cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Augmented forearm vasoconstriction during dynamic exercise in healthy older men.

BACKGROUNDWe tested the hypothesis that the nonactive limb vasoconstriction evoked during large-muscle dynamic exercise becomes augmented with aging in humans.METHODS AND RESULTSSixteen young control subjects (age, 26 +/- 1 year) and twelve older (65 +/- 1 year) healthy men with similar chronic physical activity levels were studied during supine leg cycling exercise. Both peak work load (1,100 +/- 60 versus 1,400 +/- 40 kpm/min) and peak O2 uptake (1.85 +/- 0.10 versus 2.38 +/- 0.07 l/min) were lower in the older men (p < 0.05). There were no differences in the two groups under conditions of quiet supine (basal) rest. During cycling for 5 minutes each at mild, moderate, and heavy submaximal intensities (approximately 45%, 65%, and 85% of peak O2 uptake), the increases in arterial blood pressure generally were similar in the young and older subjects; however, heart rate rose less in the older men (p < 0.05). Whole forearm blood flow (venous occlusion plethysmography) was lower and vascular resistance was h...
A priority Ethernet LAN protocol and its performance

In this paper we presents a new scheme for introducing priorities into the CSMA/CD protocol known as Ethernet and analyze its performance. This scheme allows for the rapid transmission of important or urgent messages, even under heavy traffic conditions.The Ethernet protocol, which is widely used in industry, can be modified using existing chips and software to allow for prioritizing of packets by the scheme outlined in this paper. The scheme consists of random waiting times based upon the packets priority level and the worst-case propagation delay (or slot-time). The performance of the proposed protocol is studied under different traffic conditions and environments using simulation modeling.
Giant Cell and Lymphocytic Interstitial Pneumonia Associated with Fetal Pneumonia

In a review of 96 consecutive perinatal autopsies (42 nonautolyzed stillborn and 54 liveborn infants 12 h or less of age) with histologic sections of placental tissues and an undistended lung, we were impressed by the frequent occurrence of lymphocytic infiltrates in the interstitium of the lung. To study this phenomenon further we analyzed the cases for 56 clinicopathologic variables. Lymphocytic interstitial infiltrates were present in 22 of the cases, 5 stillborn and 17 liveborn. The severity of the infiltrates was highly significantly correlated with the severity of chorioamnionitis, funisitis, and fetal pneumonia (P <. 001). A positive association was found with livebirth and a negative association with hyaline membrane disease (both P <. 05). No significant association was found with gestational age, body size, or other complications of pregnancy, labor, delivery, or the immediate perinatal period. Twenty-seven cases had fetal pneumonia without lymphocytic interstitial infiltrates. Two cases had int...
Transient defects of mitotic spindle geometry and chromosome segregation errors

Assembly of a bipolar mitotic spindle is essential to ensure accurate chromosome segregation and prevent aneuploidy, and severe mitotic spindle defects are typically associated with cell death. Recent studies have shown that mitotic spindles with initial geometric defects can undergo specific rearrangements so the cell can complete mitosis with a bipolar spindle and undergo bipolar chromosome segregation, thus preventing the risk of cell death associated with abnormal spindle structure. Although this may appear as an advantageous strategy, transient defects in spindle geometry may be even more threatening to a cell population or organism than permanent spindle defects. Indeed, transient spindle geometry defects cause high rates of chromosome mis-segregation and aneuploidy. In this review, we summarize our current knowledge on two specific types of transient spindle geometry defects (transient multipolarity and incomplete spindle pole separation) and describe how these mechanisms cause chromosome mis-segregation and aneuploidy. Finally, we discuss how these transient spindle defects may specifically contribute to the chromosomal instability observed in cancer cells.
Viral‐Mediated Gene Delivery Of Constitutively Activated GΑS Alters Vasoreactivity

1. Decline in beta-adrenoceptor (beta-AR)-mediated function occurs with increasing age, as well as in multiple disease conditions. The mechanisms responsible for this decline include alterations in beta-AR itself, beta-AR coupling proteins, such as G-proteins, or other beta-AR-linked proteins, such as G-protein receptor kinases and/or phosphatases. 2. The present study examines the physiological effects of in vitro transfer of constitutively activated G alpha s (G alpha s-Q227L) to both cultured vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) and whole aortic tissue of 6-month-old (adult) animals via a replication-deficient Herpes simplex virus (HSV) vector. These studies were conducted to provide a model for future examination of the role of G alpha s in the age-related decline in beta-AR-mediated vasorelaxation. 3. Gene transfer was confirmed by western blotting for specific proteins. Aortic tissue infected with HSV-G alpha s-Q227L had reduced phenylephrine-induced contraction and enhanced isoproterenol-stimulated vasorelaxation. Infection of cultured VSMC with HSV-G alpha s-Q227L increased both basal- and isoproterenol-stimulated cAMP accumulation, whereas forskolin-stimulated cAMP production was unchanged. 4. These results implicate G alpha s as a target for further investigation in age-related changes in vascular reactivity and support the use of viral-mediated gene transfer as an effective tool to study adrenergic signal transduction and physiology in vascular tissue.
Wave power extraction from an oscillating water column at the tip of a breakwater

