cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Environmental data analysis based on the gamma distribution: compliance assessment using tolerance limits and exceedance fractions

The gamma distribution has found extensive applications in the modeling and analysis of environmental data. Furthermore, for groundwater monitoring and environmental monitoring, an upper tolerance limit (i.e., an upper confidence limit for a percentile) can be used for checking compliance and is recommended in some of the standards published by the U.S. EPA. In addition, estimation of the proportion of samples where the measurements exceed a threshold (proportion of non-compliance, for example), referred to as an exceedance fraction, is of obvious interest. Thus the computation of an accurate upper tolerance limit, and an accurate upper confidence limit for the exceedance fraction, are important. The problems are somewhat challenging since environmental samples are typically not large, and large sample methods cannot be used. In the present investigation, we have succeeded in obtaining accurate solutions to the above problems using a small sample modification of the likelihood based method. The results are also applied for analyzing a data set on vinyl chloride concentrations in ground water monitoring wells.
The effects of the Great Recession on American families

The Great Recession was marked by historic rates of unemployment and foreclosure and caused substantial household economic hardship and widespread economic uncertainty. I review recent social scientific research on the effects of the Great Recession on American families. I first generate a set of expectations for how the Great Recession would have affected (a) marriage and cohabitation, (b) fertility, and (c) relationship quality and divorce based on existing sociological and demographic theory and research. I then discuss the key methods that scholars have used to gauge the effects of the Great Recession in these outcome areas. My review of research to date indicates that the recession had modest effects on marriage and cohabitation, but significant negative effects on fertility. Notably, these fertility effects are evident among unmarried and low socio-economic-status (SES) women whom prior research has suggested decouple fertility from economic concerns. Finally, there is modest evidence that the Great Recession reduced relationship quality, but it appears that the costs of divorce restrained any increase in dissolution.
Epidemiology and Demography of Aging

The phenomenon known as the “demographic revolution” has been with us for more than 200 years. Falling birth rates, rising incomes, and declining death rates have followed industrialization. Between 1880 and 1920 the impact of industrialization on demographic profiles was dramatically enhanced by a public health revolution, during which acute infectious diseases and tuberculosis became minor causes of death for the first time in history.
Super-Resolution Microscopy Reveals a Nanoscale Organization of Acetylcholine Receptors for Trans-Synaptic Alignment at Neuromuscular Synapses

The neuromuscular junction (NMJ) is a chemical synapse formed between motoneurons and skeletal muscle fibers. The vertebrate NMJ uses acetylcholine (ACh) as the neurotransmitter and features numerous invaginations of the postsynaptic muscle membrane termed junctional folds. ACh receptors (AChRs) are believed to be concentrated on the crest of junctional folds but their spatial organization remains to be fully understood. In this study, we utilized super-resolution microscopy to examine the nanoscale organization of AChRs at NMJ. Using Structured Illumination Microscopy, we found that AChRs appear as stripes within the pretzel-shaped mouse NMJs, which however, do not correlate with the size of the crests of junctional folds. By comparing the localization of AChRs with several pre- and postsynaptic markers of distinct compartments of NMJs, we found that AChRs are not distributed evenly across the crest of junctional folds as previously thought. Instead, AChR stripes are more closely aligned with the openings of junctional folds as well as with the presynaptic active zone. Using Stochastic Optical Reconstruction Microscopy (STORM) for increased resolution, we found that each AChR stripe contains an AChR-poor slit at the center that is equivalent to the size of the opening of junctional folds. Together, these findings indicate that AChRs are largely localized to the edges of crests surrounding the opening of folds to align with the presynaptic active zones. Such a nanoscale organization of AChRs potentially enables trans-synaptic alignment for effective synaptic transmission of NMJs.
Race detection and reachability in nearly series-parallel DAGs

A program is said to have a determinacy race if logically parallel parts of a program access the same memory location and one of the accesses is a write. These races are generally bugs in the program since they lead to non-deterministic program behavior --- different schedules of the program can lead to different results. Most prior work on detecting these races focuses on a subclass of programs with series-parallel or nested parallelism. This paper presents a race-detection algorithm for detecting races in a more general class of programs, namely programs that include arbitrary ordering constraints in additional to the series-parallel constructs. The algorithm performs a serial execution of the program, augmented to detect races, in O(T1 + k2) time, where T1 is the sequential running time of the original program and k is the number of non series-parallel constraints. The main technical novelty of this paper is a new data structure, R-Sketch, for answering reachability queries in nearly series-parallel (SP) directed acyclic graphs (DAGs). Given as input a graph comprising an n-node series parallel graph and k additional non-SP edges, the total construction time of the data structure is O(n + k2), and each reachability query can be answered in O(1) time. The data structure is traversally incremental, meaning that it supports the insertion of nodes/edges, but only as they are discovered through a graph traversal.
Mimicking the Properties of Photosystem II in Bacterial Reaction Centers

