cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Family and Work: Implications of Adult Attachment Styles

This study examined the role of adult attachment style in meeting the challenges of both work and family roles for parents of young children. Theory suggests that secure attachment provides a basis for successful negotiation of issues of intimacy and exploration—for adults, family, and work. Using a large sample of adults in committed relationships, studied longitudinally, we assessed satisfaction with work, satisfaction with family, stress, and role overload. Results indicated that most parents, particularly those with secure attachment styles, are able to function in multiple domains successfully. However, women and men with fearful attachment styles, characterized by views that the self is unlovable and others are untrustworthy, have marked difficulty in many family domains and some work domains. Functioning of parents with dismissing and preoccupied attachment styles fell between that of secure and fearful.
ECONOMICS OF LANGUAGE.

A communication system may or may not be optimal with respect to some scale of values (utilities) that can be achieved by its use, combined with the probabilities of each of the possible achievements. One particular value is that of survival; for example, the survival of a given set of traits of a language, possibly depending on the survival of a given social form, or its physical carrier, a society. The study of survival probabilities would help to explain why the known living or dead languages are what they are or were. Here an “explanatory” or “evolutionary” approach is constrasted with the “normative” approach which has its example in debates about dictionaries, where certain other values besides that of survival are considered.
Certain mitotic effects of kinetin, gibberellic acid, indoleacetic acid, and maleic hydrazide on the root of Allium cepa.

TREATMENT of intact roots of Allium cepa with kinetin (6-furfurylaminopurine) has been reported by Guttman1 to cause an increase in the rate of division of the cells of the root tip. She found a similar stimulatory activity of kinetin in promoting division of Paramecium caudatum 2.
TEACHING THE HANDICAPPED TO EAT IN PUBLIC PLACES: ACQUISITION, GENERALIZATION AND MAINTENANCE OF RESTAURANT SKILLS

This study examined classroom-based instruction in restaurant skills for handicapped persons. Three male students were taught each of four skill components in sequential order: locating, ordering, paying, and eating and exiting. Training was implemented in a multiple baseline design across subjects and consisted of modeling and role playing in conjunction with photo slide sequences and a simulated ordering counter. The use of a menu containing general item classes and a finger matching procedure for identifying errors in the delivery of change greatly reduced the reading and math skills necessary to enter and complete the program. Periodic probes were conducted in a McDonald's restaurant prior to, during, and up to one-year following the termination of training. In addition, two probes (overt and covert observation) were conducted in a Burger King restaurant to assess further generalization to a location different from the one depicted throughout training. Results showed that students' performance on restaurant probes improved as a result of training, generalized to novel settings, maintained over an extended period of time, and was comparable to that of a normative sample of nonretarded persons.
Multichannel general order FTF algorithm and its application to the equalization of mobile communication channels

The authors consider the derivation of a numerically stable multichannel fast least-squares algorithm, the multichannel general-order fast transversal filter (MCGO-FTF). The new algorithm is derived by using a vector space formulation, and it is a general-order algorithm, i.e. the orders of several input channel joint process filters can be independently and arbitrarily specified. The numerical stability is achieved through feedback of numerical errors. The algorithm is tested in the equalization of mobile communication channels, which is an important application area for the algorithm. The decision feedback equalizer (DFE), which is essential for the equalization of a mobile communications channel, requires the use of a general-order algorithm to mitigate the effect of error propagation in the decision directed mode. Also, the choice of a least-squares algorithm for this application is critical because of its superior convergence properties. >
QoI-based resource allocation for multi-target tracking in energy constrained sensor networks

Motivated by the need to judiciously allocate scarce sensing resources, and account for fusing information from multi-modal sensors, we develop a solutions methodology for maximizing the overall quality of information obtained subject to constraints on the energy utilized by a sensor network that is involved in the task of tracking multiple targets. Our methodology is based on integer programming, and explicitly allows for general fusion functions. We use an iterative Lagrangian relaxation technique to solve this problem where each iteration step involves solving for a Maximum Weight Independent Set (MWIS) of an appropriately constructed graph (which can be obtained in polynomial time for this problem). We apply our methodology to numerically study the problem of tracking targets moving over a period of time through a non-homogeneous, energy-constrained sensor field. In these applications, we study the QoI/energy tradeoffs for various modes of operation including the period for measurement updates.
NF-κB DNA-binding activity after high peak power pulsed microwave (8.2 GHz) exposure of normal human monocytes

