cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Performance characterization of a long over-water digital microwave link

The observed performance of a long, over-water microwave link between Swingate, England, and Houtem, Belgium, is described. To combat anomalous propagation as well as multipath, adaptive equalization and higher-order diversity have been employed with a 4-GHz digital radio. Performance data were collected over a 12-month period (Aug. 91 - Jul. 92) to allow characterization of both error statistics and fading statistics. The objective of the test was to characterize and compare the performance of second-, fourth-, and eighth-order diversity, and to compare the performance of DS-0, DS-1, DS-2, and DS-3 data rates. These comparisons were all done simultaneously by using several bit-error rate test sets and analog recording instruments. Results indicate modest performance improvement with increasing order of diversity, general agreement with performance prediction models for line-of-sight radio, general agreement with models used to extrapolate lower bit rate (e.g., DS-0) performance from mission bit rate (e.g., DS-3) performance, and general agreement with CCITT and CCIR performance objectives. >
Comprehensive temporal information detection from clinical text: medical events, time, and TLINK identification.

Background Temporal information detection systems have been developed by the Mayo Clinic for the 2012 i2b2 Natural Language Processing Challenge. Objective To construct automated systems for EVENT/ TIMEX3 extraction and temporal link (TLINK) identification from clinical text. Materials and methods The i2b2 organizers provided 190 annotated discharge summaries as the training set and 120 discharge summaries as the test set. Our Event system used a conditional random field classifier with a variety of features including lexical information, natural language elements, and medical ontology. The TIMEX3 system employed a rule-based method using regular expression pattern match and systematic reasoning to determine normalized values. The TLINK system employed both rule-based reasoning and machine learning. All three systems were built in an Apache Unstructured Information Management Architecture framework. Results Our TIMEX3 system performed the best (F-measure of 0.900, value accuracy 0.731) among the challenge teams. The Event system produced an F-measure of 0.870, and the TLINK system an F-measure of 0.537. Conclusions Our TIMEX3 system demonstrated good capability of regular expression rules to extract and normalize time information. Event and TLINK machine learning systems required well-defined feature sets to perform well. We could also leverage expert knowledge as part of the machine learning features to further improve TLINK identification performance.
The Radiographic Effects of the Scarf Bunionectomy on Rearfoot Alignment

Statement of Purpose. Excessive pronation of the rearfoot has been implicated as a destabilizing force in the progression of hallux abducto valgus. Although the scarf bunionectomy has been shown to effectively correct the intermetatarsal angle associated with hallux valgus deformity, its effect on the rearfoot has yet to be established. The purpose of this case series is to demonstrate the effect of the scarf bunionectomy on rearfoot alignment. Methodology. Medical records were reviewed to isolate patients who underwent unilateral or bilateral scarf bunionectomies (with or without akin osteotomy) who had complete medical records, follow-up of at least 12 months, and met the inclusion/exclusion criteria. Preoperative and postoperative radiographic measurements were analyzed at various postoperative time intervals. Standard deviations and statistical significance was obtained. Results. One hundred feet (71 patients) were included in this analysis. The long-term results of this study highlighted the scarf os...
Appraisal of recommended respiratory infection control practices in primary care and emergency department settings.

Background The severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) epidemic and concern about pandemic influenza prompted the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to develop guidelines to prevent the transmission of all respiratory infections in health care settings during first contact with a potentially infected person. The extent to which health care workers and institutions use these CDC recommended practices is uncertain. Methods The study examined health care worker adherence to CDC recommended respiratory infection control practices in primary care clinics and emergency departments of 5 medical centers in King County, Washington, using a self-administered questionnaire. All clinical, allied, and administrative health care workers in study settings were invited to participate: 653 (53%) responded, and 630 were included. Results The survey revealed important shortcomings in overall personal and institutional use of CDC recommended practices, including deficiencies in posted alerts, patient masking and separation, hand hygiene, personal protective equipment, staff training, and written procedures. Use of recommended measures was generally higher among nursing staff than medical practitioners. Conclusion This study found significant gaps in adherence to CDC recommendations for the control of respiratory infections in ambulatory care clinical settings. Practical strategies are needed to identify and reduce barriers to implementation of recommended practices for control of respiratory infections.
DEPOSITION OF SUBMICRON AEROSOL PARTICLES DURING INTEGRATED CIRCUIT MANUFACTURING: THEORY

