cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The impact of organizational context on work team effectiveness: a study of production team

Teams are an integral part of many manufacturing organizations today. This paper explores the relationships between nine organizational context variables, team processes, and three measures of team effectiveness. The research was conducted within one business unit of a Fortune 50 high-technology company. Twenty-one intact production work teams were the focus of the study. Using path analysis, significant direct relationships between six organizational context factors and three measures of team effectiveness were found. The management processes associated with establishing a clear team purpose that is aligned with organizational goals and the allocation of critical resources were both positively related to team member satisfaction. An organizational culture that supports communication and cooperation between teams and the integration of teams was found to have a significant and positive linear relationship with two different team leader ratings of effectiveness and with team member satisfaction. Organizational systems that provide teams with the necessary information were found to have a significant and positive linear relationship with both team leader ratings of effectiveness and team member satisfaction. Organizational systems that provide teams with the necessary training were found to have a significant and positive linear relationship with team member satisfaction.
Does Cost Effectiveness Analysis Unfairly Discriminate against People with Disabilities

Cost effectiveness analysis is a tool for evaluating the aggregate benefits of medical treatments, health care services, and public health programs. Its opponents often claim that its use leads to unfair discrimination against people with disabilities. My aim in this paper is to clarify the conditions under which this might be so. I present some ways in which the use of cost effectiveness analysis can lead to discrimination and suggest why these forms of discrimination may be unfair. I also discuss some proposals for avoiding discrimination without rejecting cost effectiveness analysis altogether. I argue that none of these proposals is ultimately convincing. I describe a different approach to the problem and conclude by answering the question in the title.
Ethnic differences in parent preference to be present for painful medical procedures.

Objective. To examine ethnic differences between white, black, and Hispanic (English-speaking and Spanish-speaking) parents in their desire to remain present during their children’s painful medical procedures. Methods. A convenience sample of parents from each of 4 ethnic groups (black, white, and Hispanic [divided into English-speaking Hispanic and Spanish-speaking Hispanic]) was surveyed regarding their preferences for remaining present for 5 hypothetical painful procedures: venipuncture, laceration repair, lumbar puncture, fracture reduction, and critical resuscitation. For each procedure, a short description of the procedure was read to the parent, and a picture of the procedure was shown. The effect of ethnicity on parental desire to stay was examined by using the χ 2 test and multivariate logistic regression. Results. Complete data on 300 parents, 72 to 79 from each ethnic group, were obtained. There were no significant demographic differences between groups except that English-speaking Hispanic parents were younger, and black parents were relatively well educated, whereas Spanish-speaking Hispanic parents were relatively less well educated. Overall, the percentages of those who would wish to remain with their child during the procedures were 94% (venipuncture), 88% (laceration repair), 81% (lumbar puncture), 81% (fracture reduction), and 81% (critical resuscitation). The only significant ethnic difference was that English-speaking Hispanic parents were less likely to want to remain present during a critical resuscitation ( P = .01). Black parents were less likely, and English-speaking Hispanic parents were more likely, to want physicians to decide for them whether they should remain present. Parents generally preferred to actively participate during the procedure by coaching and soothing their child rather than to just observe. Conclusions. We found few ethnic differences in parents’ desire to be present during their child’s painful medical procedures. Overall, the vast majority of parents would prefer to remain present even for highly invasive procedures.
High Resolution Microwave Holography and the Imaging of Remote Moving Objects

The principles and methods of scanned transmitter-receiver and scanned object microwave holography and their use in high resolution microwave imaging are discussed. Results of laboratory experiments demonstrating the capabilities of this scanned mode of microwave imaging are presented together with a discussion of potential applications in radar-like imag-ing of remote moving objects and in the visualization of internal structures.
Analytic gradients for the multicentred integrated QM:QM method for weakly bound clusters: efficient and accurate 2-body:many-body geometry optimizations

In this work we present analytic gradients for the multicentred integrated QM:QM method for weakly bound clusters that was recently introduced [Chem. Phys. Lett. 427,185 (2006)]. By treating pairwise interactions as overlapping model systems, this integrated QM:QM approach essentially reduces the computation on a cluster into a 2-body:many-body problem. Consequently for a cluster composed of n fragments (or monomers), the high-level computations only need to be performed on at most n monomers and n(n − 1) / 2 pairs of fragments (or ‘dimers’). The analytic gradients introduced here have been implemented in a stand-alone interface to the MPQC ab initio software package and subsequently applied to the geometry optimization of 15 different hydrogen bonded clusters of hydrogen fluoride, water and methanol. Structures were optimized with the RHF and MP2 methods as well as the MP2:RHF multicentred integrated QM:QM method. Geometrical parameters and energetics obtained with the MP2:RHF procedure are nearly identi...
Trait-based approaches to linking vegetation and food webs in early-seral forests of the Pacific Northwest

