cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Imperfection, Indecision, and Hoarding

Hoarding disorder is a new DSM-5 disorder that causes functional impairment and affects 2 to 6% of the population (Frost and Steketee 2014). The current study evaluated a multiple mediation model with 243 undergraduate women in which indecisiveness (VOCI; Thordarson et al. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 42(11), 1289-1314, 2004) and decisional procrastination (DPS; Mann 1982) mediated the relationship between dimensions of perfectionism (F-MPS-B; Burgess et al. 2016a) and hoarding behavior (SI-R; Frost et al. Behaviour Research And Therapy, 42(10), 1163–1182, 2004) and excessive acquiring (CAS; Frost et al. Annual Review of Clinical Psychology, 8, 219–242, 2012). Multiple mediational analyses indicated a significant indirect effect for decisional procrastination, but not indecisiveness, in mediating evaluative concerns (but not striving) to SI-R Total, SI-R Clutter, SIR Excessive Acquisition, and both CAS subscales. Both mediators were significant pathways between evaluative concerns and SI-R Difficulty Discarding. These findings support a cognitive behavioral model of hoarding, suggesting that evaluative concerns produces problems in decision-making that influence acquisition, discarding, and clutter.
3. Can Congress Do Policy Analysis? The Politics of Problem Solving on Capitol Hill

The conventional wisdom is that the U.S. Congress is not well-structured to do policy analysis. According to the received view, Congress's internal organization is inconsistent with analytical perceptions and definitions of policy issues. Congress caters to the demands of interest groups, and regularly makes economic decisions that policy analysts find indefensible on efficiency grounds. But negative assessments of Congress's capacity as a policy analyst cut too deeply. Drawing on an opinion survey of Washington-area policy analysts as well as on confidential interviews with senior analysts from the CBO, GAO, and CRS, this paper evaluates Congress's ability to perform eight key policy analysis tasks (Bardach 2009), including defining problems, confronting trade-offs, and telling causal stories to an audience. While we do not set out to “save” Congress’s reputation, our analysis provides a more a balanced, fine-grained view of Congress’s capacities and limitations as a problem-solving institution. The concluding section offers some speculative comments about how secular trends including partisan polarization, the widening of the policy agenda, and the growing complexity of government have interacted with Congress’s policy analytic strengths and weaknesses to affect institutional performance.
(Para-)Holomorphic Connections for Information Geometry

On a statistical manifold \((M,g,\nabla )\), the Riemannian metric g is coupled to an (torsion-free) affine connection \(\nabla \), such that \(\nabla g \) is totally symmetric; \(\{\nabla ,g\}\) is said to form “Codazzi coupling”. This leads \(\nabla ^{*}\), the g -conjugate of \(\nabla \), to have same torsion as that of \(\nabla \). In this paper, we investigate how statistical structure interacts with L in an almost Hermitian and almost para-Hermitian manifold (M, g, L), where L denotes, respectively, an almost complex structure J with \(J^{2}=- \mathrm{id}\) or an almost para-complex structure K with \( K^{2}=\mathrm{id}\). Starting with \(\nabla ^{L}\), the L -conjugate of \(\nabla \), we investigate the interaction of (generally torsion-admitting) \(\nabla \) with L, and derive a necessary and sufficient condition (called “Torsion Balancing” condition) for L to be integrable, hence making (M, g, L) (para-)Hermitian, and for \(\nabla \) to be (para-)holomorphic. We further derive that \(\nabla ^L\) is (para-)holomorphic if and only if \(\nabla \) is, and that \(\nabla ^*\) is (para-)holomorphic if and only if \(\nabla \) is (para-)holomorphic and Codazzi coupled to g. Our investigations provide concise conditions to extend statistical manifolds to (para-)Hermitian manifolds.
Fertility and Cancer: Fertility Preservation and Fertility Sparing Surgery

As treatments improve more young adults and children are surviving their cancers. Therefore long-term sequelae of cancer therapy such as infertility are of increasing importance to survivors. Much progress has been made reducing the impact of surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy on reproductive function. Concurrent with changes in oncology care, advances in the field of reproductive endocrinology and infertility are providing opportunities for cancer survivors to build families after cancer treatment. Improvements in embryo freezing and oocyte freezing and the development of ovarian tissue freezing techniques may allow more young women with gynecologic cancers have an opportunity to build a family. The following chapter outlines some of this progress.
Comparison of the abbreviated minimal assessment of cognitive function in multiple sclerosis (aMACFIMS) and the brief international cognitive assessment for multiple sclerosis (BICAMS).