The hypothesis investigated is that exposure of a mammalian cell to high peak power pulsed RF, at the frequency of 8.2 GHz, can result in the activation of an important eukaryotic transcriptional regulator, nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB). This DNA-binding protein controls genes involved in long term cellular regulation. The selection of 8.2 GHz was based on the availability of a high peak power pulsed RF transmitter. In these studies, triplicate cultures of human monocytes (Mono Mac-6) were exposed to the pulsed wave radiation. The peak to average power ratio was 455:1 (2.2 μs pulse width and pulse repetition rate of 1000 pulses/s). The average power density at the position of exposure was 50 W/m2, and the mean SAR at the bottom of the culture flask was 10.8 ± 7.1 W/kg. The FDTD analysis indicated that 10% of the cells had an SAR of 22–29 W/kg. The cells were exposed continuously for 90 min at 37 °C, reincubated at this temperature, and harvested 4 h postexposure. The nuclear extracts were analyzed by electrophoretic mobility shift assay. The results showed a profound increase (3.6-fold) in the DNA binding activity of NF-κB in monocytes at 4 h after the pulsed RF exposure compared to sham irradiated controls. Competition experiments with cold NF-κB- specific oligonucleotides confirmed the specificity of the DNA binding activity. These results provide evidence that high peak power pulsed radiofrequency radiation can perturb the cell and initiate cell signaling pathways. However, at this point, we are not prepared to advocate that the cause is a nonthermal mechanism. Because of the broad distribution of SAR's in the flask, experiments need to be performed to determine if the changes observed are associated with cells exposed to high or low SARs. Bioelectromagnetics 23:271–277, 2002. © 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
"I Don't Need Your Help!" Peer Status, Race, and Gender during Peer Writing Interactions

This article relies on year-long ethnographic data to examine how the intersection of peer status, gender, and race influenced the role stances children took in one urban fifth grade classroom while participating in three different writing pedagogies: peer tutoring, cooperative peer editing, and collaborative writing. Informed by the sociocultural theories of writing development and literature on peer pedagogies, the study explores the following research questions: (a) How do children enact peer status, gender, and race as they negotiate with one another during peer editing? (b) How do peer editing pedagogies shape opportunities for negotiation? (c) What are the consequences of these peer negotiations? Findings show how peer statuses related to perceptions of achievement,friendships, race, and gendercomplicate peer writing events. By focusing on how peer status, gender, and race intersected during various peer editing pedagogies, the present study contributes to understandings of how peer social worlds shape the classroom writing experiences of diverse students.
Molecular modeling of the inhibition of mild steel carbon dioxide corrosion by imidazolines

Abstract Imidazolines have been used to inhibit corrosion in carbon dioxide (CO2) solutions. Molecular modeling techniques were used to study adsorption andfilm formation of imidazolines onto iron ...
The systemin signaling pathway: differential activation of plant defensive genes.

Abstract Systemin, an 18-amino-acid polypeptide released from wound sites on tomato leaves caused by insects or other mechanical damage, systemically regulates the activation of over 20 defensive genes in tomato plants in response to herbivore and pathogen attacks. Systemin is processed from a larger prohormone protein, called prosystemin, by proteolytic cleavages. However, prosystemin lacks a signal sequence and glycosylation sites and is apparently not synthesized through the secretory pathway, but in the cytoplasm. The polypeptide activates a lipid-based signal transduction pathway in which the 18:3 fatty acid, linolenic acid, is released from plant membranes and converted to the oxylipin signaling molecule jasmonic acid. A wound-inducible systemin cell surface receptor with an Mr of 160 000 has recently been identified. The receptor regulates an intracellular cascade including, depolarization of the plasma membrane, the opening of ion channels, an increase in intracellular Ca2+, activation of a MAP kinase activity and a phospholipase A2 activity. These rapid changes appear to play important roles leading to the intracellular release of linolenic acid from membranes and its subsequent conversion to jasmonic acid, a potent activator of defense gene transcription. Although the mechanisms for systemin processing, release, and transport are still unclear, studies of the timing of the synthesis and of the intracellular localization of wound- and systemin-inducible mRNAs and proteins indicates that differential syntheses of signal pathway genes and defensive genes are occurring in different cell types. This signaling cascade in plants exhibits extraordinary analogies with the signaling cascade for the inflammatory response in animals.
Fibulin-3 is a novel TGF-beta pathway inhibitor in the breast cancer microenvironment

Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) is an important regulator of breast cancer progression. However, how the breast cancer microenvironment regulates TGF-beta signaling during breast cancer progression remains largely unknown. Here, we identified fibulin-3 as a secreted protein in the breast cancer microenvironment, which efficiently inhibits TGF-beta signaling in both breast cancer cells and endothelial cells. Mechanistically, fibulin-3 interacts with the type I TGF-beta receptor (T beta RI) to block TGF-beta induced complex formation of T beta RI with the type II TGF-beta receptor (T beta RII) and subsequent downstream TGF-beta signaling. Fibulin-3 expression decreases during breast cancer progression, with low fibulin-3 levels correlating with a poorer prognosis. Functionally, high fibulin-3 levels inhibited TGF-beta-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), migration, invasion and endothelial permeability, while loss of fibulin-3 expression/function promoted these TGF-beta-mediated effects. Further, restoring fibulin-3 expression in breast cancer cells inhibited TGF-beta signaling, breast cancer cell EMT, invasion and metastasis in vivo. These studies provide a novel mechanism for how TGF-beta signaling is regulated by the tumor microenvironment, and provide insight into targeting the TGF-beta signaling pathway in human breast cancer patients.
In Memoriam Best Mode

