cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Tolerance theory of large antennas

The design of an antenna calls for definite amplitudes and phases of the currents, but when the antenna has been constructed and adjusted, there will be departures from the design currents because of several factors. The customary procedure of taking radiation patterns and making the final adjustments semi-empirically has usually been satisfactory, but two difficulties have been setting in with the trend towards large antennas of high gain. First, it is impossible to measure the radiation pattern of the largest existing antennas; even the determination of single sections through the pattern or the gain in one direction presents difficulty. Second, the adjustments themselves are more laborious on larger antennas. It is therefore very desirable that the theory of antenna tolerances should be pursued so that the effect of departures can be taken into account, statistically or otherwise, during the design. This paper considers the effects of systematic and random errors on the radiation pattern of antennas representable by a field distribution over an aperture, such as paraboloidal reflectors and large arrays of small elements. In the case of paraboloids, the deterioration in directivity is found to depend on the mean square departure of the surface from the paraboloid of best weighted least-squares fit and on the two-dimensional autocorrelation function of the departure. The variation of directivity with wavelength of a particular paraboloid is deduced by leaving out of account those two-dimensional Fourier components of the departure with spatial periods less than a wavelength. Practical steps are considered for unifying testing, adjusting, and design so as to lead to the greatest relaxation of the mechanical tolerances imposed on construction.
Learning in an immersive digital theater

Abstract The Houston Museum of Natural Science, in collaboration with Rice University has an outreach program taking portable digital theaters to schools and community sites for over five years and has conducted research on student learning in this immersive environment. By using an external independent evaluator, the effectiveness of NASA-funded Education and Public Outreach (EPO) projects can be assessed. This paper documents interactive techniques and learning strategies in full-dome digital theaters. The presentation is divided into Evaluation Strategies and Results and Interactivity Strategies and Results. All learners from grades 3–12 showed statistically significant short-term increase in knowledge of basic Earth science concepts after a single 22-min show. Improvements were more significant on items that were taught using more than one modality of instruction: hearing, seeing, discussion, and immersion. Thus immersive theater can be an effective as well as engaging teaching method for Earth and Space science concepts, particularly those that are intrinsically three-dimensional and thus most effectively taught in an immersive environment. The portable system allows taking the educational experience to rural and tribal sites where the underserved students could not afford the time or expense to travel to museums.
Improving mechanical stiffness of coated benzocyclobutene (BCB) based neural implant

We briefly report recent results of a simple alternate method to improve mechanical stiffness of BCB polymer neural implant for surgical insertion into brain tissue, which uses coatings dissolvable in bio-fluids. We have studied three different coating materials such as thermo-reversible gel Poloxamer 407, glucose (C/sub 6/H/sub 12/O/sub 6/) and regular table sugar that were applied by dip coating onto the implant surface. The preliminary results of this study have shown that coating BCB probes with Poloxamer 407 polymer, a thermo-reversible gel, or table sugar significantly improves the buckling strength. However, the table sugar coating provides the greatest increase in stiffness, which is sufficient to penetrate both the preserved and live brain tissues without buckling.
A clinical flow cytometric biomarker strategy: validation of peripheral leukocyte phospholipidosis using Nile red

Phospholipidosis, or intracellular accumulation of phospholipids, is caused by specific classes of xenobiotics. This phenomenon represents a challenge for risk assessment that could benefit from the use of biomarkers in the clinical development of new drug candidates. Flow cytometry, coupled with the lipophilic fluoroprobe Nile red, was correlated to histopathology, electron microscopy and inorganic phosphorus detection to validate the utility of this method for monitoring phospholipidosis in peripheral blood leukocytes. Replicate studies with model test compounds were conducted in which F344 rats were given 4 or 7 doses of either maprotiline hydrochloride, imipramine hydrochloride, tilorone dihydrochloride, amikacin hydrate or vehicle control. Transmission electron and light microscopy were used to examine peripheral blood smears and tissue samples for the presence of cytoplasmic vacuoles. Unstained and Nile red stained lysed peripheral blood samples were acquired for analysis using a FACScan flow cytometer. Inorganic phosphorus concentration in the liver was determined from extracted phospholipids and compared with flow cytometry and histological data. It was demonstrated that flow cytometric analysis of Nile red stained lysed whole blood can be used to detect drug-induced phospholipid accumulation in circulating peripheral leukocytes. Furthermore, clinically detectable leukocyte phospholipidosis may be a useful surrogate for coincident or premonitory detection of target organ phospholipidosis.
Image Denoising Using FIR Filters Designed with Evolution Strategies

Images are often corrupted by noise due to various factors during their acquisition and transmission phases. Image denoising is aimed to remove the noise as well as preserving image features as much as possible. This paper presents an adaptive image denosing method using FIR (finite impulse response) filters. The FIR filter coefficients are optimized by using evolution strategies algorithm in which the FIR coefficients are evolved through crossover and mutation operations. Simulations demonstrate that it can efficiently remove the noise, and thus, significantly improve the visual quality of the degraded image. In terms of PSNR, it outperforms the comparable methods considered in the simulations.
Applying area-under-the-curve analysis to enhance interpretation of response profiles: an application to sleep quality scores in patients with fibromyalgia

