cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Psychological distress among low-income U.S.- and foreign-born women of Mexican descent: impact of acculturation.

Abstract Purpose After testing the capacity of Kessler's psychological distress (K6) scale to measure equally across low-income Mexican-born women (n = 881) and U.S.-born women of Mexican descent (n = 317), this study assesses the impact of acculturation on this group's psychological distress. Methods We employ descriptive and confirmatory factor analyses to test the cross-cultural equivalence of K6. Multivariate and logistic regression is used to test the association between acculturation and psychological distress among low-income, Mexican-American women. Results The cross-cultural equivalence analysis shows that some of the scale's items have the capacity to measure psychological distress equally among participants. Regression results indicate that the more acculturated these women become, the greater their psychological distress is. Conclusion The study recommends that researchers emphasize the cross-cultural equivalence of their measures and suggests a heightened awareness among practitioners of the multidimensional impact of acculturation on clients of Mexican descent.
Ipilimumab-Induced Hypophysitis May Not Affect All Pituitary Cell Lines: A Case Report

Hypophysitis, a rare autoimmune condition, has now emerged as an adverse effect of ipilimumab (anti-cytotoxic T lymphocyte antigen 4 (CTLA4) mAb) therapy. The occurrence of ipilimumab-induced hypophysitis (IH) in studies has varied from 0% to 17%. This condition, because of secondary adrenal insufficiency, may be life-threatening if not recognized and managed promptly. Here we present a case of hypophysitis in the setting of ipilimumab therapy for malignant melanoma. The patient initially presented to his oncologist with a headache, diplopia, fatigue, nausea, hot flashes, anorexia and decreased libido shortly following the third cycle of ipilimumab. He was found to have pituitary enlargement with heterogeneous enhancement on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The initial diagnosis was based on clinical features, MRI findings and laboratory evidence of central hypogonadism and adrenal insufficiency. Other hormone levels were not tested that time and were only tested 5 months later when the patient did not tolerate the discontinuation of glucocorticoids. He continued to require glucocorticoid and testosterone replacement 14 months after the diagnosis. This case demonstrates IH causing anterior hypopituitarism leading to central hypoadrenalism, central hypogonadism, reduced prolactin and possibly central hypothyroidism but preserved somatotroph function. Pituitary antibodies may be a possible method of detection of IH in addition to MRI and hormonal investigations. There is insufficient evidence to support the need for discontinuing ipilimumab or the superiority of initial high dose versus physiologic steroid and hormone replacement in the management of IH. Hypopituitarism due to IH may persist for several months or longer after ipilimumab is discontinued. This underlies the importance of continuous supplementation with all the hormones that are deficient as a consequence of hypopituitarism caused by IH. J Endocrinol Metab. 2015;5(5):299-303 doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.14740/jem287w
Deswelling characteristics of poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) hydrogel

Poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) gels exhibit a lower critical solution temperature (LCST) behavior in aqueous solution. At temperatures below the LCST, the gel is more hydrated than at temperatures above the LCST. At the LCST, the volume change is sharp. It is shown here that the water content of the gel above the LCST depends upon previous states of the gel (e.g., dry or wet), the heating rate, and the gel thickness. Deswelling kinetics are also affected by the gel thickness. Caffeine release experiments indicate that microscopic water pockets are formed within the matrix during the rapid gel collapse procedure. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Considerations of “Combined Probability of Injury” in the Next-Generation USA Frontal NCAP

Objective: The numerical basis for assigning star ratings in the next-generation USA New Car Assessment Program (NCAP) for frontal impacts was assessed. That basis, the Combined Probability of Injury, or CPI, is the probability of an occupant sustaining an injury to any of the specified body regions. For an NCAP test, a CPI value is computed by (a) using risk curves to convert body-region responses from a test dummy into body-region risks and (b) using a theoretical, overarching CPI equation to convert those separate body-region risks into a single CPI value. Though the general concept of applying a CPI equation to assign star ratings has existed since 1994, there will be numerous changes to the 2011 frontal NCAP: there will be two additional body regions (n = 4 vs. 2), the injury probabilities will be evaluated for lower-severity (more likely) injury levels, and some of the occupant responses will change. These changes could yield more disperse CPIs that could yield more disperse ratings. However, the re...
Metadata management for distributed first principles calculations in VLab—A collaborative cyberinfrastructure for materials computation

Abstract This paper describes the metadata and metadata management algorithms necessary to handle the concurrent execution of multiple tasks from a single workflow, in a collaborative service oriented architecture environment. Metadata requirements are imposed by the distributed workflow that calculates thermoelastic properties of materials at high pressures and temperatures. The scientific relevance of this workflow is also discussed. We explain the basic metaphor, the receipt, underlying the metadata management. We show the actual java representation of the receipt, and explain how it is converted to XML in order to be transferred between servers, and stored in a database. We also discuss how the collaborative aspect of user activity on running workflows could potentially lead to race conditions, how this affects requirements on metadata, and how these race conditions are precluded. Finally we describe an additional metadata structure, complementary to the receipts, that contains general information about the workflow.
Microhabitat conditions associated with the distribution of postdiapause larvae of Euphydryas editha quino (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae).

