cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Introduction to Special Issue on Sex Offenses and Offenders: Toward Evidence-Based Public Policy

Since the early 1990s, state and federal lawmakers have enacted a range of laws and policies intended to mitigate the societal risk presented by sex offenders. In recent years, sex offender legislation has ranked near the top of state legislative agendas, and the U.S. Congress has asserted a role in shaping the nation’s sex offender management practice at the state level. Although this legislative activity has been accompanied by research-generated knowledge that has improved professionals’ ability to assess risk and to provide effective treatment and supervision, research on the specific effects of the policies is scanty. Hence, significant gaps are found between prevailing public policies and effective practices. This article introduces a special issue of Criminal Justice and Behavior focused on critically evaluating the efficacy of contemporary sex offender management policies in terms of enhancing public safety. The article describes the studies contained in the issue and places these studies into a broader policy framework. It concludes with a call for expanding the role of evidence in the development of our nation’s sex offender laws.
Cecal colonization of chicks by porcine strains of Campylobacter coli.

SUMMARY. Ten genotypically distinct strains of Campylobacter coli were isolated from a swine production facility. These porcine isolates were then orally inoculated into day-of-hatch leghorn chicks and were excellent colonizers of the chick cecum. Campylobacter coli recovered from inoculated chickens were genotypically identical to the challenge strain. The absence of host specificity suggests a possible movement of strains among swine, field animals and birds, and poultry houses.
Scattering in Nearly-Clean Mesoscopic Structures

In the study of mesoscopic structures, interesting effects generally arise from the absence of scattering. Specifically, it is now possible to engineer device potentials which vary on length scales such that electron motion is ballistic. As phase coherence (Leggett, 1990; Ikoma, 1990) is maintained, some intrinsically quantum mechanical transport phenomena can be studied, such as the Aharonov-Bohm effect (Feng et al, 1986) and quantized conductance through a constriction. Scattering by randomly situated impurities, however, is generally held to be an undesirable perturbation which broadens otherwise sharp features or introduces too many uncontrollable or unusable features. In a two-dimensional electron gas, even in the absence of a structured device potential, scattering causes universal conductance fluctuations (Feng et al, 1986; Datta et al, 1988), whose structure is very sensitive to the precise impurity configuration. In this paper, we give examples of phenomena which contradict this (usually appropriate) point of view. In the appropriate geometry, we show that elastic scatterers can produce a sharp resonant feature, whose position in energy is insensitive to fine details of the defect configuration.
Rainwater catchment and the challenges of sustainable development

Early mankind impounded rainfall in rock caverns for consumptive needs. The first farmers situated plots below slopes where runoff could be diverted. Rainwater catchment was an early step in pursuit of sustenance. What is ancient in one respect, however, remains new in another. Rainwater catchment is today employed worldwide for potable and agricultural water supply. Technology is advancing in roofing, guttering and storage, water quality protection and distribution. Catchments abound in both developing and economically advanced nations. Applications include both adaptations to traditional dwellings and modern architecture. Fundamentally more changed than new technology or applications, however, is the viewpoint from which rainwater catchment can be evaluated. Rainwater catchment is a systems problem, a collection of interactive components best understood not as parts, but in their interrelationship. So viewed, rainwater catchment merits consideration as a component of sustainable water resource development. This paper reviews the challenges of rainwater catchment in sustainable development.
Variations in Proton Therapy Coverage in the State of Texas: Defining Medical Necessity for a Safe and Effective Treatment.

Abstract Purpose: The definition of medical necessity and indications for coverage of proton beam therapy (PBT) for the treatment of cancer can vary greatly among different professional societies (PSs) and payors. Variations in policies introduce substantial inefficiencies and limit access for patients who may clinically benefit from PBT. The purpose of this study was to analyze differences in medical necessity and coverage policies among payors and a PS. Materials and Methods: Peer-reviewed references and coverage decisions were abstracted from the coverage policies of each of the major payors in the state of Texas (Aetna-TX, UnitedHealthcare-TX, Blue Cross Blue Shield-TX) as well as from a representative PS, the Particle Therapy Cooperative Group. Differences in number and quality of references as well as coverage decisions were analyzed with descriptive statistics. Results: Proton beam therapy coverage in the state of Texas varied among payors and the PS for several disease sites, including the central...
Methodologies and Measuring Devices to Investigate Steering Systems in Crashed Cars

Methodologie et technique de mesure pour l'etude des systemes de direction des voitures accidentees
Modeling the Effects of Na Incorporation on CIGS Solar Cells