Purpose To introduce an application of area-under-the-curve (AUC) that can enrich interpretation of response analysis and illustrate this method on sleep quality scores in patients with fibromyalgia.
Federal Environmental Regulation Impacts on Local Economic Growth and Stability

Federal environmental regulations under the Clean Air Act affect employment as local economies respond to a changing regulatory environment. We analyze the net employment growth and employment stability effects of Clean Air Act regulations, characterizing responses in these key indicators of local economic development. Using nationwide longitudinal county data from 1980 through 2005, we find that enhanced employment stability is associated with nonattainment areas for total suspended particulates (TSP) and 1-hour ozone; negative employment growth is found in TSP and carbon monoxide nonattainment areas, whereas positive employment growth for counties is found in 1-hour ozone and sulfur dioxide nonattainment areas. Also, regulatory effects persist after attainment status has been regained for TSP and transitory persistence is seen after regaining attainment status for 1-hour ozone.
Significant effect of grain size distribution on compaction rates in granular aggregates

We investigate the role of pressure solution in deformation of upper- to mid-crustal rocks using aggregates of halite as a room temperature analog for fluid-assisted deformation processes in the Earth's crust. Experiments evaluate the effects of initial grain size distribution on macroscopic pressure solution rate of the aggregate and compare the results to theoretical models for pressure solution. We find that the grain size exponent deviates significantly from the theoretical value of 3 for diffusion-controlled pressure solution. Models typically assume mono-dispersed spherical particles in pseudo-regular packing. We infer that the discrepancy between experimentally determined grain size exponents and the theoretical values are a result of deviation of experimental (and natural) samples from regular packs of mono-dispersed spherical particles. Moreover, we find that compaction rates can vary by up to one order of magnitude as a function of the width of the grain size distribution for a given mean grain size. Wider size distributions allow for higher initial compaction rates, increasing the macroscopic compaction rate with respect to more narrow grain size distributions. Grain sizes in rocks, fault gouges, and hydrocarbon reservoirs are typically log-normal or power law distributed and therefore pressure solution rates may significantly exceed theoretical predictions. Spatiotemporal variations in pressure solution rates due to variations in grain size may cause the formation of low porosity zones, which could potentially focus deformation in these zones and produce pockets of high pore pressures, promoting nucleation of frictional instability and earthquake rupture.
Protein phosphatase 2C-alpha knockdown reduces angiotensin II-mediated skeletal muscle wasting via restoration of mitochondrial recycling and function

Circulating angiotensin II (AngII) is elevated in congestive heart failure (CHF), and leads to skeletal muscle wasting, which is strongly associated with poor patient outcomes. We previously found that AngII upregulates protein phosphatase 2C-alpha (PP2Cα) and dephosphorylates AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), a critical regulator of cellular metabolism, in skeletal muscle. To determine the role of PP2Cα in AngII-induced wasting, gastrocnemius (Gas) muscles of FVB mice were injected with scrambled or PP2Cα siRNA and mice were infused with saline or AngII for 4 days. Knockdown of PP2Cα reduced AngII wasting, blocked AngII upregulation of PP2Cα, increased p-T172-AMPK, and inhibited AngII-mediated reductions in peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ coactivator-1α (PGC-1α), nuclear respiratory factor 1 (NRF1), mitochondrial transcription factor A (TFAM), in complex IV activity, and in ATP levels. AngII impaired the rate of autophagy as determined by a 2.4-fold increase in p62/SQSTM1 (p62) accumulation. This induction was reduced by PP2Cα knockdown, which also increased beclin-1 expression and microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 (LC3)-II conversion in AngII-infused Gas. AngII reduced activating S555 phosphorylation of UNC-51-like kinase 1 (ULK1), a critical regulator of autophagosome formation, and increased inhibitory S757 ULK1 phosphorylation and these effects were prevented by PP2Cα siRNA. AngII inhibited AMPK activity and reduced PGC-1α and TFAM expression (thereby inhibiting mitochondrial biogenesis) and impaired ULK1 activation and autophagy (thereby also inhibiting clearance of damaged mitochondria), resulting in mitochondrial dysfunction, decreased ATP, and wasting. Knockdown of PP2Cα normalized AMPK activity, PGC-1α, NRF1, and TFAM levels and blocked AngII inhibition of ULK1, leading to improved mitochondrial biogenesis/recycling/function, energy production, and inhibition of AngII-induced wasting. These results demonstrate novel effects of AngII on cellular metabolism that are likely critical in mediating the muscle wasting that is a hallmark of CHF.
H Control of Networked Control Systems with Delay and Packet Disordering via Predictive Method

