cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
061 Guideline Implementability Appraisal (GLIA) in US National Guidelines

Background Guidelines must be implemented in order to impact health outcomes. Identifying and addressing potential barriers to implementation during guideline development can improve implementability. Objectives To describe the processes and results of embedding guideline implementability appraisal, into prominent US cardiovascular disease risk reduction guidelines. Methods The GuideLine Implementability Appraisal (GLIA) tool (Yale Center for Medical Informatics), was integrated into the guideline development processes of a US national-level organisation. A member of the Implementation Science Work Group (ISWG) with prior experience in GLIA appraisals trained the Guideline Development Teams (GDTs), early in the guideline development process, with the intent of raising awareness of potential barriers to implementation so they might be addressed during guideline development. Formal GLIA appraisals were performed on the drafts of the guideline reports, by members of the ISWG, as well as volunteers from outside the guideline programme. To minimise interference with timelines, appraisals were carried out and written reports returned to the GDTs within 2 weeks of release of the draft reports. Results A number of potential barriers to implementation were identified in the draft reports, such as: use of inexplicit terms in recommendation language, inconsistency of thresholds and terms used within a guideline, unclear applicability of assessment or treatment recommendations in specific subgroups. GDTs considered GLIA appraisal findings when they revised their reports and found the GLIA appraisals helpful in creating more implementable guidelines. Implications for Guideline Developers/Users GLIA training for GDTs, and formal use of the GLIA tool help produce more implementable guidelines.
Patterns of lower extremity innervation in pediatric spinal cord injury

Retrospective review. To identify relationships between lower extremity innervation and level of injury, mechanism of injury, and age at injury in a pediatric population with spinal cord injury (SCI). Secondarily, relationships between innervation and completeness of injury, time since injury, race, and sex were evaluated. Pediatric orthopedic referral hospital, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Records of 190 subjects, ages 1–21 years, were reviewed. Data collected from the medical record included lower extremity muscle innervation, American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) level and class, mechanism of injury, age at injury, time since injury, race, and sex. To determine innervation, lower extremity muscles had been tested using surface electrical stimulation and identified as being innervated or denervated. If a muscle responded weakly, strength duration testing was performed. For analysis via logistic regression, subjects were grouped based upon level and mechanism of injury. A relationship (P<0.0001) was found between ASIA level and lower extremity innervation of all muscles and between length of time since injury and lower extremity innervation for some muscles. Following multiple logistic regression, only ASIA level remained as an independent predictor of lower extremity innervation status. Our results show that lower extremity innervation does differ based on the level of the injury. Denervation began to be seen with injuries in the lower thoracic region and more predominantly with injuries in the lumbar region. This supports our hypothesis that the incidence of lower motor neuron injuries would increase as injuries became more caudal. Our hypotheses of a relationship between innervation status and mechanism of injury and age at injury were not supported. This information is important in determining treatment strategies, eligibility for electrical stimulation techniques, and potential regenerative strategies. This study was funded by Shriners Hospitals for Children, Grant #8530.
TREATMENT OF NUCLEAR REACTIONS ABOVE THE TWO-PARTICLE THRESHOLD.

A formalism, exact in principle, is developed for describing nuclear reactions above the two-particle emission threshold. The eigenchannels, i.e. the eigenstates of theS-matrix, are computed directly from the shell model. No artificial assumptions have to be made about the properties of the rescattering of the two final state particles; the final state interactions are completely taken into account. Detailed prescriptions are given on how to reduce the exact description to a form amenable to numerical computations. Finally, long-lived intermediate states leading to the so-called sequential decays can, if so desired, be singled out and treated separately. This again involves no specific assumptions. The treatment is applicable also above the three-or moreparticle threshold.
A framework for studying the neurobiology of value-based decision making

Neuroeconomics is the study of the neurobiological and computational basis of value-based decision making. Its goal is to provide a biologically based account of human behaviour that can be applied in both the natural and the social sciences. This Review proposes a framework to investigate different aspects of the neurobiology of decision making. The framework allows us to bring together recent findings in the field, highlight some of the most important outstanding problems, define a common lexicon that bridges the different disciplines that inform neuroeconomics, and point the way to future applications.
Studies on the biology of Attagenus elongatulus Casey (Coleoptera: Dermestidae) and the effects of larval crowding on pupation and life cycle☆

Abstract The rates of pupation of Attagenus elongatulus Casey larvae were reduced by increased larval crowding. Artificial selection reduced the crowding effects and shortened the minimum life cycle. Female fecundity and mating success declined with age. Male potency was not affected by age but mating success declined. Females produced progeny from eggs laid during the first 4 days after mating with over 80% of the larvae produced during the first 2 days.
Influence of Carbonization Conditions on Mg Ion Concentration in Mg (HCO 3 ) 2 Solution

