cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Methodological Issues in Outcome Studies of At-Risk Infants

Objective: To identify methodologic problems found in follow-up studies of infants at biologic and environmental risk and provide solutions and recommendations. Methods: This article is a literature review. Results: Problems fall into four groupings: (1) conceptualization/design issues, 2) subject population concerns, 3) procedural issues, and 4) measurement/outcome concerns. Conclusions: Main-effect models are not useful; confounding and mediating variables must be identified. In addition, the following are needed: alternative analytic techniques, more precise subject selection and characterization of risk factors, geographically defined samples, broadened scope of outcome measures, and use of epidemiologic techniques.
The Criminal Justice System’s Response to Sexual Violence:

The legal reforms of the 1960s and 1970s notwithstanding, sexual assault is a crime characterized by underreporting and case attrition. In this article, the authors synthesize research examining the criminal justice system's response to sexual assault. The authors begin by examining research on the victim's decision to report the crime to the police. This is followed by a discussion of the findings of sexual assault case processing research, with a focus on the criminal justice system's response to aggravated and simple rape and to intimate partner sexual violence. The authors end the article with a discussion of questions that research has yet to adequately answer.
Allozyme Variation and Ramet Distribution in Two Species of Athyrioid Ferns

Sympatric local populations of leptosporangiate ferns found to vary in phenotypic tolerances of environmental variation in the common habitat were surveyed for allozymes as indicators of genetic variation. Each local population was also surveyed for pattern of ramet distribution. The species with the greater phenotypic tolerances, Deparia acrostichoides, was found to be more variable genetically than the species with lower phenotypic tolerances, Diplazium pycnocarpon. Levels of genetic variation among the two species indicated that Deparia acrostichoides is a late-successional species and Diplazium pycnocarpon is an early-successional species, in agreement with a previous prediction. Ramet distribution patterns indicated a greater effect of intraspecific competition among ramets of Diplazium pycnocarpon than among ramets of Deparia acrostichoides.
Five parameters of gingival crevicular fluid from eight surfaces in periodontal health and disease

Volume and amounts of myeloperoxidase (MPO), lactoferrin (LF), aryl sulfatase (AS) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) were measured in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) collected from the mesial and distal proximal surfaces of the premolars and first and second molars of 3 subject groups. Group assignment was based on subject mean gingival index (GI) and probing depth (PD) of sampled sites as follows: healthy, GI less than or equal to 0.5, PD less than or equal to 3.0; disease 1, GI greater than or equal to 1.0, PD greater than or equal to 3.0 mm; disease 2, PD greater than or equal to 4.0 mm. Attachment loss (ATL) of most sites in the 3 groups was: healthy, 0-1 mm; disease 1, 1-2 mm; and disease 2, 4-9 mm. GCF volume differed among surfaces and teeth in each of the 3 groups. The greater amount of GCF collected from posterior locations was not related to the GI and PD. Differences with sampling location in amounts of GCF constituents were restricted to MPO and LF. Most of these differences (greater amounts at posterior sites) were associated with more severe disease. Variability in amount and composition of GCF collected from different sites, therefore, should be considered in experiments which include quantitation of GCF parameters. The ratio of MPO in disease group 2 to disease group 1 was greater than similar ratios for GCF volume and LF, AS and LDH. The quantity of MPO was the only measure which differed between the 2 disease groups at all surfaces. MPO thus appears to have the greatest potential, among the measured parameters, to serve as a marker for advanced periodontal disease.
Level of Development and Democracy Latin American Exceptionalism, 1945-1996

In this article, the relationship between modernization and democracy in Latin America from 1945 to 1996 is analyzed on the basis of quantitative data. Three arguments are made. First, it is shown that the level of development had a modest impact on the likelihood of democracy in Latin America from 1945 to 1996. Democracy in Latin America has survived in the face of a low level of development, and it has faltered despite moderately high per capita income. Second, it is shown that per capita income is a markedly worse predictor of democracy in Latin America than in other countries with the same income range or in the world as a whole. A distinctive, nonlinear, functional shape is identified for this relationship in Latin America. Third, some potential explanations for this Latin American exceptionalism are addressed. No existing structural explanation suffices, however; this issue merits further exploration in future research.
Development of a rapid spectrophotometry method for analysis of furfuraldehyde in transformer oil as an indication of paper ageing

Furfuraldehyde (FFA) has been measured colorimetrically in gas oil and hydrocarbon oil. The method is based on reaction between FFA and aniline acetate solution to produce a bright pink color. The intensity of the color is measured spectrophotometrically. This rapid technique of color development was applied to the determination of FFA in transformer oil. The method is sensitive to sub-ppm FFA in transformer oil. The results are comparable with those obtained using the high-performance liquid chromatography method. >
Discussion of ''Buckling of Columns with Intermediate Elastic Restraint'' by C. M. Wang and I. M. Nazmul