Abstract Background Cognitive impairment is a prevalent and often intrusive problem among persons with multiple sclerosis (PwMS). Valid and reliable assessments, including quick screening measures, are crucial. The Brief International Cognitive Assessment for MS (BICAMS) was developed for this reason. While it lends itself to use in locations where formal neuropsychological resources might be limited, it does not include measures of verbal fluency or executive functioning, domains assessed as part of the Minimal Assessment of Cognitive Function in MS (MACFIMS). Objective Given previous evidence that shortened MACFIMS measures have strong criterion validity, this study aimed to determine which of these should be included in the abbreviated MACFIMS (aMACFIMS), and how the aMACFIMS compares to the BICAMS. Methods One hundred forty-seven PwMS were included in the analyses. A stepwise logistic regression was used to determine the measures in the aMACFIMS. Receiver-operating-characteristic (ROC) curves assessed the classification accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity. The batteries' sensitivity, specificity, and predictive values were then compared. Results Compared to the BICAMS, the final aMACFIMS had higher specificity (87% versus 72%) and positive predictive value (86% versus 77%), but lower sensitivity (71% versus 81%). Conclusion The aMACFIMS has several benefits, including reduced administration time and the addition of a verbal fluency/executive functioning measure.
Impact of iron composition on the properties of an additively manufactured solid solution strengthened nickel base alloy

Abstract The impact of changes in Fe content from 1 wt% to 4 wt% on the properties of additively manufactured (AM) Inconel® 625 fabricated using laser-based directed energy deposition (DED) is investigated in both the as deposited and post processed hot isostatically pressed (HIP) conditions. While similar solidification structures and microhardness values are observed, the low Fe content build displayed higher yield (520 MPa ± 12 MPa vs. 450 MPa ± 27 MPa) and tensile strengths (860 MPa ± 27 MPa vs. 753 MPa ± 25 MPa) and lower elongations (36% ± 5% vs. 44% ± 9%) in the as-deposited condition. Differences in mechanical properties are connected to differences in the grain size produced with the different Fe contents. In the as deposited condition, fine grains less than 500 µm in size with low aspect ratios were observed with the low Fe content, while large elongated grains in excess of 1 mm in length were observed with the high Fe content. After HIP, the yield strengths for both Fe contents decreased by 14%, while elongation increased similarly. On the other hand, tensile strengths after post processing changed by only 3%, which were correlated to higher levels of strain hardening for the higher Fe content. These differences in behavior can be attributed, in part, to changes in precipitate morphologies. After HIP post processing, the low Fe content build displayed Nb and Mo rich precipitates, while spherical Ti rich precipitates are present in the high Fe content build.
Diverse cutaneous adverse eruptions caused by anti-programmed cell death-1 (PD-1) and anti-programmed cell death ligand-1 (PD-L1) immunotherapies: clinical features and management.

Background:The anti-programmed cell death-1 (PD-1) and anti-programmed cell death ligand-1 (PD-L1) immunotherapies have shown exceptional activity in many cancers. However, these immunotherapies ca...
Adolescent contraceptive use and communication: changes over a decade.

Sexual experiences of 186 adolescents in 1979 were compared to those of 215 adolescents in 1989 who were recruited from the same university to determine if there was an increase over the decade in "safe sex" practices. Self-reported condom use increased between 1979 and 1989 for very first intercourse as well as first intercourse with current partner, although condom use was still far from universal. For other behaviors, there were sexual career changes (i.e., changes from first to current partner) but not decade changes. The percentage of respondents using any method of contraception and the percentage who discussed contraception with their partner increased from first to current partner, but did not increase between 1979 and 1989. The very first intercourse with first partner remained especially troubling since contraceptive use was very low and discussions about contraception prior to sex were very infrequent.
Sudden cardiac death.

DR. WOLF: Any discussion of sudden death has to be somewhat speculative because we are examining it always after the fact. The pathologist is limited in looking for a structural explanation of what is a functional phenomenon. Sudden death implies a cessation in the delivery of oxygen to the brain, a state that can be accomplished in a variety of ways, including the absence of oxygen in the atmosphere, occlusion of respiratory passages, or cessation of respiratory movements from whatever cause. Our concern here, cardiac death, must involve either cardiac arrest, fatal arrhythmia, or circulatory collapse. Fatal disturbances in the mechanism of the heart beat are common in ischemic heart disease as, of course, is fatal shock.
KINEMATIC ERROR ANALYSIS OF DENTAL ARTICULATORS

ABSTRACT Using the kinematic concept of centers of rotation, it is possible to investigate errors resulting from the mismatch of the centers of rotation of dental articulators and the center of rotation of the patient's jaw (i.e., the condyle). Through an interactive computer program, these errors are quantified for specified values of incisor and molar tooth position, condyle and articulator instant center, and vertical dimension change required for treatment. Computer generated graphical plots display the upper and lower teeth in their initial position indicating the condyle and articulator center of rotation positions; the lower teeth after rotation (opening about the center of rotation of the articulator) and the lower teeth in their final position (at occlusion after closing about the center of rotation of the condyle). The software also provides a map of the specified morphology (relative position of the teeth and the condyle) identifying areas in space where the center of rotation for the articulator can be located to remain within specified error limits. Implications of different morphologies on the error envelope are discussed.
Crashing the Spectacle: A Forgotten History of Digital Sampling, Infringement, Copyright Liberation and the End of Recorded Music