To reduce the costs of construction, operation, maintenance, energy storage and grid connection, some devices for extracting energy from sea waves are likely to be installed on the coast. We study theoretically a single oscillating water column (OWC) installed at the tip of a long and thin breakwater. The linearized problems of radiation and scattering for a hollow cylinder with an open bottom are then solved by the usual method of eigenfunction expansions and integral equations. Since a thin breakwater is the limit of a wedge, an exact solution for the diffraction by a solid cylinder at the tip of a wedge is derived to facilitate the analysis. Following Sarmento & Falcao (J. Fluid Mech., vol. 150, 1985, pp. 467–485), power takeoff by Wells turbines is modelled by including air compressibility in the chamber above the water surface. The effects of air compressibility on the extraction efficiency is studied. It is shown that for this simple geometry the angle of incidence affects the waves outside the structure but not the extracted power.
Surface Plasmon Coplanar Waveguides: Mode Characteristics and Mode Conversion Losses

We investigate characteristics of modes supported by a surface plasmon (SP) coplanar waveguide (CPW) and contrast them against those of SP gap waveguide (GW) mode. We illustrate that the SP CPW can yield higher mode confinement versus the SP GW. In addition, we analyze 90deg bend structures to investigate mode conversion losses associated with discontinuities and we further propose a modified SP CPW to alleviate these losses.
Current surgical treatment option, utilizing robot-assisted laparoscopic surgery in obese women with endometrial cancer: Farghaly's technique.

Background: Endometrial cancer is the most prevalent cancer of the female genital tract in North America. Minimally invasive laparoscopic-assisted surgery and panniculectomy in obese women with endometrial cancer are associated with an improved lymph node count, and lower rate of incisional complications than laparotomy. Methods: Technique for robot-assisted laparoscopic surgery for obese women with endometrial cancer is detailed. Results: Robot-assisted laparoscopic surgical staging, pelvic and para-aortic lymphadenectomy and panniculectomy allow us to avoid the use of postoperative pelvic radiation which is recom- mended in women with histopathology high-risk findings: deep myometrial invasion or high grade histology. The procedure has the advantage of three-dimensional vision, ergonomic, intuitive con- trol, and wristed instrument that approximate the motion of the human hand. Conclusion: Robot-assisted laparoscopic surgical staging, and panniculectomy in these patients are a safe, and effective alternative to laparoscopic, and laparotomy surgery. It is an ideal tool for per- forming the complex oncologic procedures encountered in endometrial cancer staging that requires delicate retroperitoneal, pelvic and para-aortic lymph node dissection, while maintaining the prin- ciples of oncologic surgery but in a minimally invasive fashion. a 2013 Production and hosting by Elsevier B.V. on behalf of National Cancer Institute, Cairo University.
THE JOINT EFFECTS OF CONSCIENTIOUSNESS AND SELF‐LEADERSHIP TRAINING ON EMPLOYEE SELF‐DIRECTED BEHAVIOR IN A SERVICE SETTING

This field investigation examined the effects of conscientiousness and self-leadership training on employee self-direction. Conscientiousness correlated significantly with supervisor evaluations of self-direction for employees working in a hotel/resort. Self-leadership training was then conducted for a group of the employees. Gain score analysis failed to detect an overall effect for training on self-direction. However, conscientiousness was found to moderate the effect of self-leadership training in that training group employees who initially scored low on conscientiousness improved their behavior more than their high conscientiousness coworkers. Implications of these findings for the practices of employee training and selection are discussed.
Computational analysis of rotational search methods for adaptive Pisarenko harmonic retrieval

The rotational search method (RSM), which reduces the computational burden of the Pisarenko method for identifying undamped sinusoids in additive noise, is discussed. A brief review of previous adaptive algorithms for implementing the method is presented. Two simulations are presented which show the inherent sensitivity of the RSM algorithm. The sensitivity is shown to depend upon the Rayleigh-Ritz eigenvector estimate and the value of the minimum eigenvalue estimate. The errors in their tracking result in a loss of search direction orthogonality to the estimated minimum eigenvector. A higher precision for the enforced search direction orthogonality which minimizes the added computation is proposed, resulting in the altered RSM (ARSM). >
The exact condition of the B-spline basis may be hard to determine

Abstract The author's conjecture concerning the knot sequence whose associated B-spline sequence has maximum max-norm condition number is disproved. Related condition numbers are explored and the corresponding conjecture concerning the “worst” knot sequence for them is further supported by numerical results.
Effects of phase aberration on tissue heat generation and temperature elevation using therapeutic ultrasound