ABSTRACT Submicron (≤1μm) particle contamination can produce unacceptably low yields in the manufacture of integrated circuits. Calculations were made to predict deposition velocities of 0·01-lOμm particles, incorporating gravitational, dlffusional, and electrostatic effects. The results were summarized in equations that correlate non-dimensional deposition (Sherwood number) with convective-diffusion (Peclet number) and with electrostatics (Boltzmann and Fuchs charge distributions). These equations were used In conjunction with particle size distributions to predict particle deposition. In a companion paper |25| the predictions were shown to compare well with limited experimental data. To reduce deposition product surfaces should not be electrically charged and, where possible, these surfaces should be at higher temperatures than the ambient gas. For quality control purposes, the deposition flux predictions could serve to link the specifications of gas cleanliness with the specifications of surface cleanl...
A Pruning Based Approach for Scalable Entity Coreference

Entity coreference is the process to decide which identifiers (e.g., person names, locations, ontology instances, etc.) refer to the same real world entity. In the Semantic Web, entity coreference can be used to detect equivalence relationships between heterogeneous Semantic Web datasets to explicitly link coreferent ontology instances via the owl:sameAs property. Due to the large scale of Semantic Web data today, we propose two pruning techniques for scalably detecting owl:sameAs links between ontology instances by comparing the similarity of their context graphs. First, a sampling based technique is designed to estimate the potential contribution of each RDF node in the context graph and prune insignificant context. Furthermore, a utility function is defined to reduce the cost of performing such estimations. We evaluate our pruning techniques on three Semantic Web instance categories. We show that the pruning techniques enable the entity coreference system to run 10 to 35 times faster than without them while still maintaining comparably good F1-scores.
RREV: Reconfigurable Rendering Engine for visualization of clinically annotated polysomnograms

In sleep medicine, clinical studies often use their own data dictionaries for capturing clinical sleep events using proprietary signal analysis software [1][2]. Visualization of polysomnograms and their associated events from multiple distinct studies, such as for the National Sleep Research Resource (NSRR)[3], is an unresolved issue. Currently, there is no known visualization software for the European Data Format (EDF) that can be dynamically configured to support rendering of sleep events for multiple vendor formats. To address this challenge, domain ontology has been developed as a part of NSRR to model all sleep medicine terms and concepts to provide a common schema for addressing the structural and semantic heterogeneity of multiple vendor formats [4]. A Reconfigurable Rendering Engine using Abstract Factory pattern [5] and domain ontology provides a standard interface for accessing ontology-enabled clinical events for the visualization of electrophysiological signals. About 11,078 polysomnograms (8,444 SHHS, 860 CHAT, 591 HeartBEAT, 730 CFS, 453 SOF) [12] in EDF have been processed resulting in 1.1TB of web-accessible and reusable PSGs with NSRR standardized event annotations.
Tracing the Sources and Biogeochemical Cycling of Phosphorus in Aquatic Systems Using Isotopes of Oxygen in Phosphate

Phosphorous (P) is an essential nutrient for all living organisms and when available in surplus could cause eutrophication in aquatic systems. While P has only one stable isotope, P in most organic and inorganic P forms is strongly bonded to oxygen (O), which has three stable isotopes, providing a system to track phosphorus cycling and transformations using the stable isotopes of O in phosphate (PO4), δ18Op. This isotope system has only recently been utilized in aquatic environments. Available data obtained from different settings indicate that δ18Op of dissolved phosphate in aquatic systems can be applied successfully for identifying sources and cycling of phosphate in a broad range of environments. Specifically, work to date indicates that δ18Op is useful for deciphering sources of phosphate to aquatic systems if these sources have unique isotopic signatures and if phosphate cycling within the system is limited compared to input fluxes. In addition, because various processes are associated with distinct fractionation effects, the δ18Op tracer can be utilized to determine the degree of phosphorous cycling within the biomass and shed light on the processes imprinting the isotopic signatures. As a better understanding of the systematics of and various controls on δ18Op is gained, it is expected that δ18Op would be extensively applied in research geared to understand phosphorous dynamics in many environments.
The Politics of Innovation in China: Local Officials as Policy Entrepreneurs

Jn this article, J address the puzzle of what motivates local officials in China to do something new-create a new policy, launch a pilot, adopt an experimental policy-especially when such innovation has uncertain outcomes. Despite the uncertainty and risk, we observe a great deal of policy innovation, both the creation and adoption of experiments, at the subnational level in China. In this article, I explore local policymakers', incentives regarding innovation to understand why they experiment with new policies under conditions of political risk and uncertainty. J utilize data from existing studies on policy innovation, including the Local Governance Innovation Awards (中國地方政府創新獎), to conduct this analysis. This analysis is significant because many scholars have noted that local innovation and adaptation is the key to authoritarian resilience in China. Therefore, the ability to encourage innovation (and capture good ideas) is vital to continued success, and Xi Jinping's administration must institutionalize innovation by realigning incentives to reward sustainable innovation rather than superficial or ＂face＂ innovation. This institutional change might help transform the political and economic system in China through incremental policy innovation rather than fundamental reform.
Beyond the Central Dogma: Model-Based Learning of How Genes Determine Phenotypes