Precis Copyright infringement, billboard ‘alteration’, an evil secret society known as the Illuminati, country music legend Tammy Wynette, the incineration of £1,000,000 in cash, and No Music Day. These odd, interconnected events were engineered by Bill Drummond and Jimmy Cauty, an anarchic British pop duo who used several pseudonyms: The Timelords, The Justified Ancients of Mu Mu, the JAMS, and the KLF. Between 1987 and 1992 they racked up seven U.K. top ten hits, even crossing over in America with the songs ‘3 A.M. Eternal’ and ‘Justified and Ancient’—the later of which went to number one in eighteen countries (Simpson, 2003: 199). Those super-cheesy singles are the main reason why this duo is remembered, if they are remembered at all—especially in the U.S.— as a novelty techno-pop act. (The hook ‘KLF is gonna rock ya!’, from ‘3 A.M. Eternal’, is wired directly into the synapses of millions.) Their brief but ubiquitous popularity nicely obscured a radical and hilariously subversive critique of the culture industry—like a goofy Theodore Adorno whose praxis involved a drum machine. To this end, the KLF practiced an aggressive brand of creative plagiarism— otherwise known as sampling—that predated both Public Enemy’s early forays into the copyright debates (on 1988’s ‘Caught, Can I Get a Witness?’ Chuck D rapped, ‘Caught, now in court ‘cause I stole a beat/ This is a sampling sport…’) and Negativland’s impish copyright activism (which was prompted by a 1991 lawsuit for daring to sample and satirize rock superstars U2). The KLF’s debut album, 1987 (What the Fuck’s Going On?), made extensive and provocative use of samples from the Monkees, the Beatles, Whitney
Practical Considerations for Increasing Seed Samples of Wild Species

Wild species and crop wild relative samples whether for a gene bank or restoration need to be increased or replenished if original sample sizes are small, quantities have decreased with distribution and use, or viability has declined. An ideal source for fresh seed of wild species is from the original collection population. If re-collection is not possible, then ex situ increase is needed. The goal for seed increase is to maintain the genetic integrity of the original sample and produce high-quality seed. This is a challenge when growing crop species and even more of a challenge for wild species because of heterogeneity within accessions, increased seed dormancy, increased seed shattering, low seed production, indeterminant flowering and seed set, and little information on pollination biology or cultural needs. Preventing genetic drift and natural selection are two key components to maintaining genetic diversity during seed increase. A large effective population in increase plots, balanced sampling, and breaking seed dormancy are important for limiting genetic drift. Providing appropriate pollination and cultural conditions for wild species is important to impede natural selection. Seed growers can glean clues to breaking seed dormancy and the cultural needs of a species from accession passport data. Diligent attention to detail must be taken to prevent contamination between and among accessions being increased and to prevent physical damage to the seed produced through all the steps of seed production.
Legislating education policy and equity at the ballot box: A descriptive analysis of the prevalence and content of education ballot initiatives over time

Political scientists have long studied the use of direct democratic ballot initiatives—proposed directly by citizens and put before a statewide vote—as currently allowed in 24 U.S. states. Despite the application of ballot initiatives to legislate education policy, however, education scholars have not yet adequately investigated this phenomenon within American public education. In a comprehensive analysis of state-level direct democracy in education, this article examines the content and prevalence of education ballot initiatives used to shaped U.S. education policy over time. Analyses suggest voters have considered 282 ballot initiatives regarding a variety of education issues, including those related to both K-12 and higher education and addressing policy issues related to finance, governance, and civil rights and equal opportunity. Further, the prevalence of education initiatives has increased and their content has evolved over time, particularly with the advent of, and increase in, initiatives seeking to limit the rights and opportunities of traditionally underrepresented students. These findings contribute to scholarship regarding state-level education policymaking in general, and call on researchers to consider further the benefits and potentially negative consequences of direct democracy as an education policymaking tool, particularly for minoritized students.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles Positioning Scheme for First-Responders in a Dynamic Area of Interest

In this paper, we explore the problem of finding the initial positions to deploy UAVs to provide service to ground personnel. In this work, we propose a greedy algorithm that finds a feasible solution that guarantees 100% coverage on any given map. We defined subareas of the map which do not need coverage as excluding zones. We considered both excluding zones and the connectivity constraints in the algorithm. By avoiding these zones and keeping all nodes connected to the network we can reduce the total number of UAVs needed to provide coverage without losing the communication capability. We show that the complexity of the algorithm is linear with respect to the input parameters. Simulation results show the behavior of our approach with different maps. We observe a convergence on the number of nodes needed when varying the input map.
A Comparison of Nano-Patterns vs. Software Metrics in Vulnerability Prediction

Context: Software security is an imperative aspect of software quality. Early detection of vulnerable code during development can better ensure the security of the codebase and minimize testing efforts. Although traditional software metrics are used for early detection of vulnerabilities, they do not clearly address the granularity level of the issue to precisely pinpoint vulnerabilities. The goal of this study is to employ method-level traceable patterns (nano-patterns) in vulnerability prediction and empirically compare their performance with traditional software metrics. The concept of nano-patterns is similar to design patterns, but these constructs can be automatically recognized and extracted from source code. If nano-patterns can better predict vulnerable methods compared to software metrics, they can be used in developing vulnerability prediction models with better accuracy. Aims: This study explores the performance of method-level patterns in vulnerability prediction. We also compare them with method-level software metrics. Method: We studied vulnerabilities reported for two major releases of Apache Tomcat (6 and 7), Apache CXF, and two stand-alone Java web applications. We used three machine learning techniques to predict vulnerabilities using nano-patterns as features. We applied the same techniques using method-level software metrics as features and compared their performance with nano-patterns. Results: We found that nano-patterns show lower false negative rates for classifying vulnerable methods (for Tomcat 6, 21% vs 34.7%) and therefore, have higher recall in predicting vulnerable code than the software metrics used. On the other hand, software metrics show higher precision than nano-patterns (79.4% vs 76.6%). Conclusion: In summary, we suggest developers use nano-patterns as features for vulnerability prediction to augment existing approaches as these code constructs outperform standard metrics in terms of prediction recall.
Disparities in Retention in Care Among Adults Living with HIV/AIDS: A Systematic Review