The core structural motif of the photosynthetic pigment-protein complexes that generate a charge-separated state by the absorption of light is remarkably conserved between reaction centers from purple bacteria and Photosystem II (PS II). These systems differ in the functional ability of PS II to make use of much higher energies to oxidize water through electron transfer events involving a tyrosine residue and manganese complex. In this chapter we present models of the evolutionary developments of photosynthesis from the standpoint of the alterations of the pigment-protein complexes needed to perform increasingly complex photochemical reactions. We also describe experimental efforts that are designed to mimic these evolutionary developments by altering the bacterial reaction center such that it gains specific functional features of the oxygen-evolving complex.
Improving carbon footprinting of agricultural systems: Boundaries, tiers, and organic farming

Abstract Purpose The purpose of this commentary is to call for consistent and improved methodology for agricultural carbon footprint (CF) studies. Methods The methods of published agricultural CF studies were compared to identify areas of inconsistency. Organic agriculture has been proposed as an approach to reduce net agricultural greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and sequester carbon. Therefore we used organic agriculture as a focal system to explore the impact on CF estimates of using inconsistent boundaries, soil emission accounting, and emission factor (EF) tiers. Results and discussion Studies of agricultural CF use inconsistent boundaries and most use EFs based on national averages or regional models. As a result the local and farm-to-farm variability of EFs are obscured and the comparability of CFs from different studies is dubious. We propose three principles for agricultural CF calculation: use of consistent broad agricultural system CF boundaries, incorporation of soil emissions and sequestration, and development and use of fine-scale EFs for agricultural inputs. The potential use of organic practices in GHG mitigation efforts, along with the annual inspection process for certified organic farms, justify the future use of organic farms as a longitudinal national or international study population using the proposed principles. Conclusions Using different boundaries, or generalized vs. site-specific EFs, can give not only different levels of precision but also fundamentally different answers. Policy based on averaged data or incomplete estimates may be misdirected. To support effective policy and individual decision-making that reduce GHG emissions and/or sequester more carbon, accurate and consistent assessments of the GHG emissions of agricultural practices and systems at a finer temporal and spatial scale are needed.
Fight Against the “Special Rights” Movement and End the Mis-education of Black Children: Support School Vouchers!

This chapter continues the examination of African American conservative social movements with analysis of the participation of conservative African Americans in the anti-gay marriage and school voucher movements. Both black and white conservative anti-LGBTQ activists utilize the argument that sexuality is a social construct that provides the opportunity of an individual to change while simultaneously essentializing race as a biological construct: being black, in the context of whiteness, is a stigmatized characteristic that individuals have no agency in changing. The chapter concludes with an in-depth analysis of prominent school choice movement figure Annette “Polly” Williams, and the challenges Williams posed to the movement with her outspokenness in working solely in the interests of African Americans and criticizing the racism from some of her white counterparts.
3D SPATIAL LAYOUTS USING A-TEAMS

Spatial layout is the problem of arranging a set of components in an enclosure such that a set of objectives and constraints is satised. The constraints may include non-interference of objects, accessibility requirements and connection cost limits. Spatial layout problems are found primarily in the domains of electrical engineering and mechanical engineering in the design of integrated circuits and mechanical or electromechanical artifacts. Traditional approaches include ad-hoc (or specialized) heuristics, Genetic Algorithms and Simulated Annealing. The A-Teams approach provides a way of synergistically combining these approaches in a modular agent based fashion. A-Teams are also open to the addition of new agents. Modications in the task requirements translate to modications in the agent mix. In this paper we describe how modular A-Team based optimization can be used to solve 3 dimensional spatial layout problems.
Surface-Enhanced Raman and Fluorescence Spectroscopy with an All-Dielectric Metasurface

Plasmonic substrates play a crucial role in the confinement and manipulation of localized electromagnetic fields at the nanoscale. The large electromagnetic field enhancement at metal/dielectric interfaces is widely exploited in surface-enhanced fluorescence (SEF) and surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) spectroscopies. Despite the advantage of near-field enhancement, unfortunately, in metals, the large absorption at optical frequencies induces local heating of the analyte fluid with possible damage of the biological material. In addition, in SEF plasmonic substrates, spacer layers are necessary to minimize undesired fluorescence quenching due to nonradiative decay, which strongly depends on the distance between molecules and metallic substrates. Therefore, the possibility of managing surface electromagnetic states mimicking surface-plasmon resonances in terms of spatial localization, high-field intensity, and dispersion characteristics, while avoiding metallic losses is of great interest. However, di...
Phylogenomics and multigene phylogenies decipher two new cryptic marine algae from California, Gelidium gabrielsonii and G. kathyanniae (Gelidiales, Rhodophyta).

