cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Low serum carotenoids and development of severe walking disability among older women living in the community: the Women's Health and Aging Study I

Objective: to determine whether low serum carotenoid levels, an indicator of low intake of fruits and vegetables, are associated with the progression of disability in older women. Design: longitudinal analysis in a population-based cohort. Setting: moderately-severely disabled women, ≥65 years, living in the community in Baltimore, Maryland (the Women's Health and Aging Study I). Participants: 554 women without severe walking disability (inability to walk or walking speed <0.4 m/s) at baseline. Main outcome measure: incidence of severe walking disability assessed every 6 months over 3 years. Results: 155 women (27.9%) developed severe walking disability during follow-up. Rates of development of severe walking disability per 100 person-years among women in the lowest and in the three upper quartiles of total carotenoids were, respectively, 13.8 versus 10.9 (P = 0.0017). Adjusting for confounders, women in the lowest quartile of total carotenoids were more likely to develop severe walking disability (hazards ratio 1.57, 95% confidence interval 1.24-2.00, P = 0.0002) compared with women in the three upper quartiles. Conclusion: low serum carotenoid levels, an indicator of low intake of fruits and vegetables, are independent predictors of the progression towards severe walking disability among older women living in the community.
Dose-dependent limitation of arterial enlargement by the matrix metalloproteinase inhibitor RS-113,456.

Abstract Background. Arterial diameter changes in response to flow. Chronic flow-mediated arterial enlargement may be mediated through metalloproteinase activity in the extracellular matrix of the arterial wall. We examined flow-mediated enlargement in the setting of increasing competitive matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) inhibition and with respect to gelatinase A and B expression and activity. Methods. Left common femoral arteriovenous fistulas (AVFs) were created in dose–response (52) and time course (34) cohorts of rats. Dose–response rats received either vehicle alone or 12.5, 25, or 37.5 mg/kg b.i.d. RS 113,456, a competitive MMP inhibitor. Heart rate, blood pressure, and weight were measured at intervals following AVF construction. Aortic and common iliac diameters were measured on postoperative day (POD) 21. Untreated time course rats were sacrificed on PODs 0 (no AVF), 3, 7, 14, and 21. Aortic diameter was measured and the vessels were harvested for tissue analysis. Equal amounts of aortic RNA underwent reverse transcription and polymerase chain reaction with primers for MMP-2, MMP-9, and GAPDH. Zymography was performed on iliac artery tissue to measure gelatinolytic activity. Results. A significant, stepwise reduction in flow-mediated aortic and left common iliac enlargement following left femoral AVF creation was noted with progressively higher doses of RS 113,456 without apparent hemodynamic or toxic effects. Right common iliac diameter was unchanged. Over 21 days following AVF creation, there was an upward trend in expression and activity for MMP-2 not evident for MMP-9. Conclusion. Flow-mediated arterial enlargement is limited by competitive MMP inhibition in a dose-dependent fashion. MMP-dependent flow-mediated enlargement may involve differential expression and activity of MMP-2 and MMP-9.
Mechanisms of resistance against cyclophosphamide and ifosfamide: can they be overcome without sacrificing selectivity?

Cyclophosphamide (CP, Cytoxan) is a member of the nitrogen mustard class of alkylating agents and the oxazaphosphorine class of chemical compounds. First synthesized as an anticancer drug four decades ago, it continues to be widely used because of its unique efficacy against a broad range of human cancers1. To date, the structural isomer ifosfamide (IF, Ifos) is the most clinically useful CP analog, although its current applications in chemotherapy are somewhat modest relative to those of CP itself. On the other hand, IF appears to have some advantages over CP in potentiating the activity of other drugs2. This has led to new investigations of the efficacy of IF in combination therapies, including clinical whole body hyperthermia trials3
Zur Theorie des Wärmeübergangs an nicht‐Newtonsche Flüssigkeiten bei laminarer Rohrströmung

Fur eine nicht-Newtonsche Flussigkeit, deren Reibungsgesetz dem Potenzansatz nach Ostwald und de Waele entspricht, und deren Stoffwerte als temperaturunabhangig angenommen werden konnen, werden Ausdrucke fur die Temperaturprofile und die Nuseltschen Zahlen bei laminarer Rohrstromung und fur konstante Warmestromdichte an der Rohroberflache abgeleitet. Es werden zwei asymptotische Losungen der Warmetransportgleichung dargestellt: (1.) die Temperaturverteilung, die nur beim Anfang des beheizten Bereiches gultig ist und die mit Hilfe der unvollstandigen Gammafunktion ausgedruckt werden kann; (2.) die Temperaturverteilung, die den Zustand sehr weit vom Anfang des beheizten Bereiches beschreibt. Ferner wird eine allgemeine Losung als eine Reihenentwicklung angegeben und die Untersuchung auf den Warmeubergang an eine Ellissche Flussigkeit ausgedehnt.
Symmetric DPSK performance in the presence of timing jitter and partial band jamming