Microhabitats of postdiapause larvae of Euphydryas editha quino (Behr) were found to differ from random habitat points in percentage cover, grass, shade, shrub, and host plant (Plantago erecta E. Morris). Abundant host plant and little shade or overstory cover characterized larval microhabitat. Larvae found in shrub versus more open habitats occupied similar microhabitats but were significantly smaller, presumably because of delayed diapause break. Larval use of coastal sage scrub, when shrubs have been removed by disturbance (grading of dirt roads), suggests that some degree of intermediate disturbance resulting in removal of shrub canopy and increased insolation may benefit populations of this endangered insect.
Mindfulness, Christian Devotion Meditation, surrender, and worry

This article will present an approach for accommodating the benefits of mindfulness into therapy with Christians struggling with worry. Given the psychological benefits of mindfulness and its connection to spirituality, it is not surprising that both therapists and Christian clients are attempting to incorporate it into counselling. Centering prayer, which is a form of Christian Devotion Meditation, provides an accommodative approach to managing worry for Christian clients. The results of this study indicate that surrender, a key component of centering prayer, provides an empirical link for incorporating the benefits of mindfulness for Christians.
Involvement of Cyclic Nucleotides as Intracellular Mediators in the Induction of Antibody Synthesis

Antibody forming cells are produced in the terminal stage of a specialized differentiation sequence. As hematopoietic stem cells develop along the pathway to antibody-forming cells, they become committed to an increasingly limited fate. The changes that occur in the phenotypic characteristics of these differentiating cells must result from temporal variations in responsiveness to new external stimuli and the expression of new genetic information.
Highway Safety Elements In Aesthetic Design

Safe roadways can be constructed in an aesthetic environment. Special attention, through engineering judgment, must be given to the location, design, and construction of the facility, as well as to those appurtenances added to it. Safe roadsides, proper use of guardrail, proper placement of signs and design of their support, along with separate roadways and preservation of natural beauty and added plantings can be compatible with safe operation.
Behavioral comparison of 4 and 6 month-old Ts65Dn mice : age-related impairments in working and reference memory

Ts65Dn mice are partially trisomic for a segment of murine chromosome 16 similar to the gene segment on human chromosome 21 affected in Down's syndrome (DS). These animals display cognitive deficits, neurochemical imbalances, and cholinergic degeneration resembling alterations in DS and early onset Alzheimer's disease. The loss of basal forebrain cholinergic phenotype in Ts65Dn mice begins at approximately 6 months of age and may be due to an improperly functioning neurotrophic system. We compared 4 and 6 month-old Ts65Dn mice in a water-escape radial-arm maze task to investigate working and reference memory before and after the reported onset of cholinergic decline. Both 4 and 6 month-old Ts65Dn mice exhibited impaired performance compared to age-matched controls. However, the younger Ts65Dn mice displayed the capability to learn all working and reference memory measures, while the older Ts65Dn mice did not. Ts65Dn mice failed to maintain performance as working memory load increased, and the ability to handle an increasing working memory load also diminished with age. Collectively, these data suggest that major alterations in cognitive function occur in Ts65Dn mice between the ages of 4 and 6 months.
Understanding the Program Effectiveness of Early Mathematics Interventions for Prekindergarten and Kindergarten Environments: A Meta-Analytic Review

ABSTRACTResearch Findings: The early childhood years are critical in developing early mathematics skills, but the opportunities one has to learn mathematics tend to be limited, preventing the development of significant mathematics learning. By conducting a meta-analysis of 29 experimental and quasi-experimental studies that have been published since 2000, this study extends beyond prior evaluations of early mathematics programs for prekindergarten and kindergarten environments by quantifying program effectiveness in terms of effect sizes and examining 6 aspects of these programs. We found an overall moderate to large effect size. There was a tendency for programs to produce larger effects when they (a) targeted a single content strand, (b) presented content 120 to 150 min per week, (c) designed programs for the prekindergarten environment, (d) presented content individually to children, and (e) used researcher-made mathematics assessments. Practice or Policy: Early mathematics programs can be designed to ...
A Parametric Study of Jet -Wall Interactions f or Compressed Hydrogen Gas Leak S cenarios