In this paper, Mg (HCO3)2 solution, was obtained by the carbonate reaction of Mg (OH)2 solution , using magnesite as raw materials. Mg ion concentration was measured by ICP-AES method. The effect of carbonization temperature, carbonization time, flux of CO2 and agitation speed on the concentration of Mg ion in Mg (HCO3)2 solution was investigated. Results showed that Mg ion concentration reduced with increasing temperature, but increased a little as time went on and flux of CO2 improved. With increasing the agitation speed, Mg ion concentration increased firstly, then decreased, finally remained unchanged. XRD analysis shows that the purity of obtained Mg (HCO3)2 solution is very high.
Efficient available energy monitoring in wireless sensor networks

The lifetime of a Wireless Sensor Network (WSN) is generally limited by the battery lifetime of the sensor nodes. In this respect, efficient monitoring of the entire network's available energy is of great importance to take appropriate preventive actions. However, the physical limitations of WSNs, such as limited memory and energy resources, mandate such a monitoring mechanism to have low complexity and minimum energy dissipation. In this paper, a Forecasting-based Monitoring and Tomography (FMT) framework is presented for WSNs. The objective of the FMT framework is to achieve overall monitoring and to capture the tomography of the available energy in WSNs with minimum energy expenditure. To reduce the amount of energy consumed for monitoring purposes, the FMT framework incorporates available energy forecasting and network aggregation mechanisms. Comparative performance evaluations show that the FMT framework achieves accurate energy monitoring and obtains the network energy tomography of large scale WSNs with minimum energy consumption.
Leukocyte Effects on the Dimorphism of Coccidioides immitis

To assess the influences of leukocytes on the dimorphism of Coccidioides immitis, mycelial elements (arthroconidia) or spherules were incubated with polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNLs) or mononuclear leukocytes. In the presence of human leukocytes, arthroconidia became separated spherules as determined by electron microscopy but grew as mycelia when viable leukocytes were absent. Plasma was not required for this effect. In a new assay, PMNLs, lymphocytes, or monocytes from human blood as well as rabbit alveolar macrophages inhibited spherules from forming germ tubes. In flat-bottomed glassware, maximal inhibition occurred with PMNL:spherule ratios above 15:1, whereas in conical-bottomed glassware a ratio of 3:1 was maximally suppressive with PMNLs as well as mononuclear leukocytes. Cytochalasin B and colchicine blocked the effect of PMNLs but not that of other blood leukocytes on spherules. These studies indicate that leukocytes influence coccidioidal dimorphism toward the spherule phase. This effect may be important in host defenses against C. immitis.
Phosphoinositide 3-Kinase: Diverse Roles in Immune Cell Activation

Cells of the immune system carry out diverse functions that are controlled by surface receptors for antigen, costimulatory molecules, cytokines, chemokines, and other ligands. A shared feature of signal transduction downstream of most receptors on immune cells, as in nonhematopoietic cell types, is the activation of phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K). The mechanism by which this common signaling event is elicited by distinct receptors and contributes to unique functional outcomes is an intriguing puzzle. Understanding how specificity is achieved in PI3K signaling is of particular significance because altered regulation of this pathway is observed in many disease states, including leukemia and lymphoma. Here we review recent advances in the understanding of PI3K signaling mechanisms in different immune cells and receptor systems. We emphasize the concept that PI3K and its products are components of complex networks of interacting proteins and second messengers, rather than simple links in linear signaling cascades.
Validation of a frailty index in patients undergoing curative surgery for urologic malignancy and comparison with other risk stratification tools

Abstract Objective To retrospectively validate and compare a modified frailty index predicting adverse outcomes and other risk stratification tools among patients undergoing urologic oncological surgeries. Materials and Methods The American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program was queried from 2005 to 2013 to identify patients undergoing cystectomy, prostatectomy, nephrectomy, and nephroureterectomy. Using the Canadian Study of Health and Aging Frailty Index, 11 variables were matched to the database; 4 were also added because of their relevance in oncology patients. The incidence of mortality, Clavien-Dindo IV complications, and adverse events were assessed with patients grouped according to their modified frailty index score. Results We identified 41,681 patients who were undergoing surgery for presumed urologic malignancy. Patients with a high frailty index score of >0.20 had a 3.70 odds of a Clavien-Dindo IV event (CI: 2.865–4.788, P Conclusion Existing risk stratification tools may be improved by incorporating variables in our 15-point modified frailty index as well as other factors such as walking speed, exhaustion, and sarcopenia to fully assess frailty. This is relevant in diseases such as kidney and prostate cancer, where surveillance and other nonsurgical interventions exist as alternatives to a potentially complicated surgery. In these scenarios, our modified frailty index augmented by the American Society of Anesthesiologists Risk Class may help inform which patients have increased surgical complications that may outweigh the benefit of surgery although this index needs prospective validation.
Active protocols for agile censor-resistant networks

