cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Tracking-Integrated Optics: Applications in Solar Concentration

Conventional concentrating photovoltaic (CPV) systems track the sun with high precision dual-axis trackers. The emergent field of tracking-integrated optics has the potential to simplify the mechanics of CPV systems by loosening or eliminating the need for dual-axis tracking. In a tracking-integrated scheme, external module tracking is complemented or entirely replaced by miniature tracking within the module. This internal tracking-integration may take the form of active small-motion translation, rotation of arrayed optics, or by passive material property changes induced by the concentrated light. These methods are briefly reviewed. An insolation weighting model is presented which will aid in the design of tracking-integrated optics by quantifying the tradeoff between angular operation range and annual sunlight collection. We demonstrate that when tracking-integrated optics are used to complement external module tracking about a horizontal, North-South oriented axis, truncating the operational range may be advantageous. At Tucson AZ latitude (32.2°N), 15.6% of the angular range may be truncated while only sacrificing 3.6% of the annual insolation. We show that modules tracked about a polar-aligned axis are poorly-suited for truncation.
High density lipoprotein cholesterol, insulin and obesity in Samoans.

Abstract Correlations between insulin, high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and obesity were investigated in a genetically homogenous population. Insulin and HDL-C show a significant negative correlation in all subgroups studied. The data presented here further suggest that the relationship between HDL-C and obesity, previously reported by other workers and confirmed in the present study, may be mediated by insulin.
Cross-linking of bacteriorhodopsin using specific carboxyl modifications and proteolytic cleavage

Specific carboxyl modification of purple membrane using a water-soluble carbodiimide yielded a mixture of oligomers, revealed by gel electrophoresis. Purple membrane pre-treated with papain or trypsin, cleaving the C-terminal tail, showed the same pattern of cross-linked products. Chymotryptic cleavage released amino acids 1-72 (7kD fragment) from the cross-linked products, as it did with native membrane. The tail and helices A and B are not, therefore, involved in carbodiimide-promoted cross-linking. Similar cleavage of a hydrophobic dihydroquinoline-modified sample showed that mainly intra-molecular cross-linking occurs, with little cross-linking between the large and small chymotryptic fragments.
Sterol and lipid trafficking in mammalian cells

The pathways involved in the intracellular transport and distribution of lipids in general, and sterols in particular, are poorly understood. Cholesterol plays a major role in modulating membrane bilayer structure and important cellular functions, including signal transduction and membrane trafficking. Both the overall cholesterol content of a cell, as well as its distribution in specific organellar membranes are stringently regulated. Several diseases, many of which are incurable at present, have been characterized as results of impaired cholesterol transport and/or storage in the cells. Despite their importance, many fundamental aspects of intracellular sterol transport and distribution are not well understood. For instance, the relative roles of vesicular and non-vesicular transport of cholesterol have not yet been fully determined, nor are the non-vesicular transport mechanisms well characterized. Similarly, whether cholesterol is asymmetrically distributed between the two leaflets of biological membranes, and if so, how this asymmetry is maintained, is poorly understood. In this review, we present a summary of the current understanding of these aspects of intracellular trafficking and distribution of lipids, and more specifically, of sterols.
Minimizing Energy Consumption in Body Sensor Networks via Convex Optimization

Body Sensor Networks (BSNs) consist of miniature sensors deployed on or implanted into the human body for health monitoring. Conserving the energy of these sensors, while guaranteeing a required level of performance, is a key challenge in BSNs. In terms of communication protocols, this translates to minimizing energy consumption while limiting the latency in data transfer. In this paper, we focus on polling-based communication protocols for BSNs, and address the problem of optimizing the polling schedule to achieve minimal energy consumption and latency. We show that this problem can be posed as a geometric program, which belongs to the class of convex optimization problems, solvable in polynomial time. We also introduce a dynamic priority vector for each sensor, based on the observation that relative priorities of sensors in a BSN change over time. This vector is used to develop a decision-tree based approach for resolving scheduling conflicts among devices. The proposed framework is applicable to a broad class of periodic polling-based communication protocols. We design one such protocol in detail and show that it achieves an improvement of approximately 45\% over the widely accepted standard IEEE 802.15.4 MAC protocol.
Harnessing Chaperones to Generate Small-Molecule Inhibitors of Amyloid ß Aggregation

Protein aggregation is involved in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases and hence is considered an attractive target for therapeutic intervention. However, protein-protein interactions are exceedingly difficult to inhibit. Small molecules lack sufficient steric bulk to prevent interactions between large peptide surfaces. To yield potent inhibitors of β-amyloid (Aβ) aggregation, we synthesized small molecules that increase their steric bulk by binding to chaperones but also have a moiety available for interaction with Aβ. This strategy yields potent inhibitors of Aβ aggregation and could lead to therapeutics for Alzheimer's disease and other forms of neurodegeneration.
Changes in out-of-pocket payments for healthcare in Vietnam and its impact on equity in payments, 1992–2002 ☆

