cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
What's great and what's not: learning to classify the scope of negation for improved sentiment analysis

Automatic detection of linguistic negation in free text is a critical need for many text processing applications, including sentiment analysis. This paper presents a negation detection system based on a conditional random field modeled using features from an English dependency parser. The scope of negation detection is limited to explicit rather than implied negations within single sentences. A new negation corpus is presented that was constructed for the domain of English product reviews obtained from the open web, and the proposed negation extraction system is evaluated against the reviews corpus as well as the standard BioScope negation corpus, achieving 80.0% and 75.5% F1 scores, respectively. The impact of accurate negation detection on a state-of-the-art sentiment analysis system is also reported.
Buffer Behavior for Batch Poisson Arrivals and Single Constant Output

A queuing model with limited waiting room (buffer), batch (burst) Poisson arrivals, and a synchronous server (transmission channel) with constant service time (constant transmission rate) is studied. Using average burst length and traffic intensity as parameters, the relationships among buffer size, overflow probabilities, and an approximation to the expected queuing delay of each burst due to buffering are obtained. These relationships are represented in graphs which provided a guide to the buffer design problem. A simple example is given which applies these results to the design of a buffer system in a time-sharing computer system. Although the problem arose in studies of design of statistical multiplexers, the queuing model developed is quite general and may be useful for other industrial applications.
Advances in syntax-based Malay-English speech translation

In this paper, we present advanced techniques that improved the performance of IBM Malay-English speech translation system significantly. During this work, we generated linguistics-driven hierarchical rules to enhance the formal syntax-based translation model; designed an active learning approach with bi-directional translations that outperformed unsupervised training; utilized translation direction information in parallel training corpus to build direction-specific interpolated language models for machine translation. There is 20% relative improvement achieved in the translation performance through all these techniques. A state-of-the-art Malay speech recognition system was also established as one of the crucial modules in the rapidly developed Malay-English speech translation.
The Utility of Platelet and Coagulation Testing of Antithrombotics: Fusing Science with Patient Care.

Clinical Development Phases I-III Regulatory, Quality, Manufacturing There is an increasing need for the standardization of platelet function and coagulation testing for the assessment of antithrombotic therapies. Investigators continue to strive to identify ideal laboratory testing and monitoring procedures for acquired and inherited platelet function defects as well as for evaluating patient status when treated with existing or emerging antithrombotics. These therapies are used primarily in the treatment of ischemic complications. In patients receiving antithrombotic therapy, the balance between hemostasis and thrombosis is a challenge as there is an ongoing risk for bleeding when patients are receiving antiplatelet agents or anticoagulants to lessen their risk for secondary thrombotic events. There are several diverse tests for monitoring anticoagulant therapy; however, as new agents are developed, more specific tests will be required to directly assess these agents in relationship to overall coagulation status. Research in the platelet biology field is ongoing to provide point-of-care methodologies for the assessment of platelet reactivity in terms of both bleeding and thrombosis risk. Currently there are no instruments that reliably assess the risk of bleeding. The challenges that routinely faced are the complexity of physiology, the need for standardization of platelet testing methodology, and the necessity for appropriate interpretation of the test results.
Two Teachers in Dialogue: Understanding the Commitment to Teach

In this study the author explores two educators’ understandings about their commitment to the teaching profession. The following question sits at the heart of this investigation: How do two teachers understand the manifestation of commitment within their teaching practices. Hermeneutic inquiry, which quietly situates this work, provides a unique lens to explore the significance of personal and professional experiences, interpret how to make sense of these experiences, and reflect on the meaning of these revelations within the context of one’s life narrative. Findings reveal that while both the participant and researcher both have a deep commitment to positively influence the lives of their students, there were major differences in their career pathways and how this commitment emerges in practice. Keywords: Teaching, Teacher Education, Teaching Beliefs, Hermeneutics
Optical 2-D Fourier Transform Spectroscopy of Excitons in Semiconductor Nanostructures

Optical 2-D Fourier transform spectroscopy is a powerful technique for studying resonant light-matter interactions, determining the transition structure and monitoring dynamics of optically created excitations. The ability to separate homogeneous and inhomogeneous broadening is one important capability. In this paper, we discuss the use of this technique to study excitonic transitions in semiconductor nanostructures. In quantum wells, the effects of structural disorder is observed as inhomogeneous broadening of the exciton resonances. In quantum dots, the temperature dependence of the homogeneous width gives insight into the nature of the dephasing processes.
Further comparisons between surface scattering theory and measurements

Further scattering data were taken at 0.6328, 3.39, and 10.6 μm for another superpolished mirror. These data confirm our previous comparisons.
Evaluation and comparison of three IR detectors and three amplifier designs for a new high-speed IR pyrometer

At Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), a high-speed, four-wavelength, infrared (IR) pyrometer has been used for surface temperature measurements in shock-physics experiments for several years. The pyrometer uses solid state detectors and a single fiber-optic cable for transmission of light from the target surface to the detectors. This instrument has recently been redesigned for an upcoming experiment at the Nevada Test Site (NTS). Three different IR detectors (two HgCdTe variants as well as the existing InSb chip) were compared for sensitivity, signal-to-noise ratio, and bandwidth. Of major concern was detector amplifier recovery time from overload saturation. In shock physics experiments, a short but very bright precursor frequently accompanies shock breakout (often from trapped air). This precursor can saturate the amplifier and may ''swamp-out'' the signal of interest before the amplifier recovers. With this in mind, we evaluated two new amplifier designs by the Perry Amplifier Company for linearity, signal-to-noise characteristics, gain, and saturation recovery time. This paper describes experimental setup for detector comparison and results obtained. Furthermore, we discuss new amplifier design and suitability for highspeed infrared pyrometry in shock physics experiments.
Exceeding PICU goal with 0 VAP cases.

“In Our Unit” highlights unique practices, innovations, research, or resourceful solutions to commonly encountered problems in critical care areas and settings where critically ill patients are cared for. If you have an idea for an upcoming “In Our Unit,” send it to Critical Care Nurse, 101 Columbia, Aliso Viejo, CA 92656; fax, (949) 362-2049; e-mail, ccn@aacn.org. The staff’s commitment to the change process is more powerful than the cultural norms of the department and leads to sustained outcomes. In 2005 the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI) 100,000 Lives Campaign inspired many organizations to rethink the occurrence of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) and see it as a preventable disease rather than a side effect of mechanical ventilation. Sacred Heart Medical Center and Children’s Hospital in Spokane, Washington, has always been committed to patient care quality and embraced the 100,000 Lives Campaign (and subsequent 5 Million Lives Campaign) to eliminate unnecessary injuries or illnesses associated with hospitalization. Despite emphasis on the VAP bundles for care, the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) continued to experience increasing VAP rates throughout 2006. In alignment with the organizational goals of no preventable injuries or death, we defined the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) benchmark of 2.9 pnemonias/1000 ventilator days as the department target. A 2-year timeline was set to reach the target, with a stretch goal of 50% reduction in the first year. A team of nurses, respiratory therapists, infection control specialists, and department managers collaborated to research the problem and identify solutions, including the IHI bundle for pediatrics. Analyzing the problem was key to create a sense of urgency and to ensure that staff believed the problem was preventable. This process included the following: • Reviewing VAP case studies to get a sense of the “high-risk” elements of care • Researching information from the Internet and nursing and respiratory journals to understand best practices • Researching pediatric VAP bundles from the IHI • Brainstorming best practice • Rating potential elements of care with respect to effectiveness, cost, and staff willingness to adopt The resulting program was designed and implemented with 3 areas of focus: education, monitoring, and changes in care practices. Modifications in practices included the following: • Revise oral care standards for children with and without teeth • Eliminate saline lavage during suctioning • Reduce suctioning to only as needed • Elevate head of bed 25° to 30° • Change ventilator circuit only when dirty, rather than routinely • Separate oral suction equipment from nasal suction equipment and change canisters daily These practice modifications were included in an educational poster for staff, which was posted in all patient and staff rooms. In addition, several In Our Unit
Nephrologists as Educators: Clarifying Roles, Seizing Opportunities

Nephrologists play an important role in providing medical education in a variety of settings, including the medical school classroom, nephrology consult service, outpatient clinic, and dialysis unit. Therefore, nephrologists interact with a variety of learners. In this article the current state of published literature in medical education in nephrology is reviewed. Eight attending roles are identified of the nephrologist as a medical educator in the academic settings: inpatient internal medicine service, nephrology inpatient consult service, inpatient ESRD service, outpatient nephrology clinic, kidney transplantation, dialysis unit, classroom teacher, and research mentor. Defining each of these distinct settings could help to promote positive faculty development and encourage more rigorous education scholarship in nephrology.
Preserving information long-term: digital archiving

A panel discussion regarding digital archiving efforts by the U.S. Library of Congress (LC). In December 2000 Congress authorized LC to develop and execute a plan for a National Digital Information Infrastructure and Preservation Program (NDIIPP). LC developed a plan, in collaboration with other federal and nonfederal entities, to build a national network of organizations with responsibilities for collecting digital materials, and to identify the policies, protocols and strategies needed for digital preservation.In January 2005 LC launched official partnerships with eight institutions and their partners to identify, collect, and preserve digital materials within a collaborative digital preservation network. The institutions will share responsibilities for preserving at-risk digital materials of significant cultural and historical value to the nation, including digital content relating to political web sites, public television programs, geospatial data, culture and history collections, social science data, and legal and business materials relating to the birth of the dot com era.The National Science Foundation has, in May 2005, awarded the first grants under the joint NSF/LC Digital Archiving and Long-Term Preservation (DIGARCH) program. These awards will address three critical areas: 1) Digital repository models; 2) Tools, technologies and processes; and 3) Organizational, economic and policy issues.LC is also exploring collaborative strategies for preservation of significant state and local government information in digital form. During 2005, the Library will sponsor collaborative workshops to help states identify their needs and priorities for digital preservation. A toolkit will be made available to each state to enable this analysis.This session will provide an update on NDIIPP overall with a focus on the three initiatives noted above. A speakers from the Library will outline goals for the partnerships and review progress in meeting those goals. A speaker from the Georgia Institute of Technology will discuss activities under one of the eight partnerships. A speaker from the University of Michigan will outline goals of a project funded by the DIGARCH program. And a speaker from the Center for Technology in Government will discuss the LC states initiative.
Dust Exposure and Respiratory Disorders in Equine Instructors

