oligomerization following cyclohexanol dehydration with H-BEA zeolite catalyst was achieved with the addition of 2,5-dimethylfuran (DMF). Suppression of undesired olefin oligomerization occurred with the competitive adsorption of the hydrolysis product of DMF, 2,5-hexanedione, thereby preventing cyclohexene adsorption onto Bronsted acid sites. Activation energies were measured for cyclohexanol dehydration both with and without DMF and were found to be the same within experimental error, suggesting that DMF does not alter the catalytic mechanism of cyclohexanol dehydration. Adsorption models were generated to investigate the general case of adding inert chemicals to inhibit product side reactions. Allowable differences in free energies of adsorption between reactant, product, and inert necessary to promote inhibition of product adsorption, while allowing for reactant surface saturation, were quantitatively determined. Reactions that might benefit from the addition of inert chemicals were proposed including linear alcohol dehydration and benzyl acylation and alkylation.
Entomologists and the Revolution

Economic entomology as a distinct field of study began in the last half of the nineteenth century. Its crystallization into a discipline and a profession was contemporaneous with the emergence of mechanized, capital-intensive agriculture. Indeed, professionalism for entomologists was analogous in a socioeconomic sense to the transformation of agriculture. Just as farmers gained social status and better incomes by substituting capital for labor, entomologists gained status and higher incomes by organizing themselves into a strong professional association. The development of economic entomology was also an integral part of the growth in American government and universities as major loci for research and teaching. By 1900, entomologists were an identifiable scientific group with intellectual and social roots extending to other academics, farmers, and colleagues in the civil service.
Universal Index for Cirrhosis (UIC index): The development and validation of a novel index to predict advanced liver disease.

Aim The purpose of this study was to create and validate a novel serological diagnostic index to predict cirrhosis of all etiologies. Methods This was a retrospective observational study of 771 patients, age >18 years, who underwent a liver biopsy. The stage of fibrosis and routine laboratory values were recorded. The data were randomly separated into 2 datasets (training 50% and testing 50%). A stepwise logistic regression model was used to develop the novel index. The area under the curve of receiver operating characteristic (AUROC) was applied to compare the new index to existing ones (Fibro-Q, FIB4, APRI, AAR), which was also validated in the testing dataset. Results Variables associated with the presence of cirrhosis were first assessed by univariate analysis then by multivariable analysis, which indicated serum glutamic-oxaloacetic acid transaminase, serum glutamic-pyruvic transaminase, international normalized ratio, albumin, blood urea nitrogen, glucose, platelet count, total protein, age, and race were the independent predictors of cirrhosis (P<0.05). Regression formula for prediction of cirrhosis was generated and a novel index was subsequently created. The diagnostic performance of the novel index for predicting cirrhosis was assessed using the receiver operating characteristic curve. The new index had significantly higher AUROC (0.83, 95% CI: 0.79-0.87) than Fibro-Q (0.80, 95% CI: 0.76-0.85), FIB4 (0.79, 95% CI: 0.74-0.83), APRI (0.74, 95% CI: 0.69-0.78), and AAR (0.72, 95% CI: 0.67-0.78). Conclusion The novel index had the highest AUROC curve when compared with current indices and can be applied to all etiologies of chronic liver disease.
Diffusion pathways to critical cysteines in the vesicular acetylcholine transporter of Torpedo.

Previous work had demonstrated that organomercurial-mediated modification of two cysteine residues in the vesicular acetylcholine transporter (VAChT) from Torpedo californica inhibits binding of vesamicol. The cysteines are protected by acetylcholine and vesamicol (Keller et al. 2000. J. Neurochem. 74:1739–1748). Modified “cysteine 1” is accessible to glutathione from the cytoplasmic surface, whereas modified “cysteine 2” is not. Different organomercurials and aqueous environments were used here to characterize diffusion pathway(s) leading to the cysteines. para-Chloromercuriphenylsulfonate modifies VAChT much more slowly than do more hydrophobic p-chloromercuribenzoate and phenylmercury chloride. Permeabilization of vesicles with cholate detergent increases the rate of modification by p-chloromercuriphenylsulfonate. Permeabilization does not affect the ability of glutathione to reverse modification by p-chloromercuriphenylsulfonate. Higher ionic strength causes about four-fold increase in the rate of modification. The results suggest that hydrophobic and electrostatic barriers inhibit modification of Torpedo VAChT by negatively charged organomercurials and glutathione cannot reach cysteine 2 from either side of the membrane.
Brain [18F]FDG Uptake in Mouse Model of Cardiac Arrest Measured by PET Imaging