In this paper, we quantitatively evaluate the relative importance of three mechanisms that are proffered by various groups to interpret the effects of sodium (Na) incorporation in copper indium gallium diselenide solar cells. The suggested mechanisms are 1) increase in the carrier density due to defect passivation; 2) spatial redistribution of gallium (Ga); and 3) change in the crystal orientation. The simulation framework which is developed for this purpose indicates that, among these three coexisting effects, the increase in the carrier density with Na incorporation is likely to be most important. If the grain boundaries (GBs) initially contain donor-like traps that are subsequently passivated by Na, the increase in carrier density can improve the cell efficiency significantly. On the other hand, we find that the effects of Ga redistribution and change in crystal orientation are limited.
Most challenging of contexts: assessing the impact of focused deterrence on serious violence in New Orleans

Research Summary The use of focused deterrence to reduce lethal violence driven by gangs and groups of chronic offenders has continued to expand since the initial Boston Ceasefire intervention in the 1990s, where prior evaluations have shown relatively consistent promise in terms of violence reduction. This study focuses on the capacity of focused deterrence to impact lethal violence in a chronic and high-trajectory homicide setting: New Orleans, Louisiana. Using a two-phase analytical design, our evaluation of the Group Violence Reduction Strategy (GVRS) observed the following findings: (a) GVRS team members in the City of New Orleans closely followed model implementation; (b) homicides in New Orleans experienced a statistically significant reduction above and beyond changes observed in comparable lethally violent cities; (c) the greatest changes in targeted outcomes were observed in gang homicides, young Black male homicides, and firearms violence; and (d) the decline in targeted violence corresponded with the implementation of the pulling levers notification meetings. Moreover, the observed reduction in crime outcomes was not empirically associated with a complementary violence-reduction strategy that was simultaneously implemented in a small geographic area within the city. Policy Implications The findings presented in this article demonstrate that focused deterrence holds considerable promise as a violence prevention approach in urban contexts with persistent histories of lethal violence, heightened disadvantage, and undermined police (and institutional) legitimacy. The development of a multiagency task force, combined with unwavering political support from the highest levels of government within the city, were likely linked to high programmatic fidelity. Organizationally, the development of a program manager and intelligence analyst, along with the use of detailed problem analyses and the integration of research, assisted the New Orleans working group in identifying the highest risk groups of violent offenders to target for the GVRS notification sessions. The impacts on targeted violence were robust and consistent with the timing of the intervention. KEYWORDS: Juvenile justice; Juvenile delinquency; Gangs Language: en
Use of Soil Survey Reports in Geotechnical Projects

Practicing geotechnical engineers and engineering geologists generally consult published geologic maps and reports, topographic maps, and air photos including remote sensing data, for developing initial project design and preliminary investigation plans. However, a valuable source of information, very useful in the preliminary stage of geotechnical projects, is available in county soil survey reports. These reports are frequently overlooked by the geotechnical professionals due to the misconception that these reports, published by the Soil Conservation Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, contain information on agricultural aspects of soils, such as soil fertility, production of various crops, agriculture related land uses, etc. While agricultural use of soils is the primary focus, these reports also contain information on the physical, chemical, and hydrological and engineering properties of soils. The nature and contents of county soil survey reports, the types of engineering and related data available are discussed in this paper. Three case studies are presented to illustrate the usefulness of such information in geotechnical projects. A recommendation is made for wider use of these reports by geotechnical professionals.
Sums of Finite Sets of Integers

(1972). Sums of Finite Sets of Integers. The American Mathematical Monthly: Vol. 79, No. 9, pp. 1010-1012.
Distribution, Abundance, and Sampling of Fall Armyworm (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in South-central Louisiana Cornfields

Fall armyworm (FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith), were sampled from cornfields at the St. Gabriel Experiment Station in south-central Louisiana from 1981 to 1983. Data from single-plant samples and five-plant samples for small, medium, and large larvae and total population were fitted to the Poisson, negative binomial, and Neyman type-A distributions, as well as the Taylor power function. None of the three distributions fit FAW populations consistently. The power function provided significant regressions for all eight larval categories and was used to calculate number of samples required for different larval densities for a given confidence level.
The New Era of Informed Consent: Getting to a Reasonable-Patient Standard Through Shared Decision Making

This Viewpoint discusses the benefits of developing a patient-centered informed consent standard and the resources it would take to achieve it in practice.
Military Blood Banking: Platelet Packaging

Abstract : The purpose of this research was to study the variance in recommended storage temperature for platelets and to provide proper protection during transit. Tests were conducted in an environmental chamber designed to provide constant temperature with plus or minus .01 F fluctuation. An eleven-channel scanning telethermometer was used to measure temperature of the 25 ml aliquots of platelet-rich plasma. Platelet aggregation occurs at low temperatures even with agitation; however, aggregation is not considered to be a reliable means of measuring viability. Nevertheless, the degree of effectiveness of transfused platelets to improve hemostasis is dependent on their ability to circulate in the recipient. Consequently, investigators recommended different temperatures for processing and preparing platelets for storage based on a particular phase of the processing procedure. The real need for establishing a standard criterion for determining platelet viability is evidenced by the variance in temperatures recommended. Data are submitted describing packaging techniques which will provide maximum protection for platelets during transit based on the particular processing procedure used.
ELECTRON-ACCEPTING STRENGTH OF ALUMINUM SPECIES IN H-ZEOLITES