This paper studies the problem of designing robust Hinfin controllers for networked control systems (NCSs) with both network-induced time delay and packet disordering by predictive method. The compensation of time delay and packet disordering is implemented by a buffer in the actuator node and a state predictor in the controller node. By defining a novel deadline when determining which control input should be used, an augmented state equation is presented, and Hinfin controller design is also presented in terms of the feasible solutions of a set of linear matrix inequalities (LMIs). The results are also extended to the observer-based Hinfin controller design. The simulation results illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed compensation method.
How Do Investors Measure Risk

We infer which risk model investors use by looking at their capital allocation decisions. We find that investors adjust for risk using the beta of the Capital Asset Pricing Model (CAPM). Extensions to the CAPM perform poorly, implying that they do not help explain how investors measure risk.
Enhancing Reinforcement Effects of Polymers in Asphalt: An Applied Approach to Solid Waste Disposal

Polyethylene, a recyclable waste which is abundantly available either as virgin off specification material or from solid waste classification processes, was slightly chlorinated to improve its compatibility with asphalt. High density polyethylene, HDPE, and chlorinated polyethylene (CPE) modified asphalts were evaluated using dynamic mechanic analysis (DMA), DSC, and epifluorescence microscopy. The results confirm that CPE’s with low chlorine contents (<15 wt %) are more compatible with asphalt than HDPE. Blends with up to 20% ground vulcanized rubber (both crumb and 200 mesh powder particles) from recycled tires were prepared with asphalt cements of various grades (AC5 – AC30) and evaluated using DMA. Blends produced from powdered rubber particles exhibited Newtonian behavior at high temperatures; similar behavior was not observed with crumb rubber blends. The mechanical properties of asphalt-rubber mixtures depended upon the concentration of rubber additives, the particle dimensions, and the chemical composition of the asphalt. Some asphalts induced excessive swelling of the rubber particles; blends with high temperature viscosities substantially greater than the upper limit of 3 Pa·sec resulted. The dynamic mechanical characteristics of all blends are discussed in terms of G*/sin δ and G″; comparative data are presented according to the new SHRP binder specifications. Constant stress creep and creep recovery of the polymer or rubber asphalt blends proved to be a sensitive measure of the additive content.
Abundance, Density and Relative Abundance: A Conceptual Framework

In the early 1990s, biologists began experimenting with camera traps to estimate the abundance of tigers Panthera tigra in the Nagarahole National Park (Karanth 1995), marking the first time that camera traps were used to sample a wildlife population in a statistically rigorous manner. Since that time, camera traps have been employed for a wide variety of uses in behavioral and ecological studies. Camera trap studies can result in capture histories of species whose members are individually recognizable via distinct natural traits or artificial markings (e.g. radio collars, tags) as well as capture histories of species that are not reliably identified as individuals. In either case, dependent on study objectives, each type of data may be used to estimate population size, species richness, site occupancy or relative abundance indices. In addition, well-designed camera trap studies usually include data on covariates at the sites where the cameras are set. Ideally, covariates are chosen based on their purported influence on abundance or other parameters of interest, including detectability (White 2005). The challenge to biologists is to use these data to the greatest extent possible, to make unbiased inferences about the state of the target wildlife population under investigation.
Effect of G02 on Blood Lactic Acid in Cats.

SummaryInhalation of 20-30% CO2 in oxygen by cats causes a progressive increase in the lactic acid concentration of the blood, due in part to the liberation of adrenalin.
Symmetry constraints on many-body localization

We derive general constraints on the existence of many-body localized (MBL) phases in the presence of global symmetries, and show that MBL is not possible with symmetry groups that protect multiplets (e.g. all non-Abelian symmetry groups). Based on simple representation theoretic considerations, we derive general Mermin-Wagner-type principles governing the possible alternative fates of non-equilibrium dynamics in isolated, strongly disordered quantum systems. Our results rule out the existence of MBL symmetry protected topological phases with non-Abelian symmetry groups, as well as time-reversal symmetry protected electronic topological insulators, and in fact all fermion topological insulators and superconductors in the 10-fold way classification. Moreover, extending our arguments to systems with intrinsic topological order, we rule out MBL phases with non-Abelian anyons as well as certain classes of symmetry enriched topological orders.
Custom and law: The status of enslaved Africans in seventeenth-century Barbados

ABSTRACTThe island of Barbados provides an ideal case study to explore the beginnings of slavery and definitions of slave status in England's early American colonies. Africans and Europeans confronted each other earlier and on a larger scale in Barbados than in any other English colony. By tracing the development of slavery from the colony's settlement in 1627 this article argues that the legitimization or legalization of African slavery and the status of slaves were established in custom long before any slave laws were passed. Focus is on slave status as a point of analysis, implicitly defined by three major features: chattel property, lifetime (or permanent) servitude, and inheritance of slave condition from an enslaved mother. In examining the evidence for these features, the article contends they were part of the culture of the Euro-Atlantic world and English worldview by the time the island was settled. None of the features was ever defined in any law; rather, they were implicit in any Barbados law t...
Optical manipulation of valley pseudospin

