cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Screening for Depression in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Depression and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are major causes of disability. Identifying COPD patients at risk for depression would facilitate the alleviation of an important comorbidity conferring additional risk for poor outcomes. The purpose of this study was to determine the utility of a brief screening measure, the 15-item Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-15), in detecting the mood disorders in persons with COPD. This is a cross-sectional study of 188 persons with COPD, stratified by age (65 and older versus less than 65) and COPD severity using Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) staging. Screening cut-points were empirically derived using threshold selection methods and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were estimated. The GDS-15 was used as a screening measure and diagnoses of Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) or other mood disorders were determined using a “gold standard” standardized structured clinical interview. Of the 188 persons with COPD, 25% met criteria for any mood disorder and 11% met criteria for MDD. Optimal threshold estimations suggested a GDS cut score of 5, which yielded adequate sensitivity and specificity in detecting MDD (81% and 87%, respectively) and correctly classified 86% of participants. To detect the presence of any mood disorder, a cut score of 4 was suggested yielding sensitivity and specificity of 67% and 82%, respectively; correctly classifying 79%. These results suggest that mood disorders are relatively common among persons with COPD. The GDS-15 is a useful screening measure to identify patients at risk for depression.
Soft Magnetic Properties of Obliquely Deposited Co–Zr–O Films

We have studied obliquely sputtered Co-Zr-O films. We found that oblique deposition gives rise to the formation of columnar morphology and thus higher perpendicular magnetic anisotropy in the films, which finally results in the occurrence of stripe domains and degradation of soft magnetic properties. Applying substrate bias during Co-Zr-O film deposition gave some improvement in magnetic softness with small slope angles, but did not provide any improvement for large angles. Using a multilayer structure Co-Zr-O/ZrO2 effectively eliminates the columnar structure and helps the films regain favorable soft magnetic properties.
High efficiency dual-wavelength surface-emitting laser incorporating integrated dual-grating reflector

We present a high-power monolithically integrated dual-wavelength emission source employing a dual-grating reflector. The basic structure and fabrication of this device are described. The operational characteristics of this device are presented, including a light-current characteristic slope of 0.86 W/A for dual-wavelength emission separated by 2 nm
Pars plana vitrectomy and iris suture fixation of posteriorly dislocated intraocular lenses.

Purpose To describe the outcomes of combined pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) and iris suture fixation of posteriorly dislocated intraocular lenses (IOLs). Setting Tertiary academic referral center. Design Retrospective noncomparative consecutive case series. Methods The included eyes had posteriorly dislocated IOLs and had combined PPV and iris suture fixation. The IOL dislocations amenable to surgical repair with an anterior approach were excluded. Outcome measures included improvement in corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA), induction of astigmatism, and complications. Results This study consisted of 27 consecutive cases. The mean follow-up was 6.61 months ± 8.1 (SD). The median postoperative CDVA was 20/30, and 16 of 27 eyes had stable or improved CDVA compared with baseline; 8 of the others had a shift from aphakic to pseudophakic correction. Overall, a significant myopic shift in spherical equivalent occurred after surgery, from 7.62 ± 4.38 diopters (D) to −1.33 ± 1.45 D (P Conclusion Combined PPV and iris suture fixation of posteriorly dislocated IOLs led to stable fixation of the IOLs. Financial Disclosure No author has a financial or proprietary interest in any material or method mentioned.
Somatotopic organization of the embryonic chick trigeminal ganglion

Horseradish peroxidase (HRP) has been injected into periocular, upper beak, or lower jaw tissues of chick embryos aged 6--8 days of incubation. Subsequent mapping of the distribution of labeled neurons in the trigeminal ganglion indicates that the somatotopic organization of neurons is essentially identical to that found after hatching. At these stages most labeled cells are in the distal parts of the bilobed ganglion. There is no indication that any of these neurons, most but not all of which are derived from epidermal placodes, establish any erroneus projections. Most of the proximo-central or core neurons, which are of neural creast origin, are immature at these stages. On the eighth day of development, by which time the embryo is responsive to tactile stimulation of the beak, few of these core cells have established projections to more distal (rostral) periocular or upper beak areas or to the lower jaw. In contrast, injection of HRP above the eye results in labeling of many of the core neurons. This suggests that there is an asymmetry in the time of neurite outgrowth from core neurons that is correlated with their peripheral projections but not with their time of terminal mitosis. Following injection of HRP into temporal periocular tissues, most of the core cells in the maxillo-mandibular lobe contain peroxidase. This is probably due to uptake by growth cones emerging along the maxillary ramus. Examination of contralateral trigeminal ganglia indicates that the transmedian projections of these sensory fibers form later in development. Branches of the mandibular motor nerve extend throughout the lower jaw and presumptive jaw-closing muscle anlagen, as evidenced by incorporation of HRP into motoneurons of the trigeminal nucleus.
Disk Drive Roadmap from the Thermal Perspective: A Case for Dynamic Thermal Management