Leakage of compressed hydrogen in fueling stations can result from accidental rupture in the storage tank , pressure relief valve , and defects in pipe fitting and related accessories. The released fuel can ignite to fo rm a jet flame in the presence of an ignition source . An enclosure or barrier wall around the storage facilities can limit the impact of hydrogen leakage on surrounding, personnel and equipments. In this study, the flow structure for different fuel jet -barrier wall configurations is visualized in a laboratory environment using high speed rainbow schlieren deflectometry . Hydrogen leakage is simulated by helium exiting at supersonic conditions. Transient fuel accumulation leading to steady state flow stru cture are investigated by varying the distance between leakage point (or jet exit) and barrier wall, height of the leakage point, and inclination of the barrier wall. Results include i nstantaneous rainbow schlieren images to depict the evolving flow struc ture, and contour plots of the mean and root -mean -square (RMS) deflection angle s to quantify jet -wall interactions and mixing process es .
Chemotherapy for the Systemic Mycoses: The Prelude to Ketoconazole

Successful chemotherapy of the systemic mycoses now covers a span of more than 75 years and dates to the first reported use of potassium iodide for treatment of sporotrichosis. The second drug with efficacy was stilbamidine, and its currently available successor, hydroxystilbamidine isethionate, still has a role in therapy of some patients with nonprogressive blastomycosis of the skin. The introduction in 1957 of amphotericin B marked the first time there was an effective agent for such diseases as cryptococcosis, histoplasmosis, candidosis, and with lesser success, for coccidioidomycosis, mucormycosis, and aspergillosis. However, amphotericin B is nephrotoxic, depresses bone marrow (especially erythropoeisis), and, if patients are not monitored and controlled closely, the drug produces hypokalemic muscle weakness and cardiotoxicity. Flucytosine has a narrower spectrum of activity (cryptococcosis, candidosis, cladosporiosis, and chromomycosis) but a preferable route of administration (oral). Newer agents presently available are miconazole and clotrimazole; the latter is for topical use only.
Isometries of a Euclidean Plane (ISM)

This chapter gives a complete classification of isometries on a Euclidean plane, proves a technical theorem to be used later to develop the properties of dilations, and describes a method for constructing a translation with a given action.
Additional Cytogenetic Abnormalities and/or Philadelphia Chromosome Metaphase Mosaicism Might Adversely Influence Survival and Imatinib Response in Chronic Myeloid Leukemia.

Background: Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) is invariably associated with the reciprocal translocation of BCR and ABL to form the Philadelphia chromosome (Ph), t(9;22)(q34;q11). At diagnosis, a small proportion of patients display additional cytogenetic abnormalities and/or a variable proportion of cytogenetically normal metaphases that coexist with Ph-positive metaphases. The objective of the current study was to examine the prognostic relevance of these two scenarios. Methods: The study population consisted of 65 (47.7% female) consecutive, newly diagnosed CML patients seen at the Mayo Clinic with a median age of 59 years. 44.5 percent were initially treated with interferon alpha (IFN) resulting in complete cytogenetic remission in 10.7 percent for a median length of 5.83 years, partial cytogenetic remission in 3.57 percent for a median length of 2 years. 55.5 percent were treated with imatinib (Gleevec) resulting in complete cytogenetic remission in 54.1 percent for a median length of 3.08 years, partial cytogenetic remission in 13.5% for a median length of 1.08 years. Results: Survival at five years through Kaplan-Meier analysis was approximately 92 percent in patients demonstrating only the Ph chromosome (n = 53), versus 60 percent in patients with additional chromosomal abnormalities (n = 12; p < 0.0001 by both Logrank and Breslow-Gehan-Wilcox analysis). Furthermore, patients with additional chromosomal abnormalities demonstrated lower rates of either complete or partial cytogenetic remission with imatinib therapy. Similarly, five year survival of patients with less than 90% Ph-positive metaphases at diagnosis (n = 4) was approximately 60% compared to 92% in patients with greater than 90% Ph-positive metaphases (n = 61; p = 0.01 by Logrank and p = 0.001 by Breslow-Gehan-Wilcox analysis). Additionally, the former group of patients was significantly less responsive to imatinib. Finally, there was significant correlation between Ph-positive metaphase mosaicism and the presence of additional chromosomal abnormalities (p = 0.05). Conclusion: Although it is tempting to speculate the possibility that Ph-chromosome mosaicism and/or additional cytogenetic abnormalities at presentation of CML is a surrogate for the presence of Ph-negative imatinib-resistant clones, the preliminary results from the current study require validation from a larger study. ![Figure][1] Figure ![Figure][1] Figure [1]: pending:yes
VIPRAM_L1CMS: A 2-tier 3D architecture for pattern recognition for track finding