This paper presents the classical flexural buckling solution to an ideal prismatic column with an intermediate lateral elastic restraint and subjected to a concentrated axial load at the top end only. The end conditions are ideal ~clamped, hinged, and free!. The discussor finds this paper useful, particularly for testing a matrix solution proposed by the writer that appears much more general and simpler to program. Consider the stepped column that connects points A and B ~Fig. 1!. This consists of two column segments, AC and CB, with semirigid connections at ends A and B and at the intermediate joint C. It is assumed that ~1! both column segments, AC and CB, are made of homogeneous linear elastic materials with mechanical and geometric properties Et I t At ht and Eb I b Ab hb ~where E5elastic modulus; I5moment of inertia; A5cross-sectional area; and h5span). The subindices t and b indicate the top and bottom column segments, respectively; ~2! the centroidal axis of each segment is a straight line with their centroidal axes lineup; ~3! the column is subject simultaneously to axial loading Pa and transverse load Va at point A, to concentrated loads Pc and Vc , and bending moment Mc at the intermediate joint C; and ~4! the lateral sways of the column are partially inhibited by linear springs Sa and Sc located at A and C, respectively, and by an external rotational spring of magnitude SQ at joint C. The rotational fixity factors at ends A and B and the intermediate joint C ~of column segment AC! are assumed to be r a , r b , and r c , respectively. Further details of this model are given by Aristizabal-Ochoa ~1997b!. A general solution to the second-order analysis and buckling load of the column in Fig. 1 is as follows:
Optimal perfusion rate determined for in situ intestinal absorption studies in rats

Iopanoic acid was used as a model compound to study the effect of the intestinal perfusion rate on the mean absorption clearance. Absorption of iopanoic acid followed first-order kinetics, with a first-order absorption rate constant (ka) linearly dependent on the dry intestinal weight. An absorption clearance--time plot revealed three phases. Phase I represented an equilibration phase, Phase II was a uniform phase, and Phase III was a physiological deterioration of the animal under prolonged anesthesia. The variability in the observations during Phase II of the absorptive clearance--time profiles was assessed statistically, and the minimum occurred at 9.9 microliters/sec (0.594 ml/min). The relation between the coefficient of variance (CV) and the perfusion rate is given by CV = (-5.52 X 10(-5)Q3 + (2.78 X 10(-3)Q2 - (3.87 X 10(-2)Q + 0.243, where Q is the perfusion rate through the intestinal lumen. These studies demonstrate that an optimal flow rate exists for minimizing the variability in in situ absorption studies. The dependency of the absorption clearance on the intestinal perfusion rate appears to conform to the convective diffusion model.
School personnel smoking, school-level policies, and adolescent smoking in low- and middle-income countries

Objectives This paper examines the link between personnel and teacher smoking on school grounds, and student smoking in 62 low-income and middle-income countries. Methods We use a two-part model to estimate the effect of smoking by school personnel on youth smoking. In the first part, we model the decision to smoke for all students, using a linear probability model. In the second part, we estimate cigarette consumption among smokers. We employ country fixed effects to address country-level time-invariant unobservable factors and control for an array of local-level variables to address local-level heterogeneity. Results We find that smoking by personnel and teachers on school grounds is associated with higher smoking prevalence among all youths, and higher cigarette consumption among female smokers. Our findings suggest that consumption among female smokers is primarily affected by smoking among female personnel, and that younger personnel/teachers appear to be more influential in determining behaviours among young people. In addition, we find that smoking restrictions on staff are associated with reductions in average consumption among female students. Conclusions Low-income and middle-income countries may reduce smoking among young people by banning smoking for teachers and school personnel on school grounds.
Intracytoplasmic Filamentous Inclusions in the Peripheral Blood of a Patient With Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia

Abstract Intracellular inclusions in lymphoproliferative disorders are not common. Multiple different types of inclusions have been reported in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), including vacuole...
Mesenchymal Stem Cells for Bone Gene Therapy

Bone tissue has regenerative capabilities enabling the self-repair and regeneration of fractures and other forms of damage. However, in extreme situations where the extent of bone loss or damage due to trauma, surgery, or metabolic diseases such as osteoporosis is too large, full regeneration will not occur. In these situations, the extent of bone loss, or the conditions leading to its loss, is beyond the capabilities of the bone self-repair mechanism. Large bone defects that do not spontaneously heal are thus called nonunion defects, and they present a major problem for orthopedic surgeons. Currently, nonunion fractures are treated by metallic implants that tend to fail in the long run. In addition, extensive bone formation is required in spine surgery when a fusion of two vertebrae is considered in the treatment for intervertebral disc degeneration leading to back pain. It is clear, therefore, that for these clinical conditions a biological approach that will be able to enhance bone formation is required. Most of the suggested biological approaches undertaken to overcome the loss of large bone tissues involve the administration of either cells with osteogenic potential or of osteogenic growth factors. Both approaches are aimed at enhancing the bone formation process by introducing one of its components: i.e., bone forming cells and osteogenic growth factors that promote the proliferation and differentiation of osteoprogenitors into mature osteoblasts that are responsible for the lay-down of new bone tissue. Gene therapy was applied to this setting as a means to deliver recombinant DNA sequences encoding for the osteogenic growth factors.
Technology and human vulnerability. A conversation with MIT's Sherry Turkle.

