cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Microdolomite-rich syntaxial cements; proposed meteoric-marine mixing zone phreatic cements from Mississippian limestones, New Mexico

ABSTRACT Inclusion-rich echinoderm-syntaxial cements comprise up to 38% of the intergranular cements in Mississippian skeletal calcarenites of the Lake Valley Fm., N.M. These cements have crystal morphology, substrate selectivity, and luminescence characteristics identical to previously interpreted fresh water phreatic cements, yet contain microdolomite inclusions, implying that they were originally Mg calcite. These petrographic characteristics, plus the restriction of the microdolomite-rich syntaxial cements to the lower part of the Lake Valley Fm., argue for their having precipitated in the zone of mixing between meteoric and marine phreatic groundwaters. Petrography of these cements, their association with interpreted fresh water phreatic cements, and their regional restriction to the south, suggest that the mixing zone cements were formed mainly daring the slowing down stages of a late Mississippian global sea level drop. These cements plus other microdolomite-rich calcites reported on elsewhere indicate that coarse crystals of Mg calcite commonly act as closed or semi-closed systems during re-equilibration to low-Mg calcite, rather than undergoing complete loss of Mg through conventional incongruent dissolution.
Effects of replacement of native fat in colostrum and milk with coconut oil on fat-soluble vitamins in serum and immune function in calves.

Abstract Fat-soluble vitamins and their metabolites modulate immune function in a variety of animal species. The objective of the present study was to determine the role of fat-soluble vitamins in colostrum and milk in the development of specific aspects of immune function in the calf during the 1st wk postpartum. During this period, control calves (n=6) were fed normal colostrum and milk, and calves in the treatment group (n=6) were fed skimmed colostrum and skimmed milk supplemented with coconut oil. Treated calves did not experience the progressive increase in concentrations of retinol, β-carotene, α-tocopherol, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D, or retinoic acids in serum that was observed in control calves. Acquisition of passive immunity, which is indicated by concentrations of immunoglobulin G 1 in serum, was unaffected by treatment. Composition and functional capacities of populations of blood mononuclear leukocytes that were collected from birth to 7 d postpartum were also unaffected by treatment. Major changes in the function and composition of mononuclear leukocyte populations from all calves occurred during the experimental period and were unrelated to the concentrations of fat-soluble vitamins in serum. Populations of blood mononuclear leukocytes from calves were functionally hyporesponsive and compositionally different from populations of blood mononuclear leukocytes from adult nongravid cows. These differences likely reflected the immaturity of the immune system of the neonatal calf and may contribute to the increased susceptibility of the calf to infectious disease.
Representing Flow Patterns by Using Streamlines with Glyphs

Most professional wind visualizations show wind speed and direction using a glyph called a wind barb in a grid pattern. Research into flow visualization has suggested that streamlines better represent flow patterns but these methods lack a key property - unlike the wind barb, they do not accurately convey the wind speed. With the goal of improving the perception of wind patterns, and at least equaling the quantitative quality of wind barbs, we designed two variations on the wind barb and designed a new quantitative glyph. All of our new designs space glyph elements along equally spaced streamlines. To evaluate these designs, we used a North American mesoscale forecast model. We tested the ability of subjects to determine direction and speed using two different densities each of three new designs as well as the classic wind barb. A second experiment evaluated how effectively each of the designs represented wind patterns. The results showed that the new design is superior to the classic, but they also showed that the classic barb can be redesigned and substantially improved. We suggest that flow patterns with integrated glyphs may have widespread application in flow visualization.
In Vitro Assessment of Ultrasonic Lithotriptors

ABSTRACTPurpose: Ultrasonic lithotriptors are commonly used to fragment and remove stones during percutaneous nephrolithotomy. To date a comparative assessment of current units has not been accomplished without potential operator bias. An objective testing environment is required for optimal appraisal of the efficiency of ultrasonic lithotriptors.Materials and Methods: An in vitro test system was devised to evaluate the ability of ultrasonic lithotriptors to core through artificial stones. The system consisted of an irrigation sheath (Cook Urological, Spencer, Indiana) through which ultrasonic probes were placed. Ultrasonic hand pieces and probes were secured in an upright position. An Ultracal-30 (U.S. Gypsum, Chicago, Illinois) stone cylinder (mean length 12.8 ± 0.6 mm, mean diameter 7.6 ± 0.07 mm) was centered on the probe tip. A weight (62.7 gm) was placed atop the stone to provide a constant force. We evaluated the Olympus LUS-1 and LUS-2 (Olympus, Melville, New York), Circon-ACMI USL-2000 (Circon-AC...
Towards a framework for normative software engineering research

The authors present a framework for research in SE (software engineering) as a first step towards formulating a common shared research methodology for the development of normative theories. The effectiveness of this framework is demonstrated by applying it to some current normative research in the application of artificial intelligence to SE. One advantage of using this framework is that it forces a research effort to explicitly state its underlying theory in addition to describing its implementation; thus, it is much easier to determine the validity and generalizability of the research effort. >
A core graphics environment for teletext simulations