In HEP tracking trigger applications, flagging an individual detector hit is not important. Rather, the path of a charged particle through many detector layers is what must be found. Moreover, given the increased luminosity projected for future LHC experiments, this type of track finding will be required within the Level 1 Trigger system. This means that future LHC experiments require not just a chip capable of high-speed track finding but also one with a high-speed readout architecture. VIPRAML1CMS is 2-Tier Vertically Integrated chip designed to fulfill these requirements. It is a complete pipelined Pattern Recognition Associative Memory (PRAM) architecture including pattern recognition, result sparsification, and readout for Level 1 trigger applications in CMS with 15-bit wide detector addresses and eight detector layers included in the track finding. Pattern recognition is based on classic Content Addressable Memories with a Current Race Scheme to reduce timing complexity and a 4-bit Selective Precharge to minimize power consumption. VIPRAM_L1CMS uses a pipelined set of priority-encoded binary readout structures to sparsify and readout active road flags at frequencies of at least 100MHz. VIPRAM_L1CMS is designed to work directly with the Pulsar2b Architecture.
Is urinary tract screening necessary for patients with cerebral palsy

Abstract Patients with cerebral palsy are prompted to seek urological evaluation when urinary tract infection, socially unacceptable incontinence or hematuria occurs. We attempted to determine the prevalence of urinary tract structural changes by prospectively screening on sonography the kidneys and bladder of 90 patients 1 to 25 years old (mean age 8 years) who had cerebral palsy with or without urological symptoms. Uncooperative patients or those who would require sedation were excluded. Of the patients 66 were incontinent and used diapers, 18 were completely dry and 6 had nocturnal enuresis with daytime dryness. Sonographic abnormalities were detected in 7 patients, including renal size discrepancy in 2 (1 with severe scoliosis and 1 with a history of renal artery thrombosis), mild to moderate hydronephrosis with thickened bladders suggestive of neurogenic bladder dysfunction in 3 and a nonvisualized kidney in 2. However, repeat sonography confirmed 2 normal kidneys in the latter patients. Thus, urinary tract abnormalities were detected unexpectedly in 2% of patients studied. This relatively low proportion suggests that routine urinary tract screening in cerebral palsy patients may not be warranted.
Operating systems on a stick

Though most of our computer science curriculum is operating-system agnostic, Windows is installed on our lab machines and most of our students' computers, but we require Linux in our operating systems course. What is the best way to provide a Linux environment for students to use both at home and in our labs? We revisit the traditional solutions to this problem in light of recent trends in network security and virtualization, then explain our current solution, which is to provide a custom 768MiB Ubuntu JeOS virtual machine on a USB flash drive.
Identification of Risk Factors by Conventional Pathologic and Some Ancillary Techniques in Women with Breast Cancer

In 1971 the National Surgical Adjuvant Breast Project (NSABP) initiated a protocol to evaluate whether total mastectomy with and without postoperative irradiation was as efficacious as radical mastectomy in the primary treatment of patients with stage I and II breast cancer. Patients were randomized so that those with clinically negative axillae were treated by either radical mastectomy, total (simple) mastectomy and irradiation including the axilla, or total mastectomy without axillary intervention. Those with clinically positive axillary nodes were also randomized into groups receiving either radical mastectomy or total mastectomy and irradiation. Accrual of 1665 evaluable patients was completed in 1974. No significant difference in survival has been noted 10 years after mastectomy in the various treatment arms of each of the two strata [21]. This collection represents one of the best available sources for exploring the natural history and pathologic discriminants or markers for the prognosis of breast cancer.
Privatized Commemoration, Political Polarization, and the Cult of Atatürk since the Mid-1990s

ABSTRACTThis article explores the current ambiguous position of the cult of Ataturk in Turkish society and politics, as both a state cult that is not entirely desired by the ruling party and a fragmented and contested people’s cult. The article argues that the commodification and personal appropriation of the cult of Ataturk in the 1990s and 2000s blurred the lines between state and society and between political ideologies, eventually turning the cult into a much more inclusive realm than before, which enables debating national identity in Turkey despite the contentious political environment.
Pancreatic Cancer and Diabetes Mellitus.

The relationship between pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) and diabetes mellitus (DM) is complex. We reviewed the recent medical literature regarding the effect of anti-diabetic medication on PDAC risk and survival, risk of PDAC in DM, and role of DM in early detection of PDAC. Studies report that while some anti-diabetic medications (e.g., metformin) may decrease the risk of PDAC, others (insulin, sulfonylureas and incretin-based therapies) may increase the risk. However, these observations may be subject to protopathic biases. Metformin’s anti-tumor activity may have influence overall survival of PDAC, but epidemiological reports have largely been inconsistent to defend these findings due to heterogeneous methodologies. There is congruent data to support the association between DM and PDAC, with an inverse relationship to DM duration. Older subjects with new-onset DM are the only known high-risk group for PDAC, and strategy using this group for early detection has led to development of clinical risk prediction models that define a very high-risk PDAC group. Role of anti-diabetic medication in PDAC risk modification or survival is controversial. With successful efforts to distinguish type 2-DM from PDAC-DM using risk-stratifying models, there is an opportunity to initiate screening protocols for early detection of PDAC in a sub-set of DM subjects.
On the onset of steady state during transient adhesive wear