The authors argue that content distribution in the face of censorship is a compelling and feasible application of active networking. In the face of a determined and powerful adversary, every fixed protocol can become known and subsequently monitored, blocked, or its member nodes identified and attacked. Frequent and diverse protocol change is key to allowing information to continue to flow. Typically, decentralized and locally-customized protocol evolution is also an important aspect in providing censor-resistance. A programmable overlay network can provide this type of manually-initiated protocol diversification. We have prototyped such an extension to Freenet, a peer-to-peer storage and retrieval system, whose goals include censor resistance and anonymity for information publishers and consumers.
Dispersion Interactions between Rare Gas Atoms: Testing the London Equation Using ab Initio Methods.

A computational chemistry experiment is described in which students can use advanced ab initio quantum mechanical methods to test the ability of the London equation to account quantitatively for the attractive (dispersion) interactions between rare gas atoms. Using readily available electronic structure applications, students can calculate the interaction energies of the four rare gas dimers (He2, Ne2, Ar2, and Kr2) and the six heterodimers at internuclear distances large enough to warrant neglecting repulsive interactions. The London C6 coefficients, obtained from experimental polarizability volumes and ionization energies, are used with the calculated interaction energies to test the London equation. The role of the higher-order C8 term in accounting for dispersion interactions in the dimers is examined. In addition, students calculate a portion of the argon dimer interaction potential at large internuclear separations and compare this potential with that predicted by the London equation.
Silicon monolithic micromechanical gyroscope

A monolithic silicon gyroscope is described which is completely batch fabricated on a silicon wafer. Only one side of the wafer is employed so the process is readily adaptable to any size wafer. The gimbals, flexures, and electrodes are all made on the same substrate so that a mass-producible instrument is realized. The process is compatible with the use of on-chip electronics, which will be required to maximize the performance of the instrument. The authors describe several methods of incorporating the electrodes within the device substrate. They enumerate the advantages of the monolithic construction, and mention potential areas of application. Initial test data showed a noise-limited rate detection capability of 4 deg/s at a 1-Hz bandwidth. >
Polyelectrolytes. VIII. Quaternized polyesters of succinic anhydride and methyldiethanolamine

Linear polyelectrolytes have been prepared by quaternizing with methyl bromide the polyester obtained by condensation between succinic anhydride and methyldiethanolamine. Molecular weights, determined by end group titration, were in the range 2000-43,000. The polysalts hydrolyze in water but are stable in absolute methanol. Viscosities in methanol of the polysalt of highest molecular weight conform to the empirical equation: Conductance curves are sharply concave upward on a Λ − c1/2 scale, indicating a high degree of association of counter ions with the polycation at finite concentrations. Estimates of limiting mobility suggest a curved rodlike structure for the polycation at infinite dilution.
Breastfeeding, Bonding, and the Mother-Infant Relationship

Mothers often report that breastfeeding is an enjoyable and emotionally beneficial experience they share with their infants. However, little research has investigated the role of feeding method in the development of the maternal bond and the mother-infant relationship. This study tested two hypotheses—the bonding hypothesis and the good-enough caregiver hypothesis—regarding the association of breastfeeding with maternal bonding and the mother-infant relationship. Using data from a longitudinal study of 570 mother-infant pairs, bonding and the quality of the mother-infant relationship were measured at 4 and 12 months. Although breastfeeding dyads tended to show higher quality relationships at 12 months, bottlefeeding dyads did not display poor quality or precarious relationships. Such results are encouraging for nonmaternal caregivers and mothers who bottlefeed their children.
Behavioral Functioning in Youth With Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Perceived Barriers as Mediator of Medication Adherence

Objectives To examine the relationship between behavioral functioning specific to levels of attention and conduct problems and prescription medication adherence in youth with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and examine the mediational role of perceived barriers to adherence. Identifying potentially malleable factors associated with poor adherence such as behavioral functioning and barriers may guide treatment. Methods 85 adolescents with IBD and their parents completed measures of adherence, attention and conduct problems, and barriers. To examine mediation models, indirect effects were tested using bootstrapping procedures outlined by Preacher & Hayes (2004, 2008). Results The majority of participants reported normative levels of attention and conduct problems. Higher levels of attention problems, conduct problems, and barriers were negatively associated with adherence. Bootstrapping procedures indicated that barriers mediated the effects of behavioral functioning on adherence. Conclusions Barriers may be a proximal factor contributing to the relationship between everyday behavioral functioning and adherence in youth with IBD.
Isolating excitonic Raman coherence in semiconductors using two-dimensional correlation spectroscopy.