The effects of inhomogeneous propagation media on tissue heating patterns and steady-state temperature distributions are investigated analytically for continuous-wave therapeutic ultrasound using a random-phase screen model. Formulas for the statistical moments of the on-axis heat distribution, total heat deposited in a target volume, and axial temperature elevation are derived. Based on the statistical moments, we propose figures of merit to quantitatively assess therapeutic performance for a range of experimental parameters. The analysis relates statistical properties of the aberrator to those of heat generation in tissue. The mean on-axis heat distribution is substantially reduced in the focal zone, while its variance is increased at other axial positions. The amount of heat delivered to a target volume depends on the location of the target and the size of the volume. Compared to the results for homogeneous media, the greatest reduction in temperature increase occurs in the focal zone. Distortions in the temperature elevation patterns are greatest when the perfusion in tissue is large.
How often has Lp(a) evolved

The lipoprotein Lp(a) is associated with increased risk of atherosclerosis and myocardial infarction in humans. Lp(a) is mostly confined to primate species, due to the limited phylogenetic distribution of its distinguishing protein component, apolipoprotein(a) which is a close homolog of plasminogen. The known properties of Lp(a) are reviewed here. Many of these derive from the ability of Lp(a) to bind to the same substrates as plasminogen. A possible new animal model of Lp(a) is the hedgehog, which contains an Lp(a)-like particle that is the apparent product of independent evolution of a multi-kringle, apolipoprotein(a)-like protein by duplication and modification of portions of the hedgehog plasminogen gene.
MMX technology extension to the Intel architecture

Designed to accelerate multimedia and communications software, MMX technology improves performance by introducing data types and instructions to the IA that exploit the parallelism in these applications. MMX technology extends the Intel architecture (IA) to improve the performance of multimedia, communications, and other numeric-intensive applications. It uses a SIMD (single-instruction, multiple-data) technique to exploit the parallelism inherent in many algorithms, producing full application performance of 1.5 to 2 times faster than the same applications run on the same processor without MMX. The extension also maintains full compatibility with existing IA microprocessors, operating systems, and applications while providing new instructions and data types that applications can use to achieve a higher level of performance on the host CPU.
Ethnicity Affects Vasodilation, but Not Endothelial Tissue Plasminogen Activator Release, in Response to Bradykinin

Previous studies indicate that the vasodilator response to bradykinin (BK) and other endothelium-dependent and -independent agonists is decreased in black Americans compared with white Americans. The purpose of the present study was to determine the effect of ethnicity on fibrinolytic function in humans. Graded doses of BK (100, 200, and 400 ng/min), acetylcholine (15, 30, and 60 μg/min; N=20), or methacholine (3.2, 6.4, 12.8 μg/min; N=20), and sodium nitroprusside (0.8, 1.6, and 3.2 μg/min) were infused via brachial artery in 19 white and 21 black age-matched normotensive subjects. Forearm blood flow (FBF) was measured by plethysmography, and venous and arterial samples were collected for tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) antigen. Compared with whites (increase in FBF from 3.7±0.5 to 23.9±2.5 mL · min −1 · 100 mL −1 ), blacks (increase in FBF from 2.8±0.3 to 15.2±1.9 mL · 100 mL −1 · min −1 ) exhibited a blunted FBF response to BK ( P =0.035). Responses to sodium nitroprusside and methacholine or acetylcholine were similarly decreased. In contrast, there was no effect of ethnicity on net tPA antigen release in response to BK (increase from −0.2±0.4 to 67.3±15.2 ng · min −1 · 100 mL −1 in blacks; from 0.04±0.9 to 65.9±13.6 ng · min −1 · 100 mL −1 in whites). Thus, ethnicity significantly influenced the relationship between the flow and tPA release responses to BK ( P =0.037). These data suggest that the BK-dependent alterations in vascular fibrinolytic function are preserved in black Americans compared with white Americans.
Micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS)-based micro-scale direct methanol fuel cell development

This paper describes a high-power density, silicon-based micro-scale direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC), under development at Carnegie Mellon. Major issues in the DMFC design include the water management and energy-efficient micro fluidic sub-systems. The air flow and the methanol circulation are both at a natural draft, while a passive liquid‐gas separator removes CO2 from the methanol chamber. An effective approach for maximizing the DMFC energy density, pumping the excess water back to the anode, is illustrated. The proposed DMFC contains several unique features: a silicon wafer with arrays of etched holes selectively coated with a nonwetting agent for collecting water at the cathode; a silicon membrane micro pump for pumping the collected water back to the anode; and a passive liquid‐gas separator for CO2 removal. All of these silicon-based components are fabricated using microelectro-mechanical systems (MEMS)-based processes on the same silicon wafer, so that interconnections are eliminated, and integration efforts as well as post-fabrication costs are both minimized. The resulting fuel cell has an overall size of one cubic inch, produces a net output of 10 mW, and has an energy density three to five times higher than that of current lithium-ion batteries.
Novel Risk Factor in Gastroschisis: Change of Paternity

