cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Unexpected resurgence of a large submersed plant bed in Chesapeake Bay: Analysis of time series data

An historically large (. 50 km2) submersed plant bed in upper Chesapeake Bay virtually disappeared in 1972, following Tropical Storm Agnes. The bed experienced little regrowth until the early 2000s, when plant abundance rapidly increased. Here, we analyze a suite of recent (1984–2010) and historical (1958–1983) time series datasets to assess alternative explanations for the submersed plant resurgence. Change-point analysis showed that spring nitrogen (N) loading increased from 1945 to 1988 and decreased from 1988 to 2010. Analysis of variance on recent time series showed a significant difference in submersed aquatic vegetation (SAV) abundance percent change during wet years (27 6 11%) and dry years (53 6 20%), indicating that floods and droughts likely contributed to SAV loss and growth, respectively. In the historic dataset, however, increasingly poor water quality led to SAV loss despite an extended drought period, indicating that underlying water quality trends were also important in driving change in SAV abundance. Several water quality variables, including N concentration and turbidity, were lower inside the SAV bed than outside the SAV bed, implying the presence of feedback processes whereby the bed improves its own growing conditions by enhancing biophysical processes such as sediment deposition and nutrient cycling. Together, these analyses suggest that stochastic extremes in river discharge and long-term water quality trends synergistically facilitated sudden shifts in SAV abundance and that feedback processes likely reinforced the state of the bed before and after the shifts. Management efforts should consider these dynamic interactions and minimize chronic underlying stressors, which are often anthropogenic in origin. Change is ubiquitous in natural systems because the environmental conditions that affect biota are also inherently variable. Seagrass and associated submersed aquatic vegetation (SAV) communities, in particular, undergo episodes of decline and recovery that span seasons to multiple decades. Reports of decline dominate the literature, with many examples of SAV loss attributed to chronically degraded water quality associated with eutrophication (Kemp et al. 1983) or extreme weather events
Combined Linear and Δ-Modulated Switched-Mode PA Supply Modulator for Polar Transmitters

A combined linear and Δ-modulated switched-mode PA supply modulator for polar transmitters is designed in a 0.25μm CMOS process. The modulator follows the input envelope and achieves 20dB output DR, a maximum efficiency of 75.5%, and 75dB SNDR for envelope signals up to 4MHz occupied RF BW. For a 1625kb/s 8PSK RF input at 900MHz, polar modulation of a GSM-900 PA provides 10dB ACPR improvement.
Annotation As an Index to Critical Writing

The differences in the ability to write critical and analytical essays among students with individual annotation styles were investigated. Critical and analytical writing was determined by the writer's ability to respond to a text with logical and critical analysis and attention to its thematic argument. Annotation styles were determined by ways of annotating a text: critical inquiry as skillful and simple highlighting as verbatim. The results indicated that skillful annotators produced more critical and analytical writing samples than did verbatim annotators. Verbatim annotators recycled information rather than analyzing it. The findings are congruent with theories that promote explicit metacognitive skills and support the position that teaching tactics consonant with students' cultural backgrounds are more likely to succeed in fostering critical thinking reflected in writing.
Assignment of the mechanism of predissociation of the ClO2 molecule by analysis of single-rotational-level lifetimes

Abstract Deconvolutions of measured absorption line profiles in the 1 n 0 ( n = 0 to 5) and the 3 2 0 bands of the A 2 A 2 X 2 B 1 electronic transition of ClO 2 reveal subnanosecond lifetimes for all rotational levels of the 2 A 2 state. Observed ratios of radiationless rates from spin-doublet components identify direct spin-orbit coupling of the 2 A 2 state with 2 A 1 and/or 2 B 1 vibronic states as a predominant predissociation mechanism. Variations of rates with ν′ 1 locate an intersection of a second potential surface with that of the 2 A 2 state.
Epigenomic Indicators of Age in African Americans.

Age is a well-established risk factor for chronic diseases. However, the cellular and molecular changes associated with aging processes that are related to chronic disease initiation and progression are not well-understood. Thus, there is an increased need to identify new markers of cellular and molecular changes that occur during aging processes. In this study, we use genome-wide DNA methylation from 26,428 CpG sites in 13,877 genes to investigate the relationship between age and epigenetic variation in the peripheral blood cells of 972 African American adults from the Genetic Epidemiology Network of Arteriopathy (GENOA) study (mean age=66.3 years, range=39-95). Age was significantly associated with 7,601 (28.8%) CpG sites after Bonferroni correction for α=0.05 (p 7,000 sites with p-values ranging from 10A¢Â€Â‘6 to 10-43), we investigated how well the DNA methylation markers predict age. We found that 2,095 (7.9%) CpG sites were significant predictors of age after Bonferroni correction. The top five principal components of the 2,095 age-associated CpG sites accounted for 69.3% of the variability in these CpG sites, and they explained 26.8% of the variation in age. The associations between methylation markers and adult age are so ubiquitous and strong that we hypothesize that DNA methylation patterns may be an important measure of cellular aging processes. Given the highly correlated nature of the age-associated epigenome (as evidenced by the principal components analysis), whole pathways may be regulated as a consequence of aging.
Higher Intakes of Vegetables and Vegetable-Related Nutrients Are Associated with Lower Endometrial Cancer Risks