We present the experimental and simulation results of two-dimensional optical coherent correlation spectroscopy signals along the phase-matching direction kI=−k1+k2+k3 projected on the two-dimensional (2D) (Ω3,Ω2) plane corresponding to the second and third delay periods. Overlapping Raman coherences in the conventional (Ω3,Ω1) 2D projection may now be clearly resolved. The linewidths of the heavy-hole (HH) and light-hole (LH) excitonic Raman coherence peaks are obtained. Further insights on the higher-order (beyond time-dependent Hartree–Fock) correlation effects among mixed (HH and LH) two excitons can be gained by using a cocircular pulse polarization configuration.
Philosophy and politics in China : the controversy over dialectical materialism in the 1930s

Soviet philosophy to the 1930s the struggle over the Second United Front the controversy over dialectical materialism "on practice" and "on contradiction".
Policy Space and System Dynamics Modeling of Environmental Agendas: An Illustration Revisiting the "Limits to Growth" Study *

System Dynamics offers a powerful vehicle to model environmental agendas and design operational interventions to mitigate environmental problems, provided the models of environmental issues have in them an appropriate policy space. Two limitations mar most modeling efforts to issue operational policy: 1) The problem definition might be linked too intimately to a preferred rather than a competing set of manifestations, hence the model it creates has no way to transform behavior to an alternative manifestation. 2) The policy parameters address societal rather than individual behavioral characteristics. Hence intervention is not possible through individual motivational instruments but is implied through power or moral appeal. Using the example of the limits to growth study, this paper illustrates how those limitations affect policy recommendations and how model structure can be modified to incorporate an appropriate policy space in it so its policy recommendations are operational rather than normative.
Outcomes in patients requiring mechanical ventilation following pneumonectomy

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to clarify the outcomes of patients who require post-pneumonectomy mechanical ventilation (PPMV). METHODS: The medical records of all 548 patients who underwent pneumonectomy between January 1994 and December 2009 were reviewed. PPMV was defined as mechanical ventilation via an endotracheal tube following thoracotomy (continued PPMV) or reintubated and started within 30 days of the pneumonectomy (reintubated PPMV) and continued for longer than 24 h. Perioperative characteristics, indications, management, complications and outcomes [weaning at hospital dismissal and overall survival (OS)] were compared between the two groups using the χ 2 test, Mann–Whitney U-test or Kaplan–Meier and log-rank methods. Potential prognostic factors were analysed with the Cox proportional hazard model. RESULTS: Twenty-two (4.0%) patients required continued PPMV and 69 (12.6%) required reintubated PPMV. Although significant differences were noted in perioperative characteristics, indications and management, the rate of complication of PPMV (P= 0.46), the rate of weaning at hospital dismissal (P= 0.98) and OS (P= 0.12) were not significantly different between the two groups. In reintubated PPMV patients, in univariate analysis, a lower fraction of inhaled oxygen was a significant factor of improved OS (P= 0.032) and weaning (P= 0.005), and a less positive fluid balance was a significant factor of weaning (P= 0.007) and showed a tendency for improved OS (P= 0.053). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that continued PPMV patients may have a rate of weaning at hospital dismissal and OS comparable to reintubated PPMV patients. A lower fraction of inhaled oxygen and less positive fluid balance may be favoured managements in reintubated PPMV patients.
Shell structure as solution to a free boundary problem from block copolymer morphology

A shell like structure is sought as a solution of a free boundary problem derived from the Ohta-Kawasaki theory of diblock copolymers. The boundary of the shell satisfies an equation that involves its mean curvature and the location of the entire shell. A variant of Lyapunov-Schmidt reduction process is performed that rigorously reduces the free boundary problem to a finite dimensional problem. The finite dimensional problem is solved numerically. The problem has two parameters: $a$ and $\gamma$. When $a$ is small, there are a lower bound and a sequence such that if $\gamma$ is greater than the lower bound and stays away from the sequence, there is a shell like solution.
Empathy, Self-Esteem, and the Adolescent Sexual Offender

Though empathy training is routinely utilized in the treatment of adolescent sexual offenders, there has been little research to support the link between a lack of empathy and sexual offending. Alternatively, self-esteem building is not as frequently incorporated into treatment. This paper reports our exploration of these two variables as predictors of sexual offense. Offenders' (N = 84) scores on a general measure of empathy were no lower than the scores of nonoffenders (N = 113), although their self-esteem scores were significantly lower. Correlation and regression analyses of empathy and self-esteem with relevant background variables tended to support our findings and the validity of our measures. Ambiguities in the conceptualization of empathy may retard our understanding of its usefulness as a treatment and its power as a predictor of sexual offense. Although limitations in study design point to the need for additional sophisticated research, low self-esteem may be a contributor to adolescent sexual offending and may serve as a target for treatment of these youthful offenders.
Patterns Of Consumer Interest Across Developed And Emerging Markets

In this study, we consider online search term volume as a measure of consumer interest and investigate the patterns of consumer interest across various international markets. Prior research has suggested that online search term volume, or the number of times a particular term is submitted to a search engine, can indicate aggregate or market-level interest in that term. As such, we consider the top terms in the US (most searched for) for one calendar year and look at the patterns of interest in those terms over time in the US, as well as in foreign developed and emerging markets. As globalization continues, consumers are likely to become more culturally integrated, particularly with the rapid spread of information. We explore one approach in measuring this phenomenon. We consider five dimensions of culture for eight foreign markets – four developed and four emerging. We find high levels of cultural integration for terms related to technology products and social networks. Our results suggest implications for international marketing strategy.
How hard does mutation analysis have to be, anyway?