ABSTRACT The strength of Lewis acid sites in H-mordenite, HL, HY zeolites and transition alumina was studied by EPR with aniline and N,N-dimethylaniline (DMA) as molecular probes. The following order was established: HM > HL > HY > alumina. Non-framework Al species in zeolites was shown to be an important source of Lewis acidity. Introduction of oxygen after the adsorption of organic reagent resulted in the formation of O2, most probably located on the non-framework Al species. The measurement of the hyperfine splitting constant, Azz, of O2 confirms the above order of acid strength. The effect of zeolite structure on the acid strength of both framework and non-framework Al is discussed.
Acetylcholine Release in Prefrontal Cortex Promotes Gamma Oscillations and Theta-Gamma Coupling during Cue Detection

The capacity for using external cues to guide behavior ("cue detection") constitutes an essential aspect of attention and goal-directed behavior. The cortical cholinergic input system, via phasic increases in prefrontal acetylcholine release, plays an essential role in attention by mediating such cue detection. However, the relationship between cholinergic signaling during cue detection and neural activity dynamics in prefrontal networks remains unclear. Here we combined subsecond measures of cholinergic signaling, neurophysiological recordings, and cholinergic receptor blockade to delineate the cholinergic contributions to prefrontal oscillations during cue detection in rats. We first confirmed that detected cues evoke phasic acetylcholine release. These cholinergic signals were coincident with increased neuronal synchrony across several frequency bands and the emergence of theta-gamma coupling. Muscarinic and nicotinic cholinergic receptors both contributed specifically to gamma synchrony evoked by detected cues, but the effects of blocking the two receptor subtypes were dissociable. Blocking nicotinic receptors primarily attenuated high-gamma oscillations occurring during the earliest phases of the cue detection process, while muscarinic (M1) receptor activity was preferentially involved in the transition from high to low gamma power that followed and corresponded to the mobilization of networks involved in cue-guided decision making. Detected cues also promoted coupling between gamma and theta oscillations, and both nicotinic and muscarinic receptor activity contributed to this process. These results indicate that acetylcholine release coordinates neural oscillations during the process of cue detection.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT The capacity of learned cues to direct attention and guide responding ("cue detection") is a key component of goal-directed behavior. Rhythmic neural activity and increases in acetylcholine release in the prefrontal cortex contribute to this process; however, the relationship between these neuronal mechanisms is not well understood. Using a combination of in vivo neurochemistry, neurophysiology, and pharmacological methods, we demonstrate that cue-evoked acetylcholine release, through distinct actions at both nicotinic and muscarinic receptors, triggers a procession of neural oscillations that map onto the multiple stages of cue detection. Our data offer new insights into cholinergic function by revealing the temporally orchestrated changes in prefrontal network synchrony modulated by acetylcholine release during cue detection.
Designing a Course

“Dr. Samuels did that for years. Now that he’s gone, we need a new EBM course. Can you take that on?”
Collecting Gender: Women Participation in 1930s Scientific Collecting

The professionalization of science during the latter 19th and early 20th centuries had a profound effect upon the place of women within the science discipline. Women were refused access to higher education and its translation into employment, especially in higher status positions such as professorship. 1 As authors Henry Etzkowitz and Carol Kemelgor explained, "The traditional family environment freed up men to pursue research, while also giving them time to engage in the 'laboratory politics' that leads to managerial positions." 2 Women remained bound to and defined by their gendered domestic roles as wife and mother, which strained their pursuit of research and their activity within science culture politics. 3 Women scientists were therefore relegated to lower status positions, commonly those of periphery science. Periphery science has historically been less favored and less publicly acknowledged or honored compared with the work of "professional" male scientists. 4 But gender historians should discuss both the obstacles women scientists faced as well as the ways in which women did participate in science. This work is an investigation into the subculture and community of scientific collecting through the analysis of 1920s and 1930s entomological collecting trip field notes by the Beamer family from University of Kansas. A subculture can be defined as "an ethnic, regional, economic, or social group exhibiting characteristic patterns of behavior sufficient to distinguish it from others within an embracing culture or society." 5 Collecting was a subculture of both professional science culture and mainstream American society. It was marked by its regional location in the American West and did exhibit patterns of behavior that distinguished it from professional science culture and society. This scientific subculture both accepted and promoted women involvement in collecting, and science in general. Collecting was a vein of science open to all participants, regardless of expertise, experience, education, age, or sex. Within this collecting subculture, members developed strategies for the existence of their culture and also felt a level of acceptance and camaraderie within their community.
Growth and Vulnerability in Africa as a Consequence of Chinese Investment

Despite its late entry into the market, China has become the largest trading partner with sub-Saharan African countries. In fact, China pumped over $210 million into Africa last year. The consequen...
The association between adolescent cannabis use and anxiety: A parallel process analysis.