In this paper the symmetric differential phase shift keying (SDPSK) system performance is evaluated. SDPSK is an alternative to the commonly used DPSK signal which does not require the knowledge of the constant signal phase. The communications system models a slow frequency hopping system with an optimal partial band jammer. A frequency hopping system with jamming is a common system scenario in both military and commercial communications systems. A Butterworth filter is used as a detection filter in the receiver for hardware simplicity. Timing offset, an important receiver imperfection parameter, is considered in the detection process. Numerical bit error rate performance of SDPSK is provided for various parameter values under this jamming and timing imperfection environment. >
Hardware-In-The-Loop for Manufacturing Automation Control: Current Status and Identified Needs

In the past simulation and prototyping coexisted as disjointed iterative steps with limited benefits. As technology has advanced and processes have become more complex, the traditional isolated simulation and prototyping approaches can't satisfy dynamic, global competition requirements. Because of this there is a need for a mixture of simulation and physical implementation, called hardware-in-the-loop (HIL). This paper will explore the most active fields and research achievements within HIL including component compatibility testing, controller verification, and software. This assessment is used to highlight regions within HIL research that would benefit manufacturing automation control.
A Post-Tenure Review System That Is Good Personnel Policy: Is It Possible?

The recent implementation of post-tenure review programs at many American universities is an interesting and controversial trend. Some of these systems are "developmental" and unthreatening while others are "summative" and can lead to the dismissal of under-performing faculty members. This paper argues that because of the unique nature of academic labor markets, summative review systems may not be appropriate for most universities. By weakening the institution of tenure, summative post-tenure review systems decrease academic freedom. They also reduce efficiency within universities by discouraging collegiality and collaboration. We propose that universities in need of systems of post-tenure review establish "developmental" programs that do not threaten academic freedom or weaken the institution of tenure. These systems give faculty members a chance to critically evaluate past performance and motivate them to develop professionally. A developmental post-tenure review system recently adopted at Illinois Wesleyan University is presented as an example.
A new species and first stage associations in Crinitella (Ephemeroptera: Ephemerellidae: Ephemerellinae)

The alates of Crinitella coheri (Allen and Edmunds) are described for the first time, and morphological variability of the species is discussed. Male adults have penes with dorsal projections at the base of the gonopores and forceps with a relatively straight lateral profile. Crinitella coheri female alates and associated eggs have been misidentified as those of a Hyrtanella species. Crinitella coheri is reported from Vietnam for the first time. We describe C. lacuna, new species, based on male and female subimagoes and larvae, and the species is included in Crinitella on the basis of genitalia morphology. Alates of C. lacuna are distinguished from C. coheri by the presence of a prominent dorsal longitudinal stripe, and larvae are distinguished by having paired median spines on abdominal terga, mouthparts that are not greatly reduced, and gills 3 that are relatively larger than those of C. coheri. Crinitella lacuna is reported from India, Thailand and Vietnam. The structures of Crinitella and Hyrtanella gill cavities are different and do not represent a synapomorphy for the two genera.
On Organization Planning

A letter to the editor is presented in response to a paper by Dr. William Glueck, entitled “Applied Organization Analysis,” from the September 1967 issue.
Strategic and Organizational Responses of Mexican Managers to Environmental Uncertainty

The purpose of this study was to determine the extent to which the literature on environmental uncertainty was generalizable to a developing country. Forty-five Mexican managers with responsibility for the strategic direction of their firms were interviewed in Monterrey, Guadalajara, and Mexico City. Results indicated that Mexican managers responded to environmental turbulence by adapting planning processes, competitive strategies, organization structure, and managerial process; these changes generally conformed to predictio’s in the uncertainty and contingency literature’s regarding adaptation to uncertain environments.
A Proposal for Using the Judiciary to Achieve Greater Property Tax Assessment Uniformity in Downstate Illinois

Illinois courts and the state's Department of Revenue (DOR) use assessment/sales ratio studies (ASRS) to determine whether government assessors are treating property owners equally; is everybody paying their fair share of real estate taxes based on the market value of the properties they own. Illinois has two assessing mechanisms, one for Cook County and another for its 101 "downstate" counties. Although the two systems share common elements, they differ in important ways. Cook County, for example, uses six property classifications, versus two for downstate, and the two systems tender different appeals standards for those contesting an assessment. The evidence shows that in most instances downstate assessing officials do not treat property owners equally, meaning some people pay more than their fair share of real estate taxes while others pay less than they should, in clear violation of the law's uniformity requirement. This paper discusses the politics of property tax administration in downstate Illinois including the practical limitations associated with attempting to achieve greater uniformity through policies and programs initiated by legislators and/or chief executives. In particular, this discussion offers a judiciary-based approach to reducing assessment inequalities downstate. The only Cook County citations used relate to the proposed reform plan. Although most of the arguments and recommendations presented here apply to Cook County, future reformers will have to tailor their efforts to fit the unique circumstances of Illinois's most populous jurisdiction. Still, the facts and arguments presented here should prove helpful to assessment reform efforts throughout Illinois and beyond.
Residents iodized salt monitoring results analysis in Mang city during 2004-2013