As national HIV prevention goals aim to increase the proportion of persons living with HIV, determining existing disparities in retention in care will allow for targeted intervention. The purpose of this systematic review was to identify existing disparities in retention in care. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis Protocols (PRISMA-P) 2015 guided this systematic review. Electronic databases, including PubMed/MEDLINE, CINAHL, Sociological Collection, PsychInfo, and Cab Direct/Global Health, were systematically searched and twenty studies were included. This review identified disparities in retention in care that have been documented by race, gender, age, HIV exposure, incarceration history, place of birth, and U.S. geographic location. Research is necessary to further identify existing disparities in retention in care and to better understand determinants of health disparities. Additionally, interventions must be tailored to meet the needs of health disparate populations and should be assessed to determine their effectiveness in reducing health disparities.
Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma and American Indians/Alaska Natives: A SEER Population Study from 2000 to 2012

Abstract Background: American Indians and Alaska Natives (AI/AN) currently represent approximately 2% of the US population. However, population-based cancer studies are generally limited. Utilizing the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results Program (SEER), we investigated the incidence, major subtype distribution, and survival of non-Hodgkin lymphomas (NHL) in the AI/NA population. Methods: We queried the SEER 2000-2012 database for AI/AN patients with NHL using ICD-O-3 codes 9590-9823. We calculated their incidence rate (case/1,000,000) and trend as well as risk ratios compared to other races, age-adjusted to the US 2000 standard population. Patient level data were extracted to perform summary statistics and calculate overall survival (OS) using STATA/IC 12.1. Results: We identified 1,135 AI/NA patients with NHL. The average age was 59.6 years (range, 20-85) and 53% were males. The distribution of the major NHL subtypes resembles that seen among the rest of the population and is as follows: diffuse large B-cell (DLBCL; 28%), marginal zone (MZL; 19%), follicular (FL; 13%), small lymphocytic/chronic lymphocytic leukemia (SLL/CLL; 10%), NHL not-otherwise specified (NOS, 4%), mantle cell (MCL; 2%), anaplastic large cell (ALCL; 2%), lymphoplasmacytic (LPL; 1%), and peripheral T-cell (PTCL; 1%). The overall incidence of NHL is 26.4 and did not significantly change over the 12-year study period (Annual Percent Change 0.0, 95% CI [-0.3, 0.3]). Compared to other races, AI/NA have lower incidence of NHL including most of the major subtypes (Table). The median OS for all types of NHL combined is 4.16 years. AI/AN OS is statistically inferior compared to Whites(Figure). Conclusions: The NHLincidence in AI/NA is lowest among the major race groups and has remained stable in the past 12 years. However their OS is inferior when compared to Whites. The distribution of major NHL subtypes and OS are similar to the rest of the population. Download : Download high-res image (64KB) Download : Download full-size image Figure 1 . Download : Download high-res image (233KB) Download : Download full-size image Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
LI-RADS and transplantation: challenges and controversies

Patients with early stage hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) can be cured by liver transplantation. HCC imaging features on CT or MRI are specific enough to allow for definitive diagnosis and treatment without the need of confirmatory biopsy. When applied to the appropriate at-risk population the Liver Imaging Reporting and Data System (LI-RADS) imaging criteria achieve high specificity and positive predictive value for the diagnosis of HCC. The Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (OPTN) is the United States organization that aims to assure the adequate and fair distribution of livers across candidates. Given the importance of fair organ allocation, OPTN also provides stringent imaging criteria for the diagnosis of HCC aiming to avoid false positive diagnosis. Although most imaging criteria are identical for both systems, discrepancies between LI-RADS and the current OPTN classification system for HCC diagnosis exists. Main differences include, but are not limited to, the binary approach of OPTN to classify lesions as HCC or not, versus the probabilistic algorithmic approach of LI-RADS, technical and interpretation considerations, and the approach towards treated lesions. The purpose of this article is to highlight the similarities and discrepancies between LI-RADS and the current OPTN criteria for HCC diagnosis and the implications that these differences may have on the management of patients who are transplant candidates.
Orthographic imaging of free-flowing aerosol particles

A method to obtain contact-free images of aerosol particles with digital holography from three orthogonal directions is described and demonstrated. Diode lasers of different wavelengths simultaneously illuminate free flowing particles to form holograms on three sensors. Images of the particles are reconstructed from the holograms and used to infer the three-dimensional structure of single spherical particles or clusters of sphere-like particles. The apparatus employs inexpensive components and requires no lenses to achieve the imaging, which gives it a large sensing volume and simple design.
Diastereoselective sp3 C-O Bond Formation via Visible Light-Induced, Copper-Catalyzed Cross Couplings of Glycosyl Bromides with Aliphatic Alcohols