Abstract Introduction Associations between anxiety symptoms and cannabis use have been previously explored, yet the directionality of these associations remains highly debatable. The present study aims to prospectively examine patterns of cannabis use and anxiety during adolescence focusing on their co-development and bidirectional influences. Methods Adolescents ( n = 250) of predominantly Hispanic ethnicity, aged 14–17 at baseline, exposed to drugs, alcohol, or cigarettes completed three (bi-annual) assessments across a 1-year period. Latent growth curve modeling (LGCM) and parallel process growth curves were conducted to examine potential associations in the joint development of anxiety and cannabis use. Results Our results suggest that, during adolescence, early cannabis use has a greater influence on prospective reports of anxiety, than vice versa. Specifically, adolescents exhibiting higher initial levels of cannabis use displayed more persisting self-reported anxiety across time, as compared to those with less frequent use (b = 0.28, p = 0.024). In contrast, early levels of anxiety were not found to influence rates of change in cannabis use. These analyses considered concurrent depression, alcohol, and nicotine use. Conclusions Our findings suggest that prevention and targeted intervention programs for cannabis use in adolescence would benefit from anxiety management strategies; in order to reduce subsequent anxiety associated with cannabis use. Future studies should continue to employ longitudinal designs across larger time periods and aim to replicate these findings with more diverse samples.
Partition Lattice Operators for Extraction of Semantic Video Objects

We conceive the problem of multiple semantic video object (SVO) extraction as an issue of designing operators on a complete lattice of partitions. In this paper, we propose a framework based on accurate spatial partition generation and application of optimal extraction operators on the generated partitions. Under the framework, we introduce a spatio-temporal regional maximum likelihood operator for extraction purposes. Some theoretical properties of the operators are established. Experimental results show that our scheme is capable of successfully handling multiple SVOs in a variety of scenarios.
Denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis analysis of a methyl tert-butyl ether degrading culture applied in a membrane bioreactor

A membrane bioreactor (MBR) was operated for the removal of methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) from water. Although the reactor was seeded with several cultures acclimated to MTBE degradation, a long start-up time was observed. Monitoring of the reactor with denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) revealed a dramatic shift in the MBR culture from the original seed culture, indicating that the membrane had exerted a selective pressure on the culture. The MBR culture was found to be dominated almost entirely by Sphingomonas, belonging to the a-4 subclass of the a-Proteobacteria. Several unique properties of Sphingomonas, including their characteristic outer membrane containing glycosphingolipids, as well as their extreme adeptness at xenobiotic degradation are hypothesized to have aided in their selection in this bioreactor.
Timber-processing capacity and capabilities in the Western United States.

This examination of milling capacity and timber use in the western United States summarizes changes in the region’s wood products industry and its ability to use trees of various sizes. Between 1986 and 2003, total timber-processing capacity in the West (excluding pulpwood and fuelwood) declined from 5.0 to 3.2 billion cubic feet annually, and capacity utilization decreased from 3.6 to 2.5 billion cubic feet. During 2003, 2.2 billion cubic feet of timber processed in the West was from trees 10-in. dbh, and 2.5 billion cubic feet (80%) of capacity was not capable of efficiently processing trees 10-in. dbh. Geographic distribution of existing capacity and small-tree capabilities is critical to forest management activities throughout the West.
Regional Reliability Envelopes of Flood Warning Systems

Envelopes of Relative Operating Characteristics (ROC) display graphically the overall reliability of flood warning systems within a region. The purpose of ROC envelopes is to provide information for strategic planning and policy decisions. This study presents ROC envelopes of warning systems for uncontrolled rivers in Pennsylvania during the 1960–80’s.
A controlled-transient technique for measuring radiation-induced conductivity in dielectrics

This paper treats enradient behavior, as opposed to comparisons between preirradiation and post irradiation behavior. Measurements were made under constant-intensity irradiation (about 60 rad/sec 60Co gammas), with current being observed as it responded to changes in the applied electric field. Electric fields were limited to the range below about 50 kv/cm.
A Multi-Mode Solution for Analysis of the Reflection Coefficient of Open-Ended Rectangular Waveguides Radiating into a Dielectric Infinite Half-Space

The open-ended rectangular waveguide probe is a powerful tool for characterizing the dielectric and reflection properties of various materials and structures [1–11]. In these applications the measurable parameter, Г(i.e. the reflection coefficient), is used to determine the sought-for parameters. The said reflection coefficient is defined as the ratio of the reflected electric field at the aperture of the waveguide to that of the incident electric field.
"That's Not the Milk Sharing I'm Doing": Responses to a Pediatrics Article from Women Who Milk Share