The importance of pushing the performance envelope of disk drives continues to grow, not just in the server market but also in numerous consumer electronics products. One of the most fundamental factors impacting disk drive design is the heat dissipation and its effect on drive reliability, since high temperatures can cause off-track errors, or even head crashes. Until now, drive manufacturers have continued to meet the 40% annual growth target of the internal data rates (IDR) by increasing RPMs, and shrinking platter sizes, both of which have counter-acting effects on the heat dissipation within a drive. As this paper will show, we are getting to a point where it is becoming very difficult to stay on this roadmap. This paper presents an integrated disk drive model that captures the close relationships between capacity, performance and thermal characteristics over time. Using this model, we quantify the drop off in IDR growth rates over the next decade if we are to adhere to the thermal envelope of drive design.We present two mechanisms for buying back some of this IDR loss with Dynamic Thermal Management (DTM). The first DTM technique exploits any available thermal slack, between what the drive was intended to support and the currently lower operating temperature, to ramp up the RPM. The second DTM technique assumes that the drive is only designed for average case behavior, thus allowing higher RPMs than the thermal envelope, and employs dynamic throttling of disk drive activities to remain within this envelope.
BADLAND MORPHOLOGY AND EVOLUTION: INTERPRETATION USING A SIMULATION MODEL

A drainage basin simulation model is used to interpret the morphometry and historical evolution of Mancos Shale badlands in Utah. High relief slopes in these badlands feature narrow divides and linear profiles due to threshold mass-wasting. Threshold slopes become longer in proportion to erosion rate, implying lower drainage density and higher relief. By contrast, in slowly eroding areas of low relief, both model results and observations indicate that drainage density increases with relief, suggesting control by critical shear stress. Field relationships and simulation modelling indicate that the badlands have resulted from rapid downcutting of the master drainage below an Early Wisconsin terrace to the present river level, followed by base level stability. As a result, Early Wisconsin alluvial surfaces on the shale have been dissected up to 62 m into steep badlands, and a Holocene alluvial surface is gradually replacing the badland slopes which are erocing by parallel retreat. © 1997 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Crop responses to ozone: uptake, modes of action, carbon assimilation and partitioning

The inhibitory effects of tropospheric O 3 on crop photosynthesis, growth, and yield have been documented in numerous studies over the past 35 years. In large part, the results of this research supported governmental regulations designed to limit tropospheric O 3 levels to concentrations that affected crop production at economically acceptable levels. Recent studies have brought into question the efficacy of these concentration-based O 3 standards compared with flux-based approaches that incorporate O 3 uptake along with environmental and biotic factors that influence plant responses. In addition, recent studies provide insight into the biochemical mechanisms of O 3 injury to plants. Current interpretations suggest that upon entry into the leaf intercellular space O 3 rapidly reacts with components of the leaf apoplast to initiate a complex set of responses involving the formation of toxic metabolites and generation of plant defence responses that constitute variably effective countermeasures. Plant species and cultivars exhibit a range of sensitivity to O 3 , evident as heritable characteristics, that must reflect identifiable biochemical and molecular processes that affect sensitivity to O 3 injury, although their exact makeup remains unclear. Ozone clearly impairs photosynthetic processes, which might include the effects on electron transport and guard cell homeostasis as well as the better-documented effects on carbon fixation via decreased Rubisco activity. Translocation of photosynthate could be inhibited by O 3 exposure as well. Further, the influence of tropospheric O 3 needs to be considered when assessing potential effects of rising concentrations of atmospheric CO 2 on crop production. Advances in O 3 flux modelling and improved understanding of biochemical and molecular effects of O 3 on photosynthetic gas exchange and plant defence processes are leading to more complete, integrated assessments of O 3 impacts on crop physiology that continue to support the rationale for maintaining or improving current O 3 air quality standards as well as providing a basis for development of more O 3 -tolerant crop lines.
Hydrogen elimination from a hydroxycyclopentadienyl ruthenium(II) hydride: study of hydrogen activation in a ligand-metal bifunctional hydrogenation catalyst.

At high temperatures in toluene, [2,5-Ph2-3,4-Tol2(η5-C4COH)]Ru(CO)2H (3) undergoes hydrogen elimination in the presence of PPh3 to produce the ruthenium phosphine complex [2,5-Ph2-3,4-Tol2-(η4-C4CO)]Ru(PPh3)(CO)2 (6). In the absence of alcohols, the lack of RuH/OD exchange, a rate law first order in Ru and zero order in phosphine, and kinetic deuterium isotope effects all point to a mechanism involving irreversible formation of a transient dihydrogen ruthenium complex B, loss of H2 to give unsaturated ruthenium complex A, and trapping by PPh3 to give 6. DFT calculations showed that a mechanism involving direct transfer of a hydrogen from the CpOH group to form B had too high a barrier to be considered. DFT calculations also indicated that an alcohol or the CpOH group of 3 could provide a low energy pathway for formation of B. PGSE NMR measurements established that 3 is a hydrogen-bonded dimer in toluene, and the first-order kinetics indicate that two molecules of 3 are also involved in the transition sta...
Uniquely Complemented Lattices