Copper-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions have become one of the most powerful methods for generating carbon–heteroatom bonds, an important framework of many organic molecules. However, copper-cata...
A Bibliography of Partially Solidified Systems

This is a citation bibliography of works dealing with the structure and dynamics of partially solidified systems as of 1986.
qDRIP: a method to quantitatively assess RNA–DNA hybrid formation genome-wide

R-loops are dynamic, co-transcriptional nucleic acid structures that facilitate physiological processes but can also cause DNA damage in certain contexts. Perturbations of transcription or R-loop resolution are expected to change their genomic distribution. Next-generation sequencing approaches to map RNA-DNA hybrids, a component of R-loops, have so far not allowed quantitative comparisons between such conditions. Here, we describe quantitative differential DNA-RNA immunoprecipitation (qDRIP), a method combining synthetic RNA-DNA-hybrid internal standards with high-resolution, strand-specific sequencing. We show that qDRIP avoids biases inherent to read-count normalization by accurately profiling signal in regions unaffected by transcription inhibition in human cells, and by facilitating accurate differential peak calling between conditions. We also use these quantitative comparisons to make the first estimates of the absolute count of RNA-DNA hybrids per cell and their half-lives genome-wide. Finally, we identify a subset of RNA-DNA hybrids with high GC skew which are partially resistant to RNase H. Overall, qDRIP allows for accurate normalization in conditions where R-loops are perturbed and for quantitative measurements that provide previously unattainable biological insights.
Applicability of Artificial Robotic Skin for Industrial Manipulators

As the concept of cooperation between robots and humans is becoming more and more popular, companies develop devices transforming industrial manipulators into cobots, or collaborative robots intended to interact with humans. Their interactions with humans can be enabled by equipping the robots with so-called artificial robotic skins, which allow robots to receive and interpret touch. However, it is only in limited conditions that such manipulators comply with international standards. In this paper, the applicability of robotic skins for industrial purposes is assessed based on experimental trials. The procedure involved colliding robotic skin pads with a pendulum. The amount of energy transferred during the impact was calculated from measured deviation. The study showed that industrial robots equipped with artificial robotic skins can be safely used when the velocity of motion is within a very limited range of maximum velocity. It is suggested that this range may be extended to more feasible by decreasing stiffness of the materials used to make the pads or by improving sensitivity of sensors.
Sex differences in benzodiazepine misuse among adults with substance use disorders.

Abstract Women are more likely than men to be diagnosed with anxiety disorders and to be prescribed benzodiazepines. People with substance use disorders are at a heightened risk for the misuse of benzodiazepines, yet little is known about sex differences in the prevalence, correlates or patterns of benzodiazepine misuse in this population. The aim of this study was to characterize sex differences in benzodiazepine misuse in a sample of adults receiving substance use disorder treatment (N = 352). Almost half of the sample had been prescribed a benzodiazepine and more than 40% had misused a benzodiazepine. Women were more likely to have a lifetime prescription than men, but were not more likely to report misuse or regular misuse. Consistent with data for other substances, women were more likely to report misusing benzodiazepines to cope and reported greater anxiety sensitivity. The vast majority (97%) of participants reported co-use of benzodiazepines with other substances and 65% of women reporting misusing benzodiazepines via a non-oral route of administration (e.g., intranasal). Although benzodiazepine misuse prevalence was not substantively different between men and women, several sex differences in clinical characteristics and patterns of use were identified. Further research on the nature of sex differences in benzodiazepine misuse is needed to inform targeted treatment for both men and women with substance use disorders.
Distracted learning: Big problem and golden opportunity

Numerous studies from psychology, cognitive science, and neuroscience have generated substantial evidence suggesting that multitasking while doing schoolwork has a significant detrimental effect on student learning and performance. Despite this evidence, attending to multiple streams of information and entertainment while doing homework, writing a paper, studying, or even during class (face‐to‐face or online) has become common behavior among young people. Thus, the objective of this trends article is to discuss some of the latest research findings associated with distracted learning, including why students, and people in general, get distracted in the first place, and to share some effective approaches and ideas to help our students, and ourselves, get focused. Learning how to become indistractable is an essential and timeless skill for success in education, as well as many other facets of life.
Short communication: Effect of pH on the heat stability of reconstituted reduced calcium milk protein concentrate dispersions.