Abstract Both the structure and composition of naturally generated early-seral forests in the Pacific Northwest (PNW) can be profoundly different than that of more developed forest seres, especially in the period after a major disturbance but before conifers re-develop a closed canopy. While it is reasonable to suggest that the unique structure and composition of early-seral forests in the PNW give rise to equally unique functionality, identifying such linkages beyond that inferred by empirical observation is understandably difficult. To address this challenge, we explore the utility of a trait-based approach to identify the vegetation traits most strongly altered by canopy-opening disturbances (using wildfires as an example), and link these traits to secondary production and subsequent food webs. Preliminary analysis, based on original and literature-derived data, suggests that (1) Lepidoptera production, the primary prey base for forest birds in the PNW, is positively correlated with specific leaf area (SLA) which is higher in stands recently opened by canopy disturbance and (2) small mammal production, an important prey base for meso-predators, is positively correlated with SLA, which is higher in stands recently opened by canopy disturbance. These initial results lay the framework for linking disturbance type, disturbance severity, and subsequent successional pathways to trophic processes uniquely provided by the early-seral condition.
pdf1, a Palmitoyl Protein Thioesterase 1 Ortholog in Schizosaccharomyces pombe: a Yeast Model of Infantile Batten Disease

Infantile Batten disease is a severe neurodegenerative storage disorder caused by mutations in the human PPT1 (palmitoyl protein thioesterase 1) gene, which encodes a lysosomal hydrolase that removes fatty acids from lipid-modified proteins. PPT1 has orthologs in many species, including lower organisms and plants, but not in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe contains a previously uncharacterized open reading frame (SPBC530.12c) that encodes the S. pombe Ppt1p ortholog fused in frame to a second enzyme that is highly similar to a previously cloned mouse dolichol pyrophosphatase (Dolpp1p). In the present study, we characterized this interesting gene (designated here as pdf1, for palmitoyl protein thioesterase-dolichol pyrophosphate phosphatase fusion 1) through deletion of the open reading frame and complementation by plasmids bearing mutations in various regions of the pdf1 sequence. Strains bearing a deletion of the entire pdf1 open reading frame are nonviable and are rescued by a pdf1 expression plasmid. Inactivating mutations in the Dolpp1p domain do not rescue the lethality, whereas mutations in the Ppt1p domain result in cells that are viable but abnormally sensitive to sodium orthovanadate and elevated extracellular pH. The latter phenotypes have been previously associated with class C and class D vacuolar protein sorting (vps) mutants and vacuolar membrane H+-ATPase (vma) mutants in S. cerevisiae. Importantly, the Ppt1p-deficient phenotype is complemented by the human PPT1 gene. These results indicate that the function of PPT1 has been widely conserved throughout evolution and that S. pombe may serve as a genetically tractable model for the study of human infantile Batten disease.
A series of N-terminal epitope tagged Hdh knock-in alleles expressing normal and mutant huntingtin: their application to understanding the effect of increasing the length of normal huntingtin’s polyglutamine stretch on CAG140 mouse model pathogenesis

Background: Huntington’s disease (HD) is an autosomal dominant neurodegenerative disease that is caused by the expansion of a polyglutamine (polyQ) stretch within Huntingtin (htt), the protein product of the HD gene. Although studies in vitro have suggested that the mutant htt can act in a potentially dominant negative fashion by sequestering wild-type htt into insoluble protein aggregates, the role of the length of the normal htt polyQ stretch, and the adjacent proline-rich region (PRR) in modulating HD mouse model pathogenesis is currently unknown. Results: We describe the generation and characterization of a series of knock-in HD mouse models that express versions of the mouse HD gene (Hdh) encoding N-terminal hemaglutinin (HA) or 3xFlag epitope tagged full-length htt with different polyQ lengths (HA7Q-, 3xFlag7Q-, 3xFlag20Q-, and 3xFlag140Q-htt) and substitution of the adjacent mouse PRR with the human PRR (3xFlag20Q- and 3xFlag140Q-htt). Using co-immunoprecipitation and immunohistochemistry analyses, we detect no significant interaction between soluble full-length normal 7Q- htt and mutant (140Q) htt, but we do observe N-terminal fragments of epitope-tagged normal htt in mutant htt aggregates. When the sequences encoding normal mouse htt’s polyQ stretch and PRR are replaced with non-pathogenic human sequence in mice also expressing 140Q-htt, aggregation foci within the striatum, and the mean size of htt inclusions are increased, along with an increase in striatal lipofuscin and gliosis.
THE DATA, THE READER, AND THE INNOCENT BYSTANDER—A PARABLE FOR MAP USERS∗

In 1977, I published a set of coarse-resolution dot maps that showed the general distributions of soil orders in the 48 states. Through a sequence of copies made by various people, one of those maps eventually appeared in a planning document as a shaded-area map with the title “Principal Peatlands of the United States.” Along the way a saline desert muck of conjectural extent and location was “transformed” into a documented energy resource for the nation. The history of this map offers a clear lesson for mapmakers: we have a three-fold duty, to the data, to the map reader, and to any third party who might be affected by a foreseeable misinterpretation of our maps.
Immunohistochemistry for human telomerase reverse transcriptase catalytic subunit (hTERT): a study of 143 benign and malignant soft tissue and bone tumours