Objective To monitor the quality of iodized salt in Mang city,and to evaluate the prevention and treatment of iodine deficiency disorders. Methods To collect residents salt samples randomly in monitoring points,by using the direct titration method to determine the content of iodized salt. Results Among 2904 subjects selected in 2004-2013,2844 subjects which were qualified,tested 9 non iodized salt,annual median of iodized salt32. 76 mg / Kg,the coverage rate of iodized salt was 99. 69%,qualification rate of iodized salt was98. 24%,and qualified iodine salt edible was 97. 93% respectively. Conclusions The quality of consumption of iodized salt in Mang city was in line with national standards,it played a role in safeguarding the results of disease prevention and control of iodine deficiency
Migration and HIV Transmission Risk under Gender Imbalance:A Meta-analysis

China has experienced serious gender imbalance.To identify whether the impending forced bachelors,especially those who migrate to cities,will amplify the risk of HIV spread,the sexual risk difference between migrants and their rural counterpart,and between different subgroups of migrants were assessed using meta-analytic methods.A systematic literature review was carried out of studies published since 2000 that include the sexual risks for HIV in male migrants of china.Twelve studies met the inclusion criteria.The findings showed increased risk of having multiple sexual partners and engaging in commercial sex among male migrants.The unmarried male migrants with higher income were found more likely to engage in risk behaviors and STDs infected.And the association between marriage and sexual risk was stronger among the samples of lower mean age,higher average income and education.In addition,the risk selection on education and income disappeared in the samples of more than half unmarried.These implicated that the upcoming forced bachelors will be great dangerous to HIV spread,especially when they gather in cities.
Transient monocular blindness in carotid occlusion testing

A patient developed monocular blindness 23 minutes into a temporary balloon occlusion test of the carotid artery, on the side being tested. His vision returned to normal 1 minute after the balloon was deflated. The authors emphasize the importance of complete frequent neurologic examination during this kind of test.
Intensive care of patients with HIV infection

Despite the improvements in the prognosis associated with the development of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), more than 410,000 people in the United States were reported to have died from acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) by the end of 1998. The number of people living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and AIDS in the United States continues to increase, estimated at more than 370,000 in 1998, and there is good reason for optimism that HIV infection may be a controllable disease in many people. Nevertheless, an estimated 27,000 persons still died of AIDS in the United States in 1997, and AIDS is still a leading cause of death in the age group 25 to 44 years. Despite the dramatic treatment advances for HIV infection and improving survival following an AIDS diagnosis, many patients still present with life-threatening complications of HIV infection for three major reasons. Highly active antiretroviral therapy and prophylaxis against Pneumocystis carinii and other infections are not effective in all patients, despite rigorous adherence to treatment. Others adhere to these therapies poorly. Finally, many patients present with advanced disease, unaware that they have HIV infection until they develop a serious opportunistic infection. Therefore, the AIDS epidemic and its burden of illness will continue, and decisions regarding the appropriateness of intensive care for individual patients will be inevitable. The impact of AIDS in Africa and Asia is far more devastating than in the United States and Europe, and most HIV-infected persons in the world live in the underdeveloped nations where intensive care is often unavailable. This article will deal with intensive care in patients with HIV in developed nations.
Should residents work for free

Disclosure Dr. Van Way is a member of the Residency Review Committee for Surgery of the ACGME. He receives no compensation for this service.
Molecular analysis of breaks in BCL-1 proto-oncogene in B-cell lymphomas with abnormalities of 11q13

The t(11;14)(q13;q32) is a recurring translocation that occurs infrequently but non-randomly in B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia, B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, and multiple myeloma. The putative oncogene BCL-1 located at the chromosomal band 11q13 has been cloned previously from a B-cell CLL with t(11;14). We studied the molecular structure of the BCL-1 gene in eight B-cell NHL tumors that exhibited a break at 11q13. The cytogenetic changes in these tumors were t(11;14) in three, t(1;11;14)(q32;q13;q32) in two and dup(11)(pter----q23::11q13----ter) in three. The BCL-1 gene was found to have rearranged in two tumors. By Southern blot analysis of single and double digested DNA from placenta and from the tumors, we mapped the breakpoint in BCL-1 to a 0.5 kb Pst-I-HindIII restriction fragment which was approximately 2kb away from the sites of previously mapped breakpoints. Sequential hybridization of Southern blots of these tumors with different immunoglobulin probes (for J region, Cu, Su) and BCL-1 probe identified co-migrating fragments with Su probe after BamHI restriction digestion. These results demonstrate that translocation breaks in the BCL-1 gene are not clustered in a short stretch of DNA at 11q13, and that the translocation related breaks in the immunoglobulin heavy chain can occur outside the joining region. The implications of these observations to the genesis of chromosomal translocations during B cell development are discussed.
The role of defects in the specific adsorption of anions on Pt(111)