In recent years, an increase in the rate of gastroschisis has been documented in several countries throughout the world. Based on accumulating evidence that a maternal immunologic response to a novel set of paternal antigens may be involved in risk for several adverse pregnancy outcomes, including preeclampsia, reduced birth weight, and preterm delivery, we tested the hypothesis that a pregnancy following a change in fathers (change in paternity) may be a risk factor for gastroschisis. Using a case-control design, we compared the prevalence of change in paternity with the index pregnancy in 102 mothers of isolated gastroschisis cases to the prevalence of change in paternity in 117 mothers of non-malformed infants and 78 mothers of infants with neural tube defects or oral clefts. In a multivariate analysis, the adjusted odds of change in paternity in multigravid case mothers were 7.81 times higher (95% Confidence interval 2.80–21.88) relative to multigravid mothers of malformed and non-malformed controls combined, after adjustment for maternal age. These data suggest that maternal immune factors may play a role in the cause of gastroschisis. Further research is needed to corroborate these findings and to elucidate possible immunologic mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of gastroschisis. 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Knowledge Management and its Impact on Decision Support

The purpose of decision support systems (DSS) is knowledge management, not numbers or algorithms. Knowledge management is the practice of adding actionable value to information; by capturing tacit knowledge and converting it to explicit knowledge; by filtering, storing, retrieving and disseminating explicit knowledge; and by creating and testing new knowledge. The purpose of this paper is to propose, as an extension to the model management system of a DSS, a knowledge management system (KMS) that provides storage and retrieval operations, as well as intelligent analysis of explicit knowledge in a DSS. The primary goal of the KMS is to provide the user with an easy-to-use, computer-assisted platform that enhances the articulation, integration and understanding of the knowledge management process in decision support.
Frequency Tuning and Phase Locking of an Ultrastable Doubly Resonant Optical Parametric Oscillator

One of the unique properties of a cw doubly resonant optical parametric oscillator (DRO) is the spectral purity of the signal and idler outputs which are essentially limited by the linewidth of the pump laser. Combined with the wide tunability of the parametric process and its low threshold, the DRO is potentially useful for laser spectroscopy and precision measurements. In order to fully exploit these and other applications of the DRO it is necessary to control its frequency tuning in a systematic and precise way. Here we report on the construction of an ultrastable DRO, its frequency stabilization, and its tuning capability. In particular, we have demonstrated a widely tunable optical frequency divider [1] by phase locking a KTP DRO to a microwave reference source at a signal-idler difference frequency fd of 665 GHz with a residual phase noise of 0.2 mrad / Hz.
Unburned Carbon Content In Fly Ash Forecast Modle Based on Combustion and Heat Transfer

Through summarizing the study of coal combustion,one dimension unburned carbon content in fly ash forecast model is established in which combustion and heat transfer are combined.It can forecast the effection of boiler type,coal,coal fineness and operation parameters.It can provide some help for boiler designer and operator.
The Temple of Antoninus and Faustina

Antiquity Antoninus Pius’ father was descended from a wealthy family in Trans-Alpine Gaul that had migrated to Rome, attaining the consulship in the days of Antoninus’ grandfather. His mother came from the upper echelons of the senatorial aristocracy in Rome. Born September 19, 86 CE, Antoninus was reared at a family estate at Lanuvium about ten miles west of Rome. His lofty family connections led to an official career that Antoninus – described in his ancient biography as a brilliant, handsome young man – carried out with notable success. His achievements attracted the attention of the emperor Hadrian, who appointed him chief judge of one of Italy’s four judicial districts (120). His later career was equally distinguished, and when the emperor became fatally ill early in 138, he adopted Antoninus as his successor. Dio Cassius reports the formal adoption in some detail: …the emperor [Hadrian] convened at his house the most prominent and most respected of the senators; and lying there upon his couch, he spoke to them as follows: “…by the process of nature a maimed and witless child is often given to a parent, but by process of selection one of sound body and sound mind is certain to be chosen….I have found as emperor for you…the man whom I now give you, one who is noble, mild, tractable, prudent, neither young enough to do anything reckless nor old enough to neglect aught, one who has been brought up according to the laws and one who has exercised authority in accordance with our traditions, so that he is not ignorant of any matters pertaining to the imperial office, but can handle them all effectively….Although I know him to be the least inclined of men to become involved in affairs and be far from desiring such power, still I do not think he will deliberately disregard either me or you, but will accept the office even against his will.” Coming to the throne in middle age (he was 52) after long government service, Antoninus was, as Hadrian indicated, thoroughly trained for his new position, and his twenty-three-year reign was famously peaceful and prosperous. Yet, he had had some misfortunes. His two sons and his eldest daughter were dead before he ascended the throne, and in 141 his wife, Faustina, also died prematurely.
Cholangioscopy and Biliary Confocal Laser Endomicroscopy

The evaluation of indeterminate biliary strictures is challenging due to the low sensitivity of routine sampling at the time of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). Cholangioscopy allows for direct visualization of the biliary mucosa. Confocal laser endomicroscopy is an in vivo imaging technique that provides real-time optical biopsies. Both modalities have the potential to increase diagnostic yields at the time of ERCP. This chapter will focus on the current data available for those two technologies.
A Computational Model for Kinetic Studies of Cadherin Binding and Clustering