Valleys in momentum space provide a degree of freedom that could be exploited for applications. A demonstration of valley pseudospin control now completes the generation–manipulation–detection paradigm, paving the way for valleytronic devices. The coherent manipulation of spin and pseudospin underlies existing and emerging quantum technologies, including quantum communication and quantum computation1,2. Valley polarization, associated with the occupancy of degenerate, but quantum mechanically distinct valleys in momentum space, closely resembles spin polarization and has been proposed as a pseudospin carrier for the future quantum electronics3,4. Valley exciton polarization has been created in the transition metal dichalcogenide monolayers using excitation by circularly polarized light and has been detected both optically5,6,7 and electrically8. In addition, the existence of coherence in the valley pseudospin has been identified experimentally9. The manipulation of such valley coherence has, however, remained out of reach. Here we demonstrate all-optical control of the valley coherence by means of the pseudomagnetic field associated with the optical Stark effect. Using below-bandgap circularly polarized light, we rotate the valley exciton pseudospin in monolayer WSe2 on the femtosecond timescale. Both the direction and speed of the rotation can be manipulated optically by tuning the dynamic phase of excitons in opposite valleys. This study unveils the possibility of generation, manipulation, and detection of the valley pseudospin by coupling to photons.
Calendaring and alarms can improve naturalistic time-based prospective memory for youth infected with HIV

ABSTRACTIndividuals with HIV disease often evidence deficits in prospective memory (PM), which interfere with daily functioning and increase the risk of suboptimal health behaviours. This study examined the benefits of simple encoding and cueing supports on naturalistic time-based PM in 47 HIV-positive young adults. All participants completed a naturalistic time-based PM task in which they were instructed to text the examiner once per day for seven days at a specified time. Participants were randomised into (1) a Calendaring condition in which they created a calendar event in their mobile telephone for the specified texting time; (2) an Alarm condition in which they programmed an alarm into their mobile telephone for the specified texting time; (3) a Combined calendaring and alarm condition; and (4) a Control condition. Participants in the Combined condition demonstrated significantly better naturalistic PM performance than participants in the Control and Calendaring conditions. Findings indicate that HIV...
Using Biomarkers to Monitor Remedial Actions at a Subtidal Estuarine Site Severely Contaminated with Polynuclear Aromatic Hydrocarbons

Extensive scientific evidence indicates that polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and their derivatives are responsible for a variety of serious biological effects in marine fish exposed to such compounds. While much of this information is derived from laboratory studies, there is an increasing body of evidence from field studies supporting these relationships between PAH exposure and biological damage. Several of the most definitive field studies in this regard have been done in Puget Sound, Washington, where one of the most heavily PAH-contaminated sites is Eagle Harbor, on the east side of Bainbridge Island. Studies done by NOAA scientists over the past decade have shown that flatfish residing in Eagle Harbor are at increased risk of developing serious toxicopathic liver diseases, including cancer, and of exhibiting impaired reproductive function and altered physiological responses. The USEPA completed a Remedial Investigation/Feasibility Study, and in December 1991 proposed a phased cleanup of the harbor. In June 1993, under Superfund Removal authority, the USEPA recommended placement of uncontaminated material over the most contaminated area of Eagle Harbor; in late September of 1993 the USEPA began placement of this sediment cap as a means of 1) controlling transport of contaminants; 2) isolating contaminants from marine biota; and 3) providing clean habitat for benthic organisms, thus reducing overall risk of exposure to the contaminants contained in the sediments. This capping process was completed in March 1994, resulting in placement of an approximately three foot thick cap of clean sandy material and associated wood debris over an original area of ca.
Gilpin in the city: The Baltimore stream valley parks

AbstractWalking is an everyday practice that shapes urban space and is shaped by the space in which it occurs. It can create new subjects, new forms of public space and provide alternate readings of the city. This essay examines the significance of walking in the Olmsted Brothers’ 1904 ‘Valley Parks and Parkways’ plan for Baltimore. The transformation of the urban stream valleys into public parks assumed and promoted the concept of recreational walking in a scenic setting, rooted in the tradition of picturesque travel that William Gilpin had popularized in his famous printed tours. The Olmsted Brothers’ 1904 plan gave value to previously overlooked natural corridors and new legibility to the city’s natural systems. Rural scenic values were embraced as part of a larger urban vision. The Baltimore plan illustrates the key role of the landscape in the emergence of comprehensive planning principles, and how it shaped_and was shaped by_everyday social practices.
Imaging Strategies for Localization of ACTH-Secreting Tumors

The causes of ACTH-dependent Cushing’s syndrome include corticotrope tumors that secrete ACTH (Cushing’s disease) and tumors outside the pituitary gland that secrete ACTH “ectopically” (Ectopic ACTH secretion). Since pituitary tumors are much more common, imaging usually begins with a pituitary MRI. The specific protocol used for the study influences the ability to identify a tumor, but even the best protocols do not identify more than 80 % of these tumors.
The Ecological Theater and the Evolutionary Play