For most of the last 50 years, technology knew its place. Yes, we all spent a lot of time with it, but even five years ago, few people would seriously claim that technology had taken over their lives. It's very different today. Technology is not only ubiquitous but has become highly intrusive as well. On the Internet, people invent imaginary identities in virtual chat rooms, playing out the lives they wish they really lived. Children are growing up with interactive toy animals that respond to them like real pets. Indeed, some critics claim that technology has not just entered our private lives but started to define them. If we want to be sure we'll like who we've become in 50 years, we need to take a closer look at the psychological effects of current and future technologies. The smartest people in technology have already started. Universities like MIT and Caltech have been pouring millions of dollars into researching what happens when technology and humanity meet. To learn more about this research, HBR senior editor Diane L. Coutu spoke with one of the field's most distinguished scholars: Sherry Turkle, MIT's Abby Rockefeller Mauze Professor in the Program in Science, Technology, and Society and the author of Life on the Screen, which explores how the internet is changing the way we define ourselves. In a conversation with Coutu, Turkle discusses the psychological dynamics that can develop between people and their high-tech toys, describes ways in which machines might substitute for managers, and explains how technology is redefining what it means to be human. She warns that relatively small differences in technology design can have disproportionate effects on how humans relate to technology, to one another, and to themselves.
PVP-Assisted Synthesis of Uniform Carbon Coated Li2S/CB for High-Performance Lithium-Sulfur Batteries.

The lithium–sulfur (Li–S) battery is a great alternative to the state-of-the-art lithium ion batteries due to its high energy density. However, low utilization of active materials, the insulating nature of sulfur or lithium sulfide (Li2S), and polysulfide dissolution in organic liquid electrolyte lead to low initial capacity and fast performance degradation. Herein, we propose a facile and viable approach to address these issues. This new approach entails synthesis of Li2S/carbon black (Li2S/CB) cores encapsulated by a nitrogen-doped carbon shell with polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) assistance. Combining energy-filtered transmission electron microscopy (EFTEM) elemental mappings, XPS and FTIR measurements, it is confirmed that the as-synthesized material has a structure of a Li2S/CB core with a nitrogen-doped carbon shell (denoted as Li2S/CB@NC). The Li2S/CB@NC cathode yields an exceptionally high initial capacity of 1020 mAh/g based on Li2S mass at 0.1 C with stable Coulombic efficiency of 99.7% over 200 cycl...
Framing for resilience through social learning: impacts of environmental stewardship on youth in post-disturbance communities

Civic ecology practices, such as community gardening and citizen-led urban reforestation and wetland restoration, provide opportunities for social learning. Because social learning is an important component of community resilience, we suggest that civic ecology practices can be a strategy for responding to and mitigating environmental disturbances in an era threatened by climate change. Despite the links between civic ecology, social learning and community resilience, empirical research that systematically considers these connections is limited. This study addresses this gap by introducing ‘frames’ as an approach to considering social learning outcomes and process. More specifically, we provide a model for investigating the role civic ecology education programs play in shaping youths’ capacity to understand and respond to environmental disturbance. We used participant observation and cognitive mapping to assess social learning among three youth restoration programs working in the wake of Hurricane Sandy in New York, NY, and after the 2013 floods in Boulder, CO. In all three programs, youth demonstrated social learning and cognitive change by shifting their emphasis from the impacts of disturbance towards a solutions-based framing that focused on community, action, and mitigation. However, the depth of these changes was not uniform across all programs, suggesting that variations in program length, community context, social identity, and opportunities for self-defined action may shape overall impacts of programs and youth capacity for future action.
Computing Manipulations of Ranking Systems

Ranking systems are widely used by agencies to rank agents, for example U.S. News & World Report ranks colleges. Such rankings are prone to manipulation by the agency (e.g. USNews) for publicity, and also by the agents (e.g. colleges) to get a better rank. We analyze the algorithmic aspects of manipulation in linear ranking systems of m agents using n features. Computing optimal manipulation for the ranking agency is NP-hard: we give a mixed integer linear program solution, and also an efficient linear programming heuristic that formulates the problem as a classification task. Computing optimal manipulations for ranked agents subject to a budget constraint is a minimax problem in a continuous space: we give a general O((m+ k)n2nmn1 logm) algorithm, where k is the number of linear constraints on the weight vector and an O(m(logm)2) algorithm for n = 2. We also present a large class of heuristic algorithms with approximation ratio n.We tested our algorithms on USNews data from the 2015 college rankings. Our algorithms compute agency and agent manipulation strategies in seconds. We present several interesting experiments on the ranking range of the top-100 colleges, including optimal spending plans for these colleges.
The Fertility of Rhode Island Catholics: 1968–1969