Molecular surveys are leading to the discovery of many new cryptic species of marine algae. This is particularly true for red algal intertidal species, which exhibit a high degree of morphological convergence. DNA sequencing of recent collections of Gelidium along the coast of California, USA, identified two morphologically similar entities that differed in DNA sequence from existing species. To characterize the two new species of Gelidium and to determine their evolutionary relationships to other known taxa, phylogenomic, multigene analyses, and morphological observations were performed. Three complete mitogenomes and five plastid genomes were deciphered, including those from the new species candidates and the type materials of two closely related congeners. The mitogenomes contained 45 genes and had similar lengths (24,963-24,964 bp). The plastid genomes contained 232 genes and were roughly similar in size (175,499-177,099 bp). The organellar genomes showed a high level of gene synteny. The two Gelidium species are diminutive, turf-forming, and superficially resemble several long established species from the Pacific Ocean. The phylogenomic analysis, multigene phylogeny, and morphological evidence confirms the recognition and naming of two new species, describe herein as G. gabrielsonii and G. kathyanniae. On the basis of the monophyly of G. coulteri, G. gabrielsonii, G. galapagense, and G. kathyanniae, we suggest that this lineage likely evolved in California. Organellar genomes provide a powerful tool for discovering cryptic intertidal species and they continue to improve our understanding of the evolutionary biology of red algae and the systematics of the Gelidiales.
Clinical Utility of Reinterpreting Previously Reported Genomic Epilepsy Test Results for Pediatric Patients

Importance Clinical genomic tests that examine the DNA sequence of large numbers of genes are commonly used in the diagnosis and management of epilepsy in pediatric patients. The permanence of genomic test result interpretations is not known. Objective To investigate the value of reinterpreting previously reported genomic test results. Design, Setting, and Participants This study retrospectively reviewed and reinterpreted genomic test results from July 1, 2012, to August 31, 2015, for pediatric patients who previously underwent genomic epilepsy testing at a single tertiary care pediatric health care facility. Reinterpretation of previously reported variants was conducted in May 2017. Main Outcomes and Measures Patient reports from clinical genomic epilepsy tests were reviewed, and all reported genetic variants were reinterpreted using 2015 consensus standards and guidelines for interpreting hereditary genetic variants. Three classification tiers were used in the reinterpretation: pathogenic or likely pathogenic variant, variant of uncertain significance (VUS), or benign or likely benign variant. Results A total of 309 patients had genomic epilepsy tests performed (mean [SD] age, 5.6 [0.8] years; 163 [52.8%] male), and 185 patients had a genetic variant reported. The reported variants resulted in 61 patients with and 124 patients without a genetic diagnosis (VUS variants only). On reinterpretation of all reported variants, 67 of the 185 patients (36.2%) had a change in variant classification. Of the 67 patients with a genetic variant change in interpretation, 21 (31.3%) experienced a change in diagnosis. During the 5 years of the study, 19 of 61 patients (31.1%) with a genetic diagnosis and 48 of 124 patients (38.7%) with undiagnosed conditions (VUS only) had their results reclassified. Review of genomic reports issued during the final 2 years of the study identified reclassification of variants in 4 of 16 patients (25.0%) with a pathogenic or likely pathogenic variant and 11 of 41 patients (26.8%) with a VUS. Conclusions and Relevance The identified high rate of reinterpretation in this study suggests that interpretation of genomic test results has rapidly evolved during the past 5 years. These findings suggest that reinterpretation of genomic test results should be performed at least every 2 years.
Phase II Study of Weekly Paclitaxel with Trastuzumab and Pertuzumab in Patients with Human Epidermal Growth Receptor 2 Overexpressing Metastatic Breast Cancer: 5-Year Follow-up.

Background Favorable progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) results were previously reported on a phase II trial of patients with human epidermal growth receptor 2 (HER2)-positive metastatic breast cancer (MBC), treated with weekly paclitaxel in combination with trastuzumab and pertuzumab in the first- and second-line setting, with a median follow-up of 33 months. Here, we report updated PFS and OS results with more than 2 years of additional follow-up. Materials and methods In this phase II study, adult patients with HER2-positive MBC who received no or one prior therapy received intravenous paclitaxel (80 mg/m2 weekly) with trastuzumab (8 mg/kg loading dose followed by 6 mg/kg every 3 weeks) and pertuzumab (840 mg loading dose followed by 420 mg every 3 weeks), administered in 21-day cycles. Primary endpoint was 6-month PFS, and secondary endpoints included median PFS and OS. Results From January 2011 to December 2013, 69 patients were enrolled: 51 (74%) and 18 (26%) were treated in first- and second-line metastatic settings, respectively. As of August 21, 2017, the median follow-up was 59 months (range, 20-75 months; 67 [97%] patients were evaluable for efficacy). The 6-month PFS was 86% (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.76-0.93). The median PFS was 24.2 months (95% CI 17-35) for the overall population; it was 25.7 months (95% CI 17.0 to not reached) and 20.1 months (95% CI 8.5-33.0) for patients with no and one prior treatment, respectively. The median OS was not reached for the overall group; it was not reached and 39.7 months (95% CI 32.9-66.7) for patients with no and one prior treatment, respectively. Treatment was well tolerated with no additional safety concerns. Conclusion With a longer follow-up of almost 5 years, combination of weekly paclitaxel, trastuzumab, and pertuzumab remains effective with a favorable median PFS and a median OS not reached. Implications for practice The combination of weekly paclitaxel, trastuzumab, and pertuzumab has been endorsed by the National Comprehensive Cancer Network as one of the first-line treatment options in patients with human epidermal growth receptor 2 (HER2)-positive metastatic breast cancer (MBC). However, the long-term safety and efficacy are still unknown. Findings from this phase II study provide favorable preliminary data on the safety and efficacy of trastuzumab and pertuzumab in combination with weekly paclitaxel at 5-year follow-up, and it remains an effective first-line treatment option for patients with HER2-positive MBC.
My Child at mealtime parent self-assessment of food related behaviors: Validation with mealtime behaviors.