Humans as biological organisms must operate within the basic laws of thermodynamics. But starting with Ludwig Boltzmann in the 1880s, many great thinkers have delved more deeply to see that life itself, and all of biology, is essentially about obtaining and using energy. In other words, all of life is about making energy investments to gain more energy with the expectation of continuing their own life and sending genes into the future. To this end, I propose the iron law of evolution: organisms must extract more energy by exploiting their environment than they expend doing so. This expenditure includes the energy costs of maintenance metabolism, adaptation to environmental exigencies, resource exploitation, and reproduction.
Discontinuities of the quantum Fisher information and the Bures metric

We show that two quantities in quantum metrology that were thought to be the same, the quantum Fisher information matrix and the Bures metric, are not the same. They differ at points at which the rank of the density matrix changes. The quantum Fisher information matrix is discontinuous at these points. However, these discontinuities are removable in some sense. We show that the expression given by the Bures metric represents the continuous version of the quantum Fisher information matrix. We also derive an explicit formula for the Bures metric for both singular and nonsingular density matrices.
Hydrodynamics of Drop Impact and Spray Cooling through Nanofiber Mats

Spray cooling is one of the effective technologies has been promised for the thermal management of microelectronic systems and server rooms. The focus of this research is to increase the heat flux rate from a hot surface by applying a metal-coated electrospun polymer nanofiber mat. Samples were prepared from copper plate substrate coated with electrospun polymer nanofiber mat and electroplated with one of three different metals: nickel, copper and silver. Experiments were performed in which samples were subjected to impacting water droplets from a height of 17.95cm at various temperatures. The behaviors of droplet impact and subsequent evaporation were observed in order to evaluate and compare heat transfer characteristics of the different sample types. Silver-plated samples were found to provide the highest heat flux rate, followed by copper and then nickel. However, silver was not usable at higher temperatures due to its tendency to oxidize and degrade easily.
Depression Risk in Young Adults With Juvenile- and Adult-Onset Lupus: Twelve Years of Followup.

Objective. To compare major depression risk among young adults with childhood-onset and adult-onset systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and to determine demographic and health-related predictors of depression. Methods. Young adults with SLE ages 18-45 years (n=546) in the Lupus Outcomes Study completed annual telephone surveys from 2002-2015, including assessment of depression using the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CES-D), and self-report measures of sociodemographics and health characteristics. Childhood-onset SLE (cSLE) was defined as age at diagnosis less than 18 years (N=115). Repeated measures analysis was performed to assess risk for major depression (CES-D≥24) at any point in study, and logistic regression was used to assess for recurrent (present on ≥2 assessments) major depression. Results. Major depression was experienced by 47% of the cohort at least once during the 12-year study period. In adjusted analysis, cSLE patients had an increased risk of major depressive episode (OR 1.7, 95% CI 1.0-2.7) and recurrent episodes (OR 2.2, 95% CI 1.2-4.3), compared to participants with adult-onset SLE. Older age, lower educational attainment and physical function, higher disease activity, and history of smoking were associated with an increased depression risk. cSLE patients had a higher risk of major depression across all educational groups. Conclusion. Young adults with SLE, particularly those with childhood-onset disease, are at high risk for major depression, which is associated with increased disease activity, poorer physical functioning, and lower educational attainment. Early depression intervention in young adults with SLE has the potential to improve both medical and psychosocial outcomes. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Promotion of corneal allograft survival with leflunomide.

PURPOSE: The efficacy of the antirejection drug leflunomide was evaluated in a rat model of penetrating keratoplasty. METHODS: Corneal grafts from inbred Lewis rats were transplanted orthotopically to inbred Wistar-Furth (WF) recipients. WF rats received either Leflunomide (HWA 486), the active metabolite of leflunomide (A77-1726A), or cyclosporin A, administered orally beginning 2 days before transplantation and continuing for 30 days thereafter. Graft survival was assessed clinically three times per week, and mean survival times were determined. RESULTS: Oral administration of either leflunomide or the salt of its active metabolite resulted in a significant prolongation of graft survival time. Moreover, almost one third of the grafts survived for an additional 3 weeks, even after drug treatment was discontinued. CONCLUSION: The results indicate that leflunomide holds considerable promise as an antirejection drug for use in recipients of corneal transplants in whom cyclosporin A and steroids are contraindicated.
Differences in binary gas permeation between inorganic and polymeric membranes

Membrane technology, which has such promising features as high efficiency, low-cost and easiness to scale-up, has gained more and more attention in R&D. Its rapid progress urgently needs new technologies of membrane characterization and evaluation for both gas and liquid applications. There are two popular types of membranes, inorganic and polymeric membranes, in current market. For the true separation process, multicomponent gas mixtures need to be studied through the membrane. Totally different behaviors of binary gas permeation between inorganic carbon molecular sieve (CMS) and polymeric polysulfone (PSF) membranes can be revealed by improved time lag technique. Those differences are dependent of their disparate transport mechanisms.
Effect of cardiometabolic risk factors on the relationship between adiposity and bone mass in girls.