In an introductory biology course, we implemented a learner-centered, model-based pedagogy that frequently engaged students in building conceptual models to explain how genes determine phenotypes. Model-building tasks were incorporated within case studies and aimed at eliciting students' understanding of 1) the origin of variation in a population and 2) how genes/alleles determine phenotypes. Guided by theory on hierarchical development of systems-thinking skills, we scaffolded instruction and assessment so that students would first focus on articulating isolated relationships between pairs of molecular genetics structures and then integrate these relationships into an explanatory network. We analyzed models students generated on two exams to assess whether students' learning of molecular genetics progressed along the theoretical hierarchical sequence of systems-thinking skills acquisition. With repeated practice, peer discussion, and instructor feedback over the course of the semester, students' models became more accurate, better contextualized, and more meaningful. At the end of the semester, however, more than 25% of students still struggled to describe phenotype as an output of protein function. We therefore recommend that 1) practices like modeling, which require connecting genes to phenotypes; and 2) well-developed case studies highlighting proteins and their functions, take center stage in molecular genetics instruction.
Synthesis and Structural Characterization of a Series of Mn(III)-OR Complexes, Including a Water-Soluble Mn(III)-OH that Promotes Aerobic Hydrogen Atom Transfer

Hydrogen-atom-transfer (HAT) reactions are a class of proton-coupled electron-transfer (PCET) reactions used in biology to promote substrate oxidation. The driving force for such reactions depends on both the oxidation potential of the catalyst and the pKa value of the proton-acceptor site. Both high-valent transition-metal oxo MIV═O (M = Fe, Mn) and lower-valent transition-metal hydroxo compounds MIIIOH (M = Fe, Mn) have been shown to promote these reactions. Herein we describe the synthesis, structure, and reactivity properties of a series of MnIIIOR compounds [R = pNO2Ph (5), Ph (6), Me (7), H (8)], some of which abstract H atoms. The MnIIIOH complex 8 is water-soluble and represents a rare example of a stable mononuclear MnIIIOH. In water, the redox potential of 8 was found to be pH-dependent and the Pourbaix (Ep,c vs pH) diagram has a slope (52 mV pH–1) that is indicative of the transfer a single proton with each electron (i.e., PCET). The two compounds with the lowest oxidation potential, hydroxide-...
Esomeprazole use in pediatrics

Acid-related disorders are frequently encountered in pediatric practice. In addition to lifestyle modifications, effective management by suppression of gastric acid production is the most important management strategy for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Proton-pump inhibitors are the drugs of choice for the treatment of GERD. Esomeprazole is the latest proton-pump inhibitor developed as the S-isomer of omeprazole in an attempt to improve its pharmacokinetic properties. It was recently approved for children 1–17 years of age with GERD. Early detection and treatment of GERD in children may prevent, attenuate or heal complications, such as failure to thrive, feeding refusal and erosive esophagitis. Prospective, controlled, randomized studies conducted in children have shown esomeprazole to be well tolerated and an efficacious medication. The pharmacokinetics of esomeprazole in older children (1–17 years of age), such as bioavailability, elimination half-life and metabolism are similar to those in adu...
Study of Ni-SiC wear-resisting layer application on the engine block

The necessity of Ni-SiC wear-resisting layer application on the engine block is illustrated by the introduction of Ni-SiC wear-resisting layer's superiority and electroplating method.The present introduction is focused on the influence towards electroplating technical features of the external environment and the control over electroplating technological process.
Numerical Investigation on Flow Characteristics of Multipoint Lean Direct Injection(LDI) Combustor

The non-reacting fluid flow fields generated by multi-swirler arrays with two different configurations were investigated using Reynolds Stress Turbulence Model(RSTM) computationally.These two cases include a co-swirling array and a counter-swirling array,and each configuration consists of a three by three arrangement of swirlers.The computational results indicate that the flow fields considered here are of very complicated structures in both cases.In comparison,in the co-swirler configuration the recirculation zones generated by the nine swirlers deform and decay rapidly and a large unified swirling flow is formed far downstream of the swirler array,while in the other case the array retains the individual swirler characteristics across a longer distance.The existence of recirculation zones and strong turbulence levels in the two configurations indicate the potential for excellent combustion performance and Low NOx emissions.The RSTM-computed results were compared to Laser Doppler Velocimeter(LDV) measurements.The result comparison indicated that the RSTM accurately captured most of the flow characteristics and did a better job of resolving recirculation zones and high velocity gradients.
Adenoid cystic carcinoma of Bartholin’s gland