At the end of the nineteenth century, a number of mathematicians were concerned with the axiomatization of Boolean algebras. These considerations led Huntington [34] to what became known as Huntington’s problem: is every uniquely complemented lattice distributive? Since a lattice is Boolean if and only if it is distributive and every element has a complement, an affirmative answer to Huntington’s problem would have shown a lattice to be Boolean if and only if it was uniquely complemented.
Feasibility of a pocket-PC based cognitive control intervention in dementia spousal caregivers

Objectives: Spousal caregivers of patients with dementia are in need of interventions to bolster their quality of life. Computer-based, self-administered cognitive training is an innovative approach to target spousal caregiver distress and coping. We tested the feasibility of administering one such intervention with minimal clinician intervention.Methods: Twenty-seven elderly adults (>64 years old), who each were the primary caregiver for a spouse with dementia, were recruited through the Memory Disorders Clinic of the Alzheimer Disease Research Center in Pittsburgh, PA. Spousal caregivers were instructed to use a handheld computer version of the Adaptive Paced Visual Serial Attention Task (APVSAT) at least three times per week for four weeks as part of a larger caregiver intervention trial (P01 AG020677). Feasibility was explored by examining the frequency of APVSAT usage.Results: Results suggest that self-directed cognitive training is feasible for spousal caregivers of dementia patients. The mean usage...
Coexpression of mutant and wild type protein kinase in lymphoma cells resistant to dibutyryl cyclic AMP.

A mutant clone resistnat to dibutyryl cyclic AMP was isolated from S49 mouse lymphoma cells. The mutant expressed a form of cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase distinguishable from wild type kinase by its decreased sensitivity to activation by cyclic AMP and its increased thermal lability. Hybrids formed between mutant and wild type cells were resistant to dibutyryl cyclic AMP and expresed both mutant and wild type activities in about equal amount. The parent mutant cells also appeared to express wild type kinase activity, but at a lower level. We conclude that wild type S49 cells have and expression two identical alleles for the regulatory subunit of protein kinase, one of which has undergone mutation in the mutant cells.
Containing military autotest cost growth through the use of commercial standard equipment architectures

The 1990s have been stressful for commercial airline industry: fierce competition has caused the demise of several carriers. The resulting drive to slash operating expenses has bolstered development of avionics industry standards for automated test equipment. Rockwell's Collins Air Transport Division (CATD) has begun to market compliant test gear that airline maintenance departments wishing to acquire modern high performance test systems without the development cost penalty have eagerly received. A similar situation now confronts the military. The various branches can no longer justify the maintenance of independent autotest architectures. This paper describes the CATD implementation of the commercial-standard architecture; shows how we have designed the system to avoid obsolescence; and indicates the considerations that are necessary for adapting it to military scenarios. >
Conjugate gradient methods for designing vector quantizers

A technique for efficient vector quantization (VQ) design based on conjugate-gradient search methods is introduced. It is demonstrated experimentally that the new design algorithm performs better than the generalized Lloyd algorithm in many cases in terms of computation time and/or quality of the codebook it produces. >
The Neo/Bio/Colonial Hot Zone African Viruses, American Fairytales

This article explores the proliferation of nonfiction narratives which warn of an impending global pandemic of African origin. Through a reading of four texts — Richard Preston's The Hot Zone, Laurie Garrett's The Coming Plague, Richard Kaplan's The Ends of the Earth, and Jeffrey Goldberg's ‘Our Africa Problem’ — the author argues that such pandemic narratives reflect unease about the United States' current and future role in Africa or other non-Western places, after a half-century of largely unsuccessful ‘development’. Second, plague tales reflect anxieties about environmental devastation in Africa and elsewhere. The article concludes that the most frightening aspect of these contemporary ‘plague tales' is the solutions they suggest to the ‘problem’ of a coming plague.
In search of vulnerable plaque.