An article published in the journal Pediatrics in 2013 revealing the presence of bacteria in breast milk purchased online resulted in increased media attention to peer-to-peer breast milk sharing. Media representations portray women who milk share as well-intentioned but uninformed about the possible dangers of milk sharing. Our study explores the reactions of mothers who milk share to media representations of the study. Data consist of an online survey of 392 and in-depth interviews with thirty milk sharing participants in Central Florida. Our findings show that 54.5 percent of participants expressed skepticism by using knowledge of the scientific method to question the Pediatrics study's methods and findings, the researchers' motives, and the remarkability of the findings. The 43.5 percent of participants who accepted the Pediatrics study's findings rejected its applicability to their own practices. They distinguished the sale/purchase from the free exchange of breast milk, highlighted the importance of...
Chapter 10 – Mass spectrometry of polymers

This chapter describes the mass spectrometry (MS) and its increasing importance in polymer characterization. Vaporization and ionization techniques are being developed that make macromolecules fly with little fragmentation. Therefore, the advantages of short measurement and analysis times make mass spectrometry an important tool in polymer characterization. MS is the study of ions created as a result of ionization/fragmentation as determined electrically in the gas phase. The mass spectrum is a graphical representation of the ion abundance versus the mass-to-charge ratio of the ions separated in a mass spectrometer. MS is used to study the formation, separation, detection, and interpretation of ions in the gas phase. Modern MS, particularly with the advent of MALDI, is finally causing polymer chemists to be interested in MS as a structural analysis tool. But in the future, MS will join IR and NMR as regular techniques used by polymer chemists. Each technique has unique capabilities, and often a combination of more than one method is needed to solve complex problems in identification and chemical structure determination.
Language as Gatekeeper for Equitable Education: Multilingual Education in Cambodia

Multilingual education (MLE) is paramount in providing educational access and social equity to ethnolinguistic minority populations. This has been long recognized since UNESCO’s classic statement that it is “axiomatic” for children to learn in their own languages. Undertaking research in the Ratanak Kiri province of Cambodia, this book chapter aims to illuminate how MLE policy and practice have affected the Kreung-speaking Indigenous communities. The discussion in this chapter will be based on main findings from a study conducted in June/July 2015 that evaluated the state of MLE implementation in Cambodia. Data collection methods included report reading/analysis, informational meetings, individual interviews, group discussions, classroom observations, and some photographic recordings at the national, provincial, and local levels. Based on our analysis, we support current strategies and recommend further steps to strengthen the quality, improve the sustainability, and further expand the approach to MLE at the preschool and primary levels.
Intergenerational Association of Maternal Obesity and Child Peer Victimization in the United States

Drawing on the intergenerational stress proliferation theory, the courtesy stigma thesis, and the buffering ethnic culture thesis, this study examines the association between maternal obesity and child's peer victimization and whether this association varies for white and black children. Based on longitudinal data from a nationally representative sample of mother-child pairs in the U.S. Panel Study of Income Dynamics Child Development Supplement, negative binomial models show that maternal obesity is associated with increased frequency of peer victimization, even after controlling for family socioeconomic status, child weight status, health status, self-esteem, and demographic characteristics. The association was significant only for white children. Given the developmental significance of child peer relations and the social disparities in obesity, future studies need to explicitly test causal mechanisms underlying the association to decide whether obesity may function as a family stressor (versus an individual stressor) that contributes to the intergenerational reproduction of inequality.
Letters to the editor; Response to: a possible spurious correlation between human papillomavirus vaccination introduction and birth rate change in the United States

In their letter to the editor, Shibata and Kataoka,1offer a critique of my paper, “A lowered probably of pregnancy in females in the USA aged 25–29 who received a human papillomavirus vaccine injec...
Biosynthesis of tetrahydroisoquinoline alkaloids in brain and other tissues of ethanol-intoxicated rats.

This paper summarizes some of our studies on the interactions of alcohol or amine-derived aldehydes with the catecholamines (CAs). There has been increasing research interest and speculation since 1968 in the potential formation of tetrahydroisoquinoline (TIQ) alkaloids in mammalian cells via such interactions, and in the role such TIQs may have in alcohol dependence. Reviewing, two principal TIQ theories related to alcoholism have been elaborated. (1) The initial suggestion is that ethanol (EtOH)-derived acetaldehyde (AcH) may produce “simple” (1-alkyl) TIQs from its bimolecular cyclization or condensation with CAs (Collins and Cohen, 1968; Robbins, 1968; Cohen and Collins, 1970; Yamanaka et al., 1970). The major products of these cyclizations, shown in Figure 1, are salsolinol derived from dopamine (DA), and the corresponding 4, 6, 7-trihydroxy-TIQ alkaloids derived from epinephrine (E) and nor-epinephrine (NE). For simplicity, the minor isomeric TIQs resulting from neutral aqueous cyclizations and stereochemical isomers of all products (Cohen and Collins, 1970; King et al., 1974) are not considered. (2) The second postulate depends upon the fact that EtOH-derived AcH, as a substrate for aldehyde dehydrogenase, may inhibit the oxidation and thereby elevate concentrations of endogenous phenylacetaldehydes which normally arise from DA and 3-methoxy-DA deaminations. Davis and Walsh (1970) suggested the EtOH-dependent augmentation of a TIQ formation route demonstrated in vitro a decade ago (Holtz et al., 1964), involving cyclization of the phenylacetal-dehydes with DA to give 1-benzyl-substituted-TIQs related or identical to tetrahydropapaveroline (Figure 1). Both theories suggest the alkaloids or their metabolites have neurophysiological actions that would persist after EtOH depressant effects had dissipated. These actions may be manifested in and underlie part of the alcohol withdrawal syndrome.
Longitudinal analysis of dementia diagnosis and specialty care among racially diverse Medicare beneficiaries