111 Objectives: Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) following cardiac arrest (CA) can lead to neurological deficits ranging from minor cognitive impairments to persistent vegetative state and brain death. Although the resulting brain injury has been well documented in clinical cases and preclinical models, its pathophysiology remains poorly understood. Previous studies have focused primarily on post-arrest changes in in cerebral blood flow or neuroanatomy and few have investigated post arrest changes in brain metabolism. Large fluctuations in cerebral glucose metabolism (CGM) have been reported during and immediately following cerebral ischemia but how these patterns are affected in the context of post-cardiac arrest resuscitation are unknown. In this study we utilized 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography (18F-FDG-PET) to study in vivo cerebral glucose metabolism in the post-CA setting. Methods: Anesthetized and ventilated adult C57BL/6 mice were undergone 8-minute KCl-induced CA followed by 90 second cardiopulmonary resuscitation and administration of epinephrine. Surviving mice were intraperitoneally injected with 18F-FDG (~250 uCi/250 ul) 72-hours after the CA and imaged thirty minutes later by high resolution CT imaging on a Molecube’s preclinical imaging system. CT imaging was used as anatomic templates. Brain FDG uptake was determined by Invicro VivoQuant software on fused PET/CT images with the 3D brain atlas. Upon completion of PET imaging, remaining FDG radioactivity in the brain, heart, and liver was determined by isolating organs and measuring 18F activity using a gamma counter. The FDG uptake was expressed as percent of injected dose per gram of tissue (%ID/g). Results: A global increase in FDG uptake in the brains of CA mice was observed compared to the sham group. The PET imaging shows that on average, the normalized uptake of FDG (%ID/g) for CA animals was 7.9%, which is statistically higher than the sham animals (4.89%) (p<0.05). In addition, this increased uptake was consistent throughout 60-min imaging period and across all the brain regions. Biodistribution analyses of various key organs yielded similar observations for brain FDG uptake (7.58% for CA mice vs 5.80% for sham animals). Conclusions: This study demonstrates for the first time, successful application of using PET/CT imaging to measure changes in brain metabolism, utilizing brain FDG uptake, in a murine model of CA. Our results suggest increased FDG uptake in the brain following cardiac arrest indicating altered patterns of cellular metabolism. Further studies are necessary to determine the implications of this altered metabolic pattern.
The Role of School Psychologists in Employment-Focused Transition Services

Transition services support students with disabilities in accessing post-secondary school opportunities including employment. This study used both quantitative and qualitative methods to gather dat...
Effects of menopausal state on lumbar decompression and fusion surgery.

Abstract Menopause leads to fluctuations in androgenic hormones which directly affect bone metabolism. Bone resorption, mineralization, and remodeling at fusion sites are essential in order to obtain a solid and biomechanically stable fusion mass. Bone metabolic imbalance seen in the postmenopausal state may predispose to fusion related complications. The aim of this study was to investigate fusion outcomes in lumbar spinal fusion surgery in women based on menopausal status. A retrospective analysis of all female patients who underwent posterior lumbar decompression and fusion at a single institution from 2013 to 2017 was performed. A total of 112 patients were identified and stratified into premenopausal (n = 25) and postmenopausal (n = 87) groups. Clinical and radiographic data was assessed at 1 year follow up. Postmenopausal patients had a higher rates of pseudarthrosis (11.63% vs 0%, p = 0.08), PJK (15.1% vs 4%, p = 0.14), and revision surgery (3.5% vs 0%, p = 0.35). The number of levels fused was associated with increased risk of pseudarthrosis (OR 1.4, p = 0.02); however, there was no association between age, hormonal use, prior tobacco use, or T-score. Age was associated with increased risk of developing PJK (OR = 1.11, p = 0.01); however, PJK was not associated with menopause, hormonal use, prior tobacco use, or T-score. Revision surgery was not associated with age, hormonal use, prior tobacco use, or T-score. This study suggests that postmenopausal women may be prone to have higher rates of pseudarthrosis, PJK and revision surgery, although our results were not statistically significant. Larger studies with longer follow up will help elucidate the true effects of menopause in spine surgery.
Psychosocial Treatment and Educational Interventions