A limited number of studies have investigated diet in association with endometrial cancer (EC). We examined the association between intakes of selected food groups and nutrients with EC risk among 541 women with histologically confirmed EC and 541 women with an intact uterus and noncancer diagnoses seen at Roswell Park Cancer Institute between 1982 and 1998. Self-reported dietary and other epidemiologic data were collected by questionnaire. Unconditional logistic regression was used to estimate odds ratios (OR) and 95% CI, adjusting for age, BMI, hormone replacement therapy use, cigarette smoking, lifetime duration of menstruation, and total energy intake. We observed significant inverse associations for women in the highest vs. lowest quartiles of intake of total vegetables (OR, 0.51; 95% CI, 0.34-0.75), vitamin E (OR, 0.44; 95% CI, 0.27-0.70), dietary fiber (OR, 0.60; 95% CI, 0.39-0.94), beta-carotene (OR, 0.55; 95% CI, 0.37-0.82), lutein (OR, 0.52; 95% CI, 0.34-0.78), and folate (OR, 0.57; 95% CI, 0.36-0.91). Our results support that vegetables and related nutrients are associated with decreased risk of EC.
Skin metastasis from conventional giant cell tumor of bone: conceptual significance.

A conventional giant cell tumor of the proximal femur recurred twice locally and developed pulmonary nodules. The lung lesions were felt to be an example of "benign" metastases. Eight months after the initial presentation, the patient developed a single skin nodule on the contralateral leg. Histologic features of the skin nodule showed conventional giant cell tumor identical to the bone lesion. This nodule is a manifestation of arterial metastasis typical of any malignant tumor and seemingly contradicts the concept of "benign " metastasis.
Coding model for translation in E. coli K-12

Various computational methods for determining protein producing regions in a given genome are based on engineering constructs such as hidden Markov models and neural networks. The work presents a coding theory approach to modeling the process of protein translation initiation. The messenger RNA (mRNA) is viewed as a noisy encoded message and the ribosome as a block code minimum distance decoder. The results of applying this model to the Escherichia coli K-12 are presented.
Estimates of Twenty-First-Century Flood Risk in the Pacific Northwest Based on Regional Climate Model Simulations

AbstractResults from a regional climate model simulation show substantial increases in future flood risk (2040–69) in many Pacific Northwest river basins in the early fall. Two primary causes are identified: 1) more extreme and earlier storms and 2) warming temperatures that shift precipitation from snow to rain dominance over regional terrain. The simulations also show a wide range of uncertainty among different basins stemming from localized storm characteristics. While previous research using statistical downscaling suggests that many areas in the Pacific Northwest are likely to experience substantial increases in flooding in response to global climate change, these initial estimates do not adequately represent the effects of changes in heavy precipitation. Unlike statistical downscaling techniques applied to global climate model scenarios, the regional model provides an explicit, physically based simulation of the seasonality, size, location, and intensity of historical and future extreme storms, incl...
Daily body temperature rhythms persist under the midnight sun but are absent during hibernation in free-living arctic ground squirrels

In indigenous arctic reindeer and ptarmigan, circadian rhythms are not expressed during the constant light of summer or constant dark of winter, and it has been hypothesized that a seasonal absence of circadian rhythms is common to all vertebrate residents of polar regions. Here, we show that, while free-living arctic ground squirrels do not express circadian rhythms during the heterothermic and pre-emergent euthermic intervals of hibernation, they display entrained daily rhythms of body temperature (T(b)) throughout their active season, which includes six weeks of constant sun. In winter, ground squirrels are arrhythmic and regulate core body temperatures to within ±0.2°C for up to 18 days during steady-state torpor. In spring, after the use of torpor ends, male but not female ground squirrels, resume euthermic levels of T(b) in their dark burrows but remain arrhythmic for up to 27 days. However, once activity on the surface begins, both sexes exhibit robust 24 h cycles of body temperature. We suggest that persistence of nycthemeral rhythms through the polar summer enables ground squirrels to minimize thermoregulatory costs. However, the environmental cues (zeitgebers) used to entrain rhythms during the constant light of the arctic summer in these semi-fossorial rodents are unknown.
Statistical modelling of network panel data: Goodness of fit

Networks of relationships between individuals influence individual and collective outcomes and are therefore of interest in social psychology, sociology, the health sciences, and other fields. We consider network panel data, a common form of longitudinal network data. In the framework of estimating functions, which includes the method of moments as well as the method of maximum likelihood, we propose score-type tests. The score-type tests share with other score-type tests, including the classic goodness-of-fit test of Pearson, the property that the score-type tests are based on comparing the observed value of a function of the data to values predicted by a model. The score-type tests are most useful in forward model selection and as tests of homogeneity assumptions, and possess substantial computational advantages. We derive one-step estimators which are useful as starting values of parameters in forward model selection and therefore complement the usefulness of the score-type tests. The finite-sample behaviour of the score-type tests is studied by Monte Carlo simulation and compared to t-type tests.
Masseter muscle rigidity after administration of succinylcholine during rapid sequence induction