Abstract Introduction There is insufficient understanding of diagnosis of etiologic dementia subtypes and contact with specialized dementia care among older Americans. Methods We quantified dementia diagnoses and subsequent health care over five years by etiologic subtype and physician specialty among Medicare beneficiaries with incident dementia diagnosis in 2008/09 (226,604 persons/714,015 person-years). Results Eighty-five percent of people were diagnosed by a nondementia specialist physician. Use of dementia specialists within one year (22%) and five years (36%) of diagnosis was low. "Unspecified" dementia diagnosis was common, higher among those diagnosed by nondementia specialists (33.2%) than dementia specialists (21.6%). Half of diagnoses were Alzheimer's disease. Discussion Ascertainment of etiologic dementia subtype may inform hereditary risk and facilitate financial and care planning. Use of dementia specialty care was low, particularly for Hispanics and Asians, and associated with more detection of etiological subtype. Dementia-related professional development for nonspecialists is urgent given their central role in dementia diagnosis and care.
Spectrum-Efficient Communication Over Copper Using Hybrid Amplitude and Spatial Signaling

This article analyzes the potentials of different signaling methods to reach very high data communication speeds over copper channels. As the available bandwidth is limited in this type of channels, sensitivity to ISI (inter-symbol interference) turns out to be the key parameter influencing both data rate, and energy consumption. Performance of some of the main common signaling methods, all based on non-return to zero (NRZ), used in wire-line communications, are examined for implementing short-reach links. Moreover, it is shown that a proper combination of spatial and amplitude domain coding improves the signal quality (i.e., eye opening), enabling data transfer rates beyond 112 Gb/s.
Bone Mineral Density across the Lifespan in Patients with Type 1 Diabetes

Context Fracture risk in people with type 1 diabetes (T1D) is higher than their peers without diabetes. Objective To compare bone mineral density (BMD) across the lifespan in individuals with T1D and age- and sex-matched healthy controls. Design Cross-sectional. Setting Subjects (5-71 years) with T1D and matched controls from ongoing research studies at Barbara Davis Center for Diabetes. Patients or other participants Participants with lumbar spine BMD by dual X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) were divided into 2 groups: children ≤20 years and adults >20 years. Intervention None. Main outcome measures Comparison of BMD by diabetes status across age groups and sex using a linear least squares model adjusted for age and body mass index (body mass index (BMI) for adults; and BMI z-score in children). Results Lumbar spine BMD from 194 patients with T1D and 156 controls were analyzed. There was no difference in age- and BMI-adjusted lumbar spine BMD between patients with T1D and controls: among male children (least squares mean ± standard error of the mean [LSM ± SEM]; 0.80 ± 0.01 vs 0.80 ± 0.02 g/cm2, P = .98) or adults (1.01 ± 0.03 vs 1.01 ± 0.03 g/cm2, P = .95), and female children (0.78 ± 0.02 vs 0.81 ± 0.02 g/cm2, P = .23) or adults (0.98 ± 0.02 vs 1.01 ± 0.02 g/cm2, P = .19). Lumbar spine (0.98 ± 0.02 vs 1.04 ± 0.02 g/cm2, P = .05), femoral neck (0.71 ± 0.02 vs 0.79 ± 0.02 g/cm2, P = .003), and total hip (0.84 ± 0.02 vs 0.91 ± 0.02, P = .005) BMD was lower among postmenopausal women with T1D than postmenopausal women without diabetes. Conclusion Across age groups, lumbar spine BMD was similar in patients with T1D compared with age- and sex-matched participants without diabetes, except postmenopausal females with T1D had lower lumbar spine, femoral neck, and total hip BMD.
Pediatric radiologist-driven didactics for a pediatric residency program: a quality initiative.