Summary Aims Only a small number of mesenchymal tumours have been previously evaluated for hTERT expression. We hypothesised that hTERT expression would be frequently present in sarcomas, but not in benign tumours. Methods Sections from 143 bone/soft tissue tumours were immunostained for hTERT (44F12, 1:20; Novocastra) using steam heat-induced epitope retrieval and the Dako Envision system. Normal lymphocytes served as positive internal controls. Positive cases showed 'speckled' nuclear/nucleolar staining in > 10% of cells, in accordance with previous studies. Fisher’s exact test was used for statistical analysis. The result was checked against the G test and Chi-squared test with Yates correction, and was concordant. Results hTERT expression was seen in nine of 71 (13%) benign and 33 of 72 (46%) malignant tumours (p ≥ 0.001). hTERT was positive in > 50% of osteosarcomas, malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumours, liposarcomas, and angiosarcomas. All positive sarcomas were high grade (FNCLCC grade II or III). Among benign tumours, only schwannomas and chondromas were positive in > 30% of cases. Positive normal tissues included lymphocytes, multinucleated histiocytes, keratinocytes, adnexal glands, hepatocytes and basal cells of respiratory mucosa. Conclusion hTERT expression is significantly more common in sarcomas as compared with benign tumours. Restriction of hTERT expression to high grade lesions, and its absence in low grade sarcomas (including the welldifferentiated component of dedifferentiated liposarcoma), suggests that telomerase activation is a late event in sarcoma progression. Importantly, however, hTERT can be expressed in some benign tumours, notably schwannoma and chondroma, and it is doubtful that hTERT expression alone will allow the discrimination of benign from malignant soft tissue/bone tumours. Importantly, hTERT expression is often only focal and its identification may require careful evaluation of an entire section, suggesting that this technique is best applied to whole sections, rather than tissue microarrays.
Symplectic Nonlinear Component Analysis

Statistically independent features can be extracted by finding a factorial representation of a signal distribution. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) accomplishes this for linear correlated and Gaussian distributed signals. Independent Component Analysis (ICA), formalized by Comon (1994), extracts features in the case of linear statistical dependent but not necessarily Gaussian distributed signals. Nonlinear Component Analysis finally should find a factorial representation for nonlinear statistical dependent distributed signals. This paper proposes for this task a novel feed-forward, information conserving, nonlinear map - the explicit symplectic transformations. It also solves the problem of non-Gaussian output distributions by considering single coordinate higher order statistics.
Aridity, activity, and volcanic ash agriculture: A study of short‐term prehistoric cultural‐ecological dynamics

Archaeologists working in north‐central Arizona have found it an ideal area to test hypotheses about culture and environment relationships because of the region's comparatively high aridity and abundant archaeological sites. One of the most interesting cases involves the reactions of prehistoric farmers to the eruptions of Sunset Crater that began in AD 1064. Previous attempts to interpret post‐eruptive patterns of land‐use were hampered by spotty archaeological surveys and unwarranted assumptions about the meaning of high site densities. We present a new model based on the analysis of 2,397 archaeological sites recorded during the intensive inventory survey of Wupatki National Monument. Results suggest that post‐eruptive prehistoric farming strategies, which shifted from extensive to intensive, promoted permanent ecological degradation of the Wupatki landscape after only about 120 years.
The Distribution and Enforcement of Air Polluting Facilities in New Jersey

This study examines the spatial distribution and enforcement of air polluting facilities in the state of New Jersey, as listed in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Aerometric Information Retrieval System. Results show that air-polluting facilities tend to concentrate near minority neighborhoods, although this relationship is partially explained by factors of population density, manufacturing employment, and land use. Other results suggest that facilities in areas with a relatively high percentage of minority population tend to have a weaker record of environmental enforcement as compared to other facilities. Of the socioeconomic variables considered, employment in manufacturing appears to be the most strongly related to environmental enforcement.
Regulation of CD8+ regulatory T cells: Interruption of the NKG2A–Qa-1 interaction allows robust suppressive activity and resolution of autoimmune disease

Regulation of autoreactive CD4 T cells is essential to maintain self-tolerance and prevent autoimmune disease. Although CD8 T regulatory (Treg) cells that recognize self-peptides restricted by Qa-1 (HLA-E in humans) inhibit autoreactive CD4 cells and attenuate experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), the mechanism of this interaction is unclear. We generated Qa-1 mutant knock-in mice that impair Qa-1 binding to the T cell receptor (TCR) and CD94/NKG2A receptors. Analysis of these mice showed that TCR-dependent recognition of Qa-1-peptide complexes on target CD4 cells is essential for suppression by CD8 Treg cells. Further analysis revealed that genetic disruption of the Qa-1-CD94/NKG2A interaction unleashes robust CD8 Treg cell activity that completely abolishes development of EAE.
Dual frequency coplanar strip dipole antenna