On September 16, 2011, President Obama signed into law the Leahy-Smith America Invents Act (“AIA” or “Act”). It embodies the most substantial legislative overhaul of patent law and practice in more than half a century. Commentators have begun the sizable task of unearthing and calling attention to the many effects the Act may have on the American and international innovation communities. Debates have sprung up over the consequences to inventors small and large, and commentators have obsessed over the Act’s so-called “first-to-file” and “post-grant review” provisions. Lost in the frenzy to understand the consequences of the new Act has been the demise of patent law’s “best mode” requirement. The purpose of this Essay is to draw attention to a benefit the best mode requirement provides — or perhaps “provided” would be a better word — to the patent system that has not been the subject of previous discussion. The benefit we describe directly challenges the conventional attitude that best mode is divorced from the realities of the patent system and the commercial marketplace. Our analysis suggests that patent reformers may have been much too quick to dismiss best mode as a largely irrelevant, and mostly problematic, doctrine.
Another Look at the Achievement Gap Learning From the Experiences of Gifted Black Students

Many studies have been conducted on the achievement gap, with most findings pointing to how school and family variables affect Black students' achievement. Another body of work focuses on how social variables (i.e., peers) impact Black students' achievement, including how accusations of “acting White” affect the performance of Black students and contribute to the achievement gap. The current descriptive and exploratory study extends this work by examining peer pressure among Black students identified as gifted (n = 166). As part of a larger study, gifted Black 5th through 12th graders were surveyed regarding their achievement-related attitudes and behaviors and perceptions of “acting White” and “acting Black.” Many of the gifted Black students demonstrate an attitude-behavior discrepancy, face negative peer pressures, and attribute acting White to school achievement, intelligence, and positive school behaviors and attitudes; most attribute acting Black to negative school achievement, low intelligence, and...
Three-year follow-up weight loss results for patients undergoing laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding at a major university medical center: does the weight loss persist?

Abstract Background Very few large United States series with long-term data after laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB) have been published. Here, we present results of 409 consecutive LAGBs performed at a major United States medical center. Methods Charts were retrospectively reviewed for perioperative morbidity, mortality, and repeat operations. Weight loss data were collected during band adjustments. Results Mean age of patients was 42 years. Mean preoperative weight and body mass index (BMI) were 142.4 kg and 50.6 kg/m 2 , respectively. There was 1 fatal myocardial infarction and 4 nonfatal pulmonary emboli. There were 50 (12%) repeat operations resulting in 16 (4%) bands being removed. Mean excess weight loss was 23.7%, 44.3%, 48.0%, and 53.3% with 3 years of follow-up, respectively. Conclusions Three-year follow-up data demonstrated continued weight loss in patients after LAGB. The relative safety and continued adjustability of LAGB make it an appealing option for long-term weight loss.
Henoch-Schönlein Purpura and Polysaccharide Meningococcal Vaccine

BACKGROUND: We describe here a case of Henoch-Schonlein purpura (HSP) that occurred 10 days after administration of the meningococcal polysaccharide vaccine and came to the attention of a Vaccine Safety Datalink (VSD) investigator (but did not occur in the VSD cohort). Periodic case reports have linked vaccines to HSP. OBJECTIVE: To better understand the potential risk for HSP after immunization with the meningococcal polysaccharide vaccine. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We studied the VSD cohort to estimate the 42-day postvaccination incidence rate of HSP in the VSD population 16 to 20 years of age. Electronic data from all 8 VSD sites were gathered. All subjects aged 16 to 20 years who received a meningococcal polysaccharide vaccine were followed for 42 days after that vaccination for evidence of HSP. Background rates were determined by examining all the nonexposed time of the same cohort. RESULTS: No cases of HSP were seen in the 42 days after 49027 doses of meningococcal polysaccharide vaccine among the entire VSD adolescent and young adult population. The background incidence rate was 4.2 per 100000 person-years. CONCLUSION: These data provide the strongest evidence so far that HSP is not associated with receipt of meningococcal polysaccharide vaccine in the 16- to 20-year age group.
Frequency-hopping code sequence designs having large linear span

In frequency-hopping spread-spectrum multiple-access communication systems, it is desirable to use sets of hopping patterns that, in addition to having good Hamming correlation properties and large period, are also derived from sequences having large linear span. Here, two such frequency hopping code sequence designs that are based on generalized bent functions and generalized bent sequences are presented. The Hamming correlation properties of the designs are optimal in the first case and close to optimal in the second. In terms of the alphabet size p (required to be prime in both cases), the period and family size of the two designs are given by (p/sup 2/, p) and (p/sup n/, p/sup n/2/+1) (n an even integer), respectively. The finite field sequences underlying the patterns in the first design have linear span exceeding p, whereas still larger linear spans (when compared to the sequence period) can be obtained using the second design method. >
Dynamic hydraulic fluid stimulation regulated intramedullary pressure.