The specific adsorption of anions from hydrochloric and sulfuric acids was studied on Pt(111) surfaces containing two different types of deliberately induced defects. One type of defect surface used was the step-terrace structure produced by cutting a [111] oriented crystal a few degrees off the [111] zone axis. A second type was a randomly up-and-down stepped surface produced by ion bombardment and annealing. The atomic structure of the defect surfaces was determined by spot-profile analysis of LEED patterns in a UHV chamber directly coupled to the electrochemical cell. The vacuum work function of the surfaces was determined by UV photoemission. All of the step defects of the type studied lowered the work function of the surface in direct proportion to the step density, indicative of a local dipole at the step with the positive end of the dipole outward from the surface. The local work function at the step, and thus the local potential of zero charge (pzc), is lower at the step than at the atomically flat terrace. This difference in local pzc controls the coupling of the processes of hydrogen adsorption and anion desorption. On the atomically flat (111) terraces, which have the most positive pzc of all Pt surfaces, the processes are completely decoupled in dilute (mM) acids, with complete desorption of anions from the terraces at potentials more anodic than for the onset of hydrogen adsorption. The lower pzc for steps places the potential region for anion desorption/adsorption in the potential region for hydrogen adsorption/desorption, e.g. anion desorption from steps occurs simultaneously with hydrogen adsorption on the terraces.
Quantifying Covertness in Deceptive Cyber Operations

A deception is often enabled by cloaking or disguising the true intent and corresponding actions of the perpetrating actor. In cyber deception, the degree to which actions are disguised or cloaked is typically called “covertness.” In this chapter, we describe a novel approach to quantifying cyber covertness, a specific attribute of malware relative to specific alert logic that the defender uses. We propose that the covertness of an offensive cyber operation in an adversarial environment is derived from the probability that the operation is detected by the defender. We show that this quantitative concept can be computed using Covertness Block Diagrams that are related to classical reliability block diagrams used for years in the reliability engineering community. This requires methods for modeling the malware and target network defenses that allow us to calculate a quantitative measure of covertness which is interpreted as the probability of detection. Called the Covertness Score, this measure can be used by attackers to design a stealthier method of completing their mission as well as by defenders to understand the detection limitations of their defenses before they are exploited.
Stand-Up Comedy, Beyond the Stage: Mediated Ethnicity, Sexuality, and Citizenship

Humor, in general, and stand-up comedy, in particular, are popular and powerful mediums in contemporary culture. In this chapter, Rubio studies this art form based on both the textual analysis of comedic material, and on the impact of this material throughout mediated means. He engages in the use of existent theoretical approaches based on the stand-up comedy genre, in connection with mediated expressions pertaining to queer ethnicity, sexuality, and citizenship. Rubio argues that queer stand-up comedy, beyond entertaining, serves as a catalyst that mediates the understanding of differences. Both performers and their performances are catalysts of change.
Assessment of increased sampling pump flow rates in a disposable, inhalable aerosol sampler

ABSTRACTA newly designed, low-cost, disposable inhalable aerosol sampler was developed to assess workers personal exposure to inhalable particles. This sampler was originally designed to operate at 10 L/min to increase sample mass and, therefore, improve analytical detection limits for filter-based methods. Computational fluid dynamics modeling revealed that sampler performance (relative to aerosol inhalability criteria) would not differ substantially at sampler flows of 2 and 10 L/min. With this in mind, the newly designed inhalable aerosol sampler was tested in a wind tunnel, simultaneously, at flows of 2 and 10 L/min flow. A mannequin was equipped with 6 sampler/pump assemblies (three pumps operated at 2 L/min and three pumps at 10 L/min) inside a wind tunnel, operated at 0.2 m/s, which has been shown to be a typical indoor workplace wind speed. In separate tests, four different particle sizes were injected to determine if the sampler's performance with the new 10 L/min flow rate significantly differed...
FPGA Implementation of Dynamic Threshold Sphere Detection for MIMO Systems

In this paper, we consider the FPGA implementation of a modified sphere detection algorithm. We analyze breadth-first and depth-first search in sphere detection, and compare the relative performance and complexity. Based on these comparisons, we propose a more efficient and less complex scheme, dynamic threshold sphere detection (DTSD), which can effectively increase the throughput and reduce the error rate. We, then, propose a novel architecture for this scheme, and discuss the complexity reduction techniques that we utilized. These techniques do not compromise the overall performance. Finally, the high throughput FPGA implementation results of this algorithm will be presented.
Hemophilia in Sports: A Case Report and Prophylactic Protocol.

Objective: To describe a successful prophylactic protocol for managing an athlete with hemophilia playing at a high level of contact sports. Background: Published data show that team physicians are not comfortable either treating athletes with bleeding disorders or allowing them to participate in contact sports. Much of the literature historically has recommended against allowing athletes with bleeding disorders to play sports at all and certainly against playing contact sports. Hemophilia treatment can now include prophylactic injections of recombinant factor VIII to prevent bleeding episodes. Modern treatments hold the promise of allowing athletes with hemophilia to participate in contact sports. Differential Diagnosis: Mild, moderate, or severe hemophilia; von Willebrand disease; other factor deficiencies. Treatment: A treatment protocol was developed that included prophylactic factor VIII injections on a regular basis and when the athlete was injured. Uniqueness: This is the first published case repor...
On the nature of directed behavior to drug-associated light cues in rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta).