The paper presents a novel coplanar waveguide (CPW) fed coplanar strip (CPS) dipole antenna which operates at dual frequencies. The transition from CPW to CPS is accomplished with the use of a wideband balun which exhibits less than 1 dB insertion loss up to 4.8 GHz. Return loss data for a single frequency CPS dipole is presented in addition to data showing the two resonant frequencies of the dual frequency CPS dipole antenna. The antenna patterns for both the single and dual frequency antennas were measured and found to be virtually identical. >
The Slaughterhouse, Social Disorganization, and Violent Crime in Rural Communities

Scholars in nonhuman animal studies and criminology have argued that more attention should be paid to the violence sanctioned by society, that of animal slaughter for industrial food production. Slaughterhouses and the communities surrounding these facilities present ideal sites for investigating how the violence of nonhuman animal slaughter work impacts individuals and society. The main research questions addressed in this study were whether the presence of a slaughterhouse in a rural community had an effect on violent crime arrest rates and what impact these facilities have on social disorganization in the community. Previous research on slaughterhouse communities has established a correlation between slaughterhouse employment and violent crime. This research examined the relationship between the presence of a slaughterhouse in the community and violent crime rates. Findings indicated that the location of a slaughterhouse in a county was associated with increases in the total arrest rate, arrests for rape, and arrests for offenses against the family in comparison to counties without a slaughterhouse, pointing to a relationship between the violence of killing nonhuman animals and violence towards humans.
The importance of armed conflict to Desert Locust control, 1986-2002

Abstract In Africa and Asia in recent years (1986 to 2002), repeated outbreaks and plagues of the desert locust, Schistocerca gregaria (Forskal), have prompted the international community, through early intervention, to focus on preventing plague status from being reached. The relative lack of applied research breakthroughs on desert locust monitoring and control, means that for preventive or proactive control, direct access to the breeding areas is essential for both operations so that conventional, short-residual pesticides can be applied to gregarizing or fully gregarious populations. There are a number of challenges to desert locust survey and control as it is currently practiced: these include lack of funding and training, weak regional organizations, and remote and rugged terrain in breeding areas. The most intractable challenge to overcome, and arguably the chief cause for desert locust outbreaks to develop without suppressive interventions to plague status, is armed conflict, especially in countri...
Expression of Usherin in the Anthozoan Nematostella vectensis

The transmembrane splice variant of usherin is concentrated in the ankle-link complex of stereocilia in the vertebrate cochlea. Mutations in this variant can result in Usher Syndrome, or congenital deafblindness. In order to study the phylogenetically conserved features of this protein, two adjacent putative genes encoding predicted proteins similar to the amino and carboxy halves of vertebrate usherin were identified in the genome of the anthozoan Nematostella vectensis. RT-PCR was used to show that transcripts encoding each predicted protein are expressed during development, and that both predicted proteins are in fact encoded on the same gene. Thus, anthozoan usherin has a domain organization identical to the transmembrane variant of vertebrate usherin, with a laminin N-terminal domain, 10 epidermal growth factor-like domains, four fibronectin-type III domains, two laminin G domains, 28 additional fibronectin-type III domains, a transmembrane domain, and a short intracellular domain. Usherin is express...
Treatment of ADHD: Effect of Methylphenidate on Inattention during Driving

Investigators at Utrecht University, the Netherlands; and centers in Australia and Detroit, MI, evaluated the lapses of attention during on-road highway driving in 18 adult ADHD patients during treatment with methylphenidate (MPH) or placebo.
Fatigue Crack Initiation Analysis of Roller Bearing Using Multiscale modeling

A multicale modeling is developed to study fatigue crack initiation on roller bearing. At the nanoscale, molecular dynamics simulations of confined n-alkanes are performed to calculate the friction of coefficient of iron surface in the presence of lubrication. Then, the finite element method is used to conduct fatigue analysis of roller bearing at the macroscale. The fatigue crack initiation life and the position of the initial crack are estimated.
Projection and Policy Analysis on Population and Households Aging in 21 Century in Eastern,Middle and Western Regions of China

This study presents the projection and policy analysis on population and households aging in 21 century in Eastern,Middle and Western Regions of China.The results show that,if the age pattern that almost all rural-urban migrants were young people observed in 2000 census remains unchanged,the Middle region will have the most serious problems of population and households aging,and the next serious aging region is the Eastern part.We suggest a policy of encouraging family migration including old parents from rural to urban area in order to void the over-aging problems in rural areas.We also suggest a regionally differentiated smooth transition to a universal two-child fertility policy.
The Evaluation and Analysis of the General Urban Ecosystem: A Case Study in 11 Cities of Hebei Province

General urban ecosystem is one huge and complicated system. Evaluating ecological security is providing the theoretical supporting for stable and healthy development of cities. This article improves the evaluation system constructed by the analytic hierarchy process and establishes the calculation formula of combined weights. And 11 cities in Hebei Province that are set for examples are calculated and analyzed by means of this new established system. According to the results of the analysis, the weak action of industrialization to urbanization, the low level of industrial intensive, the obvious contradiction between the supply and demand of resources, the serious pollution of urban, the slow development of cycle economic, all of these are main reasons of rather unsafe of general urban ecosystem in Hebei.
Testing the Feasibility of Fidelity Evaluation in a Multisite, Multiprogram Initiative