Childhood obesity has been separately associated with cardiometabolic risk factors (CMRs) and increased risk of fracture. However, both augmented and compromised bone mass have been reported among overweight/obese children. Metabolic dysfunction, often co-existing with obesity, may explain the discrepancy in previous studies. The aim of this study was to examine whether the relationship between adiposity and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) derived bone mass differed in young girls with and without CMR(s). Whole-body bone and body composition measures by DXA and measures of CMR (fasting glucose, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), triglyceride (TG), systolic and diastolic blood pressure, waist circumference (WC)) were obtained from 307, 9- to 12-year-old girls. Girls with 1 or ≥ 2 CMR(s) were considered to be at risk (vs. no CMR). Multiple linear regression was used to test the relationship of total fat mass with total body bone mineral content (BMC) after controlling for height, lean mass, CMR risk, and other potential confounders. There was a significant interaction between CMR risk and total body fat mass. When girls were stratified by CMR group, all groups had a significant positive relationship between fat mass and BMC (p 0.05). Fat mass has a positive relationship with BMC even after controlling for lean mass. However, the positive relationship of fat mass with BMC may be attenuated if multiple CMRs are present.
Improving Rates of Early Entry Prenatal Care in an Underserved Population.

Introduction Early prenatal care can improve pregnancy outcomes, reduce complications, and ensure a healthier pregnancy. Unfortunately, many pregnant women do not seek early care. This research provides a framework for improving prenatal care in a low income community-based obstetrics clinic. Methods A multi-disciplinary quality improvement initiative was implemented at a large federally qualified health clinic in Houston, Texas to improve the rate of early entry into prenatal care by identifying barriers through patient surveys, focus groups, stakeholder feedback, and improving processes to reduce these barriers. Results A significant increase in early prenatal care was achieved by redesigning operational and clinical processes to improve access to care, expand patient education and outreach, increase resources, extend hours of operation, and increase presumptive insurance eligibility. Three months post implementation, an increase of 44.5% (p < 0.001) occurred in patients who had a prenatal visit in the first trimester. Patients with early prenatal care had better obstetrical and neonatal outcomes; however, the results were not statistically significant likely due to the small sample size. Discussion This quality improvement project provides various strategies and resources for other community-based clinics to consider when seeking improvement in their rates of early prenatal care.
Glucocorticoid Receptor Cleavage by Leupeptin-Sensitive Enzymes in Rat Kidney Cytosol

The proteolytic origin of small fragments of both the glucocorticoid and mineralocorticoid receptors in rat kidney cytosol was inferred from the effects of leupeptin, a bacterial tripeptide that inhibits many proteases [Sherman, M.R. et al., (1978). Federation Proc. 37:167–173]. In the present study, the smallest fragment of the glucocorticoid receptor containing the steroid-binding site, the mero-receptor,was characterized with respect to the Stokes radius (RS=23±3 A) and the isoelectric point (pI=5.9 at 4°). Chromatography of cytosol labeled with [3H]triamcinolone acetonide on Sephadex LH-20 (Pharmacia) in aqueous buffer resolved the steroid-receptor complex from the unmodified free steroid and from steroid metabolites and contaminants. This technique facilitated analyses of the leupeptin-stabilized receptor form by isoelectric focusing (pI=4.9 at 4°) and centrifugation in glycerol gradients (s20 ,w = 9–11 S in 50 mM KC1). When this large complex in fresh cytosol was analyzed on Agarose (Bio-Rad) at a high flow rate, it had RS≃60 A in 50 mM KC1 and RS≃30 A in 400 mM KC1. These analytical studies with leupeptin indicate the need for inexpensive, irreversible inhibitors of proteolytic enzymes for the purification of intact receptors, holo-receptors from kidney and other tissues. Specific proteases can then be applied to dissect the holo-receptor into the globular mero-receptor, proximal to the steroid-binding site, and the asymmetric region(s), distal segment(s) that may be involved in the nuclear interactions.
Ovary and Peritoneum

Pathology of the ovary is complex topic as a wide variety of infrequently encountered inflammatory lesions, other nonneoplastic lesions, and tumors exist. Furthermore, numerous entities exist within each of the major categories of tumors: the surface epithelial tumors, sex cord–stromal tumors, germ cell tumors, and the miscellaneous and secondary tumors. The key histologic features and differential diagnostic considerations of ovarian and peritoneal lesions are discussed.
Representations of Integers as Sums of an Even Number of Squares

In the previous chapter, we have presented those fundamental properties of the theta functions which will be used in the present one to obtain the number r k (n) of representations of a natural number n as a sum of an even number k of squares.
Teaching software testing from two viewpoints