Abstract Physical signals within the bone, i.e. generated from mechanical loading, have the potential to initiate skeletal adaptation. Strong evidence has pointed to bone fluid flow (BFF) as a media between an external load and the bone cells, in which altered velocity and pressure can ultimately initiate the mechanotransduction and the remodeling process within the bone. Load-induced BFF can be altered by factors such as intramedullary pressure (ImP) and/or bone matrix strain, mediating bone adaptation. Previous studies have shown that BFF induced by ImP alone, with minimum bone strain, can initiate bone remodeling. However, identifying induced ImP dynamics and bone strain factor in vivo using a non-invasive method still remains challenging. To apply ImP as a means for alteration of BFF, it was hypothesized that non-invasive dynamic hydraulic stimulation (DHS) can induce local ImP with minimal bone strain to potentially elicit osteogenic adaptive responses via bone–muscle coupling. The goal of this study was to evaluate the immediate effects on local and distant ImP and strain in response to a range of loading frequencies using DHS. Simultaneous femoral and tibial ImP and bone strain values were measured in three 15-month-old female Sprague Dawley rats during DHS loading on the tibia with frequencies of 1 Hz to 10 Hz. DHS showed noticeable effects on ImP induction in the stimulated tibia in a nonlinear fashion in response to DHS over the range of loading frequencies, where they peaked at 2 Hz. DHS at various loading frequencies generated minimal bone strain in the tibiae. Maximal bone strain measured at all loading frequencies was less than 8 μe. No detectable induction of ImP or bone strain was observed in the femur. This study suggested that oscillatory DHS may regulate the local fluid dynamics with minimal mechanical strain in the bone, which serves critically in bone adaptation. These results clearly implied DHS's potential as an effective, non-invasive intervention for osteopenia and osteoporosis treatments.
Local controllability and motion planning for some classes of systems with drift

The author explains how some recent results on the design of controls for nonholonomic systems without drift can be extended to some classes of systems with drift. In particular, it is shown that a dynamic extension of a driftless system that satisfies the Lie algebra rank condition necessary satisfies algebraic sufficient conditions for small-time local controllability at all its equilibrium points. >
Prevention of Bacterial Translocation with Early Enteral Feeding—A Feasible Approach?

Infection is the leading cause of death in severely traumatized patients who spend more than 5 days in the intensive care unit, being responsible for approximately 75% of deaths. The reasons for this are multifactorial, but a major factor appears to be a failure of gut barrier function against translocation of endotoxin and microorganisms from the intestine which follows inadequate enteral nutrition. Thermal injury in experimental animals has been used as a model for studying this important problem.
Valued Activities among Individuals with and without Cognitive Impairments: Findings from the National Health and Aging Trends Study

Purpose of the study Using the National Health and Aging Trends Study (NHATS), we examined activity preferences and participation among individuals with and without cognitive impairments. Design and methods Respondents were classified as having No Dementia (n = 5,264), Possible Dementia (n = 893), or Probable Dementia (n = 518). Respondents rated importance of and actual participation (yes/no) in four activities (visiting friends/family, religious services, clubs/classes, going out for enjoyment). We also examined whether transportation or health limited participation. Results Overall, visiting friends/family was most important (64.03%); although relative importance of activities varied with cognitive status. Compared to cognitively healthy individuals, those with possible and probable dementia were less likely to indicate activities were important and engage in valued activities (ps < .0001). Additionally, poor health limited participation in activities for those cognitively intact or with possible dementia; this was not true for those with probable dementia. Transportation difficulty limited going out for enjoyment for a greater percentage of those with cognitive impairment than those without impairment. Implications Regardless of cognitive level, older adults highly value activities; however, actual participation may decrease with greater impairment in cognitive and physical health and with transportation challenges. Developing tailored interventions for specific populations to achieve desired activity goals is needed.
Enumeration of Colored Dyck Paths Via Partial Bell Polynomials

We consider a class of lattice paths with certain restrictions on their ascents and down-steps and use them as building blocks to construct various families of Dyck paths. We let every building block \(P_j\) take on \(c_j\) colors and count all of the resulting colored Dyck paths of a given semilength. Our approach is to prove a recurrence relation of convolution type, which yields a representation in terms of partial Bell polynomials that simplifies the handling of different colorings. This allows us to recover multiple known formulas for Dyck paths and related lattice paths in a unified manner.
Mentoring Across Generations: The Training of a Millennial Librarian

Michael Chiorazzi spoke in 2013 about the importance of mentoring in law librarianship. By looking at their experience, the authors (a Boomer and a Millennial) evaluate the problems that come with mentoring across generations. The conclusion: while there are real differences between these two generations, they can be overcome.
Primary Gastrointestinal Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma of the Small and Large Intestines: A Systematic Review