Case Report A 79-year-old, 8Wlogram woman with a medical history of asthma, atria1 fibrillation, Type-I diabetes, congestive heart failure and hypertension, presented to an outlying emergency department complaining of shortness of breath. She had been seen two days earlier for similar complaints, which were diagnosed and treated as an exacerbation of her asthma. On the day of transfer, the patient arrived in florid pulmonary edema. This diagnosis was confirmed by physical exam and chest X-ray. Initial arterial blood gases (ABGs) showed a pH of 7.08, PaCOz of 73 torr, PaOz of 50 tot-r, and a bicarbonate of 21 mEq. The electrocardiogram demonstrated atria1 fibrillation with a ventricular rate of 120 and evidence of anteroseptal ischemia. Her initial treatment included 120 mg of intravenous furosemide, 3 mg of intravenous bumetanide and initiation of a nitroglycerine drip at 50 mcg/min. Ventilation was assisted with 100% oxygen via bag-valve-mask (BVM) device. Repeat ABGs, following this treatment, showed a pH of 7.29, PaC02 of 43 torr, PaOa of 98 torr and a bicarbonate of 20 mEq. Electrolytes were reported to be within normal limits. On arrival of the flight crew, this patient was ashen and diaphoretic. Ventilation was being assisted via BVM at a rate of 44 breaths/min. Rales were audible in all lung fields. The patient’s blood pressure was 132/96 mmHg, and her heart rate was 130 and irregular. Three attempts at nasotracheal intubation were unsuccessful. Therefore, rapid sequence induction for orotracheal intubation was undertaken. As per protocol, an initial 50 mcg dose of fentanyl citrate was followed by 120 mg of succinylcholine. These were given intravenously while cricoid pressure was applied. Flaccid paralysis of the extremities was obtained in approximately 40 seconds. Difficulty was encountered in attempting to insert the laryngoscope because of limited motility of this patient’s mandible, which effectively reduced her mouth opening to approximately 4 cm. This lack of motility initially was felt to be related to arthritic changes in the temporomandibular joint. Visualization of the epiglottis was achieved with difficulty, but the poor motility of the mandible rendered visualization of the vocal cords impossible. Multiple attempts at orotracheal intubation by two experienced providers were unsuccessful. Hyperventilation between intubation attempts with 100% oxygen via BVh4 enabled maintenance of oxygen saturation between 89% and 95%. Cricoid pressure was maintained throughout the periods of paralysis. Two
Noncausal image modeling using descriptor approach

The problems of noncausal image modeling and subsequent image estimation are considered in this brief. The noncausal vector autoregressive (AR) model for the image process is arranged into a descriptor system. This system is then decomposed into backward and forward stable subsystems. The resulting subsystems are utilized to derive a Kalman filter by solving some types of discrete time algebraic Lyapunov equations. A numerical example for noncausal image modeling is also presented. >
Ca2+ and Cyclic AMP in Regulation of Intestinal Na, K, and Cl Transport

This review is an update of the current understanding of how Ca2+ and cAMP regulate mammalian small intestinal and colonic electrolyte transport. We review the transport processes present in plasma membranes of absorptive and secretory epithelial cells and the way these processes are affected by Ca2+ and cAMP. Studies of intestinal electrolyte transport are complicated by several factors, including the presence, and often simultaneous function, of both absorptive and secretory processes, and by the presence of multiple cell types. A cultured cell line that retains the electrolyte transport properties of the intact tissue would greatly simplify investigation. However, to date neither a transporting small intestinal nor an intestinal absorptive cell line has been developed. A CI­ secreting human colonic epithelial cell line, named T-84, has been reported (1 �-17), but these studies must be interpreted with the realization that such cells do not represent the normal colon, but a cancer cell line. It is generally believed that electrolyte absorption and secretion are carried out by two separate epithelial cell types (38). The absorptive cells are thought to be present only on the villus of small intestine and on the surface of the colon, while the secretory cells are mostly present in the crypts.
Receptor-mediated internalization of chelator-PNA-peptide hybridization probes for radioimaging or magnetic resonance imaging of oncogene mRNAs in tumours.

Early external detection of cancer gene activity might enable early treatment of cancer and might reduce cancer mortality. We hypothesized that oncogene mRNA overexpressed at thousands of copies per malignant cell in a zone of transformed cells could be imaged externally by scintigraphic imaging, PET (positron emission tomography) or MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) with PNA (peptide nucleic acid) hybridization probes that include chelators for metal cations and a cyclized peptide analogue of IGF-1 (insulin-like growth factor 1), d(Cys-Ser-Lys-Cys), to mediate internalization by IGF1R (IGF-1 receptor) overexpressed on cancer cells. We observed that human MCF7 breast cancer cells that overexpress IGF1R efficiently internalized fluorescein– chelator–PNA–d(Cys-Ser-Lys-Cys) to the cytoplasm, but not with d(Cys-Ala-Ala-Cys). Scintigraphic imaging of MCF7 xenografts in immunocompromised mice revealed that CCND1 and MYC [ 99m Tc]chelator–PNA–d(CysSer-Lys-Cys) probes yielded xenograft. PET imaging with [ 64 Cu]chelator–PNA–d(Cys-Ser-Lys-Cys) yielded stronger signals. Scintigraphic imaging of human AsPC1 pancreas cancer xenografts with [ 99m Tc]chelator– KRAS PNA–d(Cys-Ser-Lys-Cys) yielded strong xenograft signals. Stronger xenograft image intensities were obtained by PET imaging of [ 64 Cu]chelator–KRAS PNA–d(Cys-Ser-Lys-Cys). MRI required extension of chelator– polydiamidopropanoate dendrimers from the N-termini of the PNA probes to increase the number of contrast paramagnetic gadolinium (III) cations per probe. These results provide a basis for detection of oncogene activity in tissues from outside the body by hybridization with metal–chelator–PNA–peptides that are selectively internalized by cancer cells.
An application of Prohorov's theorem to probabilistic number theory