This is an analysis of fertility differentials between Catholics and non-Catholics in Rhode Island. Representative samples of the population were derived and interviews conducted in 1968 and 1969. Although Catholics exhibit higher fertility expectation than do non-Catholics, differences are smaller than those observed in earlier national surveys. Furthermore, Catholics indicate an increasing tendency to practice birth control, though not to the extent of non-Catholics. It is suggested that the recent emergence of American Catholics into the "power structure" has resulted in a loss of minority-status feeling. This may partially explain the developing convergence noted between the two groups. However, a strong religious ideology, limiting birth control to the rhythm method, continues to influence many Catholics and this is preventing a complete convergence in fertility behavior.
Cultural Compatibility in the Adoption of Television

group as a whole gave evidence of social accession, but not to a marked degree. Occupational mobility as gauged by generational interstices has certain characteristics. It is a fluid bi-directional process. It occurs on a fairly large scale but is limited in range. The occupational transition between generations is more gradual than abrupt. No one occupational or educational group displayed a unique or viscid mobility trend. Inasmuch as this does connote fluidity, it might be construed as socially beneficial. On the assumption that dissatisfaction and satisfaction reflect radicalism and conservatism respectively, the following conclusions are drawn. There was a difference in the way in which the various social class and occupational levels rated the prestige immanent in their jobs. In general, the rating was correlated with the level. In regard to such broad and personal factors as occupation and the town in general, all categories registered satisfaction. But the degree of satisfaction runs parallel to the socio-economic rungs. However, on those scales designed to evoke an attitude toward more specific and nonpersonal aspects of the town, the group when examined either socially or occupationally was plainly divided in viewpoint. The lower five categories were radical and the upper five were conservative. However, the intensity difference between them was not great.
Brief Discussion on Advanced Metering Infrastructure of Smart Grid

AMI(advanced metering infrastructure) is an indispensable component in the planning and construction of smart grid.AMI combined with ADO(advanced distribution operation),ATO(advanced transmission operation),AAM(advanced assets management) was proposed in smart grid planning.Brief discussion was made on understanding about AMI,the relationship between IECSA and AMI,the relationship between AMI and smart grid.And further put forward prospects on the metering infrastructure of transmission grid.
Variance Constrained cyclic blade control of moored ocean current turbines

A nonlinear model of a moored ocean current turbine (OCT) is described and linearized around a nominal operating condition. Cyclic blade pitch control is introduced, in addition to the electromechanical rotor torque, to help regulate the OCT position, orientation, and rotor angular speed when disturbed from the nominal operating condition. Output Variance Constrained (OVC) control is investigated for flight control system design.
PIPKIγ and talin couple phosphoinositide and adhesion signaling to control the epithelial to mesenchymal transition

Epithelial cells acquire migratory/invasive and stemness traits upon conversion to the mesenchymal phenotype. The expression of E-cadherin is a key to this transition; yet precise understanding of the pathways involved in integrating E-cadherin loss to the gain of mesenchymal traits remains poorly understood. Here, we show that phosphoinositide-generating enzyme, PIPKIγ, expression is upregulated upon epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and together with the cytoskeletal protein talin assemble into a signaling complex upon E-cadherin loss. PIPKIγ and talin together control the adhesion and phosphoinositide signaling that regulates conversion to the mesenchymal phenotypes. PIPKIγ and talin regulate the stability of E-cadherin transcriptional repressors, snail and slug, induced by transforming growth factor-β1 or extracellular matrix protein. Loss of PIPKIγ or talin or their interaction impaired EMT and the acquisition of cell motility and stemness. This demonstrates a mechanism where a phosphoinositide-generating enzyme PIPKIγ couples with a cytoskeletal protein talin to control the acquisition of mesenchymal phenotypes.
Development and validation of a simple integer risk score for prediction of in-hospital mortality following Takotsubo syndrome

Abstract Background Data regarding the characteristics associated with worse outcomes in Takotsubo syndrome (TTS) patients is lacking. Methods and objectives The National Inpatient Sample (NIS) 2012 database was utilized to calculate a risk score for in-hospital mortality following TTS that was internally and externally validated in both 2012 and 2013 databases, respectively. Results The incidences of in-hospital mortality in the 2012 development sample were 0.2%, 3.2% and 15.6% in the low risk (≤2), intermediate risk (3–4) and high-risk (≥5) score groups, respectively. The risk score C-statistics were 0.86 and 0.88 in the development and external validation samples, respectively ( p Conclusions The risk of in-hospital mortality following TTS could be predicted using a simple risk score, which could aid in identifying and proper management of a higher risk group.
Electroencephalographic and Clinical Effects of Total Corpus Callosotomy