Mutation analysis is considered the best method for measuring the adequacy of test suites. However, the number of test runs required for a full mutation analysis grows faster than project size, which is not feasible for real-world software projects, which often have more than a million lines of code. It is for projects of this size, however, that developers most need a method for evaluating the efficacy of a test suite. Various strategies have been proposed to deal with the explosion of mutants. However, these strategies at best reduce the number of mutants required to a fraction of overall mutants, which still grows with program size. Running, e.g., 5% of all mutants of a 2MLOC program usually requires analyzing over 100,000 mutants. Similarly, while various approaches have been proposed to tackle equivalent mutants, none completely eliminate the problem, and the fraction of equivalent mutants remaining is hard to estimate, often requiring manual analysis of equivalence. In this paper, we provide both theoretical analysis and empirical evidence that a small constant sample of mutants yields statistically similar results to running a full mutation analysis, regardless of the size of the program or similarity between mutants. We show that a similar approach, using a constant sample of inputs can estimate the degree of stubbornness in mutants remaining to a high degree of statistical confidence, and provide a mutation analysis framework for Python that incorporates the analysis of stubbornness of mutants.
Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy and Infantile Spasms

Investigators at UCSF, British Columbia, and Toronto studied the pattern and areas of brain injury on MRI at third day of life of children with infantile spasms following neonatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (H-IE).
REGIONAL MELANISM IN AQUATIC BEETLES

The tendency for insects in certain regions to be darker in color than their relatives elsewhere was first pointed out by H. W. Bates among the butterflies of the Amazonas. Similar tendencies to regional melanism have since been noted in other regions, but the biological basis of the condition is still a matter of surmise except in a few cases which have been investigated in detail. The most thoroughly studied example of regional melanism is that of the moths of the industrial midlands of England. Here about 70 species are now known to have melanic mutant forms which are in the process of replacing the normal light forms of the species. Kettlewell (1958) and others have shown that this "industrial melanism" is a dramatic illustration of natural selection acting upon genetic mutations. In most cases, hoxvever, the darkened condition has been tacitly attributed to the action of environment. There is direct experimental evidence that low temperatures favor melanin formation in in-
Acute fibrinous and organising pneumonia: a rare histopathological variant of chemotherapy-induced lung injury

Bleomycin-induced lung injury is the most common chemotherapy-associated lung disease, and is linked with several histopathological patterns. Acute fibrinous and organising pneumonia (AFOP) is a relatively new and rare histological pattern of diffuse lung injury. We report the first known case of bleomycin-induced AFOP. A 36-year-old man with metastatic testicular cancer received three cycles of bleomycin, etoposide and cisplatin, before being transitioned to paclitaxel, ifosfamide and cisplatin. He subsequently presented with exertional dyspnoea, cough and pleuritic chest pain. CT of the chest demonstrated bilateral ground glass opacities with peribronchovascular distribution and pulmonary function tests demonstrated a restrictive pattern of lung disease with impaired diffusion. Transbronchial biopsy revealed intra-alveolar fibrin deposits with organising pneumonia, consisting of intraluminal loose connective tissue consistent with AFOP. The patient received high-dose corticosteroids with symptomatic and radiographic improvement. AFOP should be recognised as a histopathological variant of bleomycin-induced lung injury.
Migrations of Alkyl and Aryl Groups from Silicon to Nitrogen in Silylated Aryloxyiminoquinones

Silylation of the oxidized ligand in lead(II) bis(3,5-tert-butyl-1,2-quinone-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-2-hydroxy-1-phenyl)imine), Pb(ONOQ)2, with chlorosilanes RSiX2Cl (R = Me, Ph; X = Me, Ph, Cl) results in the tetracyclic, pentacoordinate silicon compounds (ON[R]O)SiX2 with a reduced, dianionic amine-bisphenolate ligand in which the methyl or phenyl group has migrated to nitrogen. Methyl migration is observed exclusively over phenyl migration, though phenyl migration is observed if no alkyl groups are present on silicon. Chlorotriphenylstannane reacts similarly, with migration of the phenyl group from tin to nitrogen. The five-coordinate products adopt a trigonal-bipyramidal geometry with long bonds to the apical amine donors (d(Si–N) = 2.3–2.9 A). Chlorine occupies the other axial position in strong preference to methyl or phenyl, while methyl has a modest preference for the axial position in comparison to phenyl (8.7:1).
Evaluation of boldness assays and associated behavioral measures in a social parrot, monk parakeet (Myiopsitta monachus)