ABSTRACTMonitoring fidelity of implementation is a critical task when initiating evidence-based programs. This pilot study sought to identify best practices in a fidelity monitoring process and determine the feasibility of continuing a fidelity monitoring process with a multisite, multiprogram initiative. A fidelity log was created for each of 11 curricula, and data were entered online directly by educators. Analysis included 173 fidelity logs representing five curricula; qualitative and quantitative data were analyzed. Overall fidelity scores were promising and results indicate that fidelity monitoring in such a large program is feasible and was generally well-received by participants.
Is there an Embryo-Fetal Exogenous Sex Steroid Exposure Syndrome (Efesses)? * †

A survey of all outpatient cases referred for genetic counseling during a 10-month period has revealed a history of preconceptional and early gestational exposure to maternally administered sex hormones in 16 of 91 instances. Particular interest was aroused by 9 of these 16 cases, all of whom were children with dysmorphic features, no cytogenetic anomalies by Giemsa banding studies, and no recognizable clinical diagnosis. Similarities among them were striking and consisted of varying combinations of the following features: moderate growth retardation; mild to severe mental retardation; facial elongation with frontal bossing; primary telecanthus and downward-slanting palpebral fissures; broad, flat, nose bridge and pug nose; pouting lower lip and blunt, square chin; umbilical eversion; deep sacral pit; and, in males, moderate to severe external genital anomalies ranging from mild hypospadias to genital ambiguity. This may suggest the existence of an embryo-fetal exogenous sex steroid exposure syndrome.
Bulimia and major affective disorder: experience with 105 patients

Several lines of evidence suggest that bulimia - the syndrome of compulsive binge-eating - may be related to major affective disorder. First, high rates of major affective disorder have been found both among bulimic patients and their relatives. Second, neuroendocrine abnormalities, similar to those found in major affective disorder, have been reported in bulimia. Finally, several antidepressant medications have been shown to be effective in the treatment of bulimia.To investigate further the relationship between bulimia and major affective disorder, we evaluated 105 consecutive patients (101 women, 4 men), meeting DSM III criteria for bulimia, referred to our center, for the following: (1) rates of current or past major affective disorder and other psychiatric disorders, by DSM III criteria, using the NIMH Diagnostic Interview Schedule (n = 105); (2) family history of psychiatric disorders among first-degree relatives, by DSM III criteria (n = 101); (3) response to the 1 mg oral overnight dexamethasone suppression test (DST) with postdexamethasone plasma cortisol level measured at 16 00 h (n = 43); and (4) response to open trials of antidepressant medications, front several different classes - particularly tricyclic antidepressants, monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors, and trazodone (n = 50).The results of these studies were as follows: (1) the bulimic patients displayed a 77% lifetime prevalence rate of major affective disorder by DSM III criteria; (2) the morbid risk for major affective disorder among the firstdegree relatives of the bulimic probands was 0.29, similar to the 0.19 morbid risk found among the first-degree relatives of 40 probands with bipolar disorder, but significantly higher than the 0.03 morbid risk found among the first-degree relatives of 46 schizophrenic probands (P<0.001); (3) the bulimic patients showed a 40% rate of nonsuppression to the DST (16 00 h postdexamethasone plasma cortisol Level≥5.0 mcg/dl), significantly higher than the 9% rate of nonsuppression found among 22 normal control subjects (P<0.02); and (4) after one or more trials of antidepressant medications, 38% of the bulimic patients achieved a remission of symptoms (cessation of bingeeating episodes), 34% achieved a marked response (75-99% reduction in the frequency of binge-eating episodes), 16% achieved a moderate response (50-74% reduction in the frequency of binge-eating episodes), and 12% had no response (less than a 50% reduction in the frequency of binge-eating episodes).Thus, on each of the four indices evaluated, patients with bulimia were similar to patients with major affective disorder, but were distinguishable from patients with other psychiatric disorders and from normal Controls. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that bulimia may be closely related to major affective disorder.
Consideration, Clinical Features and Differential Diagnosis of Institutional Neurosis

This chapter describes institutional neurosis as a disease characterized by apathy, lack of initiative, loss of interest more marked in things and events not immediately personal or present, submissiveness, and sometimes no expression of feelings of resentment at harsh or unfair orders. There is also a lack of interest in the future and an apparent inability to make practical plans for it, deterioration in personal habits, a loss of individuality, and a resigned acceptance that things will go on as they are. Occasionally, the passive, submissive cooperation of the patient is punctuated by aggressive episodes that are casually attributed to mental illness but which are often provoked by some unkindness from another patient, a hospital employee, or visitors. It may be argued that the fact that treatment causes the disappearance of some of the symptoms ascribed to institutional neurosis is an insufficient evidence to justify formulating a disease entity. However, there is supporting evidence that suggests that a similar set of symptoms is sometimes found in people without mental disorders in other institutions.
A Burning Issue: Firing Temperatures and the Production of Late Bronze Age Pottery from Tarsus-Gözlükule, Turkey