Between 1970 and 2010, the number of cardiovascular deaths per 100 000 persons in the United States has fallen from ≈450 to ≈125, a reduction >70%.1 This marked decline in cardiovascular mortality represents one of the true success stories of modern medicine. The improving lifespan of both men and women can be attributed principally to prevention of death first from coronary artery disease (CAD) and second from stroke, with a much smaller contribution from other disease states.2 The decrease in coronary heart disease deaths may be ascribed to both treatment of acute coronary syndromes (ACS) and chronic CAD as well as risk-factor modification.3 Nonetheless, we remain in the midst of a coronary epidemic, with >2200 deaths per day in the United States because of cardiovascular disease (≈1 death every 39 seconds).4 Article see p 433 Coronary plaque thrombosis is found in most patients dying of cardiovascular death.5 Those plaques which are at high risk for imminent thrombosis (whether the risk period is days, weeks, or months) are termed “vulnerable plaques”.6 Although atherosclerosis is a pan-vascular process arising from systemic inflammation,7 vulnerable plaques are not present diffusely but are limited in number8 and are most commonly located in the proximal and midsegments of the epicardial coronary vessels (and distal in the right coronary artery).9 Although several plaque types have been identified which are prone to thrombosis, pathological studies have found that the majority of such plaques are thin cap fibroatheromas (TCFAs), characterized by a large necrotic core with a thin (<65 µm) fibrous cap consisting of mostly type 1 collagen with few smooth muscle cells, infiltrated with macrophages and T lymphocytes.9,10 Cellular production of matrix metalloproteinases and other digestive enzymes, exacerbated by high shear and focal cap calcification, results …
"Archaeology and Marxism", by Randall H. McGuire. In Archaeological Method and Theory, Volume 5, edited by Michael B. Schiffer, pp. 101-157. Tucson, University of Arizona Press

Randy McGuire's article in Michael Schiffer's latest compilation is a well placed contribution to the growing body of literature that challenges the hegemonic discourse on the history ofAmerican Archaeology dominated by Willey and Sabloff (1974, 1980, 1993). With this article and his earlier book, McGuire (1992) joins the ranks of the historians of the discipline who recognise that there are rich traditions within archaeology that are ignored or dismissed by this dominant discourse (e.g., Levine 1991, 1993; Patterson 1986; Trigger 1989, 1993). McGuire is an unapologetic marxist (I am following McGuire's lead by de-capitalizing "marxist") and here provides a concise summation of the history of the relationship between marxist thought and the theory and practice of archaeology in the New World.
5.3: Control of Emission Zone in Blue Phosphorescent OLEDs by Material Design

We report blue organic lightemitting devices based on a series of phosphine oxide host materials that show significantly different charge transport properties. The nature of the host materials controls the position of the emission zone. The choice of electron transport layer material was shown to affect the emission zone width.
To Close or Not to Close: The Very Small Patent Ductus Arteriosus

Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) accounts for approximately 10% of all congenital heart diseases, with an incidence of at least 2-4 per 1000 term births. Closure of the large, hemodynamically significant PDA is established as the standard of care, and can be performed safely and effectively using either surgical or transcatheter methods. The appropriate management of the very small, hemodynamically insignificant PDA is less clear. Routine closure of such defects has been advocated to eliminate or reduce the risk of infective endocarditis (IE). However, the risk of IE in patients with a small PDA appears to be extremely low, and IE is treatable. Although closure of the small PDA is generally safe and technically successful, it is unknown whether this treatment truly improves the risk:benefit balance compared with observation. In this article, we review the published literature on the natural history and treatment outcomes in individuals with a PDA, the epidemiology and outcomes of IE, particularly in association with PDA, and the rationale and evidence for closure of the very small PDA.
Seismic traveltime inversion for 2-D crustal velocity structure

SUMMARY A method of seismic traveltime inversion for simultaneous determination of 2-D velocity and interface structure is presented that is applicable to any type of body-wave seismic data. The advantage of inversion, as opposed to trial-and-error forward modelling, is that it provides estimates of model parameter resolution, uncertainty and non-uniqueness, and an assurance that the data have been fit according to a specified norm. In addition, the time required to interpret data is significantly reduced. The inversion scheme is iterative and is based on a model parametrization and a method of ray tracing suited to the forward step of an inverse approach. The number and position of velocity and boundary nodes can be adapted to the shot-receiver geometry and subsurface ray coverage, and to the complexity of the near-surface. The model parametrization also allows ancillary amplitude information to be used to constrain model features not adequately resolved by the traveltime data alone. The method of ray tracing uses an efficient numerical solution of the ray tracing equations, an automatic determination of take-off angles, and a simulation of smooth layer boundaries that yields more stable inversion results. The partial derivatives of traveltime with respect to velocity and the depth of boundary nodes are calculated analytically during ray tracing and a damped least-squares technique is used to determine the updated parameter values, both velocities and boundary depths simultaneously. The stopping criteria and optimum number of velocity and boundary nodes are based on the trade-off between RMS traveltime residual and parameter resolution, as well as the ability to trace rays to all observations. Methods for estimating spatial resolution and absolute parameter uncertainty are presented. An example using synthetic data demonstrates the algorithm's accuracy, rapid convergence and sensitivity to realistic noise levels. An inversion of refraction and wide-angle reflection traveltimes from the 1986 IRISPASSCAL Nevada, USA (Basin and Range province) seismic experiment illustrates the methodology and practical considerations necessary for handling real data. A comparison of our final 2-D velocity model with results from studies using other 1-D and 2-D forward and inverse methods serves as a check on the validity of the inversion scheme and provides estimates of parameter uncertainties that account for the bias introduced by the modelling approach and the interpreter.
The Impaired Surgeon