Abstract Background Economic reforms in Vietnam initiated in the late 1980s included deregulation of the health system resulting in extensive changes in health care delivery, access, and financing. One aspect of the health sector reform was the introduction of user fees at both public and private health facilities, which was in stark contrast to the former socialized system of free medical care. Subsequently, health insurance and free health care cards for the poor were introduced to mitigate the barriers to seeking care and financial burden imposed by out-of-pocket (OOP) health payments as a result of the user fees. Objective To examine the determinants of seeking care and OOP payments as well as the relationship between individual out-of-pocket (OOP) health expenditures and household ability to pay (ATP) during 1992–2002. Data The data are drawn from 1992–93 and 1997–98 Vietnam Living Standard Surveys (VLSS) and 2002 Vietnam Household and Living Standards Survey (VHLSS). Methods We use a two-part model where the first part is a probit model that estimates the probability that an individual will seek treatment. The second part is a truncated non-linear regression model that uses ordinary least-squares and fixed effects methods to estimate the determinants of OOP payments that are measured both as absolute as well as relative expenditures. Based on the analysis, we examine the relationship between the predicted shares of individual OOP health payments and household's ATP as well as selected socioeconomic characteristics. Results Our results indicate that payments increased with increasing ATP, but the consequent financial burden (payment share) decreased with increasing ATP, indicating a regressive system during the first two periods. However, share of payments increased with ATP, indicating a progressive system by 2002. When comparing across years, we find horizontal inequities in all the years that worsened between 1992 and 1998 but improved by 2002. Conclusion The regressivity in payments noted during 1992 and 1998 might be because the rich could avail of health insurance more than those at lower incomes and as a consequence, were able to use the healthcare system more effectively without paying a high OOP payment. In contrast, the poor either incurred higher OOP payments or were discouraged from seeking treatments until their ailment became serious. This inequality becomes exacerbated in 1998 when insurance take-up rates were not high, but the impact of privatization and deregulation was already occurring. By 2002, insurance take-up rates were much higher, and poverty alleviation policies (e.g., free health insurance and health fund membership targeted for the poor) were instituted, which may have resulted in a less regressive system.
Scheduling Drip Irrigation for Bell Pepper Grown with Plasticulture

ABSTRACT Producing economical yields of bell pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) while conserving water and nutrients requires an integrated approach to fertilization and irrigation. Detailed fertilization recommendations exist for bell peppers grown in Florida, but current irrigation recommendations are based on historical weather data and year-to-year adjustments. The objective of this study was to develop and test a crop factor (CF) for bell peppers grown with plasticulture and irrigated daily. Crop water use (ETc) was calculated daily by multiplying CF with Class A pan evaporation (Ep). Values for the proposed CF were 0.20, 0.40, 0.80, 1.00, and 0.80 for periods 1–2, 3–4, 5–11, 12, and 13 weeks after transplanting, respectively. Daily Ep values were converted, to irrigation volumes using 10 mm Ep = 835 L/100 m of bed length. ‘Brigadier’ bell peppers were established in a factorial combination of 75%, 100%, and 125% of the recommended 224 kg N/ha rate and 33%, 66%, 100%, and 133% of the reference irrigation ra...
Effect of glyburide on hepatic glucose metabolism

Abstract Glyburide, along with the other second-generation oral hypoglycemic agent glipizide, has been used as adjunctive therapy for the treatment of non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. After glyburide therapy, basal glycemia and glucose response to a meal are greatly improved. The mechanism for the glucose-lowering effect of the drug remains controversial. Glyburide is generally thought to exert two major actions: stimulation of pancreatic insulin secretion and enhancement of insulin action in hepatic and extrahepatic tisues. Studies in patients with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus indicate that the action of glyburide on the liver plays a central role in decreasing glucose. With short-tem therapy, glycuride decreases hepatic glucose production by elevating pancreatic insulin secretion. However, this increase in pancreatic insulin secretion is not sustained as therapy is continued, suggesting that glyburide then acts directly on the liver. The mechanism for the improvement in hepatic glucose metabolism after long-term treatment is not known. In vitro , glyburide has been shown to inhibit gluconeogenesis as well as glycogenolysis and to enhance hepatic glucose uptake, thus providing possible explanations for the action of the drug on the liver.
Cyberspace Violence against Girls and Adolescent Females

Children and adolescents today are the first generation raised in a society in which technological literacy is essential for effective citizenship in the 21st century. With many more youth using digital technologies for educational and recreational purposes, there has been an increase in social problems in cyberspace, exposing them to different forms of cyberviolence. This article gives an overview of the developments in cyberspace, describes different types of cyberviolence, and focuses on cyberbullying among girls and adolescent females as both victims and perpetrators of cyberbullying. At-risk online activities among girls and adolescent females as well as strategies to promote cybersafety are presented. Current research and future directions for research are reviewed.
Optical antenna effect in semiconducting nanowires.