Abstract My Child at Mealtime (MCMT) is a visually enhanced, self-assessment tool designed to measure parent food related behaviors of low-income caregivers of preschool-aged children. The current study examined the factor structure of MCMT and the correspondence between MCMT parent- and child-centered food related behaviors with observed behaviors during a mealtime with their preschool aged child. Caregivers (N = 175) completed MCMT, and a subsample (n = 60) had a mealtime videotaped in their home. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis supported a two-factor structure resulting in parent-centered and child-centered MCMT subscales. There was a significant association between parent-centered MCMT scores and observed parent-centered behaviors at mealtime. Behavioral correspondence of MCMT child-centered behaviors was generally weaker. Overall, the findings suggest that caregivers’ MCMT responses provide a valid measure of parent food related behaviors.
DIASTOLIC ENERGY LOSS BY VECTOR FLOW MAPPING AS A NEW MEASURE OF DIASTOLIC DYSFUNCTION IN HEART FAILURE PATIENTS WITH REDUCED EJECTION FRACTION

Vector Flow mapping (VFM) enables noninvasive quantification of cardiac flow dynamics. The impact of diastolic dysfunction on energy loss by VFM in heart failure (HF) patients is unclear. Our aim was to assess the association of VFM diastolic energy loss with conventional measures of diastolic
Dynamic Joint PHY-MAC Waveform Design for IoT Connectivity

We envision dense network deployments of Internet-of-Things (IoT) connected devices that report data to a common base station (BS). The devices utilize repeats of a basic shaping pulse occupying the entire continuum of the device-accessible spectrum. We propose an optimal algorithm to adaptively design sparse waveforms with well-placed energy that maximize the signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio (SINR) at the output of the maximum-SINR linear filter at the BS. Additionally, we propose a computationally efficient suboptimal waveform design algorithm for the same problem. Simulation studies show that the proposed waveform designs attain superior pre-detection SINR performance than conventional binary, quaternary, and sparse-binary/quaternary waveform designs, thus offering a promising PHY-MAC approach to maintain wireless connectivity in overloaded network setups.
Abstract WP339: Herniation Despite Decompressive Hemicraniectomy in Large Hemispherical Ischemic Stroke Patients

Background: Despite timely decompressive hemicraniectomy (DHC), clinical failure or progressive herniation requiring a second decompression procedure and mortality has been reported in acute middle...
Ageostrophic corrections for power spectra and wave–vortex decomposition

We present a method to incorporate weakly nonlinear ageostrophic corrections into a previously developed wave–vortex decomposition algorithm for one-dimensional data obtained along horizontal flight, ship or remote-sensing tracks in the atmosphere or ocean. A new statistical omega equation is derived that links the power spectra of a quasi-geostrophic stream function to the power spectra of the ageostrophic correction. This step assumes mutually independent Fourier components for the quasi-geostrophic stream function. Then this equation is used to estimate the ageostrophic correction from one-dimensional track data under the additional assumptions of horizontal isotropy and the dominance of a single vertical wavenumber scale. A robust and accurate numerical method is designed, tested successfully against synthetic data and then applied to atmospheric flight track data near the tropopause. This probes the robustness of the previous linear wave–vortex decomposition method under the ageostrophic corrections. Preliminary findings indicate that the lower stratospheric flight tracks are very robust whilst the upper tropospheric ones showed some sensitivity to the correction.
Neurogenesis and the Cell Cycle

Despite the complexity of structure and function in the adult central nervous system, neurogenesis occurs in a fashion relatively parallel to other developing cell systems, with proliferation of cells taking place in an orderly programmed fashion. The complexity of the nervous system apparently derives from genetic and environmental influences which not only direct proliferation of the various cell types, but also control subsequent cell migrations, local overgrowth, selective cell death, differentiation of the various cell types, and the establishment of functionally appropriate connections between cells. This account is limited to the earlier stages of neurogenesis and the relationship of the cell cycle to the proliferation and differentiation of the various cell types. The excellent reviews of Jacobson (1970), Gaze (1970), Angevine (1970), Sidman (1970), and Watterson (1965) should be consulted for detailed consideration of other aspects of neurogenesis.
Eye movements and on-line comprehension processes