The primary nonmedical treatments for children and adolescents with ADHD are behavior modification strategies implemented in home and school settings along with educational interventions and supports (for review, see Chap. 2 ). In similar fashion, college students with ADHD can receive psychosocial treatment, primarily in the form of cognitive-behavior therapy, along with educational interventions and accommodations. The purpose of this chapter is to describe psychosocial treatment and educational interventions for college students with ADHD. We review the available literature supporting the efficacy of these approaches with this population. Because treatment can be delivered across university and community settings, we also discuss the need for oversight and management of students’ treatment. The specific role of college disability services in providing case management is described. A case example is provided to illustrate how treatment components can be integrated in an effective fashion.
Scalable COVID-19 Detection Enabled by Lab-on-Chip Biosensors.

The emergence of a novel coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, has highlighted the need for rapid, accurate, and point-of-care diagnostic testing. As of now, there is not enough testing capacity in the world to meet the stated testing targets, which are expected to skyrocket globally for broader testing during reopening This review focuses on the development of lab-on-chip biosensing platforms for diagnosis of COVID-19 infection. We discuss advantages of utilizing lab-on-chip technologies in response to the current global pandemic, including their potential for low-cost, rapid sample-to-answer processing times, and ease of integration into a range of healthcare settings. We then highlight the development of magnetic, colorimetric, plasmonic, electrical, and lateral flow-based lab-on-chip technologies for the detection of SARS-CoV-2, in addition to other viruses. We focus on rapid, point-of-care technologies that can be deployed at scale, as such devices could be promising alternatives to the current gold standard of reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) diagnostic testing. This review is intended to provide an overview of the current state-of-the-field and serve as a resource for innovative development of new lab-on-chip assays for COVID-19 detection.
Direct Determination of Frenkel Exciton Coherence from Ronchi Ruling and Transient Grating Experiments

Applications of the memory function formalism were discussed here from the viewpoint of experiments of the gentle kind, in which the system being studied is not modified strongly by the probe used to make the measurements. A simple discussion of exciton coherence was given at the beginning of the chapter with emphasis on theoretical concepts underlying its quantitative measurement. It focused on the ratio of the exciton mean free path to the lattice constant, and avoided philosophical distractions. A theory of coherence in the context of experimental studies using Ronchi rulings pioneered by Ern and others in the Dupont laboratories was developed next. The analysis addressed the time evolution of an initially periodic distribution of triplet excitons. It was followed by a similar analysis of transient grating investigations for singlet excitons introduced in the field by Fayer. This latter method uses the same concept as the method of Ronchi rulings but is conceptually cleaner as it excites initially just one, or perhaps more accurately two, spatial modes of the exciton density by crossing laser beams into the crystal. These two classes of experiment, Ronchi ruling and transient grating, are particularly suitable to probe exciton coherence. In the last part of this chapter, an interesting analysis of possible effects of initial phases on grating and ruling phenomena was provided. It took as its starting point, an early study (Kenkre 1978b), of the initial condition term in the Zwanzig derivation of the GME, carried out long before transient gratings entered the molecular crystals field. The connection between initial pair states and initially random states was elucidated. Explicit tables of coherence parameters were made available through the analysis of a series of reported experiments, in several crystals at room temperature on triplets and in anthracene crystals at several temperatures on singlets.
Prevalence of substance use and substance-related disorders among US Veterans Health Administration patients.