Abstract : The pupose of this paper is to give a probabilistic proof of a theorem which contains as special cases certain results about the natural densities of arithmetically interesting sets of integers, results usually conjectured on probabilistic grounds but proved by nonprobabilistic methods. The principle tool is Prohorov's theorem on the weak compactness of probability measures. Results similar to those of this paper, but for logarithmic density rather than natural density, have been proved, by very different methods. (Author)
Cell and organ printing 1: Protein and cell printers

We have developed several devices for positioning organic molecules, molecular aggregates, cells, and single-cell organisms onto solid supports. These printers can create stable, functional protein arrays using an inexpensive technology. The cell printer allows us to create cell libraries as well as cellular assemblies that mimic their respective position in organs. The printers are derived from commercially available ink-jet printers that are modified to dispense protein or cell solutions instead of ink. We describe here the modifications to the print heads, and the printer hardware and software that enabled us to adapt the ink-jet printers for the manufacture of cell and protein arrays. The printers have the advantage of being fully automated and computer controlled, and allow for the high-throughput manufacture of protein and cell arrays.
Differential growth kinetics are exhibited by human immunodeficiency virus type 1 TAR mutants.

Abstract The human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) TAR element is critical for the activation of gene expression by the transactivator protein, Tat. Mutagenesis has demonstrated that a stable stem-loop RNA structure containing both loop and bulge structures transcribed from TAR is the major target for tat activation. Though transient assays have defined elements critical for TAR function, no studies have yet determined the role of TAR in viral replication because of the inability to generate viral stocks containing mutations in TAR. In the current study, we developed a strategy which enabled us to generate stable 293 cell lines which were capable of producing high titers of different viruses containing TAR mutations. Viruses generated from these cell lines were used to infect both T-lymphocyte cell lines and peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Viruses containing TAR mutations in either the upper stem, the bulge, or the loop exhibited dramatically decreased HIV-1 gene expression and replication in all cell lines tested. However, we were able to isolate lymphoid cell lines which stably expressed gene products from each of these TAR mutant viruses. Though the amounts of virus in these cell lines were roughly equivalent, cells containing TAR mutant viruses were extremely defective for gene expression compared with cell lines containing wild-type virus. The magnitude of this decrease in viral gene expression was much greater than previously seen in transient expression assays using HIV-1 long terminal repeat chloramphenicol acetyltransferase gene constructs. In contrast to the defects in viral growth found in T-lymphocyte cell lines, several of the viruses containing TAR mutations were much less defective for gene expression and replication in activated peripheral blood mononuclear cells. These results indicate that maintenance of the TAR element is critical for viral gene expression and replication in all cell lines tested, though the cell type which is infected is also a major determinant of the replication properties of TAR mutant viruses.
Release of Small RNA-containing Exosome-like Vesicles from the Human Filarial Parasite Brugia malayi.

Lymphatic filariasis (LF) is a socio-economically devastating mosquito-borne Neglected Tropical Disease caused by parasitic filarial nematodes. The interaction between the parasite and host, both mosquito and human, during infection, development and persistence is dynamic and delicately balanced. Manipulation of this interface to the detriment of the parasite is a promising potential avenue to develop disease therapies but is prevented by our very limited understanding of the host-parasite relationship. Exosomes are bioactive small vesicles (30–120 nm) secreted by a wide range of cell types and involved in a wide range of physiological processes. Here, we report the identification and partial characterization of exosome-like vesicles (ELVs) released from the infective L3 stage of the human filarial parasite Brugia malayi. Exosome-like vesicles were isolated from parasites in culture media and electron microscopy and nanoparticle tracking analysis were used to confirm that vesicles produced by juvenile B. malayi are exosome-like based on size and morphology. We show that loss of parasite viability correlates with a time-dependent decay in vesicle size specificity and rate of release. The protein cargo of these vesicles is shown to include common exosomal protein markers and putative effector proteins. These Brugia-derived vesicles contain small RNA species that include microRNAs with host homology, suggesting a potential role in host manipulation. Confocal microscopy shows J774A.1, a murine macrophage cell line, internalize purified ELVs, and we demonstrate that these ELVs effectively stimulate a classically activated macrophage phenotype in J774A.1. To our knowledge, this is the first report of exosome-like vesicle release by a human parasitic nematode and our data suggest a novel mechanism by which human parasitic nematodes may actively direct the host responses to infection. Further interrogation of the makeup and function of these bioactive vesicles could seed new therapeutic strategies and unearth stage-specific diagnostic biomarkers.
Understanding and Use of IR Belt Furnace for Rapid Thermal Firing of Screen-Printed Contacts to Si Solar Cells