Despite the availability of over 20 antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) and AED level monitoring, many patients continue to have seizures that are frequent and severe enough to cause physical injury. When the epileptic tissue can be demonstrated to be isolated to a surgically resectable part of the cortex lobectomy or topectomy can be performed, often with very gratifying results (Rasmussen, 1975). However, when the patient is found to have rapid secondary generalization from a surgically unapproachable lesion (because of size or location) or from multiple sites the surgical option has generally been excluded, even in cases of clear medical treatment failure
BAFF-R Receptor Functions in Transcription Regulation in Genes Critical to Survival and Proliferation in Normal and Neoplastic Human B Lymphocytes

Abstract B-lymphocyte stimulator (BLyS also called BAFF), is a potent cell survival factor expressed in many hematopoietic cells. However, many aspects of BLyS signaling pathway remain unclear. In order to investigate BLyS signaling pathway, we studied the function of BAFF-R (also called BR3), a major BLyS receptor, in normal and neoplastic B cell survival and proliferation. In our initial study, we found that BAFF-R was also present in nucleus, in addition to its presence in the plasma membrane of B cells. A candidate nuclear localization sequence was identified in the BAFF-R protein sequence. We also found BAFF-R mediated transcriptional activity, that could be increased through over expression of a NF-κB family member c-rel. Further study showed that BAFF-R co-localized with, c-rel in the nucleus and bound to the NF-κB binding site on the promoters of NF-κB target genes such as BLyS, CD154, Bcl-xL, Bfl-1/A1 and IL-8. The IκB kinase (IKK) protein complex is critical for regulating NF-κB pathway activation. The IKK complex includes three important subunits: the catalytic subunits IKKα and IKKβ (also known as IKK1 and IKK2) and the regulatory subunit IKKγ (also known as NEMO). In the cytoplasm, activation of the IKK complex induces processing of precursors p105 and p100 into p50 and p52 respectively, resulting in NF-κB subunit dimeric partners that migrate from the cytoplasm into the nucleus. In recent studies, IKKα has also been identified in the cell nucleus, functioning in histone H3 phosphorylation. Although IKKβ was also previously observed in the cell nucleus, its nuclear function has been obscure. Besides functioning as a transcriptional co-factor with c-rel, we also found BAFF-R interacted with IKKβ in the nucleus of normal and neoplastic (lymphoma) B cells, enhancing histone H3 phosphorylation through IKKβ by immuno precipitation experiments and in vitro kinase assays. Inhibition of BAFF-R entry into the nucleus by BAFF-R NLS mutant transfection, decreased the level of phosphorylated histone H3 compared to the controls in NHL-B cells. These findings not only demonstrate a novel nuclear function of IKKβ, but also determine a new mechanism of how BAFF-R promotes survival and proliferation of normal B cells and NHL-B cells. In addition to activating NF-κB pathways in the plasma membrane, BAFF-R also functions as a transcriptional regulator binding to NF-κB targeted gene promoters possibly through a chromatin remodeling mechanism(s).
Temperature and Testing Impacts on Surface Infiltration Rates of Pervious Concrete

AbstractPervious concrete placements in many locations are subject to cold weather conditions and varying levels of clogging and rejuvenation. This study focuses on field surface hydraulic performa...
Stem cell therapy for inflammatory bowel disease

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) can be categorized as Crohn's disease (CD) or ulcerative colitis (UC). Both are chronic inflammatory diseases of the bowel resulting in significant alterations in quality of life due to remitting and relapsing symptoms of pain, increased stool frequency, and anemia. Before the era of biologic therapy, with the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval of infliximab in 1998, the cornerstone of medical therapy was corticosteroids. Since 1998, however, biologic therapy has taken a prominent role in the treatment of IBD, and drugs in the anti-tumor necrosis factor a (infliximab, adalimumab, certolizumab pegol, golimumab), anti-integrin (natalizumab, vedolizumab), and anti-interleukin (ustekinumab) classes have since been FDA-approved for the treatment of IBD. However, all have side effect profiles that limit their use, potential to develop a loss of response, potential for adverse reactions, and, most importantly, are only effective in up to half of IBD patients. Patients who become refractory to medical management eventually require surgery; up to 60% of patients with CD will require a bowel resection,1 and 15% with UC undergo a colectomy.2 There is a clear need for improved treatment practices in order to avoid systemic complications with medical management and surgical intervention. Stem cell therapy is emerging as a promising treatment alternative. Herein we review key basic science articles to discuss important mechanistic aspects as to why stem cell therapy may be an effective treatment strategy to bring to the bedside.
Improving Virtualized Storage Performance with Sky

We introduce Sky, an extension to the VMM that gathers insights and information by intercepting system calls made by guest applications. We show how Sky gains three specific insights -- guest file-size information, metadata-data distinction, and file-content hints -- and uses said information to enhance virtualized-storage performance. By caching small files and metadata with higher priority, Sky reduces the runtime by 2.3 to 8.8 times for certain workloads. Sky also achieves 4.5 to 18.7 times reduction in the runtime of an open-source block-layer deduplication system by exploiting hints about file contents. Sky works underneath both Linux and FreeBSD guests, as well as under a range of file systems, thus enabling portable and general VMM-level optimization underneath a wide range of storage stacks.
The Recognition of Kinship Terminologies As Formal Systems