We report on investigations of the interaction of light with nanoscale antennae made from crystalline GaP nanowires (NWs). Using Raman scattering, we have observed strong optical antenna effects which we identify with internal standing wave photon modes of the wire. The antenna effects were probed in individual NWs whose diameters are in the range 40 < d < 300 nm. The data and our calculations show that the nature of the backscattered light is critically dependent on the interplay between a photon confinement effect and bulk Raman scattering. At small diameter, d < 65 nm, the NWs are found to act like a nearly perfect dipole antenna and the bulk Raman selection rules are masked leading to a polarized scattering intensity function IR ∼ cos4 θ. Underscoring the importance of this work is the realization that a fundamental understanding of the “optical antenna effect” in semiconducting NWs is essential to the analysis of all electro-optic effects in small diameter filaments.
Trauma-hemorrhage inhibits splenic dendritic cell proinflammatory cytokine production via a mitogen-activated protein kinase process.

Although splenic dendritic cell (DC) functions are markedly altered following trauma-hemorrhage, the mechanism(s) responsible for the altered DC functions remains unknown. We hypothesized that trau...
Behavior analysis in consumer affairs: encouraging dental professionals to provide consumers with shielding from unnecessary X-ray exposure

An unobtrusive observation system was developed to determine the extent to which dental professionals in two communities provided lead shielding to patients during X-ray exams. A lengthy baseline revealed low and irregular provision of shielding among half of these professionals. Subsequently, a program was undertaken by a consumer's group in which these professionals were requested to provide shielding and were given confidential feedback regarding its use during the baseline period. The provision of shielding dramatically increased at all offices and was maintained throughout a follow-up period extending to more than 9 months after the program's implementation. Little or no generalized effect was observed in the occurrence of three collateral behaviors that were also assessed throughout the study.
Nonlinear compliance testing applied to indentation cracking in ceramics

Indentation cracking under sharp-pointed indenters is analyzed using compliance-based, nonlinear, fracture mechanics. The stress intensity factor, K, in linear elastic fracture mechanics is well known to be proportional to the load, P; in this nonlinear analysis K is proportional to P{sup 3/4}. The observed relation between indenter load-point displacement and crack length is based on similitude of crack lengths with load-point displacements as a strain-controlled fracture. The equations that relate load and a function of the crack length to the crack driving force, J, have been found for Vickers indentations. Analysis of the nonlinear load vs displacement assumes an equilibrium crack in the elastic material surrounding the indent. The hardness that describes the load vs load-point displacement during cracking is derived on a constant J line in load-displacement space. The crack length is shown experimentally to be proportional to the load-point displacement after crack initiation for several different indenters in ZnS. The measured loading curves are nonlinear and display crack initiation during loading. The K{sub Ic} expressions found here are very similar to correlations that have been applied to indentation cracks.
Pancreatic gene expression during the initiation of acute pancreatitis: identification of EGR-1 as a key regulator

We hypothesized that genes expressed in pancreatic acinar cells during the initiation of acute pancreatitis determine the severity of the disease. Therefore, we utilized microarrays to identify tho...
A feedback limitation of decentralized controllers for TITO systems, with application to a reactive ion etcher

This paper explores an inherent feedback limitation of using decentralized LTI control on a two-input, two-output LTI plant. The result is motivated by, and illustrated on, a reactive ion etcher. >
Use of a thermal camera to aid in capturing northern bobwhite quail chicks

There is a paucity of information concerning northern bobwhite (Colinus virginianus) chick demography caused by a deficiency of efficient published capture techniques and permanent unique markers for identification. In order to facilitate chick research, we employed a thermal camera to detect and capture chicks during the preflight stage (≤14 days old) brooded by a radiomarked female. We released a known number of chicks into native vegetation within a flight pen to test this technique. Observers (unaware of the number) then used a thermal camera to successfully count (≥95% intra-class correlation coeff.; complete counts for each age class) and capture the chicks. In separate field tests, we homed to within 10 m of the roost location of wild radiomarked females before sunrise, circled the area until the brood heat signature was observed, and flushed the female from the chicks. We located 116 chicks from 43 broods with the thermal camera throughout the 2011 nesting season with 81% complete, 12% partial, and 7% failed captures attempts. Detection of chicks by the thermal camera was not affected by age. Complete brood abandonment was not detected as a result of capture events. The employment of a thermal camera to capture chicks should advance the success and efficiency of capture and thus promote research concerning brood ecology. © 2012 The Wildlife Society.
“I don’t want to be selling my soul”: Two experiments in environmental economics

We conducted two experiments in the context of environmental protection. We found that profit considerations and personality traits are among the essential determinants of individual contributions to the solution of environmental problems. The results show that environmental considerations are powerful motivators and subjects are willing to forgo pecuniary profits for the sake of “doing-the-right-thing”. The study shows that the environmental groups can purchase carbon offsets directly from the providers at a lower-than market price and still obtain a relatively large market share.
The thermodynamic effects of exposing nucleic acid bases to water: Solubility measurements in water and organic solvents