Abstract Background Substance use and related disorders are common among US Veterans, but the population burden of has never been directly assessed among Veterans Health Administration (VA) patients. We surveyed VA patients to measure substance use and related disorders in the largest US integrated healthcare system. Methods We surveyed N = 6000 outpatients from 30 geographically-representative VA healthcare systems. We assessed substance use (lifetime, past 12-month, daily in past 3 months) and past 12-month disorders following DSM-5 criteria and estimated the association with Veteran characteristics (age, gender, race/ethnicity, socioeconomic status, VA utilization). Results Alcohol was the most commonly-reported substance (24% used past 12 months, 11% daily in past 3 months, 10% met criteria for alcohol use disorder), followed by cannabis (42% lifetime use, 12% use in past 12 months, 5% daily use in past 3 months, 3% met criteria for cannabis use disorder). Overall, 5% met criteria for non-alcohol drug use disorder (13% for substance use disorder (SUD)). SUD prevalence was highest for young Veterans and those who were unemployed or otherwise not employed for wages. Past 12-month cannabis use was common, even among older adults (65–74 years: 10%; 75 and older: 2%). Conclusions Prevalence data are important inputs into decisions around population health monitoring, treatment capacity, and quality measurement strategies. Substance use and SUD are more prevalent than previously reported, and VA may need to screen for non-alcohol drugs to identify patients who need care. More tailored assessment may be needed for cannabis use, high-prevalence subgroups, and older adults.
Differences in correlates of fatigue between relapsing and progressive forms of multiple sclerosis.

Abstract Background Fatigue is one of the most prevalent and impactful symptoms for people with multiple sclerosis (MS). Yet, fatigue is less understood in progressive forms of MS, and few studies have explored the extent to which MS disease course is associated with fatigue. The current study aimed to (1) describe fatigue severity and fatigue interference (the extent to which fatigue interferes with individuals’ physical, mental, and social activities) in people with progressive MS (primary progressive MS and secondary progressive MS); (2) compare fatigue severity and fatigue interference in people with progressive forms of MS to people with relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS); and (3) identify factors associated with fatigue severity and fatigue interference in people with progressive forms of MS and RRMS. Methods Secondary analysis of baseline data from participants with MS (N = 573; progressive forms of MS n = 142; RRMS n = 431) in a survey-based longitudinal study on healthy aging in people with a physical disability. Primary outcomes were average fatigue severity (0–10 Numerical Rating Scale), and fatigue interference (PROMIS Fatigue Short Form). Correlates were variables across the demographic and biopsychosocial domains, collected with validated self-reported measures. Statistical methods included t-test and chi-square analyses to compare fatigue severity and fatigue interference in people with progressive MS to those with RRMS, and multiple regression analyses to examine the association of variables with fatigue severity and fatigue interference. Results Participants with progressive forms of MS reported moderate to severe levels of average fatigue severity (5.9 ± 2.8) and elevated levels of fatigue interference (T-Score of 58.2 ± 7.9). There were no group differences between people with progressive MS and RRMS in average fatigue severity or fatigue interference. Common factors associated with greater fatigue severity were lower income, being unemployed, shorter disease duration, greater disability, and greater sleep disturbance. Common factors associated with fatigue interference were younger age, lower income, being unemployed, greater disability, lower alcohol consumption, being a smoker, and greater sleep disturbance. For those with progressive forms of MS, longer MS disease duration was associated with lower average fatigue severity (b = -0.08, t(532) = -3.69, p Conclusion In this sample, fatigue severity and fatigue interference were similar for progressive forms of MS and RRMS. Future research should consider if interventions that work for fatigue management in people with relapsing forms of MS work similarly for people with progressive forms of MS.
The U.S. Dollar and the Trade Deficit: What Accounts for the Late 1990s?

Based on a version of the IMF's new Global Economic Model (GEM), calibrated to analyze macroeconomic interdependence between the United States and the rest of the world, this paper asks to what extent an asymmetric productivity shock in the tradable sector of the economy may account for real exchange rate and trade balance developments in the United States in the second half of the 1990s. The paper concludes that the Balassa-Samuelson effect of such a productivity shock is only part of the story. A second shock, a broadly defined risk premium shock, and some uncertainty about the persistence of both shocks are needed to match the data more satisfactorily.
Analyzing the effect of nitrogen/sulfur groups’ density ratio in porous carbons on the efficiency of CO2 electrochemical reduction