This survey examined dust exposure and the prevalence of respiratory disorders among equestrian instructors and trainers. Nine hundred instructors were randomly selected from a database of certified riding instructors and mailed a self-administered questionnaire to complete. Three hundred forty-eight North American instructors returned the survey for a response rate of 38%. The prevalence of symptoms of four respiratory conditions (chronic bronchitis, noninfectious rhinitis, asthma, and pneumonia) was investigated in relation to work exposure, type, and other environmental conditions including dust exposure and smoking. Survey data suggested that both nonsmoker and smoker equestrian instructors (44% vs 67%, respectively) are more likely to develop bronchitis symptoms if the primary working facility is an indoor arena compared with an outdoor arena. Equestrian instructors appear to be at an increased risk for some respiratory conditions based on these results.
Urban infrastructure as materialized consensus

AbstractInfrastructure that shapes and facilitates daily life, such as pathways, conduits and boundary walls, constitutes one of the most dynamic forms of architecture in both ancient and modern cities. Although infrastructure is conceived and designed with particular goals and capacities, its temporal and spatial scale means that it is a constant work in progress that engages numerous agents: civic authorities design and implement infrastructure; designated agencies maintain and repair infrastructure; and ordinary people utilize, modify, ignore or destroy it. Infrastructure can be thus analyzed as a materialization of ongoing communication, in which there are often conflicts among different constituents to achieve consensus. The linguistic concepts of expert language and turn-taking are utilized to assess three brief case studies: historical New Orleans; a multipurpose micro-park in Vienna, Austria; and the archaeological city of Sisupalgarh, India.
Alloxan diabetes in rabbits; production of hypercholesterolemia, hyperlipemia and adrenal cortical lesions.

SummaryA transient period of hypercholesterolemia and hyperlipemia may accompany the early stage of severe diabetes mel-litus in rabbits following the injection of alloxan. It occurred in varying degrees in many rabbits that survived with persistent diabetes and always occurred if the diabetes was severe enough to cause death. A dosage of 50 mg/kg of alloxan failed to cause hyperlipemia or hypercholesterolemia, 100 mg/kg produced it in one of 3 rabbits, while 125 mg/kg was effective in 29 of 32 animals. Lesions were found in the adrenal cortices of 12 of 25 animals dying after receiving 125 mg/kg of alloxan.
A pilot study analyzing PSA, serum testosterone, lipid profile, body mass index and race in a small sample of patients with and without carcinoma of the prostate.

Androgens, diet, race and obesity are thought to play some roles in the pathogenesis of prostate cancer. We wanted to evaluate if there were any inter-relationships between prostate specific antigen (PSA), serum testosterone, serum cholesterol, HDL, triglycerides, body mass index (BMI) and race, in older patients with and without prostate cancer (CaP). We evaluated 308 patients referred to urologists in private practice offices and clinics with and without prostate cancer with regard to race, serum PSA, age, serum testosterone, full lipid profile, height and weight, and stage of cancer. We used multivariate analysis, Fisher's exact test and t-tests as well as logistic regression analysis. Data was analyzed using SPSS computer software, and P-values<0.05 were considered statistically significant. Significantly higher levels of serum testosterone were found in black men with CaP than black men without CaP (526+/-28 vs 404+/-19, respectively.) We also found significantly higher levels of serum testosterone in white men with CaP than white men without CaP (409+/-20 vs 302+/-14, respectively, P<0.05). HDL was higher in black men than white men, and triglycerides were higher in white men than black men. Cholesterol was similar across all groups, but BMI was highest in white men with CaP. We also found a significant association between BMI and pathological stage of prostate cancer patients among both black and white men (P<0.05). Our study demonstrated that black men who developed CaP had higher serum testosterone levels, on average, than white men who developed CaP. Furthermore, BMI was highest in white men developing CaP compared to black men, but we found a significant association between pathological stage and BMI in both black and white patients. Although it is controversial whether obesity is considered to be a risk factor for prostate cancer, this small pilot study suggests that BMI may play a role in the progression of the disease once it is established.Prostate Cancer and Prostatic Diseases (2001) 4, 101-105
Atomic layer deposition of undoped TiO2 exhibiting p-type conductivity.