Author(s): Leaf, Murray | Abstract: We now know what kinship terminologies are and what their function is in kinship systems, even though this knowledge is not yet widespread. Every social system consists of a set of organizations built up interactively by the use of specific idea systems: governmental systems are systems of organizations built up by the use of governmental ideas, military systems by the use of military ideas, economic systems by the use of economic ideas, and so on, including kinship systems by the use of kinship ideas. These social idea systems are not preeminently nomenclatures per se, but are associated with distinctive nomenclatures, just in the way that geometry is not a nomenclature but is associated with a nomenclature. For kinship, the core of the nomenclature has mainly been encountered and studied under the heading of “kinship terminologies.” The ideas associated with them are the ideas that make up their definitions. These are highly systematic and form powerfully generative conceptual calculi. This paper describes how this recognition has emerged from earlier, quite different, formulations.
Pension Accounting at At&T

This case provides students with the opportunity to analyze the pension footnote disclosures for AT&T Inc. In particular, it focuses on the components of pension expense, the balance sheet accounts, and the various assumptions that drive these figures. What is most unique about the example is that the case is set in 2008, and in 2010, AT&T elected to immediately recognize actuarial gains and losses in net income. To provide comparable prior year financial statements, AT&T restated 2008 accounting for immediate recognition of actuarial gains and losses. Therefore, students can see the significant effect of this change in accounting policy by comparing the $12.8 billion in net income originally reported in 2008 with the $2.3 billion loss AT&T reported for the restated 2008. Excerpt UVA-C-2391 Rev. Jul. 11, 2018 Pension Accounting at AT&T Company Description AT&T Inc. (AT&T) is the largest communications company in the world, responsible for transferring more than 100 petabytes of traffic daily. It is a component of the Dow Jones Industrial Average and operates on six continents, representing nearly the entire world economy, and is known for innovation by sponsoring over 12,000 patents worldwide. The company, headquartered in Dallas, Texas, has roots in the American Telephone and Telegraph Company established by Alexander Graham Bell in 1885. Assignment . . .
Abstract 621: The G Protein-Coupled Estrogen Receptor GPER is Required for Induction of Nox Activity in Mice

The Nox family of NADPH oxidases is a major source of reactive oxygen species (ROS) such as superoxide (O 2 - ) and hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ), which importantly influence cardiovascular function. Vasoactive agonists such as angiotensin II can stimulate Nox-dependent ROS production, whereas endogenous estrogens act as antioxidants under certain conditions. We hypothesized that the intracellular transmembrane G protein-coupled estrogen receptor GPER is involved in the regulation of Nox activity. Using GPER -/- and WT mice, we determined the effect of angiotensin II on O 2 - production in isolated vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) by lucigenin-enhanced chemiluminescence, and on contractile responses in renal arteries prepared for recording of isometric tension. The contribution of NADPH oxidases was assessed using its specific inhibitor gp91ds-tat (3 μmol/L). Angiotensin II (100 nmol/L) acutely increased O 2 - production in WT VSMC, an effect blocked by gp91ds-tat (6.6±2.1 AU vs. -0.8±2.2 AU after 20 min, n =4-5, p 2 - formation in GPER -/- VSMC (-0.2±1.0 AU vs. 6.6±2.1 AU, n =5, p vs. WT). Following administration of NADPH (100 μmol/L), maximal NADPH oxidase activity in GPER -/- VSMC was also reduced by 73% (442±185 AU vs. 1617±468 AU, n =5, p vs. WT), indicating that the induction of Nox activity is largely impaired by GPER deficiency. In line with these findings, contraction to angiotensin II was 1.9-fold less potent in GPER -/- renal arteries (35±4% vs. 66±11% of contraction to 60 mmol/L KCl, n =5, p vs. WT); this difference was abolished by gp91ds-tat, which decreased the contractile response in WT by 47% ( p -/- arteries. In conclusion, these data indicate that GPER is required for induction of vascular Nox activity in mice, and suggest that estrogen-dependent regulation of ROS production may not be limited to antioxidative effects.
Considerations and Pitfalls in the Spatial Analysis of Water Quality Data and Its Association With Hydraulic Fracturing