Abstract The catalytic activity for CO2 electrochemical conversion into CO on N-doped carbons has been previously suggested to be enhanced by introducing a sulfur co-dopant to the carbon matrix. In this study, nitrogen and sulfur-codoped porous carbons were synthesized by a high temperature treatment of commercial wood-based carbon impregnated with thiourea. By slightly changing synthesis conditions, three different carbons were obtained and used as electrocatalysts for reduction of CO2. Detailed analyses of chemistry and texture showed differences in the amounts of N and S heteroatoms, in the speciation of surface groups, and in porosity. The best preforming sample had the highest dispersion/lowest density of nitrogen-containing groups and the low dispersion/high density of thiophenic groups. The dependence of the Faradaic efficiency for CO reduction on the ratio of the density of nitrogen groups to that of sulfur showed a linear decrease with an increase in the ratio, supporting the previously suggested enhancing effect of the high dispersion of N-containing catalytic centers and their activation by sulfur co-doping on CO2 electroreduction. The results also indicated that the catalytic activity of pyridinic groups is more positively affected by sulfur co-doping than is that of quaternary nitrogen species.
Barebone’s Parliament

The Long Parliament had been destroyed by Cromwell and the army and the question now was what should they put in its place. The officers were reluctant to assume the civil administration of the country themselves and therefore they agreed that some form of civil government should be inaugurated. Whether the new government would be in the form of an assembly or a council was a matter of some dispute, as was the nature of its representation. Major-General Harrison, who was moving closer to the Fifth-Monarchists, advocated something akin to the old Jewish Sanhedrin, a council of seventy members to be chosen by the army. Major-General Lambert on the other hand was closer to Cromwell’s own way of thinking. He was willing to support the election of a new assembly or parliament, providing steps were taken to prevent the election of Royalist sympathizers. It was in Lambert’s direction that Cromwell leaned, but in spite of Cromwell’s own predilections the result was a compromise. Letters were sent to the Congregational churches asking for names of men fit to serve in a parliament. After sifting those named by the churches, Cromwell called the Nominated or Barebone’s Parliament into being on July 5, 1653.1
Two-and Three-Photon Absorption in Semiconductors with Subsequent Absorption by Photogenerated Carriers

A careful examination of two-photon absorption in CdTe and three-photon absorption in CdS and ZnSe was made by studying the transmission of picosecond pulses at 1.06 μm and the photoacoustic signal generated in the sampleby the absorption of light. We found that in order to separate the direct nonlinear absorption from the subsequent absorption by the photogenerated carriers, careful analysis of the data over a wide range of irradiance levels was necessary. The nonlinear absorption coefficients for these three materials were determined, as well as an overall excess carrier absorption cross section. In addition, for CdTe we used two different temporal pulsewidths to verify our analysis. The photoacoustic data had a 1 to 1 correspondence with the transmission data indicating that this more sensitive technique should be useful for measuring nonlinear absorption spectra in solids with a variety of less powerful lasers. In addition for samples such as BK7 glass, which showed no nonlinear transmission even when surface damage occured, the photo-acoustic signal showed abrupt large increases when damage occured. No nonlinear absorption was observed in two types of CVD ZnS prior to damage.
Recovering the Indigenous Legal Traditions of India: Classical Hindu Law in Practice in Late Medieval Kerala

The collection of Malayalam records entitled Vanjeri Grandhavari, taken from the archives of an important Namputiri Brahmin family and the temple under its leadership, provides some long-awaited information regarding a wide range of legal activities in late medieval Kerala. The organization of law and the jurisprudence represented by these records bear an unmistakable similarity to legal ideas found in dharmaśāstra texts. A thorough comparison of the records and relevant dharma texts shows that landholding Namputiri Brahmins, who possessed enormous political and economic power in the region, mediated the implementation of dharmaśāstra into the legal system. From this comparison arise new understandings of law and legal categories such as ‘custom’ and ‘positive law’. Moreover, such comparisons begin to elucidate the problems involved in Western assumptions that it is textual law, not its interpretation and application by humans, which controls behavior. The Vanjeri records demonstrate not only the importance of dharmaśāstra as a historical document but also the manner and extent to which dharmaśāstra provided the foundation for legal systems in Kerala as well as in other regions of India.