With prominent photocatalytic applications and widespread use in semiconductor devices, TiO2 is one of the most popular metal oxides. However, despite its popularity, it has yet to achieve its full potential due to a lack of effective methods for achieving p-type conductivity. Here, we show that undoped p-type TiO2 films can be fabricated by atomic layer deposition (ALD) and that their electrical properties can be controlled across a wide range using proper postprocessing anneals in various ambient environments. Hole mobilities larger than 400 cm2/(V·s) are accessible superseding the use of extrinsic doping, which generally produces orders of magnitude smaller values. Through a combination of analyses and experiments, we provide evidence that this behavior is primarily due to an excess of oxygen in the films. This discovery enables entirely new categories of TiO2 devices and applications, and unlocks the potential to improve existing ones. TiO2 homojunction diodes fabricated completely by ALD are develope...
Will the Affordable Care Act (ACA) Improve Racial/Ethnic Disparity of Eye Examination Among US Working-Age Population with Diabetes?

This study aimed to examine the racial/ethnic disparity of eye examination rates among US adults with diabetes before and after the ACA. Working-age adults (18–64 years) with diabetes for years 2014–2017 were simulated by bootstrapping from the working-age diabetes patient sample of Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS) Household Component 2011. Insurance coverage rates were separately predicted for each racial/ethnic group based on the Congressional Budgeting Office (CBO) report in 2014 and the proportions of Medicaid eligibility. Eye examination rates were weighted to national estimates and compared between racial/ethnic groups. Confidence intervals were estimated using the bootstrap percentile method. Health insurance coverage after the ACA is projected to increase from 90.23 % in 2011 to 98.33 % in 2014 among non-Hispanic Whites (NHW), reaching 98.96 % in 2017. Minorities are forecasted to have about 15 % expansion of insurance coverage from 2011 (80.65 %) to 2014 (96.00 %), reaching 97.25 % in 2017. In 2011, 63.01 % of NHW had eye examinations with forecasted increase to 65.83 % in 2014 and 66.05 % in 2017, while the eye examination rate in the minorities will increase from 55.75 % in 2011 to 59.23 % in 2014 and remain at 59.48 % in 2017. Therefore, racial disparity in eye examination rates is forecasted to persist (ranging from 6.57 % in 2017 to 6.69 % in 2016). The ACA is projected to improve the eye examination rate along with the expansion in insurance coverage. Although predicted racial/ethnic disparities will improve, some differences will persist. Comprehensive strategies need to be developed to eliminate the disparity.
Effect evaluation of Health Education about Iodine Deficiency Disorders in Jiyuan City

[Objective]To evaluate the effect of health education about iodine deficiency disorders(IDD) in Jiyuan City,and provide scientific evidence for developing and improving the health education goals.[Methods]A unified questionnaire was used to investigate the primary school students,housewives,office cadres before and after the implementation of health education.The awareness of IDD health education and the knowledge acquisition approach of primary school students,housewives,office cadres were obtained respectively.[Results]Baseline survey of 179 primary school students,the awareness rate was 68.5%;the effect evaluation survey of 165 individuals,the awareness rate was 92.5%,with increase of 24%.Baseline survey of 75 housewives,the awareness rate was 78.2%;the effect evaluation survey of 75 individuals,the awareness rate was 89.8%,with increase of 11.6%.A total of 30 were investigated,with awareness rate of 76.7%.[Conclusion]Through the implementation of health education programs of IDD,the awareness rate of IDD knowledge has improved significantly.The mass media dissemination(such as television,newspapers,radio) and school health education are the effective ways to carry out health education
Margin status following partial mastectomy: One size does not fit all!

Breast-conserving therapy (BCT), which includes wide local excision of the tumor followed by irradiation, has become a standard treatment option for women with early-stage invasive breast cancer.
All in pieces: a new media installation about information fragmentation

This paper is a documentation of the research and design implementation process of the project "All in Pieces", which is a projection installation with optical manipulation, web access and data sonification. This project creates an immersive environment for visitors to resonate from their daily experience of information fragmentation. Information fragmentation is a social issue caused by the explosion of information on the Internet and the expanding of new media. As an increasingly important online information source, social media has become the main contributor to the information fragmentation issue. Social media is gradually but deeply changing the way people read and think due to the quickness, inconsistency and low credibility of the content. The brains have to adapt to the huge amount of non-linear quick reading tasks on the website or smartphone. The information fragments distract people's attention severely and can possibly impair the ability of deep reading and thorough thinking. It is getting more difficult to construct or reconstruct meanings from the ocean of scattered information. However, many people have not fully realized the situation. The purpose of "All in Pieces" is to reflect the issue and refine the daily experience to give rise to rethinking of this issue with the assistance of new media technologies.
Near-Earth Laser Communications