The development of our graphics environment over the past year has been directed towards demonstrating the concept of broadcast teletext service, where pages of graphics and text are received in the home over existing television channels. We have developed a graphics editor, Radix, which uses an underlying Core graphics package to create teletext-compatible images. Radix is also used to display these images at arbitrary resolutions by scaling the graphics primitives, selecting the corresponding sizes of fonts and bitmaps, and then precisely adjusting the output video signal. The combination of powerful display hardware and a robust set of software tools has allowed us to rapidly prototype potential teletext features, and to provide these accurate simulations of teletext pages at any resolution. While this general graphics environment does impose some inefficiencies in running graphics applications, they are far outweighed by the ability to quickly respond to changing requirements.
Polarization properties of Gendrin mode waves observed in the Earth's magnetosphere: observations and theory

Abstract. We show a case of an outer zone magnetospheric electromagnetic wave propagating at the Gendrin angle, within uncertainty of the measurements. The chorus event occurred in a "minimum B pocket". For the illustrated example, the measured angle of wave propagation relative to the ambient magnetic field θ kB was 58°±4°. For this event the theoretical Gendrin angle was 62°. Cold plasma model is used to demonstrate that Gendrin mode waves are right-hand circularly polarized, in excellent agreement with the observations.
‘Movement’ justice and the capabilities approach Resources, social environments and social attitudes in black urban space

The capability approach described by Amartya Sen illustrates the multiple aspects of injustice in such fields as racially motivated sexual harassment or segregation in urban space. In response to Sen’s pointing out that we should focus not simply on institutions but also on the social realizations they engender, the article illustrates the function of the natural and social environments for racial groups in affecting the distribution of resources necessary to secure justice.
Synthetic control of excited-state properties in cyclometalated Ir(III) complexes using ancillary ligands.

The synthesis and photophysical characterization of a series of (N,C2‘-(2-para-tolylpyridyl))2Ir(LL‘) [(tpy)2Ir(LL‘)] (LL‘ = 2,4-pentanedionato (acac), bis(pyrazolyl)borate ligands and their analogues, diphosphine chelates and tert-butylisocyanide (CN-t-Bu)) are reported. A smaller series of [(dfppy)2Ir(LL‘)] (dfppy = N,C2‘-2-(4‘,6‘-difluorophenyl)pyridyl) complexes were also examined along with two previously reported compounds, (ppy)2Ir(CN)2- and (ppy)2Ir(NCS)2- (ppy = N,C2‘-2-phenylpyridyl). The (tpy)2Ir(PPh2CH2)2BPh2 and [(tpy)2Ir(CN-t-Bu)2](CF3SO3) complexes have been structurally characterized by X-ray crystallography. The Ir−Caryl bond lengths in (tpy)2Ir(CN-t-Bu)2+ (2.047(5) and 2.072(5) A) and (tpy)2Ir(PPh2CH2)2BPh2 (2.047(9) and 2.057(9) A) are longer than their counterparts in (tpy)2Ir(acac) (1.982(6) and 1.985(7) A). Density functional theory calculations carried out on (ppy)2Ir(CN-Me)2+ show that the highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) consists of a mixture of phenyl-π and Ir-d orbitals...
Effectiveness of Urban Shelter-in-Place. III: Commercial Districts

In the event of a toxic chemical release to the atmosphere, shelter-in-place (SIP) is an emergency response option available to protect public health. This paper is the last in a three-part series that examines the effectiveness of SIP at reducing adverse health effects in communities. We model a hypothetical chemical release in an urban area, and consider SIP effectiveness in protecting occupants of commercial buildings. Building air infiltration rates are predicted from empirical data using an existing model. We consider the distribution of building air infiltration rates both with mechanical ventilation systems turned off and with the systems operating. We also consider the effects of chemical sorption to indoor surfaces and nonlinear chemical dose-response relationships. We find that commercial buildings provide effective shelter when ventilation systems are off, but that any delay in turning off ventilation systems can greatly reduce SIP effectiveness. Using a two-zone model, we find that there can be substantial benefit by taking shelter in the inner parts of a building that do not experience direct air exchange with the outdoors. Air infiltration rates vary substantially among buildings and this variation is important in quantifying effectiveness for emergency response. Community-wide health metrics, introduced in the previous papers in this series, can be applied in pre-event planning and to guide real-time emergency response.
Augmenting Transport versus Increasing Cold Storage to Improve Vaccine Supply Chains