Boldness reflects consistent individual differences in risk-taking behavior across various contexts. However, evaluating this basic assumption has largely been neglected in birds. In a captive monk parakeet population ( Myiopsitta monachus ; N=33), we undertook an analysis of 7 measures across 3 commonly used boldness assays (i.e., novel object, emergence, and predator-exposure tests). Using principal component analysis, we derived 3 components (PCs). PC-2 loaded strongly with measures from emergence and predator-exposure tests; we interpreted it as the closest approximation of boldness. PC-1 and PC-3 described different aspects of feeding such as foraging activity and rate, respectively. Finally, we assessed the predictive power of each measure that loaded significantly on the boldness axis. We found that no single metric explained even %55 of the variation in PC-2, nor could more than %50 individuals at the extremes of the spectrum be predicted. Our results demonstrate the utility of an inclusive approach in personality research.
Extraction and Overlaying Method of Meter Symbols for Fighter Plane

In view of the defects of edge clutter,character fracture and difficulty in overlaying with sight screens in front of the aircraft which result from limitations of the hardware conditions,a meter symbols extraction and overlaying algorithm is proposed in this paper.First,the meter images are preprocessed,and then the proposed method combined with minimum cross-entropy is used to segment the meter symbols.Subsequently,the restoring lossy characters and wiping off burrs algorithms are applied to smooth the symbol vein edges,and ultimately the obtained binary symbols are employed to make overlaying.Experiment results show that the proposed algorithm enjoys a good performance in the video overlaying,improves the visual quality of original meter symbols,and the superimposed video can restore the real scene and has a fine applicability.
The Archaeological Career of Sophia Schliemann

Sophia Schliemann is a familiar figure. The name readily conjures up a determined young Greek woman, who shared with her older German husband a passion for Homer and archaeology. We see her gamely putting up with the inconvenient realities of living at the site of an excavation — uncomfortable lodgings, often shared with exotic and undesirable fauna, blazing sun, freezing cold, rain and mud at Mycenae, and the relentless wind and dust of Troy. In recent years we have come to admire a woman who seemed easily to transcend the limitations imposed on her sex by the era and society in which she lived. She commanded groups of workmen at Troy, Mycenae and Orchomenos. Above all, we see her playing a crucial supporting role at the climactic moments of Heinrich’s excavations. At Troy she stood by his side and wrapped up Priam’s Treasure in her shawl. At Mycenae she got down on her hands and knees in the Shaft Graves and extricated the gold jewellery and masks from the mud.
Fundus Imaging in Wide-Field: A Brief Historical Journey

Our ability to visualize has often limited our ability to conceptualize, in medicine as well as technology, science, and mathematics. Before we were able to see the retina, our perspective of ocular disease was largely confined to disorders of the anterior segment, such as strabismus, corneal disease, conjunctivitis, and cataracts. Our understanding of blindness and amaurosis was hidden behind the seemingly impenetrable pupillary curtain.
Utility of virtual reality environments to examine physiological reactivity and subjective distress in adults who stutter

Abstract Purpose Virtual reality environments (VREs) allow for immersion in speaking environments that mimic real-life interactions while maintaining researcher control. VREs have been used successfully to engender arousal in other disorders. The purpose of this study was to investigate the utility of virtual reality environments to examine physiological reactivity and subjective ratings of distress in persons who stutter (PWS). Method Subjective and objective measures of arousal were collected from 10 PWS during four-minute speeches to a virtual audience and to a virtual empty room. Results Stuttering frequency and physiological measures (skin conductance level and heart rate) did not differ across speaking conditions, but subjective ratings of distress were significantly higher in the virtual audience condition compared to the virtual empty room. Conclusion VREs have utility in elevating subjective ratings of distress in PWS. VREs have the potential to be useful tools for practicing treatment targets in a safe, controlled, and systematic manner.
Fraud in Sale of Condominium Units: ILSA as the Basis for Recovery

Private parties bringing actions against real estate developers based on the fraudulent acts or practices of a developer often allege common law fraud, violation of N.Y. General Business Law §349 which prohibits deceptive acts or practices in the conduct of any business, contract claims based on express warranties, or claims based on statutory warranties. Each of these claims has limitations or requirements that may prevent a successful action. What is often ignored is a possible action based on ILSA’s antifraud provisions. This article explores the availability of a private action under ILSA based on allegations of fraud and the required elements of such a cause of action.ILSA can serve as an effective means by which a condominium unit purchaser can maintain an action against a developer based on allegations of fraud. In contrast to some state statutory prohibitions against fraud, ILSA expressly authorizes private actions. In contrast to state common law actions, ILSA’s prohibitions extend to both misrepresentations and omissions. In addition, its prohibitions encompass a broad range of fraudulent activity beyond disclosure obligations. Finally, to maintain an action, proof of scienter is not required, and in the view of most courts neither is reliance.
Exploring the entropy concept for coupled oscillators