ABSTRACT This study aimed to investigate the heat stability of dispersions from reconstituted reduced-calcium milk protein concentrate (RCMPC) with 80% protein or more. The tested RCMPC powders were produced from skim milk subjected to CO2 treatment before and during the process of ultrafiltration. The CO2 injection was controlled to obtain 0 (control, no CO2 injection), 20, 30, and 40% reduction in calcium levels in the RCMPC powders. The RCMPC powders were reconstituted to 10% (wt/wt) protein in deionized water. These dispersions were tested for heat stability in a rocking oil bath at 140°C at unadjusted, 6.5, 6.7, 6.9, and 7.1 pH. Calcium ion activity (CIA) and ionic strength measurements were carried out using a Ca ion-selective electrode and conductivity meter. Unadjusted pH of the dispersions varied from 6.8 in control to 5.96 in 40% RCMPC dispersions. The CIA of unadjusted dispersions ranged from 1.31 mM in control to 2.83 mM in 40% RCMPC. Heat stability, expressed as heat coagulation time (HCT) of unadjusted dispersions decreased as the level of Ca removal in powders increased (from 13.81 min in control to 0.46 min in 40% RCMPC) and was negatively correlated with the CIA of the dispersions. For control RCMPC dispersions, the minimum and maximum heat stability were observed at dispersion pH of 6.5 and 6.9, respectively, followed by a decrease at pH 7.1 (CIA was the lowest). Dispersions from 40% RCMPC and pH 7.1 had the maximum HCT of 30.94 min among all RCMPC dispersions at all pH values. From this study, it can be concluded that improved heat stability in high protein formulation beverages subjected to UHT processing could be achieved through calcium reduction in milk protein concentrates using CO2 injection.
A new therapeutic horizon in diaper dermatitis: Novel agents with novel action

Abstract Objective This review looks at novel combinations of topical agents (i.e., zinc gluconate, zinc oxide, dexpanthenol, and taurine) that target a combination of mechanisms in diaper dermatitis. Methods A literature search of published studies was conducted using the search terms “diaper dermatitis”, “treatment of diaper dermatitis in infants”, “treatment of diaper dermatitis in adults”, “nonsteroidal”, “nonantibiotic”, “antiinflammatory”, “moisturizer”, and “treatment for irritation”. A total of 207 related articles were screened, and those categorized as clinical trials and reviews were studied and compared. Articles with common themes were categorized, summarized, and presented herein. Results Diaper dermatitis, also referred to as diaper rash, napkin dermatitis, and nappy rash, is the most common skin eruption in infants and toddlers. In the last several years, there have been several technologic advances in diaper design to lessen the severity of diaper dermatitis symptoms. However, due to the unique environment of the diaper area, children and adults continue to have recurring symptoms of diaper dermatitis. Both commercially available products and certain home remedies are considered effective for managing sensitive and delicate skin in the diaper area. These topical agents create a protective barrier over the skin and reduce the impact of external irritants, which cause the reddening and burning sensation often associated with diaper dermatitis. Conclusion A range of therapeutic strategies for preventing and controlling diaper dermatitis are summarized in this manuscript.
Segmented School Physical Activity and Weight Status in Children: Application of Compositional Data Analysis.

The purpose of this study was to apply compositional data analysis (CoDA) for the analysis of segmented school step counts and associate the school step count composition to body mass index (BMI) z-scores in a sample of children. Participants were 855 (51.8% female) children recruited from the fourth and fifth grades from four schools following a 7-h school schedule. Using piezoelectric pedometers, step count data were collected during physical education, recess, lunch, and during academic class time. A multi-level mixed effects model associated the step count composition with BMI z-scores. Compositional isotemporal substitution determined changes in BMI z-scores per reallocation of steps between pairs of school segments. A higher percentage of steps accrued during physical education (b = −0.34, 95%CI: −0.65–−0.03, p = 0.036) and recess (b = −0.47, 95%CI: −0.83–−0.11, p = 0.012), relative to other segments, was associated with lower BMI z-scores. Specifically, a 5% to 15% reallocation of steps accrued during lunchtime to either physical education or recess was associated with lower BMI z-scores, ranging from −0.07 to −0.25 standard deviation units. Focusing school-based promotion of physical activity during physical education and recess may have greater relative importance if targeted outcomes are weight-related.
Firework injuries before and after the Michigan Firework Safety Act

Approximately 10,000 firework-related injuries were treated in US emergency departments in 2019.1 Although published reports use sources ranging from nationally representative datasets to single center censuses, patient demographic factors remain consistent. Patients are 70-90% male and approximately 50% are under the age of 20.1-4 Injuries are most common to the hands, face, and eyes and are most often burns and lacerations. Although most injuries are minor, 11% of patients require admission or transfer to a higher-level facility and critical care admissions and deaths do occur.1,2 Canner et al., using the Nationwide Emergency Department Sample, estimated $8 million in annual charges for firework-related emergency department visits.2.
NODDI highlights recovery mechanisms in white and gray matter in ischemic stroke following human stem cell treatment