Abstract Linking areas of high unconventional oil and gas development (UD) activity to groundwater quality is statistically challenging. As contaminant pathways reflect spatial processes, their elucidation requires spatially explicit analyses. Here, we consider complications in the statistical evaluation of suites of chemical constituents, review basics of spatial analysis, and illustrate geographically weighted regression (GWR) and Hot Spot Analysis (spatial clustering) using eight indicator variables from groundwater samples collected from the Trinity and Woodbine aquifers overlying the Barnett Shale in northern Texas, a region of high UD activity. GWR indicated that moderate variation in some variables (e.g., total dissolved solids) but zero variance in others (e.g., methanol) is explained by kernel density of UD wells. Hot Spot Analysis complemented GWR analyses and indicated several subregions of elevated concentrations for most variables. With the exception of a single area of extreme contamination straddling the Parker–Hood County line, hot spots showed little to moderate spatial congruence across variables. Collectively, our results suggest that while some groundwater contamination has resulted from UD activity, overall groundwater contamination is multifactorial, and contamination related to UD activity is likely stochastic rather than systematic.
Trauma & Humanism: How the Humanities Can Contribute to the Treatment of Post-traumatic Stress Disorder

By exploring texts ranging from Cicero and Sophocles to modern work by Jonathan Shay and Bryan Doerries, this paper seeks to examine the role that trauma has played within the humanist tradition and what humanism can contribute to modern understandings of war trauma. This research begins with an exploration of how trauma shaped the work and lives of the early humanists. For instance, the inward turn of Montaigne and Petrarch can be understood as a response to the trauma of the plague and religious wars that surrounded them. These humanist thinkers responded to the loss of special comrades by retreating from society and escaping to therapeutic reading and writing. The work of the ancients was useful in helping the early humanists respond to their own trauma. Similarly, the work of the ancients and early humanists is extremely useful within modern medical humanities. This value is perhaps best seen in Jonathan Shay's work Achilles in Vietnam, and Bryan Doerries' work with the Theatre of War using the play Ajax. These ancient stories open a dialogue that crosses time and culture. We can see ancient examples of what we now know as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (or PTSD), and trace common themes as Shay did in the book Achilles in Vietnam. When read in conjunction with the ancient plays Ajax, Philoctetes and Hecuba, the similarities between modern war trauma and the ancient stories studied by the humanists are clear and powerful. All the stories of trauma are individual, ambiguous and uniquely human. This emphasis on human experience and the ability to open a dialogue with the ancients-both present in the human experience and response to trauma - are at the very basis of the humanist project. Thus, the humanities can contribute to the treatment and understanding of PTSD.
Moving skills training closer to application: In-rotation skills curriculum is feasible and effective.

Abstract Purpose Using simulation can help surgical trainees acquire surgical skills but at the expense of clinical learning time. We postulate an in-rotation skills curriculum is feasible and minimizes time away from clinical experiences. Methods Surgical residents (PGY2-5) were allotted two hours of weekly protected time for rotation specific simulation modules that included assessment, mentoring, and practice. Between September 2015 and February 2016 performance data was collected and participants were surveyed. Results Completion rates of 87–100% were achieved and post-test scores improved significantly, indicating improved performance. The survey (29/30 RR) revealed that 81.5% felt 2 hours a week was ‘just right’ and 79.3% agreed or strongly agreed the in-rotation aspect was a benefit. Improved confidence in the OR was reported by 86.2% of residents Intra-operative skill was self-assessed as improved in 79.3%. Conclusion In-rotation skills curriculum with high completion rates is feasible and allows training in close proximity to clinical application. Performance in the simulated environment significantly improved with corresponding improvements in confidence and self-assessed skill in the operating room.
E-Textbook as Object and Mediator: Interactions between Instructor and Student Activity Systems.

In this paper, we discuss the activity systems of students and instructors who used an interactive e-textbook in their instructional activities. Data included instructor interviews and student journals about e-textbook use in eight university courses. Exploration of the data through a cultural-historical activity theory lens indicated that e-textbook use can be limited when students act on it merely as an object without any intentional goal. Without requirements by the instructor, the embedded tools in the e-textbook may do little to support the student activity in the system. In addition, many instructors, as well, approached the e-textbook as an object, and a number of them did not include the e-textbook in their own activity systems. Considering the e-textbook as a mediating tool to address other goals (such as completing an assignment) or to support instructional decisions by faculty through developed awareness of students’ understandings, positioned the e-textbook as a mediator of learning, rather than an object on which to act. We end our discussion pointing to the need for an expansive transformation regarding the use of e-textbooks so they may be positioned as new kinds of mediating tools for learning.
First Report of Pythium Root Rot Caused by Pythium mastophorum on Parsley in the United States