Cadherin is a cell-surface transmembrane receptor that mediates calcium-dependent cell-cell adhesion and is a major component of adhesive junctions. The formation of intercellular adhesive junctions is initiated by trans binding between cadherins on adjacent cells, which is followed by the clustering of cadherins via the formation of cis interactions between cadherins on the same cell membranes. Moreover, classical cadherins have multiple glycosylation sites along their extracellular regions. It was found that aberrant glycosylation affects the adhesive function of cadherins and correlates with metastatic phenotypes of several cancers. However, a mechanistic understanding of cadherin clustering during cell adhesion and the role of glycosylation in this process is still lacking. Here, we designed a kinetic model that includes multistep reaction pathways for cadherin clustering. We further applied a diffusion-reaction algorithm to numerically simulate the clustering process using a recently developed coarse-grained model. Using experimentally measured rates of trans binding between soluble E-cadherin extracellular domains, we conducted simulations of cadherin-mediated cell-cell binding kinetics, and the results are quantitatively comparable to experimental data from micropipette experiments. In addition, we show that incorporating cadherin clustering via cis interactions further increases intercellular binding. Interestingly, a two-phase kinetic profile was derived under the assumption that glycosylation regulates the kinetic rates of cis interactions. This two-phase profile is qualitatively consistent with experimental results from micropipette measurements. Therefore, our computational studies provide new, to our knowledge, insights into the molecular mechanism of cadherin-based cell adhesion.
Introduction to the special issue on police organizations

Nearly two centuries ago, the British Parliament established the legal basis for the London Metropolitan Police Department by passing the Metropolitan Police Act of 1829 (Klockars 1985; Uchida 1997...
On Neal Leavitt's 'The Foreign Policy of John Rawls and Amartya Sen'

In this critical review essay I examine Neal Leavitt's treatment of John Rawls's views regarding a proper liberal foreign policy. I argue that Leavitt is only partially successful in characterizing the content of Rawls's view and that he largely misses the deep philosophical roots of the view understood as but one piece of Rawls's larger synoptic treatment of liberal democracy.
Torque efficient motion through singularity

Constraint on the actuation and power resources is often the critical limiting factor for a robot to perform desired tasks. Increasing torque and energy capacity may be a solution, but is seldom viable for robots already built. An attractive alternative is to carefully generate motion trajectories that maximally leverages upon the limited torque and energy resources. In this endeavor, singularity, which is deemed undesirable due to lose of manipulability, could be utilized to an advantage. This paper presents analysis of force and momentum generated through contact in relation to the singularity. The analysis shows that a motion at or near singularity not only maximally leverages the torque limits to generate forces in quasi-static motions, but is also optimally energy efficient for dynamical motion when it comes to momentum generation. Based on a simplified model, we discuss mechanical advantage aspects of a robotic leg and describe range of feasible forces that can be generated together with directions in which singular position becomes minimum torque configuration. Then we define stroke motion and establish upper bounds on the momentum generated through contact. Collinear stroke, where motion is along a straight line, is examined with respect to singularity.
Pain or nociception? Subjective experience mediates the effects of acute noxious heat on autonomic responses.

AbstractNociception reliably elicits an autonomic nervous system (ANS) response. Because pain and ANS circuitry interact on multiple spinal, subcortical, and cortical levels, it remains unclear whether autonomic responses are simply a reflexive product of noxious stimulation regardless of how stimul
Reliable fake review detection via modeling temporal and behavioral patterns

Fake reviews have become a pervasive problem in online review systems, wherein fraudulent users manipulate the perception of an object (e.g., a restaurant) by fabricating fake reviews. Extensive work has been devoted to identifying fake reviews via modeling different factors separately, such as user features, object characteristics, and user-object bipartite relations. However, this problem remains challenging due to the fact that more advanced camouflage strategies are utilized by malicious users. In real-world scenarios, spammers may pretend to be normal users by giving fake reviews with the similar score distribution as normal users. To address these issues, we propose to explore the temporal patterns of users' review behavior, because spammers prefer to promote or demote the target businesses in a short period of time. In this work, we present a unified framework Reliable Fake Review Detection (RFRD) that explicitly models temporal patterns of users' review behavior into a probabilistic generative model. Moreover, the RFRD framework models users' underlying review credibility and objects' highly-skewed review distributions. We conduct experiments on two Yelp datasets, demonstrating the effectiveness of the proposed RFRD framework.
Measurement of Dielectric Constant and Cross-Sectional Variations of a Wire