Abstract Although ceramic pyrotechnology is a critical component of pottery production, archaeometric studies rarely integrate firing practices into discussions of the organization of pottery manufacture. The primary obstacles to such studies are the limited range and accuracy of many analytical methods, small sample populations, and observed variation within a single firing. We posit in this study that a robust sampling strategy paired with magnetic susceptibility, which has been shown to be an accurate means of estimating maximum firing temperatures, can identify patterns in ceramic pyrotechnology explainable in terms of production strategy. In our case study we analyze Late Bronze IIA pottery from Tarsus-Gozlukule in southern Turkey. The data indicate that the potters consistently fired their pottery to two different maximum temperatures. It is suggested that these two maximum temperatures may have been the result of either the use of two different firing structures or the seasonal exploitation of different fuels.
Asymmetrically Functionalized Antibody-Gold Nanoparticle Conjugates to Form Stable Antigen-Assembled Dimers.

Biomolecular assays based on the aggregation of modified gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) have been developed to provide low detection limits and rapid results with a simple one-step, wash-free procedure. However, a relatively narrow dynamic range, low sensitivity, and poor precision due to time-sensitive readout limit the application of these assay platforms. In this work we synthesized asymmetrically functionalized antibody–AuNP conjugates that are rationally designed to overcome the limitations of aggregation-based immunoassays. Solid-phase synthesis was used to chemically passivate the majority of the AuNP surface and restrict antibody immobilization into a small area of the AuNP surface. These asymmetric conjugates assembled into dimers with the addition of antigen and were stable for over 24 h. In contrast, conventional antibody–AuNP conjugates which are symmetrically modified with antibody assembled into large aggregates that continuously increased in size with the addition of target antigen. These resul...
A Novel Mechanism for Improving Performance and Security of TCP Flows over Satellite Links

Satellite based broadband networks are gaining importance due to their distance insensitivity and high bandwidth availability. Although it is possible to transmit internet traffic through satellite network, it has been observed that many of the IP related protocols (especially transmission control protocol) do not perform well in the Satellite environment due to the high latency and variable round trip time (RTT) offered by the satellite network. Some of the researchers have suggested using performance enhancement proxies (PEP) at strategic locations to improve the transmission control protocol (TCP) performance over the satellite network. However usage of end-to-end security mechanism like IPSec affects the PEP's functioning as the encryption mechanisms generally hide the TCP header information along with the data from intermediate nodes. While other approaches suggest either establishing multiple security associations or sacrificing end-to-end security by using less secure mechanisms like Secure Shell (SSL) or Transport Layer Security (TLS), the authors of this paper propose a simpler solution for PEP and end-to-end security coexistence. The proposed solution achieves the coexistence of PEP and end-to-end security with minimal overhead as compared to the solutions proposed by other researchers. Initial analysis carried out by the authors indicates a significant overhead reduction and performance improvement in the proposed solution as compared to the other approaches.
Amphiphilic Cross-Linked Liquid Crystalline Fluoropolymer-Poly(ethylene glycol) Coatings for Application in Challenging Conditions: Comparative Study between Different Liquid Crystalline Comonomers and Polymer Architectures

Linear and hyperbranched poly(ethylene glycol)-cross-linked amphiphilic fluoropolymer networks comprised of different liquid crystalline comonomers were developed and evaluated as functional coatings in extreme weather-challenging conditions. Through variation of the liquid-crystalline comonomer and hydrophilic:hydrophobic component ratios, several series of coatings were synthesized and underwent a variety of analyses including differential scanning calorimetry, water contact angle measurements and solution stability studies in aqueous media. These materials maintained an unprecedented reduction in the free water melting transition (Tm) temperature across the hyperbranched and linear versions. The coatings synthesized from hyperbranched fluoropolymers preserved the liquid crystalline character of the mesogenic components, as seen by polarized optical microscopy, and demonstrated stability in saltwater aqueous environments and in cold weather conditions.
Labelling Facial Affect in Context in Adults with and without TBI.

Recognition of facial affect has been studied extensively in adults with and without traumatic brain injury (TBI), mostly by asking examinees to match basic emotion words to isolated faces. This method may not capture affect labelling in everyday life when faces are in context and choices are open-ended. To examine effects of context and response format, we asked 148 undergraduate students to label emotions shown on faces either in isolation or in natural visual scenes. Responses were categorised as representing basic emotions, social emotions, cognitive state terms, or appraisals. We used students’ responses to create a scoring system that was applied prospectively to five men with TBI. In both groups, over 50% of responses were neither basic emotion words nor synonyms, and there was no significant difference in response types between faces alone vs. in scenes. Adults with TBI used labels not seen in students’ responses, talked more overall, and often gave multiple labels for one photo. Results suggest benefits of moving beyond forced-choice tests of faces in isolation to fully characterise affect recognition in adults with and without TBI.
Patterns of care and impact of brachytherapy boost utilization for squamous cell carcinoma of the base of tongue in a large, national cohort.