Background When addressing the urgent task of improving vaccine supply chains, especially to accommodate the introduction of new vaccines, there is often a heavy emphasis on stationary storage. Currently, donations to vaccine supply chains occur largely in the form of storage equipment. Methods This study utilized a HERMES-generated detailed, dynamic, discrete event simulation model of the Niger vaccine supply chain to compare the impacts on vaccine availability of adding stationary cold storage versus transport capacity at different levels and to determine whether adding stationary storage capacity alone would be enough to relieve potential bottlenecks when pneumococcal and rotavirus vaccines are introduced by 2015. Results Relieving regional level storage bottlenecks increased vaccine availability (by 4%) more than relieving storage bottlenecks at the district (1% increase), central (no change), and clinic (no change) levels alone. Increasing transport frequency (or capacity) yielded far greater gains (e.g., 15% increase in vaccine availability when doubling transport frequency to the district level and 18% when tripling). In fact, relieving all stationary storage constraints could only increase vaccine availability by 11%, whereas doubling the transport frequency throughout the system led to a 26% increase and tripling the frequency led to a 30% increase. Increasing transport frequency also reduced the amount of stationary storage space needed in the supply chain. The supply chain required an additional 61,269L of storage to relieve constraints with the current transport frequency, 55,255L with transport frequency doubled, and 51,791L with transport frequency tripled. Conclusions When evaluating vaccine supply chains, it is important to understand the interplay between stationary storage and transport. The HERMES-generated dynamic simulation model showed how augmenting transport can result in greater gains than only augmenting stationary storage and can reduce stationary storage needs.
Wideband bidirectional MMIC amplifiers for new generation T/R module

Two novel, bidirectional amplifier approaches conceived and demonstrated with MMICs (monolithic microwave integrated circuits), are presented. These amplifiers are needed in bidirectional transmit/receive (T/R) modules, where close-gain and phase tracking are critical. Excellent gain and phase tracking are inherent in the presented bidirectional amplifier approaches since the same gain elements are used in both the transmit and receive modes. The bidirectional distributed amplifier (BDA) has exhibited better than +or-0.4 dB in gain tracking and +or-2.5 degrees in phase tracking between the transmit and receive modes over a 2-18-GHz band. The bidirectional balanced amplifier (BBA) has shown better than +or-0.4 dB in gain tracking and +or-1.5 degrees in phase tracking over a 6-18-GHz band. >
Identifying quality enablers for online graduate accounting courses using an appreciative inquiry case study

Higher education online programs are facing increased competition and must work to differentiate themselves from other programs to address this challenge. One way to achieve this differentiation is to improve the quality of the online degree programs and the programs' courses. This case study uses a customised appreciative inquiry (AI) organisational model to identify and leverage quality enablers for the graduate online accounting programs' courses in a private university. This process consulting-based organisational analysis model examines the organisation's strengths with the objective of building on those strengths. A two-person research team facilitated the study with full-time and affiliate faculty members of the university to identify quality enablers for the graduate online accounting program. The goal was to increase the enrolment in the online graduate accounting programs by improving the program's quality and to apply this knowledge to other programs in the university. A virtual approach was used to collect the data for this project.
An uncommon skin condition illustrates the need for caution when prescribing for friends.

Purpose A dual-focused case study written to discuss the legal and medical hazards of informally writing prescriptions for friends or family members and to provide knowledge of early-stage mycosis fungoides (MF), its course, and treatment. Data sources A review of the prescribing practices of clinicians, the cognitive processes needed in diagnosis and treatment, the current ethical guidelines, and a review of MF, its course, and treatments. Conclusions Treating acquaintances and family informally places clinicians at risk for liability and patients at risk for inaccurate diagnosis and treatment. This case illustrates the potential hazard of casually treating a friend for what looks like a benign condition. Resembling atopic dermatitis in its early stages, MF is the most common of a rare group of skin lymphomas. Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial for a better prognosis. Had this clinician complied with the request of her friend, his diagnosis would have been missed and timely treatment delayed. Implications for practice No matter what the prior relationship may have been, once a clinician treats a patient, a legally binding relationship begins, requiring the due standard of care. Nurse practitioners (NPs) need to be aware of the potential for error when treating acquaintances. Available NP standards of practice and ethical guidelines should address informal treatment situations.
Monitoring Vegetation Response to Episodic Disturbance Events by using Multitemporal Vegetation Indices

Steyer, G.D.; Couvillion, B.R., and Barras, J.A., 2013. Monitoring vegetation response to episodic disturbance events by using multitemporal vegetation indices In: Brock, J.C.; Barras, J.A., and Williams, S.J. (eds.), Understanding and Predicting Change in the Coastal Ecosystems of the Northern Gulf of Mexico, Journal of Coastal Research, Special Issue No. 63, pp. 118-130, Coconut Creek (Florida), ISSN 0749-0208.
Lidar Backscatter from Horizontal Ice Crystal Plates