Purpose Diffusion MRI offers insight into ischemic stroke progression in both human and rodent models. However, diffusion MRI to evaluate therapeutic application of mesenchymal stem cells is limited. Robust analytical techniques are required to identify potential physiological changes as a function of cell therapy in stroke. Here, we seek to establish Neurite Orientation Dispersion and Density Imaging (NODDI) as a feasible method in evaluating stroke evolution in response to cell-based therapeutics. Methods Diffusion MRI data at 21.1T were acquired from 16 male rats. Rats were grouped randomly: naive (baseline, N = 5), stroke with injections of phosphate buffered saline (N = 6), stroke with injection of 2D human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSC, N = 5). Data were acquired on days 1, 3, 7, and 21 post-surgery. DTI and NODDI maps were generated, with regions of interest placed in the ischemic hemisphere external capsule and striatum. Diffusion parameters were compared between groups each day, and within groups across hemispheres and longitudinally. Behavioral characterizations were on days 0 (pre-surgery), 3, 7, 14, and 21. Results The 2D hMSC preserved diffusional restriction in the external capsule compared to saline (day 1: MD, P = .4060; AD, P = .0220). NODDI indicates that hMSC may have preserved intracellular volume fractions (ICVF: day 1, P = .0086; day 3, P = .0021; day 21, P = .0383). Diffusion metrics of hMSC treated animals were comparable to naive for the external capsule. Conclusions NODDI compliments DTI metrics, enhances interpretation of tissue outcome in ischemic stroke following hMSC application, and may be useful in evaluating or predicting therapeutic response.
National Outcomes of Elective Hybrid Arch Debranching with Endograft Exclusion versus Total Arch Replacement Procedures: Analysis of the Society of Thoracic Surgeons Adult Cardiac Surgery Database.

OBJECTIVE Hybrid arch procedures (arch vessel debranching with thoracic endovascular aneurysm repair [TEVAR] coverage of arch pathology) have been presented as an alternative to total arch replacement (TAR). But multicenter-based analyses of these two procedures are needed to benchmark the field and establish areas of improvement. METHODS The Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) Adult Cardiac Surgery Database from July 2014 to December 2015 was queried for elective TAR and hybrid arch procedures. Demographics and operative characteristics were compared and stepwise variable selection was used to create a risk-set used for adjustment of all multivariable models. RESULTS A total of 1,011 patients met inclusion criteria, 884 underwent TAR, and 127 had hybrid arch procedures. TAR patients were younger (mean age: 62.7 ± 13.3 vs. 66.7 ± 11.9 years; p = 0.001) and had less peripheral vascular disease (34.0 vs. 49.6%; p < 0.001) and preoperative dialysis (1.7 vs. 4.7%; p = 0.026), but similar history of stroke (p = 0.91)/cerebrovascular disease (p = 0.52). TAR patients had more concomitant procedures (60 vs. 34.6%; p < 0.0001). TAR patients had lower mortality (6.7 vs. 12.6%; p = 0.02), stroke (6.9 vs. 15%; p = 0.002), paralysis (1.8 vs. 7.1%; p = 0.002), renal failure (4.6 vs. 8.7%; p = 0.045), and STS morbidity (34.2 vs. 42.5%; p = 0.067). Composite mortality, stroke, and paralysis were significantly lower with TAR (11.5 vs. 25.2%; p = 0.0001). After risk adjustment, analysis showed hybrid arch procedures imparted an increased odds of mortality (odds ratio [OR] = 1.91, p = 0.046), stroke (OR = 2.3, p = 0.005), and composite endpoint of stroke or mortality (OR = 2.31, p = 0.0002). CONCLUSION TAR remains the gold standard for elective aortic arch pathologies. Despite risk adjustment, hybrid arch procedures were associated with increased risk of mortality and stroke, advocating for careful adoption of these strategies.
The Family Cluster Approach to Family Enrichment

This article covers the history of enrichment and place of the Family Cluster Model within that movement. It is suggested as a preventive mode which emphasizes the total family system as a means of learning and gowth. Descriptive characteristics of the Family Cluster are given along with the composition of a session with families. This is followed by presentation of the theoretical foundations of the model. Adaptations, as well as limitations. are included. as well as infomation given for further reading.
Structure and Substitution Reactions of Nineteen-Electron Organometallic Complexes

Seventeen-electron organometallic radicals react with 2-electron ligands to yield 19-electron adducts. Little is known about the structure and reactivity of these species, and so we have begun a systematic study of their properties. The substitution reactions of the 19-electron Co(CO)3L2 complex (L2= 2,3-bis(diphenylphosphino)maleic anhydride) were investigated. The complex reacts with phosphines and phosphites in first-order reactions to yield Co(CO)2L2L’. A dissociatively-activated pathway involving loss of CO is proposed. Irradiation (λ > 500 nm) of Cp2*Fe2(CO)4and PR3 yields (C5Me4H)Fe(CO)2CH3. The 19-electron Cp*Fe(CO)2PR3complex is the proposed intermediate. This species likely contains an η4-Cp ring.
Preparation of semiintact cells for study of vesicular trafficking in vitro.