Abstract The purpose of this paper is to explore the concept of mixing entropy for systems of coupled harmonic oscillators. First, entropy is examined theoretically for a generalized oscillator configuration. A general formulation for the mixing entropy is obtained by comparing the actual entropy of a system to its hypothetical decoupled entropy. It is proven that the mixing entropy of any system is nonnegative, and that the entropy inequality property reduces to an equality with the introduction of a mixing entropy term. This result is validated using a series of numerical examples, which provide insight into the relationship between energy and entropy behavior. First, the mixing entropy is examined for an undamped system of two identical coupled oscillators. The same methodology is then applied for a system of nonidentical oscillators. Lastly, the mixing entropy is determined for a system composed of a main oscillator attached to a fuzzy structure.
The Identity of the Public University

Public universities do not just have educational missions. They possess identities, grounded in substantive values, and they often seek to impose those values on members of the university community. Indeed, universities sometimes even seek to regulate the speech of students and others when it conflicts with the values and mission of the university. This is not necessarily a bad thing. An extensive literature extols the importance to civil society of institutions such as universities, and courts have in many respects recognized the unique status of the university, as well as its entitlement to a measure of autonomy from the sort of regulation that applies outside its walls. While arguing for further recognition and formalization of institutional autonomy for universities, this article nonetheless urges that careful limits be imposed — including constitutional limits and a robust countervailing right to academic freedom — in order to ensure that public universities and the states that support them do not trample the rights of individual community members or undermine the unique role and educational purpose of the institution.
Problem Behavior Theory and the Use of Marijuana

This chapter is a report of the testing of Problem Behavior Theory in longitudinal research on adolescent and young adult marijuana use. Samples of high school and college youth were followed over a four-year period, and data on their use of marijuana and on a large number of theory-derived psychosocial and behavioral measures were collected. A variety of theory-testing strategies were employed the convergence of which permitted a stronger claim on the causal relevance of the theory. The effectiveness of the theory in accounting for cross-sectional variation in marijuana use, for explaining change in marijuana use, and for predicting timing of onset of marijuana use was established across age, gender, and high school vs college contexts. The research also employed the concept of transition proneness to illuminate the developmental implications of Problem Behavior Theory.
The need for unique risk adjustment for surgical site infections at a high-volume, tertiary care center with inherent high-risk colorectal procedures

The aim of the present study was to create a unique risk adjustment model for surgical site infection (SSI) in patients who underwent colorectal surgery (CRS) at the Cleveland Clinic (CC) with inherent high risk factors by using a nationwide database. The American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database was queried to identify patients who underwent CRS between 2005 and 2010. Initially, CC cases were identified from all NSQIP data according to case identifier and separated from the other NSQIP centers. Demographics, comorbidities, and outcomes were compared. Logistic regression analyses were used to assess the association between SSI and center-related factors. A total of 70,536 patients met the inclusion criteria and underwent CRS, 1090 patients (1.5%) at the CC and 69,446 patients (98.5%) at other centers. Male gender, work-relative value unit, diagnosis of inflammatory bowel disease, pouch formation, open surgery, steroid use, and preoperative radiotherapy rates were significantly higher in the CC cases. Overall morbidity and individual postoperative complication rates were found to be similar in the CC and other centers except for the following: organ-space SSI and sepsis rates (higher in the CC cases); and pneumonia and ventilator dependency rates (higher in the other centers). After covariate adjustment, the estimated degree of difference between the CC and other institutions with respect to organ-space SSI was reduced (OR 1.38, 95% CI 1.08–1.77). The unique risk adjustment strategy may provide center-specific comprehensive analysis, especially for hospitals that perform inherently high-risk procedures. Higher surgical complexity may be the reason for increased SSI rates in the NSQIP at tertiary care centers.
Spectral resolution of second-order coherence of broadband biphotons

We spectrally resolve the second-order coherence of biphoton pairs using a time-of-flight fiber spectrometer. Spectrally resolved coincidence-to-accidental ratios of over 300 are measured using a thin-film lithium niobate waveguide source on a silicon chip.
Gender and acute respiratory distress syndrome in critically injured adults: a prospective study.