Testing software is actually two different activities, depending on whether one is the developer of the software or the tester. As software engineering students may end up in roles as either a developer or a tester, they must learn skills for both. In order to teach both skills, our software testing course has a two-part major project. In the first part, students must develop an application and test it thoroughly, creating a developer test plan and test cases. In the second part, they receive a different program from another student which they must test. They must write system test plan, execute the test cases, and write defect reports. We have been using this project format in our software testing class for five years. We have found that it has been successful at helping students learn testing from two different perspectives. They learn how to apply different testing techniques, and how to select appropriate testing approaches. A few learn the bitter lesson of the danger of allowing the development schedule to squeeze out testing time. We have found several keys to success. First, there must be multiple projects so the students can test a project they didn't develop. They must be equivalent in terms of development and testing effort. They should be not overly difficult, but should require a large number of test cases, preferably using more than one testing approach. Finally, students are not evaluated on the number of bugs they find in each others' programs, but on the quality of their testing.
Investment Cultures in Dickens, Trollope, and Gissing

This chapter focuses on how influential male authors of the Victorian period represented women investors. W.M. Thackeray represents female investors in the East India Company with ironic skepticism about their power as voting shareholders. Anthony Trollope introduces various types, including the widow of business and the timid investing spinster. Charles Dickens railed against the American worship of dollars and the regime of shares. Strongly influenced by Dickens and Trollope, George Gissing focuses on lower-middle-class women investors. His novels explore the ambiguities of the New Woman’s place in society, suggesting that limited financial empowerment did not always lead to independence.
Hydralazine/Isosorbide Dinitrate, Blood Pressure and Mortality in Patients with Heart Failure with Reduced Ejection Fraction

Introduction The use of hydralazine and isosorbide dinitrate (H-ISDN) has been shown to reduce mortality in African American patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). We aimed to evaluate the association of H-ISDN use with all-cause mortality among HFrEF patients with and without hypertension in large health system serving an inner city population. Hypothesis H-ISDN is associated with lower mortality in patients with hypertension, and this association differs by race/ethnicity. Methods We queried electronic health records to identify all patients ≥18 years old diagnosed with HFrEF (EF Results Of 11,962 patients included, mean age was 65.2±15.6, mean EF 22.7±7.3%, 60% were male, 31% were non-Hispanic black, 69% were hypertensive, and 13% were prescribed H-ISDN. Overall, H-ISDN was not significantly associated with mortality among hypertensive (HR 0.88; 0.77-1.01, p=0.084), nor among normotensive patients (HR 1.12; 0.92-1.37, p=0.254). H-ISDN was associated with significant mortality reduction in hypertensive blacks (HR 0.78; 0.63-0.97, p=0.025), but not in hypertensive whites (HR 0.95; 0.69-1.32, p=0.76) or hypertensive Hispanics (HR 1.12; 0.85-1.49, p=0.422). There was no evidence of effect modification by gender in any race/ethnic group (p-interaction >0.05). H-ISDN was not significantly associated with mortality among normotensives in any race/ethnic group. Conclusion In real-world practice in a large urban center, there was a suggestion of an inverse association between H-ISDN use and mortality among hypertensive patients, but this was not statistically significant. Use of H-ISDN did show a significant association with lower mortality among hypertensive blacks, which lends support to the benefits of this drug combination in this race/ethnic group.
Application of differential resonant high-energy X-ray diffraction to three-dimensional structure studies of nanosized materials: A case study of Pt–Pd nanoalloy catalysts

Atoms in many of the increasingly complex nanosized materials of interest to science and technology do not necessarily occupy the vertices of Bravais lattices. The atomic scale structure of such materials is difficult to determine by traditional X-ray diffraction and so their functional properties remain difficult to optimize by rational design. Here, the three-dimensional structure of PtxPd100-x nanoalloy particles is determined, where x = 0, 14, 36, 47, 64 and 100, by a non-traditional technique involving differential resonant high-energy X-ray diffraction experiments conducted at the K edge of Pt and Pd. The technique is coupled with three-dimensional modeling guided by the experimental total and element-specific atomic pair distribution functions. Furthermore, using DFT (density functional theory) calculation based on the positions of atoms in the obtained three-dimensional structure models, the catalytic performance of Pt-Pd particles is explained. Thus, differential resonant high-energy X-ray diffraction is shown to be an excellent tool for three-dimensional structure studies of nanosized materials. The experimental and modeling procedures are described in good detail, to facilitate their wider usage.
Three-dimensional atomic scale electron density reconstruction of octahedral tilt epitaxy in functional perovskites