We have simulated the rapid thermal firing process using a high-throughput conveyor belt furnace to study the physics of solar cell contact formation in mass production. We show that as sinter dwell time decreases, a lower Ag finger contact resistance is observed. Scanning electron micrographs reveal a correlation between glass thickness at the Ag/Si finger interface and Ag finger contact resistance. Secondary ion mass spectrometry shows that glass-frit and Ag emitter penetration are controlled by sinter dwell time. The observed trends in contact formation lead to lower series resistance, higher fill factors, and greater efficiencies with rapid firing.
β-Chemokine production by neural and glial progenitor cells is enhanced by HIV-1 Tat: effects on microglial migration

HIV-1 neuropathology results from collective effects of viral proteins and inflammatory mediators on several cell types. Significant damage is mediated indirectly through inflammatory conditions promulgated by glial cells, including microglia that are productively infected by HIV-1, and astroglia. Neural and glial progenitors exist in both developing and adult brains. To determine whether progenitors are targets of HIV-1, a multi-plex assay was performed to assess chemokine/cytokine expression after treatment with viral proteins Tat or gp120. In the initial screen, ten analytes were basally released by murine striatal progenitors. The beta-chemokines CCL5/RANTES, CCL3/MIP-1α, and CCL4/MIP-1β were increased by 12 h exposure to HIV-1 Tat. Secreted factors from Tat-treated progenitors were chemoattractive towards microglia, an effect blocked by 2D7 anti-CCR5 antibody pretreatment. Tat and opiates have interactive effects on astroglial chemokine secretion, but this interaction did not occur in progenitors. gp120 did not affect chemokine/cytokine release, although both CCR5 and CXCR4, which serve as gp120 co-receptors, were detected in progenitors. We postulate that chemokine production by progenitors may be a normal, adaptive process that encourages immune inspection of newly generated cells. Pathogens such as HIV might usurp this function to create a maladaptive state, especially during development or regeneration, when progenitors are numerous.
Increasing Lean Mass and Strength: A Comparison of High Frequency Strength Training to Lower Frequency Strength Training

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect strength training frequency has on improvements in lean mass and strength. Participants were 7 women and 12 men, age (χ= 34.64 years ± 6.91 years), with strength training experience, training age (χ= 51.16 months ± 39.02 months). Participants were assigned to one of two groups to equal baseline group demographics. High frequency training group (HFT) trained each muscle group as the agonist, 3 times per week, exercising with 3 sets per muscle group per session (3 total body workouts). Low frequency training group (LFT) trained each muscle group as the agonist one time per week, completing all 9 sets during that one workout. LFT consisted of a routine split over three days: 1) pectoralis, deltoids, and triceps; 2) upper back and biceps; 3) quadriceps, hamstrings, calves, and abdominals. Following eight weeks of training, HFT increased lean mass by 1.06 kg ± 1.78 kg, (1.9%), and LFT increased lean mass by .99 kg ± 1.31 kg, (2.0%). HFT strength improvements on the chest press was 9.07 kg ± 6.33 kg, (11%), and hack squat 20.16 kg ± 11.59 kg, (21%). LFT strength improvements on chest press was 5.80kg ± 4.26 kg, (7.0%), and hack squat 21.83 kg ± 11.17 kg, (24 %). No mean differences between groups were significant. These results suggest that HFT and LFT of equal set totals result in similar improvements in lean mass and strength, following 8 weeks of strength training.
Protein Never in Mitosis Gene A Interacting-1 regulates calpain activity and the degradation of cyclooxygenase-2 in endothelial cells.

Background The peptidyl-proline isomerase, Protein Never in Mitosis Gene A Interacting-1 (PIN1), regulates turnover of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in murine aortic endothelial cells (MAEC) stimulated with E. coli endotoxin (LPS) and interferon-γ (IFN). Degradation of iNOS was reduced by a calpain inhibitor, suggesting that PIN1 may affect induction of other calpain-sensitive inflammatory proteins, such as cyclooxygenase (COX)-2, in MAEC.
Sequence of Functional Loss and Recovery in Nursing Homes

Purpose of the study This study provides benchmarks for likelihood, number of days until, and sequence of functional decline and recovery. Design and methods We analyzed activities of daily living (ADLs) of 296,051 residents in Veteran Affairs nursing homes between January 1, 2000 and October 9, 2012. ADLs were extracted from standard minimum data set assessments. Because of significant overlap between short- and long-stay residents, we did not distinguish between these populations. Twenty-five combinations of ADL deficits described the experience of 84.3% of all residents. A network model described transitions among these 25 combinations. The network was used to calculate the shortest, longest, and maximum likelihood paths using backward induction methodology. Longitudinal data were used to derive a Bayesian network that preserved the sequence of occurrence of 9 ADL deficits. Results The majority of residents (57%) followed 4 pathways in loss of function. The most likely sequence, in order of occurrence, was bathing, grooming, walking, dressing, toileting, bowel continence, urinary continence, transferring, and feeding. The other three paths occurred with reversals in the order of dressing/toileting and bowel/urinary continence. ADL impairments persisted without any change for an average of 164 days (SD = 62). Residents recovered partially or completely from a single impairment in 57% of cases over an average of 119 days (SD = 41). Recovery rates declined as residents developed more than 4 impairments. Implications Recovery of deficits among those studied followed a relatively predictable path, and although more than half recovered from a single functional deficit, recovery exceeded 100 days suggesting time to recover often occurs over many months.
Dynamics of Inclusion in School: A Study in Italy