Objective—The acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a pro-inflammatory condition that often complicates trauma and critical illness. Animal studies have shown that both gender and sex hormones play an important role in inflammatory regulation. Human data is scant regarding the role of gender and sex hormones in developing ARDS. Our objective was to describe gender and hormonal differences in patients who develop ARDS in a large cohort of critically injured adults. Methods—A prospective cohort study of adult trauma patients requiring ICU admission for at least 48 hours was performed. Demographic and clinical data was collected prospectively, and sex hormones were assayed at study entry (48 hours). The primary outcome was the development of ARDS. Multivariate logistic regression was used to determine the adjusted odds of death associated with differences in gender. Results—648 patients met entry criteria and 180 patients developed ARDS (31%). Females were more likely to develop ARDS (35 % versus 25%, p=0.02). This association remained after adjusting for age, mechanism of injury, injury severity and blood product transfusion (OR 1.6 95% CI 1.1 – 2.4, p=0.02). Of patients with ARDS, there was no difference in mortality related to gender (22% mortality in females with ARDS versus 20% in males, p=NS). A pro-inflammatory sex hormone profile (low testosterone, high estradiol) was associated with ARDS in both males and females. Conclusion—Females are more likely than males to develop ARDS following critical injury. Despite the increased incidence in ARDS, the mortality in patients with ARDS does not differ according to gender. The inflammatory properties of sex hormones may contribute to ARDS, but they do not fully explain observed gender differences.
Standardizing Public Health Practice: Benefits and Challenges

The adage “…if you’ve seen one local health department, you’ve seen one local health department” applies to this chapter. A consistent theme throughout this book is that public health is practiced differently based on the status of the public health system and infrastructure present in a given community. Thus, the way one public health department practices is just that, one way of fulfilling the public health mission. Standardizing public health practice is extremely challenging based on this reality. This chapter provides the current frameworks in place to assist local and state health departments with achieving accreditation. The public health field has called practitioners to heed this opportunity as it is one significant way in which we can improve the health of the populations of our communities. This chapter examines the concept of accreditation in public health, its benefits and challenges, the organizations and initiatives involved in developing this endeavor, as well as the current state of accreditation criteria and a representative example of a public health department that completed the accreditation process. The inherent relationship between accreditation and credentialing of the public health workforce is also discussed. An emerging partnership between academic institutions and public health practice communities is explored as a possible means to contribute to the accreditation process. Although the “rewards” are many and different for the academic and public health practice communities, they share the common goal of improving the community’s health utilizing their shared expertise and resources in a mutually beneficial manner. The accreditation process for public health departments raises the bar on our effectiveness and efficiency as public health practitioners—it is a call that must be answered.
Surface Heat Pumping

Refrigeration has been of great interest to man for generations, mostly for food preservation involving relatively small temperature differences. Recently, however, there have evolved many other applications for a great variety of other temperatures. Despite all this recent historic interest, there are really very few methods by which heat may be removed and low temperatures achieved.
Azidomercurations of alkenes: mercury-promoted Schmidt reactions.

Azides bearing a suitably disposed alkene, when treated with either mercuric perchlorate or mercuric trifluoromethanesulfonate, produce bicyclic iminium ions. This new version of the Schmidt reacti...
Laser Spark Emission Spectroscopy of Individual Coal Particles

Perhaps one of the most difficult tasks facing the experimenter in coal combustion research is the characterization of solid particulates in a combustion flow. This elusive information would provide crucial insights in the complex mechanisms involved in the chemical reactions of coal during the combustion process. Ultimately this is necessary for any thorough understanding and prediction of such phenomena as mineral matter transformation and the deleterious formation of solid ash deposits on reactor and heat exchanger surfaces.
GREEN CAPITALISM: A PRIMER

Irreversible damage has been done to the natural environment by human actions. Movements in the United States and around the world have continued to push for reforms to protect the environment in current capitalistic systems. Their efforts aim to transform our world which is dominated by capitalism to green and sustainable capitalism. Green capitalism refers to several political and economic strategies that are designed to redress environmental problems. Green capitalism promises a growing economy that uses less natural resources. This paper briefly introduces green capitalism.
Building A Scalable Forward Flux Sampling Framework using Big Data and HPC

Forward flux sampling (FFS) is an established scientific method for sampling rare events in molecular simulations. However, as the difficulty of the scientific problem increases, the amount of data and the number of tasks required for FFS is challenging to manage with traditional scripting tools and languages for high performance computing. The SAFFIRE software framework has been developed to address these challenges. SAFFIRE utilizes Hadoop to manage a large number of tasks and data for large scale FFS simulations. The framework is shown to be highly scalable and able to support large scale FFS simulations. This enables studies of rare events in complex molecular systems on commodity cluster computing systems.
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Risk for Stroke in Young and Middle-Aged Adults: A 13-Year Cohort Study.

Background and Purpose— In older populations, transient ischemic attack (TIA) and ischemic stroke have been linked to psychological factors, including posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Whether ...