This chapter is an introduction to the near-Earth laser communication technology. By near-Earth, we mean high-altitude platforms and Earth-orbiting satellites. Justification for high bandwidth delivery capability as well as key advantages and challenges of laser communications are discussed in detail. Critical elements of each subassembly are introduced and elaborated separately for the flight and the ground subsystems. These include the atmospheric effects, laser transmitter, receiver, optomechanical assembly, laser beam acquisition tracking and pointing, modulation and coding. Past successful optical communications links and upcoming field demonstrations and major operational use cases are also summarized here. Each of the following chapters expands on these topics in much greater detail.
Direct measurement of the acoustic wave field in the stratosphere

Low frequency acoustic waves (infrasound) are generated by a variety of natural and anthropogenic phenomena. Although infrasound propagates throughout the atmosphere, the vast majority of acoustic studies utilize sensors on or near the Earth's surface. This paper describes results from two infrasound arrays launched into the stratosphere, one in August 2014 and the other in September 2015. The observations presented here are the first stratospheric infrasound measurements reported in scientific literature in 50 years. Acoustic signals recorded on the balloon borne sensors were different than those recorded by nearby infrasound stations on the ground. The 0.2 Hz ocean microbarom was detected in the stratosphere, but was not observed on nearby ground stations. A series of narrow band signals were also observed in the stratosphere, some of which varied in frequency over tens of minutes. The source of these signals is unclear. Wind noise decreased with altitude during the ascent, becoming negligible above 20 km. It was absent when the balloon was neutrally buoyant, although it was pervasive on ground stations operating in the same region during the day. Spectral characteristics of stratospheric infrasound were similar between the two flights and also resembled the last experiment in the early 1960s, but spatiotemporal variations in signal strength and frequency were also observed. Future efforts should focus on characterizing infrasound sensor operation in extreme environments and increasing spatial and temporal frequency of acoustic measurements in the free atmosphere. Results from this study have implications for long range detection of events such as nuclear blasts, the quantification of acoustic energy that heats the upper atmosphere, and calibration of a proposed mission to place airborne acoustic sensors on Venus.
CD163 is expressed and modulated in human pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells: Implications for pulmonary artery hypertension

Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH) is a rare but fatal disease characterised by remodelling of the pulmonary vasculature, increased vascular resistance and right-heart failure. In patients with PAH the iron-regulatory hormone hepcidin is elevated and iron homeostasis compromised. Recent research also highlights the occurrence of sub-clinical haemolysis and the presence of free haemoglobin (Hb) in PAH patients. We hypothesised, that if present on human pulmonary artery smooth cells (hPASMCs), the Hb scavenger-receptor CD163 could aid in proliferation via Hb uptake and further that expression would be modulated by stimuli of relevance to PAH. Confluent hPASMCs were challenged with increasing concentrations of hepcidin, IL-6 or Hb. RT-PCR was performed using extracted mRNA and protein expression studied by immunocytochemistry (ICC). Proliferation was measured independently by cyquant staining and BrdU incorporation. Novel findings indicate basal expression of CD163 mRNA and protein in hPASMCs. A 2-fold increase in CD163 mRNA was observed with IL-6 challenge (10ng/mL; n=3). ICC revealed minimal basal expression of CD163 that increased with hepcidin (500ng/mL) or Hb (10uM) treatment. Exposure to Hb also caused an increase in proliferation of hPASMCs by 11% (p
Promoting Occupational Wellness and Combating Professional Burnout in the Surgical Workforce

Physician wellness has become a major topic of concern for healthcare centers as they are forced to acknowledge and respond to increasing burnout and distress (including depression, a sense of being overwhelmed, depersonalization, and stress-related health issues) among their workforce. This chapter reviews the data on physician burnout and distress, particularly in the surgical profession, and adds relevant new data regarding the role of current medical education and cultural norms in contributing to this problem. The chapter also addresses the research behind wellness and offers important and relevant strategies to improve life experience as a healthcare provider.
Freeform Optical Metrology Standards

Freeform optical surface metrology provides feedback to metrology integrated manufacturing processes and the basis for conformance assessment. The recently expanded ISO 10110 drawing standard provides specifications (measurands) provides the framework for reviewing measurement current capabilities.
Significance of Intraoperative Revision During Arterial Switch Operation in the Current Era.