Abstract Some unusual lidar returns from an altostratus cloud are interpreted in terms of reflections from hexagonal ice plates falling with their long axes aligned in the horizontal. Such an explanation is consistent with the observed high backscatter coefficients and low depolarization ratios and also with the temperature range (−12 to −20°C) of the cloud layers, as well as the known fall characteristics of naturally occurring ice platelets. Backscatter efficiencies are calculated for “perfect” ice platelets when illuminated at or near an axis orthogonal to the crystal long axis. It is shown that very high backscatter coefficients can potentially be measured from a cloud of ice plates, depending on the fraction of crystals which are “perfect,r the degree to which the plates' long axes stay horizontal, and the angle of the lidar to the vertical. It is further shown that reflection from a single crystal gives an appreciable signal-to-noise ratio at the receiver and that only a few crystals will be ...
Comparative diversity and composition of cyanobacteria in three predominant soil crusts of the Colorado Plateau

Terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism (TRF or T-RFLP) analysis and 16S rDNA sequence analysis from clone libraries were used to examine cyanobacterial diversity in three types of predominant soil crusts in an arid grassland. Total DNA was extracted from cyanobacteria-, lichen-, or moss-dominated crusts that represent different successional stages in crust development, and which contribute different amounts of carbon and nitrogen into the ecosystem. Cyanobacterial 16S rRNA genes were amplified by PCR using cyanobacteria-specific 16S rDNA primers. Both TRF and clone sequence analyses indicated that the cyanobacterial crust type is dominated by strains of Microcoleus vaginatus, but also contains other cyanobacterial genera. In the moss crust, M. vaginatus-related sequences were also the most abundant types, together with sequences from moss chloroplasts. In contrast, sequences obtained from the lichen crust were surprisingly diverse, representing numerous genera, but including only two from M. vaginatus relatives. By obtaining clone sequence information, we were able to infer the composition of many peaks observed in TRF profiles, and all peaks predicted for clone sequences were observed in TRF analysis. This study provides the first TRF analysis of biological soil crusts and the first DNA-based comparison of cyanobacterial diversity between lichen-, cyano- and moss-dominated crusts. Results indicate that for this phylogenetic group, TRF analysis, in conjunction with limited sequence analysis, can provide accurate information about the composition and relative abundance of cyanobacterial types in soil crust communities.
Labor epidural catheter reactivation or spinal anesthesia for delayed postpartum tubal ligation: a cost comparison.

Abstract Study Objectives: To evaluate the costs and resource consumption associated with utilizing epidural catheters placed during labor versus spinal anesthesia for postpartum tubal ligation. To examine maternal demographics, anesthetic management variables, and time interval from delivery until surgery for association with epidural catheter reactivation success rate. Design: Retrospective study. Setting: University hospital labor and delivery center. Patients: 120 consecutive postpartum patients with tubal ligations performed between June 1991 and December 1993. Interventions: Postpartum women scheduled for tubal ligation with labor epidural catheters in place either had local anesthetic injected via the epidural catheter (n = 45) or had the catheter removed without reinjection and spinal anesthetic administered (n = 20). Patients with inadequate epidural anesthesia went on to receive spinal anesthesia. Women without a labor epidural catheter received spinal anesthesia (n = 55). Measurements and Main Results: Adequate anesthesia for tubal ligation was achieved in 78% of women after reinjection of their epidural catheter. Operating room (OR) and anesthesia times were highest when epidural catheter reactivation was unsuccessful, intermediate when epidural catheter reactivation was successful, and lowest with initial spinal anesthesia ( p Conclusions: Spinal anesthesia for postpartum tubal ligation was associated with lower anesthesia professional fees and OR charges compared with attempted reactivation of epidural catheters placed during labor. Anesthesiologists should weigh the cost advantages of spinal anesthesia against the small, but increased probability of headache after dural puncture.
Cholinergic modulation of GABAergic and glutamatergic transmission in the dorsal subcoeruleus: mechanisms for REM sleep control.

study objectives: Dorsal subcoeruleus (SubCD) neurons are thought to promote PGO waves and to be modulated by cholinergic afferents during REM sleep. We examined the differential effect of the cholinergic agonist carbachol (CAR) on excitatory and inhibitory postsynaptic currents (PSCs), and investigated the effects of CAR on SubCD neurons during the developmental decrease in REM sleep. Design: Whole-cell patch clamp recordings were conducted on brainstem slices of 7- to 20-day-old rats. Measurements and Results: CAR acted directly on 50% of SubCD neurons by inducing an inward current, via both nicotinic and muscarinic M1 receptors. CAR induced a potassium mediated outward current via activation of M2 muscarinic receptors in 43% of SubCD cells. Evoked stimulation established the presence of NMDA, AMPA, GABA, and glycinergic PSCs in the SubCD. CAR was found to decrease the amplitude of evoked EPSCs in 31 of 34 SubCD cells, but decreased the amplitude of evoked IPSCs in only 1 of 13 SubCD cells tested. Spontaneous EPSCs were decreased by CAR in 55% of cells recorded, while spontaneous IPSCs were increased in 27% of SubCD cells. These find ings indicate that CAR exerts a predominantly inhibitory role on fast synaptic glutamatergic activity and a predominantly excitatory role on fast synaptic GABAergic/glycinergic activity in the SubCD. conclusion: We hypothesize that during REM sleep, cholinergic “REM-on” neurons that project to the SubCD induce an excitation of inhibitory interneurons and inhibition of excitatory events leading to the production of coordinated activity in SubCD projection neurons. The coordination of these projection neurons may be essential for the production of REM sleep signs such as PGO waves.
Polyethersulfone (PES)/cellulose acetate butyrate (CAB) composite hollow fiber membranes for BTEX separation from produced water