Impaired physicians are unable to manage professional activities safely. Impairment can be the result of physical or mental disorders, but impaired physicians commonly refers to those suffering from substance use disorders. These disorders are at least as common in physicians as they are in the general population, and physician health programs have been established in each state to provide expeditious and detailed evaluation, referral to treatment facilities, and post-treatment monitoring to ensure compliance. These programs protect participants against sanctions and safeguard patients. The prognosis for participants is excellent, with more than 70% able to practice medicine at 5 years.
Need-based segmentation and customized communication strategies in a complex-commodity industry: A supply chain study

Abstract The industrial marketing literature offers few applications of the need-based or microsegmentation process in mature industrial markets. This empirical study presents an applied model to address this need. The study adapted a consumer, microsegmentation model cited by Peltier and Schribrowsky [J. Direct Mark. 11 (1997) 53.] in the direct marketing literature. A five-step framework that combined the industrial buyer behavior-based segmentation concepts (need-based) with the applied methods from the consumer-based model was developed. The research was conducted within a complex-commodity's supply chain using the adapted model to define the microsegments based on industrial buyers' motives and benefits sought. Descriptive data were also examined. Customized product services' packages and communication strategies were recommended as a result of this study. Future research is proposed to apply the model into other industrial settings.
Pleistocene Climates on Land

The record of Pleistocene climates on land was pieced together from continuous sedimentary sequences in periglacial areas. It correlates well with the paleoclimatic history reconstructed from the deep sea sediments, showing about 20 major glaciation cycles within the last 2 Myr, with an average length of 100 000 years. The last cycle, which started about 125 000 years ago and ended 10 000 years ago, was composed of several mild interstadials separated by cold stadials. The classical fourfold subdivisions of the Pleistocene were found to be based on incomplete and misinterpreted morphostratigraphic evidence.
The influence of alcohol and marihuana on motor and mental performance

Twelve healthy male volunteers smoked marihuana cigarettes calibrated to deliver 0, 2.5, or 5 mg. of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) either alone or in combination with either a plain fruit-flavored beverage or the same beverage containing 15 ml. of alcohol per 50 pounds of body weight. Each subject received all 6 possible combinations in a double-blind randomized block experiment. The parameters measured were four pursuit meter tests (motor performance), nine delayed auditory feedback tests (mental performance), pulse rate, conjunctival injection, and subjective effects (Cornell Medical Index). It was found that the high dose of THC produced Significant impairment in performance of both mental and motor tasks and that alcohol induced an additional effect. There was little difference between the response to 2.5 and 5.0 mg. of THC on these parameters. Conjunctival injection, ptllse rate, and subjective effects were dose dependent and alcohol was additive.
Capacitação profissional de pessoas com deficiência: um estudo de caso no Secap/Faders

O artigo focaliza a capacitacao profissional das pessoas com deficiencia (PcDs), por meio do Programa de Aprendizagem desenvolvido no Servico de Capacitacao Profissional (Secap/Faders), em parceria com o Governo Federal. Os olhares sobre a pessoa com deficiencia sempre estiveram vinculados as concepcoes relativas a produtividade, a razao e a um padrao estetico presente em cada contexto sociocultural. A analise de dados possibilita inferir que o Programa de Aprendizagem e fundamental para o processo de inclusao e permanencia das pessoas com deficiencia no mercado de trabalho.
Two-Phase Critical Flow at Low Qualities Part II: Analysis

A model is developed to predict one-component two-phase critical flow for equilibrium qualities less than 0.02. The formulation approximates the real non-equilibrium processes by thermodynamic equi...
Expertise and Aging in Pilot Communication: The Role of Environmental Support

We examined whether expertise reduced age differences on a pilot communication task. Young, middle-aged, and older pilots, and nonpilots of similar age and general cognitive ability, listened to recorded ATC messages that described a route through an airspace, while referring to a map of the airspace. They read back the ATC instructions (e.g., to change heading) and then answered a probe question about the aircraft's position. Morrow et al. (1999) used a similar procedure and did not find that expertise reduced age differences in readback accuracy. In the present study, participants were also allowed to take notes while listening to the messages. Contrary to the earlier study, pilots' readbacks were virtually perfect regardless of age, while readback accuracy declined with age for nonpilots. Note-taking may have provided environmental support that reduced working memory demands imposed by the communication task, which differentially benefitted older pilots. This suggests that cognitive aids such as note-t...
The Dioryctria Coneworms of North Florida Pines (Lepidoptera: Phycitidae)

Studies of the insects which reduce seed crops of slash and longleaf pines in northeast Florida showed that larvae of 3 species of Dioryctria commonly and consistently injure “flowers” and cones. D. amatella (Hulst) was common in “flowers” and cones; also in trunks, buds, and shoots of pines. D. abietella (Denis and Schiffermuller) was common, but only in diseased first-year cones and in second-year cones. D. clarioralis (Walker) occurred mainly in buds and in first-year cones, but was less frequently collected.
Blending Public Health into Dental Education: A.T. Still University’s D.M.D./M.P.H. Program