The present study investigated the role of drug-paired stimuli in controlling the behavior of rhesus monkeys. Systematic observations were made with nine monkeys who had a history of drug self-administration; they had been lever pressing to produce intravenous infusions of various drugs. These observations revealed that the stimulus light co-occurring with drug infusion produced robust and cue-directed behavior such as orienting, touching and biting. Experiment 1 showed that this light-directed behavior would occur in naive monkeys exposed to a Pavlovian pairing procedure. Four monkeys were given response-independent injections of cocaine. In two monkeys, a red light preceded cocaine injections by 5 s, and a green light co-occurred with the 5-s cocaine injections. In the other two monkeys, the light presentations and cocaine injections occurred independently. Light-directed behavior occurred in all four monkeys within the first couple of trials and at high levels but decreased across sessions. The cocaine-paired stimulus maintained behavior longer and at higher levels than the uncorrelated stimuli. Furthermore, light-directed behavior was not maintained when cocaine was replaced with saline. Light-directed behavior did not occur in the absence of the lights. When these monkeys were subsequently trained to lever press for cocaine, light-directed behavior increased to levels higher than previously observed. Behavior directed towards drug-paired stimuli is robust, reliable and multiply determined; the mechanisms underlying this activity likely include Pavlovian conditioning, stimulus novelty, habituation and operant conditioning.
The Need for a Revision of the Prehistory of Arithmetic and its Relevance to School Mathematics

Hypotheses about the early development of arithmetic were created at the time when it was believed that people living in preliterate societies were intellectually inferior to modern humans, and therefore they could develop only very primitive mathematical concepts. Based on the work of John Napier in 1617 and John Leslie in 1817, we show that the technology already available for millennia was sufficient to carry out very complex computations enabling advanced arithmetic to develop. We also discuss the possible use of this technology in modern classrooms.
Nasopharyngeal viral PCR in immunosuppressed patients and its association with virus detection in bronchoalveolar lavage by PCR.

Background and objective Pulmonary infiltrates are common in immunosuppressed patients. Bronchoscopy with bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) is often used to evaluate their aetiology. However, it may not always be easily performed. Thus, alternative diagnostic strategies may be needed. There is limited data on the correlation of nasopharyngeal (NP) respiratory viral panel (RVP)-PCR testing compared with BAL. We aimed to identify the predictive value of NP RVP-PCR samples compared with samples obtained from BAL in immunosuppressed patients with pulmonary infiltrates. Methods We conducted an observational retrospective study of immunosuppressed adults who underwent bronchoscopy in the Pulmonary Department at the University of Rochester Medical Center between January 2011 and June 2016. We compared the positive and negative predictive values, sensitivity, specificity and false negative rate of NP RVP-PCR and BAL RVP-PCR, as well as identified clinical predictors of positive viral BAL RVP-PCR. Results Eighty-nine immunosuppressed patients had both NP and bronchoalveolar RVP-PCR testing. Twenty-one patients had NP(+)BAL(+) RVP-PCR testing. Seven patients had false negative (NP(-)BAL(+)) RVP-PCR testing. Three patients had NP(+)BAL(-) RVP-PCR testing. The positive and negative predictive values of NP RVP-PCR testing were 88% and 89%, respectively. Allogeneic bone marrow transplantation and testing performed in the winter and spring months were significantly associated with positive BAL RVP-PCR (OR = 3.3 (1.19-9.12); OR = 4.62 (1.64-12.99), respectively). Conclusion NP RVP-PCR testing has high concordance with testing performed on BAL samples. Repeat testing through BAL is beneficial when there is high concern for viral infection after initial NP RVP-PCR testing is negative.
A torsional artificial muscle from twisted nitinol microwire

Nitinol microwires of 25 μm in diameter can have tensile actuation of up to 4.5% in less than 100 ms. A work density of up to 480 MPa can be achieved from these microwires. In the present work, we are showing that by twisting the microwires in form of closed-loop two-ply yarn we can create a torsional actuator. We achieved a revisable torsional stroke of 46°/mm with peak rotational speed of up to 10,000 rpm. We measured a gravimetric torque of up to 28.5 N•m/kg which is higher than the 3 – 6 N•m/kg for direct-drive commercial electric motors. These remarkable performance results are comparable to those of guest-infiltrated carbon nanotube twisted yarns.
Radio frequency sputtered AlxNy thin films for thermal detectors