In order to examine the thermodynamic effects of exposing nucleic acid bases to water, we have measured the solubility of adenine, cytosine, and uracil in water and in organic solvents as a function of temperature. Transfer of a nucleic acid base from an organic environment into water is characterized by positive values for ΔH and for ΔS. We conclude from this result that the overall interaction between nucleic acid bases and water cannot be hydrophobic. If the effect we observe represents structure breaking in water by nucleic acid bases, this process would account for a major portion of the large, positive melting entropy of DNA, and would also contribute substantially to the melting enthalpy.
Rapid Determination of Chlorpromazine Hydrochloride and Two Oxidation Products in Various Pharmaceutical Samples Using High-Performance Liquid Chromatography and Fluorescence Detection

A rapid, simple, and accurate high-performance liquid chromatographic procedure using an amino-bonded microparticulate column is reported for the determination of chlorpromazine hydrochloride (I) and its two oxidation products, the sulfoxide (II) and the sulfone (III), in commercially available pharmaceutical dosage preparations. Simultaneous identification and quantitation of II and III in the presence of at least 100 times the amount of parent compound were achieved with selective fluorometric detection. Identification and quantitation of I were achieved by changing the fluorescence detection mode. A typical chromatographic run was completed within 15 min. The described procedure is simpler, more sensitive, and more accurate than the USP XIX methods, particularly for the analysis of II in injectables. Quantitation of II and III at levels as low as 0.1 μg, representing 0.1% contamination, was demonstrated.
A surgical wound isolator.

Abstract 104 OPERATIONS in North and Central America were carried out with the operation wound isolated in an inflated, free-form plastic bag. The purpose was to achieve, not absolute asepsis, but a safe surgical field in an otherwise highly contaminated environment. The operating-rooms varied from highly contaminated to clean. The isolator proved serviceable in many different types of surgical procedures. Protection against bacterial contamination of the surgical field was demonstrated by bacteria counts. Few wound infections were observed in either the " isolator " or a control series, and the incidence of infections was not significantly different. The extensive use of antibiotics, particularly in the control cases, and inability to follow up most of the patients, interfered with evaluation of the technique. Isolators can be useful where the patient is abnormally susceptible to infection. In parts of the world where surgical facilities are inadequate, the isolator can contribute significantly to the prevention of wound contamination and can increase the effectiveness of surgeons.
Addressing the Achievement Gap and Disproportionality Through the Use of Culturally Responsive Teaching Practices

Culturally responsive practices in schools and classrooms have been shown to be an effective means of addressing the achievement gap as well as the disproportionate representation of racially, culturally, ethnically, and linguistically diverse students in programs serving students with special needs. While there has been much research discussing these issues, teachers and school staff lack clear examples and tools for best practices toward addressing these issues effectively. This research provides a practical tool to encourage teachers and school staff to engage in reflective, culturally responsive practice as well as highlighting the need to include a range of stakeholders in the process of developing, implementing, and evaluating tools for educational practice.
DsbA and DsbC Are Required for Secretion of Pertussis Toxin by Bordetella pertussis

The Dsb family of enzymes catalyzes disulfide bond formation in the gram-negative periplasm, which is required for folding and assembly of many secreted proteins. Pertussis toxin is arguably the most complex toxin known: it is assembled from six subunits encoded by five genes (for subunits S1 to S5), with 11 intramolecular disulfide bonds. To examine the role of the Dsb enzymes in assembly and secretion of pertussis toxin, we identified and mutated the Bordetella pertussis dsbA, dsbB, and dsbC homologues. Mutations in dsbA or dsbB resulted in decreased levels of S1 (the A subunit) and S2 (a B-subunit protein), demonstrating that DsbA and DsbB are required for toxin assembly. Mutations in dsbC did not impair assembly of periplasmic toxin but resulted in decreased toxin secretion, suggesting a defect in the formation of the Ptl secretion complex.
A study of the scintillation light induced in liquid xenon by electrons and alpha particles

The time dependence and the intensity of the primary scintillation light in liquid xenon excited by /sup 241/Am alpha particles and /sup 207/Bi internal conversion electrons were measured at different electric field strengths. High-purity liquid xenon was used to fill a parallel-plate ionization chamber equipped with a CaF/sub 2/ window coupled to a UV (ultraviolet) sensitive photomultiplier tube. The effect of the specific ionization density on the scintillation light as well as the time correlation between the light signal and the charge signal is reported. It is demonstrated that the fast scintillation signal produced in liquid xenon by an ionizing particle provides an ideal trigger in a detector aiming at a complete three-dimensional event reconstruction with an excellent background rejection capability. >
Global climate agreement: After the talks.