A patient with adenoid cystic carcinoma of Bartholin's gland is reported and the literature relevant to this disease reviewed. The clinical presentation is characterized by a vulvar mass that has existed for a prolonged period prior to the onset of symptoms, usually infection, pain, and burning. Histologically the tumor is characterized by a cribriform pattern and perineural invasion. Electron microscopy confirms the epithelial nature of this lesion. Conclusions concerning therapy are presented, including emphasis on initial radical vulvectomy and the fact that the efficacy of routine lymphadenectomy and adjuvant radiotherapy has not been demonstrated.
The Dictyostelium dual-specificity kinase splA is essential for spore differentiation

We have studied the structure and function of the Dictyostelium kinase splA. A truncated form of the splA protein exhibited primarily tyrosine kinase activity in vitro; however, it also autophosphorylated on serine and threonine residues. The kinase domain of splA exhibits approximately 38% identity to the CTR1 kinase of Arabidopsis, which is a member of the Raf family. Outside its kinase domain, splA shares homology with the byr2 kinase of S. pombe. By aligning the sequences of splA, byr2 and STE11, a homologue of byr2 in S. cerevisiae, we have identified a conserved motif that is also found in members of the Eph family of growth factor receptor tyrosine kinases. SplA is expressed throughout development with a peak during the mound stage of morphogenesis. Strains in which the splA gene had been disrupted completed fruiting body formation; however, spore cells spontaneously lysed before completing their differentiation. Northern analysis revealed the expression of the prespore marker cotB and the prestalk markers ecmA and ecmB in the mutant strain during development. The spore differentiation marker spiA was detected in the mutant spores both by northern and immunoblotting, but these cells failed to assemble spore coats. Immunoblot analysis of the developmental pattern of tyrosine phosphorylation revealed a protein that was phosphorylated in mutants but was not phosphorylated in the wild-type cells. SplA is a novel dual specificity kinase that regulates the differentiation of spore cells.
The traveler's medical kit

This article presents a comprehensive list of drugs and other medical supplies that may be of use to travelers for treating common infections and noninfectious travel-related illness. Recommendations are offered for using the medications to treat specific common medical problems while traveling. Sample medical kits, the contents of which vary depending on itinerary and length of stay, are presented.
Slipped capital femoral epiphysis.

Slipped capital femoral epiphysis is the most common orthopedic hip disorder occurring in adolescence. In this condition, the femoral head (epiphysis) displaces, or slips, on the femoral neck through the region of the growth plate. This may result from traumatic forces acting on a normal growth plate (physis) or from ordinary forces acting on a weakened growth plate. In the latter situation, resistance to shear-type forces within the physis is decreased. This leads to the growth plate giving way when exposed to modest forces, such as running, skipping, or twisting. The femoral head may displace abruptly, analogous to a fracture, and may be exquisitely painful to the patient. Or, the femoral head may displace gradually, maintaining a stable relationship between it and the femoral neck, and may present clinically only as an ache in the groin. Regardless of the clinical presentation, the proper management requires urgent surgical intervention in an effort to avoid further displacement. Thus, early diagnosis is of utmost importance in the management of slipped capital femoral epiphysis. Epidemiology The general incidence of this condition is 1 to 3 per 100 000, with a slightly higher incidence in African-American children. Males are affected twice as often as females. The children are obese (the weight being 2 standard deviations above the mean for the child9s age) in 67% of cases.
Cultural Adjustment and Social Justice Behaviour: The Role of Individual Differences in Multicultural Personality

The present study examined altruistic behaviour using broad personality traits (the Big Five) and the narrow personality trait of cultural adjustment (multicultural personality) while controlling for social justice attitudes and other demographic variables. Using an analogue version of a modified dictator game, 153 participants were required to divide a variable amount of money between themselves and a hypothetical recipient who was treated unfairly in a prior dictator game (based on results from a separate sample). We varied the race (Black and White) and gender (male and female) of the fictional recipient to present the individual as either advantaged or disadvantaged in society. Participants were randomly assigned to one of three conditions with the recipient presented as (i) a White man, (ii) a White woman, or (iii) a Black man. A separate sample of 71 participants rated recipients as treated unfairly and as representing a marginalized group. Results showed that subscales of the Multicultural Personality Inventory predicted giving behaviour above and beyond the variance accounted for by broad personality traits and attitudes towards social justice. The discussion focuses on implications for research in social justice based on cultural adaptation and personality. Copyright © 2016 European Association of Personality Psychology
Testing Preorders for dMTS: Deadlock- and the New Deadlock-/DivergenceTesting