BACKGROUND Arterial switch operation (ASO) is a relatively safe operation nowadays. We hypothesize that intraoperative revision for coronary malperfusion still plays an important role during ASO in the current era. METHODS From January 2005 to May 2016, 244 patients underwent ASO. Medical records were reviewed and the details of intraoperative revision were described. Morbidity and mortality were compared in patients with/without intraoperative revision. Factors related to the need for intraoperative revision were analyzed. RESULTS Seventeen (7%) patients needed intraoperative revision. As a technique for intraoperative revision, revision of a coronary button was performed in eight patients and revision of the main pulmonary artery anastomosis to relieve compression on the coronary artery was performed in five patients. Factors related to intraoperative revision were body weight at surgery ( P = .051), eccentric position of the coronary ostium ( P = .01), single coronary artery system ( P = .03), and intramural coronary artery ( P = .003). The commonest coronary artery origin and branching pattern was not protective against the need for intraoperative revision ( P = .43). Discharge mortality was 2% overall: 2 of 17 with intraoperative revision versus 3 of 238 without it ( P = .04). Patients who underwent intraoperative revision had longer postoperative hospitalization ( P = .003). CONCLUSION The need for intraoperative revision was related to eccentric coronary ostium, single coronary artery, and intramural coronary artery. Although the need for intraoperative revision correlated with higher mortality and morbidity, prompt intraoperative revision also likely contributed to our good results after ASO.
Benign paroxysmal migraine variants of infancy and childhood: Transitions and clinical features

Abstract Introduction Migraine variant disorders of childhood include benign paroxysmal torticollis of infancy (BPTI) and benign paroxysmal vertigo of childhood (BPVC). This study aimed to review our experience with BPTI and BPVC and determine the incidence of children transitioning between each of these disorders and to vestibular migraine (VM). Methods We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of patients seen at the Balance and Vestibular Program at Boston Children's Hospital between January 2012 and December 2016 who were diagnosed with BPTI, BPVC, and/or VM. Results Fourteen patients were diagnosed with BPTI, 39 with BPVC, and 100 with VM. Abnormal rotary chair testing was associated with progression from BPTI to BPVC (n = 8, p = 0.045). Eight (57.1%) patients with BPTI and 11 (28.2%) with BPVC had motor delay. Eleven (78.6%) patients with BPTI and 21 (53.8%) with BPVC had balance impairment. Six BPTI patients developed BPVC (42.9%), six BPVC patients developed VM (15.4%), and two patients progressed through all three disorders (2%). One BPTI patient progressed directly to VM. Discussion Most patients with BPTI will experience complete resolution in early childhood, but some will progress to BPVC, and similarly many patients with BPVC will progress to VM. Parents of children with these disorders should be made aware of this phenomenon, which we refer to as “the vestibular march.” Children with BPTI and BPVC should also be screened for hearing loss, otitis media, and motor delay.
Integrating Biomarkers in Social Stratification and Health Research

This article provides an overview of the integration of biomarkers and biological mechanisms in social science models of stratification and health. The goal in reviewing this literature is to highlight research that identifies the social forces that drive inequalities over the life course and across generations. The article is structured in the following way. First, descriptive background information on biomarkers is presented, followed secondly by a review of the general theoretical paradigms that lend themselves to an integrative approach. Third, the biomarkers used to capture several biological systems that are most responsive to social conditions are described. Fourth, research that explicates how social exposures "get under the skin" to affect physiological functioning and downstream health is discussed, using socioeconomic disadvantage as an illustrative social exposure. The review ends with emerging directions in the use of biomarkers in social science research. This article endeavors to encourage sociologists to embrace biosocial approaches in order to elevate the importance of social factors in biomedical processes and to intervene on the social conditions that create inequities.
Scattering Neutrons along the Polyelectrolyte Complex/Coacervate Continuum

The coil size of narrow molecular weight distribution deuterated poly(styrenesulfonate), PSS, within a polyelectrolyte complex doped with KBr was tracked across the continuum from solid to coacervate to solution using small-angle neutron scattering. While PSS alone in solution exhibited the familiar and pronounced “polyelectrolyte effect” of coil shrinkage with increasing [KBr], the radius of gyration Rg of the PSS in the complex remained surprisingly constant up to 1.4 M KBr, which is close to the transition between complex and coacervate behavior. Thereafter, Rg decreased with increasing KBr, remaining slightly larger than Rg for PSS in KBr alone. Upturns in the scattering at low angle, seen for complexes in lower [KBr], are consistent with porosity, observed macroscopically as whitening of the bulk complex—a universal property of polyelectrolyte complexes. Reasons for this porosity, imaged by scanning electron microscopy, are discussed. At high q ranges, a correlation peak between deuterated coils of P...
Evaluation of a New Energy-Based Human Tracking Method in a Smart Building Using Floor Vibration Measurements