Primary gastrointestinal non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (PGINHL) of small and large intestines is a group of heterogeneous, rare malignancies. Optimal treatment practices remain undefined. A systematic review (2003–2015) was performed to assess tumor characteristics, treatment practices, and treatment outcomes of PGINHL of small and large intestines. Twenty-eight studies (1658 patients) were included; five focused on follicular lymphoma subtype. Of the non-follicular patients, 59.3 % presented with abdominal pain, 37.2 % were located in ileocecum, and 53.6 % were diffuse large B cell lymphoma subtype. The majority of patients (60.7 %) were treated with a combination of surgery and chemotherapy. Forty-three percent of studies concluded an overall survival benefit with surgery; none reported increased postoperative morbidity or mortality. Survival outcomes were not typically stratified by emergent versus elective surgery. Multivariate analysis within individual studies associated B cell lymphoma and ileocecum location with higher survival, while advanced stage and B symptoms were associated with poorer survival. Patients with asymptomatic follicular lymphoma had no progression with a watchful waiting approach. The majority of patients with non-follicular small and large intestinal PGINHLs are treated with both chemotherapy and surgery. Although surgery appears to be an important part of the treatment algorithm, definitive statements regarding its survival benefit remain limited due to lack of patient stratification based on timing and indication for surgery.
Oxaliplatin can be safely infused at a rate of 1mg/m2/min.

e14665 Background: Shorter oxaliplatin infusion time would shorten overall treatment time, decompress crowded chemotherapy units, and improve patient satisfaction. Oxaliplatin at a dose of 85mg/m2 is administered over 120 minutes in the standard FOLFOX regimen. An alternative regimen is CapeOx (capecitabine plus oxaliplatin) in which the dose of oxaliplatin is 130mg/m2, also infused over 120 minutes. Not shortening the length of oxaliplatin infusion has been based in large part on concern for hypersensitivity reactions (HSRs) if infused too quickly. Methods: We first reviewed our institutional experience to assure that the rates of HSR were not increased in the Cape Ox regimen, using computerized pharmacy records to identify all patients who received oxaliplatin at our institution between January 1, 2011 and December 31, 2013. Our institutional (pharmacy) adverse drug reporting program was used to identify all HSRs. We then instituted a new policy, as a quality improvement initiative, to infuse all non-re...
Inhibition of farnesyltransferase increases TGFβ type II receptor expression and enhances the responsiveness of human cancer cells to TGFβ

Several small GTPases of the Ras superfamily have been shown to antagonize TGFβ signaling in human tumor cell lines. Some of these GTPases are post-translationally modified by farnesylation, a lipid modification catalyzed by farnesyltransferase and required for the proteins to attach to membranes and to function. In this study, we investigated the effect of the farnesyltransferase inhibitor FTI-277 on TGFβ-regulated cell growth and transcription. Treatment of the human pancreatic tumor cell line, Panc-1, with FTI-277 enhanced the ability of TGFβ to inhibit both anchorage-dependent and -independent tumor cell growth. FTI-277 also enhanced the ability of TGFβ to induce transcription, as measured by p3TP-lux reporter activity and collagen synthesis. The enhancement of TGFβ responses by FTI-277 correlated with the stimulation of transcription and protein expression of type II TGFβ receptor (TβRII). Consequently, FTI-277-treated cells exhibited a higher level of TGFβ binding to its receptor. Thus, inhibition of protein farnesylation stimulates TβRII expression, which leads to increased TGFβ receptor binding and signaling as well as inhibition of tumor cell growth and transformation.
Alloxan Diabetes in Hypophysectomized Rats.

Conclusions1. Diabetes was produced by the injection of alloxan in 15 of 19 hypophysectomized rats. 2. The diabetes so produced tended to be either transitory or fluctuating in severity and it is suggested that this phenomenon represents the “Houssay effect” seen in tlepancreatized hypophysectomized dogs. 3. Extensive loss of beta cells in the islets of Langerhans was noted in all animals in which satisfactory histological preparations were obtained. The presence of hypophysis is therefore not necessary for the production of what appears to be the essential lesion in alloxan diabetes.
Mean Value Theorems and Linear Operators

(1955). Mean Value Theorems and Linear Operators. The American Mathematical Monthly: Vol. 62, No. 4, pp. 217-222.
Decision-making based on language OWA operator for enterprise equipment updating

Using the OWA operator collecting decision information proposed by the American famous scholar Yager,based on the fuzzy linguistic form,considering synthetically the equipment attributes,this paper aggregates the programs of the enterprise equipment updating,and then orders and optimizes the programs to probe the central problem of the enterprise equipment updating and to enhance the validity of the decision-making of the equipment updating.
THE MECHANISM OF ANTIOXIDANT OF DIHYDROMYRICETIN BY QUANTUM CHEMISTRY

Dihydromyricetin belongs to flavonols, which has outstanding antioxidant activity. We compute frontal orbit coefficient of atoms which compose hydroxy, the total molecular energy, the energy of irulina platenU =? the structure which loses hydrogen atom by ab initio method and 6-31G basegroup. The structure stability which loses hydrogen is the key to antioxidant activity . Antioxidant center lies on B loop 3', 4',5' location phenol hydroxy.
Development of a Reliable Measure of Students' Inferential Reasoning Ability.