Abstract Purpose The National Cancer Data Base was analyzed to evaluate the patterns of care and impact of brachytherapy (BT) boost on overall survival (OS) for patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the base of tongue. Methods and Materials Patients with nonmetastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the base of tongue between 2004 and 2012 who received concurrent external beam radiation therapy (EBRT) and chemotherapy with or without BT boost in the definitive setting were queried. Overall survival was assessed by the Kaplan-Meier method. Cox regression analysis was used to identify covariates that affected OS. Results There were 15,934 patients included in this study; 137 (0.9%) received EBRT + BT and the remaining received EBRT only. Median followup was 41.2 months. The utilization of BT boost declined from 2.1% in 2004 to 0.2% in 2012 (p Conclusions Brachytherapy boost has decreased in its utilization even though it was associated with favorable survival outcomes particularly among patients with higher T-stage tumors.
All that glitters is not gold: A case of lanthanum carbonate aspiration.

Introduction:Foreign body aspiration is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in elderly hospitalized patients. These are typically small items that patients have access to, including smal...
Peripheral Neuropathies of Childhood

This article has provided a brief overview of the most common inherited and acquired peripheral nerve diseases encountered in childhood. The diagnostic approach of peripheral neuropathies in children often relies on some combination of careful history taking, physical examination findings, a careful determination of family history, electrodiagnostic studies, molecular genetic studies, sural nerve biopsy, and occasionally metabolic laboratory studies. Although pediatric mononeuropathies may have different causes than those observed in adults, the clinical presentations, diagnostic evaluation, and management of mononeuropathies are frequently similar in adults and children. Encouraging progress is being made in the management of acute inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (AIDP), which is the most common acquired neuropathy of childhood. Rapid advances in molecular genetics over the past decade have had a significant impact on our diagnostic approach to hereditary motor sensory neuropathy in particular. In the future it is likely that the sequencing of genes, characterization of protein structure and function, and further elucidation of pathophysiology will have significant impacts on the treatment of many inherited peripheral neuropathies of childhood.
Incidentally Detected Bilateral Adrenal Nodules in Patients Without Cancer: Is Further Workup Necessary?

OBJECTIVE. The purpose of this study was to determine the rate of malignancy in incidentally detected bilateral adrenal masses in patients with no known history of cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS. A ...
Scratch memories: a visualization tool for children to celebrate and reflect on their creative trajectories

This paper introduces Scratch Memories --- a new data-driven web-based system that empowers children to celebrate and reflect on their creative journey with Scratch, an online community for programming and sharing interactive projects. The system dynamically generates personalized visualizations in the form of a video, highlighting a user's key moments, diverse creations, and collaborative experiences in the community. Existing tools for visualizing children's progress in computational learning are primarily designed for educators, and often focus exclusively on evaluating specific concepts in individual projects. The goal of Scratch Memories is to present a new approach towards designing positive reflective experiences that value the full range of children's contributions as members of a creative community. I highlight the key design principles and iterative development process. Based on semi-structured interviews with 14 children ages 10--18 years, and observations from testing the system at two public events, I describe how Scratch Memories not only sparked children to reflect on their personal trajectories, but also to express motivation towards increasing their participation.
Thermal protective clothing

Publisher Summary This chapter reviews some of the major concepts and mechanisms used to investigate, characterize, assess, and enhance the performance of total protective clothing (TPC) in extremely hot or fire-prone environments. First, the major fabric materials used as outer shells for TPC are reviewed, and then the various stages of the exposure process are described. The major testing methods, evaluation tools, and computing models are also discussed, including the associated thermal sensors and burn damage evaluation schemes. Heat effects on the dermal layers of the skin and the modeling of human skin burn injuries is presented. There is no extensive numerical/empirical modeling of thermal mechanisms in TPC when exposed to intense heat sources because of its complexity. Most of the existing models are based on simplified, steady state, one-dimensional heat transfer processes that can be assessed in a bench-top thermal protective performance (TPP) evaluation environment. A calorimeter- type sensor, such as the TPP sensor, which tracks the heat flux trough the TPC fabric, has a copper disk of a considerable size that disturb the thermal balance during heat flux measurement.
Ring-Resonator-Based Sub-THz Dielectric Sensor

This letter presents a design, fabrication, and measurement of a ring-resonator-based subterahertz (sub-THz) dielectric sensor. The sensor consists of a ring-resonator-based notch filter, a sub-THz dielectric waveguide (DWG), and a pair of transitions from the microstrip line to the DWG. With low-loss and high permittivity silicon, the detected relative permittivity for materials is at the range of 1–11.9.
ADVANCE CARE PLANNING AMONG ETHNIC/RACIAL MINORITY OLDER ADULTS USING NATIONAL HEALTH AGING AND TRENDS SURVEY