As dental education across the United States undergoes growth and change in an effort to improve access to dental care, one dental school, the Arizona School of Dentistry & Oral Health, established in 2003, designed its initial curriculum with innovation in mind. One of those innovations was the introduction of an online certificate in public health that can be used as the foundation for a Master's in Public Health (M.P.H.) degree with a dental emphasis, which students may complete concurrent with their dental education. This article discusses the educational intersection between dentistry and public health and describes how this dental school uses an online public health curriculum to accomplish this integration. It also presents the potential advantages and disadvantages of obtaining the M.P.H. degree concurrent with the dental school training.
Follow-up Effect of Smoking Cessation Clinics in Chengdu

Objective To evaluate the effect of smoking control intervention in smoking cessation clinics,and to explore effective methods for smoking cessation in clinic services.Methods A three-month follow-up survey was conducted among 344 smokers visiting the doctor in the 6 smoking cessation clinics in Chengdu in 2010.The survey included personal smoking habit change,quitting progress,difficulties in quitting smoking and satisfaction degree to smoking-quitting services.Results A total of 310 participants accepted the follow-up survey.The quitting rate after 3 months was 9.7%;nevertheless,the proportion of everyday-smokers lowered from 90.6% at the baseline to 71.0% at the end of 3 months.The average smoking decreased from 16.6 pieces per day at the baseline to 8.8 pieces at the end of the 3 months.A proportion of 74.2% participants appeared tobacco withdrawal symptoms in 7 days.Conclusion The quitting rate of smoking is relatively low after 3 months intervention,yet the daily smoking decrease obviously.The professional smoking cessation organizations should reinforce the instructions and supply the smoker with better advices,so as to increase the quitting rate.
Study on Electric Characteristic and Corona Performance of UHV AC Transmission Line

In this paper, the relation among main electrical parameters, maximum surface electric gradient of bundle conductor and geometry parameters of bundle conductor configuration of UHV AC transmission line is studied. The calculation approaches for main electrical parameters and maximum surface electric gradient of bundle conductor, which are suitable to engineering calculation, are also presented. Based on available high voltage testing data, the rule of corona, which varies with weather conditions and geometry parameters of bundle conductor for UHV AC transmission line are discussed. According to the different limited values of audible noises under various weather conditions, the basic geometry parameters of bundle conductor for 1000kV transmission line that have to reach to are proposed.
Wavefront-guided treatment for previous laser in situ keratomileusis and photorefractive keratectomy: case reports.

PURPOSE To describe the off-label use of the Alcon LADARVision System for CustomCornea (LADARWave and LADARVision4000) in two patients, one for retreatment after laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) and one for retreatment after photorefractive keratectomy (PRK). METHODS AND RESULTS Both patients were unhappy with the quality of their vision after initial refractive surgery. The first patient initially had LASIK to correct -4.75 D of myopia in each eye, and then had retreatment with CustomCornea. Before retreatment, manifest refraction was OD 0.50 -0.50 x 180 degrees (20/25 uncorrected) and OS -0.50 -0.75 x 180 degrees (20/40 uncorrected). Two months after retreatment with CustomCornea, his uncorrected visual acuity OD was 20/15, and 1 month after retreatment in his left eye, uncorrected visual acuity was 20/15. The second patient had PRK OD, with a postoperative uncorrected visual acuity of 20/25 and cycloplegic refraction of +1.00 -0.75 x 84 degrees. After CustomCornea retreatment, his 3.5-month postoperative uncorrected visual acuity was 20/15 and manifest refraction was +0.50 -0.50 x 180 degrees. CONCLUSION The Alcon LADARVision System for CustomCornea was used effectively to retreat both a myopic LASIK and myopic PRK patient, primarily for subjective quality of night vision complaints.
Novel Metal Sulfides to Achieve Effective Capture and Durable Consolidation of Radionuclides