Testing preorders on component specifications ensure that replacing a specification by a refined one does not introduce unwanted behavior in an overall system. Considering deadlocks as unwanted, the preorder can be characterized by a failure semantics on Labeled Transition Systems (LTSs). In previous work, we have generalized this to Modal Transition Systems (MTSs) with a new, MTS-specific testing idea. In the present article, we generalize this idea further to DMTS, a subclass of disjunctive MTSs. On the one hand, the testing preorder can be characterized by the same failure semantics, and dMTS have no additional expressivity in our setting. On the other hand, the technical treatment is significantly harder and, surprisingly, the preorder is not compositional. Furthermore, we regard deadlocks and divergence (infinite unobservable runs) as unwanted and characterize the testing preorder with an unusual failure-divergence semantics. This preorder is already on LTSs strictly coarser—and hence arguably better—than the traditional failure-divergence preorder. It is a precongruence on dMTS, also for hiding, and much easier to handle than the deadlock-based preorder. It arises as well from a new variant of De Nicola’s and Hennessy’s must-testing.
The insulating effect of the low thermal conductivity of epoxy on the resolution of the heat of reaction during polymerization by differential scanning calorimetry

Abstract It is demonstrated that the heat of epoxy cure as measured by isothermal differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), as commonly calibrated by the heat of fusion of an indium standard, is consistently low as compared to methods “directly” calibrated by Joule heating [i.e., isothermal microcalorimetry (IMC)]. The discrepancy between measurement techniques is shown to be on the order of 15% for low thermal conductivity epoxy thermosets. In addition to direct comparisons between DSC and IMC measurements during epoxy polymerization, indium samples embedded in cured epoxy were studied to determine if the DSC was able to accurately capture the total heat of fusion through the polymeric insulating layer. It is found that the indium heat of fusion measured by DSC is lower when the indium is embedded in epoxy than when the indium is in direct contact with a steel sample pan. The fraction of the indium heat of fusion detected through the epoxy insulation by the DSC cell is comparable to the fraction of the heat of reaction detected by DSC during epoxy cure, as determined from the DSC-IMC comparison. It is concluded that the heat flow detected by DSC during epoxy cure must be scaled by a factor of 1.18 in order to accurately portray the full heat of reaction under the conditions used in this work. It is argued that the difference found between DSC and IMC is in reasonable agreement with qualitative heat transfer calculations and with previous thermal conductivity measurement of polymers via DSC. The specific scaling factor is anticipated to depend on the material studied, on the pan type, on the sample geometry, on the purge gas details, and on the instrumentation. Instruments used in this work include a Q2000 DSC and a TAM Air IMC (both TA instruments). The epoxy was diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A (DGEBA) cured with diethanolamine (DEA).
Loss of Genome Fidelity: Beta HPVs and the DNA Damage Response.

While the role of genus alpha human papillomaviruses in the tumorigenesis and tumor maintenance of anogenital and oropharyngeal cancers is well established, the role of genus beta human papilloviruses (β-HPVs) in non-melanoma skin cancers (NMSCs) is less certain. Persistent β-HPV infections cause NMSCs in sun-exposed skin of people with a rare genetic disorder, epidermodysplasia verruciformis. However, β-HPV infections in people without epidermodysplasia verruciformis are typically transient. Further, β-HPV gene expression is not necessary for tumor maintenance in the general population as on average there is fewer than one copy of the β-HPV genome per cell in NMSC tumor biopsies. Cell culture, epidemiological and mouse model experiments support a role for β-HPV infections in the initiation of NMSCs through a “hit and run” mechanism. The virus is hypothesized to act as a cofactor, augmenting the genome destabilizing effects of UV. Supporting this idea, two β-HPV proteins (β-HPV E6 and E7) disrupt the cellular response to UV exposure and other genome destabilizing events by abrogating DNA repair and deregulating cell cycle progression. The aberrant damage response increases the likelihood of oncogenic mutations capable of driving tumorigenesis independent of a sustained β-HPV infection or continued viral protein expression. This review summarizes what is currently known about the deleterious effects of β-HPV on genome maintenance in the context of the virus’s putative role in NMSC initiation.
Standard of Living as a Right, Not a Privilege: Is It Time to Change the Dialogue from Minimum Wage to Living Wage?

Dating back to the 1930s, President Franklin D. Roosevelt argued that workers were entitled to a wage that allowed them to enjoy a decent standard of living—a conviction that led the president to propose the first federally‐mandated minimum wage. Mr. Roosevelt’s proposal was met with highly partisan resistance in congress and the courts—reactions not different in kind from the highly partisan resistance former President Obama experienced in his proposal to increase the federal minimum wage from its current level of $7.25 per hour. Reflecting President Roosevelt’s convictions, it is clear that many low wage workers today are not, and cannot, enjoying a decent standard of living at current minimum wage levels. Further, many of the economic arguments raised in opposition to increasing the minimum wage have been thoroughly discredited: empirical evidence suggests that increased minimum wages would not lead to dramatic spikes in unemployment, massive substitutions of capital for labor, business closings, and significantly increased consumer prices. However, as compelling as arguments for increasing the minimum wage may be, the reality is that this may not be sufficient to alleviate the plight of low income workers, particularly given the political nature of minimum wage adjustments. Indeed, it may be time to shift the national focus away from the minimum wage to an emphasis on viable living wage legislation, a proposition consistent with the social justice perspective of contemporary ethicists.
Women’s perceptions of dense breast notifications in a Massachusetts safety net hospital: “So what is that supposed to mean?”