The paper focuses on the dynamics of inclusion and coexistence in School between Italian and foreign students, a particularly relevant topic in Italy. The data provided by the Department of Education in 2011 and for the past 15 years show, in fact, that from 1996/1997 to 2010/2011 foreign students have increased from 0.7% to 7.9 % of the total number of students. The increased presence of migrant students in the schools of our country, however, does not automatically imply a change in the reciprocal representations of “foreign”: the only Contact (simply sharing the same living spaces) is not sufficient to reduce the level of stereotype and prejudice and to promote inclusion. The study examines which other factors could influence inclusion by creating a typological index aimed at observing students’ attitudes towards diversity/similarity, homogeneity/heterogeneity. Furthermore, Index is correlated with various social-demographic characteristics of the individuals involved and their families.
An analysis of 190 cases of suspected pesticide illness.

Background: The diagnosis of mild to moderate pesticide exposure presents a challenge because the signs and symptoms of exposure are similar to those of many other diseases. We reviewed all alleged pesticide injuries seen in a single office during a 6-year period to determine which findings were useful in discriminating between a pesticide-related illness and other causes. Methods: We reviewed retrospectively the charts of 190 patients alleging pesticide illness who were treated in a standardized manner. Results: One hundred sixteen (116) patients (61.1 percent) were found to have pesticide illness. Important predictors of pesticide illness were anxiety, vertigo, nausea, vomiting, tearing, and weakness. Seventy-four patients (38.9 percent) were found to have nonpesticide-related illness, with nonspecific irritant contact dermatitis and scabies the most common diagnoses. Rash was the only significant predictor of nonpesticide related illness. Conclusions: It is difficult to relate signs and symptoms to pesticide poisoning, and exposure history is very important. Alternative diagnoses need to be considered. Laboratory tests are not nearly as valuable as many might expect, and skin rash is not a common finding in mild to moderate pesticide poisoning.
Numerical Simulations of Tensile Deformation Behavior in Two Phase α2 + γ Lamellar Tial Alloys

Deformation microstructures in γ-TiAl + α 2 Ti 3 Al based fully lamellar (FL) and nearly lamellar (NL) microstructures have been simulated using micro-mechanical methods. The deformation is extremely inhomogenous resulting in a large accumulation of hydrostatic stresses at the grain boundaries, thereby promoting intergranular fracture initiation. In particular, the increase in ductility with increasing equiaxed γ-grain volume fraction (with compliant deformation characteristics) in nearly lamellar alloys is explained by the reduction of the hydrostatic stress buildup at the boundaries, consequently mitigating fracture.
Effects of mixed rare earths or aluminium citrate on the chrysotileinduced glutathione level changes in human embryo lung cells

Objective To seek for an ideal chemical for surface modification of asbestos. Methods After being soaked in mixed rare earths or aluminium citrate solutions at different concentrations for 1 hour, chrysotile were incubated with human embryo lung (HEL) cells. Then, the levels of glutathione in HEL cells were determined. Results Chrysotile caused dosedependent decreases of glutathione level in HEL cells, but the compoundspretreated chrysotile induced less decreases of glutathione level than the native chrysotile. Conclusion The pretreatment of chrysotile with mixed rare earths or aluminium citrate might reduce the cytotoxicity of chrysotile.
EFFECT OF COMBINED DISINFECTION WITH CHLORINE AND CHLORINE DIOXIDE ON THE FORMATION OF DISINFECTION BY-PRODUCTS IN DRINKING WATER

In an effect to explore the production mechanisms and characteristics of the by-products in different water disinfection processes,and to investigate the effect of chlorine dioxide on the formation of chlorine by-products,water samples from 4 water plants in a city in China were analyzed.Compared with the water disinfected with chlorine alone,the amount of THMs and HAAs decreased by 74.39% and 40.65%,respectively,in water samples disinfected with both chlorine dioxide and chlorine.Likewise,the amounts of chlorate and chlorite produced by the chlorine dioxide chemical generator was higher than that of the pure chlorine dioxide generator.
Composing Outdoor Augmented-Reality Sound Environments

We have constructed a wearable outdoor computer system which presents sounds and images placed at particular locations by means of headphones and a head-mounted display. The apparent location of a sound source can be fixed relative to the earth, independent of the listener’s position or orientation. For easy duplication, the system is built exclusively from off-the-shelf hardware and publicly available software.
Adverse Events in Young and Preterm Infants Receiving Topical Timolol for Infantile Hemangioma