This mixed-methods study reports psychometric properties of the 34-item Reasoning about P-values and Statistical Significance (RPASS) scale. RPASS is being designed as a research tool to assess effects of teaching methods on students’ inferential reasoning. During development (Phase I), two graphical scenarios and 12 items were added to the scale, field tested, and evaluated by three content raters. During Phase II, reliability and validity evidence were gathered in three college statistics courses. Score reliability was sufficient to conduct group research (= 0.76, n = 105). RPASS scores were correlated with college entrance scores and GPAs as evidence of construct-related validity. Further validity evidence was obtained by analyzing consistency between students’ reasoning and answers for eight items. Future development and research are discussed.
Near Optimal Event-Triggered Control of Nonlinear Discrete-Time Systems Using Neurodynamic Programming

This paper presents an event-triggered near optimal control of uncertain nonlinear discrete-time systems. Event-driven neurodynamic programming (NDP) is utilized to design the control policy. A neural network (NN)-based identifier, with event-based state and input vectors, is utilized to learn the system dynamics. An actor–critic framework is used to learn the cost function and the optimal control input. The NN weights of the identifier, the critic, and the actor NNs are tuned aperiodically once every triggered instant. An adaptive event-trigger condition to decide the trigger instants is derived. Thus, a suitable number of events are generated to ensure a desired accuracy of approximation. A near optimal performance is achieved without using value and/or policy iterations. A detailed analysis of nontrivial inter-event times with an explicit formula to show the reduction in computation is also derived. The Lyapunov technique is used in conjunction with the event-trigger condition to guarantee the ultimate boundedness of the closed-loop system. The simulation results are included to verify the performance of the controller. The net result is the development of event-driven NDP.
Enhancement of high temperature metallic catalysts: Aluminum titanate in the nickel-zirconia system

Abstract Solution infiltration remains limited in its advantage for processing metallic catalysts given the propensity at high temperatures for nanometer scale materials to coarsen at rates far exceeding classic systems. Using SOFC anodes as a model system, this study examines how aluminum titanate as an additive to a porous Ni/YSZ cermet anode stabilizes a network of sub-micron nickel electrocatalysts formed from solution infiltration. Temperature dependent secondary phase formation is studied with XRD and Raman. Spatial evolution of the secondary phases that form is quantified using SEM/TEM/EDX to establish the species present during the thermal activation process. Finally, these results are used to fabricate SOFC membrane electrode assemblies, demonstrating the ease with which aluminum titanate can be added to nickel catalyst systems and the efficacy of the doping process. Current density and EIS measurements indicate that using aluminum titanate as an anode additive dramatically increases catalyst stability such that the time required for degradation to 90% of initial current output was increased by a factor of 115 for modified catalysts.
Changes in Sea Salt Emissions Enhance ENSO Variability

AbstractTwo 150-yr preindustrial simulations with and without interactive sea salt emissions from the Community Earth System Model (CESM) are performed to quantify the interactions between sea salt emissions and El Nino–Southern Oscillation (ENSO). Variations in sea salt emissions over the tropical Pacific Ocean are affected by changing wind speed associated with ENSO variability. ENSO-induced interannual variations in sea salt emissions result in decreasing (increasing) aerosol optical depth (AOD) by 0.03 over the equatorial central-eastern (western) Pacific Ocean during El Nino events compared to those during La Nina events. These changes in AOD further increase (decrease) radiative fluxes into the atmosphere by +0.2 (−0.4) W m−2 over the tropical eastern (western) Pacific. Thereby, sea surface temperature increases (decreases) by 0.2–0.4 K over the tropical eastern (western) Pacific Ocean during El Nino compared to La Nina events and enhances ENSO variability by 10%. The increase in ENSO amplitude is a...
Direct Methanol Fuel Cell Durability

This chapter provides an overview of performance durability issues typically occurring in the direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC), in both single cells and short DMFC stacks. The focus of this chapter is on those sources of performance degradation that have been recognized as impacting DMFC operation in a major way (1) the loss of cathode activity due to surface oxide (hydroxide) formation, (2) ruthenium crossover from the anode to the cathode through the proton-conducting membrane, and (3) membrane–electrode interface degradation. Much attention is devoted to the interpretation of performance losses observed during extended operation of DMFCs under “realistic” DMFC operating conditions, including high-voltage cell operation. A separation of the anode and cathode performance losses is attempted whenever possible. Also addressed in this chapter are various methods of mitigating DMFC performance losses, either at the stage of membrane–electrode assembly design and fabrication or in an operating fuel cell.
Optimization for Blob-Based Image Reconstruction With Generalized Kaiser–Bessel Basis Functions