Abstract Objective Currently, 30 US states mandate that radiologists notify women when dense breast tissue is found on mammography. Little is understood about how notifications are perceived by recipients. This qualitative study sought to understand how dense breast notifications (DBNs) impact women’s perceptions and their participation in follow-up care. Methods We assessed rates of DBN recall and conducted semi-structured telephone interviews with 30 English-speaking women ages 40 to 74 after receiving a DBN from a Massachusetts hospital. Content coding characterized women’s recall of the notification content, perceptions of breast density, and planned or actual participation in follow-up care. Results Most women (81%) recalled receiving a DBN, but few could recall specific content. Women described struggling to understand the meaning of breast density and created their own explanatory models of dense breasts that differed from medical explanations. Many women planned to or did talk with their doctors about breast density as a result of receiving the notification. Conclusions Women receiving DBNs have limited knowledge and many misperceptions about the implications of having dense breasts. Practice implications Educational support is needed to promote informed decision- making about breast cancer screening that incorporates personal risk in the setting of dense breast legislation.
Enhancing agricultural landscapes to increase crop pest reduction by vertebrates

Abstract A key challenge of the coming decades is increasing agricultural productivity while maintaining environments that optimize ecosystem service provisioning. Crop pests are a constant challenge for farmers. Recent investigations demonstrate that vertebrates consume numerous crop pests and that this consumption often reduces crop damage, a key ecosystem service. Pest-consuming vertebrates can be attracted to agricultural areas through several strategies that we refer to as landscape enhancements: 1) providing critical structures and materials like nest boxes and roosts, 2) managing habitat/landscape complexity, 3) reintroducing native species, and 4) reducing invasive species’ impacts on target species. In addition to the potential for lower crop damage, attracting pest-consuming vertebrate to agricultural areas could: reduce use of pesticides, aid in the conservation of declining species, provide cultural ecosystem services like wildlife watching, and respond to consumer preferences regarding food production. Some of these benefits provide potential economic advantages to food producers. Our search of past research indicated that relatively few systematic studies have investigated vertebrate effects on crop pests and even fewer have studied how enhancements may increase trophic effects resulting in lower crop damage. Birds are the most studied vertebrate with regard to effects on crop pests, arthropods are the most studied pest group, and a plurality of studies have taken place in coffee and cacao. We lack information about key ecological and social questions related to enhancements including the contexts in which vertebrate predators are most likely to be attracted to enhancements and reduce crop pests, the potential economic benefits of enhancements, and how to marshal the human resources to install, maintain, and monitor enhancements. Addressing these questions will increase understanding of the interactions of vertebrate predators and their prey, the ways in which these interactions provide ecosystem services, and the roles of humans in protecting and encouraging these interactions.
Collaborations and Partnerships across Sectors: Preparing the Next Generation for Governance

This article examines inter-sectoral collaborations as reported in the literature and the suggested characteristics and competencies of collaboration participants. The ultimate goal is to suggest s...
Selenium analysis in waters. Part 1: Regulations and standard methods

Selenium is released into the aquatic environment through anthropogenic activities such as agricultural irrigation, coal mining, and metallurgical activities, where it acts as a reproductive toxin with negative effects on predatory fish and water fowl. Waterborne selenium concentrations are closely regulated worldwide, and various standardized methods are implemented by regulatory bodies to allow for the monitoring of selenium concentrations in different types of waters. Here, we discuss worldwide regulations relating to concentration limits of selenium in drinking, natural, and industrial waters. Focusing specifically on North America, we look at some standardized analysis methods and discuss the fact that many of these methods are not adequately sensitive to measure selenium in the concentrations outlined by the associated regulations for natural waters. We look in detail at the limitations of these methods with regards to both detection limits and interfering sample matrix components and establish the need for more sensitive and robust methods of analysis for regulatory compliance. This review is complemented by a second part (LeBlanc et al., 2018) where we discuss the state of selenium speciation analysis and importance of speciation data for decision makers in industry and regulators.
Multistate Demography and Event History Analysis

In this paper, Michael Hannan explores a merger of two methodologies for the purpose of analyzing the direct and indirect long-run implications of behavioral responses to public policies: multistate demography and life history or event history analysis. He argues that such a combined approach allows one to project levels of well-being in heterogeneous populations facing changing social policies.
Specific Receptors for Vitamin D3 in Human Prostatic Carcinoma Cells