A new measurement method is proposed for identifying small differences between the relative permittivity of data wires of a twisted pair used in high-data-rate USB cables with <1% uncertainty. This method can also detect small variations in the cross section of the insulated wires. Both the variations are the root causes of the differential mode to common-mode conversion, skew, and possibly electromagnetic interference. The method is based on forming a coaxial structure around the insulated wire under test using metals with low melting points, such as Field’s metal or mercury. Using time-domain reflectometry and knowing the exact length of the structure, the dielectric constant can be derived from the propagation delay measurement. The local cross-sectional variations are detected by observing local impedance variations. Two examples are provided to verify the method and illustrate how to use the method to determine the dominant sources of skew.
Accessibility And Speech Technology: Advancing Toward Universal Access

Speech technologies have been a blessing to many people with disabilities. They have allowed people with severe physical impairments to do meaningful work, blind people to access computer technology, and people with speech impairments to communicate, for example. This chapter champions the concept of universal access - employing technologies in designs that serve both those with disabilities and those without. It also discusses the ways in which speech technologies are currently being used in assistive devices, and problems associated with current technology. Additionally, the authors describe how methodologies and techniques from the disciplines of human-computer interaction (a.k.a. user interface design, usability engineering, and human factors engineering) can be used to better design applications to serve people with disabilities and the population at large. Finally, the role of technical standards in facilitating accessibility is discussed, and the status of current standards development efforts is described.
Nonaffine Deformations in ULK Dielectric Glasses

We show that there is a strong relation between the bulk modulus and elastic deformation characteristics of ULK organosilicate glasses. Our results indicate that the degree of deviation from homogeneous translation of the simulation cell deformation to molecular level is related to the constraints imposed by the precursor geometry and mean network connectivity of the structure. Characterization of this relation for a range of hybrid glasses that have different precursor geometries and network connectivity values is an important step towards establishing a robust molecular level design criteria to achieve desired mechanical properties of ULK glass materials.
Potential savings from consumer-driven health plans

Consumer-driven health plans (CDHPs) have been identified as a high-deductible insurance option increasing consumer responsibility while decreasing healthcare expenditures. There has been an increa...
We Still Have Mutual Friends

The project We Still Have Mutual Friends is a qualitative interview study into womenâ€™s experiences with sexualviolence. Through the interview process, mostly face-to-face recorded interviews, I have evaluated multiplefacets of sexual abuse/marginalization and their consequences on survivors. In total, I interviewed thirty-twowomen about their familial background, their adolescence, and depending on their age, their life experienceswith their sexuality. Some of the facets I have focused on are the disparity between a subjectâ€™s definition andtheir experience of sexual assault. I have also evaluated their self-awareness of this disparity, and why they thinkit occurs. I tried as much as I could, to ask questions in an order/way that did not create preferential answering.Because these interviews followed a standard oral history format of open-ended questions with follow-ups basedon the intervieweeâ€™s answers, instances of leading answers were possible. Seventeen out of thirty-two womenwere white, with the next largest group being Hispanic, and then Black. With ages ranging from eighteen upto fifty-eight, several generational voices are accounted for. While there were certain trends found within typesof assault, and who it was (trends not entirely new to us), one thing I discovered is a similar background everyperson shared with their family. All the women had at some point experienced some sort of â€œbody policing.â€ Ihope this project has provided a more holistic view into the world of sexual violence that women face.
First Report of Severe Acute Graft-Versus-Host Disease After Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplant in a Patient With Myelodysplastic Syndrome Treated With Atezolizumab: Literature Review

Checkpoint inhibitors have become a widely used and available immunotherapy option for treating a variety of malignancies, including hematological malignancies. Patients receiving these therapies may go on to receive a curative allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant (allo-HSCT). This presents a clinical challenge as the safety and efficacy of HSCT is not well reported in this subset of patients and residual programmed death-ligand 1 inhibition could potentially enhance allogeneic T-cell responses, improving the graft-versus-tumor effect, but also increasing the incidence and severity of immune complications such as graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). Here, this report includes a detailed literature review summarizing all available data on HSCT outcomes in the setting of using checkpoint inhibitor therapy pre-transplant. Moreover, we report a case of acute GVHD after allo-HSCT in a patient with high-risk myelodysplastic syndrome who received prior atezolizumab therapy, highlighting the importance of further research into this specific population in order to improve transplant-related outcomes.
Papillomas and Atypical Papillomas in Breast Core Needle Biopsy Specimens

We sought to define the risk associated with papillomas and atypical papillomas in breast core needle biopsy specimens from a series of approximately 8,500 biopsies performed during 8 years. From a total of 62 papillary lesions (including papillomas and atypical papillomas), 40 (65%) had histologic follow-up. Overall, 15 (38%) of 40 patients had ductal carcinoma in situ (12 cases) or invasive carcinoma at excision (3 cases). Eight cases diagnosed as papilloma had benign follow-up. Slides were available for review in 38 cases and reclassified into benign papilloma with florid hyperplasia and no or minimal atypia (18 cases), papilloma with separate foci of atypical ductal hyperplasia (7 cases), and severely atypical papillomas “suspicious” for papillary carcinoma (13 cases). Carcinoma was identified in 0 (0%), 2 (29%), and 12 (92%) cases, respectively. We conclude that while atypical papillary lesions and papillomas with associated atypical ductal hyperplasia in breast core needle biopsy specimens are associated with a risk of carcinoma, lesions diagnosed as papilloma or papilloma with no or minimal atypia are benign and do not need to be excised.
Reopening the United States: Black and Hispanic Workers Are Essential and Expendable Again