Polyethersulfone (PES)/cellulose acetate butyrate (CAB) composite hollow fiber membranes were prepared by dry-jet wet-spinning for BTEX (benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylene) separation from oilfield produced water. The effects of pore agent contents and air gaps on hollow fiber membrane morphology, permeate water flux, BTEX rejection efficiency and especially, membrane antifouling ability were investigated. It was found that the inner layer surface of the PES/CAB hollow fiber membrane became thicker and more porous with the increase of air gap size. When the air gap reached 4 cm, a very dense skin layer formed at the outer surface of the membrane. As the pore formation agent content increased from 1% to 5%, the specific surface area, pore size and permeate water flux of the membrane all increased, although rejection efficiency was slightly sacrificed. Our results also revealed that membranes prepared with larger air gaps showed a higher fouling tendency, and those with lesser air gaps exhibited better antifouling ability. The PES/CAB hollow fiber membrane prepared with 5% pore formation agent and a 4 cm air gap showed 82.1–84.6% rejection of BETX accompanied by favourable permeate water flux, which is promising for the potential application in BTEX removal from produced water.
The People’s Game: Football, State and Society in East Germany

Whenever I have spoken on the subject of Spartak Moscow FC, the so-called ‘Peoples’ Team’ of the USSR, I am asked the same question. Was there anything similar in the East German case? Until now, t...
Washington Brotherhood: Politics, Social Life, and the Coming of the Civil War. By Rachel A. Shelden. (Chapel Hill, NC: The University of North Carolina Press, 2013. Pp. xiii, 296. $34.95.)

At the end of the 1939 film version of The Wizard of Oz, Dorothy Gale pulls back the curtain to discover that deliverance lay in her own hands (or maybe in her own shoes?), not in the personable bu...
Continuity and Change in Early Eucharistic Practice: Shifting Scholarly Perspectives

As a result of the great advances that have been made in liturgical scholarship in the last few decades, we now know much less about early eucharistic worship than we once thought that we did. Indeed, it sometimes appears that if things keep on at their present rate, it is possible that we shall soon find that we know absolutely nothing at all; for a large part of what current research has achieved has been to demolish theories that had been built on unreliable foundations. As this paper will demonstrate, the older consensus that there had existed a large measure of continuity between the eucharistic practices of the various early Christian communities is slowly giving way to the acceptance that there are considerable gaps in our knowledge of the period, and that what evidence there is points more towards variety than towards uniformity of practice.
Tapping Into a New Stream of (Personal) Data Assessing Journalists’ Different Use of Social Media

This research seeks to quantify social media’s value as a reporting tool for journalists by understanding it as an instrument for accessing personal data. A national survey of reporters at all large and midsize U.S. newspapers shows that journalists place more value on Twitter than Facebook as it relates to professional practice. Evaluation of the various practice-based functions relative to individual journalists’ value perceptions suggests that Facebook’s value is tied to its use for querying friends and conducting research. Twitter’s value was significantly tied to the platform’s use for querying followers, performing research, and activities associated with contacting sources.
A Glimmer of Optimism in Government Savings Accumulation? An Empirical Examination of Municipal Unassigned Fund Balance in Florida

Few would question that the Great Recession and its aftermath have proved challenging for government financial management. This depressed economic environment has renewed interest in research invol...
GridMap: Enhanced Security in Cued-Recall Graphical Passwords

Despite their widespread usage, text-based passwords are vulnerable to password cracking as users tend to choose weak passwords. This is mainly because the more secure a password is, the harder it is for a user to remember it. As a promising alternative, various graphical password systems, which take advantage of the fact that humans are more sensitive to visual information than verbal text, have been proposed over the past decade. However, graphical passwords come with their own vulnerabilities, such as high susceptibility to shoulder surfing and hotspots. In this paper, we develop a new cued-recall graphical password system called GridMap by exploring (1) the use of grids with variable input entered through the keyboard, and (2) the use of geopolitical maps as background images. As a result, GridMap is able to achieve high keyspace and resistance to shoulder surfing attacks. To validate the efficacy of GridMap in practice, we conduct a user study with 50 participants. Our experimental results show that GridMap works well in domains in which a user logs in on a regular basis, and provides a memorability benefit if the chosen map has a personal significance to the user.
The Obligation to Extradite or Prosecute

