cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The deinstitutionalization of American marriage

This article argues that marriage has undergone a process of deinstitutionalization—a weakening of the social norms that define partners’ behavior—over the past few decades. Examples are presented involving the increasing number and complexity of cohabiting unions and the emergence of same-sex marriage. Two transitions in the meaning of marriage that occurred in the United States during the 20th century have created the social context for deinstitutionalization. The first transition, noted by Ernest Burgess, was from the institutional marriage to the companionate marriage. The second transition was to the individualized marriage in which the emphasis on personal choice and self-development expanded. Although the practical importance of marriage has declined, its symbolic significance has remained high and may even have increased. It has become a marker of prestige and personal achievement. Examples of its symbolic significance are presented. The implications for the current state of marriage and its future direction are discussed. A quarter century ago, in an article entitled ‘‘Remarriage as an Incomplete Institution’’ (Cherlin, 1978), I argued that American society lacked norms about the way that members of stepfamilies should act toward each other. Parents and children in first marriages, in contrast, could rely on well-established norms, such as when it is appropriate to discipline a child. I predicted that, over time, as remarriage after divorce became common, norms would begin to emerge concerning proper behavior in stepfamilies—for example, what kind of relationship a stepfather should have with his stepchildren. In other words, I expected that remarriage would become institutionalized, that it would become more like first marriage. But just the opposite has happened. Remarriage has not become more like first marriage; rather, first marriage has become more like remarriage. Instead of the institutionalization of remarriage,
Activated escape of periodically modulated systems.

The rate of noise-induced escape from a metastable state of a periodically modulated overdamped system is found for an arbitrary modulation amplitude $A$. The instantaneous escape rate displays peaks that vary with the modulation from Gaussian to strongly asymmetric. The prefactor $\ensuremath{\nu}$ in the period-averaged escape rate depends on $A$ nonmonotonically. Near the bifurcation amplitude ${A}_{c}$ it scales as $\ensuremath{\nu}\ensuremath{\propto}({A}_{c}\ensuremath{-}A{)}^{\ensuremath{\zeta}}$. We identify three scaling regimes, with $\ensuremath{\zeta}=1/4$, $\ensuremath{-}1$, and $1/2$.
Ethylene Polymerization and Ethylene/Methyl 10-Undecenoate Copolymerization Using Nickel(II) and Palladium(II) Complexes Derived from a Bulky P,O Chelating Ligand

Cationic Ni(II) and Pd(II) complexes based on the bulky P,O ligand phenacyldi-tert-butylphosphine have been shown to be active for the polymerization of ethylene and copolymerization of ethylene and methyl 10-undecenoate, a functionalized monomer.
An observation chamber for a high-pressure stopped-flow apparatus.

Abstract A new design of the observation window to observation chamber seal is described for the Berger rapid stopped-flow apparatus. This design permits reliable operation of the apparatus and retains the features of a square non-deviating observation path with flush windows. Incorporation of fiber optic light guides for the observation path has made the apparatus insensitive to vibration artifacts. A demonstration reaction of calcium binding to EGTA is presented; the reaction, which is 90% complete complete within 2 ms, illustrates the capability of this apparatus for examining fast reactions.
Recent results on classification of finite dimensional maximal rank estimation algebras with state space dimension up to 5

R. W. Brockett (1983) proposed to classify all finite dimensional estimation algebras. An affirmative solution to Brockett's problem will allow construction of all possible finite dimensional recursive filters from the Lie algebraic point of view. The concept of an estimation algebra with maximal rank was introduced by L. F. Tam et al. (1990). This is the most important general subclass of estimation algebras. S. S.-T. Yau and W.L. Chiou (1991) have already classified all maximal rank finite dimensional estimation algebras with state space dimension at most 2. Here, the case for state space dimension 3 is studied. >
Networks (volumes I and II)

The article reviews the book “Networks (Volumes I and II),” edited by Gernot Grabher and Walter W. Powell.
Cocaine Administered into the Medial Prefrontal Cortex Reinstates Cocaine-Seeking Behavior by Increasing AMPA Receptor-Mediated Glutamate Transmission in the Nucleus Accumbens