The real business of decarbonization begins after an agreement is signed at the Paris climate conference, argue David G. Victor and James P. Leape.
Metalorganic vapor phase epitaxial growth of all-AlGaAs visible (

We present a study on the growth of visible (∼700 nm) vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers (VCSELs) by metalorganic vapor phase epitaxy. The structure was based on AlGaAs for both the quantum well active region and the distributed Bragg reflectors. Photoluminescence intensity from AlGaAs quantum wells was optimized vs the substrate misorientations from the (100) surface. The doping efficiency for n-type by Si and p-type by C was studied as a function of the substrate misorientation and the growth temperature. High-quality VCSEL materials were grown on (311)A substrates. The structure was processed by selective oxidation, and high-performance VCSELs emitting at ∼700 nm were achieved in a continuous-wave mode at room temperature.
High-repetition-rate femtosecond optical parametric oscillator based on CsTiOAsO(4).

A high-repetition-rate Ti:sapphire-pumped optical parametric oscillator based on the new nonlinear optical crystal CsTiOAsO4 is described. The operation of this optical parametric oscillator is characterized for a 90°-cut crystal by use of a type II interaction. Tuning from 1.46 to 1.74 μm is demonstrated, and there is the potential for tuning from 0.9 to 5 μm with angle tuning. Powers of 100 mW in the signal and the idler branches are obtained. Pulse widths as short as 64 fs are generated with and without prisms in the cavity.
Globalization and Inequality

Abstract To what extent can increasing inequality be explained by globalization? And if there is a connection, what if anything can and should be done about it? This chapter begins with an overview of how conventional trade theory has fared in predicting changes in inequality and how it has needed to be extended and expanded when, contrary to some received wisdom, greater global integration is associated with increasing inequality in developed and developing countries. From there, the chapter goes well beyond these concerns to take in the effects of crises on inequality, globalization and gender inequality, openness and spatial inequality, and the effect of international migration on inequality. Finally, reviews of the latest developments in the design of national and global policy to address the challenges of globalization and inequality are presented. The literature reviewed is lively and flourishing. Having animated the economic analysis and policy discourse for the past half century, the globalization–inequality nexus seems set to continue in this vein in the coming decades.
School-Related Outcomes of Traumatic Event Exposure and Traumatic Stress Symptoms in Students: A Systematic Review of Research from 1990 to 2015

The purpose of this study was to systematically review the literature to identify school-related outcomes associated with trauma in school-aged youth. The sample of articles (n = 83) included data on school-aged youth (pre-kindergarten to grade 12) who were 18 years or younger. Cognitive, academic, and teacher reported social-emotional-behavioral outcomes associated with traumatic event exposure and traumatic stress symptoms were examined. The findings from this systematic review further assist educators and school professionals in recognizing the potential impact of traumatic event exposure and traumatic stress symptoms on school-related functioning. Implications for future research include the need to utilize clear operational definitions of traumatic event exposure and traumatic stress symptoms to allow for aggregation of findings across studies, to conduct longitudinal studies to be conducted within the school context, and to take the critical next step of school-based trauma interventions to incorporate school-related outcomes.
The Problem with New York Times, Co. v. Sullivan: An Argument for Moving From a Falsity Model of Libel Law to a Speech Act Model.

The Court’s decision in New York Times, Inc. v. Sullivan was hailed as a breakthrough for First Amendment rights because it acknowledged that there should be constitutional protection for false statements in some circumstances and that the value of expression may outweigh the value of avoiding potential harm to reputation. But the Court’s opinion was based on what we might call a “falsity model” of First Amendment theory – the notion that false speech is problematic precisely because it is false. This same rationale was the basis for the Stolen Valor Act and other laws that seek to curtail or punish speech that is false on its face.There are legitimate concerns about false speech, particularly where it rises to the level of being fraudulent. Nevertheless, I would argue that Sullivan is based on a faulty premise; namely, that all knowingly false factual assertions are devoid of constitutional value – a notion further reinforced by Gertz v. Robert Welch, Inc. Cases have since demonstrated that there are problems with this premise, and, in libel cases, the courts have wrestled with ways to protect valuable yet false statements, or, in a few cases, they have regrettably imposed liability on publishers who repeat the highly newsworthy statements, resulting in the “Sullivan gap” – an absence of a reliable effective defense in cases where there should be a recognition of “constitutional value” that is protected. Courts have attempted to protect expressive speech by applying or expanding other libel defenses. An examination of those defenses shows they have a common trait: the statements at issue are not offered to prove the truth of the matter asserted. Thus, a “speech act” model should be adopted in lieu of Sullivan’s falsity model to determine when constitutional protection should be afforded to allegedly libelous speech. A libel claim should be permitted only where the statement constitutes a credible “telling.”
The Use of Regenerating Liver as a Method of Assay.