This report documents the work done under NEUP grant to examine the capability of novel chalcogels and some binary metal chalcogenides as a host matrix for the capture of gaseous iodine and the feasibility of their iodine-laden materials to be converted into a permanent waste form. The presented work was conducted over last two years. A number of novel chalcogels Zn2Sn2S 6, Sb4Sn4S12, NiMoS 4, CoMoS 4, antimony sulfide (SbS x) chalcogels, silver functionalized chalcogels and binary metal sulfides (Sb2S3) were developed and studied for their iodine absorption efficacies. A new and simple route was devised for the large scale preparation of antimony sulfide chalcogel. The chalcogel was obtained by treating Sb2S3 with Na2S in the presence of water followed by addition of formamide. The obtained gels have a low-density sponge-like network of meso-porous nature having BET surface area of 125 m2/g. The chalcogels, silver functionalized chalcogel and the binary metal sulfides were exposed to iodine vapors in a closed container. Silver-functionalized chalcogels and Sb2S3 powders showed iodine uptake up to 100 wt%, the highest iodine uptake of 200 wt% was observed for the SbS-III chalcogel. The PXRD patterns of iodine-laden specimens revealed that iodine shows spontaneous chemisorption to themore » matrix used. The iodine loaded chalcogels and the binary chalcogenides were sealed under vacuum in fused silica ampoules and heated in a temperature controlled furnace. The consolidated products were analyzed by PXRD, energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), UV-Vis and Raman spectroscopy. The final products were found to be amorphous in most of the cases with high amount (~4-35 wt%) of iodine and approximately ~60- 90 % of the absorbed iodine could be consolidated into the final waste form. Alginate reinforced composite scaffolds with SbS/SnS chalcogels and Sb2S3 bulk powder were also fabricated aiming to study their efficacy as host matrices in capturing the gaseous molecular iodine in dynamic mode from nuclear spent fuel. The obtained composites look robust in comparison to their respective pristine chalcogels and Sb2S3 bulk powder.« less
Fresh Frozen Plasma and Related Products

Publisher Summary Over the past several years, reviews of transfusion practices have demonstrated increased use of fresh frozen plasma (FFP). Because its administration is not free of untoward effects, vigilance against inappropriate use is of utmost importance. To this end, knowledge of plasma constituents and appreciation of the effectiveness of plasma transfusion in specific clinical situations are essential. One unit of plasma product is the quantity of plasma that has been obtained from 1 unit of whole blood and usually contains between 180 and 300 ml of anticoagulated plasma. Several plasma products can be retrieved from whole blood and through plasmapheresis. “Source plasma” or “single-donor plasma” is obtained through plasmapheresis of a single donor and is stored at –20°C after its collection. “Recovered plasma” refers to plasma obtained from whole blood of a regular donor. “Fresh-frozen plasma” is separated from whole blood within 6 hours of collection and is stored frozen at –18°C or colder for up to 1 year. “Plasma frozen within 24 hours” (F24) is separated from whole blood within 24 hours of collection and is stored frozen at –18°C or colder for up to 1 year. There are two principal methods by which plasma may be obtained. One method is through centrifugation or sedimentation of whole blood that separates the cellular blood elements from plasma. Alternatively, plasma may be collected through plasmapheresis as a single product or as a by-product of platelet or red blood cells (RBC) apheresis. Further, the dose or volume of FFP to be administered is primarily dependent on the clinical situation, the patient's plasma volume, and the desired incremental increase in coagulation factor activity.
Dynamic Authoring of Audio with Linked Scripts

Speech recordings are central to modern media from podcasts to audio books to e-lectures and voice-overs. Authoring these recordings involves an iterative back and forth process between script writing/editing and audio recording/editing. Yet, most existing tools treat the script and the audio separately, making the back and forth workflow very tedious. We present Voice Script, an interface to support a dynamic workflow for script writing and audio recording/editing. Our system integrates the script with the audio such that, as the user writes the script or records speech, edits to the script are translated to the audio and vice versa. Through informal user studies, we demonstrate that our interface greatly facilitates the audio authoring process in various scenarios.
Multicontextual correlates of energy-dense, nutrient-poor snack food consumption by adolescents.

Frequent consumption of energy-dense, nutrient-poor snack foods is an eating behavior of public health concern. This study was designed to inform strategies for reducing adolescent intake of energy-dense snack foods by identifying individual and environmental influences. Surveys were completed in 2009-2010 by 2540 adolescents (54% females, mean age = 14.5 ± 2.0, 80% nonwhite) in Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota schools. Daily servings of energy-dense snack food was assessed using a food frequency questionnaire that asked about consumption of 21 common snack food items, such as potato chips, cookies, and candy. Data representing characteristics of adolescents' environments were collected from parents/caregivers, friends, school personnel, Geographic Information System sources, and a content analysis of favorite television shows. Linear regression was used to examine relationships between each individual or environmental characteristic and snack food consumption in separate models and also to examine relationships in a model including all of the characteristics simultaneously. The factors found to be significantly associated with higher energy-dense snack food intake represented individual attitudes/behaviors (e.g., snacking while watching television) and characteristics of home/family (e.g., home unhealthy food availability), peer (friends' energy-dense snack food consumption), and school (e.g., student snack consumption norms) environments. In total, 25.5% of the variance in adolescents' energy-dense snack food consumption was explained when factors from within each context were examined together. The results suggest that the design of interventions targeting improvement in the dietary quality of adolescents' snack food choices should address relevant individual factors (e.g., eating while watching television) along with characteristics of their home/family (e.g., limiting the availability of unhealthy foods), peer (e.g., guiding the efforts of a peer leader in making healthy choices), and school environments (e.g., establishing student norms for selecting nutrient-dense snack foods).
Delivering the Sense of Touch to the Human Brain.