One of the major determinants of reinstatement to cocaine use among human addicts is acute reexposure to the drug, which often precipitates cocaine craving and relapse. We used an animal model of cocaine relapse to determine the role of the glutamatergic pathway from the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) to the nucleus accumbens in the reinstatement of cocaine-seeking behavior after a cocaine priming injection. Rats were trained to self-administer cocaine intravenously on a second order schedule. Responding was extinguished subsequently by substituting saline for cocaine. During subsequent reinstatement sessions, drug-seeking behavior was assessed after noncontingent priming injections. Results indicated that reinstatement induced by a systemic cocaine injection was blocked by intra-mPFC administration of the dopamine antagonist flupenthixol. Consistent with this finding, administration of cocaine directly into the mPFC reinstated cocaine-seeking behavior. Administration of cocaine into the nucleus accumbens also reinstated drug seeking, whereas microinjection of cocaine into the neostriatum or lateral septum did not. Reinstatement of cocaine seeking induced by intra-mPFC cocaine was blocked by administration of the AMPA receptor antagonist CNQX into the nucleus accumbens. Administration of the NMDA receptor antagonist AP-5 into the nucleus accumbens had variable effects on reinstatement induced by intra-mPFC cocaine in that AP-5 had no effect in some animals but augmented reinstatement in others. Subsequent experiments showed that intra-accumbal microinjection of AP-5 alone dose-dependently reinstated cocaine seeking. These data indicate that the glutamatergic pathway from the mPFC to the nucleus accumbens plays an important role in cocaine priming-induced reinstatement of drug seeking. Moreover, the present results demonstrate that AMPA and NMDA receptors in the nucleus accumbens have opposing roles in the reinstatement of cocaine-seeking behavior.
Evaluation of layered media Green's functions via rational function fitting

An efficient rational function fitting methodology, called VECTFIT, is utilized toward the closed-form evaluation of the Sommerfeld integrals associated with electromagnetic Green's functions in planar layered media. VECTFIT approximates the component of the spectrum of the Green's function that remains after the extraction of the primary source contribution and the quasistatic part with a rational function, thus enabling a robust and expedient closed-form evaluation of the Sommerfeld integral for electromagnetic potentials and associated field quantities.
Convergence Rate of Quantization Error in Networked Control Systems

In this paper, we investigate the problem of convergence rate of the quantization error in networked control systems. Given bit rate R, we derive the best convergence rate of the quantization error together with a corresponding rate allocation strategy. Specifically, using a min-max eigenvalue problem (MMEP) formulation, it is shown that the error convergence rate is determined by the ratio between |detA| and R where A is the state matrix. It is also shown that the bit rate R can be optimized through a dynamic quantization policy among the unstable modes of the system, such that the convergence rate of the quantization error approaches the optimal solution to the MMEP problem.
Posttraining Strategies for Facilitating Positive Transfer: An Empirical Exploration

This study investigated the effectiveness of three posttraining strategies for facilitating transfer of training: (1) assigned goal setting, (2) participative goal setting, and (3) a behavioral sel...
Enhanced resistance to soybean cyst nematode Heterodera glycines in transgenic soybean by silencing putative CLE receptors.

Summary CLE peptides are small extracellular proteins important in regulating plant meristematic activity through the CLE-receptor kinase-WOX signalling module. Stem cell pools in the SAM (shoot apical meristem), RAM (root apical meristem) and vascular cambium are controlled by CLE signalling pathways. Interestingly, plant-parasitic cyst nematodes secrete CLE-like effector proteins, which act as ligand mimics of plant CLE peptides and are required for successful parasitism. Recently, we demonstrated that Arabidopsis CLE receptors CLAVATA1 (CLV1), the CLAVATA2 (CLV2)/CORYNE (CRN) heterodimer receptor complex and RECEPTOR-LIKE PROTEIN KINASE 2 (RPK2), which transmit the CLV3 signal in the SAM, are required for perception of beet cyst nematode Heterodera schachtii CLEs. Reduction in nematode infection was observed in clv1, clv2, crn, rpk2 and combined double and triple mutants. In an effort to develop nematode resistance in an agriculturally important crop, orthologues of Arabidopsis receptors including CLV1, CLV2, CRN and RPK2 were identified from soybean, a host for the soybean cyst nematode Heterodera glycines. For each of the receptors, there are at least two paralogues in the soybean genome. Localization studies showed that most receptors are expressed in the root, but vary in their level of expression and spatial expression patterns. Expression in nematode-induced feeding cells was also confirmed. In vitro direct binding of the soybean receptors with the HgCLE peptide was analysed. Knock-down of the receptors in soybean hairy roots showed enhanced resistance to SCN. Our findings suggest that targeted disruption of nematode CLE signalling may be a potential means to engineer nematode resistance in crop plants.
Effect of Z-motion in the phase of the K-space MRI data and identification of periodic Z-motion kernels

In 2-D spin-echo magnetic resonance imaging, patient motion perpendicular to the selected slice (out-of-plane motion) is difficult to detect. A novel method for detecting sinusoidal motion without using any special pulse sequences is proposed. Once the motion is detected, the artifacts arising from different sources may be substantially reduced, leading to better and more efficient diagnosis. >
Solvent-type-dependent polymorphism and charge transport in a long fused-ring organic semiconductor.