Background The success of oral propranolol for treatment of infantile hemangiomas (IHs) has led practitioners to use topical β-blockers. In preterm infants, clinicians frequently turn to topical timolol, with the presumption that topical application will result in less systemic absorption. We used Holter monitoring to assess for drug-induced bradycardia in high-risk infants. Methods We retrospectively reviewed the charts of 22 at-risk infants who received a Holter monitor to assess for association between timolol administration and development of significant bradycardia. Results Four infants had episodic bradycardia detected by Holter monitoring. Two of these infants were full term; weighed more than 3,000 g; and had rare, brief, asymptomatic episodes unrelated to the timing of the timolol application. The other two infants had symptomatic bradycardia while on timolol and were the only two babies that weighed less than 2,500 g at initiation of therapy. Both were young (postmenstrual age [PMA] 34 and 37 wks) at initiation and had a timolol dose above the average exposure for the cohort. Conclusion In this cohort of at-risk infants, topical timolol appeared to provide safe treatment for IHs in full-term infants receiving a dose of less than 0.2 mg/kg/day, but infants with a PMA of less than 44 weeks and weight at treatment initiation of less than 2,500 g may be at risk of adverse events, including bradycardia, hypotension, apnea, and hypothermia. We recommend close monitoring of temperature, blood pressure, and heart rate in premature and low-birthweight infants with IHs at initiation of and during therapy with topical timolol.
Hemorrhagic Tension Cyst of the Kidney

AbstractA case of a benign renal cyst, which was filled with blood under pressure and causing acute flank pain, is presented. The pain was relieved after cyst puncture and aspiration. Although benign hemorrhagic renal cysts are well recognized, this is the first report of a benign renal cyst filled with blood under pressure.
Quality systems in manufacturing

Intel's quality systems span all aspects of its products, services, technologies and operations. This paper provides an overview of the quality systems used in manufacturing.
The value of simulation

For generations "theory" and "experiment" were the twin drivers of scientific research. In the past few years, however, a new tool has come into its own: simulation. Computer simulations have revolutionized many areas of science and engineering, and their increased use as an alternative to traditional, hands-on interactions with physical systems has been possible thanks to significant improvements in computer processing speeds and access to computing resources.
Look-Ahead Bidding Strategy for Energy Storage

As the cost of battery energy storage continues to decline, we are likely to see the emergence of merchant energy storage operators. These entities will seek to maximize their operating profits through strategic bidding in the day-ahead electricity market. One important parameter in any storage bidding strategy is the state-of-charge at the end of the trading day. Because this final state-of-charge is the initial state-of-charge for the next trading day, it has a strong impact on the profitability of storage for this next day. This paper proposes a look-ahead technique to optimize a merchant energy storage operator's bidding strategy considering both the day-ahead and the following day. Taking into account the discounted profit opportunities that could be achieved during the following day allows us to optimize the state-of-charge at the end of the first day. We formulate this problem as a bilevel optimization. The lower-level problem clears a ramp-constrained multiperiod market and passes the results to the upper-level problem that optimizes the storage bids. Linearization techniques and Karush–Kuhn–Tucker conditions are used to transform the original problem into an equivalent single-level mixed-integer linear program. Numerical results obtained with the IEEE Reliability Test System demonstrate the benefits of the proposed look-ahead bidding strategy and the importance of considering ramping and network constraints.
Circulating EGF-Like Ligands in Obesity Increase Neointimal Formation through Upregulation of NADPH Oxidase 1

Obesity is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease, including atherosclerosis and restenosis. Obesity has been associated with low levels of chronic inflammation. We hypothesized that in chronic inflammatory disease states, like obesity, circulating epidermal growth factor (EGF)-like ligands accelerate vascular disease by upregulating the Nox1 NADPH oxidase expression and activity. Ten week old male and female mice were fed a 16% fat (Teklad, TD.94059, n=7) or normal chow (lean, n=9) diet for 15 weeks (weight 41.6 vs. 27.9 gms). Heparin bound (HB)-EGF levels were increased 2.9-fold in serum from obese mice as compared to lean litter mates. Thirty days after carotid ligation, neointimal formation was greater in the obese mice (intima/media area ratio 0.65 vs 0.25, obese vs. lean, p
Making the Ideal Real: Publicity and Morality in Kant

This article discusses the concept of publicity in Kant’s moral philosophy. Insofar as the concepts of ‘public’ and ‘private’ can describe our relations with others, they can be considered to be moral concepts. I argue that we can find in Kant a moral duty not to keep our maxims of action private, or secret. Whereas Korsgaard argues that sometimes in the face of evil it is permissible to sidestep the moral law, I argue that it is rather through publicity that we can deal with evil in the non-ideal world. Moreover, by being open with our maxims, moral progress is possible.
Analysts’ Over-Optimistic Bias – From the Asymmetric Market Reaction to the Recommendations