Pediatric residents exhibit knowledge gaps in appropriateness of imaging utilization. This study evaluates the value of radiologist-driven imaging education in a pediatric residency program. The primary goals of this educational program were to provide pediatric residents with resources such as the American College of Radiology Appropriateness Criteria, support optimal resource utilization and patient care, increase resident understanding of radiation risk, and determine the value of integrating radiologists into pediatric education. A needs assessment was performed in which the chief residents of a large pediatric program were surveyed. The consensus of chief residents was that a four-part lecture series delivered by a pediatric radiology fellow would be beneficial to the pediatric residents. Topics included general radiation risk as well as basic imaging topics in the chest, abdomen, neurological system, extremities and vasculature. Each lecture integrated appropriate ordering, ALARA (As Low As Reasonably Achievable)/Image Gently, and basic image interpretation. Residents were asked, using a Likert scale, to rate their understanding of radiation risk, the ACR Appropriateness Criteria, and other topics of interest before and after each lecture. Pediatric residents were given a 10-item quiz before and after the lecture series to assess their knowledge regarding the best test to order in clinical scenarios. The average pre-lecture score for knowledge of radiation risk was 3.27 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 3.02–3.51) out of 5, which improved to 4.27 (95% CI: 4.09–4.57) post-lecture. There was an increase in understanding of ACR appropriateness, with pre-lecture rating of knowledge increasing from 1.91 (95% CI 1.54–2.29) out of 5 to 3.61 (95% CI 3.33–3.90) post-lecture. The residents averaged 82.7% (95% CI 77.3%–88.1%) on the appropriateness pre-test and 93.8% (95% CI 90.3%–97.2%) on the post-test. Residents provided positive feedback upon conclusion of the program and reported a beneficial effect on their education. A radiologist-driven lecture series in a pediatric residency can improve resident understanding of appropriate ordering practices and radiation risk. Radiologist participation in pediatric residency training is well-received.
Can we mimic skeletal muscles for novel drug discovery

Skeletal muscle is a highly regenerative tissue that produces contractile forces required for respiration and locomotion and aids regulation of whole-body energy homeostasis via post-prandial gluco...
LEADER Trial Eligibility and Preventable Cardiovascular Events in US Adults with Diabetes: the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys 2007-2016.

The Liraglutide Effect and Action in Diabetes: Evaluation of Cardiovascular Outcome Results (LEADER) trial showed the cardiovascular disease (CVD) benefits of liraglutide therapy among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). We applied this trial to US adults with T2DM in terms of eligibility and preventable CVD events. We included US adults with T2DM from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2007–2016. Eligibility criteria from LEADER primary and secondary prevention cohorts were applied to determine potentially eligible US adults. We estimated the number of primary composite and secondary CVD endpoints that would occur based on LEADER treated and placebo published event rates, with the difference indicating the number of preventable events. Among 4672 (projected to 27.3 million [M]) adults we identified with T2DM, we estimated 800 (4.2 million) (15.4%) to fit LEADER eligibility criteria, including 205 (0.9 M) primary prevention 595 (3.3 M) secondary prevention subjects. Compared to LEADER trial participants, our sample had higher proportions of women and minorities, prior angina, chronic kidney disease, and lipid-lowering medication use. We estimated 21,209 primary composite CVD events, 29,691 extended CVD composite outcomes, 16,967 all-cause deaths, 16,967 cardiovascular deaths, 12,725 myocardial infarctions, and 12,725 microvascular events would be prevented annually if our eligible T2DM subjects were on liraglutide. Liraglutide may prevent many fatal and non-fatal CVD events if provided to US adults meeting LEADER eligibility criteria. More efforts are needed to educate the healthcare providers on the CVD benefits from newer diabetes therapies, including liraglutide.
Venture Capital Investments, Mergers and Competition Laws around the World

We examine the relation between venture capital (VC) investments, M&A activity, and merger competition laws in 48 countries around the world. We find evidence of a strong positive association between VC investments and lagged M&A activity, consistent with the hypothesis that an active M&A market provides viable exit opportunities for VC companies and therefore incentivizes them to engage in more deals. We also explore the effects of country-level merger competition laws and also pro-takeover legislation passed internationally on VC activity. We find significant reductions in VC activity in countries with stricter competition laws and find that VC activity intensifies after enactment of country-level takeover-friendly legislation.
Analysis of the PICUP Collection: Strengths and Areas for Development

The PICUP Collection of Exercise Sets (this https URL) contains over 60 peer-reviewed computation-infused activities for use in various physics courses from high school through graduate study. Each Exercise Set includes an instructor guide, student-facing exercises, and sample implementations for one or more programming platforms. We present an analysis of this Collection based on Exercise Set traits such as course level, word count, completion time, course context, computational methods, programming platforms, and engagement elements. This analysis highlights the strengths of the PICUP Collection (such as variety in subject and method coverage) and where there is ample room for development (such as expansion of high school- and advanced-level offerings and a greater representation of programming platforms).
Retail Investors’ Perceptions of the Decision-Usefulness of Economic Performance, Governance, and Corporate Social Responsibility Disclosures

ABSTRACT: Academic literature and the business press have placed increased attention on the corporate disclosure of nonfinancial information. This study uses a survey of 750 retail investors to examine perceptions about indicators of economic performance, corporate governance policies and performance, and corporate social responsibility. Survey results indicate that retail investors currently are most concerned with economic performance information, followed by governance, and then corporate social responsibility information. Those respondents who currently hold socially responsible investments use more of all three types of nonfinancial information than respondents who currently do not hold socially responsible investments. Further, retail investors clearly prefer to obtain information about corporate social responsibility information from a third-party source and governance information from an audited or regulated document, while they use both sources to garner information about indicators of economic p...
Moral normativity