Crystalline polymorphism of organic semiconductors is among the critical factors in determining the structure and properties of the resultant organic electronic devices. Herein we report for the first time a solvent-type-dependent polymorphism of a long fused-ring organic semiconductor and its crucial effects on charge transport. A new polymorph of 5,11-bis(triethylsilylethynyl)anthradithiophene (TES ADT) is obtained using solvent-assisted crystallization, and the crystalline polymorphism of TES ADT thin films is correlated with their measured hole mobilities. The best-performing organic thin film transistors of the two TES ADT polymorphs show subthreshold slopes close to 1 V dec−1, and threshold voltages close to zero, indicating that the density of traps at the semiconductor–dielectric interface is negligible in these devices and the observed up to 10-fold differences in hole mobilities of devices fabricated with different solvents are largely resultant from the presence of two TES ADT polymorphs. Moreover, our results suggest that the best-performing TES ADT devices reported in the literature correspond to the new polymorph identified in this study, which involves crystallization from a weakly polar solvent (such as toluene and chloroform).
PAUL’S CASE and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

Willa Cather shows that neither Paul's teachers nor his father understands why Paul creates such difficulties for himself, first at school and then later in society at large. This portrayal is not ...
Integration of Cot Analysis, DNA Cloning, and High-Throughput Sequencing Facilitates Genome Characterization and Gene Discovery

Cot-based sequence discovery represents a powerful means by which both low-copy and repetitive sequences can be selectively and efficiently fractionated, cloned, and characterized. Based upon the results of a Cot analysis, hydroxyapatite chromatography was used to fractionate sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) genomic DNA into highly repetitive (HR), moderately repetitive (MR), and single/low-copy (SL) sequence components that were consequently cloned to produce HRCot, MRCot, and SLCot genomic libraries. Filter hybridization (blotting) and sequence analysis both show that the HRCot library is enriched in sequences traditionally found in high-copy number (e.g., retroelements, rDNA, centromeric repeats), the SLCot library is enriched in low-copy sequences (e.g., genes and “nonrepetitive ESTs”), and the MRCot library contains sequences of moderate redundancy. The Cot analysis suggests that the sorghum genome is approximately 700 Mb (in agreement with previous estimates) and that HR, MR, and SL components comprise 15%, 41%, and 24% of sorghum DNA, respectively. Unlike previously described techniques to sequence the low-copy components of genomes, sequencing of Cot components is independent of expression and methylation patterns that vary widely among DNA elements, developmental stages, and taxa. High-throughput sequencing of Cot clones may be a means of “capturing” the sequence complexity of eukaryotic genomes at unprecedented efficiency. [Online supplementary material is available at www.genome.org. The sequence data described in this paper have been submitted to the GenBank under accession nos. AZ921847-AZ923007. Reagents, samples, and unpublished information freely provided by H. Ma and J. Messing.]
Tadalafil augments tumor specific immunity in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

Purpose: To determine if phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE5) inhibitors can augment immune function in patients with head and neck cancer through inhibition of myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC). Experimental Design: We performed a randomized, prospective, double blinded, placebo controlled, phase II clinical trial to determine the in vivo effects of systemic PDE5 inhibition on immune function in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Results: Tadalafil augmented immune response, increasing ex vivo T-cell expansion to a mean 2.4-fold increase compared with 1.1-fold in control patients ( P = 0.01), reducing peripheral MDSC numbers to mean 0.81-fold change compared with a 1.26-fold change in control patients ( P = 0.001), and increasing general immunity as measured by delayed type hypersensitivity response ( P = 0.002). Tumor-specific immunity in response to HNSCC tumor lysate was augmented in tadalafil-treated patients ( P = 0.04). Conclusions: These findings demonstrate that tadalafil augments general and tumor-specific immunity in patients with HNSCC and has therapeutic potential in HNSCC. Evasion of immune surveillance and suppression of systemic and tumor-specific immunity is a significant feature of head and neck cancer development. This study demonstrates that a PDE5 inhibitor, tadalafil, can reverse tumor-specific immune suppression in patients with head and neck cancer, with potential for therapeutic application. Clin Cancer Res; 21(1); 30–38. ©2015 AACR . This article is featured in Highlights of This Issue, [p. 1][1] [1]: /lookup/volpage/21/1?iss=1
Differentiating potential functions of SRB measures on hyperbolic attractors

The derivation of Ruelle’s derivative formula of the SRB measure depends largely on the calculation of the derivative of the unstable Jacobian. Although Ruelle’s derivative formula is correct, the proofs in the original paper and its corrigendum are not complete. In this paper, we re-visit the differentiation process of the unstable Jacobian and provide a complete derivation of its derivative formula. Our approach is to extend the volume form provided by the SRB measure on local unstable manifolds to a system of Holder continuous local Riemannian metrics on the manifold so that under this system of local metrics, the unstable Jacobian becomes differentiable with respect to the base point and its derivative with respect to the map can be obtained by the chain rule.
Theory of Superconducting WIRE Networks and Josephson Junction Arrays in Magnetic Fields