Abstract An experimentally verified transient wear model is developed for determining the onset of steady-state ts. The model does not require any unknown constants. It is shown that the transient wear behavior during the running-in phase is strongly dependent on the initial surface roughness. The efficacy of the transient wear model and the methodology for determining the onset of steady state is demonstrated by analyzing several case studies from the literature and performing series of additional pin-on-disk experiments with various surface roughness parameters.
Advanced surveillance and preparedness to meet a new era of invasive vectors and emerging vector-borne diseases

Globalization has increased the rate at which arthropod vectors and associated pathogens emerge and spread. A persistent challenge to the public health agencies in the United States is to identify and control emerging foreign human and animal health threats. This is especially important, given that entomological surveillance capacity in the US has declined in recent years [1]. In this Viewpoint, we promote particular research and capacity-building activities being embraced by scientific and public health communities and funding agencies, which emphasize a local and global mindset for public health preparedness. This global perspective to surveillance looks beyond our borders to what emerging pathogens are circulating and takes a proactive approach to preparing for and reducing these threats. This approach is in contrast to the historical infusions of temporary funding in reaction to an outbreak, which are not sufficient to protect global health security [2,3]. Instead, this framework identifies emerging infectious disease threats, elucidates biological components that would likely support pathogen transmission in a new area, models pathways of pathogen movement, and actively utilizes available data to predict, detect, and mitigate human and animal health threats (Fig 1). Although we focus on vector-borne pathogen invasion and emergence in the US, this concept is globally applicable. Open in a separate window Fig 1 Key elements of a proactive, global surveillance approach. (A) Identification of global vector-borne disease threats, (B) vector and vertebrate competence studies to predict species that would be involved in transmission in the US, (C) modeling pathways of entry [4], and (D) establishment of capacity for surveillance and response. All persons photographed have granted permission to publish their image.
Mental Health in Patients Requiring Pancreas and Visceral Transplantation

Patients with type I diabetes face lifelong insulin dependence and significant daily lifestyle adjustments along with the prospect of eventual complications and shortened life-span. A similar phenomenon exists for patients with intestinal failure who are dependent on parenteral nutrition. The psychological impact of life with these conditions, which significantly impacts day-to-day functioning and quality of life, is considerable and leads some to consider the possibility of transplantation. However, for transplant teams, awareness of the unique psychological issues that arise with each of these patient populations may allow for better understanding of their patients prior to transplant and enable more effective care planning.
Medios digitales e inclusión social

While inequalities related to technology access and use are increasingly the focus of educational policy and practice, educators and policymakers alike continue to struggle to define and conceptualize the notion of a «digital divide». This divide could be conceived as a lack of access to technology and as a problem solved by simply providing Internet and computer access. As basic technology access has increased, attention has instead shifted to disparities in the broad array of factors that allow technologies to be effectively used. Rather than a technocentric framework that sees technology access alone as the solution to inequality, this paper draws from critical conceptualizations of print literacy in order to reframe the digital divide in terms of social inclusion through technology. The paper first provides examples of attempts to bridge the digital divide in India, Ireland, Egypt, and Peru. Based on these examples and other research, the paper then describes a framework for using technology for social inclusion. This framework aims to reorient the discussion of the digital divide toward one that includes the physical, digital, human, and social resources that facilitate meaningful digital access and use by all.
Satellite communications

Wireless communication is undergoing explosive growth, and satellite-based delivery is a major player. With the introduction of satellite personal communication services in the near future, an important step will be made toward the implementation of a global communication infrastructure.Satellite communications were first deployed in the 1960s and have their roots in military applications. Since the 1965 launch of the Early Bird satellite (the first commercial communication satellite) by the U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) proved the effectiveness of satellite communications, satellites have played an important role in both domestic and international communication networks. They have brought voice, video, and data communications to areas of the world that are not accessible with terrestrial lines. By extending communications to the remotest parts of the world, satellites have helped to allow virtually everyone to be part of the global economy.Communication by satellite is not a replacement for the existing terrestrial systems but rather an extension of wireless systems. However, satellite communication has the following merits over terrestrial communication: • Coverage: Satellites can cover a much larger geographical area than traditional ground-based systems can. Satellites have the unique ability to cover the globe. • High bandwidth: A Ka-band (27-40 GHz) can deliver throughput of gigabits per second rate. • Low cost: A satellite communications system is relatively inexpensive because there are no cablelaying costs and one satellite covers a large area. • Wireless communication: Users can enjoy untethered mobile communication anywhere within the satellite coverage area. • Simple topology: Satellite networks have simpler topology, which results in more manageable network performance. • Broadcast/multicast: Satellites are naturally attractive for broadcast/multicast applications. • Maintenance: A typical satellite is designed to be unattended, requiring only minimal attention by customer personnel. • Immunity: A satellite system will not suffer from disasters such as floods, fire, and earthquakes and will therefore be available as an emergency service should terrestrial services be knocked out.Of course, satellite systems do have some disadvantages. These are weighed against their advantages in Table 8.1 [1]. Some of the services provided by satellites include fixed satellite service (FSS), mobile satellite service (MSS), broadcasting satellite service (BSS), navigational satellite service, and meteorological satellite service.This chapter explores the integration of satellites with terrestrial networks to meet the demands of highly mobile communities. After looking at the fundamentals of satellite communication, we will discuss its various applications.
Normative values for ultrasound measurements of the female pelvic organs throughout childhood and adolescence