Intracortical somatosensory interfaces have now entered the clinical domain. Darie et al. explore the implications of research published in Science Translational Medicine by Flesher et al. (2016), discuss how to design such a system given current technology, and question how to effectively communicate with users about their experience.
Robust speaker identification via fusion of subglottal resonances and cepstral features

This letter investigates the use of subglottal resonances (SGRs) for noise-robust speaker identification (SID). It is motivated by the speaker specificity and stationarity of subglottal acoustics, and the development of noise-robust SGR estimation algorithms which are reliable at low signal-to-noise ratios for large datasets. A two-stage framework is proposed which combines the SGRs with different cepstral features. The cepstral features are used in the first stage to reduce the number of target speakers for a test utterance, and then SGRs are used as complementary second-stage features to conduct identification. Experiments with the TIMIT and NIST 2008 databases show that SGRs, when used in conjunction with power-normalized cepstral coefficients and linear prediction cepstral coefficients, can improve the performance significantly (2%–6% absolute accuracy improvement) across all noise conditions in mismatched situations.
Adaptive channel borrowing algorithm for multimedia wireless/mobile networks

In a cellular-based wireless/mobile network that adopts an adaptive multimedia environment, each of the multimedia substreams (i.e. video, audio and data) has its own distinct quality of service (QoS) requirements (e.g. cell loss rate, delay, jitter, etc.). These requirements constitute a certain QoS level. In contrast to the static approach, we propose an adaptive QoS platform where each substream declares a preset range of acceptable QoS levels (e.g., high, medium, low) instead of just a single one. This range of QoS levels is defined in a user-defined profile (UDP). In this paper, we suggest a channel borrowing algorithm based on such adaptive QoS platform. In our suggested algorithm, an acceptor cell that has used all its nominal cell can borrow from any neighboring (donor) cell as long as this donor cell has some channels available after satisfying a minimum QoS (minQ) level defined in the UDP. A donor cell assigning QoS levels (to calls under its coverage) higher than the minQ levels will declare those channels as available for borrowing by other acceptor cells. The criteria for choosing the free channel include not only the number of free channels but also the QoS levels in the donor cell. The criteria is also extended to include the effect of channel locking on the number of free channels and the QoS levels on the locked cells. Simulation results indicate that call blocking rate is significantly decreased while offered load increases.
Fluctuation Effects in Semiflexible Diblock Copolymers

We present a simulation study of the equilibrium thermodynamic behavior of semiflexible diblock copolymer melts. Using discretized wormlike chains and field-theoretic Monte Carlo, we find that concentration fluctuations play a critical role in controlling phase transitions of semiflexible diblock copolymers. Polymer flexibility and aspect ratio control the order–disorder transition Flory–Huggins parameter χODTN. For polymers with low aspect ratios, fluctuations strongly elevate the phase transition χODTN at finite molecular weights. For high aspect-ratio polymers, chain semiflexibility decreases the phase transition χODTN. We find that the simulated phase behavior agrees well with our recently developed fluctuation theory based on wormlike chain configurations and a one-loop treatment of concentration fluctuations.
Optimization of large MOD restorations: Composite resin inlays vs. short fiber-reinforced direct restorations.

Abstract Objective To compare mechanical performance and enamel-crack propensity of direct, semi-direct, and CAD/CAM approaches for large MOD composite-resin restorations. Methods 45 extracted maxillary molars underwent standardized slot-type preparation (5-mm depth and bucco-palatal width) including immediate dentin sealing (Optibond FL) for the inlays (30 teeth). Short-fiber reinforced composite-resin (EverX Posterior covered by Gradia Direct Posterior) was used for the direct approach, Gradia Direct Posterior for the semi-direct, and Cerasmart composite resin blocks for CAD/CAM inlays. All inlays were adhesively luted with light-curing composite-resin (preheated Gradia Direct Posterior). Shrinkage-induced enamel cracks were tracked by transillumination photography. Cyclic axial isometric chewing (5-Hz) was simulated, starting with a load of 200 N (5000 cycles), followed by stages of 400, 600, 800, 1000, 1200, and 1400 N (maximum 30,000 cycles each) until fracture or to a maximum of 185,000 cycles. Survived specimens were subjected to cyclic-load-to-failure test at 30-degree angle on the palatal cusp. Results Only small shrinkage-induced cracks were found in 47% of the direct restorations compared to 7% and 13% of semi-direct and CAD/CAM inlays, respectively. Survival to accelerated fatigue was similar for all three groups (Kaplan–Meier p > .05) and ranged between 87% (direct) and 93% (semi-direct and CAD/CAM). Cyclic-load-to-failure tests did not yield significant differences either (Life Table analysis, p > .05) with median values of 1675 N for CAD/CAM inlays, 1775 N for fiber-reinforced direct restorations and 1900 N for semi-direct inlays. Significance All three restorative techniques yielded excellent mechanical performance above physiological masticatory loads. Direct restorations performed as good as inlays when a short-fiber reinforced composite-resin base was used.