Reading is a rather complex process in which comprehension at a number of levels is essential. In this chapter, we will provide an overview of how different kinds of variable influence eye movements. We want to stress at the outset that eye movement data are highly informative with respect to understanding reading. They provide a moment-to-moment indicator of the ease (or the difficulty) with which readers are able to comprehend the text that they read. Because eye movements are a natural part of the reading process, secondary tasks are not needed to make inferences about reading comprehension. Rather, information about where readers fixate in the text and how long they look at different part of the text provides remarkably reliable data about comprehension at a number of levels. We will begin with a brief overview of the characteristics of eye movements during reading, which will include a discussion of the different eye movement measures that are typically employed in reading research (these issues are discussed in greater detail in Rayner, 1998, and in Rayner and Pollatsek, forthcoming). We will then discuss in turn: (1) effects of lexical processing on eye movements, (2) effects of syntactic processing on eye movements, and (3) effects of discourse processing on eye movements. Thus, these sections focus on comprehension at the word level, at the level of syntax, and at the level of higher-level discourse. Shillcock (Chapter 6 this volume) also discusses eye movements and word recognition. 19.2 Basic characteristics of eye movements during reading
Examining U.S. pet ownership using the General Social Survey

ABSTRACTPets are an important aspect of many families and households, but how many Americans have them? The purpose of this study is to compare point estimates of pet ownership in the U.S. from the...
Do not drink and lyse: alcohol intoxication increases fibrinolysis shutdown in injured patients.

High alcohol consumption has been associated with decreased fibrinolysis and enhanced thrombosis risk in cardiovascular disease. In trauma, alcohol has been associated with poor clot formation; however, its effect on fibrinolysis has not been fully investigated. We assessed the association of blood alcohol levels and fibrinolysis in trauma activation patients. We queried our prospective registry of trauma activations from 2014 to 2016. Associations between viscoelastic measurements [rapid thrombelastography (rTEG)] and blood alcohol level (BAL) were determined and adjusted for confounders by a multinomial logistic regression. Lysis phenotypes were defined by the % lysis in 30 min (LY30) as follows: hyperfibrinolysis ≥ 3%, physiologic 0.9–2.9%, and fibrinolysis shutdown 150 mg/dL. BAL had a moderate, but significant inverse correlation with LY30 (Rho = − 0.315, p 150 mg/dL were independently associated with a threefold increase in the odds of shutdown compared to undetectable BAL (OR 3.37, 95% CI 1.04–8.05, p = 0.006). High BAL was also significantly associated with higher odds of shutdown compared to low BAL (OR 2.63, 95% CI 1.15–6.06). Compared to physiologic fibrinolysis, fibrinolysis shutdown was associated with increased mortality (OR 2.87, 95% CI 1.41–5.83) and VFD < 28 (OR 2.54, 95% CI 1.47–4.39). In the injured patient, high blood alcohol levels are associated with increased incidence of fibrinolysis shutdown. This finding has implications for postinjury hemostatic resuscitation as these patients may be harmed by anti-fibrinolytics. Further research is needed to assess whether the association with fibrinolysis is modified by the chronicity and type of alcohol consumed and whether anti-fibrinolytic therapy in intoxicated patients produces adverse effects.
Pragmatics and social meaning: Understanding under-informativeness in native and non-native speakers

Foreign-accented non-native speakers sometimes face negative biases compared to native speakers. Here we report an advantage in how comprehenders process the speech of non-native compared to native speakers. In a series of four experiments, we find that under-informative sentences are interpreted differently when attributed to non-native compared to native speakers. Specifically, under-informativeness is more likely to be attributed to inability (rather than unwillingness) to say more in non-native as compared to native speakers. This asymmetry has implications for learning: under-informative teachers are more likely to be given a second chance in case they are non-native speakers of the language (presumably because their prior under-informativeness is less likely to be intentional). Our results suggest strong effects of non-native speech on social-pragmatic inferences. Because these effects emerge for written stimuli, they support theories that stress the role of expectations on non-native comprehension, even in the absence of experience with foreign accents. Finally, our data bear on pragmatic theories of how speaker identity affects language comprehension and show how such theories offer an integrated framework for explaining how non-native language can lead to (sometimes unexpected) social meanings.
Measuring the Multidimensional Construct of Pornography: A Long and Short Version of the Pornography Usage Measure

With the increase in the availability and usage of pornography, the research on the effects of pornography has also increased. This research has uncovered several controversies in the field regarding how pornography usage influences attitudes, sexual behaviors, and relationships. However, many of the measures of pornography are problematic as there is often little reliability and validity information for them and it is not clear that participants in these research studies are referring to the same types of materials when they answer pornography usage questions. Consequently, many of the research findings are suspect and it is crucial to develop reliable and valid scales to measure general pornography usage. In this study, we present both a 20-item and a 7-item version of the Pornography Usage Measure (PUM) that is based on extensive previous research on what types of materials individuals consider pornographic and that indicates pornography is a multidimensional construct. We evaluated the reliability and validity of both versions by using an MTurk sample of 934 males and 705 females (N =1639 total) to conduct confirmatory factor analyses, item response analyses, and structural equation model analyses. These analyses demonstrated that there were adequate reliability and early evidence for content, construct, concurrent, and predictive validity for both versions of the PUM. This measure could improve the quality of future research on pornography by providing more consistency between different studies about what is being measured when individuals indicate their pornography usage patterns.
Spirituality/religion and end-of-life care