In this paper we study the superconducting-normal phase boundaries of a variety of wire networks and Josephson-junction arrays. We have obtained the mean-field phase diagrams for a number of geometries and compared them to the corresponding experimental data. We have introduced an analytical approach to the analysis of the structures present in the phase diagrams. We have shown in great detail how the gross structure is determined by the statistical distributions of the cell areas, and how the fine structures are determined by correlations among neighboring cells in the lattices. We have also studied the effect of thermal fluctuations on the structure of the phase diagram by a cluster mean-field calculation and a real-space renormalization-group (RG) theory. The RG theory provides a natural link between the structures at fractional fluxes to those at integral ones, predicting a pronounced hierarchical behavior of the phase diagram and an infinite slope for the cusps.
Endoscopic removal of the wireless pH monitoring capsule in patients with severe discomfort

Background Few patients have significant symptoms during wireless esophageal pH monitoring, and the capsule typically sloughs spontaneously. Severe discomfort during monitoring can occur that requires endoscopic dislodgement of the capsule. Objective To determine the frequency with which endoscopic capsule dislodgement is required and the outcomes of the intervention. Design Chart review. Setting University-based outpatient endoscopy facility. Patients A total of 452 consecutive patients undergoing wireless pH monitoring over a 3.5-year period. Interventions Endoscopic dislodgement of the capsule by using nudging with the endoscope tip and cold snare techniques. Results Eight subjects (1.8%) required endoscopic capsule dislodgement because of severe chest pain or odynophagia (n = 7) or severe foreign-body sensation (n = 1). Chest pain was the initial indication for pH monitoring in 5 (62.5%) of the subjects. Initial nudging with the endoscope tip successfully dislodged 2 capsules; continued nudging produced mucosal stripping in 3 subjects, which required hemostasis in 1. A cold snare was used successfully, without complication, to separate the capsule from stripped mucosa and as a primary removal method in the remainder of subjects. Capsule removal uniformly resulted in marked improvement of discomfort. Conclusions Endoscopic removal of the capsule was required in
TES level 1 algorithms: interferogram processing, geolocation, radiometric, and spectral calibration

The Tropospheric Emission Spectrometer (TES) on the Earth Observing System (EOS) Aura satellite measures the infrared radiance emitted by the Earth's surface and atmosphere using Fourier transform spectrometry. The measured interferograms are converted into geolocated, calibrated radiance spectra by the L1 (Level 1) processing, and are the inputs to L2 (Level 2) retrievals of atmospheric parameters, such as vertical profiles of trace gas abundance. We describe the algorithmic components of TES Level 1 processing, giving examples of the intermediate results and diagnostics that are necessary for creating TES L1 products. An assessment of noise-equivalent spectral radiance levels and current systematic errors is provided. As an initial validation of our spectral radiances, TES data are compared to the Atmospheric Infrared Sounder (AIRS) (on EOS Aqua), after accounting for spectral resolution differences by applying the AIRS spectral response function to the TES spectra. For the TES L1 nadir data products currently available, the agreement with AIRS is 1 K or better.
System identification of open-loop maneuvers leads to improved AUV flight performance

The authors focus on demonstrating a simple design procedure for the Odyssey III autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) flight control system. This procedure can be carried out quickly and routinely to maximize vehicle effectiveness. A hydrodynamic model of the vehicle was first developed from theory and bench-top laboratory tests. Using this initial model, a controller was developed from basic principles. Then, using this initial controller to reach a desired typical operating condition, a very compact set of open-loop maneuvers was performed in the field. The vehicle model was optimized using the Nelder-Mead simplex method, and a revised controller was then implemented and tested successfully
The Impact of Appraisals and Context on Readiness to Leave a Relationship Following Intimate Partner Abuse

The current longitudinal study examined the relative impact of symptoms and appraisals as well as contextual and demographic factors on women’s subsequent readiness to leave a relationship following intimate partner abuse. An ethnically diverse sample of women (N = 177) completed measures assessing posttrauma appraisals, symptoms, dependence on the perpetrator, and abuse characteristics. One year later, women reported on their readiness to leave the relationship. Regression analyses revealed that readiness to leave was (a) positively predicted by fear appraisals, (b) negatively predicted by shame appraisals, and (c) significantly associated with additional contextual factors (i.e., dependence on the perpetrator, stalking behaviors).
Objective evaluation of anterior septal surgical reconstruction.

Fifty patients who underwent nasal septal reconstruction for anterior septal deformities were examined preoperatively and postoperatively with anterior mask rhinomanography. A high degree of correlation was found between the reduction in nasal resistance after operation and the patients' subjective assessment of improvement. Those patients who improved subjectively had a mean decrease in nasal resistance of 1.2 cm H2O/L/sec, whereas those patients who indicated no improvement had a mean increase in nasal resistance of 0.2 cm H2O/L/sec.
The fate of infant kidneys with fetal hydronephrosis but initially normal postnatal sonography.