Generalized Kaiser–Bessel radial basis functions are frequently used in tomographic reconstructions, and the parameter selection can significantly impact both the qualitative and quantitative image characteristics. Currently, the blob parameters are simply selected based on the first-order approximation of a uniform object. To obtain optimal images, a detailed investigation and optimization of blob parameters is needed. In this paper, we aim at optimizing the parameters of the basis functions for optimal image representation and image reconstruction. We first represent the unknown radiotracer activity distribution as the coefficients of blob basis functions on a Bravais lattice from crystallography. We point out that the optimal sampling lattice is just the reciprocal of the lattice that achieves highest packing of equally sized spheres. Based on multidimensional sampling theorem and the Kepler conjecture (proven by Thomas C. Hales), we obtain that the body-centered cubic (BCC) and hexagonal close-packing lattices are optimal in terms of either reducing computational cost at similar image quality or improving image quality at the same computational cost. To optimize the blob parameters, we formulate two new image quality metrics—total harmonic distortion (THD) and minimum approximation error (MAE) based on the theory of approximation—to analytically characterize the blob representation errors of a nonzero uniform object and an arbitrary object, respectively. The MAE is formulated in terms of the power spectral density of an imaging object, and we use it for object-dependent blob parameter optimization. We validate the THD and MAE through numerical examples using homogeneous and heterogeneous objects, respectively. We also present 3-D blob-based image reconstructions using BCC lattice with different shape parameters to show the usefulness of the proposed optimization.
Trends in Readmission Rates, Hospital Charges, and Mortality for Patients With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) in Florida From 2009 to 2014.

Abstract Purpose Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a leading and costly cause of readmissions to the hospital, with one of the highest rates reported in Florida. From 2009 to 2014, strategies such as readmission reduction programs, as well as updated guidelines for COPD management, were instituted to reduce readmission rates for patients with COPD. Thus, the question has been raised whether COPD-related 30-day hospital readmission rates in Florida have decreased and whether COPD-related readmission costs during this period have changed. In addition, we examined trends in length of stay, hospital charges, and in-hospital mortality associated with COPD, as well as identified patient-level risk factors associated with 30-day readmissions. Methods A retrospective analysis of adult patients (≥18 years of age) with COPD was conducted by using the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project Florida State Inpatient Database, 2009 to 2014. Weighted least squares regression was used to assess trends in the COPD readmission rate on a yearly basis, as well as other outcomes of interest. A multivariable logistic regression was used to identify patient characteristics that were associated with 30-day COPD readmissions. Findings Overall, 268,084 adults were identified as having COPD. Between 2009 and 2014, more than half of patients aged 65–84 years, most were white, 55% were female, and 73% had Medicare. The unadjusted rate for COPD-related 30-day readmissions did not change (8.04% to 7.85%; P = 0.434). However, the mean total charge for 30-day COPD-related readmissions was significantly higher in 2014 ($40,611) compared with that in 2009 ($36,714) (P = 0.011). The overall unadjusted in-hospital mortality of COPD-related hospitalizations significantly decreased from 1.83% in 2009 to 1.34% in 2014 (P Implications Although the adjusted odds of COPD readmissions slightly decreased, as did the length of stay and all-cause in-patient mortality, the financial burden increased substantially. Future strategies to further reduce readmissions of patients with COPD and curb financial burden in Florida are needed.
Modernizing the Mohs Surgery Consultation: Instituting a Video Module for Improved Patient Education and Satisfaction.

Background Studies show that patients recall less than half of the information given by their physicians. Use of video in medicine increases patient comprehension and satisfaction and decreases anxiety. However, studies have not elaborated on video content. Objective To use principles of learning with multimedia to improve the Mohs surgery consultation. Materials and methods The authors developed 2 informational videos on Mohs surgery: traditional versus narrative. The focus of the traditional video was purely didactic. The narrative video included patient testimonials, patient-physician interaction, and animations. New Mohs surgery patients viewed either the traditional (n = 40) or the narrative video (n = 40). Existing Mohs surgery patients (n = 40) viewed both videos. Both groups answered questionnaires about their satisfaction. Results For new Mohs surgery patients, no significant difference was found between the traditional and the narrative video groups because respondent satisfaction was high for both video formats. For existing Mohs surgery patients, all respondents (100%) reported that videos were helpful for understanding Mohs surgery; however, the majority would recommend the narrative over the traditional format (72.5% vs 27.5%, p = .01). Conclusion Technology is useful for patient education because all patients preferred seeing a video to no video. Further research is needed to optimize effective multimedia use in patient education.
Recognizing objects in 3D data with distinctive self-similarity features

Local features with invariant descriptions are important for many tasks in image processing and computer vision. This paper presents a new local feature descriptor for 3D object and scene representation. The new descriptor, named 3DSSIM, explores the internal geometric property of layout similarity of 3D objects to produce efficient feature representation. The 3D-SSIM is highly distinctive, quick to compute, and shows superior advantages in terms of robustness to noises, invariance to viewpoints, and tolerance to geometric distortions. We extensively evaluated performance of the new descriptor with various datasets.
Feasibility of Optically-Pumped Four-Level Infrared Lasers

Recently, there has been an interest in integrated opto-electronic devices working in 10μm range1. Since the energies of intersubband transitions in the conduction band of modulation-doped III-V quantum wells and superlattices are in the above range, they seem to be a promising material for various electro-optical devices: detectors2, modulators3 e.t.c. Since the first observation of strong intersubband transition4, proposals5 were made for far-infrared lasers utilizing this transitions. Energy of intersubband transition can be defined by choice of well and barrier thicknesses, and then can be tuned by applying external voltage. Most of propos-als concentrated on injection pumping of the infrared laser, and as such included complicated geometry and doping profile for insuring good current flow.
Surface multiplasmonics with periodically non-homogeneous thin films