Abstract Life-threatening illnesses often raise existential questions that have historically been addressed by spirituality and religion (S/R). It is therefore no surprise that S/R plays a key role in end-of-life (EOL) care, for many individuals. This chapter reviews research regarding the place of S/R in the process of coping with life-threatening illnesses, and EOL care. Using a case example of spiritually-integrated treatment, clinical approaches to the diagnosis and treatment of symptoms related to existential questioning are presented. Ethical, educational and research challenges involved in dealing with S/R at the end of life are also discussed.
Quantitative 99mTc Labeling Kit for HYNIC-Conjugated Single Chain Antibody Fragments Targeting Malignant Mesothelioma

Single chain antibody fragment (scFv) is a promising agent for imaging and targeted therapy. The objective of the study is to evaluate a kit formulation for 99mTc labeling of scFv for tumor imaging. The scFv was engineered to contain a cysteine tag to accommodate the specific conjugation of HYNIC and subsequent 99mTc labeling. The labeling conditions were formulated to allow instantaneous one-pot quantitative labeling. The reproducibility of labeling was evaluated at various time points during kit storage at -20 °C. In vitro cell binding experiments and HPLC analysis were performed to assess binding affinity and radiolabel stability, respectively. In vivo tumor targeting study was performed in xenograft models with biodistribution studied at 1, 3, and 24 h post-injection. The optimized kit with 5 μg SnF2, pH 5.5, and 50 μg GH along with as low as 15 μg of HYNIC-cys-scFv provided high labeling yield (>95%), high specific activity (1.8 × 107 Ci/Mol), and robust reproducibility with shelf life up to 90 days when stored at -20 °C. The in vitro cell binding study showed the labeled scFv maintained the binding capability with an apparent KD of ∼27 nM. The animal study using tumor-bearing mice showed high tumor uptake at 16.9%ID/g 24 h post-injection along with rapid blood clearance (0.18%ID/g) and kidney excretion (44%ID/g), resulting in very high contrast (tumor/muscle >200:1). A kit formulation for 99mTc labeling of scFvs targeting mesothelioma was developed based on specific HYNIC conjugation and GH (Glucoheptonate) as a coligand, producing not only high specific activity, but also improved tumor uptake. This convenient one-pot labeling method has the potential for translation into clinical use and is applicable to other scFvs as well.
Early Childhood Obesity Prevention: Challenges and Barriers of Implementing Child and Adult Care Food.

Introduction The Child and Adult Care Food Program requirements promote healthy eating behaviors and increased physical activity in the daycare setting to help prevent childhood obesity. Some of these standards can be difficult to meet for early childhood education centers. This study examines the challenges and barriers daycare centers face when implementing these guidelines. Methods Focus groups consisting of participants from early childhood education centers within our community were conducted in April and May of 2018. Results Three focus groups were conducted, with a total of 7 childcare center directors. Eight themes that affect nutrition and physical activity curriculums at early childhood education centers arose: teacher philosophy and involvement, training/expertise of staff, parental involvement, financial constraints, children's interests, food availability, physical environment, and regulations/guidelines. Overall, participants expressed their sense that child care facilities are undervalued. They agreed that healthy, fresh food choices are expensive, difficult to obtain due to the volume needed, and require additional training to prepare. Emphasis on gross motor development has a varied level of support from families and teachers. Challenges and barriers to providing adequate gross motor activities include limited financial support, lack of physical space, lack of teacher willingness to engage in outdoor activity, and parental resistance. Conclusions Financial constraints and the "undervaluing" of childcare contribute greatly to many of the challenges and barriers early childhood education centers face in meeting nutrition and physical activity standards. Findings from this study shed light on the significant role early childcare centers play in nurturing child development and the efforts these centers undertake in the interest of children.
High-fat diet negatively impacts both metabolic and behavioral health in outbred heterogeneous stock rats