This paper is concerned with the alternative obligation to extradite or prosecute contained in multilateral treaties requiring suppression of “international offenses”. Such an obligation appears, for instance, in Article 7 of the Hague Convention for the Suppression of Unlawful Seizure of Aircraft of 1970, and in provisions of other anti-terrorism treaties modelled on the Hague Convention. The first part of this paper considers the extent to which the principle underlying Article 7 of the Hague Convention has been incorporated into multilateral treaties; the second part, the question of the extent to which that principle can be regarded as a norm of customary international law generally applicable to “international offenses” even apart from the specific treaties in which it is embodied.Broadly defined, “international offenses” are offenses on the part of individuals which states have an obligation, usually under a multilateral treaty, to proscribe or prosecute. Such offenses more or less coincide with those which Professor Feller designates as delicta juris gentium (although he further assumes that all such offenses permit the exercise of “universal jurisdiction”).
Boundedness of Solutions in Neutral Delay Predator-Prey and Competition Systems

In this paper, we establish conditions under which solutions of $$ \left\{ \begin{gathered} \dot{x}\left( t \right) = rx\left( t \right)\left[ {1 - \int_{0}^{{{{\tau }_{1}}}} {x\left( {t - s} \right)d\mu \left( s \right) - \rho \dot{x}} \left( {t - {{\tau }_{2}}} \right) - y\left( {t - {{\tau }_{3}}} \right)g\left( {x\left( t \right)} \right)} \right], \hfill \\ y\left( t \right) = y\left( t \right)\left[ {a + bx\left( {t - {{\tau }_{4}}} \right)g\left( {x\left( {t - {{\tau }_{4}}} \right)} \right) - cy\left( {t - {{\tau }_{5}}} \right)} \right], \hfill \\ \end{gathered} \right. $$ (2.1) will be bounded. This partially answers the open questions proposed by this author in his recent works on neutral predator-prey and competition systems.
Pruritus and Dermatitis in the Elderly

Pruritus is common in all age groups but is especially prevalent in the elderly due to senescence of the integumentary, immune, and nervous systems. In developing a treatment regimen, clinicians must consider the many potential therapeutic options for pruritus and how these interplay with common comorbidities and functional limitations of elderly patients. While the causes of pruritus are numerous, effective topical and systemic treatments are limited, especially in the elderly, due to the unique pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of aging bodies. The major etiologies and treatment options for dermatitis and pruritus are reviewed, taking into account the challenges of local and systemic treatment in elderly patients.
Control Law Synthesis and Stability Robustness Improvement Using Constrained Optimization Techniques

The present generic optimization procedure for a continuous or discrete control law (of arbitrary order), which will be applicable to a multiinput-multioutput system, is upon constraining used to satisfy conflicting design requirements on the mean-square responses and stability robustness at the plant input and output. The synthesis procedure is especially suitable for flexible airframes and large space structures modeled by a high-order state-space system of equations. Analytical expressions are obtained for the gradients of the cost function, together with design constraints on the mean-square response and minimum singular value.
Open Surgical Treatment: Advantages and Potential Complications of Modern Surgical Approaches

Although the arthroscopic treatment of hip diseases has experienced enormous popularity with an explosion in surgical techniques and instruments to treat a vast array of pathologies, there are limitations to hip arthroscopy. There are certain conditions that are better addressed through open approaches and certainly many procedures where arthroscopy is not an option, like open reduction and internal fixation of pelvic fracture or total hip arthroplasty (THA). Many open approaches to the hip exist and hip surgeons should be facile with most, if not all, of these approaches. Certain surgical procedures demand the use of a specific approach, for example, the sliding trochanteric osteotomy for surgical dislocation of the hip or a posterior approach for the fixation of a posterior column fracture, but for most procedures, more than one approach can safely and effectively be used. There are specific approaches that are almost exclusively used for pediatric patients and pediatric diseases, such as the Ludloff and Ferguson approaches, that will not specifically be addressed in this chapter. The choice of approach is often based on surgeon comfort level, experience, the need for an extensile approach, or perceived benefits of one approach over another. As most of the reports of complications regarding various approaches to the hip have been reported in relation to THA, data presented in the chapter will necessarily be biased toward hip arthroplasty, but fundamentally similar for any surgery performed through a specific approach.
Gadolinium Contrast Enhancement Improves Confidence in Diagnosing Recurrent Soft Tissue Sarcoma by MRI

Rationale and Objectives To determine how utilization of postgadolinium magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) influenced reader accuracy and confidence at identifying postoperative soft tissue sarcoma (STS) recurrence among readers with various levels of expertise. Materials and Methods This retrospective study was institutional review board approved and Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act compliant. Postoperative MRI from 26 patients with prior STS resection (13 patients with confirmed recurrence, 13 without recurrence) was reviewed. Four blinded readers of varying expertise (radiology resident, fellow, attending, and orthopedic oncologist) initially evaluated only the precontrast images and rated each MRI for recurrence on a 5-point confidence scale. Assessment was repeated with the addition of contrast-enhanced sequences. Diagnostic accuracy based on confidence ratings was evaluated using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC). Changes in confidence ratings were calculated using Wilcoxon signed-rank test. Results All readers demonstrated good diagnostic accuracy both with and without contrast-enhanced images (AUC >0.98 for each reader). When contrast-enhanced images were made available, the resident recorded improved confidence with both assigning ( P = 0.031) and excluding recurrence ( P = 0.006); the fellow showed improved confidence only with assigning recurrence ( P = 0.015); and the surgeon showed improved confidence in excluding recurrence ( P = 0.003). The addition of contrast-enhanced images did not significantly influence the diagnostic confidence of the attending radiologist. Conclusions Diagnostic accuracy of MRI was excellent in evaluating postoperative STS recurrence, and reader confidence improved depending on expertise when postgadolinium imaging was included in the assessment.
Use of bedside abdominal ultrasound to confirm intestinal motility in neonates with gastroschisis: A feasibility study