This work presents the deposition and characterization of AlxNy thin films for using them as pyroelectric detector material. To test the pyroelectric effect, capacitors with Au electrodes were fabricated. The diameter of the electrodes for capacitor used was 1100 μm while the distances between these two electrodes was 2200 μm. On a 3- inch diameter cleaned silicon wafer a 100-nm thick AlxNy films were deposited using an Al target and Ar:N2 = 1:1 flow and 5 mTorr chamber pressure. Finally, a 100-nm thick Au layer was deposited and lifted off by using conventional photo lithography to form the electrodes of capacitors. All the layers were deposited by radio frequency sputtering at room temperature. The AlxNy thin films were annealed at 700 0C in N2 environment for 10 minutes. X-ray diffraction showed that the films are poly-crystalline with peaks in (100), (002) and (101) directions. The pyroelectric current increased from 3.38 × 10-14 A at 303 K to 1.75 × 10-13 at 353 K. When the temperature varied between 303 K to 353 K the pyroelectric coefficient was increased from 8.60 × 10-9 C/m2K to 3.76 × 10-8 C/m2K while the loss tangent remains almost constant to ~1.5 × 10-5 when the temperature was varied in the same range.
The dark side of relational uncertainty: Obstacle or opportunity?

We know that nothing in life is certain (except maybe death and taxes); we can not begin to anticipate the unforeseen events, mysterious surprises, and unexpected adventures that fate has in store for us. Our uncertain futures make our interpersonal relationships equally ambiguous. Consider an assortment of statements I have collected in my research on relational uncertainty:• “I sometimes wonder about what having our first baby is going to do to our marriage.”
Sexual identity differences in high-intensity binge drinking: findings from a US national sample.

Aim To estimate sexual identity differences in high-intensity binge drinking. Design and setting Cross-sectional US adult health survey from 2014 and 2015. Participants US adults aged 18 and older (n = 215 684; n = 203 562 heterosexual, n = 2784 lesbian/gay, n = 2892 bisexual, n = 686 ‘other’ and n = 1947 don't know/unsure). Measurements Self-reported past 30-day standard binge and high-intensity binge drinking. Standard binge drinking cut-off values were 4+/5+ drinks for women and men, respectively. High-intensity binge drinking was measured as two and three times the standard level (8+ and 12+ drinks for women and 10+ and 15+ drinks for men). Findings Lesbian and bisexual women were more likely than heterosexual women to report consuming 4+ drinks (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] =1.57, confidence interval [CI] = 1.18, 2.09 and aOR = 1.83, CI = 1.45, 2.30 for lesbian and bisexual women, respectively); 8+ drinks (aOR = 3.86, CI = 2.39, 6.24, aOR = 2.07, CI = 1.39, 3.07); and 12+ drinks (aOR = 3.81, CI = 1.77, 8.19, aOR = 2.54, CI = 1.25, 5.14) on a single occasion in the past 30 days. Generally, gay and bisexual men were no more likely than heterosexual men to report standard or high-intensity binge drinking. However, bisexual men were more likely than heterosexual men to consume 15+ drinks (aOR = 1.76, 95% CI = 1.01, 3.06). Rates of standard and high-intensity binge drinking were similar between heterosexual and unsure men and women. Men and women who indicated ‘other’ sexual identities were generally less likely than heterosexuals to report standard and high-intensity binge drinking, with the exception of 4+ drinks for women and 10+ drinks for men. Conclusions In the United States, sexual minority women are more likely, and sexual minority men are equally likely, to drink at standard and high-intensity binge drinking levels as their heterosexual counterparts.
Could We Level the Playing Field? Long-Acting Reversible Contraceptives, Nonmarital Fertility, and Poverty in the United States

Could we combat poverty by reducing the number of unintended and nonmarital births? This article proposes a federal policy that would provide all women with information about, and free access to, a range of contraceptive services, including long-acting reversible contraceptives; reviews what it is that we do and do not know; discusses several dynamic selection mechanisms by which this policy could lead to poverty reductions; stresses the need for longitudinal randomized intent-to-treat pilots that would provide causal evidence on whether this policy would in fact reduce poverty; and provides rough estimates of take-up, costs, and benefits were such a policy to substantially increase the use of highly effective contraceptive methods.
Comparison of mental health outcomes among adults with psoriasis on biologic versus oral therapies: a population-based study.

Purpose: We sought to compare the impact of biologic versus oral therapies on mental health outcomes among adult U.S. residents with moderate-to-severe psoriasis.Methods: We performed a nationwide,...
Assessing the stability of unreinforced masonry arches and vaults: a comparison of analytical and numerical strategies

Despite being accepted as a robust assessment of masonry stability, thrust line analysis (TLA) relies on assumptions that can lead to a conservative assessment of stability. This article aims to qu...
Insulin in the management of type 2 diabetes

Insulin is the most the effective available medication for treating hyperglycemia in type 2 diabetes. If used appropriately, it can decrease any level of elevated A1C to, or close to, the desired goal. This chapter begins with a presentation of indications for insulin therapy in type 2 diabetes. Normal physiological insulin patterns will be reviewed, highlighting how awareness of these patterns can guide the development of insulin treatment regimens. The next section will provide an overview of the characteristics of available insulin preparations. The chapter will end with a discussion of potential strategies for initiating and advancing insulin therapy.
SL n (C)