Approximately 103,000 men will be diagnosed as having prostatic cancer during 1990 [1]. Of these, more than one half will have locally advanced or metastatic disease at the time of diagnosis [2]. For many of these men, hormonal manipulation will become their chief form of therapy. However, although 70% of tumors will initially respond to androgen withdrawal, the majority will eventually progress to a hormone refractory state. These grim statistics have spurred the search for the basic explanation of the phenomenon of androgen “independent” growth.
Policy Reforms and Agriculture Development Challenges in Tajikstan

Designing development strategies and programs in Central Asian republics require a fuller understanding of the policy reform efforts that has been on going since the independence. This paper presented a quick review of the issues and challenges related to Tankistan in its efforts to spur the economic growth and reduce poverty in rural areas though agricultural development. In spite of concerted efforts by the government in reforming its economy, several policy concerns remain. First, privatization of the agricultural lands including pasture lands and allocate individual land parcel and registration of the land parcels tenure, to promote the land market. Second, adoption of the watercode, and evolving regulations for the WUAs and recognizing these as farmers owned service oriented non government organizations, with the transfer of these infrastructure. Third, providing the rural credit support, through rural financing system development, mortgage loan, pledge loan policies and similar mechanisms. Addressing these concerns would require continued cooperation of the government and the donor community and harmonization of Tajikistan’s policies to take advantage of the opportunities that may arise both in the region and at the global level.
Cost Effective 3D Printed Device for Tuberculosis Nanoformulation Manufacturing

A 3D printed device has been developed for cost-effective production of rifampicin loaded lipid polymer hybrid nanoparticles. These nanoparticles show considerable potential for research related to the treatment of Tuberculosis. The nanoparticles synthesized by the device possess a core-shell drug-lipid polymer assembly. The synthesis conditions have been optimized with respect to the parameters like flow-rate, size of device, and the concentration of rifampicin and poly lactic-co-glycolic acid (in which the drug molecules are incorporated). The nanoparticles synthesized by the 3D printed device yield smaller nanoparticles with narrow size distributions in contrast to traditional sonication method. The device can be operated either by hand or by using syringe pumps. These nanoparticles also show excellent antibacterial activity which typically correlates with a reduction in drug dosing frequency to promote patient adherence to drug regimens.
Prospects and challenges in augmented reality displays

Augmented reality (AR) displays are attracting significant attention and efforts. In this paper, we review the adopted device configurations of see-through displays, summarize the current development status and highlight future challenges in micro-displays. A brief introduction to optical gratings is presented to help understand the challenging design of grating-based waveguide for AR displays. Finally, we discuss the most recent progress in diffraction grating and its implications.
The Shrinking American Military

Lake provides a much-needed analysis of the size and composition of the American military. This chapter shows that the propensity for overstretch identified in Chap. 1 is the result of a decades-long trend toward a smaller military, compounded by a relative decline in the share of combat forces within the military. Through an analysis of defense spending and procurement patterns, Lake shows that the costs and support requirements of military equipment are both steadily increasing. Building on that finding, Lake argues that an emphasis on procuring technologically superior hardware for the American military explains both the shrinking military and the declining share of combat forces.
Robustness of Statistical Power in Group-Randomized Studies of Mediation Under an Optimal Sampling Framework

Abstract. When planning group-randomized studies probing mediation, effective and efficient sample allocation is governed by several parameters including treatment-mediator and mediator-outcome pat...
Neural Activation to Parental Praise Interacts With Social Context to Predict Adolescent Depressive Symptoms

Negative relationships with parents and peers are considered risk factors for depression in adolescence, yet not all adolescents perceiving negative social relationships develop depression. In line with neurobiological susceptibility to social context models, we examined how individual differences in neural processing of parental praise, a unique form of social reward, might explain variability in susceptibility to perceived maternal acceptance and peer victimization. During neuroimaging, 38 11- to 17-year-olds with a history of anxiety listened to audio clips of a parent (predominately mothers) providing personalized praise and neutral statements. Average activation during parental praise clips relative to neutral clips was extracted from several anatomically-defined reward-related regions-of-interest (ROIs): the subgenual anterior cingulate cortex, caudate nucleus, amygdala, nucleus accumbens, and insula. Moderation models included direct effects and interactions between neural activation to social reward, peer victimization, and maternal acceptance at the time of scanning on depressive symptoms 1 year later. Results showed a significant three-way interaction for the bilateral caudate such that peer victimization was associated with depressive symptoms only for individuals with higher caudate response to praise who perceived maternal acceptance as low. Consistent with neurobiological susceptibility to social context models, caudate activation to social reward could represent a neural marker that helps explain variability in adolescent sensitivity to social contexts. High caudate activation to praise could reflect a history of negative experiences with parents and/or peers that places youth at greater risk for depressive symptoms. Findings suggest that interactions between neural response to reward and salient social contexts may help us understand changes in depressive symptoms during a period of development marked by significant biopsychosocial change.
A Century of Forest Regrowth and Snow Loss Alters the Cooling Effect of Historical Land Use in the Upper Midwest