In California, parsley (Petroselinum crispum [Mill.] Fuss) is a versatile leafy green commodity that is grown for fresh, frozen, dried, and processed products. In May 2017, parsley grown in a commercial field in Santa Barbara County, CA, showed symptoms of an unknown disease. Plants were stunted, wilted, and had chlorotic foliage. The large taproots were discolored, and small feeder roots were sparse and necrotic. Affected plants appeared in clusters, and disease incidence was approximately 5%. To recover possible pathogens, roots were surface sterilized in 0.01% bleach for 30 s and plated on corn meal agar amended with pimaricin, ampicillin, rifampicin, and pentachloronitrobenzene (PARP) (Kannwischer et al. 1978). After 3 days, rapidly growing, coenocytic mycelia typical of a Pythium species grew out from all roots. Older cultures showed globose sporangia and ornamented oogonia. Oogonia had an average diameter of 23 µm, and projections were conical, measuring an average length of 3 µm. Five isolates were tested using a recombinase polymerase amplification genus-specific Phytophthora assay (targeting the trnM-trnP-trnM region in the mitochondria) and were found to be negative (Miles et al. 2015). To determine the species, DNA was extracted from mycelial plugs using a QIAamp DNA Mini Kit (Qiagen, Hilden, Germany), and the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions 1 and 2 were amplified and sequenced using ITS1 (5′-TCCGTAGGTGAACCTGCGG-3′) and ITS4 primers (5′-TCCTCCGCTTATTGATATGC-3′) (GenBank accession no. MG593942). The sequences were 99% homologous to Pythium mastophorum strain CBS 375.72 (GenBank accession no. AY598661). To test for pathogenicity, 4-week-old plants of flat leaf (cv. Italian Dark Green Flat) and curly leaf (cv. Moss Curled) parsley were inoculated using a root-dip method for five isolates. Inoculum was made by blending five fully colonized V8 plates with 250 ml of sterile water. Parsley root balls were soaked for 10 to 15 min in the inoculum and then repotted in a 1:2 sand/soil mixture. In 2 to 3 weeks, inoculated plants became stunted and chlorotic and had symptoms that matched those seen in the field. Roots were severely decayed. Roots plated onto PARP resulted in colonies that morphologically and molecularly were identical to the original isolates. Control plants of both cultivars were inoculated with a mixture of sterile V8 media and water using the above protocol. These plants developed no foliar or root symptoms. This test was completed three times with consistent results. We believe this is the first report of P. mastophorum infecting parsley in California. P. mastophorum has been reported on parsley only in southeastern Australia (Petkowski et al. 2013). In California, this species has been reported on celery (Vazquez et al. 1996). Because affected parsley plants were completely unharvestable, this disease could be a significant concern for growers if inoculum spreads throughout this and other parsley growing regions in the state.
How shift scheduling practices contribute to fatigue amongst freight rail operating employees: Findings from Canadian accident investigations.

Abstract Canada’s freight rail system moves 70% of the country's surface goods and almost half of all exports (RAC, 2016). These include dangerous goods. Anonymous survey of freight rail operating employees conducted by the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference ( TCRC, 2014 ) revealed that many do not report getting enough sleep because of their work schedules, and that fatigue may be affecting their performance at work. Besides general impairments in attention and cognitive functioning, fatigue in railway operating employees slows reaction time to safety alarms and impairs conformance to train operating requirements. Shift scheduling practices can contribute to sleep-related fatigue by restricting sleep opportunities, requiring extended periods of wakefulness and by disrupting daily (circadian) rhythms. The primary goal of accident investigation is to identify causal and contributing factors so that similar occurrences can be prevented. A database search of Transportation Safety Board (TSB) rail investigation reports published in the 21-year period from 1995 to 2015 identified 18 that cited sleep-related fatigue of freight rail operating employees as a causal, contributing, or risk finding. This number represents about 20% of TSB rail investigations from the same period in which a human factors aspect of freight train activities was a primary cause. Exploration of accident themes suggests that management of fatigue and shift scheduling in the freight rail industry is a complex issue that is often not conducive to employee circadian rhythms and sleep requirements. It also suggests that current shift scheduling and fatigue management practices may be insufficient to mitigate the associated safety risk. Railway fatigue management systems that are based on the principles of modern sleep science are needed to improve scheduling practices and mitigate the ongoing safety risk.
Automated design synthesis and partitioning for adaptive reconfigurable hardware

The advent of reconfigurable logic arrays facilitates the development of adaptive architectures that have wide applicability as stand- alone intelligent systems. The hardware structure of such architectures can be rapidly altered to suit the changing computational needs of an application during its execution. The power of adaptive architectures has been demonstrated primarily in image processing, digital signal processing, and other areas such as neural networks and genetic algorithms. This chapter discusses the state-of-the-art architectures, their classification, and their applications. In order to effectively exploit adaptive architectures, efficient and retargetable design synthesis techniques are necessary. Further, the synthesis techniques must be fully integrated with design partitioning methods to make use of the multiplicity of reconfigurable devices provided by adaptive architectures. This chapter provides a description of a collection of synthesis and partitioning techniques and their embodiment in the SPARCS (Synthesis and Partitioning for Adaptive Reconfigurable Computing Systems) system.
Keeping Fit to Fly — Through Physical Education: Tair Cadets When Graduated Will Complete Requirements of Physical Education Minor

(1956). Keeping Fit to Fly — Through Physical Education. Journal of Health, Physical Education, Recreation: Vol. 27, No. 4, pp. 12-13.