Conclusion1. The time at which mitosis in regenerating liver reaches a maximum varies with the age of the animal. 2. P32 updake by regenerating liver, 3 hours after intravenous administration administration of labeled Na2HPO4, varies with time after partial hepatectomy. This variation may be related to changes in liver volume or to mitotic activity or both. 3. P32 retention 27 hours after subcutaneous administration of labeled Na2HPO4, shows little variation with time after operation. 4. The mitotic rate provides a useful index which may be used in assaying the effect of various agents on the reproduction of liver cells.
Computational modeling approaches to studying the dynamics of oncolytic viruses.

Oncolytic viruses specifically infect cancer cells, replicate in them, killthem, and spread to further tumor cells. They represent a targeted treatmentapproach that is promising in principle, but consistent success has yet tobe observed. Mathematical models can play an important role in analyzing thedynamics between oncolytic viruses and a growing tumor cell population,providing insights that can be useful for the further development of thistherapy approach. This article reviews different mathematical modelingapproaches ranging from ordinary differential equations to spatiallyexplicit agent-based models. Problems of model robustness are discussed andso are some clinically important insight derived from the models.
Heterometallic Multiple Bonding: Delocalized Three-Center σ and π Bonding in Chains of 4d and 5d Transition Metals

Heterotrimetallic compounds Mo2Ru(dpa)4Cl2 (1) and W2Ru(dpa)4Cl2 (2) are prepared by reactions of M2(dpa)4 (M = Mo or W; dpa = 2,2′-dipyridylamide) with [Ru(CO)3Cl2]2. Crystallographic studies reveal short Mo–Ru and W–Ru distances, 2.38 A (1) and 2.39 A (2), suggestive of delocalized Mo–Mo–Ru and W–W–Ru bonding. In contrast to the σ bonding found in the corresponding iron compounds, density functional theory calculations reveal both a three-center/two-electron σ bond and two three-center/four-electron π bonds in the M–M–Ru compounds.
Analysis of the epidemiological characteristics of measles before and after enhanced measles immunization in Fujian Province

OBJECTIVE To compare and analyze the epidemiological characteristics of measles before and after enhanced measles immunization in Fujian Province.METHODS Epidemiology of measles 3 years before and after enhanced measles immunization in 2009 in Fujian Province were compared.RESULTS Incidence rates of measles 3 years before and after enhanced measles immunization were 4.65/100 000,5.49/100 000,3.67/100 000,0.28/100 000,0.06/100 000,and 0.24/100 000,respectively,with an average morbidity of 4.60/100 000 before and 0.19/100 000 after the enhanced immunization.While no changes occurred in the seasonal and regional distributions of measles before and after the enhanced immunization,the age distribution has shifted.Before the enhanced immunization,patients ranging from 8 months old to 14 years old accounted for 56.51% of the total measles cases;however,after the enhanced immunization,cases from non-immunization targeting populations accounted for 70.42% of the total cases.Most of the infected individuals had no records of measles immunization.CONCLUSION Enhanced measles immunization changes the epidemiological characteristics of measles epidemic,but has little influence on the seasonal and regional distributions of the disease.
Policy Help Needed, Experience Required Preparing Practitioners to Effectively Engage in Policy

Objectives. There is a shift toward a “health in all policies” approach in public health; however, most practitioners are not equipped with the necessary knowledge or skills to engage in and practi...
Safety effectiveness and crash cost benefit of red light cameras in Missouri

ABSTRACTObjective: Red light cameras (RLCs) have generated heated discussions over issues of safety effectiveness, revenue generation, and procedural due process. This study focuses on the safety evaluation of RLCs in Missouri, including the economic valuation of safety benefits. The publication of the national Highway Safety Manual (HSM; American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials) in 2010 produced statistical safety models for intersections and spurred the calibration of these models to local conditions.Methods: This study adds to existing knowledge by applying the latest statistical methodology presented in the HSM and more current data. Driver behavior constantly changes due in part to driving conditions and the use of technology. The safety and economic benefit evaluation was performed using the empirical Bayes method, which accounts for regression to the mean bias. For the economic benefit evaluation, the KABCO crash severity scale and crash cost estimates were used. A total o...
Whiteness as Surveillance

Though seemingly innocent, the poem above not only divulges what it feels like to be revealed, but also how power operates in such a way that it can, with all its might, stop the revealing. In essence, the power of whiteness is nothing more than a policing of what can and cannot be said, divulged, examined, and exposed due in part by white fragility (DiAngelo, 2011).
Family Dysfunction and Suicide Risk in a Community Corrections Sample

Abstract. Background: When comparted with the general population, the suicide rate in correctional populations is elevated. While predictors of suicide are well researched in jail and prison populations, much less work has been done to examine predictors of suicide in community corrections samples where 80% of the US correctional population is currently supervised. Aims: The goal of this study was to determine factors associated with suicide risk in a community corrections sample. Method: Self-reported current ideation was examined in a sample of 512 individuals under supervision. Results: When univariate associations between current suicidal ideation and predictor variables were examined, current suicidal ideation was associated with being female, being White, reporting an increased level of stress, reporting an increased level of depression, meeting criteria for an anxiety disorder, an increased number of physical health complaints, and self-report of family dysfunction. In a multivariate analysis predi...
Deriving Global Parameter Estimates for the Noah Land Surface Model using FLUXNET and Machine Learning