Obesity is influenced by genetics and diet and has wide ranging comorbidities, including anxiety and depressive disorders. Outbred heterogeneous stock (HS) rats are used for fine-genetic mapping of complex traits and may be useful for understanding gene by diet interactions. In this study, HS rats were fed diets containing 60% kcal from fat (high-fat diet, HFD) or 10% kcal from fat (low-fat diet, LFD) and tested for metabolic (study 1) and behavioral (study 2) outcomes. In study 1, we measured glucose tolerance, fasting glucose and insulin, fat pad weights and despair-like behavior in the forced swim test (FST). In study 2, we assessed anxiety-like (elevated plus maze, EPM; open field test, OFT) and despair-like/coping (splash test, SpT; and FST) behaviors. Body weight and food intake were measured weekly in both studies. We found negative effects of HFD on metabolic outcomes, including increased body weight and fat pad weights, decreased glucose tolerance, and increased fasting insulin. We also found negative effects of HFD on despair-like/coping and anxiety-like behaviors. These include increased immobility in the FST, decreased open arm time in the EPM, and increased movement and rest episodes and decreased rearing in the OFT. The diet-induced changes in EPM and OFT were independent of overall locomotion. Additionally, diet-induced changes in OFT behaviors were independent of adiposity, while adiposity was a confounding factor for EPM and FST behavior. This work establishes the HS as a model to study gene by diet interactions affecting metabolic and behavioral health.
Does having a voice disorder hurt credibility

Abstract Objective The purpose of the study was to determine whether listeners were less likely to believe a statement that is produced in an atypical voice, as compared to a typical voice. It was hypothesized that an atypical voice, characterized by abnormal roughness, strain, and pitch, would elicit increased skepticism. This hypothesis was based on previous evidence that there are negative stereotypes against individuals who have a voice disorder, and that increased difficulty processing an utterance can lead to disbelief. Methods In Experiment 1, 36 listeners rated obscure trivia statements (such as “the elephant is the only mammal that cannot jump” and “the first public library was opened in Vienna in 1745”) as definitely false, probably false, probably true, or definitely true. The statements were produced by a speaker who used their typical voice and simulated an atypical voice (of severe deviance according to the CAPE-V), as well as two additional control speakers with typical voices. Experiment 2 was a replication of Experiment 1 with a new set of 36 listeners and a new set of speakers. In addition, Experiment 2 examined whether reduced credibility was due to negative stereotypes and/or processing difficulty, through questionnaire data and correlation analyses. Results The results were largely consistent with the hypothesis that statements produced in an atypical voice would be perceived as less credible. In both experiments, the percentage of definitely false ratings was higher for the atypical voice than for the typical voice and control voices, with a large effect size in Experiment 1 and a medium effect size in Experiment 2. Further, Experiment 2 suggested that reduced credibility was due to negative stereotypes but not processing difficulty. Conclusion The current study reveals a social consequence of having a voice disorder, i.e., decreased perceived credibility, with implications for job-related success.
Atomistic simulation of the generation of vacancies in rapid crystallization of metals

Abstract The generation of vacancies at a crystal-liquid interface propagating under conditions of undercooling below the equilibrium melting temperature is investigated in molecular dynamics simulations performed under well-controlled temperature and pressure conditions for two representative metals, bcc Cr and fcc Ni. The results of the simulations reveal that, for both metals, vacancy concentrations produced in the course of the steady-state propagation of crystallization fronts can exceed the equilibrium values at the corresponding temperatures by orders of magnitude. Different trends in the temperature dependences of vacancy concentration observed for the two metals, namely, the continuous increase with increasing undercooling in Ni and a nonmonotonous temperature dependence in Cr, are related to the qualitatively different temperature dependences of the crystallization front velocity predicted for the two metals. The general character of the computational predictions is confirmed in simulations performed for Ni with four different interatomic potentials and for both metals with (001), (011), and (111) interface orientations. A detailed analysis of atomic rearrangements at the crystallization front suggests that the level of vacancy supersaturation is largely defined by the ability of atoms to migrate within the interfacial region and to fill the numerous vacant sites produced through the simultaneous construction of several atomic crystal planes within the interfacial region. While the majority of the transient vacancies generated during the construction of the crystal planes are annihilated by the atomic flux coming from the liquid side of the interface, a small fraction of the vacancies are trapped behind the crystallization front. Under conditions of strong undercooling, the fast movement of the interface and decreased vacancy mobility prevent the equilibration of vacancy concentration in the newly built crystalline region, thus creating a strong vacancy supersaturation. Analysis of the temperature dependence of the atomic rearrangements occurring at the crystallization front suggests incomplete relaxation of the disordered phase at and in front of the crystal-liquid interface rapidly advancing under conditions of strong undercooling.
Disarticulation and Preservation of Fossil Echinoderms: Recognition of Ecological-Time Information in the Echinoderm Fossil Record

The history of life on earth is largely reconstructed from time-averaged accumulations of fossils. A glimpse at ecologic-time attributes and processes is relatively rare. However, the time-sensitive and predictability of echinoderm disarticulation makes them model organisms to determine post-mortem transportation and allows recognition of ecological-time data within paleocommunity accumulations. Unlike many other fossil groups, this has allowed research on many aspects of echinoderms and their paleocommunities, such as the distribution of soft tissues, assessment of the amount of fossil transportation prior to burial, determination of intraspecific variation, paleocommunity composition, estimation of relative abundance of taxa in paleocommunities, determination of attributes of niche differentiation, etc. Crinoids and echinoids have received the most amount of taphonomic research, and the patterns present in these two groups can be used to develop a more thorough understanding of all echinoderm clades.
What Is Evictionism