Abstract Antenatal hydronephrosis involving 49 renal units in 35 infants seen since 1984 was studied. Postnatal sonography performed in the first few days after birth confirmed upper tract dilatation in 39 kidneys (80 per cent) in 29 neonates and it was normal in 10 kidneys (20 per cent) in 6 neonates. Of the 6 neonates with a normal postnatal sonogram 5 underwent repeat renal sonography at an average of 2 months after birth, all showing moderate hydronephrosis (7 kidneys). Furosemide-enhanced diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid renography was performed in 4 infants (5 kidneys) with ureteropelvic junction or megaureter obstruction, of whom 2 had persistent unilateral obstruction and underwent successful reconstructive surgery (1 pyeloplasty and 1 megaureter reimplantation). Two infants (3 kidneys) with nonobstructive dilatation are being followed while 1 infant with bilateral vesicoureteral reflux is being managed medically on long-term antimicrobial prophylaxis. Thus, 50 per cent of neonates with antenatal hydronephrosis and a normal postnatal sonogram performed during the first few days of life subsequently were found to have either significant obstruction (2 requiring surgery) or reflux. This study underscores the absolute necessity of followup sonography in all newborns with antenatal hydronephrosis that is not confirmed on the initial postnatal ultrasound.
SEASONAL VARIATION IN REPRODUCTIVE EFFORT AND ITS EFFECT ON OFFSPRING SIZE IN THE LIZARD SCELOPORUS UNDULATUS

Fence lizards, Sceloporus undulatus, reproduce multiple times per year. Survival of reproducing females drops dramatically between clutches from first to final clutch of the year. Also, offspring from later clutches emerge with less time available for growth and storage prior to hiber- nation. Considering these two facts, life history theory predicts that (1) females should exhibit greater reproductive effort (RE) in the second clutch of the active season than in the first, and (2) that the increase in RE should be mediated by a greater allocation of energy per offspring. To test these hypotheses, we compared reproductive traits (RE, clutch size, and egg mass) of lizards from a New Jersey population laying their first and second clutches. Two different estimates of RE (relative clutch mass, and clutch mass adjusted for condition) were significantly lower for the second clutch than for the first clutch. The difference in RE was manifested primarily as a decrease in clutch size. Clutch size was correlated with female body size and condition, but average egg mass was not correlated with either variable. Egg mass varied twice as much among clutches as it did within clutches. In fact, the variation in average egg mass observed among clutches was almost as great as that which exists among populations of S. undulatus. Variation in egg mass within and among clutches has consequences for offspring quality because egg mass was positively correlated with snout-vent length, body mass, and condition of hatchlings. Our data do not support the pre- dictions of existing theories regarding the optimal allocation of RE among offspring.
Assessing New Aircraft and Technology Impacts on Fleet- Wide Environmental Metrics including Future Scenarios

The environment and the impact of human activities on the environment have been at the center of attention recently, and air transportation is a contributor to environmental emissions. This paper presents a model that measures the impact of technology and policy changes on future emission levels of the air transportation. The resulting tool models the environmental performance of aircraft and the resource allocation of airlines in order to measure the fleet-wise environmental impact of changes in technology as well as to assess the degree to which policy changes on environmental metrics are achievable. The tool tracks environmental impact in three forms CO2, NOX and airport noise while assuming a benevolent monopolistic airline serves passenger demand. The results reflect key relationships between emission levels, passenger demand, ticket price and aircraft technology over a period of several years.
Acute Renal Infarction Pathogenesis and Atrial Fibrillation: Case Report and Literature Review

Kidney infarction is an uncommon thromboembolic complication of atrial fibrillation (AF). Diagnosis of this condition can be challenging due to its rarity and the fact that its presentation is associated with a multitude of other pathologies. No treatment guidelines have been established so far; however, multiple modalities have been employed, including systemic thrombolytics, intra-arterial thrombolytics and anticoagulants. In this article, we review acute renal infarction pathogenesis with a focus on AF as an important etiology. World J Nephrol Urol. 2016;5(1):11-15 doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.14740/wjnu242e
Comparisons of Diapause and Nondiapause Larvae of the Codling Moth,Carpocapsa pomonella

Larvae of Carpocapsa pomonella (L.) in diapause and active development were examined for differentiating characteristics. Diapause is characterized by testes 14 the size of those in developing larvae, cessation of gametogenesis, degeneration of spermatids, reduction in oxygen consumption, reduction in cytoplasm of midgut epithelium, reduction of mitochondrial activity in the fat body, and construction of a thick-walled, circular cocoon. Breaking diapause resulted in the reactivation of gametogenesis, partial restoration of oxygen consumption, partial resumption of mitochondrial activity in the fat body, and the reconstruction or remodeling of the cocoon in preparation for the pupal molt.
Sustainability Assessment of Complex Energy Systems Using Life Cycle Approach-Case Study: Arizona State University Tempe Campus