Normative data from pelvic ultrasonography (US) of the pediatric female reproductive organs are outdated and limited by sample size. The purpose of this study was to report normal uterine and ovarian volumes and endometrial stripe thickness in children and young adults and throughout the menstrual cycle in post-menarchal adolescents. Females ages 0 through 20 years who underwent pelvic US between January 2010 and May 2014 were identified. After excluding patients with pelvic and/or endocrine pathology, nomograms of uterine and ovarian volumes and endometrial thickness by age year were created. Data for patients ages 12 years and older with a recorded day of last menstrual period were used to create additional nomograms of volumes/thickness throughout the menstrual cycle. Student’s t-tests and linear regression were performed to assess differences in measurements between groups and association of volumes/thickness with age. During our study period, 5,647 patients underwent 6,953 pelvic US examinations. After further review, 907 examinations from 889 patients were included (mean age: 11.3±6.0 years). Mean pelvic US volumes (cm3) per organ were 25.5±27.0 (uterus), 4.5±4.7 (right ovary) and 4.0±4.1 (left ovary). Mean endometrial thickness was 4.5±3.7 mm. Right ovarian volume was significantly larger than the left (P=0.0126). Uterine volume, ovarian volume and endometrial thickness were significantly associated with age (P-values<0.0001). Plots of mean organ measurements with respect to week of menses are provided. We report normal volumes of the uterus and ovaries and endometrial stripe thickness measured by pelvic US throughout childhood and adolescence with reference to the menstrual cycle. These values are significantly associated with age and vary visually by menstrual cycle week.
Development and Validation of Procedure-Specific Risk Score for Predicting Postoperative Pulmonary Complication: A NSQIP Analysis.

Background Postoperative pulmonary complications (PPCs; unplanned reintubation, postoperative pneumonia, and failure to liberate from mechanical ventilation within 48 hours), contribute significantly to increased rates of morbidity and mortality. Procedure type is an important factor that contributes risk in generalized PPC prediction models. The objective of this study was to develop and validate procedure-specific risk scores for the 6 procedures with the highest rates of PPCs. Study Design American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS NSQIP) Participant Use File data (2005 to 2015) for patients undergoing pancreatectomy, hepatectomy, esophagectomy, abdominal aortic aneurysm repair, open aortoiliac repair, and lung resection were used for analysis. Multivariable logistic regression was used to develop pulmonary complications risk scores (PCRS) for each procedure. Youden indices were used to identify cutoff points within each PCRS and were further validated using a random selection of the original NSQIP dataset collected. Results Twenty-one variables were included in the initial analysis, which yielded unique relative risk score models for each procedure. Within all the risk score models, long operative time (within the last quartile) was a strong predictor of PPCs. An increased rate of PPCs was associated with increasing PCRS values in both the training and validation samples for all procedures. Conclusions Important variables were identified for 6 common procedures that yield an increased risk of PPCs. These variables differed by procedure type, outlining the importance of procedure-specific risk scores. Each procedure-specific PCRS developed in this study can be used by health care professionals to better predict the risk of PPCs and to optimize patient outcomes.
Low Frequency Fluctuations in Electronic Transport Phenomena

Various fluctuations can be present in the output of solid state electronic devices. The study of fluctuation phenomena is important both for practical applications and theoretical considerations. Electrical fluctuations are known as noise in general, even if their frequency is not in the acoustic domain, and no sound waves are generated.
Neonatal hyperglycemia in a preterm infant managed with a subcutaneous insulin pump

PURPOSE Successful use of a subcutaneous insulin pump to administer regular insulin to a preterm infant with neonatal hyperglycemia is described. SUMMARY A 520-g female infant born at 23 weeks' gestational age via caesarian section was noted to have elevated blood glucose concentrations ranging up to 180 mg/dL (in SI units, 10 mmol/L) on day of life (DOL) 3 and peaking on DOL 9 at 250 mg/dL (13.9 mmol/L) despite conservative glucose infusion rates. Continuous infusion of regular insulin was begun on DOL 8 and continued through DOL 44, with an average insulin infusion rate of 0.08 units/kg/h. The patient experienced blood glucose concentration lability due to multiple factors, resulting in the need for frequent and routine blood glucose concentration monitoring to minimize hypoglycemia events. On DOL 44, a subcutaneous insulin pump was placed and used to provide diluted regular insulin (25 units/mL). After 1 week, the patient's blood glucose concentration normalized, which led to a reduction in the frequency of glucose monitoring. After 3 weeks, insulin pump use was discontinued. The patient remained euglycemic thereafter. CONCLUSION The use of an insulin pump resulted in decreased blood glucose checks, discontinuation of central line access, and overall better patient care.
Sparse multiple co-Inertia analysis with application to integrative analysis of multi -Omics data