The fundamental formulas for spherical functions are much simpler on “complex groups,” of which SL n (C) is the prototype. These formulas become essentially algebraic, and information can thus be read directly from them without additional complications of convergence and analytic estimates which can become elaborate. This chapter tabulates a number of such formulas. The first section gives a complement to the real theory on A or a. The identity proved in §1 is crucial for describing the collapse of formulas on the complex group, for spherical functions and the heat kernel.
Coverage Analysis in Cellular Networks with Planar and Vehicular Base Stations

This paper analyzes the coverage probability of a typical user in a cellular network comprised of planar base stations, planar users, vehicular base stations, and vehicular users. Planar base stations and users in the Euclidean space are modeled by independent stationary planar Poisson point processes. Then, conditionally on a stationary Poisson line process, vehicular base stations and vehicular users are modeled by linear Poisson point processes on the lines. Utilizing the Palm distribution of each user point process, we derive the association probability and the coverage probability of each typical user, namely that of the typical planar user and the typical vehicular user. Using the association and coverage expressions, we fully characterize the Shannon rate distributions of all downlink combinations present in the proposed network based on their association types: vehicle-to-vehicle, vehicle-to-planar, planar-to-vehicle, and planar-to-planar.
Neuroimaging of the component white matter connections and structures within the cerebellar-frontal pathway in posterior fossa tumor survivors.

Abstract Introduction In posterior fossa tumor survivors, lower white matter integrity (WMI) in the right cerebellar-left frontal pathway has been well documented and appears to be related to proximity to the cerebellum, radiation treatment, as well as time since treatment in both cranial radiation and surgery-only treatment groups. The current study investigated theories of transneural degeneration following cerebellar tumor resection that may underlie or relate to reductions in WMI and regional brain volumes using correlations. We hypothesized a positive relationship between the volume of the right cerebellum and known white matter output pathways, as well as with the volume of structures that receive cerebellar projections along the pathway. Methods Adult survivors of childhood brain tumors were recruited (n = 29; age, M = 22 years, SD = 5; 45% female). Age- and gender-matched controls were also included (n = 29). Participants completed 3 T diffusion-weighted and T1 MPRAGE MRI scans. Brain structure volume relative to intracranial vault served as regional volumetric measures. Fractional anisotropy (FA) and radial diffusivity (RD) served as WMI measures. In the survivor group, partial correlations between WMI and regional volume included controlling for disease severity. Results In posterior fossa tumor survivors, the volumes of the cerebellum, thalamus, and frontal lobe were correlated with WMI of the thalamic-frontal segment of the cerebellar-frontal pathway (r = 0.41–0.49, p .05; RD, r = 0.53, p Discussion The results of this multimodal neuroimaging study provide correlational evidence that the mechanism of injury subsequent to brain tumor treatment may be different depending on type of treatment(s). Without radiation, the primary mechanism of injury is cerebellar tumor growth, resection, and hydrocephalus. Therefore, the most proximal connection to that injury (cerebellar-rubral pathway) was correlated with reductions in volume along the pathway. In contrast, the survivor group treated with radiation may have had possible radiation-induced demyelination of the thalamic-frontal portion of the pathway, based on a strong correlation with volume loss in the cerebellum, red nucleus, thalamus, and frontal lobe.
Exploring the Impact of Group Size on KANSAS JOURNAL of MEDIC INE Medical Students’ Perception of Learning and Professional Development During Clinical Rotations

Introduction. Research assessing the size of learning groups inmedical education and how that affects the learner’s experience islimited. The main goals of the study were to (1) assess the effect ofvarying group size on medical students’ subjective experiences duringclinical years. We hypothesized that students in smaller groups weremore likely to have better experiences during clinical rotation thanthose in larger groups, and (2) determine if medical students havedesirable experiences working with other medical learners (fellows,residents, osteopathic students, physician assistants, and nurse practitioners)during clinical rotations. Methods. The study utilized a mixed method approach where 153medical students in their clinical years were asked to complete a10-item survey. A linear-by-linear association test of trend andMann-Whitney U test were used to evaluate the students’ quantitativedata. A multidisciplinary team used an immersion-crystallizationapproach to analyze the content of the students’ qualitative data. Results. There was a 90% (137/153) response rate. Most students(80%) reported desirable experiences during clinical rotationsbecause of supportive learning environments, engaging preceptors,willingness of residents to teach, as well as the opportunity to participatein patient care. There were significant differences in students’perceived clinical experiences as a function of group size, wheregroups of two students were preferable over groups of four or more. Conclusions. Varying group size appears to affect students’ clinicalexperiences. Kans J Med 2018;11(3):70-75.
Silicon enrichment on iron contaminated fluid catalytic cracking catalyst particle surface