Tracking occupants in an indoor environment has applications in intruder detection, emergency response and evacuation (e.g., locating an occupant in a burning building), and energy saving (through activity-based control of building lighting and HVAC system). In this document, we show that tracking occupants in an indoor environment can be done using the floor vibration caused by occupant footstep impacts. In order to track an occupant, each footstep impact location must first be estimated. For that purpose, we evaluate the performance of a newly developed energy-based localization (multilateration) method for the case of localizing occupant footsteps in a real-life operational smart building. The new method is based on the fact that the energy of the impact-generated wave will be attenuated as the wave travels away from the impact location. Localization is achieved using a network of vibration sensors (accelerometers) placed underneath the walking floor, which provides a non-intrusive and tamper-proof localization system. The new method has small computational time and requires a relatively small sensor data sampling rate. It is anticipated that the new method will have a smaller footstep localization error compared to conventional time of flight/arrival methods. Occupant tracking experiments show that the new method has a promisingly small localization error.
In Vivo Fluorometric Measurement of Changes in Cytosolic Free Calcium from the Cat Cortex During Anoxia, Ischemia, and Postischemic Reperfusion

Cytosolic free calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) is precisely regulated within specific limits under a variety of conditions in order to maintain proper cellular function. The extracellular free calcium concentration is in the millimolar range and about 104 times higher than the intracellular concentration. Recently, calcium has become a focus of attention due to its possible role in mediating anoxic or ischemic cell injury [5, 9, 32]. The increase in [Ca2+]i may trigger catastrophic enzymatic processes leading to irreversible cell damage. There have been several lines of evidence to indicate that calcium is accumulated in anoxic and ischemic tissue [38] although the causal relationship remains uncertain. In most of the previous studies, the calcium accumulation has been assessed by in vitro histochemistry [16] or estimated from total tissue calcium content by the atomic absorption technique [7]. Extracellular calcium concentration has also been measured by the Ca2+ selective electrode [25]. No good correlation exists, however, between the [Ca2+]i and total cell calcium content, most likely owing to the ability of intracellular organelles such as the endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondria to sequester calcium. In order to clarify the mechanisms of calcium-related cell injury, it is necessary to measure changes in [Ca2+]i during an anoxic or ischemic insult. Recently, calcium-sensitive fluorescent dyes such as quin-2, fura-2, and indo-1 have been developed [10, 35] and used primarily for measurement of [Ca2+]i from isolated cells.
Ribonucleoprotein Ribonucleases P and MRP

Ribonucleoprotein Ribonuclease (RNase) P and RNase MRP consist of a large RNA component and an essential protein part. RNases P/MRP differ from all other known ribonucleases in that it is their RNA component, not protein that is responsible for the endonucleolytic cleavage of substrates. RNase P is universally essential in all three domains of life; the closely related RNase MRP is a ubiquitous eukaryotic enzyme. RNase P is primarily responsible for the maturation of the 5′-ends of tRNA, whereas RNase MRP is known to be involved in the maturation of eukaryotic rRNA and the degradation of specific mRNAs. Here we discuss available information on functions, structural organization, and mechanisms of substrate recognition and catalysis of RNases P/MRP.
The Limits of Biomedical Ethics and the Specific Role of Phenomenology in Biomedical Ethics

Let me first begin by expressing two general reservations I have long held about the project of applied philosophy in general. These have to do not just with applications of philosophy to the sphere of medical decision-making and to debates about public policy or regulations that concern the development and practice of medical treatments and technologies, but to the project of applied philosophy in general—and most especially to that project as it is very often practiced in philosophical debates couched in the language and using the concepts and techniques of Anglo-American analytical philosophy.
Exit Choices of Venture-Backed Firms: IPO v. Acquisition

We examine IPO and acquisition waves, exit choices, and pre-money valuations at exit for 7082 venture-backed private companies over the 19-year period from 1978 through 2006. Consistent with other literature, we hypothesize that levels of IPO and acquisition activity and the choice between IPO and acquisition may be affected by (i) market timing or investor sentiment, (ii) variations in the importance of information asymmetry, (iii) variations in the intensity of capital demand, and (iv) variations in the relative cost of the alternatives. Based on either the full sample, or sector-specific subsamples, we find that IPOs are selected during periods when market-wide demand for growth capital is high, adverse selection costs of equity issues are low, and the value of protecting private information is low. The evidence also is consistent with the view that IPO issuance is subject to high fixed cost compared to acquisition. We find no consistent support for the hypothesis that issuers are more likely to select IPOs during periods when the market is over-heated such that subsequent market returns are negative. Puzzlingly, acquisition activity does tend to peak before market declines. Evidence on the relation between pre-money value and exit activity indicates that adjustments in the IPO market are mainly to the numbers of firms going public whereas adjustments in the acquisition market are mainly to value.
DRIVING OUT THE SELF-INTERACTION ERROR

Simple density functional [1–4] for the exchange-correlation energy typically work well for many-electron systems, but fail to be exact for one-electron systems. This lecture reviews the self-interaction error of standard local and semilocal functional, and points out just how severe this error can be when the exact exchange-correlation hole is not close to the electron it surrounds, as in “stretched H 2 +”. Also discussed are several attempts to eliminate this error, with special emphasis on orbital-functional approximations such as the Perdew-Zunger self-interaction correction (SIC) [5–7] and the Colle-Salvetti functional [8–10]. An alternative approach, the construction of fully-nonlocal explicit density functionals such as the weighted density approximation [11–13], will not be reviewed here.
Performance Assessment of Building Infrastructure Impacted by the 2017 Hurricane Harvey in the Port Aransas Region

AbstractThe wind, storm surge, and flooding loads due to the 2017 Hurricane Harvey had a detrimental impact on the built infrastructure in coastal communities. This paper presents the lessons learn...
Associations between maternal residential proximity to air emissions from industrial facilities and low birth weight in Texas, USA.