Publisher Summary This chapter focuses on techniques used in the laboratory to reconstitute endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-to-Golgi transport in vitro, using adherent tissue culture cells that have been rendered semiintact by gently scraping them from the dish after hypotonic swelling. This technique is discussed in the context of other protocols that allow the investigator to perforate both adherent and nonadherent cells. The ER-to-Golgi transport assay is based on the observation that individual N-linked oligosaccharide-processing enzymes reside in distinct subcellular compartments.Potential markers include endogenous proteins, other viral glycoproteins, and proteins acquired through transfection. Moreover, because both the interior and exterior membranes of the cell are jointly accessible to a wide range of reagents and macromolecules, semiintact cells may provide a useful model system for the study of a broad range of problems in cell biology, including signal transduction, organization of the cytoskeletal matrix, and gene activation.
Near-Optimal Design of Reliable Decentralized Stabilizing Controllers for Large-Scale Systems

In the design of efficient schemes for signal processing and decision making in large-scale systems, reliable operation is a factor of major concern since a frequent source of failure is the loss of information transfer between different parts of the system. This paper presents a new iterative procedure for the design of reliable decentralized stabilizing controllers for a large-scale system which can be described as an interconnection of several subsystems. By an efficient exploitation of the trade-off that exists between optimality and reliability, the design procedure yields a decentralized control scheme which not only ensures a high degree of reliability under arbitrary information transfer disruptions but also provides a near-optimal performance. An integration of two distinct approaches one of which is based on an interconnection pattern classification and the other based on a high gain methodology of constructively increaseing the redundancy, are utilized for the development of the step-by-step design algorithm.
Platelet membrane glycoprotein IIb heavy chain forms a complex with glycoprotein IIIa that binds Arg-Gly-Asp peptides

Platelet membrane GPIIb is comprised of a disulfide-linked heavy chain (GPIIb(H)) and light chain (GPIIb(L)). We have examined the role of the two chains of GPIIb in the maintenance of the GPIIb-IIIa heterodimer and Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD) peptide-binding function. Lysates of surface radioiodinated platelets were treated with 1% 2-mercaptoethanol for 18 hours at 4 degrees C. Reduction of the interchain disulfide in GPIIb was followed by immunoprecipitation with antipeptide antibodies specific for GPIIb(H) or GPIIb(L). In addition to the GPIIb-IIIa complex, a polypeptide of 120 Kd was precipitated by anti-GPIIb(H) and a polypeptide of 23 Kd was precipitated by anti-GPIIb(L) from reduced platelet lysates. To determine whether GPIIb(H) or GPIIb(L) remained complexed with GPIIIa, reduced platelet lysates were immunoprecipitated with AP3, a monoclonal anti-GPIIIa antibody, resulting in the coimmunoprecipitation of GPIIb(H) but not GPIIb(L). Conversely, the monoclonal anti-GPIIb(H) antibody PMI-1 immunoprecipitated GPIIIa with GPIIb(H). Thus GPIIb(H) maintains its association with GPIIIa. Furthermore, the GPIIb(H)-IIIa complex retains its reactivity with AP2, a monoclonal antibody (MoAb) specific for the nondissociated GPIIb-IIIa complex. Affinity chromatography of reduced platelet lysates on immobilized KYGRGDS resulted in binding and specific elution of the GPIIb(H)-IIIa complex. These findings indicate that GPIIb(H) contains sufficient information for maintenance of a complex with GPIIIa and support of the binding of the heterodimer to RGD peptides.
Distributed parameter estimation and identification for system with fast and slow dynamics: A tubular, fixed-bed catalytic reactor to form styrene

Abstract A simple and efficient on-line scheme is developed to estimate temperature and compositions along a packed bed reactor in which styrene is being produced by the dehydrogenation of ethylbenzene. Slowly varying catalyst activity is also identified. The system is distributed in time and axial position and is nonlinear in the states: temperature and nine compositions. The dehydrogenation rate is augmented with a catalyst activity parameter which is assumed to undergo a long-term exponential decay. Since the decline in catalyst activity is slow when compared to state dynamics, a quasi-steady-state approach is used to derive a state filter equation neglecting process state dynamics and assuming spatially uncorrelated measurements and model uncertainty. For this filter, temperature measurements are available from four locations along the reactor and compositions are measured only at the reactor exit. A second dynamic, Kalman filter is used to identify the slowly varying catalyst activity. The two filters, one for distributed, steady-state, state estimation and the other for dynamic catalyst activity identification, are tested by computer simulation using measurements with added white noise. Several cases for numbers of sensors and noise levels are studied. The overall scheme is efficient and useable for on-line implementation. The steady-state filter is readily extended to distributed systems in more than one spatial variable such as reactor models with axial and radial dependencies. For steady-state or static models, multiple measurements yield significant improvements in the quality of the optimal estimates. Internal measurement locations allow for the subdivision of the spatial domain for the problem and improved profile estimates.
Advanced MPI Programming

MPI provides a large range of features allowing various approaches for parallel computing. This tutorial will present interesting features from the MPI-1 standard. These features extend the user knowledge about MPI way beyond the few basic standard functions, giving them the opportunity to implement better, simpler and potentially faster parallel algorithms. This tutorial will cover several features from medium level to advanced of the MPI-1 standard to enable users to exploit fully MPI.
Production of Plastic Fuel Tanks Using Laminar Barrier Technology

Automobiles from all parts of the world are now being built with plastic fuel tanks made from high density polyethylene (HPDE). The most difficult aspect of the current manufacturing process for meeting environmental regulations is the need to work with hazardous chemicals such as fluorine and sulfur trioxide to reduce hydrocarbon permeation. Laminar barrier technology is a barrier process under development which meets EPA requirements, reduces costs and eliminates environmental and employee safety concerns. Laminar technology is described in this paper. Its application for fuel tanks is discussed.