Octahedral tilts are the most ubiquitous distortions in perovskite-related structures that can dramatically influence ferroelectric, magnetic, and electronic properties; yet the paradigm of tilt epitaxy in thin films is barely explored. Non-destructively characterizing such epitaxy in three-dimensions for low symmetry complex tilt systems composed of light anions is a formidable challenge. Here we demonstrate that the interfacial tilt epitaxy can transform ultrathin calcium titanate, a non-polar earth-abundant mineral, into high-temperature polar oxides that last above 900 K. The comprehensive picture of octahedral tilts and polar distortions is revealed by reconstructing the three-dimensional electron density maps across film-substrate interfaces with atomic resolution using coherent Bragg rod analysis. The results are complemented with aberration-corrected transmission electron microscopy, film superstructure reflections, and are in excellent agreement with density functional theory. The study could serve as a broader template for non-destructive, three-dimensional atomic resolution probing of complex low symmetry functional interfaces. In complex oxides, oxygen octahedra are major structural motifs and their tilts sensitively determine the material’s physical properties. Exploiting Coherent Bragg Rod Analysis enables 3D mapping of complex tilt patterns and reveals the means to control polarization through them in CaTiO3 thin films.
To Dance the Dance: A Symbolic Interactional Exploration of Premarital Sexuality

This pioneering monograph integrates the major research findings of the past four decades and offers a new model for the study of human sexuality. The author examines the empirical literature on sexuality for the developmental stages of childhood, adolescence, and young adulthood and for experiences of sexual aggression. He then uses symbolic interactionism to develop a theoretical model which integrates the research across the developmental periods and for instances of sexual aggression, providing one of the most comprehensive views of sexuality development that has yet been offered. The work investigates the role of family, peers, romantic partners, and personality in the development of sexual expression and offers a unique vision of how symbolic interactionism can inform one's understanding of sexual beliefs and behaviors through the developmental stages. By acknowledging developmental differences and changes in individuals and their interpersonal relationship context, a more integrated understanding emerges of how sexuality develops. This volume is intended for students and scholars interested in the influences on the development of sexual expression of youth and young adults. It will be of great interest to readers in psychology, family studies, communication, sociology, adolescent studies, and specialized areas of sexuality research. It is appropriate for undergraduate seminars and graduate-level courses on human sexuality, close relationships, family theory, sociology, communication, social psychology, developmental psychology, and related areas.
Development of a prognostic model of respiratory insufficiency or death in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

A clinically useful model to prognose onset of respiratory insufficiency in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) would inform disease interventions, communication and clinical trial design. We aimed to derive and validate a clinical prognostic model for respiratory insufficiency within 6 months of presentation to an outpatient ALS clinic. We used multivariable logistic regression and internal cross-validation to derive a clinical prognostic model using a single-centre cohort of 765 ALS patients who presented between 2006 and 2015. External validation was performed using the multicentre Pooled Resource Open-Access ALS Clinical Trials (PRO-ACT) database with 7083 ALS patients. Predictors included baseline characteristics at first outpatient visit. The primary outcome was respiratory insufficiency within 6 months, defined by initiation of noninvasive ventilation, forced vital capacity (FVC) Of 765 patients in our centre, 300 (39%) had respiratory insufficiency or death within 6 months. Six baseline characteristics (diagnosis age, delay between symptom onset and diagnosis, FVC, symptom onset site, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis functional rating scale-revised (ALSFRS-R) total score and ALSFRS-R dyspnoea score) were used to prognose the risk of the primary outcome. The derivation cohort c-statistic was 0.86 (95% CI 0.84–0.89) and internal cross-validation produced a c-statistic of 0.86 (95% CI 0.85–0.87). External validation of the model using the PRO-ACT cohort produced a c-statistic of 0.74 (95% CI 0.72–0.75). We derived and externally validated a clinical prognostic rule for respiratory insufficiency in ALS. Future studies should investigate interventions on equivalent high-risk patients.
Mediation by self-efficacy in the relation between social support and dietary intake in low-income postpartum women who were overweight or obese.

Abstract Purpose Using baseline data from a prevention of weight gain intervention study, we investigated whether self-efficacy mediated the relations between social support and dietary intake of saturated fat, fast food, fruit and vegetable in low-income postpartum women who were overweight or obese. Methods Participants (N = 740) completed validated measures of self-reported social support, self-efficacy, and dietary intake of saturated fat, fast food, fruit and vegetable. We performed composite indicator structural equation modeling to test the mediation effect. Effect size was calculated using proportion of maximum possible (POMP) scores in the endogenous variables (e.g., fast food) per unit change in the exogenous variable. Results When including the influence of self-efficacy as a mediator, social support indirectly influenced dietary intake of saturated fat (p ≤ 0.001, POMP = −0.77%), fast food (p ≤ 0.001, POMP = −0.28%), and fruit and vegetable (p ≤ 0.001, POMP = 0.53%). Thus, these data are consistent with self-efficacy mediating the relations between social support and dietary intake of saturated fat, fast food, fruit and vegetable in low-income postpartum women who were overweight or obese. Conclusion Dietary interventions aiming to decrease saturated fat and fast food intake and increase fruit and vegetable intake for the target population may consider including practical skills for increasing social support and self-efficacy that can be implemented in daily life.