Multiple co-inertia analysis (mCIA) is a multivariate analysis method that can assess relationships and trends in multiple datasets. Recently it has been used for integrative analysis of multiple high-dimensional -omics datasets. However, its estimated loading vectors are non-sparse, which presents challenges for identifying important features and interpreting analysis results. We propose two new mCIA methods: 1) a sparse mCIA method that produces sparse loading estimates and 2) a structured sparse mCIA method that further enables incorporation of structural information among variables such as those from functional genomics. Our extensive simulation studies demonstrate the superior performance of the sparse mCIA and structured sparse mCIA methods compared to the existing mCIA in terms of feature selection and estimation accuracy. Application to the integrative analysis of transcriptomics data and proteomics data from a cancer study identified biomarkers that are suggested in the literature related with cancer disease. Proposed sparse mCIA achieves simultaneous model estimation and feature selection and yields analysis results that are more interpretable than the existing mCIA. Furthermore, proposed structured sparse mCIA can effectively incorporate prior network information among genes, resulting in improved feature selection and enhanced interpretability.
The relationship between teachers’ teaching self-efficacy and negative affect on eighth grade U.S. students’ reading and math achievement

Teachers’ teaching self-efficacy and teachers’ feelings of negative affect may be associated with students’ academic achievement; however, little is known about how these factors directly affect ad...
Asset Allocation with Inflation-Protected Bonds

In the study reported here, we set out to examine whether and how the availability of indexed bonds might affect investors' asset allocation decisions. We used historical yields on conventional U.S. T-bonds and an inflation-forecasting model to create a series of hypothetical indexed bond returns. We found that the real (inflation-adjusted) returns on indexed bonds are less volatile than the returns on otherwise similar conventional bonds. Moreover, the correlation with stock returns is much lower for the indexed bonds. An examination of asset allocation among stocks, indexed bonds, conventional Treasuries, and a riskless asset suggests that substantial weight should be given to indexed bonds in an efficient portfolio. These conclusions are generally supported by analysis of the history of actual returns on U.S. Treasury Inflation-Indexed Securities (commonly known as TIPS) for February 1997 through July 2003.
Decentralized Multitask Recursive Least Squares with Local Linear Constraints

In this paper, we study decentralized multitask recursive least squares, where each node in a network has an unknown weight vector to estimate. The weight vectors of neigh-boring nodes are related through local linear equality constraints, e.g., the flow conservation constraints in network flow control. We propose a modified dual gradient ascent algorithm, which is both decentralized and online. The mean square convergence of the algorithm is established under standard assumptions. It is shown that both the mean square deviation and the excess mean square error converge to zero at geometric rates.
Clandestine Concrete in the Suburbios of Lourenço Marques, 1960 to 1975

For most of the colonial era, the rules for building a house in the shantytown suburbs of Lourenco Marques were relatively simple. You could build a house of reeds or, if you could afford it, you could build a wood-framed, zinc-paneled house. Such construction was tolerated because it was considered precarious, and easy to bulldoze to make way for eventual expansion of the formal, predominately European city core. No one in the shantytowns, save in the rare case, was allowed to build in concrete blocks. But beginning in the late 1950s, the local economy expanded and the shantytown population boomed. The desire sharpened to build in more solid materials, which many more could now afford, and over the next decade or so a few thousand households risked enormous fines and potential demolition to shelter their families in concrete block. Some masked concrete construction from police with zinc panels, others built more brazenly and out in the open. This paper is about the nature of the risks they took, and how concrete construction embodied a claim to a kind of urban citizenship. It makes use of interviews with homeowners, stonemasons, building officials, and the hundreds of case files, discovered at Maputo buildings department, of concrete homebuilders who were caught and charged with violations.
The Annual Budget Process

This chapter is about the institutions and process of enacting the annual budget. More specifically, it is about the interaction among state agencies, the governor and the legislature in formulating and enacting an appropriations bill, which, when signed by the governor, becomes the state’s annual budget.
Conclusion: Standing Firm and an Invitation to Social Justice Education

This chapter is an invitation to teachers, pre-service and in-service, and educators in general to be vigilant in educating for social justice. It reminds us that the original aims of education involved preservation of democracy and attainment of social justice. Narratives of social justice educators show that teachers and educators play a critical role in pushing forth the agenda of democracy that is independent of capitalism. This chapter concludes the book by inviting educators to reimagine a better world with schools that affirm all people.
Introduction to the Geometric Theory of Hamiltonian Dynamical Systems

This chapter gives an introduction to the geometric theory of autonomous Hamiltonian systems by studying some local questions about the nature of the solutions in a neighborhood of a point or a periodic solution. The dependences of periodic solutions on parameters is also presented in the case when no drastic changes occur, i.e., when there are no bifurcations. Bifurcations are addressed in Chapter VIII. Several applications to the 3-body problem are given. The chapter ends with a brief introduction to hyperbolic objects and homoclinic phenomena.
Childhood neglect: The role of the paediatrician.