Abstract Iron poisoning is a well-known problem for fluid catalytic cracking catalysts. Previously, we have used several characterization techniques, including SEM, TEM and EDX, to examine an iron-poisoned catalyst sample from a commercial unit. The results clearly showed that Fe, as well as some other contaminant metals (such as Ni, Mg and Ca), and Si were enriched on the catalyst particle surface (J. Catal. 2018, 361, 126–134). In this contribution, surface Si enrichment was further studied with many iron-poisoned Ecat samples from different refineries. The data was obtained with SEM-EDX measurements of Ecat particles under different accelerating voltages, coupled with Monte Carlo simulations. Surface Si enrichment was found to correlate well with Fe content in the Ecat samples, confirming that both Fe contaminants and Si accumulation on the catalyst surface need to be considered to better understand iron poisoning mechanism and to design more stable catalysts.
Abstract 10: Socioeconomically Disadvantaged Medicare Beneficiaries Had Worse One Year Clinical Outcomes But Lower Total Annual Costs of Care

Background: Recent data suggest that cost prediction models in the private insurance setting may systematically underpredict costs in high-risk subgroups due to uneven access to health care. This m...
Thermal nonlinear performance of the porous metal cylinders with composite graphene nanofiller reinforcement encased in elastic mediums

Abstract This paper investigates the nonlinear thermal performance of the functionally graded porous (FGP) cylinder with the graphene nanofillers (GNF) encased in elastic mediums. An initial out-of-roundness imperfection (dent) was considered on the crown of the cylinder body, which may be induced by a concentrated load. This imperfection is described analytically. The total potential energy function of the cylinder during the heating process is expressed theoretically for the cylinder with symmetrical distributions of both the pores and GNF to the mid-surface of the cross-section. By variation of the potential energy function, the nonlinear equilibrium equations and the critical temperature variation values are obtained. Furthermore, the results of the present study are compared with other available expressions for a homogeneous metal cylinder. Finally, a numerical parametric investigation is taken, focusing on the differences of the nonlinear equilibrium curves and the critical temperature variations induced by different magnitudes of the initial out-of-roundness imperfections, pores contents, weight fractions of nanofillers, and geometric properties of the graphene platelets.
Accuracy of interface schemes for conjugate heat and mass transfer in the lattice Boltzmann method

Abstract The lattice Boltzmann method (LBM) is attractive for conjugate heat and mass transfer modeling due to its capability to satisfy the interfacial conjugate conditions without nested iterations. This paper presents a comparison of the popular interface schemes proposed in the literature with the focus on their numerical accuracy and convergence orders. The various interface schemes examined include the geometry-considered interpolation-based treatment that constructs second-order accurate corrections to the distribution functions across the interface by treating the interface as a shared boundary for the adjacent domains, as well as representative modified schemes that bypass the local geometry and topology consideration by either reformulating the macroscopic governing energy equation with additional source terms, or proposing modified microscopic equilibrium distribution functions in the lattice Boltzmann model. It is recognized that for the interface schemes based on governing equation reformulation, approximation of the discontinuous heat capacitance gradient at the interface is required to account for the interfacial heat flux continuity. Through analysis and numerical tests including both straight and curved interfaces, it is shown that in order to preserve the second-order accuracy in the LBM, the local interface geometry must be considered; and the modified geometry-ignored interface schemes result in degraded convergence orders – at most first order for general cases and only zeroth order is achieved for the schemes requiring discontinuous heat capacitance gradient approximation. In addition, much higher error magnitude is observed for the numerical solutions obtained from using these modified schemes without considering the interface geometry.
Ultrafast Relaxations in Ruthenium Polypyridyl Chromophores Determined by Stochastic Kinetics Simulations

Maximizing the efficiency of solar energy conversion using dye assemblies rests on understanding where the energy goes following absorption. Transient spectroscopies in solution are useful for this purpose, and the time-resolved data are usually analyzed with a sum of exponentials. This treatment assumes that dynamic events are well separated in time, and that the resulting exponential prefactors and phenomenological lifetimes are related directly to primary physical values. Such assumptions break down for coincident absorption, emission, and excited state relaxation that occur in transient absorption and photoluminescence of tris(2,2'-bipyridine)ruthenium(2+) derivatives, confounding the physical meaning of the reported lifetimes. In this work, we use inductive modeling and stochastic chemical kinetics to develop a detailed description of the primary ultrafast photophysics in transient spectroscopies of a series of Ru dyes, as an alternative to sums of exponential analysis. Commonly invoked three-level schemes involving absorption, intersystem crossing (ISC), and slow nonradiative relaxation and incoherent emission to the ground state cannot reproduce the experimentally measured spectra. The kinetics simulations reveal that ultrafast decay from the singlet excited state manifold to the ground state competes with ISC to the triplet excited state, whose efficiency was determined to be less than unity. The populations predicted by the simulations are used to estimate the magnitudes of transition dipoles for excited state excitations and evaluate the influence of specific ligands. The mechanistic framework and methodology presented here are entirely general, applicable to other dye classes, and can be extended to include charge injection by molecules bound to semiconductor surfaces.
The Effects of Agricultural and Urban Land Use on Drinking Water Treatment Costs: An Analysis of United States Community Water Systems.

For community water providers, safeguarding source waters from contamination offers an additional barrier of protection and a potential means of avoiding in-plant treatment costs. Whether source wa...