The abortion controversy is tearing our society apart. Some people are pro-choice, others are pro-life, and never the twain, seemingly, will meet, let alone calmly discuss this issue with each other. This is perhaps the most important controversy to beset our society since the one taking place until 1865. And, it is far less philosophically clear, with cogent arguments made by both sides, unlike that earlier debate.
Point defect evolution in Ni, NiFe and NiCr alloys from atomistic simulations and irradiation experiments

Abstract Using molecular dynamics simulations, we elucidate irradiation-induced point defect evolution in fcc pure Ni, Ni0.5Fe0.5, and Ni0.8Cr0.2 solid solution alloys. We find that irradiation-induced interstitials form dislocation loops that are of 1/3〈1 1 1〉{1 1 1}-type, consistent with our experimental results. While the loops are formed in all the three materials, the kinetics of formation is considerably slower in NiFe and NiCr than in pure Ni, indicating that defect migration barriers and extended defect formation energies could be higher in the alloys than pure Ni. As a result, while larger size clusters are formed in pure Ni, smaller and more clusters are observed in the alloys. Vacancy diffusion occurs at relatively higher temperatures than interstitials, and their clustering leads to the formation of stacking fault tetrahedra, consistent with our experiments. The results also show that the surviving Frenkel pairs are composition dependent and are largely Ni dominated.
Bayesian Age-Period-Cohort Model of Lung Cancer Mortality

Background The objective of this study was to analyze the time trend for lung cancer mortality in the population of the USA by 5 years based on most recent available data namely to 2010. The knowledge of the mortality rates in the temporal trends is necessary to understand cancer burden. Methods Bayesian Age-Period-Cohort model was fitted using Poisson regression with histogram smoothing prior to decompose mortality rates based on age at death, period at death, and birth-cohort. Results Mortality rates from lung cancer increased more rapidly from age 52 years. It ended up to 325 deaths annually for 82 years on average. The mortality of younger cohorts was lower than older cohorts. The risk of lung cancer was lowered from period 1993 to recent periods. Conclusions The fitted Bayesian Age-Period-Cohort model with histogram smoothing prior is capable of explaining mortality rate of lung cancer. The reduction in carcinogens in cigarettes and increase in smoking cessation from around 1960 might led to decreasing trend of lung cancer mortality after calendar period 1993.
Preparation and properties of the o-nitrophenyl sulfenyl derivative of ACTH: an inhibitor of the lipolytic action of the hormone.

Chemical modification of the single tryptophan residue in adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) by reaction with o-nitrophenyl sulfenyl chloride results in the loss of the lipolytic activity of the hormone. The lipolytic action of unmodified ACTH is blocked by the o-nitrophenyl sulfenyl derivative. The inhibitor has no effect on the action of glucagon on isolated fat cells.
Seabed Geoacoustic Structure at the Meso-Scale

Abstract : The long term science goals of the project are to understand the nature of the seabed at the geoacoustic meso-scale O(100-10:!) m and determine how these structures impact acoustic propagation, diffuse reverberation, and clutter. Several discoveries were made in the course of the project, notably that a) there is a persistent scale, O(0.1) m that controls reverberation in a number of shallow water environments, and b) clutter can be generated by non-discrete, i.e., smoothly and slowly-varying sediment structures (in addition to traditional discrete features, e.g., wrecks). In addition, there were a number of significant advances including: development of measurement techniques/processing to measure meso-scale geoacoustic variability over tens of km with resolution of 0.1 m/7 m in the vertical/lateral dimension; and developing tools to separate frequency-dependent effects so that unbiased estimates of intrinsic attenuation can be made. Even on the mid to outer shelf, substantial lateral variability at the 10 m lateral scale is observed. The underlying processes that lead to that strong variability are not understood at this time.
Solvability by Radicals

We now show how the Galois group takes account of there being a formula for the roots of a polynomial that involves only the field operations and taking square roots, cube roots, etc.
A KNOWLEDGE REPOSITORY FOR BEHAVIORAL MODELS IN ENGINEERING DESIGN

Computer simulations and behavioral modeling are becoming increasingly important in product development processes. Simulations can result in better decisions in less time by providing the designers with greater understanding of the product’s behavior. However, behavior model creators (i.e. analysts) and behavior model users (i.e. designers) often do not have the same level of understanding of the model, thus limiting the reuse of a model. Our goal in this research is to develop a clean interface that reduces the knowledge gap between engineering design and analysis by facilitating reuse of behavioral models. To achieve a higher level of reuse in the product design process, we propose a meta-data representation for formally characterizing behavioral models. The meta-data representation captures the assumptions, limitations, accuracy, and context of engineering behavioral models. Based on this knowledge representation, a proof-of-concept repository is implemented for archiving and exchanging reusable behavioral models. The knowledge representation and implementation is illustrated with a simple cantilever beam example.