Neglect is a pervasive form of child maltreatment. Health care practitioners often struggle with deciding when an action (or lack of action) by a caregiver constitutes inadequate care and is neglectful. The present article discusses the epidemiology, risk factors and outcomes of neglect. In addition, assessment using objective markers, such as harm and potential harm, in the identification of neglect is described, and unique factors that impact assessing and addressing issues of neglect in the clinical setting are discussed. Practical strategies for intervening in cases of neglect are discussed, including how to engage families in which there are concerns for neglect, mandated reporting, working collaboratively with children’s services, ongoing monitoring of families, and how health care professionals can effectively engage in neglect prevention and advocacy.
Green Power Marketing in the United States: A Status Report (Tenth Edition)

This report documents green power marketing activities and trends in the United States, focusing on consumer decisions to purchase electricity supplied from renewable energy sources and how this choice represents a powerful market support mechanism for renewable energy development. The report presents aggregate green power sales data for all voluntary purchase markets across the United States. It also provides summary data on utility green pricing programs offered in regulated electricity markets, on green power marketing activity in competitive electricity markets, and green power sold to voluntary purchasers in the form of renewable energy certificates. It also includes a discussion of key market trends and issues.
Evaluating the observed variability in hyperspectral Earth-reflected solar radiance

[1] We explore the potential for directly measured hyperspectral Earth-reflected solar radiances to provide sufficient information to study changes in Earth's climate based on the quantified variability of the data using principal component analysis (PCA) and singular spectrum analysis. To do this we used these two multivariate analysis techniques on Earth-reflected radiances between 300 and 1750 nm measured from space by the Scanning Imaging Absorption Spectrometer for Atmospheric Cartography (SCIAMACHY) instrument. The spatial and temporal variability of hyperspectral reflected radiances over global, hemispherical, and regional scales was quantified. As few as six components were needed to explain over 99.5% of the variance in all cases studied, with the exception of an Arctic Ocean case in which only four components were needed. Both of these values represent large reductions in dimensionality of the input radiances from 291 spectral bands. PCA facilitated attribution of the dominant spectral patterns extracted to atmospheric and surface variables, including water vapor, clouds, surface albedo, and sea ice. The second most dominant spectral variable, that is, the second principal component, in the Arctic closely resembled sea ice reflectance and followed the temporal behavior of sea ice extent determined from AMSR-E observations. The extraction of the spectral, spatial, and temporal variability in reflected shortwave hyperspectral radiance using multivariate analysis provides an alternate and complementary approach to inverse methods for applying space-based observations to climate studies.
Containment Liner Corrosion

Of the 104 currently operating nuclear power plants in the U.S, there are 66 plants that have containment buildings constructed with an inner steel liner plate in contact with a thick concrete shell. The steel liner is nominally 6 to 10 mm [0.25 to 0.375 in] thick and is designed in conjunction with the concrete containment building to function as an essentially leak tight barrier against the release of radiation under accident conditions. Corrosion of the containment liner has been observed and corrosion penetration of the liner associated with foreign materials embedded in the concrete from original construction has occurred in a few U.S. plants. This paper reviews plant operating experience, evaluates factors that can affect containment liner corrosion susceptibility, and discusses the mechanisms for through-wall corrosion initiated at the concrete/liner interface.
An objective assessment of professional pharmacy programmes in the United States

Background: In order to provide a high level of pharmaceutical care, an excellent professional education is important. It can be challenging to determine and differentiate quality among the United States (US) pharmacy colleges or schools offering professional degree programmes. Aims: To develop an objective assessment of professional pharmacy programmes in the US. Methods: Criteria were developed to assess pharmacy school programme competitiveness, quality and availability of academic staff, as well as competency of graduates. Our approach was illustrated using 6 accredited pharmacy schools in a geographically similar region, based on publicly available data from independent sources between 2010 and 2013. Results: Key measures identified included admission Grade Point Average (GPA), student to academic staff ratio, academic staff peer-reviewed publication records and first time North American Pharmacy Licensure Exam (NAPLEX) passing rates. The programmes were ranked using an un-weighted sum of all the domain ranks. Conclusion: An objective system can be applied to rank professional pharmacy education programmes in the US.