Given the increasing number ethnic minority older adults in the U.S., there is a growing attention toward their engagement in advance care planning (ACP) because of its positive effects on the quality of end-life care. The purpose of the study was to describe and identify factors affecting engagement in three different types of ACP such as informal talk, living will (LW), and durable power of attorney for health care (DPAH) among ethnic minority older adults. Data was drawn from the second wave of the National Health Aging and Trends Survey. A total of 543 older adults who identified themselves as an ethnic/racial minority and completed the questions about ACP were included in our study. The descriptive results showed the highest level of engagement in informal talk (60%) compared to LW (26.5%) and DPAH (30%). Informal talks happened mostly with adult children (57.7%) and they were frequently designated as surrogate decision makers (70.7%). Multivariate logistic regression analyses revealed that a higher level of education and greater preference toward life-sustaining treatment were associated with all three types of ACP engagement. Ethnicity (Non-Hispanic others compared to blacks), multimorbidity, and being born in the U.S. were associated with informal talk. Marital status (Married compared to never married) was related to LW completion whereas interview language (English) was associated with DPAH completion. These findings indicate that informal talk, LW, and DPAH may have different facilitators and barriers, suggesting the necessity of developing targeted strategies to promote each type of ACP for ethnic minority older adults.
Interannual variations of water vapor in the tropical upper troposphere and the lower and middle stratosphere and their connections to ENSO and QBO

Abstract. In this study, we analyze the Aura Microwave Limb Sounder water vapor data in the tropical upper troposphere and the lower and middle stratosphere (UTLMS) (from 215 to 6 hPa) for the period from August 2004 to September 2017 using time-lag regression analysis and composite analysis to explore the interannual variations of tropical UTLMS water vapor and their connections to El Nino–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) and quasi-biennial oscillation (QBO). Our analysis shows that the interannual tropical UTLMS water vapor anomalies are strongly related to ENSO and QBO which together can explain more than half ( ∼ 50 %–60 %) but not all variance of the interannual tropical water vapor anomalies. We find that ENSO's impact is strong in the upper troposphere ( ∼ 215– ∼ 120 hPa) and near the tropopause ( ∼ 110– ∼ 90 hPa), with a ∼ 3-month lag but weak in the lower and middle stratosphere ( ∼ 80 to ∼ 6 hPa). In contrast, QBO's role is large in the lower and middle stratosphere, with an upward-propagating signal starting at the tropopause (100 hPa) with a ∼ 2-month lag, peaking in the middle stratosphere near 15 hPa with a ∼ 21-month lag. The phase lag is based on the 50 hPa QBO index used by many previous studies. This observational evidence supports that the QBO's impact on the tropical stratospheric water vapor is from its modulation on the tropical tropopause temperature and then transported upward with the tape recorder as suggested by many previous studies. In the upper troposphere, ENSO is more important than QBO for the interannual tropical water vapor anomalies that are positive during the warm ENSO phases but negative during the cold ENSO phases. Near the tropopause, both ENSO and QBO are important for the interannual tropical water vapor anomalies. Warm ENSO phase and westerly QBO phase tend to cause positive water vapor anomalies, while cold ENSO phase and easterly QBO phase tend to cause negative water vapor anomalies. As a result, the interannual tropical water vapor anomalies near the tropopause are different depending on different ENSO and QBO phase combinations. In the lower and middle stratosphere, QBO is more important than ENSO for the interannual tropical water vapor anomalies. For the westerly QBO phases, interannual tropical water vapor anomalies are positive near the tropopause and in the lower stratosphere but negative in the middle stratosphere and positive again above. Vice versa for the easterly QBO phases.
Nematodes and Nematologists of Michigan

Michigan farms produce more than 300 different commodities. These contribute $13 billion to the overall food and agriculture industry (MDARD, Facts about Michigan agriculture. https://www.michigan.gov/mdard/0,4610,7-125-1572-7775%2D%2D,00.html, 2017). They include agronomic crops, fruit, vegetables and ornamentals. In addition, Michigan has the largest state forest system in the USA. There are three national forests and more than eight hundred thousand hectares of private forest land. Plant parasitic nematodes are known to be associated with the vast majority, if not all of Michigan agricultural and forest systems. In addition, the roles of bacterial and fungal feeding nematodes have been documented. This would not have been possible without the diversity of nematologists that have studied the nematodes of Michigan. The objectives of this chapter are to: (1) summarize the history of Michigan nematology, (2) document the occurrence and distribution of plant parasitic nematode taxa known to be present in Michigan, (3) describe Michigan’s contributions to understanding their biology and ecology and (4) outline the history and current state of integrated nematode management in the state.
Abstract 278: Developmental Contractile Function Modulates Notch1b-Mediated Valvular Leaflet Development

Cardiac valve formation is a complex process affected by blood flow, but the mechanotransduction mechanisms underlying valvulogenesis remain incompletely understood. Using four-dimensional (4-D) li...