Abstract: Multiple surface-plasmon-polariton (SPP) waves – all of the same frequency but with different phase speeds, attenuation rates, degrees of localization to the SPP wave-guiding interface, and spatial profiles – can be guided in a specific direction by an interface of a metal and a dielectric material that is periodically non-homogeneous along the normal to the interface. The partnering dielectric material can be isotropic or anisotropic. Whereas the solution of the canonical boundary-value problem is the best way to characterize these SPP waves, solutions of the Turbadar–Kretschmann–Raether and the grating-coupled configurations – involving periodically non-homogeneous thin films – assist in the practical launching of multiple SPP waves. The possibility of exciting multiple SPP waves promises multianalyte chemical sensors, multichannel communication, and enhanced efficiency of thin-film solar cells.
Deterrence: Legal Perspectives

General deterrence refers to the crime prevention impact of the threat of punishment on the public at large. General deterrence research has evolved in three distinctive and largely disconnected literatures—interrupted time series, ecological, and perceptual studies. This article summarizes the evidence on the existence and source of general deterrent effects from each of these literatures and discusses the implications of this evidence for public policy and future research.
Characterizations of space forms by hypersurfaces

Introduction Real space forms and complex space forms are Riemannian manifolds and Kaehlerian manifolds of constant sectional curvature and of constant holomorphic sectional curvature, respectively. Real space forms were first characterized by E. Cartan by using the existence of totally geodesic submanifolds through every p-plane of its tangent spaces []]. Later, several characterizations of real space forms and complex spaceforms were obtained by various authors. Among them, real space forms and complex space forms are characterized separately. In §2 we will give a short survey on results in this direction. In the last section, we will give a new result which characterizes real space forms and complex space forms at the same time among all irreducible symmetric spaces just by assuming the existence of one certain hypersurface, called quasihypersphere. For the detailed proof of this new result, see §2 and §3 of the forthcoming paper [5].
Prospective trial of preoperative FOLFIRINOX in patients with resectable pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC): Report of early endpoints.

4118Background: Chemotherapy and surgical resection improve survival in patients with PDAC. Neoadjuvant therapy (NAT) may allow better selection for resection and provides early treatment of microm...
Associations of cumulative exposure to heavy metal mixtures with obesity and its comorbidities among U.S. adults in NHANES 2003-2014.

BACKGROUND Some heavy metals (e.g., arsenic, cadmium, lead, mercury) have been associated with obesity and obesity comorbidities. The analytical approach for those associations has typically focused on individual metals. There is a growing interest in evaluating the health effects of cumulative exposure to metal mixtures. OBJECTIVES We utilized our Environmental Risk Score (ERS), a summary measure to examine the risk of exposure to multi-pollutants in epidemiologic research, to evaluate the associations of cumulative exposure to a mixture of correlated heavy metals with obesity and its comorbidities including hypertension, and type-2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) while accounting for high degree correlations and interactions among metal mixtures components. METHODS We examined blood and urinary markers of 18 heavy metals among 9537 adults in NHANES 2003-2014. We randomly split data into a training set for the construction of ERS (n = 6675) and a testing set for the evaluation of its statistical performance (n = 2862). ERS of heavy metal mixtures was computed for waist circumference using adaptive elastic-net (AENET) with 189 predictors including 18 main effects, 18 squared terms, and 153 pairwise interactions of heavy metals. Regression analyses with complex survey designs were performed to assess the associations of ERS with other obesity measures, hypertension and T2DM. RESULTS 7 main effects (blood lead, blood cadmium, blood mercury, and urinary markers of monomethylarsonic acid (MMA), barium, mercury and thallium), 4 squared terms (blood cadmium, urinary cadmium, urinary antimony and urinary tungsten), and 7 pairwise interactions (blood lead & urinary cadmium, blood lead & urinary MMA, blood lead & urinary uranium, urinary cadmium & urinary MMA, urinary dimethylarsinic acid (DMA) & urinary tungsten, urinary MMA & urinary cobalt, and urinary lead & urinary antimony) were selected by AENET for construction of ERS of waist circumference-related metal mixtures. An increase in ERS from 10th percentile to 90th percentile in the overall study population was significantly associated with 4.50 kg/m2 (95% CI: 4.06, 4.94) higher BMI, 4.16 mm (95% CI: 3.56, 4.76) higher skinfold thickness, and 4.11 kg (95% CI: 0.83, 7.40) higher total body fat, independent of age, sex, race/ethnicity, education, smoking status, physical activity and NHANES cycle (Ps < 0.05). Significant associations of ERS with both hypertension and T2DM were also observed (Ps < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS Our study suggests that cumulative exposure to heavy metals as mixtures is associated with obesity and its related chronic conditions such as hypertension and T2DM. Additional research is needed to confirm these findings in longitudinal settings.