Abstract Solar PVs are widely proposed as sustainable alternatives to electricity generation from fossil fuels to fulfil the ever-growing energy demands. They have demonstrated great potentials to mitigate devastating environmental impacts of power generation; but, is it enough for a sustainable development? The aim of this paper is to provide a better understanding of how large scale deployment of solar power generation would affect sustainability of a community energy infrastructure. Along with site-specific environmental impacts, cost and social dimensions of sustainability are also considered throughout the life cycle of energy systems and fuels. The proposed framework acknowledges different perspectives and captures the complexities and limitations of power generation. We developed a multi-criteria sustainability appraisal framework to evaluate and compare the sustainability of two different fuel mix scenarios. In this study, accountability of the energy system as well as the safety and resource depletion issues are included as Social Impacts by introducing proper indicators. Assessment results indicated that solar PVs performance has to be improved in cost and social sustainability criteria. The paper also explores the challenges and complexities of sustainability evaluation of energy systems and identifies the bottlenecks of solar PVs deployment in large scales. We concluded that the rate of large-scale penetration of photovoltaics with the purpose of sustainability enhancement should be addressed by adaptive management approaches examining energy demands, solar PV manufacturing and efficiency improvement trends.
Cooperative localization for fixed wing unmanned aerial vehicles

In this paper, we investigate how relative measurements between fixed wing unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and known landmarks can be used to cooperatively localize UAVs when GPS signals are not available. A centralized Extended Kalman Filter (EKF) is used to combine local sensor information from all the UAVs to estimate the required states of all the UAVs. We compare the localization accuracy of the cooperative localization algorithm for different relative measurements such as range, bearing, range rate, and line-of-sight rate. The dynamics, IMU, airspeed, and altimeter data used in the algorithm were collected from flight tests by Naval Postgraduate School [1]. However, the relative measurements are simulated using the flight data. The results are then compared against the GPS data available from the flight test.
Respiratory Therapists' Experiences and Attitudes Regarding Terminal Extubations and End-of-Life Care

BACKGROUND: Respiratory therapists (RTs) routinely care for patients with life-limiting illnesses and in some hospitals are responsible for terminal extubations. Data on how such experiences affect RTs are scarce. The objective of this work was to survey RTs at 2 academic medical centers about their experiences caring for patients with terminal extubations. METHODS: An online survey was distributed to the hospitals9 RTs. Survey data included demographics and experiences with end-of-life care and terminal extubations. The survey was derived from previously published questionnaires plus input from hospital RT leaders. RESULTS: Sixty-five of 173 RTs (37.6%) responded. Of these, 42.4% were ≥50 y old, and 62.7% were female. 20.3% had ≤5 y experience; 52.5% had ≥16 y. 93.8% self-reported being involved in at least one terminal extubation; of those, 36.1% reported performing ≥20. Nearly half (47.5%) wanted to be involved in family meetings discussing terminal extubations, but just 6.6% were frequently involved. Only 32.3% felt that they received adequate education regarding terminal illness in RT school; 32.3% reported gathering this knowledge while working. 60.0% wanted more formal education around terminal patient care. 27.9% reported sometimes being uncomfortable with performing a terminal extubation; most of these rarely felt that they had the option not to perform the extubation. CONCLUSIONS: RTs are rarely involved in end-of-life discussions despite a desire to be, and they experience situations that generate discomfort. There is demand for more formal RT training around care for terminal patients. Clinical protocols that involve RTs in meetings before ventilator withdrawal should be considered.
Using Computer Programming Competition for Cyber Education

Contests are one of the best ways to teach. It serves as a gamification of the learning process. In the cyber security field there are two additional unique obstacles: the first is that we don't want to teach criminal activities and the second is that we actually don't really know what the future cyber world will actually need. Both this problems are solved by asking to solve hard out-of-the-box computer programming tasks that are correlated to the current cyber security techniques.
Carbon-13 and Proton Magnetic Resonance Studies of Chlorinated Biphenyls

13C and 1H nuclear magnetic resonance spectra were obtained for ten symmetric chlorinated biphenyls and for 4,4′ disubstituted biphenyls with NH1H, CH3O, CH3, Cl, F and N02 substituents. The 1H shieldings are shown to correlate with π electron densities calculated by the CNDO/2 method, if corrections are made for ring current effects from the second ring. For freely rotating biphenyls, additive substituent parameters obtained from benzene data predict the 13C shieldings with reasonable precision. Steric hindrance to rotation by substituents at the 2,6,2′ and/or 6′ positions causes deviations from the substituent effects predicted by additivity; these deviations in δC are especially pronounced for the carbons at positions land 1′. The total charge correlation with δC in substituted benzenes is also valid in non-hindered substituted biphenyls. Small differences in δC between chlorinated biphenyl isomers are best related to differences in the calculated σ electron densities.
Disorders of Sex Development