With their origins in numerical weather prediction and climate modeling, land surface models aim to accurately partition the surface energy balance. An overlooked challenge in these schemes is the role of model parameter uncertainty, particularly at unmonitored sites. This study provides global parameter estimates for the Noah land surface model using 85 eddy covariance sites in the global FLUXNET network. The at-site parameters are first calibrated using a Latin Hypercube based ensemble of the most sensitive parameters, determined by the Sobol method, to be the minimum stomatal resistance (rs,min), the Zilinkitevich empirical constant (Czil), and the bare soil evaporation exponent (fxexp). Calibration leads to an increase in the mean Kling-Gupta Efficiency (KGE) performance metric from 0.54 to 0.71. These calibrated parameter sets are then related to local environmental characteristics using the Extra-Trees machine learning algorithm. The fitted Extra-Trees model is used to map the optimal parameter sets over the globe at a 5 km spatial resolution. The leave-one-out cross-validation of the mapped parameters using the Noah land surface model suggests that there is the potential to skillfully relate calibrated model parameter sets to local environmental characteristics. The results demonstrate the potential to use FLUXNET to tune the parameterizations of surface fluxes in land surface models and to provide improved parameter estimates over the globe.
The Successful Immediate Neonatal Transition to Extrauterine Life.

Purpose:To define and describe the processes underlying the successful neonatal transition to extrauterine life and methods to assess the transition.Method:Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), Embase, Web of Science, and Google Scholar were searched using a combination of the key words neonate, neonatal, newborn, transition, respiratory OR pulmonary, cardiac, metabolic, pH, umbilical cord, and assessment. Articles in English and German were reviewed. The final sample of articles consisted of one randomized controlled trial, 30 observational studies using human neonates, one observational study using rabbit pups, one secondary analysis, three systematic reviews, and 23 review articles.Major Findings:The pertinent findings in regard to normal events in the respiratory, cardiovascular, and metabolic transitions are reviewed and summarized. We address the underlying factors necessary for the transition to extrauterine life, specify the consequences of a successful transition, and...
Mild, moderate, meaningful? Examining the psychological and functioning correlates of DSM-5 eating disorder severity specifiers.

Objective This study evaluated the DSM-5 severity specifiers for treatment-seeking groups of participants with anorexia nervosa (AN), the purging form of bulimia nervosa (BN), and binge-eating disorder (BED). Method Hundred and sixty-two participants with AN, 93 participants with BN, and 343 participants with BED were diagnosed using semi-structured interviews, sub-categorized using DSM-5 severity specifiers and compared on demographic and cross-sectional clinical measures. Results In AN, the number of previous hospitalizations and the duration of illness increased with severity, but there was no difference across severity groups on measures of eating pathology, depression, or measures of self-reported physical or emotional functioning. In BN, the level of eating concerns increased across the severity groups, but the groups did not differ on measures of depression, self-esteem, and most eating pathology variables. In BN, support was also found for an alternative severity classification scheme based upon number of methods of purging. In BED, levels of several measures of eating pathology and self-reported physical and emotional functioning increased across the severity groups. For BED, however, support was also found for an alternative severity classification scheme based upon overvaluation of shape and weight. Preliminary evidence was also found for a transdiagnostic severity index based upon overvaluation of shape and weight. Discussion Overall, these data show limited support for the DSM-5 severity specifiers for BN and modest support for the DSM-5 severity specifiers for AN and BED.
The Systemic Effects of Endometriosis.

Endometriosis is a condition defined by the presence of endometrial glands and stroma in ectopic locations. While the most commonly seen symptoms of the disease are pelvic pain, dysmenorrhea, and infertility, endometriosis has also systemic effects in multiple organ systems. Here, we review literature describing closely associated comorbidities including cardiovascular disease, cancers, autoimmune disease, psychiatric conditions, and metabolism/body weight. We examine the pathophysiology and hypothesized mechanism by which endometriosis may lead to these systemic effects; mechanisms include cytokine and micro-RNA production as well as stem cell migration and dissemination. The broad systemic effects of endometriosis as well as correlated comorbidities are often overlooked in the treatment of patients with endometriosis. Increased awareness may lead to more effective treatment and prevention.
Equalization Enhancement Approaches for PAM4 Signaling for Next Generation Speeds