[ ]in jobs such as psychiatric aid, nursing assistant, and orderly, Blacks make up more than twice their relative proportion of the broader US population (i e , 13%) Because it is difficult for these jobs to be performed remotely, racial minorities have shouldered more than their share of essential labor during the COVID-19 pandemic, and their communities have been disparately endangered as a result [ ]as governors across the nation announce plans to reopen certain industries in a stepwise fashion, they do so with the knowledge that this will exacerbate COVID-19's devastation of communities of color There is much uncertainty about what will occur in the coming weeks and months as the economy tiptoes forward, and more time is needed to definitively demonstrate whether a rise in infections has occurred among Blacks and Hispanics during reopening Because of the disproportionate representation of Black and Hispanic workers in both essential industries and the first wave of reopening industries, they will disproportionately be the subjects in an experiment administered by the state
Hybrid Polydimethylsiloxane Bioscaffold-Intravascular Catheter for Cellular Therapies

Type-1 diabetes (T1D) is caused by immune-mediated destruction of insulin-producing beta-cells, resulting in insulin deficiency and hyperglycemia. Islet transplantation is a potential treatment for...
An Intrinsically Switchable Balanced Ferroelectric FBAR Filter at 2 GHz

An intrinsically switchable balanced lattice-ladder ferroelectric thin film bulk acoustic resonator (FBAR) filter is presented for the first time. A 1.5 stage balanced ladder-type filter and a 2-pole lattice-type filter with a center frequency at 2 GHz are first designed through the image parameter method. Subsequently, the filters are connected in series to form a ladder-lattice filter and fabricated based on ferroelectric barium strontium titanate (BST) FBARs. The measured two-section balanced filter provides a high out-of-band rejection and OFF-state isolation levels of more than 40 dB with a sharp roll-off.
Impact of cash incentives for low-income individuals to seek a primary care visit on mental health outcomes: Evidence from a randomized controlled trial.

Abstract Objective We explore whether a cash incentive to see a primary care provider (PCP) improves self-reported depression, anxiety, and pain among low-income patients in a randomized trial. Study Design Secondary outcomes of a randomized controlled trial, enrolling low-income uninsured adults to receive cash incentives ($0, $25, $50) to see a PCP. Data Collection Interview data was collected at enrollment and 12 months later. Health outcomes were measured with the PROMIS depression, anxiety, and pain interference scales. We estimated adjusted logistic regressions to determine whether self-reported improvements occurred in depression, anxiety, or pain. Principal Findings 981 subjects completed surveys 12 months following study enrollment (80% retention). Subjects who were incentivized were 5.7 percentage points more likely to see a PCP in the initial six months (p Conclusions Meaningful improvements were observed for depression and pain PROMIS domains for subjects randomized to the incentive groups, presumably through their interaction with a PCP and the health care system. This finding was robust for the full sample and a group that reported more severe symptoms at baseline.
A rapid qualitative appraisal of the impact of COVID-19 on long-term care communities in the United States: Perspectives from area aging staff and advocates

The COVID-19 epidemic has hit residents and staff of congregate long-term care communities particularly hard In North Carolina, the site of this research, over half of registered mortality has been associated with congregate living communities This article reports on phase one of a rapid qualitative assessment of long-term care professionals and regional aging staff navigating care during this epidemic Our purpose is twofold We demonstrate both the value of rapid qualitative appraisals to capture the perspectives and concerns of COVID-19’s long-term care workers and area aging staff, in this case, the staff and advocates that care for and protect the rights of long-term care community residents as well as present data collected in this phase Key points raised focus on safety, including access and use of personal protective equipment, infection control, limited testing, and staffing issues In addition, participants expressed concerns about the physical and mental health of residents because they have been isolated from family and friends since the executive order closed these communities to all non-essential people We will utilize these data, in collaboration with staff and advocates, to inform policy and programming to better address the needs of both residents and staff of long-term care communities Copyright © 2020 by the Society for Applied Anthropology
Allocating Limited Sensing Resources to Accurately Map Dynamic Environments

This work addresses the problem of learning a model of a dynamic environment using many independent Hidden Markov Models (HMMs) with a limited number of observations available per iteration. Many techniques exist to model dynamic environments, but do not consider how to deploy robots to build this model. Additionally, there are many techniques for exploring environments that do not consider how to prioritize regions when resources, in terms of robots to deploy and deployment durations, are limited. Here, we consider an environment model consisting of a series of HMMs that evolve over time independently and can be directly observed. At each iteration, we must determine which HMMs to observe in order to maximize the gain in model accuracy. We present a utility measure that balances a Pearson’s χ2 goodness-of-fit of the dynamics model with Mutual Information (MI) to ensure that observations are allocated to maximize the convergence rate of all HMMs, resulting in a faster convergence to higher steady-state model confidence and accuracy than either χ2 or MI alone.
Recent Advances in Ligand Design and Engineering in Lead Halide Perovskite Nanocrystals