Abstract Sex development plays a fundamental role in determining the physical attributes of our bodies, the structure of our brains, our behavioral tendencies, and our self-concept. Understanding the development of sex differences has informed and been informed by the advances in the molecular dissection of the pathways responsible for disorders/differences of sex development (DSD). New genes have been identified, allowing for rapid diagnosis, understanding of the pathophysiology, and prediction of future fertility. New genomic technologies, chromosomal microarrays, and next-generation sequencing are revolutionizing the approach to diagnosis of DSD. In parallel with the progress in the biology of sexual development, the management of individuals with disorders of sexual development has started a gentle revolution. The clinical approach to DSD is slowly entering the era of evidence-based medicine, with emphasis on early genetic diagnosis, involvement of patients and families in a patient-centered decision-making process, and consideration of long-term health-related quality-of-life outcomes. This chapter (1) reviews the molecular and cellular mechanisms of sex development; (2) presents a classification of DSD, detailing presentations, etiology, diagnostic methods, and recommended management for each condition; (3) includes comprehensive tables detailing syndromic forms of DSD and diagnostic criteria (endocrine, genetic, anatomical), using a modern nomenclature; and (4) offers updated recommendations for management of DSD patients, including considerations about diagnosis, hormonal therapy, gender, fertility, cancer risk, and mental health.
Beyond Manhattan: Localized Competition and Organizational Failure in Urban Hotel Markets Throughout the United States, 2000–2014

Research summary: I conducted a nationwide replication of Baum and Mezias' (1992) pioneering single-market study of localized competition by pooling the populations of 90 urban U.S. hotel markets. Consistent with Baum and Mezias' three hypotheses, I demonstrate a negative market-level effect on survival duration of size-based, geographic-based, and price-based localized competition. When analyzing submarket 'windows,' I found support for size-based and geographic-based localized competition. In contrast, Baum and Mezias find support for only size-based localized competition at the market level, but for all three forms of localized competition when analyzing submarket windows. I extend their analysis by (1) using standardized measures of localized competition, and (2) showing separate results for key subpopulations. I conclude that there are indeed firm-level benefits of avoiding localized competition. Managerial summary: This paper demonstrates that-at a broad level of analysis such as a city-hotels are more likely to survive if there are fewer other properties (1) in their geographical vicinity, (2) of similar size, and (3) at their price point. Thus, prospective owners should be leery of location in the more crowded niches even if these may be plausibly more lucrative for some. Sparsely populated niches appear to be less risky on average. When we study this phenomenon within a narrower geographic scope such as a part of the city, the least crowded niches in terms of geography, price or size no longer appear to provide benefits in terms of survival. Thus, it is possible that only the most sparsely populated niches citywide improve a hotel's likelihood of survival. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Considering Cost-Effectiveness in Cardiology Clinical Guidelines: Progress and Prospects

Since the 1980s, when the American College of Cardiology (ACC) and the American Heart Association (AHA) established a joint task force to examine the use of cardiovascular procedures and therapies, cardiologists have been leaders in the development of clinical practice guidelines. The ACC/AHA guidelines development process has evolved considerably over the last 30 or more years. Guidelines now focus on clinical conditions, such as angina, instead of procedures, such as bypass surgery. There is a formal organizational structure, with dedicated staff, a standing committee on practice guidelines, and specific panels of volunteer experts on each topic. This process tightly manages conflicts of interest and strives for evidence-based, as opposed to opinion-based, guidelines, with a clear citation of the supporting evidence. Traditional clinical guidelines consider only what is best for the individual patient, and have explicitly not considered the cost to society. Nevertheless, in many guidelines development meetings, high cost was implicitly considered: if a procedure was extremely costly, the evidence needed to be very strong. The Guidelines Committee recognized that cost considerations ought to be made more transparent, and that the evidence on economic value should be explicitly cited when available. These considerations were formalized by a recent white paper on incorporating economic considerations into ACC/AHA guidelines. In considering value, it is necessary to assess the quality of the evidence as well as to define levels of value. The next ACC/AHA guideline will incorporate value as a part of its recommendations. This will be an evidence-based process in which published economic assessments relating to key questions will be reviewed.
Activin A stimulates migration of the fallopian tube epithelium, an origin of high-grade serous ovarian cancer, through non-canonical signaling

Factors that stimulate the migration of fallopian tube epithelial (FTE)-derived high-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC) to the ovary are poorly elucidated. This study characterized the effect of the ovarian hormone, activin A, on normal FTE and HGSOC. Activin A and TGFβ1 induced an epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition in murine oviductal epithelial (MOE) cells, but only activin A increased migration. The migratory effect of activin A was independent of Smad2/3 and required phospho-AKT, phospho-ERK, and Rac1. Exogenous activin A stimulated migration of the HGSOC cell line OVCAR3 through a similar mechanism. Activin A signaling inhibitors, SB431542 and follistatin, reduced migration in OVCAR4 cells, which expressed activin A subunits (encoded by INHBA). Murine superovulation increased phospho-Smad2/3 immunostaining in the FTE. In Oncomine, transcripts for the activin A receptors (ACVR1B and ACVR2A) were higher in serous tumors relative to the normal ovary, while inhibitors of activin A signaling (INHA and TGFB3) were lower. High expression of both INHBA and ACVR2A, but not TGFβ receptors or co-receptors, was associated with shorter disease-free survival in serous cancer patients. These results suggest activin A stimulates migration of FTE-derived tumors to the ovary.
Effect of Physical Activity on Self-Reported Disability in Older Adults: Results from the LIFE Study.