Abstract Background Most previous studies examining associations between maternal exposures to air pollutants during pregnancy and low birth weight (LBW) in offspring focused on criteria air pollutants (PM2.5, PM10, O3, NO2, SO2, CO, and Pb). The relationship between non-criteria air pollutants and LBW is understudied and requires greater coverage. Objectives This study investigated associations between maternal residential exposure to industrial air pollutants during pregnancy and LBW in offspring. Methods This study used a case-control study design that included 94,106 term LBW cases and 376,424 controls. It covered 78 air pollutants common to both the Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) and ground air quality monitoring databases in Texas during 1996–2008. A modified version of the Emission Weighted Proximity Model (EWPM), calibrated with ground monitoring data, was used to estimate maternal residential exposure to industrial air pollutants during pregnancy. Binary logistic regression analyses were performed to calculate odds ratios (ORs) reflecting the associations of maternal exposure to industrial air pollutants and LBW in offspring, adjusted for child's sex, gestational weeks, maternal age, education, race/ethnicity, marital status, prenatal care, tobacco use during pregnancy, public health region of maternal residence, and year of birth. In addition, the Bonferroni correction for multiple comparisons was applied to the results of logistic regression analysis. Results Relative to the non-exposed reference group, maternal residential exposure to benzene (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 1.06, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.04, 1.08), benzo(g,h,i)perylene (aOR 1.04, 95% CI 1.02, 1.07), cumene (aOR 1.05, 95% CI 1.03, 1.07), cyclohexane (aOR 1.04, 95% CI 1.02, 1.07), dichloromethane (aOR 1.04, 95% CI 1.03, 1.07), ethylbenzene (aOR 1.05, 95% CI 1.03, 1.06), ethylene (aOR 1.06, 95% CI 1.03, 1.09), mercury (aOR 1.04, 95% CI 1.02, 1.07), naphthalene (aOR 1.03, 95% CI 1.01, 1.05), n-hexane (aOR 1.06, 95% CI 1.04, 1.08), propylene (aOR 1.06, 95% CI 1.03, 1.10), styrene (aOR 1.06, 95% CI 1.04, 1.08), toluene (aOR 1.05, 95% CI 1.03, 1.07), and zinc (fume or dust) (aOR 1.10, 95% CI 1.06, 1.13) was found to have significantly higher odds of LBW in offspring. When the estimated exposures were categorized into four different groups (zero, low, medium, and high) in the analysis, eleven of the fourteen air pollutants, with the exception of benzo(g,h,i)perylene, ethylene, and propylene, remained as significant risk factors. Conclusions Results indicate that maternal residential proximity to industrial facilities emitting any of the fourteen pollutants identified by this study during pregnancy may be associated with LBW in offspring. With the exception of benzene, ethylbenzene, toluene, and zinc, the rest of the fourteen air pollutants are identified as LBW risk factors for the first time by this study. Further epidemiological, biological, and toxicological studies are suggested to verify the findings from this study.
A Dyadic Study of Impacts of Sexual Assault Disclosure on Survivors’ Informal Support Relationships:

After a sexual assault, victims often disclose their assault to an informal support provider (SP) to receive social support. Ample research exists on social reactions of informal SPs to disclosure and how those reactions affect the victim both positively and negatively, but little research exists on how the disclosure impacts a survivor's support relationships both in the short and in the long term. This qualitative interview study examined 45 ethnically diverse informal support dyads where women disclosed sexual assault to an informal SP (e.g., friend, family, significant other). Assault disclosure was examined to determine its impact on relationship quality of survivors and their SPs. Results revealed positive and negative effects on survivor-SP relationships of assault disclosure and social reactions. In almost all matched pairs (91%), the survivor, SP, or both remarked on how the relationship had changed following disclosure. Family member SPs spoke of survivors' risk-taking and poor relationship choices. Significant others spoke of the toll of supporting survivors who sometimes left their needs unmet and strained their relationships with survivors. Friend SPs often appraised how the survivor engaged in other types of relationships, but overall felt that their relationships had become stronger or closer as a result of the disclosure. Implications of this study include acknowledging that informal supporters, particularly significant others, can experience adverse effects after disclosure, and that help is needed not only for survivors but also for their informal support sources. Future research should continue to investigate both the short-term and longitudinal impacts of sexual assault disclosure on survivors' informal support relationships.