The paper documents evidence regarding the asymmetric short-term market reactions to analysts’ recommendations, in which the favorable recommendations consistently underperform the corresponding unfavorable recommendations across ratings and revisions. This market reaction asymmetry is attributed to two aspects of analysts’ over-optimistic bias, the conscious distortion due to the conflicts-of-interest and the unconscious over-optimism due to the cognitive and behavioral bias. This paper analyzes the dynamics of the market reaction asymmetry and the result indicates a “self-correction” mechanism of the financial market which automatically reduces analysts’ unconscious over-optimism. Failure to account for this “self-correction” mechanism leads to an overestimation of the regulatory effort by NASD Rule 2711 and NYSE Rule 472 in addressing the conscious distortion due to the issue of conflicts-of-interest.
First-Principles Investigation of Adsorbate–Adsorbate Interactions on Ni(111), Ni(211), and Ni(100) Surfaces

Periodic density functional theory calculations were employed to investigate the coadsorption patterns between CO and key water gas shift reaction (WGSR) intermediates, i.e., H2O, H, OH, O, and COOH, on Ni(111), Ni(100), and Ni(211) single-crystal surfaces. It has been shown that although the nature of these adsorbate pair interactions are predominantly repulsive, as commonly assumed in the literature, the interaction pattern for each adsorbate pair can be complicated by facet lattice structures and potential intermolecular hydrogen bonds, which play an unsubtle role in influencing the WGSR redox and carboxyl pathways. This investigation can enrich our descriptions of the adsorbate lateral interactions for surface chemistry modeling and will also provide theoretical insights into tuning the properties of nanoscale nickel catalysts by manipulating the surface structure and morphology for hydrogen fuel production.
Symbolic control design for monotone systems with directed specifications

We study the control of monotone systems when the objective is to maintain trajectories in a directed set (that is, either upper or lower set) within a signal space. We define the notion of a directed alternating simulation relation and show how it can be used to tackle common bottlenecks in abstraction-based controller synthesis. First, we develop sparse abstractions to speed up the controller synthesis procedure by reducing the number of transitions. Next, we enable a compositional synthesis approach by employing directed assume–guarantee contracts between systems. In a vehicle traffic network example, we synthesize an intersection signal controller while dramatically reducing runtime and memory requirements compared to previous approaches.
Robust readout of bosonic qubits in the dispersive coupling regime

High-fidelity qubit measurements play a crucial role in quantum computation, communication, and metrology. In recent experiments, it has been shown that readout fidelity can be improved by performing repeated quantum nondemolition (QND) readouts of a qubit's state through an ancilla. For a qubit encoded in a two-level system, the fidelity of such schemes is limited by the fact that a single error can destroy the information in the qubit. On the other hand, if a bosonic system is used, this fundamental limit can be overcome by utilizing higher levels such that a single error still leaves states distinguishable. In this work, we present a robust readout scheme which leverages both repeated QND readouts and higher-level encodings to asymptotically suppress the effects of mode relaxation and individual measurement infidelity. We calculate the measurement fidelity in terms of general experimental parameters, provide an information-theoretic description of the scheme, and describe its application to several encodings, including cat and binomial codes.
The Regional Multinationals: Regional and global strategies of multinational enterprises

We are pleased to acknowledge the help of Arie Lewin in stimulating this article. Helpful comments on earlier drafts have been provided by Vern Bachor,Paul Beamish, Peter Buckley, Yves Doz, John Dunning, Michael Enright, Stephane Girod, Robert Grosse, Mike Kotabe, Mitchell Koza, Klaus Meyer, John Mezias, Karl Moore, Mona Sellers and Lorn Sheehan. We also acknowledge the excellent research assistance of Cecilia Brain.
Public health response to an imported case of canine melioidosis.

Melioidosis in humans presents variably as fulminant sepsis, pneumonia, skin infection and solid organ abscesses. It is caused by Burkholderia pseudomallei, which in the United States is classified as a select agent, with "potential to pose a severe threat to both human and animal health, to plant health or to animal and plant products" (Federal Select Agent Program, http://www.selectagents.gov/, accessed 22 September 2016). Burkholderia pseudomallei is found in soil and surface water in the tropics, especially South-East Asia and northern Australia, where melioidosis is endemic. Human cases are rare in the United States and are usually associated with travel to endemic areas. Burkholderia pseudomallei can also infect animals. We describe a multijurisdictional public health response to a case of subclinical urinary B. pseudomallei infection in a dog that had been adopted into upstate New York from a shelter in Thailand. Investigation disclosed three human contacts with single, low-risk exposures to the dog's urine at his residence, and 16 human contacts with possible exposure to his urine or culture isolates at a veterinary hospital. Contacts were offered various combinations of symptom/fever monitoring, baseline and repeat B. pseudomallei serologic testing, and antibiotic post-exposure prophylaxis, depending on the nature of their exposure and their personal medical histories. The dog's owner accepted recommendations from public health authorities and veterinary clinicians for humane euthanasia. A number of animal rescue organizations actively facilitate adoptions into the United States of shelter dogs from South-East Asia. This may result in importation of B. pseudomallei into almost any community, with implications for human and animal health.
Deleuze, Immanence, and Immanent Writing in Qualitative Inquiry: Nonlinear Texts and Being a Traitor to Writing:

Modernist writing relies on writing elements such as linearity, meaning, plot, internal coherence, subject–predicate relations, structure in general, and identity or fixity. For Deleuze, writing is...