Background/Objectives To test the hypothesis that a long-term structured, moderate intensity physical activity (PA) program is more effective than a health education (HE) program in reducing the risk of s elf-reported dependency and disability in basic activities of daily living (BADLs), disability in instrumental ADLs (IADL), and mobility disability. Design The Lifestyle Interventions and Independence for Elders (LIFE) study was a multicenter, single-blinded randomized trial. Setting University-based research clinic. Participants Thousand six hundred and thirty five sedentary men and women aged 70–89 years, who had functional limitations, defined as a score ≤9 on the Short Physical Performance Battery. Intervention Participants were randomized to a structured, moderate intensity PA program (n = 818) that included aerobic, resistance, and flexibility exercises or to a HE program (n = 817). Measurements All outcomes were derived by self-report using periodic interviews that asked about the degree of difficulty and receipt of help during the past month. Dependency was defined as “receiving assistance” or “unable” to do ≥1 activities. Disability was defined as having “a lot of difficulty” or “unable” doing ≥1 activities. Severe disability was defined as reporting difficulty or being unable to perform ≥3 activities. Results Over an average follow-up of 2.6 years, the cumulative incidence of BADL dependency was 15.2% among PA and 15.1% among HE participants (HR = 1.0, 95% CI = 0.78–0.1.3). Intervention groups had similar rates of incident BADL disability, IADL disability and reported mobility disability. Reporting severe mobility disability (HR = 0.78, 95% CI = 0.64–0.96) and ratings of difficulty on mobility tasks were reduced in the PA group. Conclusion A structured physical activity intervention reduces reported severe mobility disability and difficulty on mobility tasks, but not BADL and IADL disability in older adults with functional limitations.
Acute hand injuries in athletes

Hand and wrist injuries in athletes are common, representing between 3 and 25% of all sports injuries. As many as a quarter of all sports injuries involve the hand or wrist. We review the recent literature regarding acute hand injuries in athletes based on the structures involved - bone, muscle/tendon, ligament, and neurovascular - including diagnosis and pathophysiology of these injuries, focusing on athlete-specific facets of treatment, and when available, opinions on return to play.
Return to Religion? Predictors of Religious Change Among Baby-Boomers in their Transition to Later Life.

In this paper, we investigated the correlates of change in religiosity among babyboomers as they aged from their 50s to their 60s. Change was assessed as a function of cognitive and behavioral manifestations of religious involvement, early religious participation, and challenges that emerged over this period of life. Using qualitative and quantitative data from 599 respondents in the 2016 wave of the Longitudinal Study of Generations, we examined retrospectively assessed religious change over the previous ten years and the precipitating reasons for such change. Religiosity was most likely to remain stable, but a significant minority of the sample became more religious over the past ten years; reasons included a shift away from worldly concerns, coping with loss and health problems, and intergenerational continuity. Structural equation modeling found that early exposure to religion strengthened religiosity through its association with both stronger cognitive and behavioral aspects of religious involvement. Losing of a partner, experiencing economic decline, and having health problems either increased or stabilized religiosity, complementing results from qualitative responses. In general, religious change, when it did occur, was in a positive direction and served as a resource for dealing with health and social losses. We anticipate this trend to intensify as baby-boomers advance to even later stages of the life-course.
Real-time human activity-based energy management system using model predictive control

The challenges of energy efficiency and comfort management of intelligent homes and buildings are usually tackled with methods relying on historical data and a large number sensors. In this paper, we propose a real-time human activity-based energy management system (HAEMS), which tracks and processes human movement, and achieves device control based on real-time data with a significantly reduced number of sensors. A human activity detection algorithm and a model predictive control scheme are developed and implemented to optimally manage energy. A multi-objective optimization problem is formulated to minimize electricity cost and control temperature for thermal comfort. The HAEMS is deployed in a scaled-down laboratory setup and the performance is evaluated in an embedded system and hardware environment. Experimental results show that this system is able to optimize both electricity cost and thermal comfort.
Do Corrupt Politicians Mobilize or Demobilize Voters? A Vignette Experiment in Colombia

The literature studying the behavioral effects of political corruption is rapidly growing. While some studies explore the contextual and institutional factors that can neutralize the effects of corruption, this article addresses a different mechanism for weak electoral accountability for corruption: citizen (de)mobilization. It uses a vignette experiment embedded in a nationally representative AmericasBarometer survey in Colombia to isolate the causal effect of political corruption on electoral participation. The results suggest that receiving credible information about the corrupt behavior of politicians running for office decreases the likelihood of participation in elections. It also shows that corruption demobilizes voters even when corrupt politicians are able to provide public works to their constituencies, which casts doubt on the idea that citizens exchange integrity for favorable policy outcomes.