Four-level pulse-amplitude modulation signal (PAM4) is gaining more attention as an alternate coding scheme to binary modulation NRZ (Non Return to Zero) in high speed systems as the signal rate is reduced by half. Transmitter and receiver equalizations continue to play an important role with PAM4 encoding. Even though de-emphasis is a well standardized approach for equalization in NRZ, two enhancement approaches for PAM4 de-emphasis are proposed in the paper. The first enhancement approach is to compensate voltage levels in the de-emphasis process and the second one is to equalize the signal by bit rather than by symbol. Several test cases are presented to show the improvement in eye opening compared to the old approach. The limitations of these two enhancement approaches are also discussed.
Effects of the postsunset vertical plasma drift on the generation of equatorial spread F

Equatorial spread F (ESF) irregularities are caused by plasma instability processes in the equatorial ionosphere and especially related to plasma bubble phenomena in the topside F region. Plasma bubbles result from nonlinear evolution of the Rayleigh-Taylor instability. The prereversal enhancement (PRE) of the postsunset vertical plasma drift increases the height of the equatorial F layer, creating conditions conducive to the growth of the Rayleigh-Taylor instability, and is an important factor that controls the generation of ESF. Three different relationships of the quantitative connection between the PRE and ESF occurrence have been derived. (1) A threshold PRE must be reached for the occurrence of ESF. ESF will be generated when the PRE is larger than the threshold and will not be generated when the PRE is smaller than the threshold. (2) The occurrence probability of ESF increases approximately linearly with the PRE. (3) The occurrence probability of ESF is characterized by a continuous probability distribution as a function of the PRE magnitude. The second and third relationships imply that the PRE can be used to specify the occurrence probability of ESF. This paper will review these relationships and discuss how these relationships are connected to each other. The effects of seeding perturbations on the generation and global distribution of ESF will be briefly discussed.
Patient-Centered Outcomes after Laparoscopic Paraesophageal Hernia Repair.

Abstract Background The aim of this study is to investigate patient centered quality of life (QOL) outcomes in patients undergoing laparoscopic paraesophageal hernia repair (LPEHR). Study Design We prospectively followed patients who underwent laparoscopic paraesophageal hernia repair between 2009 - 2016. QOL outcomes were measured using Short Form-36 (SF-36), GERD-HRQL, Reflux Symptom Index, and Dysphagia score surveys administered pre-operatively and at 3 weeks, 6 months, 1 year, and 2 years post- operatively. Postoperative QOL outcomes were compared to preoperative baseline scores using paired t-tests. Results Of 314 total patients who underwent LPEHR, 188 with adequate follow-up were included in analysis. Mean age was 69.1 ± 11.8 years and 22.3% of studied subjects were male. Most the cohort also underwent laparoscopic fundoplication (95.7%). Prevalent symptoms at initial presentation include heartburn (65.4%), and regurgitation (60.1%). Significant improvements between baseline and all postoperative time points were seen in Reflux Symptoms Index (3 weeks: p Conclusions Laparoscopic paraesophageal hernia repair results in significantly improved QOL as measured by SF-36 at both short and long-term intervals. Additionally, RSI and GERD-HRQL scores improved at all postoperative time points.
An Innovative Whole Child Approach to Learning: The LiiNK Project®.

Others' success can be a powerful motivation to innovate, which sometimes means finding new ways to return to beneficial activities. Finland's academic success has prompted many to explore that cou...
Attitudes, Prior Interaction, and Petitioner Credibility Predict Support for Considering the Rights of Robots

The purpose of this study is to determine levels of support for consideration of the rights of robots and to identify predictors of support for robot rights. Findings demonstrated that negative attitudes toward robots, perceived credibility of the petitioner, and prior interaction with robots were significant predictors of individuals agreeing to sign a petition on the issue of robot rights. Gender of the participant and whether the petitioner was a human being or Pepper robot did not significantly predict willingness to sign the petition.
Cytosolic phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase as a cataplerotic pathway in the small intestine

The small intestine expresses gluconeogenic enzymes for unknown reasons. In addition to glucose synthesis, the nascent steps of this pathway can be used to support amino acid and lipid metabolisms....
Having Faith in the Party Again: The Two-Line Party Struggle in the Chinese Communist Party

At the present time, the Communist Party is not looked upon as an agent for revolutionary change. It is seen as an archaic artifact that needs to be left in the dustbin of 20th century history. Som...
Design a Mobile Augmented Reality System to Facilitate Users’ Companionship Needs

With smartphones and wearable communication and information technologies (ICT) ubiquitous, mobile augmented reality systems (MARS) open up various opportunities for users to experience and interact with virtual information at physical locations. For example, MARS has been developed to provide information about destinations and attractions for tourists. Currently, prior studies mainly focused on the MARS recommendations from tourist organizations and professionals so there is a lack of design studies of MARS recommendations from users’ social networks. A “See What I See” MARS has been designed based on prior research findings on tourists’ companionship needs from their social networks and from their mobile devices. It is a user-generated “Situated Documentary” MARS for users to navigate new places based on their networks’ recommendations. A prototype was built and tested. Results show that users report the MARS is highly easy to use and useful, enhancing users’ experiences in a positive way. Users feel positive companionship from their friends and family members when they use the MARS at new places.