Anthropogenic land use affects climate by altering the energy balance of the Earth’s surface. In temperate regions, cooling from increased albedo is a common result of historical land-use change. However, this albedo cooling effect is dependent mainly on the exposure of snow cover following forest canopy removal and may change over time due to simultaneous changes in both land cover and snow cover. In this paper, we combine modern remote sensing data and historical records, incorporating over 100 years of realized land use and climatic change into an empirical assessment of centennial-scale surface forcings in the Upper Midwestern USA. We show that, although increases in surface albedo cooled through strong negative shortwave forcings, those forcings were reduced over time by a combination of forest regrowth and snow-cover loss. Deforestation cooled strongly (− 5.3 Wm−2) and mainly in winter, while composition shift cooled less strongly (− 3.03 Wm−2) and mainly in summer. Combined, changes in albedo due to deforestation, shifts in species composition, and the return of historical forest cover resulted in − 2.81 Wm−2 of regional radiative cooling, 55% less than full deforestation. Forcings due to changing vegetation were further reduced by 0.32 Wm−2 of warming from a shortened snow-covered season and a thinning of seasonal snowpack. Our findings suggest that accounting for long-term changes in land cover and snow cover reduces the estimated cooling impact of deforestation, with implications for long-term land-use planning.
Children Take Charge: Helping Behaviors and Organized Action Among Young People After Hurricane Katrina

Although children and youth have often been cast as “vulnerable victims” during disasters, their actions have repeatedly demonstrated their capacity to evoke positive change in the face of an ever more turbulent natural environment. This chapter highlights a range of child- and youth-initiated efforts to reduce disaster risk and to promote more disaster resilient communities. The chapter examines the types of activities that children and youth have helped to create and lead, including disaster risk reduction (DRR) initiatives, community-based preparedness programs, and long-term recovery efforts. Both international as well as domestic efforts are compared and contrasted. It also discusses the challenges associated with sustaining such efforts as well as future opportunities for deeper inclusion of child- and youth-led coalitions in traditional emergency management programs.
How to Shop and Dress like Mrs. Consumer: Rebuilding La Rinascente the American Way

Harris examines the presence of American retail models in the postwar reconstruction and modernization of the Italian department store, La Rinascente. Focusing in particular on the rebuilding of the flagship store located in Milan’s Piazza del Duomo, the chapter demonstrates how and analyzes why “America” came to be embedded in the newly rebuilt Milan store’s interior and exterior designs, its service method, and in the products sold to its female clientele. As a result, these women were taught how to comprare all’americana (to shop and buy the American way). However, La Rinascente’s executives did not reproduce a facsimile of the American department store. Instead, they adapted its most attractive, pleasing, and innovative aspects to fit the Italian context thereby maintaining some italianita (Italianness).
VMAT Grid Therapy: A Widely Applicable Planning Approach

Abstract Purpose To describe a novel and practical volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) planning approach for grid therapy. Methods and Materials Dose is prescribed to 1.5-cm diameter spherical contours placed throughout the gross tumor volume (GTV). Placement of spheres is variable, but they must maintain at least a 3-cm (center to center) separation, and the edge of any sphere must be at least 1 cm from any organ at risk (OAR). Three concentric ring structures are used during optimization to confine the highest doses to the center of the spheres and maximize dose sparing between them. The end result is alternating regions of high and low dose throughout the GTV and minimal dose to OARs. High-intensity flattening filter-free (FFF) modes are used to efficiently deliver the plans, and entire treatments typically take only 15 to 20 minutes. Results The approach is illustrated with 2 examples treated at our institution. Patient #1 had a 1703-cm3 mediastinal mass and was prescribed 20 Gray (Gy) to 24 spherical regions within the GTV. Patient #2 had a 3680-cm3 abdominal tumor and was prescribed 18 Gy to 32 spherical regions within the GTV. Both patients received additional consolidative radiation approximately 1 week after the initial VMAT grid treatment. Each patient experienced marked reduction in tumor size and symptomatic relief without treatment-related complications. Conclusions We have described in detail a planning approach for VMAT grid therapy treatments that can typically be delivered in a clinically practical time span. The VMAT approach is especially useful for tumors that are surrounded by sensitive critical structures. As many centers offer VMAT treatments, the approach is widely accessible and can be readily implemented once appropriate patient selection and delivery processes are established.