It is a platitude that morality is normative, but a substantive and interesting question whether morality is normative in a robust and important way; and although it is often assumed that morality is indeed robustly normative, that view is by no means uncontroversial, and a compelling argument for it is conspicuously lacking. In this paper, I provide such an argument. I argue, based on plausible claims about the relationship between moral wrongs and moral criticizability, and the relationship between criticizability and normative reasons, that moral facts necessarily confer normative reasons upon moral agents.
The Leadership Stories Our Youth Are Told: Characterizations of Leadership Behaviors and Orientations in Popular Youth TV Shows

Given the consistently high viewership of television (TV) by youth, the social, behavioral, developmental, and psychological impact of such viewing has been studied for decades. Yet, little research has focused on the connections between youth, the TV shows to which they are exposed, and the characterizations of leadership presented to them. This study examines the type of leadership behaviors and orientations presented through youth TV shows in the United States across a continuum of viewership age targets. Shows were selected through purposeful sampling from the most popular youth TV shows in the United States, and episodes were chosen based on synopsis, selecting for the greatest possibility of leadership scenarios. Researchers identified three shows for each viewer target age group and five episodes for each TV show, for a total of 75 episodes. The findings include the discovery that show-prescribed viewer target age group positively predicted leadership behavior such as direction-setting-i.e., gathering information, organizing information, sense-making, and forecasting. Additionally, as viewer target age range increased, shows presented with a decrease in communal leadership-characterized as caring, warm, trustworthy, empathetic, helpful, and/or friendly. Such findings suggest that the representations of leadership depicted in popular youth TV shows are transmitting potentially counterproductive messages to future leaders, deprioritizing crucial leadership elements.
A Full Mirror Computation Model for Edge-Cloud Computing

Edge computing has been gaining momentum lately as a means to complement cloud computing for shorter response time, better user experience, and improved data security. Traditional approaches of edge-cloud computing take two major forms: One is to offload the computation from an edge device to the cloud so as to take advantage of the virtually unlimited resources in the cloud and reduce the computation time. The other is to move selected computation to the edge devices where data are produced, actions are performed and users are located. However, in practice, it is often difficult to split the computation tasks of an application and decide which tasks should be performed in the cloud and which at the edge. The reason is that, for the same computation, it may sometimes be beneficial to execute it in the cloud while other times at the edge, depending on run-time conditions such as the data size, the type of computation, and the communication delay, which all varies from time to time. This paper proposes a new edge-cloud computing model, called the full mirror model, which provides a generic method to circumvent the problem of dynamic decisions on the execution location. With a two-thread implementation mechanism, the new model is able to achieve an execution completion time approximately equal to the smaller one between cloud execution and edge execution, regardless of what run-time conditions are. We test the new model by modifying an existing program for network traffic analysis so that it runs at both the edge and the cloud in a coordinated fashion. The experimental results demonstrate that the proposed model outperforms edge-alone computing and cloud-alone computing in reducing the execution time.
Validation of algorithms to ascertain clinical conditions and medical procedures used during pregnancy

Purpose To evaluate the validity of health plan administrative and claims data to identify pre-gestational and gestational diabetes, obesity, and ultrasounds among pregnant women. Methods A retrospective study was conducted using the administrative and claims data of three health plans participating in the HMO Research Network. Diagnoses, drug dispensings, and procedure codes were used to identify diabetes, obesity, and ultrasounds among women who were pregnant between January 2006 and December 2008. A random sample of medical charts (n = 222) were abstracted. Positive predictive values (PPVs) were calculated. Sensitivity also was calculated for obesity among women for whom body mass index data were available in electronic medical records at two sites. Results Overall, 190 of 222 cases of diabetes (86%) were confirmed (82% for gestational diabetes and 74% for pre-gestational diabetes). The PPV for codes to identify ultrasounds was 80%. Whereas the PPV for obesity-related diagnosis codes was high (93%), and the sensitivity was low (33%). Conclusions Health plan administrative and claims data can be used to accurately identify pre-gestational and gestational diabetes and ultrasounds. Obesity is not consistently coded. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Polymer-Layered Silicate Nanocomposites: Emerging Scientific and Commercial Opportunities

Polymer nanocomposites represent a radical alternative to conventionally (macroscopically) filled polymers. Because of their nanometer-size dispersion the nanocomposites exhibit markedly improved properties when compared to the pure polymers or conventional composites. These include increased modulus and strength, outstanding barrier properties, increased solvent and heat resistance and decreased flammability. In this paper the physical and mechanical properties of nanocomposites are reviewed and discussed in terms of their static and dynamic properties.