Lead halide perovskite (LHP) nanocrystals (NCs) have recently garnered enhanced development efforts from research disciplines owing to their superior optical and optoelectronic properties. These materials, however, are unlike conventional quantum dots, because they possess strong ionic character, labile ligand coverage, and overall stability issues. As a result, the system as a whole is highly dynamic and can be affected by slight changes of particle surface environment. Specifically, the surface ligand shell of LHP NCs has proven to play imperative roles throughout the lifetime of a LHP NC. Recent advances in engineering and understanding the roles of surface ligand shells from initial synthesis, through postsynthetic processing and device integration, finally to application performances of colloidal LHP NCs are covered here.
Computer Vision on the Battlefield: Can Machines Distinguish Between Enemy and Civilian in Military Urban Operations?

The purpose of this paper is to establish proof of concept regarding neural network application in autonomous weapons systems. A ready-to-deploy service was not created nor was this the intent of the research. The goal was to prove whether a certain technology, in its current state, possesses the capabilities to expand its practical responsibility. Using IBM’s Visual Recognition service through Bluemix, I was able to build and train a model capable of beating the null hypothesis in regard to the classification of images as either containing an enemy or civilian. Several confusion matrices were generated to illustrate the precision and recall numbers for different methods of confidence threshold configuration. Another takeaway from this research is that the confidence threshold configuration for classification can be altered depending on the mission and battlefield-specific features.
Hospitalization and Post-hospitalization Outcomes Among Teaching Internal Medicine, Employed Hospitalist, and Locum Tenens Hospitalist Services in a Tertiary Center: a Prospective Cohort Study.

There are no prospective studies comparing hospitalization and post-hospitalization outcomes between teaching internal medicine services and non-teaching hospitalists, and no prospective studies comparing these outcomes between locum and employed hospitalists. To compare the length of stay, hospital costs readmission rate, and mortality rate in patients treated by teaching internal medicine services vs. hospitalists and among patients treated by locum vs. employed hospitalists. Prospective cohort study. Propensity score was used to obtain weighted estimates. Referral center. All patients 18 years and older admitted to internal medicine services. Treatment by teaching internal medicine services vs. hospitalists. Treatment by locum hospitalists vs. employed hospitalists. Primary outcome was adjusted length of stay and secondary outcomes included hospital cost, inpatient mortality, 30-day all-cause readmission, and 30-day mortality. A total of 1273 patients were admitted in the study period. The mean patient age was 61 ± 19 years, and the sample was 52% females. Teaching internal medicine physicians admitted 526 patients and non-teaching hospitalists admitted 747 patients. Being seen exclusively by teaching internal medicine physicians comports with a shorter adjusted hospital stay by 0.6 days (95% CI − 1.07 to − 0.22, P = .003) compared to non-teaching hospitalists. Adjusted length of stay was 1 day shorter in patients seen exclusively by locums compared to patients seen exclusively by employed services (95% CI − 1.6 to − 0.43, P < .001) with an adjusted average hospital cost saving of 1339 dollars (95% CI − 2037 to − 642, P < .001). There was no statistically significant difference in other outcomes. Teaching internal medicine services care was associated with a shorter stay but not with increased costs, readmission, or mortality compared to non-teaching services. In contrary to the “expected,” patients treated by locums had shorter stays and decreased hospital costs but no increase in readmissions or mortality.
The Effect of Student Learning Style and Lesson Structure on Student Outcomes in an Online Learning Environment

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many instructors have been forced on short notice to prepare their lessons for online delivery. Many simply saved their lessons as slide-based HTML files and uploaded them to their course management systems. The focus of this research was to investigate how to improve the effectiveness on online learning modules in a distance learning environment. Student learning style (Passive vs. Active learners) was assessed, and students were provided on online lecture on statistical quality control. Results show active learners scored significantly higher on a post-test than passive learners. Additionally, students receiving the structured lesson rated their lessons significantly better on the attitude scale. Lesson structure and learning style significantly influence the students’ ability to accurately develop a mental map that reflected how the material was related.
How Should Clinicians Minimize Harms and Maximize Benefits When Diagnosing and Treating Disorders Without Biomarkers

Ethical obligations to minimize harms and maximize benefits of diagnosis and treatment of disorders without biomarkers include navigating difficult-to-measure, perhaps clinically inexplicable, symptoms. Among potential harms are public stigma, self-stigma, label avoidance, and the negative influence these stigmas have on self-esteem, quality of life, employment, and housing. Among potential benefits are patients becoming active agents in managing their illnesses, social acceptance, and access to evidence-based treatments. Ethical complexities clinicians face when trying to develop treatment plans while heeding key details from patients' narrative accounts prompt questions about how to best adhere to evidence in understudied domains of medicine.