Abstract Background Optimal timing to begin feeds in neonates with gastroschisis remains unclear. We examined if bedside abdominal ultrasound for intestinal motility is a feasible tool to detect return of bowel function in neonates with gastroschisis. Methods Neonates born with uncomplicated gastroschisis who underwent closure received daily ultrasound exams. Full motility was defined as peristalsis seen in all quadrants. Average length of time between abdominal wall closure and start of enteral feeds, full ultrasound motility, and clinical characteristics was compared using Student's t- tests. Results Seventeen patients were enrolled. No differences were found between motility on ultrasound and bowel movements, gastric residuals, or nonbilious residuals. Mean time to enteral feeds (11.82days) was significantly delayed compared to documentation of full motility on ultrasound (8.94days; p =0.012), consistent bowel movements (8.41days; p =0.006), low gastric residuals (9.47days; p p Conclusion Bedside abdominal ultrasound provides real-time evidence regarding intestinal motility and is a feasible tool to detect return of bowel function in neonates with gastroschisis. Future studies are needed to determine if abdominal ultrasound can shorten time to start of enteral feeds. Level of evidence III (diagnosis: nonconsecutive study).
Intentional research design in implementation science: implications for the use of nomothetic and idiographic assessment

The advancement of implementation science is dependent on identifying assessment strategies that can address implementation and clinical outcome variables in ways that are valid, relevant to stakeholders, and scalable. This paper presents a measurement agenda for implementation science that integrates the previously disparate assessment traditions of idiographic and nomothetic approaches. Although idiographic and nomothetic approaches are both used in implementation science, a review of the literature on this topic suggests that their selection can be indiscriminate, driven by convenience, and not explicitly tied to research study design. As a result, they are not typically combined deliberately or effectively. Thoughtful integration may simultaneously enhance both the rigor and relevance of assessments across multiple levels within health service systems. Background on nomothetic and idiographic assessment is provided as well as their potential to support research in implementation science. Drawing from an existing framework, seven structures (of various sequencing and weighting options) and five functions (Convergence, Complementarity, Expansion, Development, Sampling) for integrating conceptually distinct research methods are articulated as they apply to the deliberate, design-driven integration of nomothetic and idiographic assessment approaches. Specific examples and practical guidance are provided to inform research consistent with this framework. Selection and integration of idiographic and nomothetic assessments for implementation science research designs can be improved. The current paper argues for the deliberate application of a clear framework to improve the rigor and relevance of contemporary assessment strategies.
Umpolung Synthesis of 1,3-Amino Alcohols: Stereoselective Addition of 2-Azaallyl Anions to Epoxides

We report the direct preparation of 1,3-amino alcohols that contain up to three contiguous stereogenic centers by the umpolung coupling of imines and epoxides. Nucleophilic 2-azaallyl anions, generated from imines, are stereoselectively added to epoxides to furnish 1,3-amino alcohols after hydrolysis of the product imine. Transformations afford amino alcohols with >98% site selectivity with respect to both reaction partners and in up to >98% yield and >20:1 dr.
Electric Current Perturbation Calculations for Half-Penny Cracks

The electric current perturbation (ECP) method1–4 consists of inducing or injecting an electric current flow in the material to be examined and then detecting localized perturbations of the magnetic flux associated with current flow around material defects such as cracks or inclusions. Empirically, ECP data has shown strong correlations among certain signal features and crack size characteristics, and thus promises to be a useful method for quantitative NDE. To aid in the further development of the method, the objectives of the work reported in this paper are (1) to develop a mathematical model of the ECP flux distribution for a half-penny crack, (2) to determine the degree of validity of the model through comparisons with experimental data, and (3) to develop a detailed theory of sizing relationships for half-penny cracks.
The CDC Foundation’s Health and Well-Being for All Meeting-in-a-Box:

The conditions in which people live, work, play, and age—the social determinants of health (SDOH)—have an impact on their health outcomes and behavior, sense of security, and patterns of community engagement. To encourage training and education related to the health effects of the SDOH, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Foundation created the Health and Well-Being for All meeting-in-a-box resource. This online resource acts as a guide for group collaboration and education related to understanding SDOH effects on health and practicing methods for addressing those effects at the community level, and can be used with a variety of groups, including community coalitions, health education students, and medical professionals. Three case study–based modules—asthma, obesity, and gang violence—lead participants through a six-step process of activities that address the SDOH in context, identifies opportunities and threats, and provides practice in developing collaborations and enacting change in the com...
Study of Hardware Trojans in a Closed Loop Control System for an Internet-of-Things Application

A closed-loop system is a primary technology used to automate our critical infrastructure and major industries to improve their efficiency. Their dependability is challenged by probable vulnerabilities in the core computing system. These vulnerabilities can appear on both front (software) and back (hardware) ends of the computing system. While the software vulnerabilities are well researched and documented, the hardware ones are normally overlooked. However, with hardware-inclusive technological evolutions like Cyber-Physical Systems and Internet-of-Things, hardware vulnerabilities should be addressed appropriately. In this work, we present a study of one such vulnerability, called Hardware Trojan (HT), on a closed-loop control system. Since a typical hardware Trojan is a small and stealthy digital circuit, we present a test platform built using FPGA-in-the-loop, where the computing system is represented as a digital hardware. Through this platform, a comprehensive runtime analysis of hardware Trojan is accomplished and we developed four threat models that can lead to destabilization of the closed-loop system causing hazardous conditions. Since the primary objective is to study the effects of hardware Trojans, they are designed in such a way that they can be accessible and controllable.
IN SITU AND OVERBURDEN MEASUREMENT OF WATER VAPOR–INFRARED AND DIRECT

Infrared radiometry is a widely employed, remote sensing technique for observing the zenith, nadir, or slant path atmospheric water vapor burden. Satellite, aircraft, and balloon platforms can provide not only burden measurements but also “in situ” water vapor density for atmospheric layers. These observations are indirect in that they infer the water vapor burden or density from measurements of atmospheric water vapor radiant emission. The precision of such measurements is approximately 0.0001 g cm −2 (l micron) for a single observation of burden and 0.000002 g cm −2 in mass mixing ratio for a 100 millibar thick layer. In situ frost point hygrometry, ultraviolet photodissociation techniques, and cryogenic sampling are prominent among direct observing techniques for determining water vapor concentrations. In these, precision is of the order of 0.000001 g cm −2 . Emphasis is, however, on the optical infrared methods in view of their increasingly widespread use in satellite and airborne applications.
Small Towns and Mass Society

Community action is always societal action and all organizational behavior is always both local and national. Community movements and local organizations are shaped by mass cultural and political movements and by large-scale social events. Local people respond in their own personal way to these things and in a fashion that fits the context of local life. In this way life in small towns and in any community is always a manifestation of mass society (Vidich and Bensman, 1968).
Effectiveness of condoms in reducing heterosexual transmission of HIV.

Evidence indicates that male condoms reduce the risk of heterosexual HIV transmission by 80 percent.
Analysis of Three-Dimensional Problems

The three-dimensional elements and their applications are considered for modeling thick short beams, thick pressure vessels, machine foundations, and concentrated loads acting on elastic half-space. The basic element, tetrahedron, has four nodes with three displacements, one along each of the x , y , and z coordinates, at each node. A linear displacement model in three dimensions is used for u , v , and w inside the element. The resulting stiffness matrix of order 12 × 12 and consistent load vectors due to initial (thermal) strains, body forces, or distributed pressure loading, each of order 12 × 1, are derived. The hexahedron element with eight nodes with three degrees of freedom at each node is considered using natural coordinates. Assuming a linear displacement model, the derivation of the element stiffness matrix of order 24 × 24 is presented. The analysis of solids of revolution (or axisymmetric solids) is outlined using a ring element with triangular cross section. By using triangular coordinates and assuming linear variations for the radial and axial displacements within the element, the 6 × 6 stiffness matrix and 6 × 1 load vectors due to initial strains, body forces, and surface forces are derived.
Spinal Cord Stimulation for Chronic Abdominal Pain

Chronic visceral abdominal pain seems to be attenuated when electrical stimulation of the spinal cord is used to treat such pain. This chapter provides known details on how and in which patients’ spinal cord stimulation (SCS) alleviates chronic visceral pain. Patient selection is of particular importance in treating visceral abdominal pain with SCS, and the treatment should be incorporated into a multidisciplinary plan.
Age of Initial Identification of Autism Spectrum Disorder in a Diverse Urban Sample

This paper examines age of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) identification and related factors in a diverse urban sample, focusing on ASD identification in the East African Somali community. The overall average age of initial ASD identification was 4.8 years. Somali children received an initial clinical diagnosis of Autistic Disorder later than White children, and Somali children diagnosed with ASD born outside of Minnesota (MN) received their first comprehensive evaluation later than Somali children diagnosed with ASD born in MN. Most children had noted developmental concerns before age 3, with no significant racial or ethnic differences in those concerns. The current study contributes to a limited number of studies on early ASD identification in culturally and linguistically diverse populations.